II, 79, 1 January 1880

Advertisements, Page 1

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Coles & Goodchild Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

J. Roach Corn Dealer, Burra Mill

A.H. Forder AMP Agent

F.W. Holder CML Agent

F.W. Holder South British Fire Insurance Agent

Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

Albert Topperwein Boot & Shoemaker, Kooringa

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker, Jeweller, nearly opposite the Commercial Hotel

Mrs Henry Chambers Kooringa Educational Institution for Young Ladies

W.H. Pearce Tinsmith & Ironmonger, Commercial St Kooringa

J. Rule Coach Builder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen near Sara & Dunstan

W. Symons Butcher, Kingston St

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker, Aberdeen,

Opposite Broad’s Hotel. [The Aberdeen Hotel]

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

G. & W. Sara & Dunstan Builders, Timber & Iron Merchants

Burra Timber Yard & Steam Saw Mills

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder & Undertaker, Commercial St

B. Preece Coachbuilder, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Machinist etc., Aberdeen

Edward Willcocks Machinist, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Commercial St

F.W. Holder Agent for American ‘Standard’ Organs

F. Bromley Butcher, Lower Thames St

T.W. Wilkinson Dispensary, Chemist/Druggist, Market Square

W.A. Stewart Bon Accord Hotel, Aberdeen

Richard Dearlove Opie’s Hotel, Aberdeen

James E. Doe Hairdresser & Tobacconist, Market Square

R.H. Birt Boot & Shoemaker, Thames St

John D. Cave Conveyancing, Mortgages, etc., Agent for Eagle Life Insurance,

Cornwall Fire Insurance

Advertisements Page 2

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers

Coles & Goodchild Auctioneers

Bath & Pearce Crockery etc.

Thomas Parks Grocer, Commercial St

Mrs Bock Has moved to a new shop next door to W.L.H. Bruse’s Furniture

Warehouse, Commercial St

F.R. White The new school year begins 12 January

Advertisements, Page 3

G.H. Catchlove & Co. The Unicorn Brewery, Kooringa

N. Lihou & Son Cordials & Aerated Waters

Charles C. Williams (Late William Builder) Tinsmith & Ironmonger

Burra Tinware Manufactory

W. Lasscock (Late H. Dawson) Saddler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

Snell & Williams Steam Chaff & Wood Works, Kingston St, near the Old Grammar School

Advertisements, Page 4

J. King Upholsterer & Bedding Manufacturer, Commercial St

William Geake General Storekeeper, Market Square

W. Anderson Wholesale & Retail Boot & Shoemaker, Commercial St

W. H. Batchelor Hampshire House, Commercial St

Fancy Bazaar, Paints, Window Glass, Paperhangings,

Brushware, Ironmongery, etc.

E. Warner House & Coach Painter & Grainer, Paperhangings, Glazier,

Signwriter, Redruth, next to the Primitive Methodist Chapel.

II, 79, 1 January 1880, Page 2

Birth: to wife of David Anderson at Gladstone on 15 December 1879, a daughter. [Helen Anderson]

Obituary. Helen Anderson, infant daughter of David and Jane Anderson died at Gladstone on 15 December 1879, aged 7 hours. [Born same day.]

Editorial on the town’s prospects. 1879 had not been a good year with trade down and money tight. The crops had been poor and rabbit ravaged. The pastoralists had not had it so bad, but were not flourishing either. Mining was very bad, but prices for commodities were up a little at year’s end. There was a worldwide depression in trade. The Government had survived the year only because of a divided and incompetent opposition. 1880 promises to be better than 1879. There is rising demand for wool, copper and wheat and if copper prices rise further there are encouraging prospects for the mine. Prospects for Government income are correspondingly better.

2nd Leader on statistics for SA from 1879.

Electric Light. Edison’s ‘perfection’ of this innovation has sent the value of gas shares tumbling in Europe.

Terowie Railway. The earthworks and ballasting are well advanced. The rails are due to arrive in April.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary last Sunday and Rev. W. Richards preached in the morning with Rev. J. Bickford in the evening.

Harvesting Machines. The recent trial resulted in no winners for the Government bonus, but G. Marshall was given £120 and James Martin & Co. £80 for their efforts.

The War continues in Africa & Afghanistan satisfactorily; Sekakun has surrendered and General Roberts has taken Kabul.

Mail Runs

R. Snell has won the contract from the Station to Kooringa, for 3 years.

J.G. Terry gets that from Hallett to the north.

N. Opie gets the run from Kooringa to Spalding

Mr Duell has Kooringa to World’s End & Mongolata

Mr Morgan has the Thistlebeds run.

Freemasons Lodge 585 C.E. installed Bro. G. Hill as Master for 1880 and F.R. White was presented with a Past Master’s jewel of solid gold.

H.S. Margetts, late manager of the Bank of Australasia, was presented with a gold hunting watch at The Miners’ Arms on 26 December. William West presided.

Letter from W.R. Ridgway denying it was he who brought Mr Geake’s name before the public. He merely responded to a letter already published on 5 December and he hopes, like the editor, that the public has better things to do than meddle in this matter.

II, 79, 1 January 1880, Page 3

Cricket on Boxing Day near the Model School saw Burra 66 & 18 for 7 defeat East Adelaide 36 & 110. [A win decided on the 1st innings.]

On 30 December Moonta 60 & 56 defeated Burra 31 & 18

On 25 December on Brewery Flat True Blues 1st 11 101 & 17 for 3 defeated the 2nd Fifteen 46 & 68.

II, 80, 9 January 1880, Page 2

Editorial on the rates. The general rate must remain at 1/- in the £, but the health rate will have to rise if we want rubbish removal more often than every 15 or 16 days as at present. It is currently 3d in the £ and raises about £150. At 4d it would raise c. £200 and allow for a better service. Yet we hope for no increase this year.

2nd Leader on the Irish Famine Fund, which comes after the Indian Famine, the Chinese Famine and the Cornish Distress. A public meeting will soon decide on the local response.

T. Bath has returned from a trip to England.

The Market Square Well has reached 108’

Rabbits are swarming on the Gum Creek Run.

New Year’s Pranks as usual, but no real damage.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary last Thursday was very hot and this reduced attendance.

Crop Yields. Despite the generally good year for crops the eastern part of the Hundred of Baldina has yielded nothing. Examples: -

last year 700 acres for 17 bags; this year 800 acres at 3 bushels per acre

last year 250 acres for 28 bags; this year 300 acres at 11⁄2 bushels per acre

last year 140 acres for 8 bags; this year 240 acres at 1 bushel per acre

Another farmer who sowed 20 bags reaped 15 and one who sowed 80 bags reaped 45.

Last year rabbits were to blame, but this year it was insufficient rain.

In the west of Baldina the yield averaged 10 bushels per acre.

Burra Town Council 5 January

Cr Ridgway moved to sell land on which the rates were in arrears.

[For property on the old system rather than under Torrens Title this was a complicated problem as ownership was often hard to establish.]

Cr Lewis was granted 6 weeks leave as he would be absent from the town.

Land Payments. A meeting at Mr Midwinter’s at Baldina on 8 January decided to ask the Government for further concessions re the payments due on land, in view of the crop failures. Many farmers had reaped only 1 to 4 bushels per acre. They had payments deferred last year, but were now even worse off. Mr Midwinter asked for a further two years to pay the interest and then three years to pay the principal. (Carried)

II, 80, 9 January 1880, Page 3

Obituary. Mrs William Baker [on 6 January] was trying to fill a kerosene lamp on the hob of a fire from a three-gallon tin of kerosene. The tin exploded engulfing her in flames and she died soon after. Her daughter Nelly, aged 3, was in a bath nearby and was severely burnt above the waist. She died at 5 a.m. the following day. The residence was near the Mintaro Railway Station. [Eliza Baker nee Johnson born 15 May 1852. Ellen Baker born 19 September 1877.]

New Years Sports at Hanson [i.e. Farrell’s Flat] drew over 300 to the ground.

Cricket 1 January at Clare.

Clare Young Australians 55 & 82 (137), defeated Burra True Blue 54 & 73 (127)

Burra Institute AGM 8 January, 2,369 volumes in the library and 126 subscribers (down 13). The Chess club continues with an average of 4 attending.

Letter from ‘A Billy Goat’ thanks the new Council for removing the threat to the town’s goat population. ‘I am glad to say that we can now prowl about the streets in little happy companies, at any hour of the day or night.’

II, 81, 16 January 1880, Page 2

Birth: To the wife of H. Vivian on 11 January at Kooringa, a son. [William Henry Vivian]

Editorial on ‘Political Deadness’ i.e. the failure of the SA Government to get anything done.

2nd Leader on the SAR and the convenience of the public - specifically on the lack of a suitable connection between the northern line and the Yorke Peninsula lines at Hamley Bridge.

Balaklava Railway. The line from Hamley Bridge has been completed for some time and is now open for traffic, albeit with a most inconvenient timetable for connections from the north of Hamley Bridge.

Irish Relief Fund: public meeting tonight.

II, 81, 16 January 1880, Page 2-3

St Mary’s new church will be opened next Sunday with the Bishop of Adelaide to preach. It has seating for 350.

II, 81, 16 January 1880, Page 3

Cricket seems almost to have died since the visit from the Moonta Club.

10 January at Hallett, Hallett 71 defeated the Model School Teachers 57.

II, 82, 23 January 1880, Page 2

Advt. Burra Race Day has been moved from 1 April to 8 April.

Editorial on the Association of District [Council] Chairmen and the Midland Road Board.

Irish Relief Fund. P. Lane has been elected chairman of the local branch. Subscription lists have been given out.

Obituary. Sergeant Bentley who was a policeman for some 26 years and who for a long time was stationed at Redruth, died at the Eagle Tavern in Hindley St on Sunday. [The following issue added that he was aged 50 and left a wife and six children.] [Edward: died 18 January.]

Fires. Several fires broke out on Tuesday in the severe heat. One on Braefoot Gum Creek burnt about 1,000 acres of feed. One at Mt Bryan spread from the Government Road into stubble on Ind’s Farm and spread towards Simpson’s and Finley’s which were only saved by a wind change which turned it back and burnt about 900 bushels of wheat together with the winnower, tarpaulins and tools.

A bolt: a pair of well-known mules bolted again in Market Square on Tuesday from Drew & Co.’s and were caught by Mr W. Young after nearly carrying away a barber’s pole and the artesian well.

II, 82, 23 January 1880, Page 3

Opening of St Mary’s. Designed by Mr McLagan and erected by Sara & Dunstan, the building is placed with its side to the street. The stone is of good quality from Mr Brooks’ quarry at Hampton. The nave is 60’ x 40’ with two hexagonal transepts. The height of the church in the nave is 44’ and the floor slopes 6” towards the chancel. The transepts are divided from the nave by two arches corresponding to that separating the nave from the chancel. The organ chamber is to the left of the chancel arch and possesses two arches, one inside the chancel. On the right are a door and an arched passageway corresponding to the organ chamber and the vestry is to the left of this passage. The chancel is 20’ x 18’, rising five steps, two at the entrance and three at the altar rail. The roof is hammerbeam with stained matchboard ceiling. The window-glass gives the appearance of ice and is believed to be some of that imported for the cathedral in Adelaide. The altar frontal was worked by Miss Nesbitt. The contractors presented the prayer desk, lectern and altar rails using kauri pine. An elaborately carved altar desk was presented by its maker, Mr W.C.V. Burton of Hallett. A very large congregation on the 18 January saw the Lord Bishop of Adelaide open the church with the incumbent, Rev. H. Howitt, reading the prayers. The organist was Miss F.H. Cave, on the Smith organ. The Bishop officiated at a confirmation service on Monday.

II, 83, 30 January 1880, Page 2

Editorial on the Federation of the Australian Colonies - in which the issue of free trade between the colonies was a dominant concern.

Holiday. There will be a holiday in Burra on Thursday afternoon on account of the Harvest Festival at St Mary’s.

Wheat stacks are growing quickly at the mills and at the railway station.

Baldina farmers will be assessed individually for any relief from government payments.

Obituary. The body of a man three to four days dead was found on Booborowie Run last Sunday. He is believed to be a former jockey named Burns, aged about 60. [Registered as an unidentified male aged about 55 who died on 20 January.]

SAR. There is a request to the Government to lay a third line from Terowie to Adelaide to permit narrow gauge goods traffic to travel to the city without reloading. This would also accommodate traffic from Yorke’s Peninsula.

Bible Christian special services last Sunday.

Anglican Church Music. A list of the music sung at St Peter’s Cathedral in 1878-79 is printed.

II, 83, 30 January 1880, Page 2-3

Irish Relief Fund. The meeting was poorly attended. J.M. McBride donated £110; being £10 for each of his children. Wheat donations were also acceptable. The editor suggests a concert would be useful and subscription lists will be raised.

II, 83, 30 January 1880, Page 3

Redruth Court 26 January

Henry Garrett was sent for trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of raping his daughter, Elizabeth, aged 15, on three occasions in December and January.

Letter from ‘A Parent’ complaining of the arbitrary discipline at the Model School. The gates are locked to exclude children even if they are only 30 seconds late. Children are deprived of their lunch by detention. Some parents are keeping their children home after lunch rather than tolerate such unjust treatment. Are children denied the right to go to the toilet on pain of detention ‘all the evening’? [Or as the paper words it when they ‘ask to go out for private purposes’] Many students would go to a private school for 6d or 1/- a week if such classes were offered.

Cricket. Saturday saw the start of a match to be completed tomorrow.

Burra 58 & 131 (196) and True Blues 64 & 26 for 7 wickets.

II, 84, 6 February 1880, Page 2

Marriage. Thomas Watkins of Hampton & Mrs Mary Morteur Rankine on 5 February.

Marriage. Irwin Hewlett of Redruth & Susan Ann, 2nd daughter of the late Mr John Beal of Burra Mine.

Editorial on the controversy over who should pay for the making and maintenance of Ayers St. The editor felt that at least some input from the other wards was appropriate as half the wear and tear comes from people outside the South Ward and the Council acknowledges this by already contributing £20 from the general fund.

2nd Leader endorses the view that the Council should pay for ‘sharps’ i.e. should keep the workmen’s tools sharp.

Fire. Smoke from a large bushfire, apparently near Mt Bryan, was visible on Tuesday.

Cricket. The completed match saw Burra defeat the True Blues by 23 runs.

The Irish Relief Fund has raised £185-1-0.

Railways. When the goods train from Hallett was very late on Tuesday the passenger locomotive from Burra was sent north to find it. The two met at a curve in the cutting. The passenger locomotive was thrown into reverse and was not hit very hard, but it ran rapidly through the station before being halted. No damage of any significance resulted.

Wheat continues to arrive in the town.

Burra Town Council 19 February.

The previous decision on ‘sharps’ was reversed on the casting vote of the Mayor.

Mr Andrews will continue as scavenger and will work 22 days a month rather than 20.

Cr Batchelor moved and Cr Drew 2nd that Ayers St be made and maintained by all wards equally. Cr Ridgway indignantly opposed this and indeed threatened to resign if the matter was allowed. Cr Dunstan agreed and said he too would resign. The Mayor thought this an overreaction for which they would be sorry on further reflection. The motion was then withdrawn pending preparation of an estimate for making and maintaining Ayers St. Notice of a motion to make workmen pay for sharps was given.

II, 84, 6 February 1880, Page 3

Letter from ‘A Parent’ denying that any reflection on the School Board of Advice was intended in his recent letter and recommending that complaints be addressed to the Board.

Letter from ‘Economist’ condemning the Council’s attempt to make their workmen pay for keeping their tools sharp and in order. (The editor agrees that it is usual for Corporations, District Councils, Road Boards and large contractors to pay for the sharps of their employees.)

Harvest Festival at the new St Mary’s on 5 February. Communion was at 8 a.m. with Morning Prayer at 11 a.m. and Thanksgiving at 3 p.m. Rev. Archdeacon Dove preached. There was a full choral service under direction of Mr Boult, the St Peter’s Cathedral organist, with choristers from the cathedral. This was followed by a public tea and a concert. The program for the concert was: -

1. Christmas Carol The First Noel

2. Choir Let Me Like a Soldier Fall

3. Quartette Evening

4. Piano Duet Adagio & Allegro from 1st Symphony

5. Song The Chorister

6. Glee by the Choir The Hardy Norseman

7. Piano Solo Waltz in D

8. Song Blue Alsatian Mountain

9. Christmas Carol Emmanuel

10. Christmas Carol Boy’s Dream

11. Glee Oh Where, and O! Where

12. Song Cold and Grey

13. Piano Duet Fingal’s Cave

14. Song The Village Blacksmith

15. Glee Hail Smiling Morn

16. Vocal Duet The Moon Has Raised

17. Song Lehn’ Dein Wange

18. Song Bülluein[?] [partly illegible] Garten

19. Quartette Maying

20. Humorous Song Sold Again

21. Glee Men of Harlech

Unfortunately the piano was badly out of tune.

The offertory raised £8, the tea £7, and the concert £23.

II, 84, 6 February 1880, Page 4

Cricket. 11⁄2 is devoted to an article on W.G. Grace.

II, 85, 13 February 1880, Page 2

Birth: To the wife of Alfred Hallett at Wattle Grove near Aberdeen on 11 February, a son. [William Arthur Lesley Hallett]

Advt. The Institute, 18 & 19 February, The New Princess Uncle Tom’s Cabin Co. will present Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Advt. J. Barrett has commenced to run on his own as a railway and general carrier.

Editorial on the Public School System.

The new Education Act has seen money expended on large buildings in the big centres of population, but nothing in the outside districts and many small schools were closed. The system is at fault. Teachers strive hard and frequent illness and resignation is testimony to the heavy tax on their mental and physical health. Teachers are badly treated - they are sent at a moment’s notice to places they have to reach as best they can. They must stay where they can find accommodation. In addition the Burra School, to take an example, is denied its due number of assistants. First and second assistants are often dispensed with and second or third assistants made to do their work for no additional pay. When the school opened with c. 200 students the staff was the head teacher and one monitor. The head himself had to find three teachers and a pupil teacher from Victoria and then had great difficulty in getting them recognised. After much pressure a headmistress was appointed, but only for a short time. The only male teacher on whom the head could rely was removed. It is beyond all reason to expect the headmaster to teach all the boys, instruct the pupil teachers, supervise the playground and administer the whole school. At least another male teacher is required. The Board of Advice has made sundry recommendations, which deserve speedy adoption.

2nd Leader on Police Protection. Since we pay annually £140 towards the cost of police we should expect better service than at present. Currently the amount of drunkenness in town is appalling. Men are often seen lying insensible on footpaths, or in gutters, or jostling pedestrians and insulting ladies. Outrages to public decency are often perpetrated directly opposite shops in the busiest part of town and this should be intolerable. The constable is too often called away beyond the town.

Pichi Richi Railway. Tenders have been let for the Terowie-Pichi Richi line.

Mr W. Parker is making tomb railings in Burra.

The Creek between the main street and the Courthouse/Police Station at Redruth is being filled in and a crossing formed in a straight line.

Burra School Results.

1877 (Old premises) 72.88%

1878 (New premises) 71.17%

1879 65%

Municipal Corporations Act. Burra has been brought under the new Act allowing easier issuing of butchers’ licenses etc., and allowing the electing of but one auditor per annum.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church has a new organ.

II, 86, 20 February 1880, Page 2

Editorial on the Diamond Drill and Eastern Plains Subterranean Water.

Market Square Well is down to 183 feet.

Charity. There is now a call to aid distress in Silesia.

New Auction Firm. Messrs Homburg & Co. will hold a sale in the Bon Accord yards next Tuesday. (c. 500 sheep and a few cattle and horses)

Entertainment. The Uncle Tom’s Cabin Co. appeared before good audiences and was well received.

II, 86, 20 February 1880, Page 3

Wheat. There is a stack of about 30,000 bags of wheat at Roach’s Mill.

New Burra Building.

Drew & Co. are erecting new premises on the site of the milliner’s rooms. The building will have a depth of 82’. The front will be brought out to the street line for 46’ and the plate glass windows will be in 10’ x 7’ sheets. There will be an elegant verandah. The contractor is John Pearce.

Burra Town Council 16 February.

Plans for a new bridge in Thames St are to be prepared.

Council has about £80 in private contributions to the Market Square Well Account.

Young St residents have asked for the water main to be extended from Muirhead [sic] St [i.e. Morehead] for 217 yards. The matter will lie on the table for two weeks in case there is a similar request from Redruth so that the two could be considered together.

Council will make representations to the Government re the unsatisfactory railway connections between the Northern and the Yorke Peninsula lines.

Cr Ridgway moved to have labourers find their own picks and shovels and keep them in order. Cr Dunstan would 2nd this if the words ‘except sharps’ were included. The amendment was included, but the motion was then lost.

For this year Ayers St will require £30 plus the £20 already granted.

There was then a debate over the relative merits of the Gaol Road and Ayers St (the Cemetery Road). It was eventually resolved that surplus monies accumulated from the slaughterhouse and the cemetery would be appropriated to South Ward.

Redruth Court 18 February

There was a crackdown on vehicles without the owner’s name painted thereon.

T. Green Gottfried Mann Joseph Tuckfield

C.A.W. Ullmann James Pryor W. Gratz

R. Nankivell J. Thomas W. Hughes

were each fined 10/-

For not having lights on their vehicle

J. Barrat J. Sandland W.H. Pryor

were each fined 5/-

R. Edwards was fined 5/- for selling fruit weighed with 2 short weights.

R. Farley was fined 20/- + 13/6 for being a distance from his team.

T. Binge got 1 month for indecent exposure in a public street.

E. Wilcox was fined 20/- + 10/- for lighting a fire in the open. (Even though it was in connection with tiring.)

II, 87, 27 February 1880, Page 2

Birth. At Moonta Mines on 22 February to the wife of W.G. Torr, a son. [Victor Chewings]

Marriage. 24 February, Charles, 2nd son of Richard Taylor of Sandy Creek & Martha Louisa, 2nd daughter of Mr George Dixon of Kooringa.

Editorial on the Credit System; i.e. the habit that farmers have of living on credit with the shopkeepers etc., so that often/generally the whole profit of their crop is consumed before it is reaped. Although sometimes due to bad seasons, it often starts because a man starts out with too little capital. The system is a severe disadvantage to shopkeepers too, for whom the risk in a bad season is great.

Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving next Sunday.

Market Square Well. The chisel had broken at the bottom of the well and has yet to be recovered.

Market Street. A special grant of £400 to make the road from St Joseph’s to Market Square has been placed on the Government’s estimates.

Weather. A severs local storm on Tuesday caused some local flooding in Kooringa. Aberdeen was much less affected. Much further south the railway line was washed away at Wasleys.

II, 88, 5 March 1880, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are called for the operation of a refreshment stall on the Burra Station platform for a period of two years.

Advt. The Bank of Australasia will close its Hallett Agency on 16 March.

Advt. Tenders are called for the erection of the Thames St Bridge.

Birth. To the wife of T.W. Wilkinson, a son, on 29 February. [Robert William]

Editorial on the Victorian elections.

2nd leader on ‘Larikinism’ [sic]

Some time ago there was gross misconduct near the parsonage at Redruth and the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. On Thursday last some sleepers were laid across railway line. On Sunday a ladder was put across the road in Aberdeen and a row of harrows placed across it too. One recent Sunday morning a row of packing cases were placed across the Redruth Bridge.

The Redruth Reserves have been declared parklands.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving collection next Sunday will aid the Burra Hospital.

Market Square Well. The broken chisel has been recovered and drilling is continuing.

Irish Relief Fund

Previously sent £185-1-0

New total £219-14-9

Moses Ryles was sent for trial yesterday charged with stealing a letter containing a cheque for £40 entrusted to him as a mail driver, to post.

Flood Damage. Heavy rains 10 days ago washed away parts of the embankment on the new Nankivell’s Gully road and a culvert on the Eastern Road to Redruth was also damaged and part of the road washed away. Stacks of road metal were also swept away at the base of Breakneck Hill.

Burra Town Council 1 March

Ayers St Bridge needs attention as do the foundations of the Queen St Bridge.

Having received advice that the council could at its discretion remit the payment of rates the Council did so in the case of J.W. Trellegan, Mrs Hart, Mrs Martin, and Mrs Brown.

A petition was received asking for a water main to be laid across the Redruth Bridge to the eastern end of Ludgvan St with a branch along Tregoning [sic] [i.e. Tregony] Street to Mr Dunstan’s. The reasons were:

A trough at the end of Ludgvan St would save cattle from being driven down the main thoroughfare.

Trees could then be planted along this line.

Water would be an incentive for building along this route.

It would serve the Police Station, Courthouse, The Wesleyan & Primitive Methodist Sunday-schools as well as dwellings and business places.

The petition was signed by eleven memorialists.

At the present time only four people obtained water from the main and the loss last year to the government was only £8. The memorialists, four in Aberdeen and eleven in Redruth, would engage to take water and so boost the number of consumers to 19 which would allow the scheme to turn a profit. The Council decided to support the move.

II, 88, 5 March 1880, Page 3

Dog poisoning has broken out in Laura.

Instructions are printed for making a chromograph writing pad. [An early means of duplication.]

Irish Relief Fund. Details of donations received are printed.

II, 89, 12 March 1880, Page 2

Obituary. On 8 March, Helen, daughter of James & Harriet Warnes, aged 11 months. [Born 9 April 1879.]

Editorial on SA Farming. The writer calls for more scientific farming practices. He was against stubble burning.

2nd leader on the dissolution of the House of Commons at Easter.

Mail. In future a trap will run 3 times a week from Burra to Spalding for the mail and the convenience of passengers. Run by E. F. Opie.

Departing Burra at 12.30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Departing Spalding 7.30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday

and arriving in Burra 11.30 a.m.

Mr Bath has bought the house vacated by Dr Nesbitt.

Irish Relief Fund new total £240-6-9.

The Burra Hotel has been improved by the addition of a verandah.

Water Supply. The Mayor and Council will wait on the Commissioner of Public Works this morning about the extension of the water supply at Aberdeen and Redruth.

Theft. While Mrs Lawler of Swansea Vale was at church on Sunday evening thieves entered her house and stole about £10, a clock and a gun. On her return she found lights burning and parcels ready for removal, suggesting that the thieves had been disturbed.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. A contract worth c. £400 has been let to Sara & Dunstan to completely remodel the building. The whole front will be new.

The Wesleyan Harvest Thanksgiving raised £8 for the Burra Hospital.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday-school Anniversary: Rev. J.H. Williams of Saddleworth was the preacher.

Hotels. Last Thursday the Licensing Bench changed the name of the Miners’ Arms to the Burra Hotel.

The Courthouse Hotel Redruth was refused a licence.

Mr Ridgway has received £900 insurance money from the fire that lately destroyed his [Aberdeen] hotel. He is to considerably enlarge the building at the other corner of his property opposite the road from the station and will convert it into a superior hotel. [i.e. the present Royal Exchange Hotel.]

II, 89, 12 March 1880, Page 3

Wheat. The eastern districts have sent in 78,066 bushels of wheat which fully justifies ‘the throwing open of this land and shews how it is that Burra continues to flourish in spite of the stoppage of the mine.’

Redruth Court 10 March

Thomas Hutchins 5/- No name on wagon

John Irlam 5/- Left a buggy on a footpath

Jonathon Sleeman 5/- Stray goats

William Bentley 5/- Stray goats

J. Williams 10/- Stray steer

William Fuss 5/- x 3 Three stray horses

John Ryan 5/- Trotting his water cart

Andrew Przibella £1 + 10/- Dog without name on collar etc.

Clare Show. Report of the visit of Governor Jervois.

II, 90, 19 March 1880, Page 2

IOR Festival at the Institute 25 March. Songs, recitations etc.

Obituary. Martha Patterson, on 13 March, the wife of James Patterson of Copperhouse, aged 72.

Obituary. Mary Ann Nickles, on 13 March, at Copperhouse, Wife of John Nickles, aged 53.

Obituary. Henry Pether, late of Kooringa, aged 37, died 15 March, at the residence of his father-in-law, G. Hall, of Edward St, Norwood.

Editorial on the Water Supply. [Runs into page 3.]

After discussions somewhat more than 12 months ago a water supply was arranged for teams at Aberdeen, and for those who required it - on the principle that the users would pay and the cost would not be met by a general rate. In Kooringa a well has been begun in Market Square, which will provide a public trough, and a public pump. The whole idea has been to avoid a general town water rate. Some residents at Aberdeen and Redruth have applied for the scheme there to be extended. The response of the Commissioner of Public Works has been a proposal for a general scheme for the whole town, which would be met by a general rate. The cost of the whole is set down at c. £10,000.

If this is correct then with running costs of c. £250 p.a. plus 5% on the initial £10,000 outlay would mean that £750 p.a. would have to be raised by the rates. If spread over the whole town this would equal the current general rate plus the health rate, i.e. 1/3 in the £.

If only those properties adjacent to the main were rated they would pay 3/6 in the £. This would not suit either those with adequate well and/or tank supplies, or many businessmen in the town. Residents of Kooringa will not tolerate this. We support the extension asked for on the basis that users only pay.

II, 90, 19 March 1880, Page 3

Town Council

Cr Drew has moved the sale of the £100 bond, held by the cemetery, and the money go to the South Ward, together with any surplus from the slaughterhouse, for improvements to roads. Cr Ridgway doubted the Council’s authority to do this and so information on that will be sought.

We regret that the Council has decided not to go ahead with the Thames St Bridge.

Market Square Well has reached 200’.

Henry Pether. The late Mr Pether was a printer by trade and had been employed by the Kapunda Herald and the SA Advertiser and when in 1876 F.W. Holder called for the establishment of a local paper in the then flourishing Burra Parliamentary Club, he was appointed to establish the Northern Mail in partnership with Mr F. Jarman. This became the Burra News and is now the Burra Record, having passed from Mr Pether nearly two years ago. Mr Pether took up farming at Mongolata, but was driven from there by a series of bad years and returned to printing. His death was sudden. It was only two weeks ago that he complained of a cold. He leaves a wife and several children.

Bible Christian Church Anniversary last Sunday and Monday. Rev. T. Piper of Riverton preached. The year saw the debt reduced by £40. Proceeds of the anniversary were £58.

Football. The first AGM of the Burra Football Club was held at the Institute on Monday with about 25 members present. Elected were: -

Patron W.B. Rounsevell MP

President His Worship the Mayor, Mr P. Lane

Captain E. Brady

Vice-Captain G. Butterworth

Burra Town Council

The Council will pay £60 to Francis Clark & Sons for the Market Square well. This is 50% on the work done so far.

The other main matter related to the cemetery as already noted above.

Cricket. Saturday on Brewery Flat

Young Australians 33 & 123

True Blues 40

Match to be completed

II, 91, 26 March 1880, Page 2

Editorial on tree planting. It was a call for all to support trees in Burra. In The absence of Council money it is the responsibility of private individuals to plant and care for trees. Mr Ullmann has offered a number of trees for the purpose.

2nd leader on the Northern Territory.

F. Simpson has been the successful tenderer for the refreshment stall at the Burra Station.

Primitive Methodist Sunday-school festivities. Children’s treat at 3 p.m. Public Tea at 4.30 p.m. in the schoolroom and the service of song ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’ at 7.30 p.m. in the Institute.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 28 March. Rev. James Bickford will preach. Treat and tea-meeting Monday 29 March.

Town Streets. The Government Gazette lists the opening and closing of certain streets in the town as advised by the Corporation about six months ago.

Burra Cemetery deeds have been handed over to the Corporation in perpetuity by SAMA.

Yarcowie Races. Results of the 17 March meeting.

Baldina Wesleyan Church Anniversary has just been held.

Rev. James Bickford preached.

Rain was heavy on Sunday morning with Burra receiving 2.01” and Riverton over 3”.

Letter from ‘Athlete’ wondering when the AGM of the Burra Athletic club is to be held. It would be a pity for it to die a natural death.

II, 91, 26 March 1880, Page 3

Redruth Court 24 March

George Magi [?] 10/- Driving on the footpath

Donald McDonald 5/- No name on his wagon

James Rule 5/- + 5/- Stray goats

John Penny 5/- + 5/- Stray goats

John Thomas £1 Selling a wagon load of firewood without

having it weighed

Various persons were also fined for depasturing stock on Crown Land and others for burning stubble before 2 p.m. or for having fewer than 4 people to control the fire.

II, 92, 2 April 1880, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are called for the erection of a wooden P.O. and Telegraph Station at Hallett. [But the plans call for a stone building - see II, 94, 16 April 1880, page 2.]

Birth. At Baldina 25 March to Mrs Stephen Sanderson, a son. [Stephen Shelton]

Marriage. William Ware, eldest son of the late W. Ware of Adelaide & Catherine Jane, 3rd daughter of Thomas & Jane Parks of Kooringa, on Easter Monday.

Obituary. At Prince’s Town, Margaret, wife of George Townsend, aged 51. [nee Blackburn]

Editorial was on the Harvest Statistics.

The Midland Road Board inspector has been to see the creek crossings on the road to Mongolata as called for by Dr J.R. Stephens JP, and they will be improved.

Mrs J.H. Roe intends soon to open a new boarding school for young ladies in Kooringa.

Presentation. The 78 oz. sterling silver tea and coffee service to be presented to Dr Nesbitt is on display in Drew & Co.’s window. The article bears on one side the doctor’s crest and on the other his monogram.

Miss Nesbitt was presented with a handsome album by St Mary’s choir. Miss Nesbitt completed the embroidered altar cloth on Easter Eve.

The Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary was successfully held last Sunday and the choir of 300 voices presented the service of song ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’. Collections were just over £20.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday-school Anniversary on Good Friday raised £15-3-0 and the service of song, ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’ was presented at the Institute in the evening.

IOR Rose of Sharon Tent annual festival on 25 March in the Institute drew about 200 people.

Letter from George Louis Meuller, Hon. Sec. of the Burra Athletic Club to say the club is alive and well and has resolved to have one meeting a year and thus there is no urgency about having a meeting as yet as the next meet is some seven months away.

Cricket. Over the Easter Holidays

In Adelaide East Adelaide 83 & 23 for 3 defeated Burra 23 & 81

At Saddleworth on Good Friday Burra 62 defeated Saddleworth 11 & 41

At Brewery Flat True Blues 45 & 19 for 1 defeated Young Australians 23 & 40

True Blues also defeated Redruth by 130 runs

II, 93, 9 April 1880, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for the Thames St Bridge. [Apparently the council had reversed an earlier decision not to go ahead with this.]

Advt. Tenders called for repairs to the Queen St Bridge.

Birth. On 7 April, to the wife of F.W. Holder, a daughter. [Rhoda Sims]

Editorial on Pleuro-pneumonia, wondering why more is not done to prevent the spread of the disease by preventing diseased animals from Queensland and NSW crossing the border. The fear is that meat from diseased animals will be sold for consumption.

W.B., Rounsevell MP has purchased a wine and spirit business in Adelaide.

Larrikinism. Further obstructions were placed on the railway line on Tuesday.

Mr Ridgway has begun his building on and near the site of the old Aberdeen Hotel, recently burnt down.

Demolition. The whole of the premises adjoining Drew & Co.’s store was demolished last Tuesday.

Presentation. A presentation was made last Wednesday to Dr Nesbitt, of a silver tea and coffee service. Rev. H. Howitt made the presentation when about 25 people attended the Burra Institute. Dr Nesbitt also received an illuminated address.

Burra Town Council. 5 April

The Mayor reports that trees have been offered by Mr Ullmann and Rev. Father Kriesll.

The Mayor has received the deed of conveyance for the cemetery.

It was resolved to sell the £100 bond held by the cemetery and to devote the proceeds to the cemetery and the road leading to it.

Work to the value of £10-10-0 is to be done to the Ayers Street Bridge by Mr Phillips.

Other bodies are to be approached to lobby the railways to allow passengers to travel by goods train - a second-class carriage being attached.

Obituary and Inquest. Henry Lecher, aged 16, died last Sunday. The inquest was held on Monday, P. Lane JP, Coroner and W. Geake, foreman of the jury. Alex Low described how the deceased was caught in machinery at the chaff house on 27 December. Edward Roberts confirmed that Henry Lecher took a whip to drive the horses in the chaff cutter. He told Lecher to jump on the machine and drive the horses, but he was not told to take the whip. Lecher was employed by Edward Camp who was reaping for Mr Low. Mr Low, Roberts and another man took the machine to pieces to get the boy out - we often let the drivers ride - think it quite safe - there was not a seat. (The witness seemed intoxicated and his story was hard to extract from him.)

Dr Sangster said the deceased suffered from fractures to both bones of the right leg, of the left thigh, and had severe injury to the left knee. There were complications from bedsores and loose bone that had to be removed later, but death was attributed to heart failure as a result of his weakened condition.

The jury decided on accidental death with no blame attaching to anyone.

II, 93, 9 April 1880, Page 3

Burra Races on the Westbury course on 8 April were very successful. The Burra Handicap for £100 was won by C.L. McDonald’s ‘Sir Charles’

The Handicap Steeplechase (100 sovs) was won by R.D. Aughey’s ‘Abdullah’.

Football. Last Saturday at a scratch match 20 Club Members defeated Allcomers, but no scores are reported.

Sara & Dunstan have won the tender for the new school at Mannanarie.

II, 94, 16 April 1880, Page 2

Advt. This shows Mrs Roe’s school to have been in the house next to the Police Station, Kooringa.

Editorial on the Liberal victories in the English election.

The Market Square Well has reached 216’ in hard flint rock.

Terowie. The sale of allotments in the town adjoining the new railway station was spirited with one block going for £145.

Mr Rumball of the Railway Station has left us a large sunflower equal to those reported from Mt Bryan East.

Tender. The plans for the Hallett P.O. and Telegraph Office are for a stone building, so why does the tender advertisement call for a wooden one?

II, 95, 23 April 1880, Page 2

A meeting has been called to revitalise the Burra Musical Union.

Baldina Races. A meeting is called to arrange races for Whit-Monday.

Drew & Co. A crowd gathered on Tuesday to see the raising of the iron Bessemer across the front of their new premises.

Obituary. T. Hosking, a resident since 1855, died on Sunday [18 April] from pleurisy and bronchitis. [Thomas Hosking, aged 63]

Theft. Petty thefts of magazines and even pot plants from the Institute reading-room are reported.

SAMA 35th Annual Meeting, 21 April

Sir G.S. Kingston, Hon. W. Morgan & Messrs Henry Rymill and John Beck, retiring directors, were re-elected. The chairman said the board was in negotiation with a person in London re the sale of the mine property and there was every prospect of a satisfactory bargain.

II, 95, 23 April 1880, Page 3

Burra Town Council 19 April

A deputation of Messrs Roberts, Snell, Coglin, Geake & Morris presented a memorial with c. 40 signatures calling for the Thames St Bridge to be proceeded with immediately.

The footbridge at the courthouse is to be renewed.

There is a proposal for a direct road from Hampton to Redruth, through the Police Paddock, but not this year.

It was recommended that there be a road in conjunction with the District Council to go west from the hospital to allow direct access to the town from that direction.

C. Rawling’s tender of £94 for the cemetery bond of £100 was accepted.

Mr A. Bartholomæus’s tender of £267-17-0 for a bridge in Thames St was accepted.

Both tenders for the widening of the bridge in Queen St were considered too high.

Father Kriesll’s and Mr Ullmann’s offers of trees were accepted.

Cricket. At Brewery Flat 20 March, completed 17 April

Young Australians 33 & 122 (155) defeated True Blues 40 & 43 (83).

II, 96, 30 April 1880, Page 2

Advt. The Rose Brothers, Illusionists, Seancists, Clairvoyants, Polyphonists and Exposers of Spiritualism, will appear with music at the Institute 4 April.

Advt. Tenders called for a footbridge near the Redruth Courthouse.

Editorial asking why meat is so much dearer in Burra than in Adelaide.

2nd leader on the rights of railway gangers re the burning of grass etc. along railway lines.

Thames St Bridge. Mr Bartholomæus has begun work.

Market Square Well. It has been found impossible to proceed unless the well is tubed and as 41⁄2” tubes will cost 5/- a foot, either more money will have to be found or the well must stop at 260’ instead of the planned 300’.

Burra Musical Union meeting was attended by 15 members on 23 April. Mr Rumball was thanked for his attention as librarian and his resignation was regretted as were the circumstances that necessitated it.

Letter from ‘Observer’ who complains that while one person (J. O’Brien) was informed against for keeping one pig, the butchers in the town keep many more.

[The editor pointed out that it was not the keeping of the pig that was the problem, but how close it was to the street.]

II, 96, 30 April 1880, Page 3

Baldina Races. A meeting at Mr Midwinter’s Baldina Hotel on Saturday made arrangements for a race meeting in the adjacent paddock on Monday 17 May.

The funds allow for £20 to be won over four races.

II, 97, 7 May 1880, Page 2

Advt. Burra and Young Australians Cricket Clubs present a Grand Vocal and Instrumental Entertainment at the Institute, 13 May. 2/- & 1/-.

Advt. Theatre Royal, Adelaide Comedy Co. at the Institute, 19 & 20 May.

Advt. Baldina Races postponed to 24 May.

Advt. J.T. Walker Boots & Shoes. The Aberdeen branch will close as from this week.

Editorial on Government Aid to Local Bodies

The discontinuation of such Grants in Aid to District Councils and Corporations seems inevitable. The growing expenditure of the Government necessitates either cuts in such aid or increased taxation. The Government will most likely go for the cuts and avoid the unpopular alternative. It is hoped that the cuts will be gradual rather than abrupt and total. Of course if this happens then payments for police must be cut from the Councils’ expenditure and licence fees (except for publicans) should be handed to the Councils. As a consequence it follows that while subsidies continue as much use should be made of them as possible. A higher rate now to attract greater Government subsidy would be a good investment by Council.

A Band of Hope has been established at Redruth to meet in the German Church.

Copperhouse School has some 30 students and attempts are being made to obtain provisional status for it.

Sara & Dunstan have won the tender to erect the Hallett Post & Telegraph Office.

Ulooloo. Tenders are called for the erection of passenger and goods platforms.

Butchers’ Licences were issued on Monday to Messrs D.J. O’Leary, F.F. Bromley, W.A. Rabbich and Gebhardt Bros.

Schutz’s Bus from the station on Saturday c. 9.30 p.m. collided with Mr R. Brown’s trap and broke part of the shafts in front of Dearlove’s Hotel. Mrs Brown was thrown out and slightly bruised. Miss Johnson jumped out and Mr Brown was unhurt.

J.D. Cave’s garden has some fine chrysanthemums.

Rev. Jarrett has been appointed the first Primitive Methodist minister at Morgan.

Entertainment. Mr Rose appeared at the Institute on Tuesday and his performance as a conjuror, illusionist, clairvoyant and in a séance was excellent. It was better than either the Davenports or Professor Fay.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was held on 2 & 3 May with sermons from James Peters of Kent Town and the service of song, ‘Eva’.

Burra Town Council, 3 May

The butchers of the town who use the slaughterhouse did not incline towards binding themselves to do so and so the Mayor could not advise the Council to continue in possession. Consequently Cr Batchelor moved that the lease of the slaughterhouse offered by SAMA be declined. Carried.

It was resolved to redeem £100 bond this year and the other £100 bond to be renewed for a year.

Redruth Court 1 May

James Maloney got 14 days for stealing a pair of boots from the swag of John O’Brien, which had been left at the Burra Hotel on the night of April 29

3 May

James Maloney was charged with stealing a rug, two towels, three shirts etc. from Patrick Curtis, but it was dismissed.

Cost of Meat. A correspondent complains again of the high cost of meat in Burra, but adds that bran and pollard are also overpriced and the local bread is of poor keeping quality and all too often of light weight.

A Letter also queries why O’Leary Bros [butchers] are allowed to keep pigs in the town with the great stench created.

The editor’s advice was that he should complain to the inspector and noted that the by-law did not allow pigs to be kept within 50’ of a street or dwelling.

II, 97, 7 May 1880, Page 3

New By-Laws. A draft is printed.

XXV This deals with the driving of horses and cattle through the town - allowed only between the hours of 5 p.m. & 8 a.m. (There were exceptions for milch cows, or horned cattle in yoke, going to or from water or pasture, or movements to or from saleyards within the town.)

XXVI Required vehicles to be attended or a wheel to be chained or secured. Persons in charge of vehicles must be close enough to exercise control over the horse(s) or cattle drawing the vehicle.

XXVII Rubbish is not to be swept into the street.

XXVIII The Council has the right to flag footpaths and charge the owner a moiety. (But this charge can only be levied once.)

XXIX Hay or straw shall not be stacked within 200’ from a building or 30’ from a fence. Storage of over 1 cwt of hay or straw is banned from buildings unless they are of non-combustible material.

XXX Regulates the storage of explosives.

XXXI Hawking within the Corporation is banned unless a licence costing 10/- p.a. is obtained for a pack and 20/- p.a. for a vehicle.

XXXII Bans the damaging of trees.

The Irish Relief Fund reports receiving £62,735 from Australasia, of which Adelaide sent £4,500. The entire fund then stood at £100,649, of which about half has been distributed. Adelaide has since sent a further £300.

Football. The ‘Reds’ were defeated by Allcomers, but scores are not mentioned.

The Kelly Gang. There is about 1⁄2 column on the search for the gang.

II, 98, 14 May 1880, Page 2

Birth. To the wife of J.R. Richardson, a son, on 10 May. [Sydney]

Editorial on Captain Bagot and the Land Laws. Bagot advocated perpetual lease rather than freehold. The editor considered that it was too late to introduce this in SA now, however good it was in theory if it had operated from the start of settlement. He also raised other objections to the proposal.

Locusts are threatening from the north and northeast.

Building in Burra

John Pearce is carrying out additions and alterations to Drew & Co., Kooringa.

Sara & Dunstan are carrying out alterations to the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church.

Mr Ridgway’s new hotel in Aberdeen is going up.

Mr Bartholomæus continues with the Thames St Bridge.

Rev. H. Howitt broke the small bone in his leg on Monday when his horse slipped and fell on him near the new church.

Redruth Court, 8 May

Richard Kelly was fined £1 (or 14 days) for smoking in a railway carriage.

John Miller was fined £1 + £1-7-0 costs (or 14 days) for furious riding between the Mine and the Kooringa P.O. on Friday.

John Miller was fined £1 + £1 costs (or 1 month) for the same offence as above on Saturday.

II, 98, 14 May 1880, Page 3

Letter complaining about the proposed by-laws - in particular about: -

X 4 m.p.h. speed limit around corners. This is surely not necessary around all corners - some are hardly discernable in the grass of the outer parts of town.

XXIX The distances cited are impossible or absurd. 60’ would be adequate.

XXI This would prevent a farmer from selling a little extra produce without a licence and even for real hawkers it is an unnecessary restriction of trade.

St Joseph’s Bazaar. Rev. Father Kreissl SJ appeals for aid for the bazaar. He mentions the cost of the church as being £3,300 at its opening in November 1874 and the liabilities were then £2,114, since when the liabilities have been reduced to £1,000. [This figure was corrected in the next issue to £1,300.]

II, 99, 21 May 1880, Page 2

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 23 May, Rev, J. Bickford will preach. The service of song will be ‘Creation’ George Sara will preside at the tea-meeting 24 May.

Advt. A Juvenile Bazaar will be run by the Misses Batchelor at their home in Commercial St, 24 May, in aid of the hospital.

Marriage. Henry, 5th son of the late James Pearce of Kooringa and S. Charlotte Wright, 4th daughter of William Henry Wright of Wright St, Adelaide.

Obituary. 20 May, Beatrice Evelin Jenkin, youngest daughter of Rev. W. Jenkin, aged 10 months.

[Born 10 July 1879]

Editorial on ‘Our Education System’.

Very large sums are being spent on buildings and the exams are so difficult that only be extreme cramming can the standards be met. The old system supported schools at each end of town and at Copperhouse; now there is one and the Copperhouse school with 30 pupils can get no aid. Nothing has been done to help the Baldina area. The quality of education is so poor that the number of private schools is increasing. Red tape is rampant and too much teaching is done by the pupil teachers, who are little more than pupils themselves. Reform is urgently needed.

Entertainment. The Theatre Royal Comedy Co. played on Wednesday, performing H. Byron’s ‘Our Boys’ and on the last night they presented Robertson’s ‘Caste’. They were well attended and much appreciated.

Bible Christian Sunday-school Anniversary 16 & 17 May saw large congregations and reported the school had 21 teachers and 147 scholars.

Burra Town Council, 17 May.

Public Works Committee

‘we visited the cemetery and would recommend that about 60 gum trees be planted in the new part, also that when thought desirable a mortuary be built of stone, octagonal in shape, two sides of which to be open.

Redruth Court, 19 May.

The following bakers were each fined 20/- for not carrying weights and scales in their carts as required: - H. Morgan, F. Gebhardt, T. Parks, C. Lowe and F. Volster.

H. Brecht was fined 5/- for driving an unsprung vehicle at greater than walking speed.

Snell & Williams were fined 10/- for placing a wagon on a footpath.

James Mann 10/- + 10/- costs for driving a pair of horses across a footpath.

Thomas Halls 19/- for allowing loose horses to run over a footpath.

Thomas Freckleton 10/- for obstructing a road by leaving a wagon on it.

II, 99, 21 May 1880, Page 3

Football at Riverton: - Half-time, Burra 1.4, Riverton 0.3

Full-time, Burra 1.7, Riverton 0.5

II, 99, 21 May 1880, Supplement

Prize list for the next Burra Show.

II, 100, 28 May 1880, Page 2

Birth: To the wife of Rev. R.W. Campbell at Gawler on 22 May, a daughter. [Eleanor May Campbell]

Editorial on the New Session of the SA Parliament.

2nd leader on How Government Money is Wasted. Men are still being paid on the Hallett-Terowie railway although work is finished but for the rail laying which awaits the delivery of the rails.

Yarcowie complains that only £100 is left to provide for its railway station.

New JPs are Dr Sangster and Mr John Roach.

Mr J. Lewis, of Liston, Shakes & Co. has been granted an auctioneer’s licence.

The Misses Batchelor’s juvenile bazaar raised £4 for the hospital.

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary achieved good congregations and some 250 attended the public tea on the 24 May. The financial results were c. £75.

Baldina Races on the Queen’s Birthday Holiday were successfully held in a paddock adjoining Mr Midwinter’s Hotel. A large crowd attended.

Letter. A whole column letter that is again devoted to the high cost of meat, referring to prices described as extortionate in Adelaide - and Burra prices were higher again.

II, 100, 28 May 1880, Page 3

Governor’s speech on the opening of the new session of SA Parliament is reported in 13⁄4 columns.

Holdfast Bay Railway has been opened.

The Kelly Gang. A further 1⁄3 column reports the failure of efforts to locate the gang.

II, 101, 4 June 1880, Page 2

Advt. Notice of the dissolution of the partnership of Josiah Statton and William Henderson, Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights, trading as Statton & Henderson - 31 May 1880.

William Henderson will carry on alone. (The firm was of 10 years standing.)

Marriage. John Alexander Watt, 4th son of James Watt, Forgue, Aberdeenshire, Scotland & Martha, eldest daughter of Ambrose Harris, Kooringa. At the Wesleyan Church, Kooringa, 24 May.

Editorial on The address in Reply in the SA Parliament. Apparently the Address in Reply in the House of Assembly was a farcical affair by John Rounsevell, the Member for Gumeracha, and a small part of his speech is printed. It is described as ‘a most absurd speech’, but also as a ‘characteristic speech’.

2nd leader on Compulsory Education and the failure to enforce the same.

3rd leader on the problem of unoccupied huts along railways being used as refuges for tramps. Other problems arising are the recent cases of obstructions being placed on the lines and of a drunken man being found on the line.

A telegraph line is being strung between Hallett & Terowie.

The Burra Record this week is being printed in new type to improve the face of the paper.

Mrs Watkins, of Hampton, fell into an old quarry at Redruth last Thursday and broke her leg.

Miss Bock, daughter of Theodore Bock, slipped from the step of a railway carriage at the station on Friday and broke her leg.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church improvements are nearing completion and the building is due to be reopened in about three weeks.

The Thames St Bridge is almost ready for the road metal.

The Courthouse footbridge at Redruth is almost finished.

Burra Town Council

The Mayor reported he had seen Mr O’Leary, who had taken the lease of the slaughterhouse and yards, and he desired that the place continue to be used for the same purpose and subject to the same inspection and was willing the pound should continue to be used by the Council.

Arrangements are to be made with Mr Bartholomæus for the cutting in Thames St.

Drew & Co. are to be permitted to pave in front of their premises with the council to pay one moiety.

The Government is to be asked to pave the station platform.

II, 101, 4 June 1880, Page 3

Oddfellows Lodge MU reports 307 members and has £4,870 lent on mortgages of total funds of £5,094.

Gladstone Gaol is progressing well. The archway and residences either side are complete. The boundary wall is 18’ high and encloses 51⁄2 acres and is now complete on the eastern side. The northern side is almost complete, with the western side still open. The south side comprises the residences and a short section of wall. The cells are 11’ x 7’ and are floored in Mintaro slate. [Other details are printed.] Sara & Dunstan expect to finish within time by February 1881.

II, 102, 11 June 1880, Page 2

Advt. On account of leaving the colony Mr E. Nolan offers for sale his wine and spirit store in Redruth with its stock in trade.

Advt. A series of Music & Literary Entertainments organised by the Burra Institute Committee will begin on 18 June. 6d to all seats.

Editorial on the Legislative Council Election.

Mushrooms are plentiful just now.

New Building. Drew & Co. have pulled down an old building in Market Square this week and this office is soon to fall also and four large new shops will be erected in place of the old ones. Each shop will have a good bold front and at the back of each will be a handy room. The front will feature a verandah and paved footpath. The Record office will be in one of the shops and two others are already let in anticipation.

II, 102, 11 June 1880, Page 3

Letter from W. Jenkin asking why there is no Government day school at Copperhouse and discounting the claim that the place is too close to the Burra School.

Other places with less claim have a school. Balhannah has a school, despite having a sparse and dispersed population, and being only one mile along a main road from Oakbank with its new

£700 school. Only three miles further on is the new £600 Woodside School and a further three miles gets to the Charleston Provisional School. Thus there are four schools in a straight line within about 8 miles.

Neither is the enrolment or the attendance a valid excuse. Average attendance Enrolment Balhannah 35 56 Oakbank 35 55 Woodside 56 103 Charleston 15 38 Copperhouse has about 40 children of school age and the homes average quite three miles from the Burra School. Over 30 children at Copperhouse have never attended the Burra Model School.

Jenkin does not blame the Burra School Board as they have answered the questions put to them honestly. The place is within four miles and the Education Act forbids the opening of a school within four miles, but the Act was not intended to apply to townships. [Only to rural areas.] Proof of this lies in the situation in the City, at Port Adelaide, or in the country at places like Wallaroo and Moonta etc. The Copperhouse children cannot be compelled to go to the Burra School and yet are denied a school.

The present private school there cannot long continue. If the man is competent he is forced to teach at a starvation rate of income and if he is not so much the worse for the children.

Cricket. Young Australians results for the year 1879-80.

Best batting was J. Walker, av. 30.5, but he played only two innings of a possible 5. The next best was J. Preece, av. 10.1 over three innings. W. Cobb with av. 1.6 was best bowler.

II, 103, 18 June 1880, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will reopen on 27 June when the Rev. J.S. Wayland will preach. The service of song will be ‘Children’s Messiah’. On Monday 28 June the service of song ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’ will be sung with E. Lipsett Esq. Giving the connective readings. On Sunday 4 July J.G. Wright of Adelaide & Rev. James Bickford will preach. The tea-meeting will be on Monday 8 July.

Editorial on ‘Pickings from Parliament’.

Terowie Railway. The rails are being sent on rapidly and the Government expects it to be open by 1 October.

Burra Institute. Mr Dearlove has resigned as Librarian and has been appointed to a provisional school at Black Springs.

Football. Burra played Clare at Clare last Saturday and the match was drawn.

II, 103, 18 June 1880, Page 3

Burra Town Council

Mr Ullmann has presented the council with some Tasmanian gums.

Mr Dunstan has been allowed to enclose and plant a portion of parkland near his house at his own cost.

Father Kriesll has asked for a section of the cemetery to be set aside for Catholic burials.

A deputation to the Commissioner of Public Works asked for a passenger carriage to be attached to the morning luggage train from Adelaide as a great convenience to businessmen. This would depart Riverton for the north at 1.25 p.m. and so enable people who came south in the morning by the early train to get home at a reasonable time. At present the journey can be done, but it requires a 2/- telegram each time to get permission. [The luggage train departed Adelaide at 7.57 a.m. and reached Hallett at 6.20 p.m.] The Commissioner was not enthusiastic. Passengers were not allowed on goods trains in the UK and were generally discouraged everywhere. Their presence in guard vans was much to be discouraged.

Letter from ‘Earnest’ desiring a night school in Burra, especially in the long winter evenings.

Advt. For an Institute Caretaker/Librarian at the Burra Institute at £65 p.a. + a rent free house with wood and lighting.

N.B. ‘Applicants who canvas for votes among members of the Committee will be disqualified.

II, 104, 25 June 1880, Page 2

Advt. St Joseph’s Bazaar and Art Union, 5, 6 & 7 July in the Burra Institute.

Advt. Tenders called for the erection of new saleyards at the Burra Hotel for Thomas Richardson.

Advt. F.R. White has arranged to commence a night school in Kooringa on Monday 5 July.

Editorial on ‘Pickings from Parliament’.

Institute Librarian. Mr Lang has been appointed from a field of eleven.

Burra Institute. The entertainment organised by the committee last Friday was a complete success and attendance was good. Mr Lane presided. The program is printed. The next one will include a lecture on alcohol by Dr Sangster.

Burra Literary Society. A small group met at the Institute Monday night to form a Literary Society. Elections: - President Mr Loutit

Vice-President Dr Brummitt

Secretary H. Roach

It will meet alternate Fridays with the inaugural meeting tonight.

II, 104, 25 June 1880, Page 3

Redruth Band of Hope. This was first organised about 20 years ago and ran c. 10 years before being disbanded. It was reformed about two months ago and holds fortnightly meetings. Last Friday an entertainment was given before about 350 people. The Band’s aim is to reclaim the drunkard and destroy the drink traffic itself. There are 120 members, including 35 adults. The entertainment included songs by Miss Fuss and Mr H. Rabbich and dialogues by Miss E. Fuss and Messrs Goss, Bald, Fuss, Crewes & Young.

Miss O’Brien played.

Redruth Court, 23 June

Lines jun. was fined 20/- for furious driving in Kooringa

Benjamin Crabb, who failed to appear, was fined 40/- (or 14 days) for the same offence.

Redruth Court, 23 June

Joseph Bye, aged 8, was sent to the Industrial School, Magill, until 16 on the application of his mother. She said he was uncontrollable and she was unable to prevent him from avoiding school, staying out at nights and stealing. The bench remonstrated with her, but she persisted and they reluctantly acceded to her request.

Football. Monday at Burra

Burra 2.10 defeated Kapunda 1.3, before a crowd of c. 300.

Letter from Henry Pinch who is seeking to defend himself against an accusation by the surveyor Mr Duffy at the Midland Road Board on 15 June, that he had been guilty of ‘stating a deliberate falsehood’. Pinch strongly denies that he did so. He says he is prepared to substantiate anything he said in reference to the said road and affirms he has no interest in, or connection with, the contractors, nor is he motivated by any animosity.

[The reference appears to be to a complaint that the metal used on a Leighton Road contract was ‘muck’ on page 3 of the previous issue; though I cannot see that the actual terms complained of appeared in the report printed.]

III, 105, 2 July 1880, Page 2

Editorial on The Dog Act - there are moves by Hon. H. Scott to strengthen it against dogs worrying sheep.

2nd leader on the Electoral Districts Bill. Burra District at present runs from Saddleworth to Black Rock and includes Burra, Jamestown and Terowie etc. The bill proposes to cut it in half with each half to have two members.

The Kelly Gang has been captured.

Train Service. From 1 July 1880 a passenger carriage will be attached to the daily goods train to Burra.

Wood Cutting Licences have been issues to 124 people at Redruth in the last month. Two of them were women.

W. Dale gave a temperance lecture at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church last Wednesday. Attendance was not large.

Football. The Vice-Captain of the Burra Club has not once been out to play, or attended a meeting and he has now been replaced by S. Burns for the rest of the season.

Burra Literary Society held its first meeting on Friday at the Institute. The President, Mr A. Loutit was in the chair. There were readings by Dr Sangster and Mr Wilkinson and a paper was delivered by H. Roach on the advantages of a Literary Society. Next Friday Dr Brummitt will read a paper on tobacco smoking.

A Trotting Match was run on Wednesday when J. Sampson jun.’s pony took on C. Schutz’s chestnut horse for £5 a side over three miles on the Mt Bryan Road. The chestnut got away to a good start, but broke four times and was ruled out as the pony did not break at all. The chestnut was by far the quicker if he had not broken.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church reopened on Sunday after three months’ closure for renovations. The Rev. J.S. Wayland of Adelaide preached in the morning and in the afternoon the service of song was ‘The Children’s Messiah’. The attendance at the afternoon and evening services was excessive; not even standing room was available. Monday’s service of song was ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’, when the church was again full. E. Lipsett JP read the connective text at both services. Next Monday the Rev. J.G. Wright will deliver an address on Burra as he found it 25 years ago.

Coles & Goodchild, Auctioneers, has changed its name on Mr Coles’ withdrawal. He joined the firm in January 1877 and now, 31⁄2 years later, retires. The firm will continue as Goodchild, Austin & Co. Five years ago Burra had one monthly sale and that was small. Now it has two a month and both are ‘generally very heavy’. [That issue Liston, Shakes & Co. offered 8,600 sheep, 238 cattle and 72 horses] On 7 July Goodchild, Austin & Co. will offer 6,000 sheep, 150 cattle and 30 horses.

A Public Meeting at the Institute on Saturday evening last was to support the Electoral Districts Bill. Mayor, P. Lane presided. Mr Ridgway supported the Bill and F.W. Holder 2nd his motion. Carried unanimously.

III, 105, 2 July 1880, Page 3

The Kelly Gang. Over three columns is devoted to the reappearance of the gang and then the final shoot-out and capture.

Redruth Court, 25 June

Three men were each charged with depasturing horses on the travelling stock route.

Two men were charged with carting timber without a licence and were fined the value of the load.

III, 106, 9 July 1880, Page 2

Editorial on The Upper House Electoral District. Mr Fisher’s motion has been lost.

Burra Town Council invites tenders for the lease of the Redruth Parklands.

Street Trees are being planted by some citizens, Mr Lewis and Father Kriesll for example.

Entertainment. Madam Sibly, phrenologist, mesmerist etc. will be at the Institute next Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Pleuro-pneumonia caused two cows from Queensland to be destroyed at the recent sales here.

Burra Cricket Club’s annual dinner was held at the Burra Hotel last Wednesday with P. Lane in the chair and the club’s president, E. Lipsett in the vice-chair. C. Butterworth, Captain, was the season’s best bowler and W. Parker the best batsman.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Rev. J.G. Wright was ill and was replaced on Sunday by Mr Dale of Melbourne, Rev J. Bickford & Rev. W. Jenkin. The public tea on Monday attracted almost 200 and the public meeting ran till 10 p.m. The proceeds from the opening services at c. £70 brought the income to £243 towards the total cost of £445 for the renovations.

Legislative Council Election on Wednesday was very quiet and the results so far in are: -

Ramsay 4565

Dunn 4529

Murray 4316

Everard 2197

St Joseph’s Bazaar & Art Union raised over £500.

Burra Town Council

J.R. Gray applied to purchase part of an unused street in Redruth - report next meeting.

III, 106, 9 July 1880, Page 3

Inquest, 3 July at the Pig and Whistle on Sophia Day who had died that afternoon. J.D. Cave JP, coroner. Mrs Maria Day said the child was born the 24 June and had a cold from the start, but no danger was perceived till Saturday when all was normal till about 2 p.m. when the child seemed to be dying. This was supported by Sophia Head, nurse to Mrs Day. Dr Brummitt could give no explanation for the death, which the jury assigned to natural causes.

Letter complaining of the state of the footpaths ‘in and to the Paddock’ especially the footpath from Ullmann’s bakery to the old schoolhouse. [This would seem likely to be from the corner of Bridge Terrace and Kingston St to the corner of the Kooringa Hotel.]

Larrikinism. A letter complains of larrikinism in Kooringa. The writer blames music, the skittle-alley and billiard tables run by publicans, which are all ‘traps for the unwary’. Parents should be keeping the young folk at home with a good book. The editor agrees - if not entirely with the good books, at least with the idea of good home amusements.

III, 107, 16 July 1880, Page 2

Mrs J.H. Roe’s school in Chapel St re-opens on Monday 19 July

Birth. 14 July, to the wife of D. Spencer Packard, a daughter. [Florence]

Obituary. 14 July, the infant daughter of D. Spencer Packard. [Florence]

Obituary. 10 July at Kooringa, Herbert Richard Edwards, aged 14 months. [Born 1 May 1879]

12 July at Kooringa, Edwin Edwards, aged 3 years 6 months. [Born 30 November 1876]

Both sons of Richard & Mary Jane Edwards. (Of diphtheria & croup.)

Editorial on the Licensed Victuallers Bill - which is to replace 4 or 5 old bills.

2nd leader on The Political Situation in Victoria.

Police Inaction. The editor asks why police took no action on Monday when within a few hundred yards of the Kooringa Police Station there was a disgraceful disturbance from a drunken man and some women, with screams and a great battering of doors and windows.

Burra Musical Union Concert will be on 6 August.

Fires. A Bill is to be introduced to ban the importation of Tandstikkor matches.

[Properly Tandstickor, a cheap kind of lucifer match imported from Sweden.]

Drew & Co. has installed plate glass windows in their new shops. The sheets, at 10’ x 7’ are probably the largest in the colony and are worth in total over £150.

St Mary’s choral service on Sunday next will commemorate the laying of the foundation stone a year ago.

Football. A good scratch match was played last Saturday.

Accident. James Levers sustained a broken leg when a wall he was demolishing at the rear of the Burra Hotel fell on him on Tuesday.

Burra Institute. The second in the series of entertainments organised by the committee was held on Friday. Dr Sangster gave an interesting lecture on ‘Alcohol’.

Trees. The Council has trees available for planting - they are a gift from Father Kriessl.

Obituary. Mr R. [Richard] Bosance [sic: Bosence] of Redruth died there on Friday. [Details next issue.]

Burra Literary Society. The second meeting on Friday heard a paper from Dr Brummitt on ‘Tobacco Smoking’. The next meeting on 23 July will feature a debate.

Entertainment. Madam Sibly’s character reading, mesmerism etc. is very favourably reviewed.

III, 107, 16 July 1880, Page 3

Football. It has been resolved to establish a football club at Hallett.

Hanson D.C. is complaining about the fares to Daviestown. The fare Burra to Daviestown is the same as the fare Burra to Farrell’s Flat. The fare from Farrell’s Flat to Daviestown is the same as the fare Farrell’s Flat to Burra. [Daviestown is modern Hanson.]

Redruth Court 9 July

Lill Sellers, a lad of 13 was charged with throwing stones at a railway train whilst it was in motion near Aberdeen on 28 June 1880. He was released upon his father’s undertaking to give him ‘a severe flogging’ and paying the witnesses expenses of 14/-.

Football. The paper’s reporter complains of bad language by the players and unnecessary rough play. [And that was only at practice!]

Letter from ‘Aberdeen’ re the cow and goat menace. People are taking advantage of the inspector’s need to take a day of rest on the Sabbath. Horses, cows and goats prowl about the streets all Sunday, but are all out of sight on Monday.

Letter from ‘Not a Grave Digger’ who is not anti-Catholic, but opposes a Catholic section at the cemetery. If such is allowed, he asks, how long before we need a separate section for Episcopalians, Bible Christians, Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, etc.?

Letter from ‘One of Us’ doubting the efficacy of children’s books in curbing the larrikinism in Kooringa. He recalls the acts of New Year in 1878 & 1879 when there was noise like thunder, wagons, carts and busses were left in streets all over the town, large gates were unhung and thrown into the streets, fences were broken and all this without hindrance.

Advt. The Rev. Father Kreissl thanks all for their support of the recent Art Union and Bazaar. He announces that after all expenses the debt on St Joseph’s has been reduced from £1,390 to £900.

III, 108, 23 July 1880, Page 2

Advt. Institute, 24 & 26 July, 1st Appearance of Hudson’s Surprise Party, the most novel show in existence. A mixture of humour and pathos.

Obituary. Redruth, 2 July, Richard Bosence, formerly of St Ives, Cornwall, aged 76.

Obituary. Aberdeen, 21 July, Mabel Wallish Gartrell, youngest child of H. & M. Gartrell, aged 2 years 2 months. [Born Mabel Wallis Gartrell 7 May 1878]

Obituary. Aberdeen, 11 July, at the residence of his grandfather, Mr S. Goss, John Henry Trevelyan, only son of John and Blanche Trevelyan. [Born 10 August 1872: registered as dying 14 July, aged 7.]

Editorial on the Government Estimates.

Accident. An employee of Sara & Dunstan lost two fingers in the planing machine on Thursday.

Snow fell last Friday night at Hallett.

Legislative Council Elections returned Dunn, Ramsay & Murray.

Wesleyan Home Mission services were held this week and were well attended. Rev. S. Knight preached.

Road Grant. A special grant of £400 has been included in the estimates for the dangerous road past the Kooringa P.O. and Institute.

Madam Sibly has had small houses for her later performances, but her mesmerism has been admired.

III, 108, 23 July 1880, Page 2-3

Midland Road Board. Mr Rush, Chairman of the Mt Bryan DC waited on the board to have the Kooringa-Mt Bryan Road put on the schedule of main roads and was told he should have waited on the Commissioner of Public Works.

Report on the state of the Burra Leighton Road. [Following the recent conflict over the quality of the road metal being used.] 35 yd3 of metal have been condemned, but the other charges brought by Mr Killicoat are not sustained. The contractor, Mr Fuss, has done nothing beyond the partial delivery of 200 yd3 of bottom metal for widening the road and repairing parts of it.

[There is then discussion of whose jurisdiction the road lies in - as it runs along the boundary of the Hundreds of Ayers and Hanson and is included in the Hundred of Hanson. Some lies within the jurisdiction of the North Midland Road Board. Much more detail is provided.]

III, 108, 23 July 1880, Page 3

Dr Brummitt’s paper on Tobacco Smoking is printed. It outlines the history of the introduction of the habit and in this first part of the paper lists the supposed advantages of smoking.

Rape. Harry Hicks has been committed for trial on 3 August at the criminal sessions on the charge of the attempted rape of 11-year-old Ada Lamming on 15 July at Kooringa. The evidence was unfit for publication.

Letter complaining of the dangerous cutting just past the new Lower Thames St Bridge. The writer had found a reveller from the Pig and Whistle upside down in the mud, having fallen down the cutting. It needs fencing or sloping off.

III, 109, 30 July 1880, Page 2

Advt. Advising that the Spring Bank Estate of 4,100 acres is for sale.

Marriage. 24 July, Thomas Kellaway, 2nd son of William Kellaway & Ellen, eldest daughter of William Reynolds of Kooringa.

Editorial on sanitary conditions at Kooringa.

Taking the average of the past years the deaths in the district have averaged about 20 per month in December, January and February and about 6 per month in other months. This year there have been 26 interments in Kooringa in July, of which most have been of children under 12, and there has also been much sickness. At least 6 deaths have been from diphtheria and several from bronchitis. The Local Board of Health met on Tuesday. A problem is the inability in many cases of separating the sick from the healthy. They live in small, crowded dwellings, often with small, close, and even damp rooms. Some dwellings are to be condemned for habitation unless thoroughly renovated, especially those that are small, low-lying houses with damp brick floors and calico ceilings.

2nd leader is on the Government promise to form a footpath to the Burra Station. Its best location is discussed.

Entertainment. Hudson’s Surprise Party performed Saturday & Monday to good houses.

Daviestown Station. The train has stopped there 330 times in the past year to set down or to pick up a total of 583 passengers and this should justify a favourable reply to the memorial on fares.

Anti-Chinese Feeling. The editor reports on an anti-Chinese meeting in Adelaide and says: - ‘It is really surprising what nonsense some men talk when they want to bolster up a week [sic] case.’

Burra Literary Society met on Friday and discussed Dr Brummitt’s paper on Tobacco and Smoking. Dr Brummitt and Mr Holder supported the paper and Dr Sangster and Mr Cater opposed it.

Burra Town Council. 26 July

The Kingston St footpath will be attended to, though not before Cr Drew denied that councillors gave preferential consideration to paths and roads leading to their own premises.

Goats trespassing on streets and reserves will be shot after one week’s notice in the Record.

Local Board of Health met and discussed the matters canvassed in the editorial.

Dr Brummitt reported 19 cases of diphtheria in recent weeks, 6 were fatal, of which 5 were in 2-roomed houses, occupied respectively by 8, 3, 5, & 5 persons. Of other cases 3 were in 3 roomed houses occupied by 10 persons and 2 in a 2 roomed house occupied by 5 or more, with rooms 10’ x 10’ x 7’. Only 3 of 19 cases were in houses with over 3 rooms and most were in houses not remarkable for their cleanliness.

John R. Gray, inspector, presented a statistical report listing cases, number of rooms, deaths, and number of inhabitants. The worst cases seem to have been in the brick rows of Thames and Bridge Streets in which the floors are of wet brick and the ceilings of calico. The houses should be declared unfit until they have new dry floors and new ceilings.

Examples: -

Cases Deaths Rooms No. of Inhabitants

1 1 2 4

2 2 2 4 or 5

2 0 2 5

2 0 2 6

III, 109, 30 July 1880, Page 3

Temperance Meeting. A public meeting was held at the Institute on Wednesday to petition Parliament to have public houses closed all day on Sunday. About 60 attended with F.W. Holder in the chair. [A Bill was then before the Parliament to bring this about, amongst other provisions.]

Rev. W. Jenkin spoke to a motion opposing any extension of Sunday trading for hotels. Rev. W. Richards 2nd.

Rev. James Bickford spoke in support and Dr Brummitt proposed that memorials be adopted and forwarded, through their member Mr Rees, to Parliament. 2nd by J. Roberts. Nearly all those present signed the memorials.

Dr Brummitt’s Paper on ‘Tobacco & Smoking’ was concluded. (This second part being the case against the habit.) It runs for 21⁄3 columns.

Football. Burra v. Kapunda at Kapunda.

The team took a train to Tarlee and then went by trap to Kapunda, which they reached soon after 11 a.m. Burra played five men short, including the captain.

Kapunda 3.23 defeated Burra 0.0

III, 110, 6 August 1880, Page 2

Advt. There will be a tea at the Primitive Methodist schoolroom at 5 p.m. and a concert at the Institute at 8 p.m.

Advt. Burra Musical Union Concert in the Institute 9 August. The program is printed.

Editorial on Railway Charges - for freight, especially for wool and wheat.

2nd leader on the failure of children to attend school.

Market Square Well. In a few days some men will be sent up to proceed with work.

Robbery. Joseph Richardson, the spirit dealer in Commercial St was robbed on Sunday evening of £60-£70 in notes, cash and cheques.

Chinese Immigration. A Bill providing for a poll tax of £10 on Chinese landing in the colony has passed the committee stage.

III, 110, 6 August 1880, Page 2-3

Obituary & Inquest at Hanson [i.e. Farrell’s Flat] on Tuesday 3 August. J.D. Cave JP, coroner, on the body of Thomas Horrigan. [Also said his name was Thomas Horrigan Mulcahy, but the death is registered under Horrigan, aged 50.] James V. O’Loghlin, foreman of the jury. The deceased was found in a paddock and died in a dray on the way into the Hanson Hotel.

Deceased had been working for William Mackay of Hanson, road contractor, who last saw him at the bar of the Hanson Hotel on 31 July. He had left the camp earlier that day in the company of John Lawler. He knew of no ill feeling between the men.

John Mackay, son of William, confirmed the above. He saw deceased on 2 September in a Gum Creek paddock 11⁄2 miles from Hanson, lying on his back and still alive. Brought him in a dray to Hanson, but he died on the way.

[Various others gave evidence some of which seems to be designed to minimise the amount of alcohol the deceased was known to have consumed, they included: John Lawler, labourer; Patrick O’Reilly, farmer; Thomas James Barrett, landlord of the Hanson Hotel; and Richard Phelan, policeman of Redruth.]

The verdict was that he died from exposure probably after becoming drowsy from the effects of alcohol.

III, 110, 6 August 1880, Page 3

Recent Burra Deaths. SAMA writes to challenge the causes recently published. [SAMA was the landlord for many of the poorest houses in Kooringa including those referred to in the reports.] Only three of the twenty-six deaths were in the brick rows, yet they are condemned as unfit for habitation. Are they the only places with ceilings of rotten calico and with damp floors? If the surroundings are dirty with butcher’s premises constantly complained of, why was nothing done? More dust and filth can be found in scores of places in Burra than in and around brick row. By all means let the brick row have its share of blame, but not more blame than it deserves. Let the inspector take a run around the upper part of The Paddock or a place or two not far from the Redruth Bridge.

Letter from A. Graham, Mayor of Goolwa, complaining of the very low rates charged by the railways to transport wool compared with anything else.

Dr Sangster’s recent lecture on alcohol is printed. This first part runs almost to 3 columns.

III, 111, 13 August 1880, Page 2

Birth. To the wife of D. Evans, a daughter, on the 6 August at Kooringa. [Clara Louisa]

Editorial on the SA Budget.

Football. At Austin’s Paddock, Aberdeen.

Burra 4.17 defeated Clare 0.0

Burra Youth’s Athletic Club’s second sports meeting was marred by inclement weather on Monday last. It was held in Mr Austin’s Paddock. Attendance was low. Results are printed.

Burra Musical Union Concert on Monday last was also a victim of the weather with a small audience. The concert was the best ever given by them.

Burra Young Men’s Club was raided by Constable Coleman last Friday evening. The club has been meeting in a tradesman’s shop to play chess, draughts, cards etc. It had been suggested that gambling was taking place, but the constable found no signs of such activity. [A long letter received on the subject makes it clear that the informant was a ‘minister of the gospel’.]

Mr Alfred Dearlove, who is about to leave the district, was presented with a beautiful copy of Fox’s book of Martyrs by teachers at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday-school, where he has been Assistant Superintendent.

Burra Town Council, 10 August

Sir H. Ayers writes that a road from Paxton Square to Redruth via the Smelting Works will be granted to the town as soon as they are prepared to fence it.

III, 111, 13 August 1880, Page 3

Dr Sangster’s Paper on Alcohol, Part II is printed and runs to almost 2 columns.

Redruth Court 11 August

Harvey Grace, alias Jack Moody was committed for trial for stealing a horse, saddle and bridle from Gratz’s paddock near Kooringa.

Two destitute children, Walter and Edward Hand, aged 6 & 4 were sent to the Industrial School Magill till aged 16. Their mother is in Redruth Gaol and their father is an absconded debtor of unknown whereabouts.

Letter from W. West denying he was the author of the letter on sanitary matters signed ‘SAMA’ - though he largely agreed with it.

Ned Kelly’s trial is reprinted from a report in the Argus of 5 August. The trial was then ongoing.

III, 112, 20 August 1880, Page 2

Advt. The Burra Quadrille Assemblies will meet next on the 2 September rather than the 26 August.

Advt. Burra Show will be held on 9 September.

Advt. Kreitmayer’s Waxworks will appear at the Burra Institute 25 to 28 August. It features over 50 lifelike figures including: Peabody, Sir Hurtle Fisher, Emperor Wilhelm, Bismark, Burke, Wills & King, The empress Eugenie, the late Prince Imperial, and the bushrangers, Morgan, Scott (Captain Moonlight), and the Kelly Gang. (The latter appear in a tableau of the murder of Kennedy Lonigan and Scanlon.) Also featuring the LIVE ELECTRIC BOY’, one of the greatest scientific illusions of the age. 1/-, children 6d.

Advt. Tonight at the Institute the third in the series of Popular Entertainments will feature 100 of the Model School children. 6d. [Further down the page it says over 300 tickets had already been sold.]

Marriage. John Harvey, only son of William Harvey of Ballarat and Sarah Ann Webster, 2nd daughter of George Webster of forest Hotel, River Murray, at Kooringa Wesleyan Church 7 August.

Marriage. Milton M. Maughan and Eliza A. Torr on 6 August at Mintaro.

Railways. The Jamestown-Yongala railway is almost complete, but has been delayed by lack of rail.

Mr Rees has called for the upgrading of the Burra Railway Station.

Midland Road Board. Mr Pinch complains that he is being denied access to his property by a ditch cut on the roadside apparently by the work on the Burra-Leighton road according to the heading.

Redruth Court 18 August

Straying animals again

W. Fuss 2 horses in the main street of Redruth 10/-

Charles Lowe a mare and foal at Redruth 5/-

G.H. Catchlove & Co. swine near the brewery 10/-

Dr Sangster’s Paper on Alcohol concludes in 13⁄4 columns.

Letter from Rev. W. Jenkin re the reporting of gambling at a particular premises.

The facts he says are: -

Two others gave information to the police

The information was so public that another dozen might have done so

I did not spy out the matter, but was informed by one who ought to know

I believe speaking to the owner would be like Canute commanding the sea

Football last Saturday 9 Colours v. 20 Allcomers

Allcomers 0.3 defeated Colours 0.0

III, 113, 27 August 1880, Page 2

Obituary. At Copperhouse on 26 August, Johanna Fredericka Ross, wife of Joseph Ross and daughter of William and Johanna Dunemann, aged 28, after a long and painful illness. [Born 29 July 1852]

Editorial on the New Corporation Act. This was a new Act consolidating 7 Acts and running to 298 clauses and is 96 pages long. The editor is in favour of it generally and hopes it will pass.

2nd leader on the need for a new railway station. The temporary Burra Railway Station has done duty for long enough and cost perhaps no more than £300 to £400. There is no suitable waiting rooms or anything else. Refreshment provisions are no more than a table on the platform. Even for such wretched provision the railways get £65 p.a., which is enough to pay interest at 5% on £1,300. The urinals are almost in full view of persons arriving at the elevation of a cart. The platform has never been flagged and all is ‘miserly, incomfortable [sic] and insufficient.’

It is time a new station was built. A splendid station has been built at Gawler recently and Riverton has thoroughly good and substantial refreshment rooms and many far less busy stations have facilities at least equal to that at Burra. To the north facilities with every convenience are to be built at Yongala, Petersburg, etc.

Sunday Closing. The great battle was fought on Tuesday. Mr Colton sought entire closing on Sundays, but this was lost 26-13. The time of opening, after further votes was reduced to the hours 1 p.m.-2 p.m. and 8 p.m.-9 p.m. instead of the 1 p.m.-3 p.m. only as at present. Mr Colton then moved that beer on Sunday not be sold for consumption on the premises, but this was lost. A move to allow local option on hours as well as on the number of licences was also lost.

Edward Lipsett announces a major sale preparatory to extensions and additions to the proprietary.

Burra School. P.C. Robin BA has been appointed assistant at the school.

The Bible Christian corrugated iron chapel at Hallett has been sold and a new stone building is to be erected.

Public Meeting at the Institute last Saturday to form a Sunday Closing and Local Option League.

Entertainment. The Waxworks is declared to be well worth a visit.

Entertainment. The Model School entertainment last Friday was a great success. It was estimated that 600 attended. Mr Cater conducted and Mr E. Lipsett JP directed.

III, 113, 27 August 1880, Page 3

Letter from ‘Thirsty’ write re the sad looking battery in connection with the well in Market Square. The work should proceed at once or be abandoned. It is hardly creditable that Kooringa should not have a single public watering trough when the other end of town has two.

Letter from ‘Traveller’ complaining of the high cost of the busses from the last train to Kooringa. In Adelaide up to midnight it costs 6d from Adelaide to Kensington and back, a distance of about 6 miles. In Burra the charge for one mile is 1/-.

Football. On Saturday the Kooringa Boys 4 goals defeated the Mine Boys 1 goal.

III, 114, 3 September 1880, Page 2

Editorial on the Sunday Closing and Local Option Associations. There was a meeting at the Burra Institute last Monday that debated the selection of candidates for Parliament who would support the cause.

Terowie East will be sold next Tuesday. [i.e. the blocks surveyed east of the railway line] It abuts the Government blocks and is opposite the large dam and within 10 chains of the station.

Burra Literary Society met last Friday and discussed the Chinese question. The result was in favour of some restriction of Chinese immigration.

The Burra Record. Before next week’s issue we will have moved to our new location next door to the old one which is about to be pulled down to make way for two new shops to be erected by Messrs Drew & Co.

The Kreitmayer’s Waxworks was largely attended. Much attention was paid to Ned Kelly’s armour and the ‘electric boy’ amused and shocked others.

Hotel Licences. A transfer of licence was granted to J. Hill from E.M. Soward for the Court House Hotel and from the destroyed Aberdeen Hotel to the new building of Mr Ridgway’s. [To become the (Royal) Exchange Hotel]

Burra Cricket Club. AGM on Monday last at the Institute. The club has a credit balance of 19/6. The elections: - Patron W.B. Rounsevell MP

President Mr Lipsett

Captain George Butterworth

Vice-Captain T. Roach

Sec. & Treasurer T.T. Shortridge

Sunday Closing & Local Option Assoc. met on Monday 30 August with Dr Brummitt in the chair. Attendance was larger than last time. Mr Holder moved the adoption of a constitution. 2nd Mr Kitchen. Dr Sangster moved the name be The Burra Sunday Closing and Local Option Association. 2nd by J. Roberts and carried.

The elections: President Dr Sangster

Vice Presidents Dr Brummitt & Mr Bartholomæus

Treasurer F. W. Holder

Sec. W. Pearce Sen.

Committee: Messrs Lipsett, Coglin, Cater, J. Dunstan, G. Sara, Wilkinson, Cox, Phillips, Kitchen, Davey, M. Birt, J. Roberts, Launder, Torr, S. Sleep, J. Pearse, Wheare, Edwards, J. Jenkin and ex-officio the town’s ministers of religion.

The constitution is then printed.

The aims in brief were: -

The complete closing of hotels on Sunday, except for travellers arriving by sea or travelling over 12 miles.

Closing at 10 p.m. on weekdays.

Local option polls to decide the number of licences.

Football. There was a scratch match on Saturday, but no results are given.

Letter from Charles Schutz re the fares from the station to Kooringa for the last train. Often there is but one passenger and sometimes not any. Often the train is late and waits of over an hour are not unknown. The distance is also over a mile.

III, 115, 10 September 1880, Page 2

Advt. Edward Lipsett offers a genuine stock reduction sale in which he says stock must be ‘reduced by December Next in order to arrange for the Fresh Branches of Business to be introduced under the New Partnership in JANUARY NEXT, full particulars of which will be duly announced.’

[Clearly this failed to eventuate as by December his enterprise was an assigned estate and Mr Lipsett left the town.]

Advt. Tenders are called for a Bible Christian chapel to be erected at Hallett.

Advt. Tenders are called for a creek crossing between Mr Bowman’s and Mr Gebhardt’s west of Black Water Holes. 33’ long by 15’ wide.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Bazaar Fund will hold a public tea Wednesday next in the Redruth schoolroom, followed by an entertainment.

Editorial on ‘Emulation’. Comments are made on the Melbourne Exhibition, Education and the Burra Show.

Sunday Closing. Mr Rees’s motion in favour of local option polls for the closing of hotels on Sundays has passed the House of Assembly.

Rain in the last few days has materially boosted the season’s prospects.

Entertainment. Last evening Mr & Mrs Hewitt appeared at the Institute in an entertainment beginning with the operetta Zip and terminating with an amusing drawing room sketch.

Railway. Tenders have been received for the Terowie to Port Augusta railway via Pichi Richi.

III, 115, 10 September 1880, Page 3

The Burra Show was held yesterday at the Smelting Works and was very successful. The buildings there afford ideal accommodation for exhibits. The show dinner was held in Richardson’s Burra Hotel where 40 gentlemen sat down to a good spread.

The show results are printed.

III, 116, 17 September 1880, Page 2

Advt. J. Doe, hairdresser, informs customers that he has removed to new premises adjoining the Record office in Market Square.

The Record. From 1 October we shall publish every Friday a 2-page supplement containing each week a portion of a good serial tale and other tales and sketches, household receipts, wit, humour etc. This supplement will be issued gratis.

Birth. 15 September, to the wife of Robert Brown jun., at Hillside House, a daughter. [Dora Isabelle]

Editorial on the Railway Tariff

A call is made for the rate for grain to be reduced by 1d per ton per mile. This is essential if farmers are to move into areas further from ports. Roads and railways are not constructed to make a profit, but to open up the land and to develop the country. In SA the following lines make a profit. (% nett revenue to capital)

Adelaide-Semaphore 47.59%

Adelaide-Hallett & Morgan 4.13%

Hamley Bridge-Pt Wakefield

Wallaroo & Snowtown 0.40%

Pt Pirie-Jamestown 11.4%

All others make a loss (i.e. Kingston-Naracoorte, Mt Gambier-Rivoli Bay, Strathalbyn-Middleton, Goolwa & Victor Harbor, Pt Broughton-Barunga)

Burra Institute library has just received 223 new books in 371 volumes at a cost of £54-5-0, or about 2/11 a volume. 147 are works of fiction.

III, 116, 17 September 1880, Page 3

Advts. for the services of entire horses.

Clydesdale Baron of Clyde W.J. Rayner prop.

Clydesdale Marquis of Lorne Thomas Hastie of Redruth

Clydesdale Sir James G. Harry

Clydesdale Young Ranter R. Austin

Clydesdale Honest Dan Thomas Henry Broad

Horse Young Noble Thomas Henry Broad

Draught Horse Young Benord Boy W. Halliday

Draught Horse Iron Duke C.W. Bowden

III, 117, 24 September 1880, Page 2

Advt. ‘For Sale at LLWCHYR REDRUTH

Eight-Roomed Well-finished HOUSE with an outside Kitchen, also Two Outside Rooms, Underground Tank, Well of Good Water, and Paved Yards. The House is situated in the midst of a two and a half acre plot, planted with 1,000 choice vines, and 100 fruit trees in full bearing. There are likewise upwards of 100 gums and native trees and a splendid collection of annual and perennial flowers all in good condition. Two Conservatorie[s] and a large Iron Wheat Store are amongst the buildings and the whole is enclosed in a Good Stone Wall. The property is pleasantly situated, within 25 minutes walk of the Burra Railway Station, surrounded by hills and close to the rising Government Township of Redruth, Burra. Tenders for the purchase of the above will be received on or before OCTOBER, 1880, by WILLIAM FUSS, near Redruth, Burra, who will shew the property to interested purchasers. Possession January 1 1880.’ [sic] [Presumably 1881]

Advt. G.A.C. Muller thanks those who helped in putting out the fire in one of his houses at Hampton.

Advt. Baldina Pound was re-opened 15 September.

Advt. A reward of £5 is offered for the carcase of each of the five wild dogs known to be in the ranges between White Hill and F.T. Jones’. E. & C.W. Bowman

G.A. Gebhardt & others.

Advt. The anniversary of the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will be held 3 & 4 October.

Advt. Tenders are called for additions and repairs to the Redruth Gaol.

The Burra Record will open a printing office at Terowie 4 October.

Entertainment. There was a successful entertainment last night in the Kooringa Wesleyan Schoolroom in aid of the building fund.

Accident. As the Record office was demolished yesterday a stone fell on the head of Mr Williams, who was attended by Dr Brummitt.

Burra Town Council

Messrs Bartholomæus, Volmer & Topperwein asked that a small reserve opposite the Primitive Methodist Church, Redruth, be fenced. If the council will fence it at an estimated cost of £4 they will undertake to plant trees there and tend them.

Messrs Francis Clark & Son offer to remove their boring plant in Market Square to any other spot and to begin again, under specified conditions. The Mayor will seek further details.

III, 117, 24 September 1880, Page 3

Cricket on Saturday last.

Young Australians 58 & 48 for 6 defeated True Blues 57 & 44

III, 118, 1 October 1880, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for the alterations to the platform etc. of the Institute Hall.

Editorial on SA Farmers and the advantages of a co-operative association.

The Record. The supplement will be delayed one week and will appear next issue.

Sara & Dunstan will thoroughly renovate the Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church, inside and out, for £98.

Terowie Railway. The rails have almost reached Terowie and the line should open soon.

Pedestrianism. A match for £15 has been arranged between W.H. Watson of Burra & W.E. Mugg of Kapunda - to be contested over 150, 220, and 440 yards.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Rev. W. Jenkin and Rev. W. Richards preached. The public tea catered for about 60 and the public meeting was well attended.

Burra Sunday Closing Assoc. has been canvassing the town and a vote just taken showed: - For Against

Kooringa 129 20

Aberdeen, Redruth

& Hampton 55 12

Copperhouse 7 0

Burra Hospital 11 0

Redruth Gaol 4 11

95 papers were returned blank.

Kooringa Post & Telegraph Office is a disgrace with peeling paint and broken windows. It is in urgent need of maintenance.

III, 118, 1 October 1880, Page 3

Letter from a ‘Traveller’ complains that the train timetables do not allow passengers to travel from Burra to Kadina (or do the reverse journey) in one day due to the failure of connections at Hamley Bridge.

Cricket Saturday at Brewery Flat.

Burra 68 defeated Allcomers 57

III, 119, 8 October 1880, Page 2

Advt. Mrs J. H. Roe’s school re-opened in Chapel St on 4 October. There are vacancies for a few boarders.

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope Entertainment, 15 October. Admission Free, MOONLIGHT, In THE Schoolroom near the Courthouse, Redruth.

[i.e. The Lutheran Church/German Chapel]

Advt. Mrs J.M. Rundle has taken the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen. There are 20 bedrooms, including sitting rooms etc.

Editorial on the New Land Bill.

Selectors will pay 10% on purchase, which will be reckoned as the interest for the first three years paid in advance. At the end of the three years and to the end of the 8th year the payment will be 4% of the purchase price [per annum presumably]. At the end of the 9th year 25% of the purchase price. For the next 20 years 5% of the balance will be paid annually as interest. At the end of the 20th year the balance of the capital will fall due. Other details are spelled out.

2nd leader on the new reduced railway tariff for grain.

Up to 50 miles, same as now 21⁄2d per ton per mile

50-75 miles 2d per ton per mile

Over 75 miles 11⁄2d per ton per mile.

[This produced some interesting anomalies for distances close to the change in tariff points.]

The Hallett Police Station

£750 has been allocated for its construction.

Police Moiety. A Bill has been introduced to abolish the payment of the police moiety by Corporations.

D.S. Packard, solicitor, has moved from the south side of Market Square to offices between Drew & Co.’s store and the Record office.

Mr J.F. Duff, the representative of Goodchild, Austin & Co., has moved from his old office to the one next door to Mr Packard’s.

Chinese. 800 Chinese arrived in the NT in the last few days with 700 more on the way.

Mr W. F. Coglin has tendered his resignation as Crown Lands Ranger on the grounds of old age. He has been the ranger for the last 20 years.

Exchange Hotel. The new hotel rises to the same height as the banking premises at the corner and harmonises to some extent with them. The old hotel is now being converted into a row of very convenient-looking cottages under Mr Ridgway’s superintendence.

Terowie Railway. Rails should be laid into Terowie by the end of this week. The line will then be ballasted and will probably be open by the beginning of November. The engine sheds are nearly finished and the overway bridges at the passenger station are near completion. Sara & Dunstan will finish the two goods sheds in about three weeks.

[The editor considered the way in which the streets of Yarcowie had been closed by the passage of the railway to be quite disgraceful.]

Pedestrianism. Watson easily won the pedestrian events at Kapunda on 2 October for £30. Some 200-300 spectators attended. Watson won the 150 yards by about 5 yards and clinched the day by winning the 440 yards by about 10 yards. In each case Mugg got away better, but was overtaken after 100 yards in the first event and after 300 yards in the 440.

III, 119, 8 October 1880, Page 3

Sara & Dunstan have virtually completed the Gladstone Gaol.

Road Grant. The special £400 grant for the road past the Kooringa P.O. and the Institute has been passed.

Supplement. Our first literary supplement appears this week.

Wheat. Mr Forder’s farm at Mongolata has some fine wheat 3’7” in height at best and the average not much less.

Redruth Court 5 October

Thomas McNaulty, 1 month for stealing a flask of brandy valued at 2/- and a towel valued at 1/- from the bar of the new hotel in Aberdeen.

6 October

P. McDowell, 1 month for stealing the Children’s Hospital collection box from the lobby of the Kooringa P.O.

Letter from ‘Prudence’ complaining of open shafts and holes in the Burra Mine site.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church, Anniversary 3 October. Rev. J.G. Wright preached. The public meeting topic was Burra 25 years ago compared with Burra today. On arriving in SA the speaker took a coach to Burra where he sought his own people, but they received him not. The Rev. J. Rowe took him in and then the miners rallied around him too. One of the outlying churches had been abandoned to a number of emigrants [immigrants?] and after they left a number of pigs moved in.

[The report is not very interesting, given the topic, and suggests a vague and waffly discourse which may have been lightened by some personal anecdotes which were not reported.]

III, 120, 15 October 1880, Page 2

Editorial on European Politics.

Terowie Railway. The first passengers to Terowie arrived there unexpectedly on Monday. The coach broke down about 6 miles from Hallett and the passing train took them and the mails into Terowie.

Burra Town Council

The Corporation has required the contractors to proceed with boring in Market Square. The site has been idle for months now despite work having commenced over a year ago.

Mr Coglin. A committee has been formed to give Mr Coglin a testimonial on his retirement at Crown Lands Ranger.

Retiring Council.

Mayor: P. Lane

South Ward: Mr Drew

Middle Ward: T. Richardson

North Ward: Mr Ridgway

Mr Lane says he will stand for re-election as Mayor.

Mr Lockyer has agreed to stand for Middle Ward.

Larrikinism. Traps and ploughs were moved into roadways. Packing cases etc. were moved onto the pavement in front of Drew & Co. Iron crossing-plates were overturned etc. in both Kooringa and Redruth.

Cricket. The Aberdeen Club was formed at a meeting at the Exchange Hotel on Monday evening. 15 persons attended with Mr Ridgway in the chair. M. Moorhouse was appointed secretary pro tem.

Yarcowie Wesleyan Church Anniversary Sunday 18 October & Monday 11 October. [Presumably 18 is a misprint for 10.]

Burra Town Council

The Mayor reported the grant of £400 for the making of the road near the P.O. and the Institute.

There was a delegation re the cutting down of the footpath on the north side of Commercial St.

Messrs Lane & Geake applied for paving in front of their premises, agreeing to pay half the cost.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ complaining that some Councillors have not been attending meetings and this should be made known before the upcoming elections.

The editor then published returns from the 23 meetings since 1 December 1879.

Mayor (Lane) 22

Batchelor 21

Dunstan 19

Ridgway 16

Drew 13

Richardson 13

Lewis 11

III, 120, 15 October 1880, Page 2-3

Cricket at Brewery Flat on Saturday

Burra Seconds 62 & 32 for 3 defeated True Blues 32 & 57

III, 120, 15 October 1880, Special Supplement

This was a four full-sized pages of details of the Melbourne Exhibition. It included a large engraved picture of the Exhibition Building and a detailed plan of it.

III, 121, 22 October 1880, Page 2

Editorial on Public Finances.

Baldry Wesleyan Chapel Anniversary last Sunday. J. Goss preached. There is no building debt and proceeds were only £6. It is intended shortly to either erect a new church or to make extensive improvements.

Obituary. A three-year-old child of Mrs Skinner of Bundey burnt to death on Tuesday when placing sticks on the fire, her mother being briefly outside to see to the cows. [Not found in registrations.]

Cricket. The Aberdeen Cricket Club met at the Exchange Hotel 14 October to elect officers. Hon. Secretary M. Moorhouse

Treasurer M. Rayner

Captain N. Opie

Vice-Captain C. [or G.?] Yeomans

Patrons Mr Rees MP

Mr Killicoat JP

President Mr Ridgway

Vice-President J. Dunstan

SAMA half-yearly report. The value of property owned has been revalued upwards. Burra property increases from £22,000 to £29,000. Kooringa and Graham property rises from £38,000 to £46,000. The mine is being kept in a condition to be worked when copper prices justify it.

Sunday Closing & Local Option Society

W.B. Rounsevell responds to questions put to him.

Opposed to entire closing on Sunday

Against local option on the number of licences

Would not act as a delegate in Parliament for any association

The Association consequently regrets that it cannot support him in future elections.

III, 121, 22 October 1880, Page 3

Entertainment. The Redruth Band of Hope 2nd entertainment attracted 350 people on Friday and the collection raised £5, which was considered inadequate for the number of people present, and the organisers will consider whether a charge would be a better option in the future. [The £5 works out to just under 31⁄2d per person.]

III, 122, 29 October 1880, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offer for sale 13,588 sheep on 5 November.

Advt. Goodchild, Austin & Co. offer for sale 5,900 sheep on 1 November.

Advt. Mr Henry Gordon, dentist, sees patients the last week in every month at Mr Snell’s, or in their own residence.

Advt. The shop next to Mr Bruse’s in Commercial St, now occupied by Mrs Bock, is to let from 13 October.

Advt. Tenders are called for the Burra Institute alterations.

Advt. The Rev. James Bickford and the church trustees call tenders for improving and repairing the Leighton (late Baldry) Wesleyan Church.

Advt. For Sale or To Let. The chaff-cutting depot with engine boiler etc. lately occupied by Messrs Snell & Williams. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

D. Spencer Packard, attorney for W. Peel Nesbitt.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar will be held 2 & 3 December, in the Institute.

Advt. Burra Flower Show in the Institute 11 November.

Advt. Prince of Wales Birthday Holiday, 9 November.

Anniversary of the opening of the Hallett Institute.

Picnic, Sports, etc., tea in the hall at 4.30 p.m., Entertainment 8 p.m., followed by a select ball. Picnic 1/-, Tea 1/6, Entertainment 2/- & 1/-.

Editorial on The [SA] Parliament.

Discusses matters before the house and in particular the attempt by the Government to avoid signing into law Mr Bray’s Local Courts Bill, despite its having been passed by both houses.

Burra Town Council, 25 October

The Mayor reported that after the last meeting he had been grossly insulted by Constable Coleman when calling attention to the larrikinism in Kooringa the previous Saturday night and Monday morning. Corporal Phelan was present at the time and could corroborate. The Mayor felt the Council should have the matter investigated. Cr Ridgway thought the Mayor should have reported it to the Inspector of Police at once. The Council could take up the matter of larrikinism and draw the attention of the Inspector to it. Cr Lewis thought that the insult to the Mayor could be taken up by Council. Cr Richardson would support a report re the insult to the Mayor, but he did not support one condemning the constable’s work re larrikinism. The constable could not be everywhere at once, nor out seeking the culprits all the time. Eventually it was resolved that the Council would call the disturbances of the evening of October 9/10 to the attention of the Inspector and that the Mayor would report what he had suffered.

Messrs H. Dawson, W.H. Rosman, T. Nicholls, & Mrs Builder comprised a deputation re the levels of the footpath in Commercial St. The Council then adjourned till Friday to give themselves time to investigate the matter.

III, 122, 29 October 1880, Page 2-3

Redruth Court 22 October

Stephens v. Gray for wrongful imprisonment. An action for £100.

Stephens was arrested for cutting a wire fence across a road near the Courthouse Hotel that Gray had bought and closed. Gray said the road was useless owing to a creek cutting off access to it since the land had been fenced and the bridge built. He said Stephens was the worse for drink. Stephens admitted being at the Pig and Whistle that day. There were further complications in the long story and the verdict was ultimately for the defendant.

III, 122, 29 October 1880, Page 3

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary. The preacher was Rev. H.T. Burgess. Mr Holder read the financial report, which showed that £150 had been paid off the debt, which now stood at £800 (less the £100 now raised). This included the new Sunday school and classrooms, lately erected at a cost of c. £800. A new organ had also been bought in the year. The congregation had raised in the year £641-2-0.

Expenses were: -

Support of the ministry £171-12-9

Connexional Funds £44- 0-4

Church Funds

(Debt reduction, lighting, etc.) £375- 8-0

Rev. Burgess’s address at the public meeting is reported. He was minister at Burra 32 years earlier (1848), and spoke of the past.

‘At that time the Burra church was not so large as now, but occupied about the middle of the present building. Then a transept was added, and afterwards the nave was widened to the extent of the transept and so the old building might be said to have been thrown out of windows. The schoolroom then was a portion of the ruin now standing at the rear of the church, and an idea of the progress made since then could be got by contrasting the centre of the church with the present roomy and comfortable place and the old ruins with the new schoolroom.’

The rest of the address was on the progress of society in the nineteenth century.

The anniversary raised over £104.

Election Meeting. A meeting of ratepayers of North Ward was held at the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen last Saturday to consider who should represent the ward for the next year. Attendance was good. W.R. Ridgway was thanked for his service and he said he regretted that he could not stand again, but as he was not now a resident it would be too expensive to travel up and down fortnightly.

Mr Rabbich was proposed and supported by Messrs M. Rayner, Ridgway, Dawson, Bartholomæus, and Carmody.

Advt. James E. Doe, Market Square, supplies crackers, Guy Fawkes’ faces, rockets etc. - Best Quality and Lowest Prices.

III, 123, 5 November 1880, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offer 23,588 sheep on 5 November.

Advt. Tenders called for plastering 12 rooms at the Baldina Hotel. All materials found. For further particulars apply to W. Midwinter, Baldina. Nov. 2 1880.

Editorial on The Commercial St Footpath.

The editor is not favourably impressed by the decision arrived at, but is glad to have the matter resolved. He is somewhat concerned that Mr Dawson believes that before every action is taken the Act requires a survey be done, an estimate of cost made and adjacent owners notified. He then goes in some detail through the provisions of the Act to show that Mr Dawson’s interpretation cannot stand.

E.A. Jaffrey, Manager of the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa has been transferred to Adelaide and will be succeeded by James Hogg.

Burra Town Council has agreed to the footpath levels suggested by Cr Batchelor, with slight modifications at the western end.

Ned Kelly, having been found guilty, has been sentenced to death and will be executed next Thursday.

Accident. Dr Sangster was driving along the Eastern Road near Nankivell’s Gully when the buggy ran along the side of a cutting and overturned. The doctor was thrown out, but not seriously hurt. Wooton, who was with him, suffered a broken collarbone. The trap was not damaged.

Terowie Railway. The labourers are on strike seeking an extra 6d a day. When the Government refused the men went off seeking harvest work. Ballasting has therefore stopped and the opening of the line has been delayed.

Sir G.S. Kingston has announced his retirement from public life due to ill health.

Burra Sunday Closing and Local Option Assoc. had only a small attendance on Monday with Dr Sangster in the chair. The passing of the Licensed Victuallers Bill has taken the wind out of their sails. Mr Holder expressed his satisfaction with the Act and withdrew his motion re Mr Rounsevell’s position.

III, 123, 5 November 1880, Page 3

Burra Town Council 29 October.

Cr Ridgway objected to the Record’s publication of the attendance of councillors, but the Town Clerk pointed out that access to such information was publicly available and therefore it was not privileged information.

Legal advice was that the Council had the power to change footpath heights etc. in Commercial St. The final acceptance of the heights proposed by Cr Batchelor, with very slight modification, came after some irregular and heated discussion and against the opposition of the Mayor and Cr Drew.

Ratepayers’ Meeting. The South Ward ratepayers met on Saturday with the Mayor, P. Lane, in the chair. Mr Drew said he would not stand again. His business meant he was often away from the town for Council meetings. He was still of the opinion that the cemetery road should be paid for by the whole town.

John Sampson jun. announced that he would stand. He would be an independent and supported Cr Drew’s stand on the cemetery road.

William Geake would also stand. He felt the division of the wards was unfortunate. The number of creeks and other expensive works were largely in the South Ward, but the most valuable property was in Middle Ward. Church St would be a much better boundary than Commercial St. He also supported Cr Drew’s stand on the cemetery road.

III, 124, 12 November 1880, Page 2

Advt. Sale, by order of the liquidators of the SA Carrying Co.

At the company stables, the whole of the plant, draught horses and rolling stock.

34 draught horses, 5 wagons, 6 trollies, 1 spring van, 1 heavy dray, 2 timber carriages.

Advt. Anniversary of St Joseph’s Church, 21 November. Rev. Charles Morrogh SJ, BA, of Sydney, will preach.

Advt. Fine old English Sports will be contested at Tom Richardson’s Burra Hotel on Christmas Day.

Marriage. John Stephen Beal, 2nd son of John Stephen Beal, late of Burra Mines, & Mary Isabella Windsor, 2nd daughter of William Windsor of Hallett.

C.A.W. Ullmann showed us a small porcupine [i.e. echidna] about 15” long which he had shot at Mongolata. We did not know such were to be found in the colony. We hope it will be stuffed and added to the local museum.

Terowie Railway. The Terowie correspondent says the real reason for the delay in opening the line is that an error in making some of the small bridges on the line means they will have to be altered.

Burra Flower Show, Institute, 11 November.

This was a thorough success. The flowers were much beyond what could have been dreamt of only a year ago and much improved on last year. Mr Fuss secured nearly all the honours for petunias and phlox. Captain Killicoat had the best roses, with Mr Rogers not far behind. Plants in pots were led by Messrs Cave and Pearce and Miss Pearce. Other exhibitors of note were Mr Oppermann, Mr Loutit, Mr Packard, F.W. Holder and Dr Brummitt.

[Of personal interest were the prizes to W. Fuss (i.e. H.C.W. Fuss) who won prizes for: -

6 Antirrhinums 1st & 2nd 3 Petunias 1st

3 Antirrhinums 1st & 2nd 1 Petunia 1st

1 Dianthus 2nd 6 Annuals 1st

1 Everlasting 1st 6 Any kind grown outdoors 1st

6 Phlox Drummondii 1st & 2nd 6 Bulbous or Tuberous 1st

3 Phlox Drummondii 1st & 2nd 6 Double Delphiniums 1st

12 Verbena 1st 3 Double Stocks 1st

6 Verbena 2nd Bouquet for Table 1st, 2nd & 3rd

3 Verbena 2nd Bouquet for Hand 1st & 3rd

? Single Petunias 1st & 2nd Bouquet for Buttonhole 2nd

And John Rumball who won prizes for: -

3 Everlastings 2nd 12 Verbena 2nd

1 Everlasting 2nd Design for Table 2nd]

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary last Sunday & Tuesday. Rev. R.W. Campbell & Service of Song ‘David’ in the afternoon. Congregations were very large. The annual children’s treat was on Tuesday with archery, swings, races, sports, games and tea in the German Church, followed by the public tea. The 24th annual report of the school was read. There are 13 male and 6 female teachers and 80 boys and 91 girls - an increase of 9 after 28 removals. Dr Stephens, Mr Holder & Rev. Campbell gave addresses.

Letter from W. Jenkin re the compulsory clause of the Education Act being a dead letter. Attendance is all, the competence of the teacher is ignored and the private schools are not supervised at all. Quite 200 children attend five private schools in Kooringa and one in Redruth, and yet these children are not examined. They may be well taught, but we have no check on that.

Burra Town Council, 8 November.

W. Williams has been contracted to build a kerb wall in Commercial St at 11d per super yard.

Mr Batchelor will have the flagging in front of his shop replaced when the new levels are reached. Any owner of adjacent property has leave to build in steps up the kerb provided they meet the satisfaction of the surveyor.

III, 124, 12 November 1880, Page 3

Redruth Court 10 November

Mr Bromley was fined 10/- for driving a horse on the footpath in Queen St.

Gray v. Oliver of Copperhouse.

Mrs Oliver was charged with driving on the wrong side of the road near Sara & Dunstan’s in Aberdeen. The defendant admitted being there, but said she was calling at Sara & Dunstan’s and pulled off for that purpose. A witness corroborated her evidence and the case was dismissed. [Probably Johanna Oliver, widow of William Oliver.]

III, 125, 19 November 1880, Page 2

Advt. William George Goodchild & Co. on 22 November at Mr Lipsett’s residence offer for sale the whole of his furniture and effects as he is leaving Burra for Adelaide next week.

Advt. The business of the late SA Carrying Co. will be carried on by Treleaven & Terrell.

Advt. Edward Lipsett, Valuator, Drapers’ Buyer & General Agent, Adelaide.

Present address: Messrs D. & W. Murray.

Editorial on last week’s flower show. There is a complimentary review of the show and a discussion of the importance of the development of the aesthetic sense.

2nd leader on ‘A Transcontinental Railway’. Prospects of seeing a land grant system seeing the construction of a railway in Queensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

3rd leader on the Terowie Railway. We believe there are defects in some of the girders on the small bridges along the line, which will delay opening until after the present harvest. This is monstrous. The strongest representations should be made to effect an early opening.

Accident. Yesterday Mr Murphy fell from the roof of the Burra Hotel when doing repairs, and broke an arm.

Mr C. Frost of Baldina has sent in the 1st wheat of the season to J. Roach.

Entertainment. Professor Pepper with his popular science entertainment will visit Burra soon.

Redruth Band of Hope has opened a branch at Copperhouse on 16 November. They were accompanied by the Burra Brass Band. The banner of the old Copperhouse Band of Hope of 1865 decorated the wall of the Wesleyan Chapel. Meetings will be held every four weeks.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions were the subject of special services last Sunday at Redruth and Kooringa and at other chapels in the circuit during the week.

III, 125, 19 November 1880, Page 3

The Mayoralty. Mr P. Lane has agreed to stand again for Mayor.

Redruth Court, 15 November

E. Nolan, N. Opie, C. Tiver & Mrs Bosence were each fined 5/- for straying horses and cattle. C. Lowe was fined 10/- for a similar offence.

Cricket. Prince of Wales’ Birthday saw a match of the Single Men v. the Married Men of the Aberdeen Club. Married 115 defeated Single 98.

Obituary. The execution of Ned Kelly is reported.

III, 126, 26 November 1880, Page 2

Council Elections. Nominations

Mayor Philip Lane

Thomas Richardson

South Ward William Geake

John Sampson Jun.

Middle Ward Edward Catchlove Lockyer

North Ward William Rabbich

The election will be held on 1 December.

John Roach announces that he has taken into partnership his sons J. Roach jun. & Henry Roach, and the business will be known as J. Roach & Sons from 1 December 1880.

Marriage. 30 October, Edward Foster Brady, youngest son of the late S.H. Brady of Adelaide & Harriet Ann White, 2nd daughter of J.W. White of Kooringa.

Local Option. At the council election on 1 December there will also be a poll on the Sunday closing of hotels.

International Rowing contests were popular at this time and attracted huge sponsorship deals and rich prize money. (For example from the Hop Bitters Co.)

Sara & Dunstan have won contracts for the refreshment room at Terowie and for further accommodation at Yarcowie.

SAMA put on a man on Monday to sink on the traces of lode found when foundations were excavated for St Mary’s two years ago. A good find could see the mine reopened for the great benefit of the town and district.

St Joseph’s Church anniversary was a great success. Rev. Father Morrough preached.

Burra Town Council. 22 November

Council resolved to go ahead with a poll on the closing of hotels on Sunday, at the time of the Council elections on 1 December.

Cr Richardson [licensee of the Burra Hotel] thought ‘it would be far better for the public if the public houses were open the whole day.’

Cr Ridgway called for the Council to print posters and insert advertisements to get the message out. Carried.

III, 126, 26 November 1880, Page 3

Redruth Court, 24 November

Messrs Volmer, Sampson, Cave and Roach were each fined 5/- for stray horses.

Sale. John Sampson jun. will sell the chaff-cutter and circular saw, plant and sundries in the insolvent estate of Snell & Williams, on Saturday afternoon on the premises.

III, 127, 3 December 1880, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offers 31,229 sheep on 3 December. [At the time this was said to be the largest sheep sale ever in the colony.]

Advt. W.G. Goodchild & Co. offers 10,850 sheep on 6 December.

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, December 12 & 14. On the Wednesday Rev. J.G. Wright will lecture on ‘An Hour with Queen Victoria’.

Advt. At the Institute 9-11 December

Professor Pepper’s Ghostly Apparitions

The Lovers and the Umbrella

The Spectre of the Castle of Udolpho

Dioramic Treat: a Walk Through London etc.

Concluding with the Comic Shadow Pantomime

Matinee for children on Saturday 3 p.m.

Advt. From 2 December J.A. Watt will open business at the shop in Commercial St opposite the Bank of Australasia, known as Dr Stephen’s. Offering drapery, fancy goods etc.

Fire. At Mr Tobin’s in Kooringa yesterday a dressing table and bed caught alight and flames were just reaching the calico ceiling when they were put out.

Burra Oddfellows report a profitable year.

Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar yesterday and today at the Institute. Rev. J. Bickford, in opening it, said the church had cost £1,460 in 1874 and had been enlarged in 1879 at a cost of £63-11-3. Of this total all but £500 had been raised. The bazaar was expected to raise £100. The first day raised over £50.

Railways. The new railway lines from Jamestown to Petersburg and Hallett to Terowie will be opened on 14 December when the Commissioner of Public Works will leave Adelaide by special train and arrive at Terowie about noon. He will then drive to Petersburg and proceed to Jamestown by train.

Cricket. A match was begun on 20 November and at present the scores are:

Burra 76 & 46 for 6 and Aberdeen 42

Mr Lipsett’s Departure. The presentation to Mr Lipsett was kept very quiet and the paper was not invited to be represented. If, as is reported, the address was signed ‘on behalf of the inhabitants’ by the Mayor, it was wrongly done as the Mayor has no authority to pledge ‘the inhabitants’.

Municipal Elections. Results: -

Mayor P. Lane 156

T. Richardson 88

South Ward J. Sampson 58

W. Geake 57

Sunday Closing Poll

For 165

Against 70

III, 128, 10 December 1880, Page 2

Advt. In the assigned estate of Edward Lipsett tenders are called for: -

Stock valued at £6,565-14-0

The lease on premises in Market Square with three years to run

Fixtures valued at £195-0-9

Advt. F.W. Holder announces the issue on 1 January 1881 of The North Eastern Times and Terowie News.

Birth. At Redruth on 6 December, to Susan, wife of Irwin Hewlett, a daughter. [Lillian Bleechmore]

Editorial on the Approaching Elections.

2nd leader on Municipal Matters.

The 1st thing to do is to fix the salaries for the year.

An allowance for the Mayor should be considered. He has so far had no consideration for expenses.

The rates have previously been 1/- for the general rate and 3d for the health rate. A 1/- rate gives only £280 for each ward after allowing for the police moiety and the present ward surplus expenditure. Middle Ward has the advantage of a special grant of £400 for the main roan past the P.O. and Institute.

Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar raised £110.

Sunday Closing will come into force in Burra on Sunday next.

Sales. The sales held by Liston, Shakes and Co. in Burra last Friday saw over 25,000 sheep sold with 173 cattle, a number of horses and 739 acres of land near Hallett. About £10,000 was realized.

The Mayor. Mr Lane assures us he did not sign the address to Mr Lipsett ‘on behalf of the inhabitants’. He simply attached his signature with the title of Mayor following it.

Obituary. Sir George Kingston died on the steamer between King George Sound and Galle [Sri Lanka]; he has been one of the earliest pioneers, Speaker of the House of Assembly, one time representative of the Burra District. He was on his way to India seeking better health when he died.

[Born England 1808, died at sea 26 November 1880 (though G.E. Loyau in The Representative Men of South Australia says 1881!)]

Entertainment. Professor Pepper’s Ghost Performance was very favourably commented upon.

Coaches. Due to the very easterly position of the northern railway the coaches from Hallett to Jamestown will continue to run and another from Jamestown to Yarcowie may be started. This is only about 15 miles whereas the trip by train via Petersburg is about 40 miles. The two lines should have met between Ulooloo and Yarcowie.

III, 128, 10 December 1880, Page 3

Cricket. The match was concluded on Saturday.

Burra 76 & 81 (157) defeated Aberdeen 42 & 71 (113)

III, 129, 17 December 1880, Page 2

Advt. Mrs Bock has removed to her old shop next to Mr Lipsett’s. She has a range of Christmas and Fancy goods.

Advt. At the Institute. A Grand Musical and Dramatic Entertainment by Locals and Ladies and Gentlemen from Adelaide, in aid of a New Convent School under the care of the Sisters of St Joseph.

Christmas Holidays. Businesses will be closed December 25, 27, & 28 and January 1.

Cricket. 11 December at Manoora

Manoora 61 defeated Burra 49. (The latter played two men short)

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church re-opened last Sunday and Monday after being closed for six weeks for repairs and improvements that cost over £100. An underground tank has been added. Rev. W. Richards of Kooringa preached. The tea on Monday was well attended.

The Railway Openings.

The Port Pirie line has been the best paying in the colony and its extension was easily justified. The Hallett-Terowie line is 201⁄4 miles long and runs nearly due north. There is one intermediate station at Yarcowie, 14 miles from Hallett. The steepest gradient is only 1:85 and that only for a short distance out of the Hallett station yard. No cutting or embankment is more than 8-9’ and bridges are small, though there are numerous small culverts. Rails are 50 lb per yd while on the narrow gauge Jamestown to Yongala line they are 41 lb per yd. The expenditure on the Hallett-Terowie extension was £124,711. (£132,000 was budgeted for.)

Jamestown-Yongala Junction (Petersburg) is 211⁄2 miles. Terowie to Quorn will be 94 miles. There is no precise cost for the Jamestown-Yongala Junction section, though the engineer’s estimate is £141,079, but the real cost should be somewhat less. Yongala is the intermediate station 15 miles from Jamestown. The new town in section 26 at the terminus is Petersburg, 731⁄2 miles from Port Pirie and 154 miles from Adelaide. Earthworks here are slightly heavier, but not much and there are only a couple of small bridges. The ruling gradient is steeper at 1:40 just outside Jamestown Station and the next worst is 1:67 and a 1:72, but not for far.

On 14 December a special train left Adelaide early with the Governor and the official party. [They are listed.] The Governor was greeted at Burra by the Mayor, while the trail was fuelled. A large crowd waited for the train at Hallett where the Chairman of the Hallett DC greeted the Governor. The Governor, Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, responded. There was a pause at Ulooloo platform when it was found that the platform encroached on the carriage steps. There was a further stop for speeches at Yarcowie, where Robert J. Fisher JP obliged and the Governor replied.

At Terowie some 300 had collected and further speeches were made by Mr E. Stephens JP, Francis Pascoe (Sec. of the Terowie Farmers’ Mutual Assoc.), the Hon. G.C. Hawker (Commissioner for Public Works) and the Governor, who declared the line open.

III, 129, 17 December 1880, Page 3

In doing so he expressed the debt due to the ministry for completing the line in time for the harvest. An adjournment was then made to Weinrich’s Royal Hotel for lunch. The official party then drove the 141⁄2 miles to the end of the narrow gauge line at Petersburg. On the narrow gauge line from Terowie to Petersburg the earthworks are almost complete and plate laying has commenced, but the two gauges are not expected to meet at Terowie for about two months.

The drive was very uncomfortable, being both hot and dusty. The writer then describes the country along the way and was confident that since ‘rain follows the plough’ the future of farming in this district would be good after some initial hardship.

‘Petersburg, or as it has been more generally called, Yongala Junction is very prettily situated.’ Here Mr Alfred Arnold greeted the Governor who made another speech before the party entered the narrow gauge train for Jamestown. A stop was made at Yongala where Mr F. Hodby JP greeted the Governor who responded.

At Jamestown the Governor was greeted by the Mayor, Dr Cockburn and he again responded. Speeches were then made by The Chairman of the District Council, Mr James Neale, a representative of the Belalie Branch of the Farmers’ Association, the Rev. J. McNeil (Presbyterian) on behalf of Joseph Nicholson (Wesleyan), Nicholas Roger (Baptist), P.R.P. Dodd MA (Anglican) and J. Pallhuber SJ (Catholic). To each of which the Governor responded. The Commissioner of Public Works then spoke, after which the Governor finally declared the line formally open. They official party then departed for the Globe Hotel for a banquet and to the Institute for further speeches and toasts.

The whole report runs to 6 columns.

Burra Town Council, 13 December.

The financial state of affairs is printed.

Among other things the South Ward spent £318-5-6 on a bridge. [Presumably this is the Thames St Bridge.]

Available for expenditure in 1881 is: -

For North Ward £119-14-5

For Middle Ward £108-13-9 + the special grant of £400 for the road past the Institute etc.

For South Ward £204-14-11

The Mayor declined to accept any allowance, even if such were to be offered.

The salary for the combined offices carried out by the Town Clerk was set at £135, up £15.

The Inspector was reappointed at the same salary.

The scavenger was given 10/- a day with horse and cart. [Assuming a six-day week this equals £156 per annum.]

Station men were awarded 7/- a day

D.S. Packard was asked to continue as Council solicitor for the same fee, though he had asked for a larger retainer.

Redruth Court, 15 December

J. Richards, W. Ellis, & Mrs T. Hosking were each fined 5/- for stray goats

C. Lowe 10/- for a stray horse

E. Nolan 5/- for a stray horse

W.L.H. Bruse 5/- for a stray cow

G. Ford 5/- for stray swine

III, 130, 24 December 1880, Page 2

Advt. Bazaar and Christmas Tree at the Bible Christian schoolroom 27 & 28 December.

Advt. John Sampson jun. will sell by auction the following Mitchell Flat properties on the instruction of the executors of the wills of the late Mr & Mrs Boundy.

Allotment 89, 3 room stone house with galvanised iron roof.

Allotment 91, fronting George St, 2 stone cottages, 1 of 4 rooms and 1 of 3 rooms, and a good well.

Allotment 320, corner of George and Ayers St, 5 room stone cottage with cellar and large barns, stable, cowshed, stone piggery, etc. fruit garden and well.

Allotment 321, Ayers St, with old building thereon and fruit trees.

Allotment 322.

All the above are fenced with a stone wall and have title under the RPA.

Advt. Edward Lipsett & Co. are instructed to sell by auction at Burra in January a choice assortment of new and fashionable drapery. Sales will also be held at Terowie, Jamestown and Port Augusta. Full particulars will be issued in due course.

Advt. Sports at T. Richardson’s Burra Hotel on Christmas Day will include: footraces, climbing the greasy pole, dipping for oranges, etc.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Sunday-school Anniversary of the opening of the new schoolroom, Sunday 26 December. Service of song ‘Christies Old Organ’.

Sermons by Mr Chester of Adelaide.

Advt. St Mary’s Carol Services at Christmas are: - Christmas Eve 7.30 p.m.

Christmas Day 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Birth: to the wife of John Dunstan jun. at Redruth on 19 December, a son. [Stanley John Martin Dunstan]

Editorial on Christmas Tide. It contains the usual expressions for a time of peace on Earth, goodwill and family.

Railways. The new railway timetable perpetuates the blunder of the lack of appropriate connections at Hamley Bridge, but adds the inconvenience that the early morning goods train from the north no longer gets passengers to Burra in time to connect with the morning passenger train to the city. It misses by a mere 40 minutes.

Races will be held at Lancelot on Christmas Day.

Letter from ‘You Know Who’ complaining that the police are not enforcing the Sunday closing of hotels and that while the front doors are closed, the back doors are open. Also, he asks, can a wholesale spirit store be open on any day of the week? If not why do our police never make any attempt to stop it?

III, 130, 24 December 1880, Page 3

Letter from ‘Enquirer’ on the same subject, asking if the Sunday Closing is yet in force and if so whose duty it is to enforce it.

The editor replies that it has been in force since 12 December and the police have the duty to enforce it.

Cricket [Probably Saturday week before]

Aberdeen 80 defeated Riverton 37 & 86 for 8. [A win on the first innings.]

Last Saturday True Blues 2nd Fifteen defeated True Blues 1st Eleven by 8 runs.

III, 130, 24 December 1880, Christmas Supplement [4 full-sized pages]

Poem Christmas in the Splitters’ Camp Henry Kendall

Short Story A Terrible Christmas Day Marcus Clarke

Short Story Sam the Selector, or The Dying Curse Donald Cameron

Short Story A Christmas Adventure Richmond Thatcher

Short Story What Katie Vaughan Lost and

Gained on Christmas Day E. A. C.

Short Story A Short Story Frank Morley

Poem The Trooper’s Toast

Short Story Eating the Husks G.A. Walstab

Poem Longing

III, 131, 31 December 1880, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. under instructions from Mr J. Martin will sell Allotments 26 & 27 of Nelson Town, comprising c. 3⁄4 acre on which is a two-roomed dwelling house.

Advt. At the Institute 1, 3 & 4 January 1881, Miss Ella Carrington’s ‘Stray Leaves Co.’ presents ‘Stray Leaves’ and ‘Appointments’, the well-known entertainments.

Advt. Mr John Finlay Duff, for some years manager in Kooringa for the late firm of Coles and Goodchild, and later of Goodchild, Austin & Co., has been admitted a partner and the firm will continue as Goodchild, Duff & Co.

Wm. Geo. Goodchild & Co. December 24 1880.

Marriage. 27 December at Trinity Church, Adelaide, John Clow Miller, eldest son of P.M. Miller of Anlaby & Annie Hooper, eldest daughter of Robert Hooper of Kapunda.

Editorial on The Old Year

In 1880 we endured the worst ministry the colony has had.

1880 began with an average harvest and ended with a below average one.

Mineral interests are at a low edge.

Wool interests have been prosperous, but cattle prices are low.

Locally the Corporation has been quiet and permanent improvements have moved along.

A large traffic bridge has been constructed in Thames St.

A strong, neatly designed footbridge has been built near the Courthouse.

There is a better entrance to the town from the north with the formation of footpaths in Aberdeen.

Important watertabling and footpath work has been undertaken in Commercial St.

A number of roads have been remetalled.

In the private sphere: -

S. Drew & Co. have two splendid new shops for themselves and four smaller ones for other tenants - erected by John Pearce of Aberdeen.

John Pearce has also erected a new house for J. Lewis JP.

Mr Ridgway has built a new hotel in Aberdeen to replace the Aberdeen Hotel, which was destroyed by fire.

The ruins of the old Aberdeen Hotel have been converted to a good row of neat cottages.

Sara & Dunstan have had many contracts, including the Gladstone Gaol and various railway stations, but have not been doing much in Burra except the additions and alterations to the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church.

Terowie Sports & Concert were successful.

Burra Mine. The search for the lode near St Mary’s has been abandoned for the present.

Catholic Concert. The concert in aid of the new convent at Kooringa was not well attended due to the holidays, but the performances were very good.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday school Anniversary on 19 & 25 December. Rev. J. Moody preached and the church was uncomfortably crowded in the heat. There was a blessedly short sermon of 20 minutes. Proceeds were a satisfactory £21.

Kooringa Wesleyan Special Services were well attended. Mr Chester preached.

Entertainment. Ella Carrington’s Stray Leaves Co. was unable to perform as advertised when three members of the troupe were arrested and taken to Hamilton, Victoria, on a charge of infanticide. The charge broke down however, and after some days in prison they were discharged. There was not the slightest evidence connecting them with the crime. An enquiry is in progress and it is thought the company will get some compensation. The company will perform at Burra tomorrow night [Sat.] and also on Monday & Tuesday.

III, 131, 31 December 1880, Page 3

Letter from ‘The Old Billy of All’ who again thanks the good people of the town for the general immunity the goats have enjoyed from the Inspector’s gun, and from O’Leary’s Pound (with few exceptions) and from ‘ecclesiastical anathemas’.

‘we have been allowed perfect freedom to walk either in the middle of the street, or on the model pathways, we have entered open gates, and when closed we have jumped over them, we have refreshed ourselves on nice young trees and have enjoyed a delicious bite or two at small flower-beds etc. etc.’

‘Wishing all those who have nice gardens and a splendid lot of trees a “Happy New Year.”’

Larrikinism and the New Year. ‘Y’ writes complaining of the senseless larrikinism with its defacing chalk marks, property damage and hideous noises.

‘Surely the police can keep the peculiar humours of the larrikin within harmless limits.’

III, 131, 31 December 1880, Supplement (2 pages)

Comprising poetry, short stories and items on the Inns of old England, science, household advice and agriculture.

Characteristics of the Burra Record for 1880.

Page 1. This contained the usual larger advertisements, both local and others.

Page 2. Smaller advertisements, notices, market reports, editorials and beginning of news items.

Page 3. Continuation of news items, especially the reports of correspondents from out of town. Letters to the editor and sports reports. There were a few larger advertisements.

Page 4. Larger advertisements of various types.

Overall the paper was informative, a good record of local activity, and the editorials gave considerable attention to colony-wide issues and the activities of the Government in Adelaide. There was little padding out with jokes or odd stories from abroad etc.

Supplements.

There was a great deal of recreational reading available in the literary supplements from the beginning of October.

There were small special supplements at times when material spilled over, and major supplements for the Burra Show, the Melbourne Exhibition, and the Christmas Holidays.

Of the literary supplements only two are preserved on the 1880 microfilm: one dated 8 October and one undated, but placed after the issue for 31 December. The microfilm for 1881 has more than a year’s supplements, but most are undated. Extrapolating backwards from known issues in 1881 approximately fills in the gap, but not exactly. See table of supplements for 1881 at the end of that year.

Numbering of issues of the paper

1880 began with Volume II, Number 71 on 1 January 1880

and ran to

Volume II, Number 104 on 25 June 1880 and then

Volume III, Number 105 on 2 July 1880 to

Volume III, Number 131 on 31 December 1880

Literary Supplements to the Burra Record 1880-81

Date Novel Short Story Sketcher Poetry Science Nature Agriculture Household Misc. Humour Travel Essay

29 Oct 80 Paten’s How She loved Him Inns of Old England X X X X X

5 Nov 80 In the Folds of the Serpent Professional Robbers of the Peshawur Valley X X X X X

by Donald Cameron Ch I

Haunted Grange by E A C

Ch XIV

12 Nov 80 Serpent Ch I & II Cricket in England X X X X X

Haunted Grange Ch XIV-End

19 Nov 80 Serpent Ch II & III Mab Cricket in England X X X X X

26 Nov 80 Serpent Ch IV-VI The Last Man on Board Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X

The Art Gallery

3 Dec 80 Serpent Ch VI-VIII Lost for a Woman Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X X

Art in Glass & Clay

10 Dec 80 Serpent Ch VIII-IX A Bitter Gain (Continued from previous) + X X X X

An Old English Home, Bramshill House

17 Dec 80 Serpent Ch IX-XI The Mystery of a Murder Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X

Assam & Indian Teas +

An Old English Home, Bramshill House (Concluded)

[24 Dec 80 Christmas Special Supplement of 4 pages: - Poem Christmas in the Splitters’ Camp by Henry Kendall; A Terrible Christmas Day by Marcus Clarke; Sam the Selector or The Dying Curse by Donald Cameron;

A Christmas Adventure by Richmond Thatcher; What Katie Vaughan Lost and Gained on Christmas Day by E.A.C.; A Strange Story by Frank Morley; Poem The Troopers’ Toast; Eating the Husks by G.A. Walstab; Poem

Longing..]

31 Dec 80 Serpent Ch XI-XII The Cold Hand of Morbeck Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X

Messrs James Mc Ewins & Co. +

The Passion Play

7 Jan 81 Serpent Ch XIII An Only Offer By Chance X X X X X X X

14 Jan 81 Serpent Ch XIV-XV Fulk Egerton’s Vow Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X X

by E.A.C. A Lounger’s Account +

An Ancient Imposter

21 Jan 81 Serpent Ch XV-XVI Eighteen Years Alone Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X X X

Colonial Art in Stone

28 Jan 81 Serpent Ch XVI-XVII Franz Muller’s Wife Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X

Possibilities of Australian Agriculture I

4Feb 81 Serpent Ch XVII-XIX Claude Gueux Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X X

Possibilities of Australian Agriculture II

Literary Supplements to the Burra Record 1880-81

Date Novel Short Story Sketcher Poetry Science Nature Agriculture Household Misc. Humour Travel Essay

11 Feb 81 Serpent Ch XIX-XXI A Lasting Memory Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X

Possibilities of Australian Agriculture III

18 Feb 81 Serpent Ch XXI-XXIII Snatched from the Brink Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X X

Possibilities of Australian Agriculture IV

25 Feb 81 Serpent Ch XXIII A Love Race Ch I-III Fontainbleau Forest X X X X X X X

4 Mar 81 Serpent Ch XXIV-XXV A Love Race Ch III-V (End) Superstitions of Childbirth X X X X X

11 Mar 81 Serpent Ch XXV-XXVI Mrs Pierrepoint Graveyard Superstitions X X X X X X

18 Mar 81 Serpent Ch XXVI- XXVII Winning an Heiress Victorian International Exhibition: X X X X X

Wines and Spirits + A Viking’s Tomb

25 Mar 81 Serpent Ch XXVII-XXVIII The Prettiest Little Woman in the World X X X X X X

1 Apr 81 Serpent Ch XXVIII-XXIX A Mesmeric Experiment Victorian International Exhibition: Chinese X X X X

Tea + The Chiffoniers of Paris at Home

8 Apr 81 Serpent Ch XXIX-XXXI The Minister’s Old Coat Remarkable Memories X X X X

15 Apr 81 Serpent Ch XXXI “Endymion” A Little Ireland in America X X X X X X

22 Apr 81 Serpent Ch XXXII One Hundred Pounds Reward X X X X X X

29 Apr 81 Serpent Ch XXXIII-End Amongst Sharpers X X X X X X

The Ferryman’s Secret

By Sylvanus Cobb Jun. Ch I

6 May 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch I-IV A Lone Woman X X A X X X

13 May 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch IV-VI Tom Orton Some Strangely Fulfilled Dreams Part I X X X X X

20 May 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch VI-VII Jack and the Mountain Pink Some Strangely Fulfilled Dreams Part II X X X X X

27 May 81 Ferryman’s Secret VII-VIII Aunt Cinda’s Ranch Some Strangely Fulfilled Dreams Part III X X X X X

3 Jun 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch VIII-X A Pyramid of Cabbages Human Trees of India X X X X X X

10 Jun 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch X-XI A Midwinter Romance Taminga Snake X X X X X X

17 Jun 81 Ferryman’s Secret Ch XI-XIII Romance of a Pocket Book X X X X X

24 Jun 81 Ferryman’s Secret XIII-XIV The First Piano in a Mining Camp The Pedestrian and the Bloodhounds X X X X X X X

1 Jul 81 Ferryman’s Secret XV-XVI Act III by Gilbert A’Beckett X X X X X

8 Jul 81 Ferryman’s SecretXVII-XVIII Echoes of the Past Some Curious Races X X X X X

by Donald Cameron (Part I)

15 Jul 81 Ferryman’s Secret XVIII-XIX Echoes of the Past (Part II) The Australian Economic Bank Ltd. X X X X X X

Literary Supplements to the Burra Record 1880-81

Date Novel Short Story Sketcher Poetry Science Nature Agriculture Household Misc. Humour Travel Essay

22 Jul 81 Ferryman’s Secret XIX-End A Brief History of New Zealand Part I X X X X X X X

The Mystery of Maj.Molineux

by Marcus Clark Ch I

29 Jul 81 Major Molineux Ch II-III Echoes of the Past (Part III) A Brief History of New Zealand Part II X X X X X X

5 Aug 81 Major Molineux Ch IV-V Echoes of the Past (Part IV) A Brief History of New Zealand Part III X X X X X X X

12 Aug 81 Major Molineux Ch V-VI John’s Wife A Brief History of New Zealand Part IV X X X X X X X

19 Aug 81 Major Molineux Ch VI Echoes of the Past (Part V) A Brief History of New Zealand Part V X X X X X X

26 Aug 81 Major Molineux Ch VII Echoes of the Past (Part VI) A Brief History of New Zealand Part VI X X X X X X

2 Sep 81 Major Molineux Ch VII-VIII Nelly’s Mistake The Family Life of the Turks Part I X X X X X

9 Sep 81 Partners Ch I-III Dr Raymond’s Ward The Family Life of the Turks (Part II) X X X X X X

By a Country Attorney

16 Sep 81 Partners Ch IV-V Yarramanbulla by Janet Carroll X X X X X X

23 Sep 81 Partners Ch VI-VII Under a Midnight Lamp X X X X X X X

30 Sep 81 Partners Ch VIII-IX The Stillwater Tragedy X X X X X X X

7 Oct 81 Partners Ch X-XII A Midnight Meeting X X X X X X X

14 Oct 81 Partners Ch XII-XIV Stephanie Sells (Part I) X X X X X X X

21 Oct 81 Partners Ch XIV-XVII Pringle’s Flat Sells (Part II) X X X X X X X

28 Oct 81 Partners Ch XVIII-XX Hieronymus Pop and the Baby X X X X X X X

4 Nov 81 Partners Ch XXI-XXII Bewitched in Mid Ocean X X X X X X X

11 Nov 81 Partners Ch XXIII-XXV The First Settler’s Story X X X X X X

18 Nov 81 Partners Ch XXV-XXVI Who Was Traitoress? Odd Offences X X X X X X X

25 Nov 81 Partners Ch XXVII-XXX An Old Nuisance X X X X X X X

2 Dec 81 Bella’s Hero, or The Marquis A Queer Christmas Adventure

and the Freebooter Ch I by James Hingston X X X X X

By Sylvenus Cobb

9 Dec 81 Bella’s Hero Ch I-II The Wolf’s Den X X X X X X

16 Dec 81 Bella’s Hero Ch III-IV Gentleman George by Mrs M.L. Rayne X X X X X X X X

[23 Dec 81 Special Christmas Supplement: - A Couple of Cups;A Conscientious Stranger by Marcus Clarke; 1882 in Australia by R.P. Whitworth; My Mate’s Locket by Carl A. Filberg; Satisfaction by Janet Carroll; The

Valley of the Shadow by Donald Cameron.]

30 Dec 81 Bella’s Hero Ch IV The Thorsdale Telegrams X X X X X X

6 Jan 82 Bella’s Hero Ch V-VI An Old Hand’s Yarn X X X X X X X X

Comments on Literary Supplements from October 1880 to January 1882

It would appear that the supplements were common for a number of country papers and may not have been printed by the Burra Record. When the microfilm versions were compiled some of the literary supplements from the Burra Record were not available. It was possible to complete the collection by using those from other publications where it would seem the identical format prevailed, as the serials fitted in as required.

The reader certainly got value for money with a good collection of reading matter both in fiction and non-fiction, though reading the small print employed, by candlelight or kerosene lamp, must have been something of a challenge to many.

The supplements comprised a single broadsheet page of seven columns of small print. The poetry was quite limited and the prose each week would have provided a good deal of reading ranging over a wide variety of topics.

The titles of the serialised novels give a sufficient hint as to their contents. They are generally romances of a most melodramatic sort.

IV, 132, 7 January 1881

Advertisements: Page 1

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers

Goodchild, Austin & Co. Auctioneers

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

J. Roach Burra Mill, Corn Dealer

A.H. Forder Agent for AMP

F.W. Holder Agent for Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd.

& Agent for South British Fire Insurance

Drew & Co. Importers

William Pearce Agent for National Mutual Life Association

John D. Cave All business associated with the Real Property Act

Agent for Eagle Life Insurance

& Cornwall Fire Insurance Co.

Thomas Nicholls Watch and Clockmaker & Jeweller, nearly opposite the

Commercial Hotel, Commercial St, Kooringa

James E. Doe Hairdresser & Tobacconist, Market Square

W. Symons Family Butcher, Kingston St

William Geake General Storekeeper, Market Square

Thomas Parks Grocer, Commercial St

W.H. Pearce Tinsmith & Ironmonger, Commercial St

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker, Aberdeen

Mr Henry Gordon Surgeon Dentist, at Mr Snell’s or at home, last week in the month.

J. Rule Coach Builder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright,

near Sara & Dunstan’s, Aberdeen

T.W. Wilkinson Dispensary

G. & W. Sara & Dunstan Builders, Timber & Iron Merchants, Steam Saw Mills

Aberdeen & Terowie

John Pearce Builder & Contractor, Aberdeen

Charles C. Williams (late William Builder) Ironmonger & Tinsmith, Kooringa

W.H. Batchelor Stationery, Gifts, Toys, Paperhangings, Oils, Paints, Brushes

& Window Glass, Commercial St

W. Lasscock (late H. Dawson) Saddler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

Albert Topperwein Boot & Shoemaker, Market Square

A.H. Forder Agent for SA Insurance Co. Ltd.

William Henderson Agent for John F. Easom, Machinist of Enfield

Mrs J.M. Rundle Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen

W. Pearce Agent for the National Building Society

IV, 132, 7 January 1881

Advertisements: Page 2

Schools J.H. Roe, Chapel St

F.R. White Commercial School

IV, 132, 7 January 1881

Advertisements: Page 3

J. & E. Hosking Drapers, Milliners, Hosiers, Outfitters, (stock of E. Lipsett)

Market Square

N. Lihou Cordials & Aerated Waters, Burra & Terowie

F.W. Holder Standard Organs

George Mayger Fresh Fish, Fruit & Vegetables & Small Goods

Burra Market, Kooringa

IV, 132, 7 January 1881

Advertisements: Page 4

Treleaven & Terrell Railway & General Carters

J.A. Watt Draper, Clothier etc. Opposite the Bank of Australasia

Commercial St

Jones & Hunn General Smiths and Wheelwrights, Commercial St

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

W. Anderson Wholesale & Retail Boot & Shoemaker, Commercial St

IV, 132, 7 January 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mrs J.H. Roe’s school in Chapel St resumes 24 Jan.

Advt. Tenders called for the construction of c. 21 chains of road opposite the Burra Institute to Market Square

Editorial on Our Mineral Resources.

Apart from copper mines (now almost idle) SA has done little to promote mining - mining has the potential, as it requires considerable labour, to increase local consumption to the benefit of all. Developments should be made in the Flinders Ranges, at Waukaringa, & in the Barossa Valley.

2nd leader on Cr Dunstan’s proposal for a tree-planting rate. The editor was opposed as many ratepayers were poor and were also merely ‘birds of passage’. The money should come from subscriptions or a council loan.

W.F. Coglin will be presented with a gold watch, chain and locket, in the Institute on 12 Jan. as an act of recognition for his services.

Cricket. 27 Dec. J. Sampson Jun. presented T. Roach with a bat for making 35 runs against the East Adelaide’s.

The harvest is not as good as was expected. Many crops have heads nearly empty, reducing severely the yield on what had appeared to be a good crop.

Gold indications have been found on land of SAMA’s near the town and Mr Bock has obtained rights to proceed over a portion of ground.

Railways. The pricing anomaly, which required passengers to Daviestown to pay to or from the next station, has been removed.

New Year. The usual larrikinism was somewhat abated by police action, though shutters were removed from a shop window in one case.

T.W. Wilkinson has issued a very ornate calendar for 1881.

Entertainment. The Stray Leaves Co. played on Saturday to a crowded house. ‘Stray Leaves’ played for over 200 nights elsewhere and was very well received. Welsh, Irish and Dutch impersonations were wonderfully well done. There were also good houses on Mon. & Tues.

Burra Town Council, 3 Jan.

Cr Sampson asked if there was a reporter present and if so if he was under the control of the council, as he believed the reports ought to be done fully or not at all. The Mayor said one was present, but was not under Council control.

Cr Batchelor said there was a need to lay the dust in Commercial St.

Messrs Francis Clark & Sons wrote requesting precise instructions re the Market Square well. They were referred to earlier letters to proceed at once.

Cr Sampson gave notice of a motion to have troughs fixed in the square and provided with water pending the completion of the well and he thought that Messrs Dunstan and Ridgway had done well to get troughs near their premises in Aberdeen and a similar supply at Kooringa was important.

A move to place a light on the Market Square well enclosure was lost.

A request from the Bank of Australasia to place steps on the footpath in front of the bank was denied.

The rates for 1881 were declared at 1/- general and 3d health.

Cr Dunstan gave notice of a tree-planting rate to be decided at the next meeting.

Cricket. 2nd annual match Burra v. East Adelaide on Monday 27 Dec. Boxing Day. Played at Kooringa. Burra 114 defeated East Adelaide 54 & 38 (92)

On 28 Dec. at Kooringa Burra 82 defeated Mintaro 67. Burra was 29 for 4 in the second innings when play ended.

IV, 132, 7 January 1881, Page 3

Letter from Observer complaining that the lack of guttering on Paxton Square houses removes the whitewash and makes the walls damp as well as damaging the structures and wasting water that could be retained, removing the need to carry it nearly half a mile.

The editor regarded this as a private matter between their tenants and SAMA, except in so far as the lack of guttering also inconvenienced the passing public.

Advt. J. & E. Hosking of Market Square have purchased the stock in the estate of E. Lipsett at a large discount and offer it at low prices.

Advt. N. Lihou of Burra and Terowie, makers of syrups, cordials, ærated waters, ginger beer, lemonade etc.

Advt. George Mayger’s Burra Market for fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, saveloys, black & white puddings, polonies, brawn, and pork sausages.

IV, 133, 14 January 1881, Page 2

Editorial on Payment for Members of Parliament.

Payment would make the Parliament more representative.

‘Even poor men, we think, are as much governed by principle as are rich men.’

It is difficult, if not impossible, to find suitable candidates.

Country representatives are especially disadvantaged in having to live in Adelaide during the sessions.

Terowie Newspaper. The first issue of the North-Eastern Times & Terowie News appeared on Friday last. Published by F.W. Holder at Terowie.

Gold. The gold prospectors are digging on Mitchell’s Flat, but we fear the little so far found is a plant from the digging times, or gold once lost and now rediscovered.

Rain. There has been heavy rain with Burra receiving 2.14” between the 7th & 13th Jan. Mongolata got 1.251” on Tuesday & it is still raining. On Monday heavy hail fell to the south and west of Burra, some stones were the size of pigeons’ eggs, while a tornado hit Terowie and Orroroo.

The Local Option Society has asked the Town Council to request the Attorney General to see that the law is strictly enforced in Burra.

Burra Institute AGM 13 Jan. Elected were: -

R. Brummitt President

J.D. Cave Vice-President

A. Loutit Treasurer

F.R. White Secretary

(F.W. Holder) was on the committee)

F.W. Coglin’s presentation is reported in 2⁄3column. He received a gold watch and chain. There were speeches by the Mayor, T. Bath, J. Lewis JP, F.W. Holder, J. Roberts, and W. Geake. He had been employed by the Govt. for 22 years before retiring. [As Govt. ranger.]

IV, 134, 21 January 1881, Page 2

Obituary. William Herbert, aged 64, and a colonist of 42 years, died at Kooringa on 12 January of cancer of the tongue.

Burra Town Council. Meeting of 17 Jan.

The balance sheet for 1880 is published.

Inter alia it shows receipts of £23-7-0 for the sale of closed streets.

Slaughterhouse fees amounted to £21-7-0.

Cr Lockyer said the footbridge at the back of the Burra Hotel needed lengthening to make it safer for school children.

Cr Dunstan moved a tree-planting rate of 11⁄2d in the £. Cr Rabbich 2nd and Cr Sampson opposed. It would bring in £76 and this could hardly be evenly distributed. In the South Ward the leaseholders would not wish to increase the value of SAMA’s property at their own cost. The Mayor was personally in favour, but opposed on behalf of the leaseholders. The voting saw Dunstan, Rabbich & Lewis for and Batchelor, Lockyer & Sampson against. It was then lost on the casting vote of the Mayor.

Jeffrey Pearse won the tender for the work on Market Street. (£385)

Dr Brummitt wrote saying that if his property were to be damaged by the cutting down of the road he would apply for compensation.

SAMA wrote to say that the Council could make a road past Bewley’s land as required.

F. Clark & Sons wrote saying they would resume tubing and boring the well at once.

A turnstile is to be erected at the western end of the Bridge St footbridge.

Editorial on Reform of the Legislative Council.

This was previously much debated, but the fire has now gone out without any change having occurred.

We favour five or six electorates instead of the present one, as it would make the representation more local and reduce the costs of any by-election.

The Intercolonial Conference continues, but nothing definite has yet been resolved.

IV, 134, 21 January 1881, Page 3

Burra Institute AGM reported. The library holds 2,740 volumes and has 123 subscribers. The Institute liability at 31 Dec. 1880 was £408-14-8, down £76-0-2 for the year. The value of the property in excess of this liability was £3,863-13-4.

IV, 135, 28 January 1881, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offer 16,100 sheep on 4 Feb.

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will sell on 7 Feb. at 3 p.m. at Richardson’s Burra Hotel, the well-known property of H.C.W. Fuss. Terms 25% cash with the balance over 3-5 years @ 7% interest. [See previous advertisement in III, 117, 24 Sep. 1880. This new advt. adds the information that the underground tank held 5,500 gallons.]

Advt. G. Eaton announces a four-week sale of drapery and clothing etc. from an assigned estate in Adelaide.

Editorial on Payment of Members of Parliament.

This time on the method of payment, which should be from the public purse.

Payment by subscription would be uncertain and could lead to the expectation of favours in return. Local rates would fall unevenly. Payments should also be proportional to the distance from Adelaide.

Burra School. Report on the annual Burra School examination for 1880.

New Year’s Eve larrikinism. There was the overturning of many ‘necessary outbuildings’ connected with cottages all along Thames St.

Mark Gay was fined 40/- for injuring the shutters of Mr J.T. Walker’s shop.

Others were also charged with malicious damage to the property of SAMA. George Parks, Morris Rabbich and William Lawn were charged with upsetting six closets at the brick row opposite Gebhardt’s shop. They got off on a technicality that the owner or agent should have been a party to the prosecution if damage was being alleged. The editor felt that the case should have been adjourned for the owners to have joined the case.

IV, 135, 28 January 1881, Page 3

Burra School. Examples of the exam questions are printed. The arithmetic is quite difficult due to the use of the Imperial System of units.

‘What change shall I get out of a £5 note after paying for 1 cwt 3 qurs 16 lb of sugar at 2 guineas per cwt?’

‘Mr Thomas paid £32-12-6 for 58 yds of cloth. What should he receive for 29 yds if he sells it at 6d per yard profit?’

12 compulsory certificated were awarded.

Obituary & Inquest. Death of Susan Wilks, [nee Stewart] wife of Thomas Wilks, farmer of Mt Bryan East. Inquest 22 Jan. with John Dunstan JP as coroner. [Aged 35]

Mrs Wilks fell ill 21 Jan and her husband gave her a little brandy and a little castor oil and she seemed to be better by evening. At 2 a.m. 22 Jan. she had severe pains and took some more brandy. The husband sent for his mother, but the deceased had died before she arrived. Dr Brummitt said that death had resulted from a miscarriage, the decease having been three months pregnant. There had been surprisingly little haemorrhage, which is usually the cause of death in such cases.

Cricket. Burra v. Aberdeen on Brewery Flat. Burra 87 defeated Aberdeen 49.

IV, 136, 4 February 1881, Page 2

Advt. Meeting of Farmers

A MEETING will take place at MIDWINTER’S HOTEL on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th at two o’clock p.m. to take into consideration what steps shall be taken owing to the continued failure of crops in this district. All interested in the matter will please attend.

WILLIAM HEMLING

G. FRAHM Convenors

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will auction smith’s tools in the assigned estate of Jones & Hunn.

Advt. Big English Circus - Great Double Show, 11 & 12 Feb. at Kooringa.

30 Star Artists, 35 Horses and Full Brass Band.

At the rear of the Commercial Hotel. 4/-, 3/- 2/- Children half price.

Editorial on Our Footpaths and Streets.

The point was the lack of a plan of footpaths and streets in the town. No proper town survey had ever been done and the cost of one was estimated at £400, which was beyond the means of Council - and the effect this might have on by-law 4.

2nd leader on the Burra Institute.

With the cutting down of the roadway the wall in front of the Institute is in a curious situation. The down-cutting will leave it perched too high for a person to look over and also it is found to intrude upon the footpath two feet at one end and tapering to nothing at the other. The editor was of the opinion that the wall should be removed to its right place and the steps enlarged as required - probably at a cost of c. £80. The committee has however, decided that the wall will remain and be underpinned as needed. But Council cannot formally agree to such an encroachment and should not be asked to wink at it. We hope the committee will withdraw from this untenable position.

St Mary’s Harvest Festival last Wednesday. Holy Communion 8 a.m. and Morning Prayer 11 a.m. with a public tea in the Institute at 4.30 p.m. followed by Choral Evensong 7 p.m. and a lecture at 8 p.m. It also celebrated the opening of the church. Most shops closed in the afternoon. Archdeacon Dove preached and gave a lecture on ‘A Visit to Rome in 1874’. Music and songs preceded the lecture and also occupied the interval between its two parts.

Accident. On Friday evening a German farmer named Frahm, living east of Burra was returning home and was taking in his wagon a man named Spiller. Near the end of the Nankivell’s Gully road Spiller fell out, but Frahm kept going. When he met others further on he mentioned this and they kept a lookout for Spiller, who they found just recovering consciousness and with a severe head wound about 10” long from the wagon wheel. With difficulty he was brought into Burra where Dr Brummitt attended him. Frahm’s actions deserve the strongest approbation.

[Note that the next issue corrects this. Spiller fell from a wagon of a farmer named Pilman and was on his way to work at Frahm’s, which is apparently how the error arose.]

Burra Town Council, 31 Jan.

The Institute sent a delegation re the cutting down of the street and footpath at the Institute and expressed concern about the fence that is encroaching two feet onto the footpath at the southern end, tapering to nothing at the north. The committee considers an advantage is to be obtained by moving the fence to its correct position and even if it remains the cost of changing the entrance and underpinning the retaining wall will be c. £60. The Council would need to consider the request to allow the wall to stay and will report on it later.

Rev. Richards and Messrs Launder and Roberts reported on the dangerous state of culverts near the front of the Bible Christian Church. This was referred to the Public Works Committee.

IV, 136, 4 February 1881, Page 3

Baldina Pound is listed as being on section 104 with its nearest P.O. at Klaebe’s, Baldina.

Copperhouse Pound notices show John Sanders as pound-keeper.

Hanson Institute [i.e. Farrell’s Flat] 12⁄3column report on a meeting re allowing card playing. The eventual decision was 12 for and 7 against. The proponents thought that card games like euchre and whist were harmless fun, but opponents of course thought they inevitably led on to gambling, a dissolute life style, ruin and damnation.

The Bible Christian 5th annual district meeting was held at Kooringa on 1 Feb.

Letter from ‘Expedition’ complaining of the bad advice he had re the cost of posting a letter to New York at the local P.O. He was 1st told it would cost 4d, but it was returned with a demand for 1/-. He paid this and then 4d was returned. Later the letter reappeared with a demand for 1/4.

Letter from ‘Veritas’ who writes deploring the stench in the town from the way dead cats, fowls etc. are left lying around.

Railway Tariff. There is a column devoted to an attempt to get the railway tariff for the carriage of wheat lowered.

IV, 137, 11 February 1881, Page 2

Advt. John Sampson Jun. has taken over the mail contract to Spalding, from E.F. Opie and will also take passengers and/or parcels.

Birth. To the wife of William Ware, a son, at Carrington St East. [William Thomas]

Obituary. Mary Elizabeth Rumball [nee Martin], on the 9 Feb. of cancer, aged 53. The wife of John Rumball. At the Burra Railway Station.

Editorial, calling for a public meeting at which the local MPs will report their past work and announce their intentions re the coming election.

2nd leader on the Burra Show Society with hopes that the prize list for the year’s show will soon be available.

Burra Institute has withdrawn its memorial to the Town Council and will be glad to receive any proposition for joint action in the matter or removing and rebuilding the fence wall.

Ulooloo railway station has been useless this season for wheat because no siding was constructed for goods and the railways refused to allow the passenger siding to be used for that purpose.

Baldina selectors have again asked for another year’s grace in paying money due on their selections as they have sunk all they have in their land and improvements. They cannot afford to walk off, nor can they pay their debts due to a series of bad seasons. Previously want of rain had been the problem, but this season looked good till frosts at the time of flowering in November resulted in many empty heads on the stalks, followed by the appearance of rust. The average yield was 3b/acre, of which seed wheat takes one. The Govt. has nothing to lose in agreeing, as once given back this land will not soon again be taken up.

Burra Jockey Club meeting at Burra Hotel 4 Feb. A small attendance. Mr Shakes moved that no meeting be held in 1881 and this was carried. Mr Sandland proposed a new committee be formed and the Jockey Club be carried on. 2nd and to be considered at a future meeting. Mr W. Barker expressed regret that due to the lack of interest they were compelled to wind up the present club.

‘Under the Verandah’ by ‘Window Lamp’ ‘What the Cousins Say’ which purports to be a conversation between a series of cousins which provides a mildly satiric look at town affairs. [It is no longer in Cornish dialect as earlier similar columns had sometimes been.]

IV, 137, 11 February 1881, Page 3

Baldina Meeting of farmers, held at Midwinter’s Baldina Hotel, 9 Feb. concerning repayments due to the Govt by farmers. 3⁄4 column of detail.

Mt Broad reported averaging 1⁄2b/acre for 180 acres.

J. Thomas got 100 bags off 140 acres, which would not pay the year’s bills let alone the Govt.

Mr Linke got 25 bags from 200 acres.

Mr Frahm got 85 bags from 120 acres.

Mr Emerling got 320 bags from 360 acres.

Mr Frost got 200 bags from 240 acres.

Mr Thomas got 77 bags from 180 acres.

Mr Heinrich got 112 bags from 200 acres.

Mr Kellea got 150 bags from 200 acres.

Mr Klaebe got 400 bags from 430 acres.

A memorial will be sent to the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking for relief from repayments. The farmers claimed to want to hold on as they ‘believe that the tide of seasons will shortly turn, and desire to hold on as long as possible so as to reap the reward of their patience and toil.’

Letter from ‘Veritas’ urging the South Ward councillors to stop bickering and see that Kangaroo St is made passable even if there is not money enough for a bridge, much as that is needed.

Cricket. Burra 11 v. True Blues 15 at Brewery Flat. Burra 115 defeated True Blues 59

Burra Hospital. The annual report says nothing very startling, but it would appear that some of the old hotel’s rooms had not yet been converted to hospital use and the Govt had promised to place on the next year’s estimates a sum for their fitting out.

Obituary and Inquest. Mr James Mills Patterson Jun. drowned in a well at Copperhouse on 8 Feb. J.D. Cave JP conducted the inquest on 9 Feb. W. Rabbich was foreman of the jury. James Mills Patterson Sen. Said his son had been drinking heavily the night before, but they went to bed at c. 9.30 p.m. About 10 p.m. he was awoken by Mrs Sanders, his daughter, who said the well was open and she believed her brother was in it. The body was caught by grappling irons by Mr Smith and Mr McCubbin. This took some time and it was about 12 o’clock when the body was found. Mr Patterson believed his son was having the horrors. He did not believe he was suicidal, though he had previously made remarks to his sister about destroying himself.

Maria Sanders, sister of the deceased, said her brother had had little to drink for the last six or seven days, but had just finished a long bout of heavy drinking and complained of a bad head. He was not suffering from delirium tremens as she had seen that before.

Dr Brummitt gave evidence that death was by drowning.

The jury accepted Dr Brummitt’s conclusion, but could not decide if it was by accident or suicide.

IV, 138, 18 February 1881, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will sell on 4 Mar. Mr E. Nolan’s wine and spirit store on allotment 62, Redruth, comprising also a house of five rooms and a cellar 20’ x 40’

Obituary. James Mills Patterson [Jun.] 8 Feb. at Copperhouse, aged 33, only son of J.M. Patterson Sen.

Obituary. On 15 Feb. at Kooringa, William Ernest Bishop Snell, aged 6 years 8 months, youngest son of Richard and M.A. Snell.

Editorial against the flagrant flouting of the Sunday Closing provisions of the Licensed Victuallers Act by Burra hotels.

2nd leader on Judge Gwynne’s on-again off-again resignation and the turmoil in the Govt.

E.A. Akhurst has joined Mr Blakeney Carter, solicitor of Clare, and the new firm will open an office in Burra.

F.T. Jones has grown some fine peaches at Mongolata.

Shooting accident. William Harting of Mt Bryan was accidentally shot on Friday when a revolver discharged while being handled by the owner who was showing it to Harting who was interested in buying it. The bullet also passed through the owner’s hand.

Daviestown Wesleyan Church held special services 13 & 14 Feb. Rev. James Bickford preached in the afternoon & F.W. Holder in the evening. Services were crowded. (Part of the Hanson Wesleyan Circuit)

Burra Town Council

One month’s leave of absence was granted Cr Dunstan to visit neighbouring colonies.

Tubing has been put down the well in Market Square.

The footbridge near the Courthouse is to be repaired and strengthened.

Council will remove and rebuild the Institute wall upon the Institute Committee agreeing to pay half the cost.

[Tenders are called for this work on the same page.]

W. Herchousen [sic] was injured working for the Council and was granted half pay for the fortnight of his absence.

IV, 138, 18 February 1881, Page 3

The Torrens Weir in Adelaide is under construction.

Railways. The Holdfast Bay and Glenelg Railways have amalgamated.

Cricket. Sat. was so windy and dusty that the scheduled Aberdeen and True Blues 15 match was abandoned. A scratch match was held in which Sleep’s side 133 was defeated by Opie’s side 137.

Football writer ‘Short Mark’ writes complaining that another year will have to pass on the old practice ground as the Council doesn’t seem to feel the need of a recreation ground, though some councillors are now interested.

‘What the Cousins Say’. Cousin A is railing against the Circus that broke the Sabbath by packing up and moving on that day. It apparently got its just deserts when a horse bolted completely smashing one of the wagons on a steep hill.

IV, 138, 18 February 1881, Supplement (1⁄2 page size)

An election supplement re the coming Legislative Council election.

William Milne MLC gives his views of current issues.

There should be more MLCs

The electorate should be divided into 3 or 4 districts.

The present 12 year terms are OK, though in practice deaths and resignations make them more often about 8 years. He would not oppose shorter terms.

He was against the Govt policy of being able to declare half the LC seats vacant if they were to reject a bill in two consecutive sessions if the bill had been twice passed by the House of Assembly. This would reduce the ability of the Council to serve as an independent house.

He was against a wealth tax, preferring an income tax.

Would consider a reduction in tariffs provided cautions were taken with the consequences, but a wealth tax as proposed would negate the benefits.

He could not support either a property tax or an income tax if they were to be concurrent with import duties. He would in fact delay any changes as long as land sales were bringing in enough revenue.

He favoured extending the northern railways, but was not in favour of a transcontinental one. [i.e. to Darwin]

Favoured the reform of the civil service.

He had no view on the construction of an outer harbour for Adelaide.

He approved of Chinese immigration for the northern Territory only and did not think that migration from the UK should be free under the prevailing economic conditions.

Candidate Alexander Hay’s views: -

For land law reform to expand pastoral and farming use.

Believed in larger areas for farms since farmers cannot rely solely on wheat, but need to raise livestock and dairy cattle.

Was for free trade between the colonies and with overseas countries.

Against direct taxes on local producers of goods.

For railway extension.

For an improved harbour for Adelaide.

For more members of the Legislative Council and the division of the colony into electoral districts for the Legislative Council.

Candidate William Everard’s views: -

Believed in free trade.

Thought the Legislative Council should be expanded to say, 24 members.

Favoured the division of the colony into 3 or 4 Legislative Council districts.

Was for an outer harbour for Adelaide, but not sure just where.

There were also petitions for the return of Messrs W.B. Rounsevell, W.R. Ridgway and Rowland Rees to the House of Assembly.

IV, 139, 25 February 1881, Page 2

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will sell, under instructions from John Sampson Jun., all his interest in the lease of the land adjoining the Burra Hotel, with a frontage of 50’ and a depth of 120’ and with an excellent well. The lease has 31 years to run.

Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Henry Gartrell & Thomas F. Gartrell, storekeepers of Aberdeen. Henry Gartrell will carry on alone.

Notices from Messrs Rowland Rees and William B. Rounsevell, candidates for the House of Assembly and from Messrs Henry Ayers and William Milne, candidates for the Legislative Council.

Editorial on The Elections.

The editor strongly opposed the current Govt. and said its apparently dazzling policy was actually threadbare. The Premier had made the division of the colony into three or four electorates for the Legislative Council of less importance than reforms that would give the House of Assembly more power. The editor thought the former change was vital.

Tariff revision as proposed was too sweeping and would strike a heavy blow at the colonial industry and so lead to unemployment. Tariffs on things not produced in the colony could certainly go. He was much against a property tax. [i.e. a wealth tax] He was in favour of a land tax and for a transcontinental railway based on the land grant system. He was opposed to the decision not to proceed with the railway to Melbourne. [It was then halted at Nairne.] He favoured an outer harbour and wondered why there had been no reference by the Govt. to calls for a reduced freight charge for the carriage of wheat on the railways.

Burra Mine. News reached Kooringa on Wednesday that the Burra Mine had been sold to English buyers for £100,000. It was widely thought this would lead to a reopening of the mine. We believe the sale includes all the township lands and the mineral rights.

Baldina Petition. The Commissioner of Crown Lands has agreed to consider the requests for the deferral of land repayments in the Hundred of Baldina on an individual basis.

Redruth Court 24 Feb.

Baldry fined 20/- or 7 days for having his trolley and bullock team on the wrong side of the road between Redruth and Baldina.

Mrs Nicholls fined 5/- for no name on her dray.

Pearce fined £1 or 7 days for being too great a distance from his team on the Mt Bryan Road.

J. Flower fined £1 or 7 days for blocking Ludgvan St.

Halliday fined 20/- for leaving a dray and team of bullocks in Commercial St.

John Pearce and Thomas Young each fined 5/- for stray cows in Aberdeen.

IV, 139, 25 February 1881, Page 3

Election matters. The policy of the Government is reported in just over 1 column.

Cricket. At Martindale Estate of E. Bowman on 10 Feb.

Burra v. The Wanderers (A team of gentlemen from Adelaide)

Wanderers 67 & 126

Burra 56 & 52 for 5

A win to the Wanderers on the first innings.

IV, 140, 4 March 1881, Page 2

Obituary. On 3 March at Aberdeen, Elizabeth, wife of Richard Austin, aged 49.

Obituary. On 25 February at Kooringa, Mary Ann, wife of William Geake, after a long and painful illness, aged 56. [nee Farrell]

Editorial on hopes that the Council will plant trees on the eastern side of the new road from the church to Mr Wade’s.

Notice. A meeting is called at the Burra Hotel next Tuesday to arrange sports for Easter.

Election Meeting. Candidates spoke at the Institute 3 March.

Those seeking re-election were given 3⁄4 hour and new candidates 1⁄2 hour.

Rowland Rees: -

Was for dividing the colony into electoral districts for the Legislative Council.

For increasing the number of members.

Favoured 26 districts, each with two members, for the House of Assembly.

For free trade.

Against a property tax.

For a transcontinental railway.

For land to be sold at £1/acre repayable in 20 years @ 1/- per acre p.a. interest free.

For an outer harbour

For water conservation schemes

For local option polls and Sunday closing.

W.B. Rounsevell

Views unchanged since 1875 - a free trader.

For a mixture of income and property taxes and stamp duties. Taxes should fall more heavily on the rich.

For federation.

Was for the development of railway traffic, but not for new lines until the present ones could be made profitable - though he believed the line to the N-E from Petersburg might be an exception worth considering. [i.e. to Broken Hill]

Favoured 6 districts for the Legislative Council.

Was for action to reduce the rabbit menace.

Chinese immigration should be restricted.

W.R. Ridgway

Had lived in the area for 25 years.

Was not concerned with Legislative Council reform.

Favoured smaller Government and less taxation.

Land reform was needed - land was worth less now than in the past - perhaps only 10/- and acre.

Wheat should travel more cheaply on the railways.

E. Ward

Advocated sweeping way Goyder’s Line.

For a reform of Legislative Council powers and a division of the colony into electoral districts for its election.

For the inter-colonial railway.

For a plebiscite on the payment of MPs.

[F.W. Holder said Mr Ward’s speech made his blood boil]

Burra Town Council 28 Feb.

The Institute Committee has agreed to pay half the cost of the retaining wall at the Institute.

A number of destitute persons were allowed a remission of their rates.

J. Pearse will rebuild the retaining wall at the Institute for £69.

Redruth Court 2 March

5/- fines were incurred by: -

Mary Mowatt stray cows E.A. Laity stray goats

F. Simpson stray cows Joseph Andrews stray goats

Letter from ‘I am a Working Man’ claiming that as one of the millers is about to reduce his men’s wages and is trying to get others to do the same, it is time the men also got united.

Cricket. The Aberdeen Cricket Club has been holding scratch matches for some weeks.

IV, 140, 4 March 1881, Page 3

Mainly election notices.

IV, 141, 11 March 1881, Page 2

Advt. New Butcher’s Establishment. W. Symons has opened his new shop near the Record office in Market Square.

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope Entertainment in the [German] Schoolroom near the Courthouse on 18 March. 6d.

Editorial on the Burra Election

The four candidates offer very similar policies and so the voter needs to look to their personal fitness. The whole colony will be watching to see if Burra voters ‘have or have not so lost all sense of their own decency, and the decency of Parliament, as to return one who, not so many months ago, stood darkly out as too black to be any further maligned.’ [This was clearly a reference to Ebenezer Ward.]

He had just passed through the court after squandering thousands of his creditors’ money, the estate paying, so it is said, 2/- in the pound.

[The blistering attack goes on for c. 11⁄2 columns and the outrage is not principally about the money mentioned, but seems to have concerned a libel case over matters too indelicate to specify, but clearly well known to the readers.]

Bible Christian special services were held last Sunday and Monday. They were very successful. Dr Haggar preached. Rev. Pearce will soon succeed Mr Richards.

Mr Bentley of Redruth has erected a new gallery to take the excellent photos for which he is known.

Redruth Court 9 March.

Firth sued Knevett for slander, alleging that Knevett had said that Firth could well afford to undercut Knevett’s charges for carting wheat as he took some of the load to feed his horses. Knevett denied the charge, but the verdict was for the plaintiff for £10 + costs.

John Sampson Jun., who had bought the Spalding mail run from Opie said that the price included four horses of which only two had been delivered in a reasonable time and when they were ultimately offered they were in such a bad condition that he would not take delivery of them. Verdict for plaintiff £10 + costs.

Warrick sued the Commissioner of Railways to do certain work to restore a water supply to his land on either side of the railway line, such supply having been disrupted by its construction. Such work was ordered to be done and the defendant to pay £15-15-0 costs.

Letter. A long letter of over 11⁄3 columns from Joseph Nicholson expresses his strong objection to the liquor trade and in particular to the ‘Brewers’ Monopoly’.

IV, 141, 11 March 1881, Page 3

Mainly election notices. [F.W. Holder supports Rowland Rees.]

IV, 142, 18 March 1881, Page 2

Advt. For sale in the town of Hampton, allotment 12 with 3 stone cottages, a good well, stable and stack-yard, also a quarry situated on lots 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, & 39, together with quarrying tools and a three-roomed cottage with garden. Thomas Watkins Sen.

Advt. The sale is announced in the assigned estate of N. Lihou & Sons of the freehold of their manufactory at Terowie and the leasehold of their manufactory at Kooringa, together with vans, buggies, horses, machinery, etc.

Editorial on the New Ministry and its Policy.

Burra School Board of Advice. T. Bath & J. Dunstan appointed.

Baldina Church anniversary was celebrated 13 & 16 March. Rev. John Trevorrow of Auburn preached with Mr John Paull of Mongolata. Financial returns were good, enabling the trustees to pay off all current expenses for the year and a portion of the building debt. Mr McBride of Kooringa has presented the trustees with a new gate from the highway to the church reserve and has paid for the painting of the church exterior for the second time.

Market Square Well. The Corporation has despaired of getting better results by continuing, at least for any reasonable cost. Work has therefore stopped at 220’. Water was found from the 20’ level and the well will be tested to determine its capacity with a view to fixing a pump and troughs for public convenience.

Burra Town Council 14 March

The two South Ward councillors, Sampson and Lewis, continue to be at loggerheads over the allotment of £110 to the Kangaroo St Bridge. Cr Dunstan gave notice that if they do not resolve the matter themselves he will move at the next meeting that the whole Council do so.

The Mayor reported on the Market Square well as above. Also that the pipes recent inserted will be removed again and sold, leaving just 6” piping for the first 32’ after which the rock will be as secure as any piping.

Several poor people had their rates remitted.

Sir Henry Ayers asked that the gift of an allotment in the cemetery by SAMA to Mr Patterson [? Print unclear] might be recognised. Agreed.

Election Meeting at Midwinter’s Baldina Hotel, Tuesday.

Mr Rees and Mr Ridgway took seats at the front and Mr Ward stayed at the back as a spectator. Mr Rees took credit for the opening of new lands for farming and sympathised with the plight of the eastern plains farmers. 226 persons had petitioned for the land to be opened due to the stoppage of the Burra Mine. The Hon. A. Blyth, Chief Secretary, said the area was ‘outside the rainfall’ [i.e. beyond Goyder’s Line] and therefore not under the Act for selection. Mr Rees had moved the lands be opened which implied the abolition of the line of rainfall. There were now 500 families settled on it. On 3 Nov. 1873 he had asked for all lands beyond the rainfall line to be included. Mr Ward had tried to get the water frontages and stony ridges reserved and so leave the land in the hands of the holders of runs. At this time Mr Ward had prevailed.

Mr Ward frequently interrupted the speaker and finally cried out that this was ‘a by lie’ and the speaker was the ‘biggest by liar in South Australia’

Rees produced letters from Messrs Carr & Krichauff supporting him and denying Ward had opened the lands.

Mr Ridgway also spoke on reforming the land laws and granting concessions to those who were already on the land.

Mr Ward then came forward and attacked the ‘Burra Record or rag or bug or whatever it was’. Mr Rees had accused Ward of being in alliance with the pastoral interests - Simms and Chapman - but Ward said he had opened up the lands at Caltowie in 1872 before Rees had even arrived in the colony.

Rees interrupted that he had by then been in the colony 21⁄2 years. Ward conceded Rees’s role in Baldina, but maintained that he had already seen the elimination of the line of rainfall at Caltowie and in the north.

There was further agitation about a fund being raised to influence the election in favour of manufacturers. [Mr E. Lipsett’s name was bandied about, but in rather a confused context in the report.]

IV, 142, 18 March 1881, Page 3

Election notices fill page 3.

IV, 142, 18 March 1881, Supplement [About 3⁄4 A4 size]

Election material from W.R. Ridgway and the continuation of a series ‘An Innocent Abroad’, being notes on a visit to NZ.

IV, 143, 25 March 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mrs J.H. Rowe [sic, elsewhere Roe] of Chapel St Kooringa. New school quarter begins 1 April.

Advt. Mr F.R. White informs his pupils the new quarter begins 28 March.

Advt. The Racecourse Hotel, Copperhouse. [Strictly speaking, Lostwithiel]

The licence fee to keep the house open as a hotel is now £30 and as this is too high it will in future be conducted as a Temperance Hotel.

William Dunnemann, Copperhouse March 25 1880.

Notice. Re DISTURBANCE AT REDRUTH BAND OF HOPE ENTERTAINMENT

March 18th 1881

The Banker, Butcher’s assistant, Trolly Clerk, Stock-driver, and “Gent” from Aberdeen and Redruth. Bankers, Young Stock-drivers, Printers Assistant, and others from Kooringa, who disturbed the above meeting are hereby informed that a repetition of such conduct will result in their names being advertised in the newspapers.

New Council By-laws. 1 March. Changes are printed

IV, 143, 25 March 1881, Page 3

Election material

IV, 143, 25 March 1881, Supplement [c. 2⁄3 A4 size]

Cricket. The Aberdeen team travelled to Terowie by road as the train times were not suitable. They departed Aberdeen Post Office 7 p.m. Friday and they arrived at Terowie 12.30 a.m. Sat. staying at Opie’s Imperial Hotel. They rose at 6 a.m. and had breakfast at 8 a.m., travelling to the ground about half a mile from town at 10 a.m. They left at 7 p.m. for Burra and reached there about 1 a.m. Sunday.

Aberdeen 57 & 50 (107) defeated Terowie 43 & 63 (106)

IV, 144, 1 April 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mrs J.H. Roe, new quarter 1 April.

Advt. Annual opening meeting of the Burra Football club at Doe’s Assembly room. 1 April 8 p.m. [Doe had a barbershop in Market Square]

Advt. Burra Athletic Sports - Easter Monday, 18 April, in R. Austin’s Paddock, Aberdeen. [Events included flat and hurdle races, pole leaping, high jumps, hammer throw and tug-of-war.]

Advt. Model School Bazaar and Concert, 12 April. In aid of Burra Hospital [Location not stated.]

Advt. Readvertised tender for the painting and repair of the Burra Post & Telegraph Office.

Advt. The Northern Stage Co. is calling in all debts.

Notice. ‘THE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE SCHOOLROOM, REDRUTH, ON THE 18th MARCH

The inserter of the advertisement in the Burra Record on 25th inst., referring to the above, is requested to publish the names of the persons accused, to state the disturbance each is accused of not in general terms, but specifying each particular act of disturbance, and to give his own name.

Some of the presumed accused.’

Advt. Election Meetings at the Institute

2 April W.B. Rounsevell

4 April Rowland Rees

Editorial on Taxation.

Rev. R.S. Casely was given a purse of 120 sovereigns at the Draper Memorial Church in Adelaide before his departure for England. He is expected to return in early April 1882.

Accident. On Thursday George Harris was crushed by several bags of wheat falling on him at Butterworth’s Mill Aberdeen.

The Burra Station platform has been tar paved. An additional 150’ is to be added.

Nankivell’s Gully Road. The junction of this road with the Eastern Road is to be improved, but other work is needed. It is a needlessly crooked road and too narrow to allow two wagons to pass. Corners also need filling.

Burra Town Council, 28 March.

The Road Board is to be asked whether it will allow a culvert under the road at the National Bank Corner, to take Mt Pleasant Street water to the creek, without requiring the right of way to be paved.

Two applications for the remission of rates were dealt with.

Mr Loutit, Manager of the National Bank, asked that the footpath be higher at the bank corner.

Cr Sampson failed to find a 2nd for his motion to have Middle and north Wards contribute £40 towards the Cemetery Rd.

He then moved to rescind the motion of 28 Feb. in which certain moneys were appropriated to the bridge in Kangaroo Street. 2nd Cr Lewis, who said he did not wish to be seen to have taken advantage of Cr Sampson’s absence on the 28th, though he claimed that he did have Cr Sampson’s approval for the original motion. Sampson’s motion carried.

Cr Sampson then laid down a paper containing an appropriation for South Ward moneys. The Mayor thought he was presumptuous to do so without having consulted either the other South Ward councillor or anyone else.

Cr Sampson demanded the withdrawal of the word ‘presumptuous’.

The Mayor refused.

Cr Sampson then refused to read his appropriation unless the word was withdrawn.

Cr Lewis then produced a proposal for an appropriation for £160 for various urgent works in South Ward, with the remaining £50 to be set down for the Kangaroo St Bridge.

Cr Sampson then asked if that was not also a presumption.

After much loss of time it was apparent that the two South Ward councillors could not agree.

Cr Rabbich gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the whole council appropriate the south Ward money.

Cr Sampson’s proposal is then printed. It contains no mention of funds for a Kangaroo St Bridge, but reveals that the bridge at the end of Welsh St, into Ayers St is known as Boundy’s Bridge.

IV, 144, 1 April 1881, Page 3

Election notices.

IV, 144, 1 April 1881, Supplement. [About 2⁄3 A4 size]

Football. Notes by ‘Short Mark’ urge the formation of a recreation ground. He says the area opposite Mr Lockyer’s residence could be levelled and prepared at little cost and made suitable for both football and cricket.

IV, 145, 8 April 1881, Page 2

Advt. No tenders were accepted for the cordial and aerated water business of N. Lihou & Son, so all will be sold by private contract.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 17 & 18 April (Easter Sunday and Monday) Rev. R.W. Campbell will preach. The Service of Song will be ‘Nothing to Nobody’.

Advt. Westbury Church Anniversary on Sunday 17 April. Rev. James Bickford.

Tea-meeting on Good Friday.

Advt. Stony Gap Sunday School Anniversary 10 April. Two sermons by Mr A.R. Raymond. Public Tea on Good Friday.

Advt. Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Kooringa, Annual Treat Good Friday and Service of Song ‘Nothing to Nobody’.

Editorial on The Election.

He was fairly even-handed on the others, but strongly against Ward who in turn opposed local option polls and was backed by the whole influence of the liquor trade according to the editor.

Bon Accord Mine. The search for copper has been resumed on the Bon Accord property at Aberdeen. A man has been put on in the hope of cutting Tinline’s Lode which was the leading lode in the Burra Mine and which is believed to run into the Bon Accord.

Redruth court 6 April

Frederick Camp was charged with threatening to take the life of his wife at Hampton last Monday. He drank to excess and on Sunday and Monday he destroyed his furniture and wanted to have her clothes, being prevented from that by his neighbours. He then smashed the windows of his house before getting onto the roof and knocking holes into the iron with an axe, after which he pursued his wife to cut her throat. He was required to find two sureties of £20 each to keep the peace for six months and failing to do so was sent to jail in default.

Football. A good number turned out to practice on Saturday.

IV, 145, 8 April 1881, Page 2-3

W.B. Rounsevell’s Meeting at the Institute, 2 April.

Believed in small Govt. and civil service retrenchment.

Taxation would be necessary if retrenchment was not severe.

Everyone should be taxed equally for the cost of his personal protection and then according to his means for anything else.

He favoured a property tax or a tax on income derived from it.

Would also support an income tax and stamp tax if they were aimed in all cases at those wealthy enough to pay.

Believed land law needed reform. Interest three years in advance was unfair. In the poorer areas 2,000 to 5,000 acres should be allowed and lands not worth £1/acre should be let on lease. Too much was currently left to regulation.

Narrow gauge railways should become broad gauge.

Goods trains should go more slowly to save wear and tear on the line. Here they travel at 30-35 m.p.h., while in England at 10-20 m.p.h.

He favoured a divided Legislative Council electorate - a colony-wide electorate was too large.

The Education Act was too dear.

Mr Ridgway also spoke briefly.

IV, 145, 8 April 1881, Page 3

Mr Rees’s Meeting at the Institute, 4 April.

He denied he was foisting a water supply scheme on them and said it was entirely up to the town whether to accept one or not.

He favoured including Crown Lands in the Rabbit Act, but the Govt. opposed him.

He had got the rainfall line abolished and the lands east of Burra opened up.

He favoured repayments for freehold over 20 years at 1/20 of the capital per annum.

He also approved of peppercorn leases.

Tariffs needed revision.

All the railways should be broad gauge.

He wanted a transcontinental line.

Was for an outer harbour for Adelaide.

Was in favour of Chinese labour for the Northern Territory and noted that SA had only 83 Chinese engaged in gardening and other pursuits.

He was in favour of compulsory education and believed it gave value for money. It was, he believed, a case of spending money on schools or on gaols.

Also favoured high schools.

He saw no need for taxation. The civil service could easily save the £100,000 needed from its budget of £892,000 and so avoid taxation.

If a tax were to be imposed then he favoured an income tax and a Stamp Act.

He favoured Sunday Closing, but was satisfied to leave it to local option.

Mr Ward’s Meeting, at the Burra Hotel, 6 April.

[Not surprisingly this is not so well reported.]

If a tax was needed it should be an income tax and not a property tax.

Little else is reported, merely that he went over ground already well reported.

IV, 146, 15 April 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Athletic Sports in Austin’s Paddock, 18 April. Pedestrians 6d, Horsemen 1/-, Carriages 1/-.

Advt. Tenders called for roofing the Bible Christian manse.

Bon Accord Mine. The work recently mentioned at the mine has unfortunately prematurely ceased.

SAFM. Steps are to be taken to form a branch of the SAFM in Burra.

Bazaar. Children of the Burra Model School held a bazaar in the Institute last Tuesday, in aid of the Children’s Hospital, and raised £19.

Editorial on the Burra Election for the House of Assembly. Results: –

Voted Rounsevell Rees Ridgway Ward

South end of the

District (Steelton

to Terowie) 846 501 352 342 245

North end of the

District (Jamestown

Yongala, Caltowie,

Tarcowie, Morchard,

Oladdie 556 305 160 182 322

Total 1402 806 512 524 567

The editor was clearly disappointed with Rees’s loss as he felt that he had worked hard for the electorate. He was obviously disgusted with Ward’s winning the 2nd seat as, in his view, he was a thoroughly unsuitable man for the job. He was also much against the plumpers who apparently greatly affected the results and contributed substantially to Ward’s victory.

IV, 146, 15 April 1881, Page 3

Election notices for the Legislative Council election.

IV, 147, 22 April 1881, Page 2

Advt. Samuel J. Hall has opened an eating-house in Thames St, Kooringa.

Meals at all hours with a good yard for horses. Board and lodging 18/- per week.

Notice. To let, the parsonage, Redruth, with paddock. Apply D. Spencer Packard.

Birth: to the wife of John Pearce at Aberdeen on 9 April, a son. [Alfred Ernest Pearce]

Gold. Efforts are being made to thoroughly test the gold bearing reefs to the north-east of Burra. A party of men leave on Monday to sink a shaft.

South Ward Fiasco. We are disappointed that the whole of Council had to step in and appropriate the money for the South Ward, due to the disagreement between the two South Ward councillors. Unfortunately we cannot approve the way the appropriation was handled. The main effort was directed at not allowing any money to go for the Kangaroo St Bridge. In fact the whole lot has been frittered away on little jobs and patching, which will need doing again in a year or two and will leave no long-term legacy.

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Redruth Anniversary was held on Easter Sunday and Monday. Rev. W. Jenkin preached. The public tea was attended by c. 140 + children. The congregations were good.

Westbury Church anniversary was held on 10 April. The annual service was in aid of the trust funds and the tea meeting was on 15 April. Over £18 was raised.

St Mary’s. We understand Mr McCulloch of Princess Royal has given £500 to St Mary’s, it previously having been lent at a low rate of interest. The gift was in accordance with the wishes of the late Mrs McCulloch who died a fortnight since and in whom the district’s poor have lost a good friend. She had long provided the Christmas fare for all the poor families of the district.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School annual treat was held on Good Friday and was very successful. Rev. W. Jenkin now moves at once to Port Adelaide. He will be succeeded by Rev. Birt. He had been in Burra for five years.

IOR Rose of Sharon Tent Annual Festival was held last Thursday in the Institute. It went well and had a good attendance.

St Mary’s. The incumbent, Rev. Richmond, held the annual vestry meeting at which officers were thanked and new officers elected. Mr McCulloch, having presented £500 there was a resolution to try to reduce the debt on the new building to £1,000. Several gentlemen offered £10 if others could make it up to £100. Several of smaller means offered £5 if 20 could be persuaded to make the sum up to £100. Messrs Lewis and Cave were appointed to see it done.

Burra Athletic Sports on Easter Monday in R. Austin’s Paddock. Results are printed.

[C. Fuss came 2nd in the 440 yards handicap, starting from scratch and winning 10/-.

F. Fuss’s team won the tug-of-war worth £3.]

Burra Town Council, 19 April.

Middle Ward councillors will confer with Dr Brummitt re the removal of his front garden wall as work on the road was drawing to completion.

The South Ward appropriation was the main concern as reported above. Of the £182 available the main expenditure on larger items was: -

Sundry work in Ayers St £35

Making approaches etc in Welsh Place and Kingston St £25

Draining in George St £20

New footbridge in Chapel St £27

Kooringa Wesleyan Anniversary on Easter Sunday and Monday. Rev. R.W. Campbell preached. Congregations were large and the Service of Song was ‘Nothing to Nobody’.

The Sunday School had 266 children and 24 teachers. There had been 63 children added in the year, but after taking removals into account the number was up only 18. The proceeds amounted to £44.

Obituary and Inquest. At Gum Creek on 20 April J.D. Cave JP was coroner on the body of Thomas McMahon who died 19 April. [Aged 40. The registration of death gives 19 May as the date, which is clearly an error.]

The deceased’s wife, Theresa Ann said that two years ago he had had rheumatic fever. He had considerable trouble after that for some weeks with a chill, but was then well until about three weeks ago when rheumatic fever symptoms returned. Got some medicine from Clare six days ago. His condition fluctuated and for two days last week he had lost the use of his limbs. We had no idea he was so seriously ill and he died quite suddenly, seeming to choke on Tuesday morning at 1.20 a.m.

Dr Brummitt had treated the deceased two years previously for colic, but had not seen him since. The verdict was heart failure caused by rheumatic fever.

IV, 147, 22 April 1881, Page 3

Obituary. 13⁄4 columns is devoted to reporting the death of Lord Beaconsfield (Benjamin Disraeli.)

IV, 148, 29 April 1881, Page 2

Advt. Baldina Races 24 May, Albert Duell, Sec.

Advt. Carter & Akhurst, Solicitors and Public Notaries, Clare and Kooringa. Office in Market Square.

Advt. Applications are called for a librarian and caretaker at the Burra Institute. £65 per annum with house, fuel, light and water. F.R. White Hon. Sec.

Birth. On 27 April at Hallett, to the wife of James H. Tiver, a son. [Clement]

Editorial on a Recreation Ground for Burra.

Another effort is to be made to obtain a recreation ground for Burra. We have long thought it desirable.

‘A very pleasant ground might be laid out and suitably planted - to the eastward of the Model School, - which would not only be an acquisition as a place for recreation, but which would add to the appearance of our now too treeless town.’

The New SA Parliament will see considerable changes with sixteen altogether new members and three with experience, though not in the previous Parliament. Twenty-seven are returned from the previous Parliament.

Letter from ‘A Ratepayer of Kangaroo St’. We asked bread and got stone - we wanted £17, if that was all there was to spare towards the bridge, but the Corporation has decided to spend it on ‘what those most interested declare to be utterly useless.’

Burra Show Society met to formulate a prize list.

Railway Complaint. The stopping time at Burra is barely enough to rush and grab a cup of tea or coffee before the train starts again.

The New Education System is a great blunder. In towns it is not as bad as private schools are common - of greater or lesser value - but in more sparsely settled areas there are fewer schools than before and the old system was bad enough. We know one district with 198 school-age children and no Govt. school. Only about 20 children receive some sort of education at two small places called schools.

Nankivel’s Gully Road is to be widened and improved.

Football. The opening meeting of the Burra Football Club at Doe’s rooms on 1 April. W.B. Rounsevell MP was elected Patron; P. Lane JP, President; J. Warnes, Captain; S. Burns, Vice Captain; E.F. Brady, Secretary.

[Cycle] Contest in Adelaide - 6 days go-as-you-please.

Prizes: -

1. Edwards belt +£150 451 miles 3 laps

2. Swan £100 423 miles 8 laps

3. Harris £50 400 miles 1 lap

4. Abley £25 385 miles 0 laps

Burra School Board of Advice reported much improved attendance this quarter and there were only 33 cases against whom there was a charge. There have been no complaints about the administration or management of the school.

Temperance. John Durgess will give a temperance lecture in the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Friday.

Redruth Court

Trotting a wagon in Aberdeen Bagg 10/-

Indecency in Aberdeen Nicholas Hendy £1 or 14 days

Stray Animals Esther A. Laity 5/-

F. Bromley 5/-

T. Richards 5/-

Thomas Young 5/-

C. Lane 5/-

Light weights H. Gartrell 15/- + 10/-

Alexander McCulloch was fined the lowest possible amount for placing the wrong brand on 20 sheep at Yongala. He pleaded an honest mistake. 10/- per sheep + 20/- costs (£11)

Letter from ‘Observer’ complaining about the desecration of the Sabbath when a fruiterer erected a booth on Sunday in preparation for Monday’s sports. Several young men then took down the tent and scattered the poles, stakes etc.

IV, 148, 29 April 1881, Page 3

Letter from ‘Sabbatarian’ expressing self-righteous indignation that such ‘an outrage of public feeling should be permitted by those in authority.’ [On the same matter as the preceding.]

SAMA 36th Annual Report. J. Beck in the chair.

For the six months ending 31 March the expenses were £470-5-0 and the income from rents and interest was £1,110-16-2, giving a profit of £640-11-2 which raised the credit balance to £25,061-6-11.

The Association has entered into negotiations for the sale of the property in England and an exchange of telegrams resulted in its sale for £100,000, of which £60,000 was payable within six months and £40,000 within two years at an interest rate of 5% p.a. The directors are in daily expectation of the contract being executed. Easter holidays are believed to have delayed the signing of the contract.

Messrs J. Beck, F. Rymill & S. Tomkinson were elected directors to fill vacancies on the board.

English & Australian Copper Co. AGM with E.A. Routh in the chair in London. Reported in a London paper of 11 March.

Ore bought in Pt Adelaide in 1879-80 was 2,481 tons, down from 4,072 in 1878-79.

In Newcastle they bought 6,339 tons, up from 5,051.

Total purchases of the Co. were 10,239 tons compared with 16,000 tons in 1878-79.

The Newcastle smelter produced 1,094 tons compared with 1,196 tons.

A dividend of 1/- per share was declared.

Cricket. The first dinner of the Aberdeen Cricket Club was held at the Royal Exchange Hotel 26 March. [Note that this suggests that the ‘Royal’ part of the name was in use as early as this, though the licensing information suggests a much later date for its official use.] W.R. Ridgway was in the chair.

M. Moorhouse in his speech said that the club started in October with 11 members and now had 29 paid up. 5 matches had been played with 2 won and 3 lost. The club had a small debt. W. Cobb had the best batting average at just over 10, with Mr Yeomans 2nd. Best bowler was W. Cobb with 4.5 runs/wicket. [The toasts are reported in 3⁄4 column.]

Cricket. On Good Friday at Aberdeen.

South Suburban 76 & 52 (128)

Defeated Burra 32 & 41 (73)

On Easter Saturday

Burra Eleven 65 defeated East Adelaide 56 & 135for 9, on the first innings.

Terowie 89 defeated Aberdeen 23 & 37 (60)

Football. ‘Short Mark’ reports that last week 10 Reds made close work for 18 Allcomers, but the actual scores are not given. Allcomers won by 1 behind.

He is also disgusted by the way SAMA is asking an exorbitant price for a piece of land to become the recreation ground - land which is no use to them for mining. He commends W.F. Coglin and W.R. Ridgway’s efforts in this matter.

Burra Railway Station. The wants of the Burra District were brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Public Works, G.C. Hawker, by the Members of the District on 21 April. There was a complaint about the inadequacies of the refreshment facilities at the station. All that was available were ‘meat pies (the very idea of which was repulsive), stale dry cakes, and tea and coffee.’

Mr Rounsevell sought a licence for the refreshment rooms at Riverton and Burra and to compel refreshment rooms to supply decent solid food in the shape of chops and steaks etc. The bad state of the Burra Station was also raised.

Obituary and Inquest. Thomas Roach, aged 32, died at Gum Creek in a fall from his horse on 24 April. J.D. Cave was coroner and Mr E. Goodridge foreman of the jury. George Edward Young gave evidence as an employer & manager of Gum Creek Station. Much detail is given, but essentially John Walter Betts, a stonebreaker working on the Gum Ck-Hanson road, saw a riderless horse in the hands of Thomas Leonard, near his tent. He sent the boy, John Leonard, to find the rider who was found lying near the road. Evidence was then tendered of how the deceased was cared for.

Dr Brummitt examined the injured man and found no evidence of a skull fracture and no sign he had been dragged along the ground. He appeared to be suffering from internal brain haemorrhage which resulted in his death on Saturday.

Other evidence came from Thomas Leonard, road labourer, and George Gould, boundary rider at Pascoe’s Hut, 5 miles from Gum Ck and 3 from Hanson.

Thomas James Barrett, licensed victualler of Hanson (i.e. Farrell’s Flat) said the deceased was not drunk when he left there, having had about four glasses of beer through the day.

Verdict was accidental death. The jury gave their fees to the widow. [Age registered as 52.]

Ned Kelly. There is an article on the rewards paid to those involved in Ned Kelly’s capture.

Election results for the Legislative Council and House of Assembly are printed.

Advt. Alexander Harris has bought the plant and business of N. Lihou, aerated waters and cordial manufacturers of Queen St.

IV, 149, 6 May 1881, Page 2

Advt. Anniversary of the Title Feast of St Joseph’s, 8 May, Rev. J.J. Huggard will preach.

North Ward ratepayers of Redruth and Hampton complain of the amount of money that goes into the street from Aberdeen to the station. It took the greatest part of the expenditure last year and this year a further £30-£40 has been used just to lengthen two culverts merely for the sake of appearances. The editor wonders why the complainants don’t ‘deputationize’ [sic] the council.

Tree planting is urged again by the editor.

Burra Hospital gets £6-5-0 from the Wesleyan Churches and £5-5-0 from the Burra Athletic Sports Meeting.

Rains have been good in the last week with Kooringa recording 0.6” and the falls extending to the eastern plains.

Temperance Lecture by John Durgess was well attended considering the weather.

Redruth Band of Hope’s 1st meeting for its 2nd year. Rev. J. Bickford in the chair last Friday. The address was by John Durgess. For the last year the pledge was signed by: -

In Redruth 104 males In Copperhouse 18 males

87 females 21 females

For a total of 230 [Though the Record makes the total 229]

SA Census returns for the Corporation of Burra.

1264 males 1375 females Total 2639

Inhabited houses 522 Vacant houses 35

Size of Houses 1 room 5

2 rooms 81

3 or 4 rooms 301

5 or 6 rooms 108

6 rooms 63

558

Construction of Houses

Stone 469

Brick 35

Concrete 10

Iron 2

Wood 41

Total 557

Population and Housing by Wards

Ward Males Females Houses

South 597 656 262

Middle 242 286 99

North 425 433 161

1264 1375 522

Redruth Court

R. Kilne drunkenness, fighting & disorderly behaviour £1

J. Mulcahy fighting £1

assaulting police £2-10-0 or 3 weeks

David Evans drunkenness 5/-

Burra Town Council, 2 May

The Road board agrees to lengthen the culvert in Morehead St, nearest the railway gate, by 15’, but it will not allow the culvert in Commercial St unless the street leading to it is paved. [I thought they had asked for a culvert across Market St at the National Bank corner with Mt Pleasant Rd as the unpaved street in question, so is this reference to Commercial St an error, or is it a different request? See IV, 144, 1 April 1881

Page 2, but see also Midland Road Board IV, 150, 13 May 1881 & Advt. IV, 151, 20 May 1881]

Dr Brummitt thought the alteration to his garden wall should only occur if the following conditions obtained:

If the footpath remained at its present level a step be allowed in the kerb.

The Council pay half the cost of rebuilding the wall on the new line - a foot lower and with iron palisading.

The work should include a verandah in front of the house.

Cr Lockyer said that point three at least was impossible.

Negotiations will resume when the path level is obtained.

Enoch Stephens wanted a small section of Fore St reopened, but the Mayor said it was useless for traffic and had been sold.

Cr Dunstan thought it should not have been closed as it could easily be made into the best access to the top of Redruth Hill. Crs Dunstan and Rabbich will report on the possibility of repurchasing it.

Morehead St culvert will be extended another 9’ in addition to the length build by the Road Board.

Tenders are called for kerbing and pitch paving in Market Square opposite the Burra Hotel.

Plans will be presented next meeting for the footbridge in Chapel St.

W.F. Coglin led a deputation asking for the Council to approach SAMA for a piece of land to use as a recreation ground, near the Model School and not less than 300 yards by 350 yards. The sporting clubs would fence it and plant it. J. Roberts and J. Snell spoke in support of the petition.

Two letters complained of carelessness on the part of the sexton regarding a recent interment.

[Somewhat unclear references elsewhere suggest that the fault was probably in the width of the grave which created awkwardness at the funeral.]

[Here runs onto page 3]

Mr Pearse has completed the Market St road (constructed for £385), though not to the satisfaction of Council. Traffic has caused some unevenness where there had been much filling. Council required such places to be made good. Mr Duffy, the Road Board Surveyor wanted it graded and then 6” of top metal added. He regarded it as only having the bottom metal completed. The contract was however, only for 4” of top metal and the Council would have to pay for the other 2”. The Surveyor should not be too exacting as the Board was getting a road for nothing in place of a much neglected road. Ordered that the contractor complete the road to Council’s satisfaction.

SAMA is to be approached re a recreation ground.

IV, 150, 13 May 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 17 May, lecture by Rev. Dr Kelynack on Martin Luther, in aid of the Wesleyan Sunday School Building Fund.

Advt. Institute 18 May, Austrian Band of 30 performers under Conductor Braun.

Advt. Baldina Races 24 May (Queen’s Birthday Holiday) in Mr Midwinter’s Paddock.

4 races: Maidens, District Plate, Hurdle, Hurry Skurry. To be followed by a ball in Midwinter’s Hotel.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church anniversary 22 & 24 May. Rev. Richard Sellars will preach.

Advt. Meeting called 16 May, Exchange Hotel to form an Aberdeen Football Club.

Birth. At Prospect Cottage, Redruth, 4 May, to the wife of Alfred Dearlove, a son. [William Ernest]

Editorial on the new Market St roadworks. Mr Duffy, Surveyor for the Midland Road Board, is imposing on the contractors and the Council in asking that the road in front of the Institute be made to within 1⁄8” of perfection and to spread 8” of best top metal is unreasonable.

The Council has been much more reasonable with the contractor, Mr Pearse.

Redruth Court. Surely it is time the Redruth Local Court was renamed the Burra Local Court.

Mr Rounsevell, the local member, has been appointed Treasurer of SA.

Burra Institute. Upon the librarian of the Institute resigning her position there were 28 applicants for the appointment. Mr William Davey has been appointed and will commence duties next week.

Burra Town Council

A special meeting decided that Mr Duffy’s request was unreasonable. He had never submitted a plan for the road and as all the allocated money was now expended they could only ask that the contract be fulfilled according to specifications. They agreed to interview the Board the next day at Riverton.

Midland Road Board

The matter of the road past the Burra Institute was not gone into.

The Midland road Board has agreed to construct a culvert in Commercial St opposite Drew & Co.’s shops if the Town Council will keep the inlet free from silt.

[This appears to be the culvert under discussion in the last issue. Apparently the Mt Pleasant water was to be taken under Commercial St to the creek behind the Commercial Hotel. This decision of the Board would thus be a change to their original decision after further representation from the Council.]

The Petersburg Railway. The extension of the line from Terowie was opened last week.

Burra Census Returns.

Year Males Females Persons

1876 1496 1440 2906

1881 1267 1380 2647

Football. A Burra 13 played a Riverton 15 at Riverton 7 May

A draw in Riverton’s favour. Riverton 0.6 to Burra 0.3

IV, 150, 13 May 1881, Page 3

An anti-Chinese poem ‘John Chinaman’ by Yarra Yarra.

IV, 151, 20 May 1881, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for a footbridge in Chapel St and for a curator and sexton of the cemetery at a salary of £110 p.a. + 2/6 per interment.

Advt. Tenders called for a culvert at National Bank corner.

Obituary. William Woollacott, aged 65, a colonist of 33 years, at his residence at Nelson, near Redruth. 13 May.

Marriage. Richard Hill and Mary White at Kooringa, 8 May.

Birth. 13 May, to the wife of Thomas Parks Jun., a daughter. [Edith Margaret]

Dr Short, the Bishop of Adelaide, now in his 79th year, has expressed a wish to retire shortly.

Entertainment. The Austrian Band played to a full house on Wednesday and was very favourably reviewed.

Dr Kelynack spoke on ‘The Path of Power in the Pulpit’ rather than on Martin Luther. The night was damp and uninviting, but the reserved section was full and there was a good sprinkling elsewhere. The speech was favourably reviewed.

Burra Town Council, 16 May

Mr O’Leary & Mr Carmody asked the Council to bear half the cost of removing and re-erecting the gate of the Catholic Church made inaccessible by the recent roadwork. Council will inspect the site and report at the next meeting.

Crs Rabbich and Dunstan reported on the situation where part of Fore St had been closed and they advised it be reopened and 61’ of adjoining allotment be bought to carry the road up in that direction. Mr Gray asked £100 for it. Mr Dunstan Sen. & Mr W. Bentley as agent for H. Nankervis also objected to the closing of this section of Fore St. Cr Dunstan said they should offer Mr Gray his purchase price, plus the cost of his improvements and the removing of the same together with interest to date. The section of road to be repurchased should be at valuation. The whole Council will inspect the site.

Mr Pearse has agreed to level off the embankment on the new piece of road, but has refused to do anymore to the road itself. Council will inspect it and issue definite instructions. No payment will be made until the work is completed.

A new complaint against the sexton has resulted in his dismissal. [See tender notice.]

Burra District Council. G. Townsend claims £55 for land taken for a new road through section 2264.

Football. The match v. Norwood, planned for 24 May, has fallen through, Norwood being unable to get sufficient players.

IV, 152, 27 May 1881, Page 2

Advt. C. Rawlings wants 30-40 tons of firewood for the limekiln at 14/- per ton. Kooringa.

Obituary. Elisabeth Lawn has died at Moonta, aged 72. [Registered date of death: 24 May 1881]

Gold. The search for gold has been renewed, this time at Ulooloo and we hope for some success.

Presentation. Last Friday Miss Cave was presented with a gold, keyless hunting watch in recognition of her services as organist at St Mary’s. Mr J.D. Cave JP suitably responded for Miss Cave.

Redruth Wesleyan Anniversary was very successful. The treasurer, Mr A.H. Forder reported that of the total cost of the church building of £1,500 all but £388 had been raised. The trustees aimed to pay off £88 this anniversary. So far £65 has been raised with several good supporters still to be interviewed.

Redruth Court 25 May

Problems with stray animals continue.

Letter from Patrick Murphy, late sexton of Burra Cemetery in which he expresses his amusement at the way his exit from the job was handled in Council. He had, he says, given a week’s notice on 9 May and all that followed was therefore sham. He had worked the cemetery satisfactorily for three years and to the satisfaction of all except once or twice when the graves had been rather small. He had got the cemetery in a filthy state and left it in a fit state. He claims his dismissal was really because the cemetery management wanted to place paths over some existing graves and put dummy graves where the former paths had been, until he objected to such sacrilege. After letters of complaint had been received the Council tried to cover itself by passing a resolution against the plan.

Letter complaining of cruelty to two cows opposite the Exchange Hotel. They had no shelter and very little to eat either.

IV, 153, 3 June 1881, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Children’s Bazaar, 20 June, in the schoolroom.

Advt. 10 June, at the Institute, the 1st in a series of entertainments in aid of the Institute Funds: Readings, Recitations, Vocal and Instrumental Music.

Advt. The Austrian Band returns, 18 June.

Advt. Temperance Meeting in the Corporation Room, Burra Institute, 7 June, especially to discourage ‘shouting’.

Marriage. 15 April, George Dawson, only son of the late William Dawson of Bedford, England & Dora Bock, eldest daughter of the late William Bock of Kooringa.

Burra Town Council. We are amazed that the council has decided to repurchase by payment of £10 compensation, in addition to the £3 value of the land, a portion of street sold only about a year ago, as being useless for traffic. All that was needed was for the making of the street past the courthouse and up into the houses of Redruth.

A comet is visible in the western skies nightly until about 9 p.m.

The Chapel St Footbridge is an unnecessary expense at £34 when the existing one could be repaired and made to last for some years to come.

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary will be held next Sunday & Monday. Rev. J. Pearce and Miss Pearce will preach.

Burra Town Council, 31 May

The council resolved to buy part of Fore St from Mr Gray for £3, the sum charged, plus £10 compensation.

The contractor almost completed levelling the embankment and the job now just needs the roadway to be made good with another coat. Mr Pearse refuses to do this as he regards it as maintenance and not part of the contract. The overseer has refused to pass the work. The matter has been left in the overseer’s hands.

J. Roberts pointed out to Council a vacant allotment at the rear of his premises is used as a road and if it were enclosed access to several houses would be cut off. It should be made a street. To be inspected.

R. Thomas has been appointed sexton and cemetery curator.

Best Place and Young St alignment is unsure and a survey is needed as soon as possible.

Butchers’ licences go to Messrs O’Leary, Rabbich, Bromley and Gebhardt.

Council has decided not to pay half the cost of a new entrance for the Catholic Church.

Letter from Dr Sangster supporting the formation of a true temperance society as distinct from one pledged to abstinence. Members would pledge to limit their drinking to moderate consumption with meals and to abstain from the pernicious habit of ‘shouting’.

IV, 153, 3 June 1881, Page 3

Bath & Pearce were granted a new storekeeper’s licence for wine etc.

Football. Ob Saturday 9 Colours played 16 Allcomers

Colours 1.7 Allcomers 1.4

Allcomers also had about the same number of small fry swarming onto the ground ‘scarcely in their teens’

‘it retards good football and will be the cause of some serious accident.’

(Unfortunately perhaps, for good football, one of the small fry scored the Allcomers’ only goal.)

[The reporter also comments that spectators on the ground were a nuisance.]

The Governor’s speech for the opening of Parliament is printed.

IV, 154, 10 June 1881, Page 2

Advt. John Sampson Jun. will sell for W. Parker of Graham Town the property known as Parker’s Blacksmith’s, wheelwright and paint shop with stock-in-trade, tools and household furniture. [Other references suggest this was probably just south of Opie’s Hotel]

Advt. Tenders called for the construction of a wooden building for the Police Station at Hallett.

Advt. E. Ward MP will give his popular lecture on Shakespeare at Hallett Institute as part of the entertainment on the public holiday on 20 June.

Advt. The 1st meeting of the committee formed at the General Temperance Meeting on Thursday is called for next Wednesday. The aim is to provide suitable recreation for inhabitants of Burra. Institute, 8 p.m.

[In column 5 it says a meeting of the Temperance Society was in progress as the paper was going to press on 9 June, so probably next Wed. was actually 10 June. This was the Society advocated by Dr Sangster in the issue of 3 June.]

Marriage. 7 June, Augustus William Forder, eldest son of A.H. Forder of Redruth and Eliza Jane Skinner, youngest daughter of D. Skinner of Tynte St North Adelaide.

Gladstone Gaol. Charles McCarthy was sentenced to one month at Laura on 6 June, for the theft of certain articles of clothing. As the first prisoner in the new Gladstone Gaol ‘it is understood [he] will be presented with a watch by the Gladstone community in memoriam of the festive occasion.’

[The editor of the Record was horrified at this ‘monstrous absurdity’.]

Freight Charges. The editor argues for lower rates for the carriage of goods on railways on the grounds that much of the cost in the loading and unloading and the distance travelled is relatively less important.

Burra Railway Station. We hear that an effort is to be made to get a new railway station for Burra.

Pt Germein-Orroroo Railway. The editor is against this proposal as unnecessary, the survey and plans for which had just been completed. [Ultimately it was not built.]

T. Warnes JP is sinking a well on his property in the north-eastern plains, down to 400’.

Tree Planting. A good deal of this has been done in Burra this year, including many shrubs at the hospital.

Thomas Newman of near Yongala had his leg amputated at Burra hospital on Wednesday after it had been crushed between a dray wheel and a fence. He is progressing favourably.

Redruth Court 8 June.

Tiver sued Midwinter for £37-2-6. The plaintiff had done work of additions and improvements and extra work had been found necessary which was done with the defendant’s approval, but was then disputed. Judgement was for the defendant.

Freight Charges. Meeting was called at the Institute for stockowners and others pushing for lower railway tariffs for sheep and cattle. Their argument was that in NSW the cost of a trip of equivalent distance of Burra to Adelaide was 61⁄4d per head of sheep, while in SA it was 8d per head or £4-4-2 per truck.

A trip from Terowie to Adelaide cost £5-16-8 per truck while the NSW equivalent to Sydney cost only £3-18-4 per truck.

Mayors and Chairmen of District Councils of the north of Adelaide are to be asked to form a deputation to the Govt. [Further details occupy about 1⁄2 column.]

IV, 154, 10 June 1881, Page 2-3

A column is devoted to the origins, advantages and disadvantages of the custom of ‘shouting’.

IV, 154, 10 June 1881, Page 3

The Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary report occupies the best part of one column.

Letter from ‘Progress’ on the pleasing development of gardens in Burra in the last year or two, especially the appearance of annual flowers. The writer recommends the following: -

Phlox drummondii Nemophila insignie Collinisia bicolour

Dianthus heddewiggii Chrysanthemum annum Godetia

Linum grandiflorum zubrum Stocks Larkspurs

Erysimum peroffskianum Alyssum maritimum Virginia stock

Kaulfussia amelloides Lupins Whitlavia grandiflora

Saponaria calabrica

And Nasturtium tropiolum, Tom Thumb, and others.

Burra School Board of Advice. Report for 1881, Chairmen P. Lane.

Burra school is in good condition. The ceiling of the infant school has been repaired as it was falling. The playground has been gravelled. Other minor repairs are listed. The closing of the mines and the failure of the crops on the eastern plains resulted in many applications for free education, of which 95 were granted, though some for a short period only.

Crop Returns for the 1880-81 season.

[Considerably more detail is printed.]

Acres 79-80 Acres 80-81 change bushels 79-80 bushels 80-81 change

For Hundreds

Bright 5,150 36,957

Baldina 22,848 15,012 +1,043 illegible 42,183 - 64,961

Mongolata 3,745 [154,644] 10,543

Pt Hallett 1,842 10,823

Tomkinson - -

Rees 120 - +4,204 230 - +27,242

King 1,470 8,470

Bundy 1,012 8,179

The yield in Baldina and Mongolata was <3 bushels per acre compared with 7-8 bushels per acre in the west of the district, though King and Bundy had better yields of 5-8 bushels per acre.

IV, 155, 17 June 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, next 6d entertainment, 24 June.

Advt. Institute, 22 June, an entertainment of songs, readings, duets, recitations and selections by the band. In aid of the Burra Brass Band.

Advt. 17 & 18 June, Burton’s Great Australian Circus, 20 Star Artists, Male and Female Riders. Pit 2/-, Stalls 3/-, Dress Circle 4/-

Advt. Hallett Institute entertainment is postponed. Details next week.

Notice. Despite the death of Mr T.B. Terrell the firm of Treleavan & Terrell, Railway and General Carriers, will carry on as usual.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School calls tenders for the erection of two or four additional classrooms. Tenders to state the price they will allow for the materials in the old schoolroom, the purchaser is to remove the whole of the building when the new work is complete.

Tree Planting. Two men have offered £10 and £5 respectively towards planting trees on the east side of the new road in Market St. Altogether some £40-£50 is needed.

Gold. A party from Burra is going to Ulooloo next week to try their luck.

Train Changes. The evening passenger train arriving at Burra at 6.20 p.m. has gone on to Terowie since last Wednesday. The morning train now starts from Terowie.

Entertainments. The first of the 6d Entertainments was held on Friday last and is well reviewed. The aim of the shows is to reduce the Institute debt from the present £400. [Corrected in the following issue to £500] A good program was carried out with a good attendance.

General Temperance Society. About 30 persons attended the meeting at the Institute last Thursday to form the General Temperance Society. Three groups of members were admitted.

Total abstainers

Those who drink only with their ordinary meals.

Those who drink only when thirsty.

(This category was strongly advocated by Rev. F. Richmond.)

This last category was much debated and a move is afoot to delete it as destructive of the whole movement.

Burra Town Council, 13 June

The Market St contract was finally passed though payment will be withheld till the watertable is finally cleared up.

A culvert is to be put in opposite the Catholic Church to replace the entrance cut away by the Council.

The footpath from Hunn’s to Drew & Co.’s is to be gravelled and also from Bath’s to F.R. White’s property.

Enquiries will be made re the Council getting control of the Aberdeen Reserve.

Mr Shakes offered £10 and Mr Lewis £5 towards tree planting. The Town Clerk said it would require 40 trees for the eastern side from White’s to Wade’s and the 40 guards needed would cost £40. The trees and planting would not be costly. Subscriptions would be sought.

An attempt will be made to buy 61’ of allotment 39 of Redruth to widen Fore St and the Road Board will be asked to allow the N-W wing of the bridge to be shifted.

The Waterworks Department asked for a cheque for their account for lowering the Aberdeen main as the Corporation did not have the excavation ready there was a charge for extra time.

The Council said that the delay was on account of the men arriving without tools and it was not their fault.

IV, 156, 24 June 1881, Page 2

Advt. John Jones has commenced business at Redruth near the Primitive Methodist Chapel as a general boot and shoemaker.

Advt. The Hallett Institute entertainment is readvertised for 8 July.

Advt. Entertainment at the Institute 1 July in aid of St Mary’s church. [Program printed]

Birth. To Mrs Henry Warner of Cemetery Flat a daughter on 21 June. [Caroline Hannah]

Editorial on the Chinese Question.

The editor was strongly against the anti-Chinese legislation on the grounds that it was ‘a policy inexpedient, dishonourable, and based upon prejudice and not upon fact.’ He said the Adelaide Advertiser always refers to ‘the yellow agony’ which has no substance, but is ‘simply pandering to the common prejudice.’

The objections to their herding together in filthy living conditions can be met by enforcement of our sanitary regulations - only constant inspection restrains many Europeans from equally unclean habits. The immorality of the Chinese is often referred to, ‘but in view of our own city vice we should not speak too loudly of this!’

This problem really argues for the immigration of Chinese women.

‘The prejudice between race and race should be now, in this period of intercommunication, a thing of the past.’

Post and Telegraph Office. A meeting is advertised for Wednesday next to advocate the erection of a Post Office in Redruth or Aberdeen.

Entertainment. The Burra Brass Band concert raised c. £5.

Both the Austrian Band and Burton’s Circus got good audiences.

Poison. There has been an apparent case of someone poisoning five pigs in a sty at Hampton.

Bridge. The new Chapel St footbridge is nearing completion.

Mr Parker’s, land in Graham was sold for £5-17-6 a foot and total proceeds for the sale were over £400. Mr Boundy was the buyer.

Nankivell’s Gully Road has been widened and it is now thoroughly serviceable.

Burra Railway Station. A meeting at the Institute next Tuesday will push for a new railway station. On Monday last the cesspit there fell in and a foul and unsightly opening existed until it could be remedied which was quickly done by the action of the stationmaster, Mr J. Rumball.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School children’s bazaar raised £45.

Gold. Many men are now leaving the Ulooloo gold fields, having found a little gold, but not in large quantities.

Redruth Court, 23 June

Mrs Ford sued Mr Watkins for abusive language over her cows allegedly breaking down his fence, but abuse seems to have broken out on both sides and the case was dismissed.

IV, 156, 24 June 1881, Page 3

Obituary and Inquest. J.D. Cave JP sat as coroner at Devil’s Hole on the body of Mrs [Ann] Nicholls, a widow, who had been killed the previous evening. The deceased was crushed under a spring cart when the horse bolted on the way home from Burra. Evidence was given by Bridget Gentle, wife of James Gentle and by James Gentle, a farmer living near Booborowie. The verdict accorded with their evidence and the jury donated their fees to the deceased’s family. [Died 17 June aged 45]

Football. Six men backed out of the trip to Kapunda at the last minute and as a result the Kapunda 20 played a Burra 14 supplemented by 6 Royal Park men for the first half only. Though Kapunda clearly won, the scores are not given.

IV, 157, 1 July 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mr George Dawson’s next quarter commences 10 July. There are vacancies for 2 or 3 pupils. Market Square, Kooringa.

Advt. Concert this evening followed by the laughable farce ‘Caught by the Cuff’

[The 6d Institute series.]

Obituary. 24 June, Charles Rawling, at his residence in Kooringa. Aged 64, a resident for 30 years.

Editorial on the New Ministry.

2nd leader on the need for a new Burra Railway Station. The writer thought it should be on the township side of the level crossing and that it needed a refreshment room the equal of Terowie’s which cost £2,000.

The Burra Station Meeting in the Institute on Tuesday last was very poorly attended on account of very stormy weather and so it was adjourned, but the meeting at Aberdeen on Wednesday resolved to ask for a post and telegraph office for the northern end of the town and also to press for a new station.

The storm on Tuesday blew down two verandahs in Kooringa and removed thick glass from the top of the railway running shed, depositing it on the iron roof.

Mr T. Edwards who has managed Mr Eaton’s drapery in Kooringa ever since the latter bought it has now taken it in his own right.

Ulooloo. Several men are still working the goldfield. Large quantities of goods are being forwarded to the Albert Goldfields. [Apparently due to the low level of the river - the Darling, presumably.]

Entertainment. The show at the Institute on Friday was largely attended and much appreciated.

Redruth Court, 29 June.

The following were fined 5/- each for having stray cattle in Aberdeen: -

Thomas Young, John Rumball, William Rabbich.

IV, 157, 1 July 1881, Page 2-3

Post & Telegraph Office for Redruth/Aberdeen

A meeting was held at the Exchange Hotel on Wednesday. P. Lane (Mayor) presided. W.R. Ridgway JP said the postal affairs in Redruth and Aberdeen had long been in private hands and should be under Govt. control. They wanted a central building to replace both the present post offices. The offices handled 100,000 letters. He was supported by D. Wells and Mr Carmody together with Cr Rabbich. [The reasons became clearer in Cr Dunstan’s speech as the privately controlled post offices did not handle telegrams or issue money orders. The latter came only from the Kooringa P.O. and the former from there or the railway station.] Many places of lesser importance had better facilities. (The North Ward had then a population of 900.) [858 in the recent census returns.] The north end of the town had two banks, two flourmills, a steam sawmill, five hotels, nine stores, blacksmith’s shops and other businesses.

Cr Dunstan moved that a deputation wait on the Minister of Education. B. Preece 2nd. The town was growing and the population increasing. [Presumably he meant the north end was doing so.] Mr Gartrell supported as did J.R. Gray. F.W. Holder spoke re the need for a new railway station. Current refreshment arrangements were abominable - a stand on a dusty platform, so crowded that ladies and others were often utterly unable to get access before the train left. The privy arrangements were a disgrace and people arriving at the station in traps could look right down into them. Expenditure on the station at Burra had been £1,300 and at Terowie £12,000. He felt that if the station could not be moved to the north of the crossing it at least ought to be between the turntable and the entrance gate.

It was resolved that the deputation on the P.O. should also press for a new station. At least 20,000 passengers had booked at the Burra station in 1880.

IV, 157, 1 July 1881, Page 3

Letter from Pro Bono Publico complaining of the money wasted on the Chapel St footbridge.

Gold. 1⁄2 column report on the Albert Goldfields.

Kangarooing. There is a humorous two column report about ‘A Two Days Kangarooing Excursion’. Seven men with seven horses and two traps to carry tucker and chaff headed off to Baldina Creek where they stopped at a hut, dining on tinned fish, meat etc. and had a good smoke. Foot & Agnew made up a bed on the floor for five men while the others attended to the horses. The other two men had to ‘make do’. Agnew roused the group at 4.30 a.m. During the day they got five roos before reaching the main camping ground.

Then details of tackling the kangaroos are given. By evening seventeen tails had been added to the catch.

IV, 158, 8 July 1881, Page 2

Advt. H. Dawson’s house is advertised for sale. Nine rooms at Aberdeen with furniture and effects as he is going to live in Adelaide.

Advt. Mrs J.H. Roe’s school in Chapel St reopens 18 July.

Advt. The next 6d Entertainment at the Institute, this evening.

Notice. Mr Francis Pascoe is taken into partnership with F.W. Holder at the Terowie office and will assume the editorship of the North-Eastern Times and Terowie News. This change will not affect the Burra business.

Birth. To the wife of David Jones, coach-painter, a daughter, on 30 June. [Ellen Lydia]

Marriage. William Anderson and F.M. Hosking, both of Kooringa, on 30 June.

Editorial on Railway Matters. He was concerned about freight tariffs, passenger fares, timetables and connections.

General Temperance Society. The controversial third clause [Allowing membership to those who only drank when thirsty] has been abandoned. A meeting is called for next Wednesday.

Entertainment. The show in aid of St Mary’s on Friday night raised about £15. The farce was greatly enjoyed.

Adelaide. The water level is rising in the dammed River Torrens, but there has been subsidence in the retaining walls of the Adelaide Bridge.

H. Dawson will be farewelled by friends at a banquet at the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen, on 15 July.

Redruth Court, 6 July

Alfred Allen of Hampton was fined 5/- + 10/- costs for not sending his son Alfred to school the 35 days required in the quarter ending 31 March.

Elizabeth Matthews of Cemetery Flat, Kooringa was fined 5/- for a similar offence.

New Railway Station. A large number attended a meeting in Kooringa on Monday to support the move for a new Burra railway station. The substance of the debate is as before reported for the Aberdeen meeting. The speakers in support included W.R. Ridgway JP, Dr J.R. Stephens JP, H. Dawson JP, Cr Sampson, & F.R. White.

IV, 158, 8 July 1881, Page 2-3

Railway Tariffs. A meeting was held at the Institute on Monday evening to lobby for a decrease in the railway tariffs for stock. Too much stock still walks to market because of the high charges for railway transport. A long letter from H.E. Bright Jun. of Gawler outlines the issues. A memorial for presentation to Parliament is being prepared and will be presented about the end of July.

IV, 158, 8 July 1881, Page 3

General Temperance Society. John I. Sangster writes re the society and the change to the rules so that only total abstinence or use of alcohol only at meals are acceptable criteria for membership. He goes on to discuss the high mortality rates caused by the excessive use of alcohol in the UK and Australia as well as the impact it has on general health and poverty.

The Revised New Testament gets about 1 column of detail about the changes made.

Copperhouse Pound. John Sanders continues to be pound-keeper.

IV, 159, 15 July 1881, Page 2

Advt. The next 6d entertainment at the Institute will be 22 July.

Editorial on Reform of the Legislative Council.

2nd leader on the question of the payment of MPs.

J. Snell has opened a labour office in Kooringa.

Entertainment. The 6d entertainment in the Institute last Friday was perhaps the best in the series so far.

Burra Town Council, 11 July

Mr Gray has agreed to sell the land wanted to widen Fore St at 30/- per foot. (61’ is wanted)

Mr Pearse, contractor seeks an extra £70 on account of the footpath being kept higher than he had contemplated from the specifications. This was not entertained.

Over £32 has bee subscribed towards the tree planting east of the new road in Market St.

Messrs Rayner, Preece and Goss asked the Council to fence the ground along Ellen Terrace, on the bank of the creek, and they would then plant and attend to suitable trees. The Council said they couldn’t afford to do so, but the Mayor advised the same approach as for the tree planting in Market St.

Sir Henry Ayers replied that nothing could be done re a recreation ground for Kooringa until it was known whether the mine property had been sold.

It was resolved to pay the balance due to F. Clark & Sons for the Market Square well and the Govt. subsidy to be applied for. Any balance is to go for fixing pumps, troughs, etc.

The old bridge in Chapel St is to be removed. [Presumably a footbridge since a new one had just been constructed.]

Work is needed on the Prince’s Town Road.

IV, 159, 15 July 1881, Page 3

Social Club. Frederick Richmond writes re the club which meets at Mrs Roe’s School on Thursday evenings. [This appears to have been associated with the General Temperance Society.] It encourages singing and hobbies like butterfly collecting, stamp collecting, woodcarving, emu egg carving, cards, dominoes, draughts, and perhaps one day a billiard table. The president is Dr Sangster.

Entertainment. The secretary of the Redruth Band of Hope writes gently pointing out that the 6d entertainment will clash with their established meeting. The editor says this was accidental and it is likely the 6d entertainments will soon be altered to run on the alternate weeks.

Great Northern Railway. The second section of the Great Northern Railway was opened to Beltana on 2 July when a free train ran from Pt Augusta to a ball at Beltana.

[In the Literary Supplement this week the Mystery of Major Molineux began.]

IV, 160, 22 July 1881, Page 2

Advt. An auction of the estate of the late Mrs Nicholls is announced, comprising sections 538 & 410 of the Hundred of Ayers. 278 acres fenced, with a house and 75 acres of growing crop.

Advt. Hallett Races 11 August.

Advt. Burra Amateur Dramatic Society makes its first appearance on Thursday 4 August in the one act play I’ve Eaten My Friend and the laughable farce Turn Him Out.

[Eight songs and choruses intervened between the two plays.]

Editorial on the Adelaide Exhibition.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit. A second minister has been obtained for the circuit: Rev. Bainger from Strathalbyn. He will commence work in August. A tender has been accepted for the four additional classrooms at the Kooringa Wesleyan Schoolroom. Sara & Dunstan will do the work for £208 less an £8 donation.

Burra Floricultural Society will hold its next show in early November.

Port Germein-Orroroo Railway. The estimates for construction totalled £373,963-6-5 for 49 miles 54 chains of 3’6” gauge track.

Burra Show Society. The next Burra Show will be on 21 September. The dinners following the show had been producing losses: last year amounting to £7. A proposal will be brought forward to discontinue them.

Wesleyan Home Mission special services are reported.

Banquet for H. Dawson was held at the Exchange Hotel on Friday 15 July. The report runs to 11⁄2 columns. About 50 guests sat down to thank Mr Dawson who had been in the town for over thirty years - few had been longer. W.H. Rosman said Dawson had been a great public worker who had pushed for the extension of the railway to Burra, was a member of the first District Council, a major promoter of the establishment of the Burra Hospital and a board member of it. He believed that Mr Dawson had run the first cab in the town and conducted the first mail run to The Barrier. He was a JP who had given every satisfaction and had helped many in sickness and distress. C.W. Brown read the illuminated address.

Mr Dawson in his reply said that he had arrived in the colony aged 13, 29 years ago. He had done bullock driving and various other things at an early age.

Other speakers included H. Pinch, Dr Brummitt, John Dunstan Jun., G. Butterworth, Mr Keynes and F.W. Holder.

IV, 160, 22 July 1881, Page 3

Letters.

‘Anti-card player’ writes objecting to cards being played at the Social Club.

‘Snow’ writes re the Kangaroo hunt report, to defend himself against some of the jokes made at his expense therein.

‘Burra’ regrets the Council felt unable to avail themselves of the tree planting offer recently made on the land adjacent to the creek in Aberdeen.

M. Moorhouse, Hon. Sec. Of the Redruth Band of Hope writes wishing the General Temperance Society every success and pointing out too the work of his society which meets fortnightly at the German Chapel and has 220 pledges at Redruth and 40 at Copperhouse.

IV, 161, 29 July 1881, Page 2

Advt. William Treleaven has purchased the interests of the late T.B. Terrell in the business of Treleaven & Terrell and having taken into partnership C.W. Brown, formerly agent for the Carrying Co. at Burra, has formed Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers.

Advt. 6d Entertainment at the Institute this evening.

Editorial: - Possible Industries for Burra.

The editor suggests a clothing factory and a soap and candle factory - both making use of the local sheep products. Plenty of local fat was being wasted. Tanning was another possibility and machinery. The latter was represented in a small way, but could be expanded and could include traps and other vehicles.

2nd leader on The Education Act. A committee was enquiring into the operation of this Act. The present system encouraged - indeed demanded - cramming. The role of the local boards is enlarged upon as discussed by the Minister of Education.

Rev. W.A. Bainger, newly appointed to the Wesleyan circuit, will preach at Kooringa next Sunday morning and at Baldry in the afternoon and Copperhouse in the evening.

Theodore Bock fell on one of the footbridges near Paxton Square while going home from work at the brewery and broke his leg.

Market Street tree planting has commenced, but c. £10 more in subscriptions is needed to complete the job.

The School Board has asked the Minister of Education for permission to plant trees in the school ground.

Entertainment. The 6d show at the Institute on Friday was not as well attended due to dirty streets and rain showers. The next one is in a week to avoid clashing with the Redruth Band of Hope.

New Post Office. A deputation to the Govt. last Friday asked for new postal facilities at Redruth and Aberdeen as well as for a new railway station. It seems a new station will be provided, but not any nearer the town.

Burra Town Council, 25 July

The Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Association will forward any request made in writing for the Aberdeen Reserve, to the London Directors.

Cr Sampson gave notice of a motion for kerbing the south side of Commercial St and Market Square.

Mr Pearse wished to have his claim for extras [i.e. expenses incurred on Market Street] referred to arbitration.

Redruth Court.

13 people were prosecuted for having unregistered dogs.

IV, 161, 29 July 1881, Page 3

Obituary & Inquest. An inquest was held on the body of Dick Spencer, aged 10, son of John Spencer, farmer near Booborowie. The lad drowned in a dam on the property.

Letter from ‘Cash’ complaining of the prevalent custom in Burra, but not in the city, of paying workmen monthly instead of weekly. It makes the paying of cash for household goods virtually impossible and leads to undesirable indebtedness.

The Deputations to the Govt. re the post office for Aberdeen/Redruth and for a new railway station are reported in c. 12⁄3 columns. The details are as at the meeting already noted.

Chinese. There is an interesting 1⁄3 column article on the Chinese gardeners of Newcastle NSW who had formed a Chinese Gardeners’ Association.

The Dangers of Burial of the dead from a sanitary viewpoint are outlined in a 1⁄2 column article headed ‘The Dangers of Inhumation’.

IV, 161, 29 July 1881, Supplement

There was a prize list for the coming Burra Flower Show, but it has not been preserved.

IV, 162, 5 August 1881, Page 2

Advt. 6d concert at the Institute on 12 August.

Advt. Football. Burra v. Pt Adelaide on 8 August at R. Austin’s ground, to be followed by a banquet at the Burra Hotel.

Advt. At the Institute Wed. & Thurs. 16 & 17 August the Royal English Opera and Pinafore Co. will present H.M.S. Pinafore and Maritana.

Editorial on Aspects of the Land Laws and the demands being made that payments now regarded as interest should be considered payments of capital. The editor did not agree.

2nd leader opposing the police action in Adelaide where leaders of a Salvation Army procession were charged instead of the larrikins who disturbed it.

Railway Fares. The Govt. is to abolish 3rd class on railways and reduce fares. 1st class passengers will pay the present 2nd class rate and 2nd class the current 3rd class.

New Stock Firm. A new auctioneering firm is announced. Messrs Davison, Austin (late of Goodchild Austin & Co.) & E.A. Jaffrey (late of the Bank of Australasia) will start operations in Burra soon.

Entertainment. Last Friday’s 6d show was a success and the farce ‘Caught by the Cuff’ was part of ‘a thoroughly good entertainment.’

Railway Proposals. Rival committees for the lines to Orroroo area are lobbying the Govt.

Pt Germein to Orroroo

Gladstone to Coonatto

Saddleworth to Clare and Crystal Brook to Orroroo.

Football. John Sampson Jun. has decided to present the Burra Football Club with a new ball if they put up a creditable show against Pt Adelaide.

Burra Amateur Dramatic Society’s first appearance at the Institute last night was a creditable success. The crowded house must have brought in almost £20.

IV, 162, 5 August 1881, Page 3

Letter from ‘Progress’ suggesting some more flowers for Burra gardens - this time some that are half-hardy or tender.

Amaranthus tricolour Celosia cristala - Cockscombs

Zinnias Convolvulus major

Convolvulus minor Portulacas

Calliopsis aristosa Poppies - Double French

French marigolds Gomphrena - globe amaranthus

Xeranthemums Browallia czerviakowski

Clintonia pulchella Datura wrightii

Martynia fragrans Lobelia

Asters (esp. Truffautt’s paeony-flowered) Helianthus (Sunflowers)

Ipomoea Balsams

Phlox drummondii Petunias

IV, 163, 12 August 1881, Page 2

Birth. On 7 August, at Aberdeen, to Mrs H. Gartrell, a daughter. [Lillian]

Birth. On 6 August, at Hallett, to the wife of J.S. Beal, a daughter. [Elizabeth May]

Obituary. On 9 June, at Roskear Villa, Cambourne, Cornwall, Captain Malachi Bath, aged 66, eldest brother of Thomas Bath of Kooringa.

Editorial on the recent activity in the SA Parliament.

Rev. A.C. Gillies of America passed through Burra and gave excellent lectures in Kooringa on Wednesday and in Redruth on Thursday. ‘Creed v. Creed.’

Bible Christian Special Effort on 7 & 8 August. Rev. J. Pearce & Mrs Pearce preached.

Primitive Methodist Dinner and entertainment at the Institute last Monday went well, though proceeds were not as great as hoped for. (£11-£12)

Football. Neither team on Monday was fairly representative. Pt Adelaide played with only 19 men. Port Adelaide 3.5 defeated Burra 0.7

Burra Town Council, 9 August

Cr Sampson moved that all other South Ward work be stopped and they proceed only with kerbing on the south side of Commercial St and in Market Square.

The Mayor thought that this contravened earlier decisions and that the other South Ward councillor should have been present. Cr Sampson said they couldn’t wait for ‘so dilatory a councillor’.

The mayor objected to this term, but Cr Sampson said he thought that a councillor who had been absent for more than three meetings and had not condescended to ask for leave was dilatory. The matter was adjourned for two weeks.

The English and Australian Copper Co. is to be paid £12-10-0 for the deviation [road] through Llwchwr.

Midland Road Board.

The surveyor’s report on the Main Street in Kooringa opposite the Post Office etc. was presented. The average depth of metal was not over 6” with about 11⁄2” blinding of clay slate gravel (mostly reduced by the traffic to clay.) The road was badly formed and the metal used for coating it was inferior and the road needed a coat of 8” of 21⁄2” metal before it could pass. Funds were then available to complete the work. The Town Clerk and Surveyor of the Town Council admitted that the specifications called for only 4” of 21⁄2” top metal and so could not see how the contractor could be forced to do more as I required. (The Mayor agreed.)

On 10 May the council promised no more would be paid to the contractor until the proper quantity of metal was on the road. The Mayor reported on 27 July that the road and alterations were complete. I report the road formation and depth is practically the same as on 5 May when I complained of its state.

Captain Killicoat said the Mayor had told him the work was complete and that the Govt. had paid over the balance of the £400 vote after sending a special surveyor who had reported it as satisfactory. The Council had much improved the road, though he could say nothing about the metal. He suggested the Board visit the road when in Burra shortly.

The Chairman said that if the Board had confidence in their surveyor they were bound to accept his report. Mr Kelly said that regardless of whether the money was spent or not the Corporation was bound by their agreement to see the road constructed to the satisfaction of the Board Surveyor. The Board ordered the road to be finished to the satisfaction of the surveyor as agreed.

The surveyor recommended against altering the fence at the approach to the bridge near Fore St in Redruth.

The lecture ‘Creed v. Creed’ is reported in over 2 columns.

IV, 164, 19 August 1881, Page 2

Birth. On 18 August, to the wife of D. Spencer Packard, a son. [Devereux Spencer]

Obituary. On 16 August, at Aberdeen, Samuel Goss, aged 75.

Samuel Goss was long and well known in Burra and Moonta and was the father of I. Goss of Aberdeen and the Rev. John Goss. He was an active Wesleyan.

Editorial on the Budget Speech.

Entertainment. The 6d entertainment at the Institute on Friday had a good house.

SAMA has voted £10 towards tree planting in Kooringa.

Obituary. Lady Ayers has died in Adelaide. [Anne, nee Potts, died 13 August, aged 65.]

Offence. J. Calloway was fined £5 +5/- for selling beer [at the ‘Pig and Whistle] on Sunday 14 August.

Burra Amateur Dramatic Society

Mr Charles St Clair is likely to leave Burra soon and so has resigned the management, to be replaced by Mr J. Gibson of the Model School.

Porter’s Lagoon. Messrs Firey & Ellis have constructed a pleasure boat and gave it a trial yesterday on Porter’s Lagoon. The Pioneer is capable of seating five persons and will be used for sporting on the water which abounds in wild fowl.

Deputation to the Govt. A deputation has waited on the Govt. re the railway tariff for cereals. The Commissioner said he already had the information laid before him and intended shortly to announce reduced charges for long distances.

IV, 164, 19 August 1881, Page 3

Part two of the report on ‘Creed v. Creed’ runs to almost 1 column.

IV, 165, 26 August 1881, Page 2

Advt. The Church of England Bazaar will be held in the Institute on Show Day evening, 21 September and on 22 September.

Birth. At Wesleyan Mission House, Gawler, to the wife of the Rev. R.W. Campbell, a son. [This was corrected in the issue of 2 Sep. by the addition of the date, 24 August.] [Ernest Ainsworth]

Birth. On 19 August, at Aberdeen, to the wife of Adolph G. Topperwein, a son. [Henry Hill]

Obituary. On 20 August, at Aberdeen, Elizabeth Hill, the wife of Adolph G. Topperwein, aged 21 years 9 months. [Born Elizabeth Hill Fordham 31 October 1859.]]

Editorial on the Reading of the Bible in Schools. This was again under discussion. Holder was against it as he believed that reading the Bible without comment was useless and comment inevitably led to denominational bias which could not be allowed in Government schools. He was in favour of state support for denominationally run schools.

Trains. There were complaints about the common lateness of trains - complaints that were repeated in the Clare and Kapunda papers.

Accident. An Aboriginal boy, Billy Button was admitted to the Burra Hospital from Terowie, having broken his thigh in a fall from a horse.

Shooting Accident. A Boy, O’Connor, from Hallett was admitted to the hospital accidentally shot in the abdomen while struggling with another boy for possession of a gun. (The editor found this to be extraordinary.)

Smallpox continues to spread in Sydney.

Burra Town Council, 22 August.

Cr Lewis apologised for his absence from several meetings and in a strongly ironic comment ‘He wished to thank his colleague for the whole and gentlemanly way he had referred to his absence at last meeting. He hoped that while he, Councillor Sampson, was a colleague of his he would always act in as graceful a manner.’

Cr Sampson’s move to have kerbing done in Commercial St failed for want of a 2nd.

The Town Clerk was instructed to have the capacity of the tube well in Market Square tested so that the troughs and a pump might be fixed.

Council resolved to give notice to persons encroaching in Best Place of that fact.

The Midland Road Board wrote requiring the Council to complete Market Street road works to the satisfaction of their surveyor. A letter is to be sent in reply and a deputation to support it will attend the next Board meeting.

Census of 1881 showed Burra to be the largest town outside the City of Adelaide.

Burra 2647

Mt Gambier 2403

Kapunda 2299

Wallaroo 1867

Gawler 1811

Kadina 1521

Moonta 1418

Pt Augusta 1318

Clare 1131

Jamestown 905

Pt Pirie 901

With respect to rateable property values for corporations outside Adelaide: -

Burra 13664

Clare 7119

Gawler 17265

Jamestown 8775

Kapunda 14979

Kadina 10415 Down 765 from 1876

Moonta 7936 Down 3974 from 1876

Wallaroo 10200 Up 746 from 1876

Letter from E. Diplock regretting the inactivity at the Burra Mine. With over 25 years’ experience with the mine he has confidence that there is copper there aplenty. He offered to work it at a royalty of 10/- in the £, but was refused.

IV, 165, 26 August 1881, Page 3

2⁄3 column on the Tichborne Fraud.

Notices for Entire Horses

William Taylor’s Marquis of Lorne

Griffith Harry’s Sir James

P. Couch’s Mercury

& Black Boy

W.J. Rayner’s Baron of Clyde

& Snoozer

IV, 166, 2 September 1881, Page 2

Advt. There will be a 6d entertainment in the Institute on 9 September.

Editorial on Experimental Farms. There was one in the South-East and one at Mannahill.

2nd Leader on the Land Bill.

Cricket. A Muff Cricket Club has been formed in Burra this week and a large number are expected to join.

Vandalism. One of the young gum trees recently planted has been pulled up.

Jewish Relief. This office has a subscription list to aid Russian Jews lately subjected to terrible persecution in Southern Russia.

J.D. Cave has been very successful with his dark Bramah fowls at the annual show of the SA Poultry association in the Adelaide Town Hall. His entries came first.

Wild Dogs. No less than 70 dogs have been recently killed by Aboriginals employed for that purpose on two runs in the N-E. On one station with 10,000 sheep only about 6 lambs survived this season. Most of the dogs were tame ones gone wild or their descendents crossed with dingos.

Train timetable. The Commissioner of Public Works is considering the timetable of trains to enable better connections at Hamley Bridge.

Railway Tariffs. New railway tariffs came in on 29 August.

For example for wheat

Old New (per ton per mile)

0-50 miles 21⁄2d 2d

51-75 miles 2d 11⁄2d

75 miles 11⁄2d 1d

Wool, ores and livestock rates are also printed.

Entertainment. The Royal English Opera Co. which has had a delayed appearance here will now play on Wednesday and Thursday next.

Letters

From ‘Wun Hu Knows’ in response to E. Diplock and the Burra Mine (In Cornish dialect) disputing Diplock’s expertise and saying he spent most of his time elsewhere and had hardly been underground in the last 14 years and spent only a month or two on top in that time. His supposed knowledge of an untapped lode at the 65 fathom level is ridiculed as there was no 65 level.

‘I am glad old Aiphraim esent a Coarnishman for ef a Coarnishman was goin to make a story he wud try to make en somefin like the trueth.’

From ‘Templar’ re shop hours. Three or four years ago the shopkeepers agreed to close earlier in the evening, but the old ways have gradually re-emerged with the changed in proprietors. The writer believes shops were more consistently busy when they closed at 8 p.m. than they are now when closing at 10 p.m. Some say they would do better closing at 6 p.m. all the year. Why don’t they try it then? The change would seem to benefit all. There would be a saving in lighting oil, fewer fires, and more fresh air for workers, with the same business done.

IV, 166, 2 September 1881, Page 3

Cricket. The Aberdeen Cricket Club met at the Exchange Hotel on 29 August. N. Opie presided over a moderate attendance. The season will open next Saturday.

IV, 167, 9 September 1881, Page 2

Advt. The 6d entertainment has been postponed from the 9 September to 23 September.

Advt. John Sampson Jun. will sell, at the Court House Hotel, on 11 September, Lot 191 in Millerton with a five-roomed house and also lots 168, 170, 171, 173 to 186 inclusive and 190 E.

Advt. Tenders are called for the erection of a new Bible Christian Chapel at Banbury (Mt Bryan East) and will be received until 23 September 1881.

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope Entertainment, 16 September, including the drama ‘The Vacant Chair’.

Advt. St Joseph’s Church, Jubilee Mission by Rev. Leo Rogalski SJ, 16-21 September with morning, afternoon and evening services daily. (A. Kreissl, Pastor)

G. & W. Sara & Dunstan have obtained a contract for building a goods shed at the Adelaide Station 300’ long.

A New Building in Queen St for Mr Bruse will be a mattress factory and will replace an old building known as the Post Office and Court House.

Wesleyan Home Mission Fund annual sermon was preached at Baldry a few weeks since by Rev. James Bickford and the public meeting was held on 6 September.

Proceeds, £6-12-9.

Burra Town Council inspected the local butchers’ piggeries on Tuesday. The odour and filth was evident, though most owners had done their best to reduce it by paving and removing waste, but it was noted that after heavy rain the waste still finds its way into creeks and watertables. Cesspits ought to be employed for this and that is to be enforced. Few townsfolk will object if this move forces the piggeries out of town!

Burra Social Club. Messrs Drew & Co. have given the club a set of lawn tennis equipment and a set of quoits for recreation and an air pistol and bagatelle board for Thursday evenings indoors.

Burra Cricket Club met at Burra Hotel last Monday with George Butterworth presiding. The opening game is to be Saturday afternoon.

Entertainment. The English Opera & Pinafore Co. was very favourably reviewed and played to a good house, though there was no mention of Maritana.

Redruth Court heard cases of depasturing stock on Crown Land and of woodcutting and wood-carting on Crown Land without a licence.

Burra Town Council, 5 September

The mayor asked the Council to consider raising money from the saleyards within the Corporation area either by licensing private yards or by buying them or erecting them for themselves. This move was driven by the Council’s indebtedness.

Burra Town Council (Continued)

The inspector’s report was unfavourable to the town piggeries and the Council resolved to visit the same the next day.

F. Clark & Sons offered to supply a suitable force and lift pump for the Market Square well. Item to stand over till the well is tested.

Post Office. The Aberdeen and Redruth people can’t be thankful they are to get a post office, but must now have a dispute over the site.

Cricket. Bad weather forced the postponement of the opening of the cricket season last Saturday.

IV, 168, 16 September 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mrs G. Dawson’s pupils reassemble on 23 September.

Advt. Karriam Bux, Indian Eye Doctor, at the Burra Hotel.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 25 & 26 September. Rev. W. Reed will preach.

Advt. Burra Institute, in aid of the Institute funds will hold a Conversazione in the first week of October, featuring Pictures, Curiosities, Specimens, Pneumatic Experiments, Electric Experiments, Telephones, Microscopes and Music each evening.

Advt. Austin, Davison & Jaffrey announce the commencement of monthly sales at Burra from 30 September.

Editorial on Mr Symon’s no confidence motion against the SA ministry.

2nd Leader on the Adelaide Show.

3rd Leader on the problem of the under financing of the road boards.

Offences. Two drunken riders left Aberdeen for Kooringa on Wednesday. One ended up in hospital and the other was fined 40/-.

Market Square Well was tested on Wednesday using a pump lifting 500 gallons an hour and the level of the water fell from 16’ to 18’, but no further, and recovered in a few minutes to 16’ when pumping stopped. This should be sufficient proof to enable a pump and troughs to be erected in time for the summer.

Midland Road Board, 1 September.

The Burra Council denies it ever agreed to do the Market St work to the satisfaction of the Road Board surveyor, though they accept a moral obligation to hand it back in at least as good a condition as they took it. They have done more than this. In fact on Commercial St and Market St the Council has expended £400 over the £400 special grant. The Board has in fact withheld maintenance on those streets far beyond the sum used in covering the Board’s road in Commercial St, so that maintenance is still due on those roads. Therefore the Council does not believe the Board will require them to do the very unusual amount of metalling required by the surveyor and hope the road will at once be placed under the care of the Board’s officers. The Mayor and Cr Batchelor did not agree (as the Board has stated) to Mr Duffy’s requests, but only that the conditions of the contract should be fulfilled. Mr Lane then explained the matter in some detail from the Council’s point of view.

The £400 grant really represented a Government repayment of £400 of ratepayers’ money which had been expended on completing the Government bridge in Kooringa (The Government vote having been inadequate.) and thus it could have been expended on Corporation streets, but was spent on the main road. They had also spent an additional sum of £253 in Market St and £160 in Commercial St - both of which are main roads. The maintenance allowed by the Board due to main roads was inadequate for them to do all that was required.

Mr Duffy then reiterated his claims of the Council’s promise and their need to do more to fulfil it. The matter was stood over.

IV, 168, 16 September 1881, Page 3

Letter from W.H.H. [William Harrison Hardy]

Since tradesmen are checked from narrowing footpaths by depositing goods for sale thereon, why are the authorities allowed to narrow roads by leaving heaps or repairing metal on them. They constitute real dangers in the dark. Stone stations should make use of recesses rather than use these ‘abominable encroachments’.

Cricket. Saturday saw a practice match for the Aberdeen Club.

Captain Opie’s side 59 & 31 (90) defeated

Vice Captain’s Whittick’s side 37 & 27 (64)

IV, 169, 23 September 1881, Page 2

Obituary. At Kooringa 13 September after a long and painful illness, Ann Roberts, wife of Joseph Roberts, daughter of the late John H. Coventry of Hahndorf, sister of Messrs Coventry Bros. of Pt Augusta and Stirling North. Aged 36.

Editorial on The Education System. The editor was critical of Mr Hartley, the Inspector General, who though a man of high ideals and fairness, is also very rigid and treats his subordinates and even his equals as if they were mere schoolboys. The editor is not so enthusiastic about maintaining the payment by results system. He preferred written examinations to oral ones. Schools were too often short staffed. Examination of the private schools was a necessity.

2nd Leader was against the remission of rates for reasons of poverty. The editor felt that it was inequitable and rarely went to the right people.

Assassination. The death of US President Garfield is reported.

Gold. It is reported that Mr Murphy of Kooringa and two others have found specks of gold at Ulooloo and have secured five claims on a line of reef. We congratulate them on this happy portent.

St Mary’s Bazaar ̧ was very successful.

Burra Town Council, 19 September.

Application has been made to Mr Powell for a piece of land needed for a road in Hampton.

A foot crossing is to be made over the creek on the east side of the saleyards.

Owners of cottages are not prepared to look after street trees. The Council will have them watered.

Cr Rabbich has decided to move his piggeries out of town on account of the requirements of the Health Act and By-laws. It is believed that Mr Bromley and Mr Gebhardt will do the same.

Redruth Court, 21 September.

John and Richard Harvey were charged with stealing two £1 notes from William Crawford in the night of 19 September at the Pig and Whistle. The money was found under a carpet in the room. The information was dismissed, but the prisoners were cautioned. [The level of intoxication of all concerned made several aspects uncertain.]

Burra Show, was held at the premises of the English and Australian Copper Co. [i.e. the Old Smelts Yard]

The day started fine and clear, but ended with squally showers with some small hail. Attendance was nevertheless exceedingly large at almost 2,000 and the gate takings were over £56. Generally it was a great success. The main complaint concerned the narrowness of the passage between the areas where the horses, implements, and sheep were and that where the flowers, vegetables, dairy produce and fowls were displayed.

[Note no Chinese names in the vegetable section.]

Flowers results included: -

Bouquet for table W. Fuss 2nd

Bouquet for hand W. Fuss 1st

Buttonhole W. Fuss 2nd

Letter from Robert Brummitt as President of the Institute re the Conversazione arranged for October. Specimens and pictures have been arranged from Messrs Wigg and Son of Adelaide. Mr Todd has lent telephones and there will be a promenade concert and a farce with occasional music.

Entertainment by the Redruth Band of Hope last Friday was a great success and is reported in 1⁄2 column.

Assassinations through the ages, following the attempt on President Garfield’s life, are reported in 3⁄4 column.

IV, 170, 30 September 1881, Page 2

Advt. Mrs J.H. Roe’s school reopens 26 September.

Editorial on the problems of getting convictions for breaches of the Licensed Victuallers’ Act.

2nd Leader on the need for a new Parliament House in Adelaide.

Wesleyanism. It is believed the Rev. R.S. Casely will succeed Rev. J. Bickford at Kooringa.

Kooringa Wesleyan Anniversary. There were good congregations. In the past three years a new schoolroom with classrooms has been erected for £1,000, but the total debt on the church property is only £780. Last year £130 was paid off and it was hoped the present anniversary would raise £120. The just completed classrooms cost £200, of which £110 had been raised. Total proceeds were just over £110.

Early Closing. A meeting was held last Tuesday evening in Mr White’s schoolroom in the interests of early closing. Rev. F. Richmond took the chair. The meeting urged the closing of stores at 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Late shopping was a habit rather than a necessity. The committee appointed comprised Messrs White, W. West, Urwin, Edwards and Richards.

St Mary’s recent bazaar raised £145. Nearly £900 has been raised in gifts etc during the year, which has much improved the church’s financial position.

Redruth Court, 28 September

The District Council ranger had a number of cases of depasturing stock on Crown Land.

Joseph Richardson was charged that he had disposed of a lesser quantity of liquor than the Act allowed. [i.e. for a storekeeper’s licence] Dismissed on a technicality.

Cricket. Both Burra and Aberdeen clubs continue with practice matches. Brewery Flat was site of games of quoits, lawn tennis, football and croquet as well as cricket. The Muffs club is also practising.

IV, 171, 7 October 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 7 October, Conversazione with telephones, Microscopes, Magneto-Electric Shocks, Experiments, Music and the farce ‘Turn Him Out’. Children’s afternoon tomorrow.

Advt. Art Union with 200 tickets at 5/- each. 65 prizes from £5-10-0 down now exhibited at the Institute.

Advt. Temperance Lecture at the Institute, 15 October, by Mr Matthew Burnett.

Editorial on Payment of Members and Taxation.

Cricket. Burra Muff Cricket Club has elected W.H. Rosman as Captain, D.S. Packard as Vice-Captain, and H.T.H. Morris as Secretary.

Danger. The dangers of dropping orange peel on the footpath are pointed out.

Early Closing. Shop assistants met at the Institute last Wednesday to support early closing. They are seeking 6 p.m. closing on Saturdays.

Obituary. John Roach JP died last Monday at Aberdeen. He was for many years a staunch supporter of the Wesleyan Church.

Burra Town Council

Council believes the solution to the road problem at Aberdeen is to open a continuation of Mill St through the Government Reserve.

Mr Powell of Clare has agreed to give the Corporation the block of land at Hampton through which it was desired to make a road.

SAMA has granted permission for the creek now occupying Chapel St to be diverted onto their allotment.

The Burra Conversazione is reported in 1 column. It ran for a week. [The report seems to imply that the telephones were operated between Burra and Clare - presumably making use of the telegraph lines.]

IV, 171, 7 October 1881, Page 3

The Burra Show was reported in the ‘Garden and Field’ as the best country show of sheep. Also the large number of horses were commented on, and the fowls were hardly beaten by the Poultry Society’s show in Adelaide. There were complaints though, that in some sections prizes were won that were merely bought by those entering them - this applied for example to some entries in the fruit, vegetables and flowers sections.

‘We say distinctly that is not honest.’ It is not within the spirit of the grant made by Parliament to include material from outside the district. This is fine for exhibits ‘not for competition’, but for such prizes ought not to be awarded.

Bible Reading. A contributor supplies a little less than 1⁄3 column article in support of ‘The Bible in State Schools Society’.

Cricket. On Saturday the Muffs v. Aberdeen match fell through as the Muffs were not able to play. There was a practice match instead.

IV, 172, 14 October 1881, Page 2

Notice. Owing to the death of John Roach, senior partner in J. Roach & Sons, Miller, Aberdeen, the partnership has been determined and the surviving partners, John Roach Jun. & Henry Roach will carry on as Roach Bros.

Advt. There will be a Grand Torchlight Demonstration on Saturday 15 October led by Mr Matthew Burnett the Social Reformer. Rechabites and other abstainers will assemble opposite the Institute and march around the town from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and then assemble for a mass meeting at the Institute. The Mayor, P. Lane, will welcome Mr Burnett, who will deliver his popular lecture ‘Pictures from Real Life’. The Burra Brass Band and Choir will provide the musical honours for the evening.

14 October, Mr Burnett will speak on ‘The Great Open-Air Preacher’ - outside Drew & Co. at 7 p.m. and at 7.3- p.m. in the Wesleyan Church: ‘A Solemn Question for Eternity’.

16 October, Mr Burnett will address the young in the Wesleyan Schoolroom ‘The Pale Horse and Its Rider’.

17 October, Mr Burnett will conduct a Mothers’ Meeting on ‘Illustrious Women’

Obituary. 4 October at Aberdeen, John Roach aged 61, of hydatid of the lungs.

Obituary. 9 October at Redruth, Frederick Vollmer, baker, aged 58, a colonist of 32 years.

Editorial on the ‘Garden and Field’ article on the Burra Show. While not agreeing that there has been any misuse of Government grants, the editor does support the general principle of the article. He also thinks it is about time the Show Society developed its own grounds because the English & Australian Copper Co.’s site could at any moment become unavailable. In any case the yards are remote from the town and are divided rather awkwardly. Perhaps the proposed recreation ground is a solution.

Aberdeen/Redruth Post Office. No sum has been placed on the estimates for a PO at the northern end of the town.

Redruth Band of Hope intends to hold a sports day on 1 January 1882, followed by tea and a soiree. Due to the insulting behaviour of some strangers at meetings the police have been asked to look in.

Mr Burnett’s Crusade is under way and from last Sunday he is holding daily prayer meetings at 6.30 a.m. and at 12 noon, with an outdoor service at 7 p.m. followed by an indoor one at 7.30 p.m. Rain prevented the outdoor services on Monday and Wednesday.

The Conversazione. Further details are reported.

Redruth Court.

In the course of a ‘drunk in public place’ case Dr Sangster complained of convalescent patients from the hospital going down to hotels and then returning to disturb other patients - this even happened on Sundays when the hotels were supposed to be closed.

Thomas Richards and W.L.H. Bruse were each fined 5/- for stray cattle.

Garrett Barrow was fined 5/- for riding on a footpath.

IV, 172, 14 October 1881, Page 3

Dr Brummitt, President of the Institute writes thanking all who contributed to the success of the Conversazione and revealing that the nett proceeds amounted to £58.

Letter from ‘Unity’ in support of the early closing of shops. Mechanics leave work at 1 p.m. on Saturday, which gives shop assistants all the more cause for complaint. Where early closing is not employed a half-holiday during the week is common practice elsewhere. Wednesday afternoon being generally taken. Early closing would also reduce the opportunity for larrikins to make coarse remarks and reduce the tendency of the girls ‘who now do so, . . . to air their boldness under the glare of the lamps.’

IV, 173, 21 October 1881, Page 2

Editorial on the Bill to impose a 1⁄2d postage charge on newspapers.

2nd Leader on changes to the way education grants in SA were to be funded.

3rd Leader on the Bills before SA Parliament.

Copperhouse Sunday School Anniversary will be held on 9 October.

Mr Matthew Burnett has visited the Burra Hospital, the Koonoona shearing sheds and the Redruth Gaol (today). Not less than 400 can have signed the pledge since he arrived in town. On Sunday afternoon the three Methodist Sunday Schools met in the Wesleyan schoolroom to hear his address. His meetings and services have been crowded. All denominations have been attending. Nearly 100 persons also profess conversion.

IV, 173, 21 October 1881, Page 3

Burra Town Council

The Road Board has visited, but not announced its decision re Market St. The Council

is to be allowed to remove three panels of fence at the end of Fore St. The Board will lengthen the culvert near the railway gate.

Matthew Burnett at the Institute. The meeting is reported in 11⁄3 columns. While the procession went around the town the Institute was filled to capacity. The Rechabites and Band of Hope filled the platform and as many of the procession as possible crammed into the hall, but hundreds were turned away or crowded to hear under the windows. The hall held about 600 and about another 400 clustered outside. The mayor, P. Lane, was in the chair. A long list of ministers and others greeted Mr Burnett. He recounted the lives of some who had been converted: Big Ben the Cornish Wrestler, Little Johnny Paull the pugilist, Yankee Bill, the drunken Dr Mitchell, Dublin Sally, and others.

250 pledged, but from this must be deducted those previously pledged.

Redruth Court.

James Griffin was committed for trial charged with committing indecent assault on Matilda Gerard, aged 12, the daughter of John Gerard, farmer of Mongolata. The offence occurred on 15 October at Weston’s Creek near Mongolata P.O.

Daniel Sullivan was sentenced to two months for stealing the Children’s Hospital cash box from the bar of the Royal Exchange Hotel.

Alfred Schutz was fined £1 for using abusive language in Market Square on 19 October.

and £1 for refusing to leave the Royal Exchange Hotel when it closed on 20 October.

Cricket. Burra 133 defeated Aberdeen 26 & 49 (75)

IV, 174, 28 October 1881, Page 2

Advt. Austin, Davison & Jaffrey will hold their first sale on 2 November and thereafter on the 1st Wednesday in the month.

Advt. Burra Flower Show, Wednesday 16 November.

Advt. Burra Social Club will hold a grand concert 9 November.

Advt. The Hallett Institute Anniversary Athletics Sports and Entertainment ending with the farce ‘More Free Than Welcome’ will be held on 9 November. MOONLIGHT.

Birth. On 26 October at the Bank of Australasia, Kooringa, to the wife of James Hogg, a daughter. [Amy Francess]

Obituary. At Burra 22 October, George Webster, late of Forest Hotel, River Murray, aged 60.

Editorial on the painful occurrence in Parliament on Tuesday last when Mr Ward defied the speaker.

2nd Leader on an election of a representative to the Midland Road Board.

Mr Burnett gave his farewell address in the Wesleyan Church, Kooringa, last Friday. Up to that time 411 new signatures to the pledge had come forward and 124 converts to the church. Both numbers have since risen - the converts to 142 and those pledged to an unknown extent.

Confirmations. The Lord Bishop of Perth, Dr Parry, will visit St Mary’s on 1 November for the purpose of confirmation. This is due to the illness of the Bishop of Adelaide and his pending formal resignation.

Mr Ward. There is a report of Mr Ward’s behaviour in Parliament in column 7. His speech on the second reading of the Crown Lands Bill was much interrupted by members of the Government and others and he replied rather hotly, was asked to withdraw offensive remarks, refused, was named, given the right to make an explanation, declined, and was removed by the sergeant-at-arms. The House voted not to allow him to speak again till he had apologised for his conduct. On Wednesday he withdrew the offending words and gave a ‘lame’ explanation.

IV, 174, 28 October 1881, Page 3

Aberdeen Municipal Election Meeting. About 20 attended.

Cr Dunstan has declined to stand again.

Cr Rabbich was thanked for his service.

Mr M. Rayner was then recommended for the position in North Ward.

He accepted the nomination and said he supported tree planting and opposed any local impost on stock sales that would hamper them, but thought that 1⁄4d a head for sheep, with a discount for large numbers, 3d a head for cattle and 6d a head for horses, would not be a burden. Funds should be spent where most needed even irrespective of ward boundaries.

Mr Rayner then took the chair and J.D. Cave moved thanks to Mr Lane as retiring Mayor.

Redruth Court, 26 October

Skewes 5/- for no light on his vehicle

C. Lowe 5/- + 5/- for stray horses

A. Miller 10/- + 5/- for stray pigs

Lucy Gurney 5/- for stray pigs

Henry Pearce 14/- + 15/6 for stray cattle at Baldina

Saddleworth Show is reported in 11⁄2 columns.

Letters

From ‘A Member’ complains about the offensive behaviour of others at the Institute. Much of his annoyance seems to come from the affectations of those strutting and mincing around, displaying themselves and their personal ornaments, but he also takes offence at those who place their feet on tables and chairs.

From ‘Onlooker’ re a dispute between the Muffs and the Aberdeen cricketers. Apparently the captain of the Muffs objected to playing against any but members of the Aberdeen club. Aberdeen had ten bona fide members and a substitute and the members of the match committee felt this to be justifiable. The Muffs after all had one member who last season played for Aberdeen and had not yet tendered his resignation. Surely this made matters pretty even. The Aberdeen captain offered to ask his substitute to withdraw if the Muffs would remove their illegitimate member, but they refused.

Cricket. Serjeant Buzfuz, in his cricket notes, says the Aberdeen team had Herbert and Butterworth from the Burra team in their side. [‘Onlooker ‘ disputes this, regarding Herbert as a genuine Aberdeen player this season.] Buzfuz says there are no rules preventing a person from being in more than one club anyway, and such is common in Adelaide.

IV, 175, 4 November 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Social Club Grand Concert at the Institute 9 November.

[The program as printed shows 3 piano pieces, 13 songs and 1 reading.]

Advt. Program printed for the Hallett Institute Anniversary Athletic sports, Dinner & Entertainment on the Public Holiday, 9 November.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 6 & 9 November. Rev. James Bickford and Rev. W.A. Bainger will preach and the service of song will be ‘Samuel’.

Notice. Benjamin Preece has sold his blacksmith and wheelwright business at Aberdeen to James Couch and Benjamin Arthur Preece.

Notice. The partnership of Blakeney Carter & Arthur F. Akhurst, solicitors at Clare and Kooringa is dissolved from 31 October 1881. Arthur F. Akhurst will carry on alone at Kooringa.

Advt. The Northern Gem Photographic Co. have erected their studio in Henderson’s Machine Yards, Kooringa. Instantaneous Gem Portraits 5/- per dozen, finished and delivered in 15 minutes.

Also ordinary photographic work, Cartes Visite 10/- per dozen, Enlarged Photos from £1.

W.C. Dunden, Manager.

Editorial on the Municipal Election Meeting at Kooringa on Tuesday last.

The meeting was a miserable failure as the candidates appear to have no opinions, though some said what they would not support and these the only practical things suggested.

They oppose a loan and yet there are several important things that need doing apart from the badly needed survey of the town.

A bridge is needed in Chapel St.

A footpath from Aberdeen to Kooringa is needed

The making of the very bad piece of road past Mr Fuss’s garden in Llwchwr is needed. [The road to Hampton]

2nd Leader on current activity in the SA Parliament.

Baldina School. The Government intends to build a schoolroom for Baldina at a cost of £450, at once.

Porter’s Lagoon is currently the home of vast quantities of swans, geese and ducks of many kinds.

Burra Town Council decided on Tuesday to choose a block of seven acres on the rise to the east of the sheep yards for development as a recreation ground. SAMA is expected to hand it over to be fenced and planted.

Wesleyan Foreign Mission’s Rev. F. Langham has been in town for the past week preaching in aid of the missions. He has been 23 years in Fiji. On Wednesday a united service was held in the Bible Christian Church.

Redruth Court

Fines of 5/- each were imposed for stray cattle on: J. Burrows, J. Tiver, F. Bromley, W. Bentley, & J. O’Brien.

Dixon sued Brame alias Brown for assault at a rabbit camp at Baldina. Brame/Brown pleaded guilty and chose 7 days instead of paying a fine of £1 + £1-18-6 costs.

IV, 175, 4 November 1881, Page 3

Municipal Election Meeting, at the Institute last Tuesday. The attendance was small and the Mayor, P. Lane, took the chair.

Mr Lockyer presented himself for mayor. He felt the town should be surveyed, which would cost £400-£500. A footbridge was needed opposite the Model School. He did not think they could bear the interest on a loan for £1,000.

Mr Henderson offered himself for Middle Ward. He favoured a bridge to the school. Had no opinion on the Smelts Road, favoured a Chapel St Bridge before a Kangaroo St Bridge and was not for a tree rate nor a footpath to Aberdeen.

Mr Geake offered himself for either South or Middle Ward. He was against a school bridge, but for one in Chapel St. Was not for a Kangaroo St Bridge until the dangerous south end of the street had been attended to.

T.W. Pearce offered for South Ward. He was not for the footpath to Aberdeen, nor for a town survey. He did favour a bridge in Chapel St.

Cr Sampson was for the Chapel St Bridge, a loan of £1,000, a footpath to Aberdeen and a town survey.

Burra Town Council

Footbridges in the North Ward have been painted and tarred.

Sheet piling at the White Hart Ford is to be tarred.

A pump has been ordered from Clark & Sons for the Market Square well at a cost of £24, fixed in position.

Cricket. Saturday, Burra, 119 defeated Muffs, 25 (7 of the men being ducks’ eggs)

Parks got 5 wickets for 6 runs and Herbert 4 for 10.

Muffs second innings 46 for 5 wickets.

IV, 176, 11 November 1881, Page 2

Editorial on Burra Stock Sales

Stock markets here have grown rapidly in the past five years. The farmers have had to contend with rabbits, droughts etc., but we look forward to a time when farmers in the East ‘instead of having to keep their farms by dint of wood and wool carting may be kept by their farms, and then the Burra will reap the benefit of that extension of settlement which as yet has only little more than promised profit.’

Our merchants are still doing a large business trading with the stations in the NE of SA and far into NSW, receiving wood [sic, but perhaps wool?] and despatching stores. They have also established trade with Mt Brown Gold Mining Districts and hope for business at Waukaringa.

A few years ago the regular monthly sales at Burra were of little importance - a few horses, second hand vehicles, implements etc., cows and the odd lot of sheep. Now sales are held at least at least three times a month and it is not unusual for 25,000 sheep to be catalogued in one sale and the numbers of cattle and horses are also large. Stock comes from over the border and all parts of SA. The tradespeople reap the most direct advantage. It is in the town’s interest to place no obstacles in the way of this trade, but some think the town should obtain some revenue from this source.

The Corporation could erect sale yards and then prohibit the sale of stock elsewhere, but the sales could then just as easily be held just beyond the town limits leaving grass to grow in the yards belonging to the ratepayers. The trade could also be drawn to other centres. At a conference between the Council and Stock Agents the latter have agreed to pay a fixed sum per annum so as to avoid future agitation on the question. We are glad the matter has been settled and though the salesmen cannot be compelled to pay anything, they have volunteered to do so.

Bishop Short formally announced his resignation from the see last Tuesday after 34 years in office.

The Midland Road Board has decided to require the Town Council to give them 200 yards of 21⁄2” metal for the maintenance of Market St.

British & Foreign Bible Society annual meeting, last Monday in the Institute. Attendance was miserable small. The Mayor took the chair and Rev. T.B. Tress from Sydney gave the address. Elections: P. Lane, President & Treasurer; Dr Stephens, Vice-President; T. Edwards, Secretary.

State Aid. Catholic parents have petitioned Parliament against the present system of education.

Burra Social Club. Their concert was good and had a very fair attendance.

Redruth Sunday School Anniversary went off well, but the public tea was only fairly attended. The school is increasing in spite of many removals. Hope was expressed that a schoolroom might be built.

Notice. I will not be answerable for any debts my wife, Johannah Kemp, may contract from this date. Frederick Kemp, Hampton Nov. 10.

[See next issue for response.]

IV, 176, 11 November 1881, Page 3

Redruth Court

There is a one column report of the case of William Lord v. John Barratt for assault. [Lord, who describes himself as a miner, said he normally earned £3 a week and got 30/- from the lodge when hurt.] The Bench found for the plaintiff, but as there had been provocation the fine was £13, which would only cover the cost of the action.

James Mayger was fined £5 for obtaining liquor during prohibited hours by claiming to be a bona fide traveller. [From John Calloway of The Pig and Whistle.]

Cricket. Saturday, The newly formed Burra Cricketing Association had a match of its first 12 v. its second 18. By 12.30 10 of the 12 and 13 of the 18 were present and the game started. The ‘Twelve’, 87 defeated the ‘Eighteen’, 81.

Burra True Blues played the Terowie Young Australians at Terowie.

Young Australians 61 & 72 (133)

True Blues 60 & 80 for 4 wickets.

[Though it doesn’t seem to accord with these figures, the report says that the True Blues needed 80 to win and did so with 6 wickets to spare.]

IV, 177, 18 November 1881, Page 2

Notice. The following will close their establishments on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. from 2 November 1881.

Samuel Drew & Co J. & E. Hosking T. Edwards

J. A. Watt Richard Ward Thomas Parks

James E. Dow William Geake William Anderson

John Kelly J.T. Walker J.C. Collins

A. Topperwein J. Roberts

Assistants offer sincere thanks to the above and to Messrs Pearse & Son, C.C. Williams and W. Lasscock.

Advt. New Line of Cabs. Donald Morrison has taken the livery and bait stables at the rear of the Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen and runs cabs regularly between the railway station and all parts of Aberdeen, Redruth and Kooringa. Horses and traps on hire.

Advt. Excellent views of the overland route from England to America will be shown by means of a very fine Sciopticon at the Old Church of England, next Thursday. The camera throws a picture 10’ in diameter.

Seats 1/- and 6d, in aid of St Mary’s Sunday School.

Notice. The advertisement that was in the paper last week about my wife stopping her credit was wrongfully inserted by Mrs Blott, of Kooringa, for which slander my wife will take law proceedings. Frederick Kemp, Hampton.

Birth: To the wife of A.H. Forder on 16 November at Daisy Farm, Redruth, a daughter. [Rosalie Ethel May Forder]

Editorial, on the Saleyards Question.

Contrary to advice last week we are informed that no agreement has been reached with the salesmen. They do not agree to pay the reported sums of £30 for sheep yards, £20 for Richardson’s Yards and £10 for the Aberdeen Yards. The Mayor had reported theses sums as agreed and the Council then accepted such an agreement. But it now appears that at the conference the matter was passed with only two of seven voting in favour and four abstaining. The matter is to be embodied in a by-law, but under the circumstances we cannot endorse it. Of course it may be revised before the by-law is passed.

2nd Leader on the conflict with the Road Board re Market St. The Board admit the road is very greatly improved and don’t pretend it was in good repair at the start, but insist on their surveyor being satisfied. The Council has now agreed to spend another £30 on a road that has already swallowed too much. They gave in because of the power of the Board - it is too hard to fight them even when they are absolutely unfair and the Council in the right.

Municipal Election. Mr Lockyer resigned his seat for Middle Ward last Monday, 14 November, in order to stand for Mayor.

Transcontinental Railway. It is reported that a group of London capitalists wants to build a railway to Port Darwin on the land-grant principle.

Flower Show. The 3rd annual Burra Floricultural Society Show was held at the Institute last Wednesday.

Flower Show (Continued). The numbers growing flowers in Burra have increased greatly over the last three years. We urge more growers to enter future shows.

[The list of winners suggests a rather upper class bias in flower growers with the recurring names dominated by A. Loutit, Dr Brummitt, D.S. Packard, F.W. Holder, C. Oppermann, J.D. Cave, Captain Killicoat & W. Pearce.]

[Personal interest:

3 plants of any kind in pots J. Rumball 2nd

3 everlasting flowers J. Rumball 2nd (no 1st)

Bouquet for table J. Rumball 3rd

Bouquet of native flowers J. Rumball 2nd]

Burra Town Council

Cr Dunstan moved the Council supply the 200 yds of 21⁄2” metal demanded by the Road Board as it would cost £30 and be cheaper than fighting the issue in court. Crs Rabbich and Sampson tried to negate the move, but the motion was carried by one vote.

Cabstands have been established in Young St, opposite Mr Tiver’s store, facing south, and in Market Square, opposite the printing office, facing north, one chain from the kerbing.

Cr Lockyer’s resignation was accepted and the usual fine waived.

IV, 177, 18 November 1881, Page 3

Redruth Court 14 November

James Johnson & Barbara Marshall were sent for trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of stealing a cheque worth £1-19-10 from T. Slater, a shearer, at the Commercial Hotel.

Letter. ‘Observer’ writes in disgust, that members of the Burra Brass Band who had played at the Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School picnic on 9 November, free of charge, were given no refreshments and asked to pay for some tea when they required it. This, even though they had agreed to play only if treated better than in 1880.

1848 Burra Flood. Some doggerel on this flood by an old Burraite is printed.

Cricket. The full scores of the Terowie game of 9 November are printed

Terowie Young Australians 61 & 70 [139] [Though the individual scores seem to add up to 75 in the second innings to give 135]

Burra True Blues 60 & 79 for 4 wickets [139] [Which fits in with Terowie getting 135 if the last hit for the True Blues scored 4.]

IV, 178, 25 November 1881, Page 2

Municipal Elections: Nominations for 1882

Mayor Edward Catchlove Lockyer

North Ward Thomas Hastie

Morris Rayner

Middle Ward William Geake

William Henderson

South Ward Thomas Whitney Pearce

Richard Ward

Middle Ward William Geake

Extraordinary Vacancy William Henderson

William Pearce Jun.

Editorial on Our Railway System

On Tuesday the line to Orroroo was opened. Now almost all the land within the 10” rainfall line has been taken up and railways extended through it. How are the railways calculated to serve the country and what extensions are demanded and to what end?

Mt Gambier and surrounding lines are in good country and capable of extensive expansion with connection to Victorian lines.

The Nairne line is to be connected to the Pt Victor and Milang lines and ultimately become the intercolonial link.

The Great Northern and North Western System with the main line to Farina [to continue to Hergott Springs] with a western branch to Pt Pirie and from Hamley Bridge to Blyth and Kadina with connections from Roseworthy to Morgan and with Port Adelaide.

The first two systems we look complacently at. They will accomplish their aims and extension with profit is possible. The third system however, shows terrible uncertainty as to routes, gauges and purpose - a result of its piecemeal accumulation. The gauge problem will have to be resolved at great cost at some time and yet both continue to be built. In country like ours, which is generally fairly flat the savings on the narrow gauge are really a trifle. The Jamestown-Petersburg line serves neither the area straight across to Ulooloo or Yarcowie, nor goes far enough north to serve the extensive areas near Orroroo. Much thought is needed for any extensions, but the following lines are worthy of consideration.

Blyth-Crystal Brook

Gladstone-Wirrabara

Eudunda or Burra-Eastern Plains

Terowie or Petersburg-The Barrier

Nairne-Victoria

The transcontinental Line [i.e. to Pt Darwin]

New Train Timetable

To Adelaide 0810 and 1710

From Adelaide 1148 and 2133

Trains for the north leave 10 minutes after they arrive in Burra.

St Mary’s Sunday School annual picnic was held at Princess Royal on Tuesday with an entertainment afterwards in the Old Church.

St Joseph’s Bazaar was held in the Institute Monday to Wednesday last. We believe the nett proceeds were c. £130, in aid of the building fund of the new convent school, which is in the course of erection.

The Orroroo Railway was opened last Tuesday. A special train left Adelaide at 0630 and reached Burra at 1030, carrying the Governor [Sir William Jervois] and MPs. They transferred to the narrow gauge at Terowie and reached Orroroo c. 1400, where a crowd of c. 1,500 had assembled. After a banquet at the Institute, the official party started back c. 1600.

Redruth Court, 14 November.

Michael Ryan Trotting his water-cart 5/-

Charles Mann Trotting his cart 5/-

The following were all fined for owning straying animals in the town.

David Williams 5/-

Enoch Stephens 10/-

Evans Jones 10/-

Charles Lowe 25/-

D.J. O’Leary 10/-

W. Harris 5/-

Frank Ford £2

Morris Rayner 10/-

John Pearce 5/-

IV, 178, 25 November 1881, Page 3

Cricket. Saturday [Apparently played near Drew’s Store at New Aberdeen]

Aberdeen 114 played Muffs 63 & 54 (117)

A win to Aberdeen on the first innings.

IV, 179, 2 December 1881, Page 2

Advt. Opera at the Institute 10 December.

The Royal English Opera and Pinafore Company presents

The Grand Duchess of Geroldstein. [Offenbach, 1867]

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope will hold its picnic in the Police Paddock, Redruth, on New Year’s Day.

Obituary. William Herchausen [sic] aged 22, second son of William and Augusta Herchausen, died on 29 November at Millerton. [Registered as born William Hershausn 20 May 1860.]

Editorial on The Town Council.

Over the last 12 months we protested against the folly of work in Fore St where £50 is wasted before roadwork begins. The same money spent on Sancreed St would give a more direct and better approach to Redruth Hill. We objected to the footbridge in Chapel St, where a proper traffic bridge should soon be built. We were against taxing the stock sales.

But on the other side there have been splendid improvements in Commercial St, Market Square, the footways in Morehead St and satisfactory work on the Hampton Rd. The inauguration of tree planting, kerbing and watertabling in Commercial St and Market Square is a good start on what must be extended to other streets. Several much needed by-laws have been passed. The tube well in Market Square will soon have its pump and troughs and become of practical value, and a seven acre recreation ground has been obtained for Kooringa. In all the Council are worthy of ‘the gratitude and kindly remembrance of the inhabitants.’

The Inspectorship. Mr Gray has resigned as inspector under The Board of Health and of Weights & Measures etc. and in that we lose a good servant, who gave many years to a most difficult task, acting without fear or favour and without officiousness. We rely on such vigilance in a town where the water supply is from wells and the only receptacles for drainage in many places are blind creeks in the midst of houses.

Burra Burra Lodge IOR revealed a loss for the year of £11-8-0, due to an increase in sick pay of £5-6-8 combined with a drop in contributions of £40-11-10 and a fall in interest of £50-12-6. Despite this the total worth of funds was £5,462-13-11 compared with £5,257-16-0 at the same time last year.

Mr M. Burnett will return to Burra on Thursday, this time to concentrate his efforts on Aberdeen and Redruth.

Burra Town Council, Monday last.

SAMA notified it would grant the recreation ground subject to conditions.

The inspector’s resignation was accepted.

Special Meeting, Thursday.

The new Council was sworn in, and an extraordinary election for Middle Ward arranged.

Jeffrey Pearse issued a summons for £70 for extra work on the Market St contract. Council will repudiate all liability.

Municipal Election Results.

North Ward Rayner 35

Hastie 23

Middle Ward Geake 27

Henderson 19

Middle Ward Geake 19

Extraordinary Henderson 12

Pearce 11

South Ward Ward 52

Pearce 31

Having won both the ordinary and extraordinary election for Middle Ward, Mr Geake resigned the extraordinary vacancy for which there will now be a supplementary election. Nominations for this close on 10 December, with the election, if required, on 17 December.

Burra Town Council, 14 November

SAMA will grant the Council the recreation ground on condition that it be fenced and planted within two years and always remains a public recreation ground.

Plans were laid on the table for additions to Fore St and of Bewley’s Road.

The proposed by-law for licence fees for the saleyards was laid on the table.

Cab fares were also laid on the table till next meeting. Proposed fares are: -

Day Sunset to 10.30 p.m.

Station to Aberdeen stand 3d 6d

Station to Kooringa stand 6d 6d

Station to beyond either stand 6d 1/-

After 10.30 p.m. all fares are doubled.

IV, 179, 2 December 1881, Page 3

Cricket, Saturday. Burra 91 defeated Aberdeen 43.

IV, 180, 9 December 1881, Page 2

Notice. The sale of the assigned estate of John Pearce of Aberdeen. The mortgagees force the sale of allotments 79, 80 and 81 of Aberdeen together with a six-roomed stone house, workshop, etc. and also a portion of allotment 54 in the Township of Lancelot.

Also household effects. Sale by Austin, Davison & Jaffrey.

Notice. For sale in the Township of Millerton, in the estate of C. Tiver, deceased, a five-roomed house on allotment 191 and allotments 168, 170 & 190.

The Inspectorship. Applications called to fill the vacancy. Salary £80 p.a.

Advt. Charles Schutz requests continued patronage for his ‘Old Line of Cabs’

Burra Livery and Bait Stables, Commercial St.

Advt. Mr Matthew Burnett will hold a Grand Temperance Demonstration in the Redruth Wesleyan Church 10 December. A Procession of Rechabites and other Temperance Workers with the Redruth Band of Hope, will be led by the Aberdeen Brass Band.

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Anniversary, 11 December. Matthew Burnett will preach with Rev. J. Pearce and Mrs Pearce. Tea Meeting Monday.

Editorial on Burra Model School.

The editor is in favour of inspection and examination as long as the latter elicits the true knowledge of the pupils and not merely an ability to answer in parrot fashion. Standards must be the same across the various inspectors and cramming for exams must be deplored. The recent % gained at the Model School is higher than ever. The staff is still below the number that regulations suggest and this should be remedied. During the year five pupil- teachers went for examination and of them three gained 1st class passes and one a 2nd class pass, while one failed.

Obituary. On Tuesday Robert Stark of Copperhouse was kicked in the head by an entire horse and died the following day from a fractured skull. No inquest was deemed necessary. [Died 7 December, aged 52.]

Burra Town Council met on Monday.

Salaries were set as for last year. The resignation of Mr J.R. Gray, as inspector, was accepted. Applications were called for a replacement.

The services of Mr Stock will be obtained to assist Mr Packard in the case of Pearse v. The Corporation.

IV, 180, 9 December 1881, Page 3

School Examination. Samples of questions set are printed.

Cricket. Last week the Association match Muffs v. True Blues was forfeited by the True Blues, who had arranged to play the Terowie Young Australians.

Terowie young Australians 78 & 42 for 1 (120) defeated

True Blues 61 & 58 (119)

IV, 181, 16 December 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Amateur Dramatic Co. presents 21 December, The Grand Sensational Drama in Two Acts, Milky White.

Obituary. At Kooringa on 7 December, William Sullivan, aged 57, leaving a wife and 5 children.

Obituary. At Redruth on 13 December, Devereux Spencer Packard, infant son of D. Spencer Packard. [Born 18 August 1881]

Election Result for Middle Ward Extraordinary Vacancy, W. Lasscock, unopposed.

Referendum. Overwhelming support for the continuation of King William St through Victoria Square in Adelaide.

Pearse v. Burra Corporation. The verdict has been for the corporation. Pearse had claimed £70 for extra work as he claimed that changes were made during the work which reduced the amount of soil from the excavation and forced him to cart in 1,200 yds3 from elsewhere. The council in defence showed that the excavation would have cost more than carting in the extra filling.

Entertainment. The Walker Family of Bellringers gave a first class entertainment last Tuesday at the Institute. The family comprises a father and five sons with a string and brass band. They play bells after the style of the Lynch Family. The program included songs and dances and the hall was well filled.

Mr Matthew Burnett’s Temperance Demonstration was largely attended and about 50 names were added to the temperance roll.

Redruth Local Court, 14 December.

Details are given of the Pearse v. Burra Corporation case.

Brett v. Gully and Gully v. Brett.

These were cross actions for assault. Gully was fined £5 or 1 month.

Brett was fined 5/- + £1 costs, or 7 days.

IV, 181, 16 December 1881, Page 3

School Examination. The balance of the exam questions are printed.

Cricket. Burra v. Manoora at Manoora.

On Saturday when the passenger train pulled in only 7 players had arrived so it was decided not to go, but by the time of the luggage train 9 had arrived and so they went south to play. The paddock was a longish step from the station, through a paddock of bullocks and the pitch was rather higher at one end. In the end Manoora 169 defeated Burra 58 & 47 (105)

IV, 182, 23 December 1881, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 1 January. Rev. C. Lane will preach and the Service of Song will be Elijah.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary, 25 & 26 December, Revs J. Pearce and A.J. Burt will preach.

Advt. Hospital Sunday Services will be held in Kooringa Wesleyan Church, 25 December in the morning and at Redruth in the evening.

Market Square Well. From 1 January watermen carrying water for sale will be charged £3 p.a. and private persons for personal use will be charged £1 p.a. (Fees paid in advance.) Water in the trough, etc. is free.

Obituary. On 14 December at Kooringa, Caroline Davey, Wife of Richard Jenkin Davey, and daughter of the late Samuel Moon Shipton of Mallett, Somersetshire, England, aged 58.

Editorial on Christmas

The usual feelings of goodwill and a time to remember the poor - especially in England where ‘the miseries of poverty are felt as we do not know them here.’ Nevertheless there are many not so well off as those who will read these words etc. . . .

The editor also felt that they all lived in a rapidly changing world.

The Inspectorship. John Dow has been appointed inspector.

Mr Burnett, who has been conducting evangelical services at Aberdeen and Redruth for the past fortnight has now left after a farewell service in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church last night.

Market Square Well. Troughs have now been fixed and the Council have passed the pump conditional upon the supply of another handle and some extra piping. Water from the troughs or for people drawing it by the bucket is free.

P. Lane. A meeting is called for 5 p.m. tomorrow to decide upon an appropriate way to thank Mr P. Lane for his two years as Mayor of Burra.

Burra Amateur Dramatic Co.’s presentation of, Milky White played to a very fair house and was creditably done. We understand the proceeds were about £7.

Rabbits. Phosphorized wheat is being developed to kill rabbits.

Matthew Burnett held a Grand Temperance Demonstration at the Burra Institute last Saturday, preceded by a procession of Rechabites, Bands of Hope Members and the Aberdeen Brass Band. The Institute was crowded with standing room taken up. Captain Killicoat was unavoidably absent so the chair was taken by Rev. J. Bickford. F.W. Holder congratulated Mr Burnett on so far having gained over 500 signatures to the pledge (after adjustments for double signings). He called for the establishment of a Total Abstinence Society. Revs. J. Pearce, A.J. Birt and W.A. Bainger spoke in support. At the end of the night the number pledging had risen to over 700.

Rainfall to 16 December has been 16.573” in Kooringa - last year’s total was 21.145”.

Rev. J.G. Wright has accepted an invitation to the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church circuit for next year.

Burra Town Council.

The mayor (E.C. Lockyer) reported that the condition of the Market Square pump was unsatisfactory and hoped that the Public Works Committee would attend to it.

Letter from C.P.J. of Aberdeen re Sabbath breaking - some man ‘or something resembling one’, is repairing the fences where his cattle are kept, on a Sunday! ‘such a state of things ought not to be allowed to exist in Burra.’

IV, 182, 23 December 1881, Page 3

Cricket. 17 December, Brewery Flat

Burra 100 defeated Muffs 43.

Women’s Roles. A reprinted article from The World predicted that the coming trend of women pushing their ways into the professions would surely mean that ‘they will take to the solace of smoking.’ Overall the writer seemed quite complacent about the coming changes.

IV, 183, 30 December 1881, Page 2

Advt. Burra Races 2 January 1882, on the Old Course in Mr Duff’s Paddock.

Advt. Burra Institute, 2 January. A repeat performance of Milky White.

Advt. 2 January, Redruth Band of Hope, Grand Temperance Demonstration. A procession of Redruth, Copperhouse and Kooringa Bands of Hope will go from the German Chapel at 1 p.m. and there will be games on the adjacent grounds in the afternoon. Tea at 4 p.m. (1/-) and a meeting at 7 p.m.

Advt. The Wheeler Troupe will appear at the Institute 5, 6 & 7 January 1882 with a New Entertainment - The Great Hibernian and the laughable comedy, The Tourist Abroad. Songs, dances, trios, choruses etc. 3/- & 2/-.

Obituary. On 26 December, of diarrhoea, Foster James Brady, aged 5 months, son of E.F. & H.A. Brady.

[Born 26 July 1881]

Editorial on the Distressed Selectors. The failure of the crops in the north and north-east, beyond Goyder’s Line, now shows the controversial line ‘is pretty accurately laid down’, there may be plenty of good land beyond it, but the rainfall is so uncertain that it is in no one’s interest for it to be thrown open to settlement. We must face that our agriculture can no longer be extended. There must be ‘a turning back of the tide of settlement’. As for those who have been lured into such settlements ‘no temporary assistance or partial relief will do more than delay the evil day, and that nothing short of cancelling the agreements will do.

The Government will lose their money and the selector will be able, without another year’s delay to begin in some more fortunate locality to regain lost ground.’

2nd Leader on The Burra Hospital - one of the most useful of local institutions and open to the whole of the north and north-eastern districts. Although a public hospital, it gets some £200 p.a. from subscriptions. The costs for 1881 have been only c. 3/6 per head of patients - made possible by the doctors [Brummitt & Sangster] not charging for attendance. This saves the Government £500 p.a. for which the whole district owes them a debt of gratitude.

Christmas. The town was very lively on Saturday evening and brisk trading was done until closing time. Shops were bright with lights. On Monday all was very quiet with many leaving for a change of air and even the cricket drew only a small crowd. The Primitive Methodist tea meeting was well attended. Tuesday and Wednesday were also holidays though a few businesses opened on Wednesday. The weather was good until Wednesday when heat and a dust storm was experienced until a change arrived.

Point Macleay. There is a one column article on a visit to this Mission Station.

IV, 183, 30 December 1881, Page 3

Cricket at Brewery Flat last Monday.

True Blues 150 defeated Aberdeen Juniors 38 & 98 (136)

Also on Monday near Drew & Co.’s store at Aberdeen

Aberdeen 54 defeated Saddleworth

Characteristics of the 1881 paper.

Page 1.

Full of large and small advertisements of mixed local and non-local origin.

Page 2.

Smaller advertisements , classified type entries and in particular advertisements relating to sales of stock, land, farming equipment and contents of homes. Public notices relating to Councils, churches, Government agencies and entertainment are common. Editorials are followed by general and local news.

Page 3.

Continuation of local and other news with a column or two of smaller advertisements.

Page 4.

Advertising: some local in origin, but much not, and patent medicines are significant.

All in all there is a good coverage of local news in considerable detail.

Numbering of issues

1881 began with Volume IV, Number 132 on 7 January 1881

and ran to

Volume IV, Number 183 on 30 December 1881.

IV, 184, 6 January 1882, Page 1

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers & Valuators, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

J. Roach Burra Mill, Corn Dealer

AMP Agent, A.H. Forder

South British Fire Insurance Agent, F.W. Holder

Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor etc.

Arthur Akhurst Solicitor, Notary Public, Institute Building, Kooringa

John D. Cave All business under the RPA

Agent for Eagle Life Insurance

Agent for Cornwall Fire Insurance Co.

Austin, Davison & Jaffrey Auctioneers, Stock and Station Salesmen, Commission Agents etc.

W.H. Pearce Galvanised Iron and Tinplate Worker, Commercial St

James E. Doe Hairdresser & Tobacconist, Market Square

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker, Jeweller, nearly opposite Commercial Hotel

T.W. Wilkinson Phosphorus Supplier, Dispensary, Kooringa

J. Rule Coach Builder, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Aberdeen

W. Symons New Shop near the Record Office, Market Square

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker, Aberdeen

G. & W. Sara & Dunstan Builders, Timber & Iron Merchants, Burra & Terowie

Timber Yards, Steam Saw Mills, Aberdeen & Terowie

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

W. Lasscock (Late H. Dawson) Saddler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

Charles C. Williams (Late William Builder) Ironmonger & Tinsmith, Kooringa

W. Anderson Wholesale & Retail Boot & Shoemaker, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Christmas & New Year Cards, Musical Instruments,

Toys, Fancy Goods, Paper Hangings, Paints, Oils &

Varnishes etc. Window Glass

Albert Topperwein Boot & Shoemaker, Market Square

Harry & Burns Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths, next to Commercial Hotel

A.H. Forder Agent for SA Insurance Co. Ltd

William Pearce Agent for National Mutual Life Association of Australia

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers at all stations on the Pt Pirie,

Orroroo & Terowie Railways & at Burra.

Alfred Hallett Chaff & Wood Store, Redruth & Aberdeen

J. & E. Hosking Drapers & Outfitters, Market Square

Thomas Parks Tea Merchant, Commercial St

W. Pearce Agent for National building Society

Mrs J. M. Rundle Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen

IV, 184, 6 January 1882, Page 2

Advertisements

Mrs S. Bock Fancy Goods etc., Market Square

IV, 184, 6 January 1882, Page 4

Advertisements

Charles Schutz Old Line of Cabs; Buses run every half hour,

Burra Livery & Bait Stables

F.W. Holder Standard Organs

S. Drew & Co. Agents for Taeping Mixture Tea

Bath & Pearce Agents for Taeping Mixture Tea

J. Snell Labour Registry Office and Temperance Hotel,

Market Square.

IV, 184, 6 January 1882, Page 2

Advt. Institute tonight & tomorrow night

The Wheeler Troupe: the Great Hibernicon and the laughable comedy:

The Tourist Abroad

Marriage. 31 December 1881

George Townsend of Princess Town and

Henrietta Crewes, formerly of Truro, Cornwall

Editorial on the New Year

He calls for SA to become more diversified and less reliant upon wheat. SA has now reached the limit of profitable agricultural expansion. We should turn to production of butter, cheese and bacon and the preserving of fruit, the growth of flax, and olives for oil, and to manufacturing and mining.

1882 opens with the promise of more mining activity at the Yorke’s Peninsula mines and gold finds at Echunga, Barossa, Ulooloo and Waukaringa. There are hopeful signs of coal near Salt Creek and at Kingsborough’s in the S.E. There are also possibilities of ostrich farming.

The Editor is amazed that such huge areas of land are devoted to TSRs in SA to encourage stock from Queensland and NSW to compete with SA producers and yet no import duty is charged (unlike NSW & Victoria).

Locally we hope the mine will reopen. We need a new railway station. The Council should also ensure the continued improvement of the town. He was in favour of borrowing to vastly improve the town. In the coming year a major effort will be the enclosing and planting of the recreation ground, granted by SAMA. There will be more tree planting.

We are glad to finally have a splendid water supply in Kooringa.

‘In all respects, commercially, socially and intellectually, we believe we are entering upon a prosperous new year.’

Rev. F. Richmond, who has taken charge of St Mary’s in the absence of Rev. H. Howitt, is about to move to Maitland and Rev. W. Marshall replaces him. Rev. Howitt is expected to return in September.

Professor A. Mitchell, an Aurist and Oculist, is visiting Burra.

Mr H. O. Hopkins comes to Burra as a teller for the National Bank, from Naracoorte. He is a keen cricketer.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School special services last Sunday were well attended and raised over £15.

Burra Amateur Dramatic Society gave a repeat of Milky White, which was well done, but poorly attended. The society handed over £10 from the two performances to the Institute, and fixtures and furniture worth another £10.

Bishop Short leaves today for England, having retired.

Burra Show Society has called a meeting for next Friday to consider a showground, as it is well to be prepared for the Smelting Yard becoming otherwise engaged.

The Wheeler Troupe is very favourably reviewed.

The Bands of Hope demonstration and picnic passed off very well and the sports and evening entertainment were well patronised.

The Races last Monday in Mr Duff’s paddock at Copperhouse were successful despite the short notice. [Results printed.]

Redruth Court, 4 January.

Mr Pearse sued Stewart McWaters for assault

The two are Baldina farmers and the fowls of one trespassed on the other’s wheat, which led to the assault. McWaters fined £1 + £1 fees.

Mr Wasp was fined £1 + 10/- costs or 7 days, for furious riding between Aberdeen and Kooringa. He took the latter option.

George Knevitt & J. Knevitt had obstructed the main road between Burra and Mt Bryan by not keeping their bullock teams on the near side. Fines: -

G. Knevitt £3 + £1 (as owner)

J. Knevitt £2 + £1

Cricket. Monday last, Burra 71 + 100

Oxford Association (from Adelaide) 149

A win to Oxford Assoc. on the first innings.

IV, 185, 13 January 1882, Page 2

Advt. For let, a four roomed stone house in Taylor St Aberdeen.

E. H. Benny, Butcher, Kooringa

Advt. E.H. Benny, butcher, Lower Thames St, has purchased the butchering business of F.E. Bromley.

Advt. W.H. Turner, boot & Shoe Maker has purchased the business of J. Roberts, opposite the Burra Hotel.

Schools Re-opening

F.R. White’s Commercial School 23 January

Miss Goss 16 January

Mrs J.H. Roe’s, Chapel St 17 January

Mrs G. Dawson 16 January

Editorial on the Burra Town Council

The town has of late been much improved and this has been effected by the expenditure of c. £1,000 p.a. The rates are about £600 and the Government subsidy of c. £600 less the police payment of £140 leaving about £1,060.

Current expenses are paid from dog fees, licences, fines etc., which leaves the rates for public works, which attract Government subsidy. This can never exceed the rates less the police payment. The regret is that the early years saw a squandering of the rates and the triumph of party and private spleen, which ultimately deprived the town of c. £1,500 in subsidy.

At present there exists a bonded debt of £200 and a bank debt of £700-£800. To pay this off would absorb over a year’s income and lose an equal amount of Government subsidy. This repayment should be deferred until the Government subsidy ceases when repayment will not involve loss of income. To do this the Corporation needs to issue bonds for £700-£800 repayable at say £200 p.a. commencing five years from the date of issue.

The Public Works Committee wishes to get desirable works done at once and have their convenience enjoyed. This would be a heavy burden for future ratepayers if the works were of other than a permanent nature, or if maintenance of them was likely to be expensive, but this is not so.

The proposal is for the expenditure of: -

£1,600 for roads

£400 for a complete town survey

£500 for enclosing, levelling and planting the Recreation Reserve

This would bring the total debt to £3,500 and deducting the probable income for 1882, to £2,500, which the Finance Committee is asked to suggest a way of raising.

We believe it can be done at 5-6% in bonds redeemable at £200 p.a. commencing in say 1886. The lack of a whole town survey is a serious disadvantage.

As for the £500 for the Reserve. This will not be supplemented by the Government so it would be foolish in the extreme to do it out of the ordinary rate.

Nor do we think it right to impose a special rate which would fall most heavily on the weekly tenants. The town will have to vote on this and we think the proposals will benefit all. Owners of property will see it increase in value; tenants will find an increased demand for labour and more money in circulation in the town.

Accident. Mr F.R. White was thrown from a trap near Morgan in the holidays and badly shaken.

Obituary. Mr Joseph Moulden Belcher, for many years post and telegraph master at Burra and who retired about a year ago, died 3 January in North Adelaide. He had a stroke some time ago and just before his death suffered two more. His eldest son is the post and telegraph master at Terowie.

[Aged 53.]

Burra Institute, Annual Meeting of Subscribers was unusually largely attended on Tuesday. Dr Brummitt presided. The debt at 1 January was £419-17-9 and at the end of the year £381-2-11 despite expenditure of £150 on the property. Entertainments and the Conversazione raised c. £60. A substantial claim for grant-in-aid funds will substantially reduce this debt. There are 107 subscribers, up 5 for the year.

Elected were: President, J.D. Cave; Vice President, T.W. Wilkinson; Treasurer, Mr Loutit; Secretary, F.W. Holder.

Redruth Court

Griffiths v. Uren for assault

The pair are neighbours at Cemetery Flat. The defendant assaulted the complainant by catching her by the hair and holding it on the ground to prevent her interfering with her husband who was fighting with the defendant’s paramour. Complainant also complained of continued verbal abuse as she passed the house.

Uren was jailed for 7 days in default of a fine of £1 + 10/- costs

Burra Town Council, 9 January.

There is a report printed of the works needing to be done in each ward.

Burra Life - A slightly oblique attack on some aspects of town life, which no doubt was clearer to the locals of the day.

It condemns the bad language from a skittle saloon, formerly a Blacksmith’s shop in Commercial St (‘on the lower side’).

Also there is reference to a lover’s land ‘up a secluded glen, once a well known road to a great mine, and nearly opposite to where now stands a large flour mill’

‘the sound of osculatory process came to my ear.’

IV, 185, 13 January 1882, Page 3

Cricket. There is a call to develop a cricket ground near the German Chapel, as flat areas in town are not common.

IV, 186, 20 January 1882, Page 2

Advt. John Sampson Jun. will conduct a clearing sale for Joseph Roberts who is leaving the district. On 26 January, on the premises at Mitchell’s Flat.

Editorial on The Burra Corporation Loan Scheme.

Issuing bonds now seems possible at 5% with the last bond payable 15 years from issue - saving 2% on the present bank rate of 7%. This will also avoid losing £600 of Government subsidy on this year’s rates. The proposed expenditure is generally well received. As for the £500 for the Recreation Ground, the Ornamental Grounds Bill will allow the Council to charge entrance fees on certain occasions and to charge the sporting associations and so a special rate is unlikely to be needed.

2nd Leader on the Baldina Farmers

The payments to Government and the cost of improvements have swallowed all the capital and in many cases have landed the holders of land deeply in debt to storekeepers and after five years of continuous labour the limit has been reached. Only where wool and wood carting has been used has the worst been avoided.

Year after year farmers have barely reaped the grain sown. To leave now means to leave everything and begin elsewhere as farm labourers. They are asking for the cultivation clause to be relaxed so that cultivation would be optional and for the remission of all interest and other payments for three years. Though easily applied this ‘solution’ can at best only delay matters for three years unless a change we have no reason to expect comes over the area of the East and North-East Plains. We would not deny them their request, but trust the sale of such lands will cease and they will be left for more appropriate use instead of agriculture.

3rd Leader on the smallpox outbreak in Sydney and Port Phillip. The writer urges smallpox vaccination. The two patients in quarantine on Torrens Island are progressing.

Fire. Incendiarism is suspected in recent fires in the district (towards Terowie).

Mr Joseph Roberts, long in business in Market Square is about to leave for Port Augusta and the Burra Lodge is to present him with a testimonial. He will be missed, having been a town councillor and an enthusiastic supporter of the Bible Christian Church.

Baldina Farmers met at Mr Midwinter’s Hotel on Saturday afternoon 14 January and the gathering is reported at length. R. Klaebe in the chair. The prepared memorial is printed. Speakers included Dr. J.R. Stephens & Mr Linke.

Dr Stephens is to present the memorial to the Honourable the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Cricket. Aberdeen 148 defeated Muffs 40 & 40 for 6 wickets.

IV, 187, 27 January 1882, Page 2

Advt. On the premises, Grahamstown, opposite Roach’s Mill, John Sampson Jun. will sell on 2 February, the whole stock in trade with blacksmith’s and wheelwright’s tools for Joseph Boundey.

Advt. Bible Christian Church, Kooringa, 27 January.

Peter Campbell, the well-known bush missionary will give his celebrated extempore oration on Queen Alcohol: Empress of Death.

Notice. A Meeting of Ratepayers is called for 2 February to consider the desirability of authorising the Council of the Town of Burra to borrow £2,500 at 5% for:

Public Works & Repayment of Overdraft 1600

Survey of the Town 400

Enclosure and Improvement of Public Reserve 500

£2500

Obituary. 24 January, at Kooringa, Rosa May Lockyer, infant daughter of E.C. & M.J. Lockyer, aged 11 months. [Born Rosa Mary Lockyer 26 February 1881]

Obituary. 20 January, at Baldina, Mary Jane Dolman, only daughter of John & Elizabeth Dolman, aged 15 years [Born 20 June 1866: died aged 15]

Editorial on The Council Loan

The councillors are not unanimous re the Recreation Ground section of the proposal. North Ward councillors feel the ward will not benefit. This ward jealousy is disappointing. There are many reserves in the north and south parts of the town and the new one is the best that could be chosen and the idea of splitting the money for planting so some goes to old North Ward reserves is unfortunate.

Mr Joseph Roberts will be given a valedictory tea at the Bible Christian Schoolroom next Tuesday.

Accident. Mr Jaffrey was thrown from a trap near the railway crossing and dislocated a thigh. The horses bolted. Someone tried to stop them near the Bon Accord, but they ran onto a bank and threw all the occupants out: Mrs Jaffrey, another lady and two children - all of whom fortunately escaped with a shaking.

Mr Loutit, manager of the National Bank will move to Mt Gambier. He has been active on the Hospital Board, in the Institute and the Floricultural Society.

Burra Town Council. 23 January.

With minor changes the Council agreed to go to the ratepayers with a proposal to borrow £2,500. The Recreation Ground £500 to be repayable at £100 p.a. after 12 months and the remaining £2,000 being repayable at £200 p.a. beginning 12 months after the last of the Recreation Ground bonds.

Crs Rayner & Rabbich objected to the Recreation Ground bonds, but lost their motion.

IV, 188, 3 February 1882, Page 2

Advt. St Mary’s Harvest Thanksgiving 5 February. The Venerable Archdeacon Dove will preach.

Advt. Bible Christian Bazaar, 15 February.

Notice. A poll is called for 6 February on the following question:

That the Corporation be authorised to issue 5 per cent bonds to the amount of £2,500 made up as follows: - Repayment of Overdraft and New Works £1,600, Survey of the Town £400, Enclosure and Improvement of the New Public Recreation Ground £500.

Wesleyan Conference has placed Rev. S. Knight at Kooringa with Rev. W.A. Bainger. Rev. J. Bickford will go to Pt Adelaide. Rev. R.S. Casely succeeds Mr Knight at North Adelaide. Rev. R.W. Campbell goes to Jamestown.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands is to visit areas where complete crop failure has occurred.

The Season. Water is scarce around Burra and is being carted to some farms from Market Square. The corporation charge is 6d per 100 gallons.

Mr Roberts was bidden farewell in the Bible Christian Schoolroom on Tuesday. He is removing to Port Augusta. Tea preceded the presentation of a valuable writing case and inkstand from the Sunday School and church. The Oddfellows Lodge gave him a watch.

George Morris has confounded those doubting Burra’s ability to grow garden produce, having just gathered 56 lbs of fruit from a five-year-old apricot tree and 19 lb of greengage plums from a small tree.

Mr W. Lasscock is remodelling and improving his premises, formerly those of Henry Dawson.

Ratepayers’ Meeting, Institute, 2 February, to consider the proposed Council loan.

Cr Sampson moved approval and spoke to the necessity of each part of it. A main point is that unless the loan is taken out the Council will lose some £950 in Government subsidy in the next two years. The Town survey is needed to reduce the litigation on associated matters. It would be foolish not to carry out the conditions imposed by SAMA in transferring the Recreation Ground. Cr Ward 2nd.

Mr Bartholomæus moved an amendment negating the loan. Mr Motley & Mr Killicoat supported the amendment and Mr West and Cr Geake supported the motion, as did Dr Brummitt and F.W. Holder.

Mr Haskard and Mr Cave were against the loan. The motion was carried and a poll demanded.

Eastern Plains Selectors. Dr Stephens has presented the case for payment relief to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

In 1875 selectors took up land and paid 10% deposit, plus cash for any improvements on the property.

In some cases a second instalment has been paid.

In others payment has been waived for some time on account of crop failures.

The cultivation requirements of the Land Act have imposed further debt.

The memorialists were not anxious to throw up their land and asked for relief in order for a further trial of the land. Specifically they wanted:

Relaxation of the cultivation clauses

No rent be charged for the next three years

Their right be extended for three years

Not only have the memorialists suffered drought, but in successive seasons have had to contend with rabbits and locusts.

Without concessions they face absolute ruin.

Mr Ward also presented a petition from a meeting held at Johnburg in the north.

The Commissioner said the Government intended to grant concessions in the next sitting and agreed to put the selectors in Baldina and Bright with those in the north.

IV, 188, 3 February 1882, Page 3

Mr P. Lane was presented with a silver mounted ornate inkstand comprising an emu egg and an Australian scene (emus, kangaroo, blackfellow & gumtree) in recognition of his work as Mayor for two years. The presentation was made in the Institute on Monday afternoon. [In 2002 this item was held in the Regional Art Gallery at Burra.]

J. Robert’s valedictory and presentation meeting at the Kooringa Bible Christian Church is reported in more detail in 3⁄4 column. He had been in Kooringa over 28 years.

Cricket. Burra Association 111 defeated True Blues 12 & 39 (51)

(Played on matting)

IV, 189, 10 February 1882, Page 2

Notice. Due to the effects of a recent accident F.R. White is forced to cease his teaching, which he has done for 20 years in Kooringa. 8 February 1882.

[See IV, 185, 13 January 1882, page 2]

Obituary. On 8 February, at Redruth, Daisy Isabella McDonald, daughter of Robert and Agnes McDonald, aged 1 year 7 months. [Born 27 June 1880]

Obituary. On 27 January, Donald McMillan of Booborowie, aged 76.

Obituary. On 19 January, at Hampton, of rheumatic fever, Charles Wall, youngest son of the late Charles and Mary Ann Wall, aged 19 years and 1 day. [Born 18 January 1863]

Obituary. Margaret Jane Lockyer, wife of E.C. Lockyer, died on 4 February at Kooringa, aged 39.

[Born Mary Jane Kearns.]

Editorial on European Politics & the Egyptian Question.

2nd Leader on the attempt to establish a fund to supply destitute farmers with seed grain. The editor is in favour only in those areas where crop failures are due to unusual drought, but in those many Hundreds where ‘the prospect of continuous cultivation at a profit is hopeless’ anything that induces the selector to remain at their profitless toil is wasted. The Government should cease offering land for sale where prospects for successful agriculture are hopeless.

3rd Leader on the successful Council poll for the loan. There is no great urgency about selling the bonds or using the money. Spreading out the sale of the bonds will ensure the gaining of full subsidy in both years. A suggested timetable for this is printed.

Obituary. Dr Cave, late of Burra, died at Brompton on Saturday only a few weeks after his wife’s death. [Alfred Henry Cave: registered as Alfred Cabe died 4 February 1882 aged 38. His wife registered as Ann Eliza Cabe died 25 November 1881 aged 35.]

The Council Loan Poll. Monday.

Votes Voters

For 190 73

Against 89 36

Majority 101 73

St Mary’s Harvest Festival raised £5-16-0 for the Burra Hospital.

Mr White’s closure of his school and his need for complete rest follow a driving accident during the Christmas Holidays. He has physically recovered, but his mental powers require complete rest. He intends to leave Burra. He has been an auditor for the Corporation and for District Councils and has had a strong connection with St Mary’s Church. He received a gold watch in 1876 for 10 years service as a lay reader. He is a Past Master of the Freemason Lodge and sits on the Institute Committee. In the past he has often had 20-30 miners at his evening school. When he closed last Wednesday there were 50 children present.

IV, 189, 10 February 1882, Page 3

Fire & Inquest. Tuesday last the house of H. Hart near Kooringa burnt down. The inquest is reported in 2⁄3 column, but they found no evidence to show how the fire started.

Redruth Court, 7 February.

John Armstrong was committed to the Supreme Court on a charge of stealing a diamond ring from Mr Hubbard, a traveller for J.W. Davis, an Adelaide jeweller. The offence occurred at the Burra Hotel on Monday.

Cricket. Saturday. Burra 227 defeated Aberdeen 32.

IV, 190, 17 February 1882, Page 2

Notice. Cab Stands.

Market Square. Midway between the public troughs and the kerbing opposite The Record office. First horse head in line with end of trough, facing north.

Aberdeen. West side of Young St midway between the footpath and the corner of road. First horse head in line with the side of Morehead St, facing south.

14 February 1882

Wesleyan Chapel Razorback. For sale. Tenders called for the material, not including furniture.

Burra Hospital. Tenders called for the erection of a Dead-house and other additions and alterations.

Obituary. Alexander Hedley Stewart died at the Bon Accord [Hotel], Aberdeen, 14 February, son of Alexander and Harriet Stewart, aged 15 months. [Born Alexander Headly Stewart 18 October 1880]

Editorial on the Distress in the Northern Agricultural Areas.

There is no easy answer as to what to do now, but the editor is against placing the entire blame on the Government. It was badgered into opening up land it thought to be of doubtful agricultural value. The selectors went into the land prepared to reap the profits or to run the risk. The Government will have to do something, but they are not entirely to blame.

Advt. A Band of Hope entertainment is announced for Wednesday next in the Institute.

W. Anderson is growing fine peaches in Kooringa. A dozen as a fair example weighed 62 oz. [1.75 kg]

Burra Institute. Dr Brummitt replaces Mr Loutit as treasurer. W.E. Warburton will succeed Mr Loutit as Manager of the National Bank.

The Bible Christian Bazaar has been a great success. The first day realised £32.

Burra Town Council.

The Town Clerk recommended the loans be arranged as follows:

Bonds for £800 as soon as possible to pay off the overdraft.

For £500 to carry on works already mentioned in appropriation sheet.

There will be a Government subsidy of £300 in September and of £200 in December.

Then let the next issue of £300 stand over till March 1883 to enable all of next year’s rates to be subsidised.

As for the Recreation Ground’s £500:

£200 in March, £200 in June and £100 in September.

For the town survey:

£100 in June

£100 in December

£100 in June 1883

Summary Debt and Works Reserve Survey Total

31 March 1882 800 200 1000

30 June 1882 200 100 300

30 September 1882 300 100 400

31 December 1882 200 100 300

31 March 1883 300 300

30 June 1883 ____ ____ 200 200

1600 500 400 2500

Cr Sampson moved it be referred to the Finance Committee.

Redruth Court, 15 February

John Gerard for trotting a horse with an unsprung vehicle 5/- + 10/-

John Field no light on vehicle 5/-

James McInnes abusive language 10/-

John Thomas stray cattle 2/- per head

H. Skewes stray cattle 2/- per head

Obituary and Inquest. An inquest was held at the Burra Hotel last Wednesday on the body of Mrs Dare, wife of William Dare. [Of Piltimitiappa] [Formerly Mary Ann Canton, nee Sluber.]

William Dare gave evidence of her last days. His and others’ evidence extends over 11⁄3 columns but the key to the verdict lies in statements like:

‘There was a cask each of wine and brandy and a five gallon keg of rum brought into the house on the return of the party from the Burra, the greater part of this was drunk by Mr & Mrs Dare.’

Dr Sangster had no hesitation in ascribing the death to alcoholic poisoning.

Dr Brummitt agreed.

So did the jury, adding ‘their sense of the impropriety of Mr Dare’s conduct in aiding and abetting such decided intemperance.’ [I cannot find any registration of death.]

Letter from ‘Rubbish’ who says he has received a handbill advising that from1 March a magazine called the Burra Tandem will appear. The manager/editor is an ‘aristocratic young gentleman, an ex-solicitor, shepherd etc.’

As a professional he commands public interest re advertisements and subscriptions, but I think he is scarcely strong enough to form the sole attraction for such a large literary project and I should think the gentleman’s printers would soon find themselves in financial difficulties. We await the first issue.

Cricket. Saturday, Burra 133 defeated Muffs 48.

IV, 191, 24 February 1882, Page 2

Advt. Edward Cox advises he has begun business next door to the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen as a saddler and harness maker. (Formerly known as Brady’s)

W.B. Rounsevell MP has fallen down stairs and broken his kneecap.

Rev. Howitt was to leave England for the colonies on 12 January 1882.

Kooringa Band of Hope Entertainment last Wednesday was a success with over £5 taken at the door.

Obituary & Inquest. Henry Steinert died at the Burra Hospital on Wednesday. He had an arm in an advanced state of mortification. He was aged c. 40. The inquest was adjourned. [See next issue.]

Professor Pepper’s rain making experiments in Brisbane are reported.

IV, 191, 24 February 1882, Page 3

Redruth Court, 17 February

Thomas Moyes, alias James Stewart was committed for trial at Gladstone for obtaining a horse and two £1 notes by false pretences.

Miss Hirsy, barmaid at Opie’s Hotel was charged with supplying a glass of beer to an Aboriginal native. The lowest fine was imposed as the beer had been sold to a young man named McGrath, who had passed it on to the Aboriginal. A similar case against E. Roach of the Exchange Hotel of supplying beer to Nanyeri was dismissed as the wrong barmaid had been summonsed. [But see appeal IV, 197, 7 April 1882]

IV, 192, 3 March 1882, Page 2

Notice. Tenders called by the Town of Burra for a £100 bond for each year 1883 to 1887 inclusive. Also £200 bond for each year 1888 to 1897 inclusive at 5% payable half yearly.

Notice. Anniversary of the Bible Christian Church, Kooringa, next Sunday and Monday, 5 & 6 March. Rev. James Way will preach.

Editorial on the Farmers’ Association Annual Meeting.

2nd Leader on The Land Question.

There seem to be three classes of selectors:

‘Those who have even this year, and still less last year [no?] reason to complain of loss as the result of their toil. [The context implies the negative despite the actual words printed.]

Those who have failed in obtaining a return for their labour because of the exceptionally bad season.

Those who are on areas where only an occasional crop can be expected, and who will never under such circumstances be likely to make wheat growing pay.

The first need no compensation

The second must be assisted for their own sakes and the sake of the state.

The third should only be helped to go elsewhere, where a better prospect awaits them.

The Chief Secretary’s proposals roughly meet these cases as above.

IV, 192, 3 March 1882, Page 3

The Bible Christian Conference has re-appointed Rev. J. Pearce to Kooringa.

Obituary & Inquest. The adjourned inquest on George Ernest Steinert* was concluded on Tuesday.

Katherine Cameron, Matron of Burra Hospital, said he had arrived at 5.30 p.m. on 21 February from Terowie by train and Halls’s cab. He said he had been staying at Sam Davis’s hotel. He said his arm was bad and he thought he had been stung some five weeks earlier. He had been drinking for three weeks. Dr Sangster saw him the next morning and Dr Brummitt in the afternoon. He was unmarried and aged c. 40.

Dr Sangster said his arm was in a state of mortification and death was inevitable.

Dr Brummitt said he had been away the previous day and when he got back late at night the message from the hospital had not indicated any urgency. When he did see the patient his arm was in such a state that it is extremely unlikely anything could have been done for him on admission. Could find no cause for the state of his arm.

There is extensive evidence running for two columns, much of it concerning the deceased’s time in Terowie.

It concluded he died from blood poisoning, probably aggravated by very intemperate habits. He had been at the Terowie Hotel from Friday to Tuesday and not three weeks as he had stated. No blame is attached to the hotel manager who sent him to hospital as soon as he complained of his arm.

[* Note that oddly enough in his registration of death his name is given as George Ernest Hennett, aged 45, labourer of Terowie.]

Ulooloo. On Monday we visited Ulooloo where gold has been obtained for many years past. Not much has been got from any one site, but a considerable amount in total from alluvial deposits. The gold is coarse and not waterworn, so the belief is that a rich reef is nearby. A.J. Lewis of Hallett is trying to find it with Mr Murphy. The latter has sunk an 80’ shaft and Mr Lewis is costeening up the hill from the creek.

[Costeen: a trench cut across a conjectured line of outcrop.]

Burra Town Council, 27 February.

Cr Geake moved tenders be called for a stone wall six feet high round the Recreation Ground. (Carried)

(Cr Sampson had asked that tenders for an iron fence be called for.)

Redruth Court, For driving around the Bank of Australasia Corner in Aberdeen at over 5 m.p.h. fines of 5/- with 5/- costs were imposed on each of:

S. Hall, T. Hall, J. Mayger, George Collins.

Letter from W.H. Hardy who reveals himself as the writer of the letter from ‘Rubbish’ in the last issue but one. He writes re the attack on ‘Rubbish’ [Since this does not seem to have been in The Record, it may have appeared in the abandoned Tandem magazine.]

[Hardy’s letter is excessively wordy and pompous and it is no surprise that after over 1⁄2 column of it the editor writes: ‘We cannot find room for any more of this.]

Letter from Jacky Jowster in dialect is difficult to unravel without knowing exactly what was going on at the time. It admonishes Hardy for his attack on the writer of Tandem, but expresses sympathy with Hardy who he says is responding to something that hit him in a sore spot. Writers like that of Tandem, he says, should just be ignored. He suggests Hardy should not get so excited or enraged and should stop smoking his pipe, which he treats like an idol. [He does not name Hardy, but refers to him as ‘billey’.

Inquest. The inquest on the body of G.E. Steinert is reported in detail over 2 columns.

Cricket. Burra v. Clare at Burra

The start was an hour late due to lack of preparation by the Burra team and their failure to arrive on time. Clare 84 & 16 for 2 wickets defeated Burra 34 & 65 (99)

IV, 193, 10 March 1882, Page 2

Advt. Henry Skewes apologises for being absent from the sale, which was to have taken place on 27 February of Kingston Township, Mt Bryan [?]

[There is no mention of Kingston Township in Manning.]

Advt. T. Kitchen has taken over the business of Mr John Kelly in Commercial St and will open next week as a grocer etc.

Notice. The Right Rev. C.A. Reynolds DD, Bishop of Adelaide will administer confirmation at St Joseph’s on 19 March and will bless the new school and convent.

Notice. The Corporation gives notice that it will sell in one year from the publication of this notice the land listed for non-payment of rates.

There are listed places in Redruth, Aberdeen, New Aberdeen as well as Hampton and Llwchwr, but especially a large part of Millerton.

Birth. On 3 March, at Redruth, to the wife of Matthew M. Birt, a son. [William Rogers]

Birth. On 7 March, at Hillside, to the wife of Robert Brown Jun., a son. [John Leonard]

Editorial on the Attempted Assassination of Queen Victoria.

2nd Leader on the weak state of both the SA Government and Opposition.

IV, 193, 10 March 1882, Page 3

Rose of Sharon Tent IOR held its annual festival at the Institute last Wednesday. The hall was filled and Rev. J.A. Burns from Adelaide took the chair, assisted by F.W. Holder. At present there are 99 members.

Ulooloo. Patrick Murphy writes re his Gold Mining Co. at Ulooloo.

[The prospectus for which appears on page 2.]

Cricket. Saturday. Again the preparations were sadly inadequate.

Muffs 101 defeated Burra 93

IV, 194, 17 March 1882, Page 2

Editorial on Government Subsidies to Corporations and district Councils.

The editor was against such subsidies in principle. They were drawn from taxes, which fell equally on the rich and the poor. If they were abolished the rates would have to rise greatly and they fell more on the rich who owned land. He thought that some subsidies were justifiable for a few years to see newly created councils become established, but they should soon be tapered off.

Murphy’s Gold Mine prospectus has been withdrawn due to lack of interest.

Railway. The Orroroo-Quorn line has been completed to the stage where the contractors can carry passengers right through by arrangement.

Burra Football Club AGM was held in Doe’s rooms on Tuesday. Elections:

Patron, A. McCulloch; President, E.C. Lockyer; Captain, Mr Brady; Vice-Captain, T. Skewes; Secretary & Treasurer, G. Dawson.

Burra Town Council, 13 March

Tenders accepted: J. Richardson for the whole £2,500 bonds at £93 in the £100.

D. Rogers for the wall around the Recreation Ground at 4/9 per square yard.

New Works. Tenders called for:

A new footbridge in Queen St

A bridge in Kangaroo St

A bridge in Chapel St

The making of Penclawd St

It was resolved to levy rates on the Aberdeen Reserve unless the Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Co. hands it over to Council.

Letter from ‘Teetotaller’ calling for the formation of a Temperance League or Union.

Letter from ‘Wonder’ calling on the Cricketing Association to get active and arrange regular matches with outside clubs.

IV, 194, 17 March 1882, Page 3

Cricket, Saturday. Muffs 66 defeated Burra 34

Though the latter were a motley collection scarcely worthy of the name of a team.

Fire Inquest. There was an investigation Thursday into the fire that destroyed the house occupied by Mrs Treweek at Kooringa.

Mary Margaret Treweek said she was awoken by her daughter at 1 a.m. who said the house was on fire in the S-W corner. She blamed Mr Kroncke for setting it alight in an act of arson. Kroncke had told his wife two years ago that he would put a match to the house. Her husband had bought the lease for the house from Kroncke for £2.

Laura Treweek said she had awoken to see the roof on fire over her head and had wakened her mother.

Eliza Treweek (sister of previous) corroborated this.

Henry Edward McNamara, a neighbour, and P-C John Worthy Johnson gave supporting evidence on the blaze.

Carl Kroncke, labourer, denied all accusations and said he had slept the whole night in his house, the early part on a sofa and later with his wife. Mary Kroncke, his wife, corroborated this.

The jury found that the fire was wilfully set and ‘strong suspicion attaches to Carl Kroncke, the previous lessee of the house.

IV, 195, 24 March 1882, Page 2

Typhoid. There are several cases in Burra at present.

Public Notice. ‘I sold the Lease of my House to Mr [sic] Treweek two years and three months ago: she had no cash to pay me; so I lived in the house with them until she had, and we parted good friends. I never spoke to her since, nor was I on her premises. I went a couple of days before the fire to see a neighbour on business about a quarter of a mile below her house. I am innocent of the fire, and what she said about me and my wile [sic] was a perfect lie just to excuse herself.

CARL KRONCKE

Birth. On 13 March, at Rosedale, Mt Bryan, to the wife of James Jowett of Terowie, a son. [Horace Statton]

Obituary. On 18 March at Redruth, of typhoid fever, Ellen Birt, wife of Matthew M. Birt, aged 26. [Born Ellen Rogers 16 December 1855]

Editorial on the Agricultural Outlook.

Has not the trial of lands beyond Goyder’s Line been sufficiently complete and disastrous to put a final stop to the sale of any more of these lands?

Recreation Ground. The contractor [D. Rogers] who was given the job of building the wall around the reserve has thrown up the job and it is re-advertised.

St Joseph’s. Large congregations attended the services by Bishop Reynolds for confirmations and the blessing of the new school and convent.

Redruth Court 22 March

Skewes no light on his wagon 10/- + 10/-

Davis no name on his spring dray 10/- + 10/-

Reilly trotting his wagon in a street 5/- + 10/-

Sampson no light on his vehicle 5/- + 5/- witness fee

Lord driving loose horses in Thames St 5/-

Lord riding on a footpath 5/-

William Pearce (son of Jeffrey Pearce) [usually Pearse]

Driving 7 loose horses between 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. £1 + 10/- (2nd offence)

McNamara no light on vehicle (dismissed as he was leading the horse not driving)

IV, 195, 24 March 1882, Page 3

Black Springs Wesleyan Church. Donations of £32-15-0 are acknowledged to relieve the trust fund.

Cricket. Saturday. Souths 88 defeated Norths 57

Ulooloo. A 6 oz nugget, valued at £4 per oz, has been found by Charles Boult.

IV, 196, 31 March 1882, Page 2

Advt. Stony Gap Sunday School Anniversary 1 April. Mr Crewes will preach.

Birth. On Wednesday 29 March, at Mongolata, to the wife of F.W. Holder, a son. [Frederick Stephens]

Birth. On 27 March, at Mongolata, to the wife of Alfonso Richardson, a son. [Albert Paul]

Marriage. By special licence on 27 March Joseph Harris and Mary Ann Mack, both of Kooringa.

Marriage. By special licence on 28 March, Charles Bradshaw & Susan Annie Webster, both of World’s End.

Editorial on the Hoax of Bryant in Melbourne re a Russian threat to the colonies.

2nd Leader on The Long Drought.

3rd Leader on the folly of the Government in constructing local open surface reservoirs.

The Bon Accord Mine. We understand the allotments belonging to the Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Co. and the mine property have been valued with a view to their sale to an English company.

Rev. James Bickford preached a farewell sermon on Sunday.

IV, 196, 31 March 1882, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 13 March

D. Rogers, has thrown up his contract for walling the Recreation Ground and it has been re-advertised.

The Queen St footbridge will be done by day work, as all the tenders were too high.

A lamp will be erected at the cabstand at Aberdeen.

Kooringa Police Court 20 March.

John Cassidy drunkenness 5/-

William Thompson no visible means of support 14 days

Thomas Rosewall drunkenness 10/-

24 March

Henry Cox indecent language 10/-

27 March

Alfred Schutz drunkenness 5/-

indecent language 20/-

James Stagg drunkenness 5/-

Alfred Schutz fighting James Stagg 20/-

James Stagg fighting Alfred Schutz 10/-

Kooringa Police Court 28 March

John Vivian drunkenness 10/-

indecent language 10/-

resisting police 10/-

Cricket. Saturday at Brewery Flat. Souths 80 defeated Norths 60

Letter from John Williams re the tendering mess for the Recreation Ground wall.

IV, 197, 7 April 1882, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, Easter Sunday, 9 April. Rev. S. Knight will preach.

Advt. To let. A.H. Forder’s house opposite the police station Redruth. 7 rooms.

Editorial. Further on the Water Supply.

2nd Leader on Town Sanitation.

Obituary. Recently in the Barrier Ranges, William Terry, an old Burraite, died from sunstroke, leaving no provision for his wife and 8 children. Messrs Crozier & Elliot have sent £5 in aid, to Bath & Pearce and Mr W. Pearce Jun. has added £1-1-0. We are happy to receive and acknowledge further sums.

University of Adelaide. The new building was opened on Wednesday.

Rev. S. Knight was given a valedictory meeting in Archer St North Adelaide on Tuesday as he was preparing to leave for Kooringa.

M.J. Hirsey’s conviction for supplying liquor to an Aboriginal named Davis, was quashed on appeal on Wednesday, there being no evidence that Davis was an Aboriginal and no evidence that liquor had been sold to him by the appellant.

[See original trial IV, 191, 24 February 1882, page 3 where the name is given as Hirsy]

Kooringa Police Court 6 April

Henry Hart aged 7, William Hart aged 6, and Sarah Hart aged 4, were charged with being neglected children and the boys were sent to the Industrial School till 16 and the girl till aged 10. Their father was in the Destitute Asylum and their mother in hospital.

IV, 197, 7 April 1882, Page 3

Rev. James Bickford was accorded a valedictory meeting at Redruth Wesleyan Church last Tuesday and Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Wednesday. F.W. Holder was the main speaker.

Letter from WHH [Hardy] which questions whether we should be so amused at the Russian hoax in Melbourne. The actions of the Russian Government at home have been brutal and it has a foreign policy that threatens the British Empire in India, so don’t think that a visit to Australia by a Russian Admiral is entirely innocent.

IV, 198, 14 April 1882, Page 2

Notice. The partnership of John Drew, Charles Drew, and Thomas Drew, trading as Samuel Drew & Co., is dissolved by mutual agreement 1 November 1881 when John Drew retired from the firm. Charles Drew & Thomas Drew will carry on as Samuel Drew & Co. Dated 1 April 1882.

Advt. Tenders are called for the painting and papering a 12-roomed house known as the Baldina Hotel. Apply to W. Midwinter, Baldina Hotel.

Advt. Farewell sermons for Rev. Burt of the Primitive Methodist Church.

Redruth 11 a.m. 16 April

Copperhouse 3 p.m. 16 April

Kooringa 6 p.m. 16 April

Valedictory tea meeting in Kooringa Wednesday 19 April. Tea 5 p.m. & meeting 7.30.

Advt. Kooringa Commercial School, Thames St. R.W. Mathews, Master.

Will commence 17 April.

Senior Boys, inclusive of Latin & French £2-2-0 per quarter

Senior boys without Latin & French £1-11-6

Junior Boys £1-1-0

Drawing, extra £1-1-0

Notice. Foresters’ Picnic and Sports Wednesday 3 May with a grand concert in the evening at the Institute.

Advt. At the Institute 14 & 15 April

The Hewett Musettes in their new operetta Zip-Rain

Birth. On 8 April, at East End Market, to the wife of William Ware, a daughter. [Ettie May]

Editorial on the sanitary condition of the town.

The editor comments on the unusual decision of the Hospital Board not to comply with a Local Board of Health instruction and an extraordinary letter from Dr Sangster who asks to be allowed to continue to place manure where it will be a nuisance.

Mr R.W. Mathews will open a private Commercial School in the building lately used by F.R. White.

Early Closing. Some shopkeepers are gradually extending the hours of trading on Saturday to make up for the Wednesday half-holiday. There is no excuse for this.

The Three Methodist Churches in Burra have been working together for some months in evangelical efforts and a series of joint meetings promoting a higher Christian life were held over Easter. Meetings were also held at Westbury and Stony Gap.

Rev. S. Knight, who is newly arrived, preached at Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary over Easter. Mr Geake Jun., Sunday School secretary reported 29 teachers and 292 scholars. Proceeds were about £60.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church had three excellent sermons from Rev. A.W. Wellington of Yongala on Sunday 2 April, but none of the congregations was large. The Good Friday tea meeting was very largely attended. On the 9 & 10 April the Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary was held and was well patronised.

IV, 198, 14 April 1882, Page 3

Burra Town Council 11 April

A letter from the Central Board of Health urged more diligence from the local inspector. Specifically they urged him to ensure all cesspits to closets be made watertight which is especially important where wells are largely relied upon for a water supply. A pigsty in the centre of town also calls for attention.

Cr Rabbich, as owner of the said pigsty said he had been required to provide a cesspit at the lower side of his sty and fit steam-tight covers to the boiling down coppers and this was being done.

The secretary of the Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Association wrote notifying that the question of the Aberdeen Reserve would be laid before the directors.

The Hospital Board, having been advised that the drainage from the Hospital was creating a nuisance, replied that it could find no nuisance and only lavatory water was concerned [presumably this means bathwater] and under the circumstances they decline to comply.

The Inspector said the drain in question issued onto adjacent land and there were dead animals in it and it was very offensive. As the nuisance was on the adjacent land the owner thereof was to have notice not to allow the nuisance to continue.

The scavenger was removing ‘ashes, dust and house refuse’, but declined to remove other ‘offensive matter’.

The Inspector is to see that either the scavenger or the Hospital removes same.

Dr Sangster wrote asking for a notice at the corner of the road near his back gate re driving around it at walking pace to protect his children and also asked to be allowed to deposit horse manure in the creek at the back of his yard if it is removed regularly - this would not be a nuisance to anybody he says. He says his own premises are too small to permit the manure to be stored on site. Both requests were refused.

The Inspector was told to destroy stray goats.

The entrance to the Recreation Ground is to be in the centre of the west side and 24’ wide.

The Kingston Tce footbridge is to be shifted & a lamp is to be erected in Market Squ.

Cricket. Easter Weekend

Easter Monday visit from the Hindmarsh team.

Hindmarsh 98 defeated Burra 53

A Burra team visited Mintaro (Martindale Estate)

Wanderers 138 defeated Burra 25 & 49 (74)

True Blues 45 & 26 for 3 wickets (71) defeated Aberdeen 29 & 41 (70)

IV, 199, 21 April 1882, Page 2

Marriage. Samuel Burns, youngest son of the late Charles Burns

And Edith Oates, eldest daughter of George Oates of Upper Wakefield

Editorial on the Recreation Ground

The development of the grounds will come from the bonds, which brought in £465. The wall will cost more than £400. Additional funds will be needed to cut the high part and fill the lower. The football and cricket clubs should raise money by a series of concerts and £20 will also be needed to get water from a reservoir formed by an old quarry.

2nd Leader on the SA Government diamond drill [for water]

The Aurora Australis was brilliant on Monday night.

Entertainment. Hewett’s Musettes presented the operetta Rain to splendid houses on Friday & Saturday at the Institute.

IV, 199, 21 April 1882, Page 3

Burra Hospital has removed the offensive material.

Rev. A.J. Birt was given a farewell tea on Wednesday. He has had charge of the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church for 12 months. A valedictory meeting in the evening was held in the Wesleyan Church because it was larger.

SAMA shareholders’ meeting, 10 April

There was little to report. Some residents of Kooringa have applied to work the mine on tribute. This would be considered by the directors. In the last six months about 3 acres of town land have been sold.

Cricket. Saturday. Burra 86 for 9 wickets defeated Muffs 84

Clare Races 18 & 19 April are reported in just less than 1 column.

IV, 200, 28 April 1882, Page 2

Advt. Bushman’s Home, Aberdeen. Mr A. Williams, has given up the above boarding house. It will be continued at the usual moderate rates with first class accommodation, meals and beds of best quality. F.E. Bromley, Manager.

Birth. At Saddleworth on 26 April, to the wife of David Anderson, a daughter. [Helen Gorden]

Obituary. At Redruth, on 24 April, John Harry, aged 73. Husband of Ruth Harry. Late of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, South Wales.

Obituary. At Paeora, Redruth [18 April], Louisa Lloyd Roach, wife of John Roach, aged 28. [nee Lloyd]

Obituary. On 27 April, at Government Gums [Farina], Dr Dashwood, formerly of Burra. (This follows soon after the deaths of Dr and Mrs Cave, late of Burra.) [William Henry, aged 44.]

Editorial on the Legislative Council Elections.

2nd Leader on the inadequacy of the Burra Railway Station

Railways. The railway link between Port Augusta and Terowie will be opened 17 May. [The new section completing the link was Orroroo-Quorn.] It is estimated the travel time Port Augusta to Adelaide will be c. 18 hours.

Rev. H. Howitt has now returned from 12 months leave of absence [during which he went to England]. He preached at St Mary’s last Sunday and was welcomed back at a tea in the Institute on Monday.

Burra Town Council, 24 April

Cr Rayner asked where the Hospital refuse went.

The creek that was being filled in Chapel St.

Cr Geake said children picked over the rubbish placed there and as such it was inappropriate.

The sexton is to get 1/- extra for each grave dug over 7’ deep.

IV, 200, 28 April 1882, Page 3

Letter from ‘Argus’ observing that all too often men of the town work only to obtain money to spend on drink. He complains about the number of men who prop up posts in Market Square, their conversation liberally sprinkled with ‘a favourite adjective’ and ‘garnished with manly oaths of the choicest blasphemy’. There they pass personal comments on any passer-by whether male or female and mistake the same for wit.

IV, 201, 5 May 1882, Page 2

Advt. Baldina Annual Races on the Old Course, Midwinter’s Paddock, 24 May.

Editorial. Why has the Town Council instructed their Inspector not to proceed with certain informations laid against certain people who failed to take out current licences for their trollies?

2nd Leader. What shall we do with our pig now that slaughtering it within town is an offence?

3rd Leader on the Insurance Conspiracy Case.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary next Sunday. Rev. J.G. Wright and Rev. Mr Goldsmith will preach.

St Mary’s vestry meeting empowered the churchwardens to dispose of the fittings of the old church.

Court Unity AOF held its picnic and sports day on 3 May at ‘The Wattles’

[Which appear from the article to have been somewhere in the Police Paddock.]

The sports were flat races, hop step and jump, hammer throw & pole leaping.

The final game was Cock in the Box, but none of the competitors were able to get at the cock.

There was a concert in the evening at the Institute.

IV, 201, 5 May 1882, Page 3

Football. There was a scratch match on Saturday between Reds and Allcomers. No scores are given.

IV, 202, 12 May 1882, Page 2

Notice. After renovations the Mt Bryan Flat Bible Christian Church will re-open on 21 May when Rev. J. Pearce and Mrs Pearce will preach.

Notice. Tenders are called for the purchase of the old Church of England together with fittings and 1⁄2 acre of land.

Editorial on the murder, in Ireland, of the Chief Secretary for Ireland and his Under-secretary.

Burra Town Council, 8 May

John Dow, Inspector reported on the three town weighbridges:

Mr Bartholomæus’ in good order and correct

Roach Bros’ when levered to the east side was accurate, when levered to the west side, varied 1 cwt.

Thomas Richardson’s showed no movement in weighing 5 cwt when 1⁄2 cwt was added or removed.

SAMA to be asked to grant a path from the Bible Christian Church to Mitchell’s Flat.

Local Board of Health

Butcher’s licences granted to Messrs Benney, Goodridge, O’Leary and Rabbich.

Redruth Court, 6 May

William Barnes selling bad fish £2

Joseph Boundy & William Hughes were fine £5 each, of which £2 from each to go to the complainant. They assaulted Mr Callaway, landlord of the Pig and Whistle Hotel, on 8 May. They had arrived at 10.30 p.m. in the company of an Aboriginal for whom the landlord had refused to draw a drink, which led to a fight.

IV, 202, 12 May 1882, Page 3

Letter from ‘Onyx’ who considers that winter entertainments should be got up and the proceeds go towards levelling the oval. Burra should create a lake from the Burra Creek and should plant more trees. It is time the football matches for the season were arranged and high time the cricket clubs worked out their finances and distributed their prizes for the last season. Why has the Burra Athletic Club died out? Well it all fell to too few organisers, but mainly because of unfair running of some competitors at the meeting in Duff’s paddock. The public lost confidence and refused to give any more.

So there is to be a lamp in Market Square by the well and one in Aberdeen. Some think there should also be one on the bridge near Henderson’s and on the new bridge to be built in Chapel St. Let’s hope the Corporation agrees.

Football. Scratch matches continue, apparently on an area in front of the school.

Notice. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary 21 May and tea meeting 24 May. Rev. W. Bainger & Rev. S. Knight to preach.

Advt. T.P. & H.M. Goodridge have taken over the butchering business previously run by C. & E. Gebhardt in Aberdeen.

Advertisements for Legislative Council elections begin to appear.

IV, 203, 19 May 1882, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute 31 May Mr C. Proud will lecture on America and What I Saw There, in aid if Institute funds.

Notice. E.H. Benney has leased all open land on the east side of the Burra Creek from Chivel’s fence to the Burra Smelting Works.

Advt. A Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association meets this evening at 7.45 p.m. in the Kooringa Wesleyan Schoolroom.

Editorial on the need for District Councils in all Hundreds when half the land or more has been sold and maintenance of roads to be a local responsibility. (Making of main roads to remain with the Government.) The Road Board system was necessary when over 50% of the land was unsold, but it is not now working. Large landowners, especially in the S-E are paying nothing towards maintaining roads, which are dependent upon the Road Board grants because they are outside District Council areas.

Mr Müller has taken out a licence and will operate an auction mart in Redruth from 31 March.

Redruth Band of Hope began its third year on Wednesday. In the last year 42 signed the pledge at Redruth and 10 at Copperhouse. The total is now 281. Rev. Knight spoke against banquets at the public expense as at the opening of the Great Northern Railway.

St Mary’s Church seatholders met on Monday to arrange a presentation to Rev. F. Marshall on his leaving for Quorn. Through nobody’s fault Mr Marshall’s stay had been curtailed and he had been put to expense. He had also endured illness and consequently the annual vestry meeting had voted £40 to him from church funds and seatholders had undertaken to raise another £60. This had been done without difficulty said Mr T. Bath, who chaired the meeting. The 100 sovereigns were presented. Rev. Howitt was congratulated on his return to health and to his duties.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 15 May.

There is printed a long report from F.W. Holder, Town Clerk, on the need for an accurate town survey, but since this will require an examination of all titles where subdivision has occurred - perhaps of half a dozen within a hundred yards - the job is much bigger and thus more expensive than first thought. Only Redruth was laid out by a Government Surveyor. Different surveyors, not always in harmony, have laid out Kooringa, Aberdeen, New Aberdeen, Millerton, Graham, Llwchyr, Roach Town and Hampton. Much of the town’s building etc. has been taken from iron pins placed in the ground, but they and the field books disagree with the registered plans and much delicate adjustment will be needed. The work must be done accurately or not at all and every passing week increases the difficulty. No large saving of money could compensate for an inaccurate survey. The very least that is needed is a plan of 40’ to 1” and even at that an encroachment of 4’ would appear as only 1/10”.

For Government purposes a plan of 200’ to 1” would do, and only buildings within say 2’ of a boundary need be shown accurately - approximate positions only of others are needed.

The report was received.

Cr Lasscock moved & Cr Ward 2nd that the work be readvertised with the alterations in requirements as suggested.

Railways. Opening of the Northern Railway.

Last Tuesday an official party left Adelaide by special train for Orroroo, to which point the line had been opened. They reached Quorn on Tuesday evening and proceeded to Port Augusta for the night. Next morning the Governor, who had come to Port Augusta by sea, joined them and the formal opening of the northern line began. A banquet was held at Quorn and most of the party returned to Adelaide. The rest went on to Blinman and Government Gums (Farina). The speeches are printed. Over 3,000 gentlemen sat down to the banquet at Quorn in the railway goods shed, special additions to which had been roofed in canvas for the occasion.

IV, 203, 19 May 1882, Page 3

‘Argus’ in a semi-regular column, is disgusted that the Burra Cricketing Association owes over £13 and has no funds. Not a single person turned up at a meeting to resolve this difficulty.

Football. There seems to have been a scratch match on Saturday.

Cricket notes by Serjeant Buzfuz. He blames the dismal performance of this season on the lack of practice and poor organisation rather than lack of ability. They played 6 matches: against Manoora, Oxford Association, Clare, Hindmarsh, True Blues and the Wanderers at Mintaro - and beat only the True Blues.

Election Advertisements for the Legislative Council occupy over two columns.

IV, 204, 26 May 1882, Page 2

Advt. Rice’s Original Hypernion Surprise Party, Saturday.

Mind-reading, spiritists, etc.

[Even if the word was Hyperion the dictionary doesn’t help with this one! (In Greek myth Hyperion was one of the Titans.)]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Special Services 6 June in aid of funds for the new parsonage. On Wednesday the memorial stone will be laid by Mrs John Drew, followed by a public tea.

Agricultural Statistics 1881-2

The main changes over 1880-1

Area sown in wheat: Production in bushels c.f. with 1880-1

In D.C. Burra + 1,732 acres D.C. Burra +11,831

Hd Mongolata + 696 Hd Mongolata + 5,551

Hd Baldina + 1,445 Hd Baldina - 895

Hd Bright + 1,488 Hd Bright - 3,495

Hd King n/a Hd King -1,155

Hd Bundey + 1,971 Hd Bundey -3,296

On the whole yields are little changed except Hd Bright 7.12 to 5.3 (bushels &lbs)

Hd King 5.46 to 4.24

Hd Bundey 8.50 to 1.38

Chapel St Bridge was opened on Tuesday by the Mayor.

Baldina Races on Wednesday had very few visitors due to the very wet weather. The racing was very fair. Results printed.

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday & Wednesday was very successful despite the wet weather for the tea meeting Wednesday. Proceeds £63.

Professor Rice gave a private séance for leading townsmen on Tuesday evening and astonished all with his mind reading. He had only a small audience on Wednesday at the Institute due to the wet weather.

Weighbridges. Messrs Roach and Richardson have put their weighbridges in order.

The Northern Country. 13⁄4 column report on land along the railway to Farina.

Football, Saturday. Burra 2.4 defeated Allcomers 1.4

Wednesday, at Mintaro, Burra 3.1 defeated Mintaro 0.5

IV, 204, 26 May 1882, Page 3

Letter from G. Dawson, Hon. Sec. Of Burra Cricket Club in response to ‘Argus’ pointing out that though the club is in debt in fact two people turned up at the meeting and ‘Argus’ himself owes more to the club than any other member - ‘people who live in glass houses etc.’

Advertisements for the Legislative Council elections run for 41⁄2 columns.

IV, 205, 2 June 1882, Page 2

Advt. J. Webb is selling land in Redruth. Part of town quarter acre 12 consisting of allotments 7, 8, 9, & 10 having a frontage to Hillston St [sic] and on which is erected a cottage and stone store known as Warren Bros. [Should be Helston St.]

Advt. Liston Shakes & Co. are selling, in the assigned estate of F.E. Bromley, the lease on allotments 285, 293 & 358 in Kooringa on which are erected 3 cottages.

Editorial on The Burra Mine.

For some months Captain Killicoat and John and Charles Drew have been negotiating with SAMA for the lease and prospective sale of the Burra Mine, but discussions broke down last week.

Some months ago the news it had been sold to English capitalists was greeted with pleasure and an early resumption of work was hoped for. Disappointment followed.

The discussion above was an offer to lease for 21 years for a 5% royalty and right to purchase the mine property during the first five years for £30,000. The company has for a long time valued the asset on its balance sheet at £25,000 so this would seem a good offer. Money was believed to be on hand to develop the mine so the offer was substantial. The benefit to the town in employment is obvious. Had a great discovery been made SAMA would still have benefited from the royalty, the increase in value of the town, which they still own, and mineral rights over about 10,000 acres of the special survey.

The impression is growing that the mine will never be worked again by the present company and it is disappointing to see the company make no endeavour to meet would-be purchasers on a fair basis.

Apoinga Copper. Testing of copper lodes at Apoinga, some 12 miles south of Burra continues and it is hoped to have 100 men working there soon.

Kooringa Court, Wednesday.

Louis Werndt was charged with stabbing Alfred Schutz in the back at the Commercial Hotel. Remanded till 2 June. [Note in IV, 206, 9 June 1882 Werndt is called Womat.]

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Sermons by F.W. Holder & Rev. J. Pearce.

Professor Rice had a larger audience to his last show on Saturday at the Institute.

C. Proud’s Lecture was not largely attended and financial results were not what they should have been.

Burra Cricketing Association meeting revealed a debt of c. £13 and so far £3-10-6 has been collected towards paying it off.

IV, 205, 2 June 1882, Page 3

Football. Burra 13 (Reds), 2.3 defeated Allcomers 16, 0.6

On 24 May, Commercial School Boys 1.5 defeated Model School Boys 0.7

Cricket. Summary of the last season.

Each of the three town clubs played 4 matches.

Burra won 4, Aberdeen won 2 and lost 2; Muffs lost 4

Burra played a further 4 non-association matches.

For Burra the best batsman by far was J. Herbert (av. 59.33), he was also best bowler (av. 3)

Aberdeen suffered from the departure of many of their best players. Best batsman: J. Sara (av. 29). Their best bowler was O’Brien (av. 8.15)

The Muffs best batsman was J. M’Cleary (av. 8.25) and Cobb was best bowler (av. 4)

Combining all matches the best batsman was Herbert (av. 28.62)

He was also equal best bowler with Cobb & Butterworth, all on av. 5.6

Opening SA Parliament. The Governor’s speech is printed.

IV, 206, 9 June 1882, Page 2

Advt. Professor Rice, mind reader and spiritualist at the Institute 19 June.

Notice. Burra Cricketing Association 1st annual banquet at Burra Hotel 13 June.

Notice. Primitive Methodist Colonial Missions. W.R. Stephenson preaches in Kooringa at 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m., at Copperhouse 3 p.m.

Missionary Meeting: Copperhouse Monday 7 p.m. and Kooringa Tuesday 7 p.m.

Notice. Kooringa Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association meets in the Wesleyan Schoolroom this evening. Topic: Should the Bible be Read in State Schools?

Advt. Henry Pinch offers Pencarrow for sale by tender: comprising sections 44, 45, 46, 56, 58, 59, 169 for total 993 acres. But for c.100 acres it is virgin soil.

Birth: to the wife of T. Kitchen at Kooringa on 2 June, twin daughters. [Ethel and Mabel Kitchen]

Editorial on the Governor’s Speech.

2nd Leader on Municipal Matters

The town survey is of great importance. Not only are ratepayers deterred from improvements, but also kerbing and watertabling require the survey.

At the Recreation Ground the wall will take all the money leaving none for levelling and tree planting.

Can we not do some public tree planting this year? Middle Ward has funds.

Legislative Council Election Results. The last election for which the whole colony was one electorate from which six were to be elected.)

Murray 8752 Salom 8115 English 7214

Hay 6332 Glyde 5726 Cotton 5519

Coglin 5450 Miller 4935 Wigley 4807

Harvey 4159 Simms 4075 Madge 4037

Ridgway 3888 Grainger 2816

Burra Town Council, 5 June

The decision on the town survey was deferred for two weeks.

Decision on funding for the levelling and planting of the Recreation Ground was also deferred.

New Kooringa Wesleyan Parsonage.

There is over 1 column devoted to this topic.

The old parsonage was crumbling so it was decided to build a new one. Plans were obtained and a site bought in Kangaroo street. Tenders were called and subscriptions raised. On Wednesday 7 June a memorial stone was laid by Mrs John Drew.

The building stands on an allotment 100’ x 100’ which cost £60 and the building is to cost £960. The architect is W.C. Dauker and F.W. Holder is to superintend. Sara & Dunstan are the contractors.

The Burra circuit has 7 churches, 2 ministers, 10 local preachers, 46 schoolteachers, 158 members, 430 Sunday school scholars and 1525 attendants on public worship.

Rev. J.G. Wright is the minister of the Primitive Methodist Church and Rev. J. Pearce the minister of the Bible Christian Church.

Tea was taken in the schoolroom after the stone laying, tables being provided by the congregations from Kooringa, Redruth, Baldry, Westbury, Baldina and Mongolata.

Almost 300 were accommodated for tea, after which Dr Brummitt presided at a public meeting. Mr Holder gave an account of the parsonage movement. The furnishing etc. would bring the total cost to c. £1,100. Messrs Drew & Co. had contributed £200 and other subscribers totalled another £400. A bazaar to raise £200 would be begun at once so the debt would not be great and the old parsonage would bring in some rent. (c. £16 p.a.)

Mr Charles Drew was welcomed and presented with an address written by J. Dunstan Jun.

Proceeds from the gathering were c. £46.

The house is 68’4” x 41’ with 8 rooms, a passage, a bathroom, and a very large underground tank.

Offence.

Louis Womat was committed for trial in the Supreme Court for stabbing Alfred Schutz in the left side of his chest. The wound was not serious and a pocketknife wet with blood was found in the prisoner’s pocket. He claimed Schutz had pinned a paper to his coattail and set it alight, which led to a struggle. If Schutz was stabbed it must have been accidentally by a knife he had in his hand to cut tobacco. No other witness saw either a paper or a fire. [Note in IV, 205, 2 June 1882, Womat is called Werndt.]

Terowie Amateur Christy Minstrels write to say they have been formed to give entertainments in aid of charities and would be glad to hear from Institute committees re performances.

IV, 206, 9 June 1882, Page 3

Education in Burra 1881

Burra School is the only one under the control of the Burra School Board of Advice in 1881. The Board reports no improvements this year, but believes the ground should be planted, the boys’ playground enclosed on the north and northwest sides and a wall be erected in front. 95 cases of non-attendance were heard, 5 persons were summoned (2 withdrawn, 1 adjourned and 2 convicted). 123 children were granted free education for varying lengths of time. The Hallett Board of Advice also reported.

Football. Saturday. 14 Reds (Burra) 3.6 defeated 22 Allcomers 1.5

The Text of C. Proud’s Talk: America and What I Saw there in 1882, is printed.

IV, 207, 16 June 1882, Page 2

Notice. Dolls’ Bazaar at Mrs Roe’s Schoolroom 21 June in aid of St Mary’s Church.

Notice. The Spring Bank Primitive Methodist Chapel will be re-opened next Sunday, 18 June. Preachers, T. Hutchins 2.30 p.m. and C. Rawling 6 p.m.

Editorial on the SA Parliament.

Mr Proud’s Lecture raised £5 for the Institute.

Kooringa Band of Hope entertainment at the Institute last Wednesday raised £5.

Mr R. Rees has been returned as Member for Onkaparinga on the resignation of Mr Krichauff.

Sunday Observance. We were outraged to find that a special cattle train arrived last Sunday, was loaded and despatched the same day.

P.L. Killicoat has undertaken to obtain 100 sugar gums from the Government Reserves for the Corporation, free of cost. John Sampson has presented 17 trees and Mr Lewis has filled in places near his home where street trees have died.

Cricket. The banquet on Tuesday at the Burra Hotel saw W. West in the chair. Attendance was smaller than it should have been.

Apoinga Copper. The discovery is about 3 miles south of Sod Hut and about 1 mile east of the main road. It continues to look promising and 4 or 5 gentlemen interested in it paid a visit on Saturday 10 June.

Football. Saturday, 11 Reds 2.7 defeated Allcomers 1.3

IV, 208, 23 June 1882, Page 2

Editorial condemning violence in football games.

2nd Leader on Terms for the use of the Kooringa Recreation Ground.

Football. On Tuesday in the Burra versus Clare game J. Martin sustained concussion, but is now recovering, and on Wednesday H. Bennetts broke his collarbone.

Professor Rice’s evening was fairly attended and raised c. £6 for the Institute funds.

Burra Town Council, 19 June

The Council has accepted the tender of R.G. Gardner & Co. for the town survey for £408-15-0.

The Town Clerk reported the street lamps used 1 pint of kerosene per night and burnt out about 3 a.m., but this injured the burner and more kerosene should be used and the lamps be put out.

IV, 208, 23 June 1882, Page 3

A Comet of a large size and moderate brilliance is visible up to c. 7 p.m. each evening.

“Unit” writes over 1 column on A Trip to Farina and Back.

Football. Saturday, Reds 3.3 defeated Allcomers 1.6

Tuesday Burra versus Clare. This is a singular report detailing play, but failing to give the result. On page 2 a statement says the outcome was a draw in favour of Burra, meaning goals were equal, but the points favoured Burra.

On 20 June Commercial School Boys 3.7 defeated Model School Boys 1.3

IV, 209, 30 June 1882, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offer 13,300 sheep on 17 July.

Advt. Burra Recreation Ground Grand Entertainment will be given 12 July.

Editorial on the Electoral Districts Bill.

Obituary. On 26 June Mrs W. Hudson of Farrell’s Flat. [Ann Hudson aged 50]

Entertainment at the Institute, Wednesday & Thursday: The Matthews Bros Combination - acrobats, late of Wilson’s Circus. Audiences appreciative, but not large - due to the little advance publicity.

Baldry Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary 25 & 26 June. Rev. W.A. Bainger preached. Tea meeting Monday. Proceeds £7-15-0.

Obituary & Inquest. An Aboriginal named Jimmy Wonga died at Burra Hospital as a result of burns received near Yatina. He deposed while dying that he had got drunk on brandy and had fallen into a fire without noticing it and on Sunday he couldn’t walk. He additionally deposed that Mr James of Mannanarie had given him one bottle of rum and Forrest a bottle of brandy at the same time and place.

Dr John I. Sangster said both legs were badly burned - the left from foot to thigh and the right to the knee. Bone was exposed and both legs were in a state of mortification.

The inquest details extend over 2 columns.

Thomas James and David Forrest denied supplying liquor.

Verdict was death from burns received through falling into a fire while in a state of intoxication and ‘that from the evidence given every attention was paid to the deceased by Mr J.B. Carr JP and P-C Ormsby, and the telegrams which appeared in the Advertiser were absolutely false.

[The registration of death says: Jemmy Wonga, died 27 June, aged 45, but the documents related to the cemetery records say burial was on 24 June!]

IV, 209, 30 June 1882, Page 3

Prize list for the Burra Show to be held early in September 1882.

IV, 210, 7 July 1882, Page 2

Notice. BYMMIA, Wesleyan Schoolroom this evening: What is a comet?

Notice. Tenders called for repairs to the Bible Christian Sunday School, Kooringa.

Advt. The Great Georgie Smithson in her monologue entertainment Kaleiscoteriecosmographic, in which she sustains the character, voice and dialect of:

The Rough Diamond from Lancashire

The Duchess of Devonshire

The Aesthetic Lady (One of the Too Utterly Utter)

Bob Sacks (One of the Lower Orders)

Sir Foppington Vane (One of the Upper 10)

The Standard Bearer (Of the Past)

Mrs Brown (On Women’s Rights)

Concluding with the Comic Pantomime, Mother Shipton, in which she sustains 8 characters in 20 minutes.

Matinee Saturday at the Institute & Friday & Saturday Nights, 7 & 8 July.

Marriage. On 22 June, George Wall, 3rd son of the late Charles Wall of Hampton and Jessie Bryce, only surviving daughter of the late John Bryce of Ulooloo.

Editorial on the Debate on the Land Bill.

To allow those who bid up the price of land extravagantly in order to keep others out, now to surrender and reselect without penalty is ‘to offer a premium to recklessness and greed.’ The only concessions that should be offered is remission of interest for those whose crops have failed - say less than 4 bushels per acre. A solution might be that whatever the price it be paid in 20 equal instalments without interest.

2nd Leader on Government Experimental Farms.

Entertainment. The Recreation Ground Concert has been postponed for a fortnight to give reasonable time for preparation.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 2 & 3 July, Rev. J. Wright preached. The tea meeting was largely attended.

Burra Town Council, 3 July

The Mayor reported that he had waited with the ex-Mayor on Sir Henry Ayers to ask that not all springs at Diprose Creek be sold, but some be reserved for the benefit of the public. They were favourably received.

The Government advised that there were no funds to make the road between the passenger and goods gates at the station.

There was a long discussion re the Market Square lamp and it was finally resolved that the dayman would trim it in Corporation time and light it in his own time.

Redruth Court, 4 July

G.H. Loxton, a drover, was charged with stabbing Duncan James McColey at Baldina on 29 June, but after hearing evidence the charge was dismissed. Loxton was further charged with destroying a valise of McColey’s by burning it. He was ordered to pay 50/- compensation.

Burra District Council, Election results, 26 June.

Middle Ward Stapleton James elected unopposed

South Ward John Fradd elected unopposed

North Ward R. Smith elected unopposed

Auditors Birt

Edwards

Holder

On 3 July Holder & Birt were elected auditors.

IV, 210, 7 July 1882, Page 3

“Unit” continues A Trip to Farina, extending for just over 1 column.

Letter from Andrew Marvel protesting about a smith shoeing a horse on a Sunday.

IV, 211, 14 July 1882, Page 2

Advt. Primitive Methodist Dinner, Monday 7 August, in the Kooringa Schoolroom at 4.30 p.m. 1/6. Followed by a sacred concert in the Institute at 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Wesleyan Home Mission services next Sunday. Preaching by Rev. W.A. Langsford, Rev. C. Lane of Clare.

Speakers on Monday: Mr John Lane, Rev. C. Lane, Rev. W.A. Langsford and F.W. Holder.

Notice. KYMMIA [Sometimes starts with K for Kooringa & sometimes B for Burra]

Wesleyan Schoolroom tonight: The Political Aspect of the Temperance Question.

Advt. Mrs J.H. Roe’s school re-opens Monday 17 July.

Notice. John Jones of Hampton thanks all for their help in extinguishing the fire at his Redruth premises on 6 July.

Editorial on the Bombardment of Alexandria [by the British Navy.]

Obituary. On 4 July, at Bridgewater, John Hill of Kooringa, husband of Elizabeth Hill and son of the late Richard Hill of Kooringa, aged 46.

Rain for the week was 1.1” and the side creeks ran for the first time in nine months.

Burra Floricultural Society AGM on Friday. Dr Brummitt was elected President to replace Mr Loutit who has left the district. Mr Cave is Vice-President, Mr Holder Treasurer, and Mr Davey Secretary.

Burra Institute. Half-yearly meeting Tuesday. Attendance was small. Total liabilities £219-7-6. The Treasurer, Dr Brummitt hoped to pay off the debt if members’ subscriptions came in for c. £34-7-6 and with £50 raised by the end of the year and the £56-13-10 already raised the Government subsidy would allow the debt to be paid off.

Fire Inquest. The premises of Mr John Jones, Bootmaker of Redruth, were destroyed by fire on the morning of 6 July. The shop was a galvanised iron on wood frame building with a calico ceiling and iron roof. There is no fireplace and no use of fire, but a kerosene lamp was in use. The contents of the shop were £10 of leather and the stock of boots and shoes worth c. £50-£60. Jones blew out the lamp and left at 7.30 p.m. Wednesday. He knew of no ill will towards himself, but believed there was some towards his landlord, Mr Gray - some quarrel with Mr O’Farrell about ownership of the land.

Lewis Jones, brother of John Jones, gave confirming evidence.

John Robinson Gray, owner of the workshop, confirmed a quarrel with O’Farrell over the ownership.

Catherine Linkson, wife of George Linkson, lives nearby - only a footpath in between. She was awoken by the sound of the fire about 3.40 a.m. on Thursday.

William Neville who keeps the Court House Hotel was woken about 4 a.m. by cries of ‘Fire’ and saw Jones’s workshop alight. With 4 or 5 teamsters from the hotel we managed to put out the fire with buckets of water. It was the front part of the building that was on fire.

O’Farrell helped to put out the fire.

William Linkson, letter carrier and son of George Linkson, gave supporting evidence and advised the police of the fire.

Lewis Davis, aged 12, son of Lewis Davis, lives nearby said he saw a light in Jones’s c. 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, but no one else did.

William Prior, farmer of Baldina, saw no light when he passed 8-9 p.m. Wednesday.

William Farrell was aroused by the blaze of a fire about 3 a.m., his wife having been disturbed by the noise of horses in the yard. Julia Farrell corroborated her husband’s evidence.

David Smith, painter, of Redruth saw no lights when he passed at 8.15 p.m.

P-C Richard Phelan could give no definite cause for the fire, but it appeared to be either maliciously set or by one who intended to plunder the shop.

The jury’s verdict was in line with Phelan’s views: the building was ‘wilfully and maliciously set on fire by person or persons unknown.’

IV, 211, 14 July 1882, Page 3

Obituary and Inquest. On Monday morning Mr Halliat fell down dead in Mr Batchelor’s shop, Kooringa. J.D. Cave JP conducted the inquest.

William Batchelor - Deceased came frequently of late, buying books at my father’s shop and had come this morning for the same reason. I was fetching a book for him when he fell. Called my father and sent for P-C Johnson and then went for Dr Brummitt.

William Henry Batchelor confirmed the above.

Robert Brummitt said the post mortem revealed extensive disease of one of the valves of the heart, of long standing.

Harriet Smith, wife of James Smith, said she had known the deceased c. 30 years and believed him to be aged c. 64. He had stayed at the Smith’s the previous night with no signs of ill health. He was on his way home to Lancelot.

P-C John Worthy Johnson gave confirming evidence and said the deceased had

£14-11-3 on him, together with three keys and a train ticket for Terowie, a bundle of clothes and five new books.

The verdict was in accord with Dr Brummitt’s findings.

[No Halliat is registered as dying, but John Hallett died on 11 July of heart disease, aged 64. He was a farmer of Gumbowie and seems certain to have been the person intended despite the name and date of death being 10 July in the paper.]

Apoinga Copper Mining Co., Prospectus runs across two columns.

There was a call for £30,000 in 60,000 shares of 10/- each. The aim of the company was to acquire and work Mineral Lease 553 in the Hd Apoinga, 79 acres, c.10 miles from Kooringa.

A report from Thomas Anthony of Kurilla Mine is attached and also one from Thomas Cowling of Hamley Mine, Yorke’s Peninsula. Both are very favourable.

IV, 211, 14 July 1882, Supplement

Prize list for the Burra Floricultural Society Show.

IV, 212, 21 July 1882, Page 2

Notice. KYMMIA this evening in the Wesleyan Schoolroom: Mr W.E. Gladstone as a Peacemaker or Topics on the Irish and Egyptian Questions.

Advt. John Sampson Jun. has opened a Labour Office next door to the Burra Hotel. Second-hand furniture bought and sold.

Advt. Burra Recreation Ground Concert, Thursday 27 July [Presumably at the Institute] 2/- & 1/-. MOONLIGHT. A program of 26 items is printed.

Advt. Bible Christian Special Effort Supper & Entertainment.

Special Services Sunday 30 July and Wednesday 2 August.

In aid of schoolroom renovations.

Advt. Opening of the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Douglas, Sunday 23 July 1882.

2.30 p.m. Rev. J.G. Wright, 6 p.m. Mr T. Hutchins.

Public Tea Meeting 26 July. MOONLIGHT.

Samuel Drew & Co. want 200 teams to cart wool from the N-E to Burra and Terowie stations.

Marriage. At New Aberdeen, 6 July, John Collins second son of Henry Collins of Mt Bryan, to Catherine Simpson, eldest daughter of Frederick Simpson of Aberdeen.

Editorial on the Electoral Districts Bill (The Constitution Act Amendment Bill)

BYMMIA, Friday last, William Pearce Sen. read a paper: Have the Government a right to grant licences for the manufacture and sale of intoxicants?

The Season. Crops in the north are backward, but recent rains have brought them on and there is some hope of a satisfactory result.

Football. Brewery Flat. Burra 4.6 defeated United Tradesmen 0.0

Aberdeen P.O. About a year ago attempts to get a post and telegraph office at the northern end of the town fell through. A meeting was held at the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen on Tuesday last to remedy the situation. A committee has been formed to prepare a memorial for presentation to Parliament to have a post and telegraph office in the north end of Burra.

Redruth Court, 19 July.

Smith driving loose horses through Burra streets 10/-

Morris driving round a corner at over 4 m.p.h. 5/-

Morrison driving round a corner at over 4 m.p.h. 5/-

Joseph Williams stray cows in Redruth 5/-

Edwards stray cows in Kooringa 5/-

Bowman indecent language 10/-

IV, 213, 28 July 1882, Page 2

Notice. Tenders called for 3 iron gates for the Recreation Ground.

Advt. BYMMIA, next meeting Free Trade versus Protection.

Marriage. 26 July, Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

George Anderson, 4th son of George Anderson of Burra Mines and

Margaret Bruse, 2nd daughter of Mr M.H. Bruse of Kooringa.

Editorial on the 2nd reading of the Electoral Districts Bill.

2nd Leader on The Land Bill.

3rd Leader on The Egyptian Imbroglio.

Entertainment. The model of the famous Strasbourg Clock is on show at the Institute.

Obituary. Charles Simeon Hare, an old colonist. [Died 20 July, aged 74.]

Apoinga Mine. A company to work the claim has been floated.

Bible Christian Sunday School has been renovated.

SA Estimates 1882-3. Provision has been made for extensions to the Kooringa Police Station and work at Burra Hospital.

Rain for the week at Kooringa was 0.75”.

New Building in Burra.

The new Kooringa Wesleyan parsonage is nearing completion. (c. £1,100)

Considerable improvements have just begun at Dr Brummitt’s house.

Kooringa Police Station is being improved.

C. Drew is calling tenders for a large house on Limestone Hill.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Chapel was opened on 23 July 1882. At each service the place was more than filled. Rev. J.G. Wright and Mr T. Hutchins preached. There was a public tea on Wednesday. The church is built of stone and covered with iron. When all promises are collected the debt will be but £10. Mr Turner donated the land. Previously services were held at Mr & Mrs Dolman’s house.

BYMMIA. Address by Mr W. H. Hardy: W.E. Gladstone or The Irish and Egyptian Questions. Messrs Hardy and Geake Sen. said Gladstone had procrastinated and temporised, while Rev. S. Knight and Messrs Mathews and Kitchen defended Gladstone.

Railways. There are complaints that despite being the largest market outside of Adelaide, Burra has hopelessly inadequate cattle loading facilities at the station. Recently a mob of cattle was walked to Farrell’s Flat for loading, so bad are Burra facilities.

IV, 213, 28 July 1882, Page 3

Advt. James Scott Shoeing and General Smith, Thames St, adjoining Hutson’s Wheelwright Shop.

IV, 214, 4 August 1882, Page 2

Editorial on the Financial Position in SA.

2nd Leader on New Taxes and Government Subsidies, especially a 1d duty on all cheques and land tax on areas beyond District Councils.

3rd Leader on The Egyptian Crisis.

Sara & Dunstan have won the contract for C. Drew’s house for £1,320 and some extra work will bring it to over £1,400.

W. Henderson won the tender for the Recreation Ground gates at £22-15-0.

Bible Christian special effort to raise money for the Sunday school renovations raised c. £30. F.W. Holder presided at the evening entertainment after the tea on Wednesday.

The Recreation Ground Concert raised c. £20.

IV, 214, 4 August 1882, Page 3

Football. Mr Austin’s Paddock.

Half time Full time

Burra 1.5 1.8

Seven Hills 0.0 0.0

Seven Hills were only able to bring 18 men and Burra could only muster 19.

IV, 215, 11 August 1882, Page 2

Marriage. R.W. Mathews of the Commercial School, Kooringa and

Joanna Addis, eldest daughter of Henry Addis of Melbourne.

Editorial on the Electoral Districts Bill.

2nd Leader on Wild Dogs and other Vermin Destruction Bill.

3rd Leader on SA Financial Policy.

Football. Clare, Monday. Clare 2.20 defeated Burra 0.5

Clare had a full team; Burra could only get 14 to go away.

Accident. Monday night by St Mary’s a vehicle of Mr Young’s of Aberdeen collided with a cab and in trying to get past, the boy with the mail cart ran into the others. The boy was thrown out, but not hurt, while Miss Short, who was in Mr Young’s vehicle, sustained a broken arm.

Annual Primitive Methodist Dinner & Concert last Wednesday raised over £30.

Aberdeen P.O. A petition for better postal and telegraph facilities at Aberdeen has been presented. About 80,000 letters pass through the existing Redruth and Aberdeen post offices annually. There are some 20 mails received and despatched daily, bringing in revenue of some £400 for the department. The inhabitants number about 900 plus those in the outside districts. There are 27 businesses in town and the telegraph station is at the station a mile or more away. The present offices are in private hands and the request is for a Government officer to control both postal and telegraph services.

Burra Town Council, 7 August.

J.R. Gray was approved as a substitute for the Inspector when he was absent on leave.

Gardner & Co. decline the survey contract.

The Town Clerk will now obtain advice as to what part of the survey could stand over to bring the work within budget.

The Town Clerk will obtain a copy of the new survey made by SAMA of the town’s main street.

Mount Bryan Ratepayers’ Meeting, 5 August.

The Council will try to buy the present Council Chamber, which is for sale to clear its debt.

The Education Department is to be asked to build a school and teacher’s residence on Section 80 or 91 - there being a desire for a central location.

There is a request that the Council Chambers be a polling station.

The platform needs lengthening with shelter for passengers and a goods shed.

IV, 215, 11 August 1882, Page 3

Letter from ‘Footballer’ condemning the Riverton correspondent’s comments on the Burra-Clare match.

IV, 216, 18 August 1882, Page 2

Advt. Institute 23 august, Archibald Forbes will deliver his celebrated lecture: The Inner Life of a War Correspondent. 4/-, 2/-.

Editorial on the Abolition of Oaths Bill.

Rev. G. W. Kennion MA of Bradford, England, has been chosen Anglican Bishop of Adelaide.

Mr Rounsevell MP has been asking questions about cattle loading at Burra station and a report on needs has been called for.

Rains have been good locally and have extended east.

BYMMIA, Friday 4 August, Free Trade versus Protection. Mr Holder championed free trade and Mr Geake supported protection. At the end there were 12 votes for protection and 1 for free trade.

Apoinga Copper Mining Co. All 40,000 shares have been taken up. J.S. Scott has been appointed manager. Directors: Hon. W.C. Buik and Messrs E. Cooke JP, E.H. Derrington JP, Captain Killicoat, W.J. Magarey, J.C. Minns and William Rhodes.

Letter from ‘Friendliness’ on the Clare-Burra football match in reply to last issue’s ‘Footballer’.

Letter from ‘Respice Finem’ [Look to the end] who is appalled by cricket being played near Drew’s store, Aberdeen, on a Sunday.

Letter from ‘Wicket-keeper’ on the same subject as the previous, revealing it was the Muffs team that was at practice.

Letter from ‘Observer’ on the same, saying that not only is this desecration seen in Aberdeen, but also at the Unicorn Brewery and in the yard ‘of a respectable boarding establishment.’

V, 217, 25 August 1882, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer on 1 September, 22,400 sheep.

Advt. For Sale on 13 September, at Iron Mine, an allotment of land, blacksmith’s shop and dwelling, furniture etc. On account of Mr A.J. Filmer who is leaving the colony.

Advt. Mrs G. Dawson, Commercial St. Next quarter commences 12 September. Vacancies for two morning pupils.

Advt. In the Institute Hall, Monday 28 August

Rainer’s Original Panorama of the American War and Tuesday 29 August

Rainer’s Great Panorama of the Russo-Turkish War.

Obituary. 17 August at Nelson Town, Thomas Henry Woollacott, aged 1 year 5 months, son of T.H. & C.F.C. Woollacott. [Born Nelson Town 4 March 1881. Not to be confused with Thomas Henry Woollacott born to the same parents at Nelson Town 1 October 1882.]

Obituary. Mary Jordan, 19 August at Burra, aged 43. Wife of George Willmer Jordan, leaving a husband and four children. [nee Kearns]

Editorial on the Vermin Act.

2nd Leader on The Land Bill, in which the Government have finally accepted the line we advocated - 10% on selection and 5% per annum thereafter with the right to buy at any time after 10 years on payment of the balance owing - no interest to be charged in any of the above.

3rd Leader on Mr J. White’s attack on the SA land system.

J.D. Cave & Mr Forsyth of Copperhouse have taken prizes at the Gawler Poultry Show.

Tree Planting. We regret none has been done in the town this year, but the Recreation Ground has been planted and when finished there will be c. 220 trees there; about 100 sugar gums, 50 cork elms and white cedar and pepper trees.

Archibald Forbes attracted a very large audience, but the review says he ‘has not great platform abilities’ though his exciting adventures were ‘pleasantly told’.

New Railway Fares, from 1 September. Return tickets will cost a fare and a half and excursion tickets on Saturdays and special occasions will provide returns for single fare price.

Present Fare New Fare

1st Class 3d per mile 2d per mile

2nd Class 2d to 21⁄2d per mile 11⁄4d per mile

3rd Class 11⁄2d per mile Discontinued

Burra Town Council, 21 August

Council accepted with thanks 50 cork elms from Mr C. Gall, for the Recreation Ground.

The wall at the Recreation Ground has been finished and trees will be planted at once.

V, 217, 25 August 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Practice matches have begun. On Saturday:

Model School Boys 45 & 43 (88) defeated Commercial School Boys 9 & 15 (24)

Letter from ‘Curiosity’ queries the style of ‘Respice Finem’.

Letter from ‘Blue and Black’ on the abusive outpourings of ‘Short Mark’ about the Clare-Burra football match.

‘Short Mark’ writes in his own defence.

V, 218, 1 September 1882, Page 2

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope Entertainment, 1 September at the Redruth Schoolroom in aid of the Wesleyan Bazaar funds.

Notice. 1 September 1882, the partnership between F.W. Holder and Francis Pascoe, carrying on business at Terowie as Printers and Newspaper Proprietors, is dissolved by mutual consent.

Mr Francis Pascoe is now the sole proprietor of the N-E Times & Terowie News.

Obituary. At Mt Bryan, 20 August, Thomas Brady, aged 46, husband of Elizabeth Ann Brady. Leaving a wife and nine children.

Editorial on The Land Bill.

2nd Leader on the Season’s Prospects and Mining Prospects.

3rd Leader on Our Manufacturers.

Rainer’s Diorama drew good audiences.

Mushrooms have been abundant this season.

Mr E. Lipsett, formerly connected with the Burra Cricket Club has donated a gold medal for the coming season’s best all-round player.

Burra Cricket Club meeting on Friday last at the Burra Hotel. Elected were:

Patron W.B. Rounsevell MP

President William West

Captain G. Butterworth

Vice-captain J. Herbert

Treasurer F. Carey

Secretary G. Dawson

The club will play on Brewery Flat, which has been lent to the club by J. Sampson Jun.

Redruth Court, 30 August

Stasinowski driving on a footpath 10/-

James Nelson riding on a footpath 10/-

James Nelson breaking-in a horse in a public street £1

J. King driving a wagon and team at a trotting pace 5/-

A Schutz driving round a corner at over 4 m.p.h. 5/-

Lowe a stray cow 5/-

V, 218, 1 September 1882, Page 3

Letter from ‘New Arrival’ condemning the low wages paid by many for labour. 12/- a week plus board equal to c. £1 is common and £1 a week is ridiculous for a man to live on and keep a family.

‘Respice Finem’ writes to defend his literary style.

Letter from ‘Commercial’ wondering why the other match won by the Commercial School was not mentioned: viz.

Commercial School Boys 52 & 59 (111) defeated Model School Boys 26 & 48 (74).

V, 219, 8 September 1882, Page 2

Advt. Detailed advertisement for the sale of the Iron Mine Blacksmith’s shop, house and equipment.

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. on instruction from Mr Midwinter will sell the Baldina Hotel situated 10 miles from Burra on the main TSR with valuable farm of 678 acres on sections 25 & 104 Hd of Baldina, fenced and divided into four paddocks. Well, large dam, blacksmith’s shop and cottage. Baldina Pound is on the property. The hotel contains 12 rooms with stables, sheds, 10,000-gallon tank etc. with live and dead farm stock.

Notice. I, Joseph Williams, have taken all the unsold allotments in Millerton.

Advt. Grand Bazaar, Show Day and the day after, in aid of a new Wesleyan Schoolroom, Redruth. In Institute 22 & 23 September.

Marriage. 24 August at Kooringa.

Henry Roach, 2nd son of the late John Roach of Aberdeen, and

Minetta Lane, eldest daughter of Philip Lane JP of Kooringa.

Editorial on Trees in Burra

The Council will spend £50 in Middle Ward and £40 in North Ward this season. This follows the approval of tree planting for Government subsidy. It may be unwise to continue roadside planting from Kooringa to the Mine Store pending alterations to the road contemplated by the Road Board, but the street on the eastern side of the creek would be a good place. In North Ward there are places near the two bridges on the main road [?] and from the iron bridge to the boundary of North and Middle Wards where room for 60-70 trees is easily made.

Apoinga Mine. Captain North has engaged three miners well known in Burra in addition to three already there.

The Burra Band. On Saturday evening the band performed for the first time outside their practice room. Mr A. Wheatley has been seconded in his training efforts by Mr Joseph Davey. Their first public performance in Market Square is scheduled for Saturday next, weather permitting.

Cricket. The Aberdeen club met at the Court House Hotel last week. Elected were:

Patrons Messrs W.B. Rounsevell & I. Killicoat JP

President W.R. Ridgway JP

Captain D. Smith

Vice Captain Mr Whittick

Secretary Mr Moorhouse

Treasurer M. Rayner

Entertainment last night to aid the Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar which in turn aids a new schoolroom there.

Burra Town Council, 4 September

A group comprising Messrs A. Harris, J. Launder, W. Rodda & J. Edwards presented a memorial from 45 people asking for an improvement of access from their houses to the business centre. The route desired was along Mitchell Flat and then along the eastern side of the Burra Creek to Bridge St near Mr Sampson Sen.’s. Mitchell’s Flat has never been made and there is some question whether the rest of the track is on public land. If it is not they ask for it to be obtained and put in repair.

Council voted to inspect and for the finance committee to report on funds.

Crown Lands advises that money spent on tree planting would be supplemented as for other public works. £40 is therefore to be spent on trees in North Ward and £50 in Middle Ward.

Obituary & Inquest. Frederick Beck died 2 September. Inquest 3 September.

Coroner, William F. Coglin JP with John Snell foreman of the jury.

Emma Jane Johnson of Princess Town said Beck fell into the dam c. 3 p.m. yesterday. He was playing there with my daughter Eliza. I tried to help him out with a sheet, but he was too far away. I ran into Burra to get help.

The nearest neighbour was Mr Bewley c. 3⁄4 mile away. I knew he was absent as was my husband. Mr Tolman’s boy was the first to give help.

Horace E. West - was riding out yesterday when Miss McBride said a little boy had fallen into the dam. Went there and with a plank got him out and then went to fetch Dr Sangster and Mr Johnson, whom I met going out. A boy arrived about the same time as I.

Deceased is a son of Mrs Johnson.

Thomas Pearce gave evidence supporting the above, having arrived very soon after Mr West.

The depth of the water was about 2’10”.

Dr Sangster confirmed drowning as the cause of death.

P-C John Worthy Johnson gave evidence and the verdict of the jury was ‘death by falling into a dam and being drowned and not otherwise.’

[Death registeration gives the age as 5 years and the place as Princes Town. Born 1 April 1878.]

Cricket. Muff club practice match, Saturday, near Drew & Co. Aberdeen. Mr M’Cleary’s Side 100 defeated Mr Warburton’s Side 33 & 35 (68)

V, 220, 15 September 1882, Page 2

Advts. Dr Brummitt & Dr Sangster offer vaccinations.

Notice. Application for the Apoinga Copper Mining Co. to be registered by James Simpson Scott, Manager, 15 September 1882.

Operations will be on Section 12 Hd Apoinga.

Shares: 50,000 at 10/- each, of which 40,000 have been subscribed for.

Obituary. 11 September, at Burra, George Anderson, aged 68.

Burra Brass Band did not appear on Saturday due to the illness of a leading player, but will do so tomorrow night.

The Season. Lack of heavy winter rain and warm winds recently have resulted in an urgent need for rain now.

Military Matters. A Bill in the House of Assembly places the Rifle Volunteer Force (Once known as the SA Rifle Association) under the control of Colonel Downes and the Government has the power to increase the Volunteer Military Force from 1,000 to 1,500. It is likely the former will be disbanded and the latter strengthened.

Roseworthy College. A college is to be established on the site of the Government Farm at Roseworthy.

Burra Hospital. Arrangements have been made to have the scavenger remove night soil from earth closets every Saturday for 3/- a week. The water closets will be altered to earth closets. Repairs continue in a dilatory fashion.

Burra [Oddfellows] Lodge. Members, 306; Receipts £303-10-0;

Expenditure £196-9-11. [Other financial details are provided.] The lodge is in a very prosperous condition.

Cricket. Saturday, at Drew & Co., Aberdeen. A practice match for the men of the three town clubs. Mr Warburton’s Side 122 defeated Mr Whittick’s Side 121.

9 September Model School Boys 56 7 69 (125) defeated

Young Australians 74 & 42 (116)

V, 220, 15 September 1882, Page 3

Obituary & Inquest. George [Wilson] Roberts died 7 September [aged 34] at Wildotta. P. Lane JP, coroner and Arthur Motley, foreman of the jury.

William Sara, of Sara & Dunstan - Had employed the deceased c. 3 months as a mason’s labourer. Was advised on Thursday by John Harvey, another workman, that Roberts was ill. Sent Harvey to get a doctor and to inform the deceased’s wife. Went out to Wildotta, but Roberts died within five minutes of my arrival.

Jane Roberts - Her husband had complained of chest pains for the last two years and had done so quite recently.

John Harvey then gave details of the deceased’s last day. He had not felt well and had not worked on Thursday and by Thursday afternoon was coughing blood. Roberts had died immediately after the arrival of Dr Brummitt at Wildotta c. 9.15 p.m.

Dr Robert Brummitt - a post mortem revealed that death was due to an aneurism, which burst in the gullet. It seemed to have been of considerable duration and death was inevitable and life could not have been prolonged by earlier medical aid.

Verdict was death by natural causes.

V, 221, 22 September 1882, Page 2

Obituary. 7 September, at Burra [But see inquest in previous issue] George Wilson Roberts, husband of Jane Roberts, aged 34.

Editorial on the Egyptian Crisis.

The Season. Early promise has been dashed by lack of follow-up rains. If no rain comes soon the harvest will be worse than last year’s. Some dams are even now empty. To the east crops are virtually beyond hope, but in other directions could still recover if rain comes soon.

Mr Mathew’s School. There is a report on the term prior to breaking for the Michaelmas Holidays. [c. 1⁄3 column of details.]

Burra Town Council, 18 September

No tenders were received for the town survey.

Middle Ward trees are to be planted near Commercial St Bridge, Paxton Square facing the creek and north of the Brewery wall.

In North Ward the two councillors and the Town Clerk will decide. They will be planted 24’ apart with a tree to be planted between them next year.

£8-14-0 is to be spent on the Mitchell’s Flat footways.

Redruth Court, 18 September.

Jones (painter) v. Steele (butcher of Tothills Creek)

Steele did not hear a warning re wet paint on a Burra Hotel verandah post. He leant against it and painted his coat. He then kicked over the painter’s paint pot. He claimed this was accidental, but the court decided otherwise. Ordered to pay a fine of £1-5-0 for the paint, court fees of 10/-, witness fees of 15/- and counsel’s fees of £2-2-0.

Nelson & Hoar were each fined 5/- for furious riding.

Kidman fined 10/- for driving loose horses through Aberdeen.

Midland Road Board, 19 September

The Burra Mayor and Town Clerk waited on the Board re the town’s wants.

The main road between Kooringa and Aberdeen was very narrow and should be widened.

The Mine Bridge should be repaired.

The road in Aberdeen from the National Bank Corner towards Kooringa should be raised to allow kerbing to be set in place.

Culverts on the road from Redruth P.O. to Killicoat’s Bridge should be lengthened. [Is this the bridge east of Snake Gully/Victoria Place near the eastern boundary of the Corporation?]

The proposed work from the Kooringa P.O. to the National Bank corner should be done as soon as possible.

The Corporation Inspector should be appointed Ranger over the Main Roads within the town.

The first would be done when funds permitted

The second was deemed good enough until next year when it would be attended to.

The third would be done to allow adequate drainage and would be done at once if it could be managed for the £70-£80 they had available.

The fourth was being done.

The fifth would be done when funds were available. The road would be raised c. 13” opposite Dr Brummitt’s and about 17-18” opposite Mr Bath’s.

The sixth was agreed to.

Cricket. Saturday’s practice match.

Mr Warburton’s Side 216 defeated Mr M’Cleary’s Side 24

16 September

Commercial School Boys 60 & 36 for 4 wickets (96) defeated

Model School Boys 46 & 48 (94)

V, 222, 29 September 1882, Page 2

Birth. 23 September, at Spring Farm, World’s End, to the wife of Thomas McWaters, a son. [Charles Alic]

Editorial on the unreasonableness of the Midland Road Board re junctions between main roads and district roads. Height differences often made access to the main road difficult or even impossible.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary, 24 & 25 September drew large congregations.

Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar in the Institute last Friday and Saturday was most successful. The hall was packed on Friday. Mr A.W. Dobbie of Adelaide exhibited his phonograph to the delight and wonder of all listeners. Proceeds were c. £140.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday. Dr Stephenson from London preached morning and evening and Rev. S. Knight in the afternoon. The tea meeting was on Wednesday when the Treasurer, F.W. Holder, showed a healthy state of accounts. Nearly 600 persons had been converted and taken up membership in Burra and District in the last year. Total proceeds were c. £100.

Dr Stephenson from London gave a lecture in the Institute on Monday on Save the Children. At the close donations and promises of five year subscriptions to support the Homes for Orphans and Street Arab Children in England amounted to £657.

The Burra Show was held on 22 September at the English and Australian Copper Co. grounds at Redruth. It was an unqualified success despite the unseasonable weather. The attendance was c. 2,000. Sheep and poultry were the chief exhibits. Cattle were slightly improved and horses were good. Implements were better represented and two stump-jump ploughs were shown. Mt T.H. Pearse of Hallett showed two traps.

Wool was of a superior class and wheat in ear was good, but in bags was down in quality. Local vegetables were very poor and C. Oppermann was the only prizewinner.

In flowers Messrs Fuss and Packard showed ‘what may be done even in Burra’.

[H.C.W. Fuss, usually known as W. Fuss and D. Spencer Packard.]

Local fruit was shown for the first time with oranges, lemons and olives from Captain Killicoat.

The Burra Brass Band played.

[Flowers:

Pot plants in bloom W. Fuss 1

Pot plants; no reference to blooms W. Fuss 1

Bouquet for table W. Fuss 1

Bouquet for hand W. Fuss 2]

V, 222, 29 September 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Burra 77 defeated Muffs 54 & 17 (71)

V, 223, 6 October 1882, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 14,750 sheep on 6 October.

Advt. Austin, Davison & Jaffrey will offer 100 horses at the Aberdeen yards 13 October.

Advt. A special effort for the New Wesleyan Parsonage will be held at the Wesleyan Church Redruth on 8 October. Rev. G.E. Rowe of Adelaide will preach three sermons at 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 6.30 p.m. He will also deliver a lecture on Monday in the Redruth Church and Tuesday in the Kooringa Church on Cornwall and Cornishmen by a Cornishman.

Birth. 26 September, to the wife of John Beckwith of Cartapoo, a daughter. [Ethel Beatrice Florence Maud]

Editorial on the Market Square Pump.

Last summer, though the pump was fixed late in the season, it was a great boon to householders, teamsters and gardens. The pump has been worked hard and threw a good stream at first, but now the leathers are worn and it needs refitting and improving before summer. What is needed is a windmill and four 400 gallon tanks set at a height of c.12’. This would cost c. £70 and would be most remunerative for the Council. This supply could be automatically kept full and would also be useful in case of fire.

2nd Leader on the bills before the SA Parliament.

The Aurora Australis, in a peculiar reddish hue, was visible several hours Monday night.

A comet has been visible in eastern skies just before sunrise for several weeks.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, Sunday 7 Monday last.

Revs. H.J. Pope and S. Knight officiated. F.W. Holder presided at the public meeting. Proceeds c. £50.

St Joseph’s School had what we hear was their first picnic last Monday when they went to Princess Royal. Thanks go to Father Kriessl for organising it.

John Burnett left the Burra Hospital on 22 August to go to Farrell’s Flat. He got as far as Spring Bank on the first night and Sod Hut on Thursday morning. [This suggests he made a mistake and turned left near Porter’s Lagoon when he should have turned right.] From there he wandered east and ended up at a hut about four miles from Princess Royal. There he was overtaken by rheumatics and could hardly move. He lay almost immobile for five days without food, but managing to crawl to some water. A station-hand then found him, but did not return with aid. Burnett, still unable to move stayed at the hut 37 days before attracting the attention of a stockman. The next day D. McCulloch of Princess Royal had him brought in and then took him into Burra. P-C Johnson took him to the police station where his wife gave him some oatmeal. Dr Brummitt was summoned and admitted him to the hospital.

He has been charged with not having visible means of support.

The Season. Friday and Saturday were fearful days of high winds and dust storms. Rain fell on Sunday and Wednesday. The wind did much damage over a wide area of the mid-north.

Railways. A meeting at Petersburg on 26 September pushed for the extension of the broad gauge from Terowie to Petersburg. There was also a move to have the railway extended as broad gauge from Petersburg to the east through the Hundreds of Morgan, Coglin and Cavenagh, then via Waukaringa. Such a line would pass through better country than one going east from Terowie. Mr A. Threadgold thought that Petersburg would be ruined if the line started from there, but his amendment to that effect failed.

V, 223, 6 October 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Saturday, South End of Town 168 defeated North End of Town 31 & 49 (80)

Letter from ‘Red Coat’ advocating the establishment of a Volunteer Corps in Burra. The editor hopes the matter will be taken up.

V, 224, 13 October 1882, Page 2

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 22 7 25 October. Rev W. Diment and Rev S. Knight will preach.

Advt. For Sale or To Let. A comfortable 6-roomed house now in the occupation of Mrs T. Killicoat and known as Willow Cottage, nearly opposite Mr Fuss’s, Redruth. [Strictly speaking in Llwchwr]

Editorial on the SA Parliament.

New JP. E.C. Lockyer, Kooringa.

Rev. T. Allen preached twice at the bible Christian Church on Sunday. He was in charge here 15-16 years ago.

Rev. J.G. Rowe [In the last issue he was G.E.!] preached at the Wesleyan special effort last week and was much appreciated. He is likely to succeed Rev. W.A. Bainger in Burra next year. The new parsonage is now completed and it is a comfortable and elegant building. The total cost is £1,050. It is hoped the next bazaar will clear it of debt.

Burra Town Council, 9 October

W. Duffy, surveyor of the Midland Road Board objected to kerbing in Aberdeen as narrowing the main road. He also wanted it lowered. He is to be advised the road width is being maintained at 46’ and Council agrees to lower the kerb 6” opposite Mr Rabbich’s.

In reference to the frontage line of Dr Brummitt’s new building, he was told the line from the S-E corner of the Institute fence to the National Bank must be adhered to.

The Creek path to Mitchell’s Flat is to be attended to. Mr Dobbie will be asked to supply specifications for the Market Square work in connection with fitting a windmill and tanks.

Redruth Court, 11 October

Knevitt v. Knevitt

This was an application to make a grandmother support her grandchildren, her son having deserted them. When the bench learnt that her annual income was £18 they dismissed the claim.

V, 224, 13 October 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Saturday, near Drew’s store, Aberdeen.

Burra 138 defeated Terowie 30 7 53 (83)

V, 225, 20 October 1882, Page 2

Advt. For Sale, corner allotment Welsh Place and Kingston St, with or without the machinery. Apply J.H. Horwood, Engineer, Peel St, Adelaide.

Advt. Gethsemane to Calvary and Other Poems by R.W. Mathews of the Commercial School, Kooringa, will shortly appear.

Season. Generally harvest prospects are becoming gloomier by the day.

Railway. A Bill to construct the railway from Nairne to the Victorian Border seems likely to pass.

Matthew Burnett, the great temperance lecturer will address meetings in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Saturday and Sunday evening and at noon and 7.30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Obituary & Inquest. James Robertson, aged 23, died in the Burra Hospital, 10 October as the result of injuries sustained at Pine Valley Station when the top of a wool press fell on him. Evidence was given by James M. McBride, owner of the station. His and other evidence runs for c. 11⁄4 columns and central is the issue of the state of the press and the knowledge people had of its state. There are some discrepancies about this, but eventually the jury found accidental death without commenting on culpability with respect to the state of the wool press. The cause of death was given as fracture of the spine and probable internal injuries. [Death not apparently registered.]

V, 225, 20 October 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Saturday 11 October

Model School Boys 61 & 38 (99) defeated Commercial School Boys 16 & 38 (52)[sic]

A win by 47 runs. [At least one of these numbers must be wrong!]

V, 226, 27 October 1882, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 30,300 sheep on 3 November.

[In IV, 227, 3 November 1882, this number had risen to 33,100.]

Advt. The Burra Refreshment Rooms will be opened 1 November by George Webber who has taken over the house lately occupied by Mrs John Skewes directly opposite Samuel Drew & Co.’s establishment.

Notice. Dissolution of partnership between David William Smith and Henry Edward Tudor, who have carried on a business as ironmongers and general dealers at Redruth, under the style of Smith & Tudor. H.E. Tudor will continue alone from 19 October 1882.

Advt. Wilson’s Great Circus will visit Burra 31 October and 1 November.

Obituary. Frances Mary Anderson, wife of William Anderson, on 26 October, aged 25. The daughter of the late Thomas Hosking. [Born 5 February 1857.]

Editorial on Matthew Burnett.

Town Councill, retiring on 1 December:

Mayor Mr Lockyer

North Ward Mr Rabbich

Middle Ward Mr Lasscock

South Ward Mr Sampson

R.W. Mathews’ book of poetry Gethsemane to Calvary and Other Poems is out. [The editor’s comments seem politely unenthusiastic: ‘No doubt among the friends of the author and of the youths attending his school, as well as among other persons, the book will be sought after.’]

Railways. We warn visitors to the Burra railway station to take care of holes in the floor covered with loose pieces of packing case etc. When will the long promised new station be commenced?

Sunday Trading. One of the [unnamed] hotels at the north end of town is evading the Sunday trading ban by bringing in shearers and others on Saturday and giving lodging till Monday when they return to work, thus complying with the strict letter of the law.

Davieston Wesleyan Sunday School held a tea and public meeting in the District Council Chamber on Wednesday 25. It has met there for some time. People came from Burra, Hanson [i.e Farrell’s Flat], Stony Gap, Black Springs, etc. Mr John Paull, in charge of the Hanson Council presided. The school has been established six months with 36 scholars and 6 teachers.

The Season. A little rain has given at least some relief to crops in the areas of the north, but to the east of Burra on the plains the havoc has been terrible.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary services last Sunday and the tea meeting Wednesday went according to plan.

Burra Floricultural Society Show will be held on 15 November.

Matthew Burnett’s meetings were largely attended.

Burra Town Council, 23 October

Cr Sampson drew attention of the Inspector to the habit of throwing orange peel on the footways.

Mr Lockyer agreed to stand again for the mayoralty.

Redruth Court, 25 October.

Cummings v. Hall[s] and Hall[s] v. Cummings

These were cross informations for assault, both men being cab drivers and the problem being a dispute over passengers outside the Bon Accord Hotel on 18 October. Each were fined 10/- and to pay their own costs.

Redruth Court, 26 October

John Knevitt drunkenness 5/-

Abuse and disturbing the peace

At the Bon Accord Hotel on 25 October £3 including costs

V, 226, 27 October 1882, Page 3

Cricket. Saturday at Tarlee. Alma 83 & 3 for 1 wicket defeated Burra 55 & 30 (85)

V, 227, 3 November 1882, Page 2

Advt. The Lynch Family Bellringers, Instrumentalists and Vocalists will appear at the Institute 6 November.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary 5 & 9 November. Rev. R.W. Campbell will preach.

Advt. Tenders called for the building site adjacent to the new Wesleyan parsonage with a frontage of 112’9” to Kangaroo St and a depth of 203’.

T.W. Wilkinson for the Trustees.

Editorial on Municipal Topics.

Last year a scheme was suggested for borrowing of £2000. This year opened with a debt of £850, which was paid off. Spent this year:

South Ward £744-13-6

Middle Ward £357-13-2

North Ward £475-19-10

Recreation Ground £638-3-2

Total £2216-9-8

A £100 bond was also repaid and £372 is in hand for the town survey.

£150 is in hand for works not begun or in progress.

The only real disappointment has been the cost of the Recreation Ground.

With the survey money and the £150 in hand there will be over £500 to be expended next year over the usual income, which will allow the maximum claim for Government subsidy.

We anticipate North Ward will have £285

Middle Ward £310

South Ward £275

But as South Ward owes Middle Ward £100 and the General fund £111-13-6 effectively it will change to:

North Ward £285

Middle Ward £410

South Ward £64

South Ward may elect not to pay all the debt off this year, for to do so would leave them with virtually nothing to spend.

One major question is the survey money.

It is too little for the job so:

Is more to be borrowed to get the job done?

Can the balance needed be taken from the rates?

Will ratepayers sanction its use for other purposes?

The need for a proper survey is apparent. At present nothing can prevent encroachments for there is no proof of where boundaries are.

Wilson’s Circus had very fair houses.

Burra Gardens. Mr [H.C.W.] Fuss’s carries off the palm for abundance and variety and his greenhouses have foliage and other pot plants of great help to the coming exhibition. Captain Killicoat’s are perhaps the best gardens around where roses reign supreme. Mr Oppermann has many nice flowers and Mr Davey has a good cottage garden.

Redruth Court

Application for Fred. Camp to be declared addicted to alcohol so as to be injurious to himself. The certificate was granted making the supplying of liquor to him for the next 12 months illegal.

Martin Corbett was charged with creating a disturbance at Opie’s Hotel.

Fined 40/- or 7 days. He was unable to pay.

Birth. 26 October, at Burra, to the wife of D. Spencer Packard, a daughter. [Maud Spencer]

Obituary. 30 October, at Kooringa, William Gubbins of Yongala, son of the late T. Gubbins of Burra, aged 46.

V, 227, 3 November 1882, Page 3

South Ward Election Meeting.

Few attended.

P. Lane asked for a summary of work done in the ward.

Cr Ward said they had spent £744-17-6 leaving the ward £111-13-6 in debt and with that and the £100 owing to Middle Ward there would be about £64 to spend in the coming year.

Mr J. Jenkin asked about the town survey and was told it required about another £200 or £300.

Cr Ward said the whole subsidy had been obtained this year.

Candidates for 1883:

W. Pearce Sen. had nothing to say to the purpose.

A. Harris also had nothing to say.

There was considerable, but inconsequential chatter about the town survey.

Cr Sampson in answer to a question said he had voted for the new footbridge in Chapel Street, which had since been removed.

He accused Crs Geake and Ward of being in collusion which would have led to acrimony had the chair not ruled both Cr Sampson and Geake out of order and brought to an end ‘a most tedious and unprofitable meeting.’

An Inquest was held on Tuesday last into a fire at the Burra Mines the previous night. Dr Brummitt acted as coroner.

Ferdinand Gebhardt, (baker) - went into my yard c. 3.30 a.m. and on returning to the house saw a bright light in the sky and called my neighbour, Mr Head. We went towards Prince’s Town and then via the other road to the station and near there could see that the fire was in the mine. A good deal of timber was alight. Mr West was aroused. A fence adjoining Mr Davidson’s [sic] was on fire and we put it out. We may have been 3⁄4 hour getting to the fire. [The name is actually Davison - see below.]

George Head gave similar evidence. They had first thought the fire was at Dew’s place at Prince’s Town

The prime source of the fire had been a shed, which was totally destroyed. Dennis Hayes, a drover, had stored a trap in the shed, but he could cast no light on how the fire might have started.

James Bentley Davison. The shed adjoined my house and contained traps, harnesses etc. to the value of c. £110. It was built of wood with a shingle roof.

Jacob Burrows, watchman at the Burra Mines could add nothing relevant.

There was an open verdict.

V, 228, 10 November 1882, Page 2

Notice. John Sampson Jun. apologises for spreading the report that Philip Lane had made a composition with his creditors and now states that to be untrue and without foundation.

Notice. For Sale: the new Blacksmith’s Shop, lately erected by James Scott in Thames Street.

Advt. Service of Song The Babes in the Basket, or Daph and Her Charge [sic] will be produced in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Monday 13 November. 1/-

Advt. St Joseph’s. The annual feast in memory of the opening of the church will be celebrated on 19 November. Rev Father Peters SJ will preach.

Advt. On 20 November in the Institute Rev Father J. Peters SJ will lecture on Temperance, and the children of St Joseph’s School will give their first Juvenile Concert.

Editorial on Water Conservation.

Railways. The Bill for the railway from Nairne to Bordertown has finally passed the Legislative Council.

Burra Town Council. The new by-laws were published in the SA Government Gazette last week.

Pupil Teacher Exams:

Miss Symons passed 4th year

Miss Bentley passed 2nd year

Miss Williams passed 1st year

Master Cater passed 1st year

The Season. The recent hot weather has further worsened the results. In the North there is now nothing, not even horse feed. Things could not be much worse.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary passed off very well. The service of song The Desire of All Nations went very well. Proceeds were highly satisfactory.

Cricket. 9 November at Clare. Clare 122 & 25 for 1 wicket

defeated Burra 65 & 80 (145)

V, 229, 17 November 1882, Page 2

Birth. On 16 November at the National Bank, Kooringa, to the wife of W. Egerton-Warburton, a son. [Philip]

Editorial on Breaches of Sunday Trading by licensed victuallers.

Burra Railway Station. There is now £300 on the estimates and £240 on the Loan Bill, which will enable the necessary improvements.

Redruth Court

Stray animals cost each of the following 5/-

Bruse Roach Bros T. Drew

C. Schutz J. Pearce W.H. Rabbich

T. Carpenter J. Williams J. Cater

S. Baker C. Lowe T. Parks

T. Richards

T. Parks for carrying bread, but no weighs 20/-

F. Gebhardt for carrying bread, bur no weights 20/-

W. Devlaing supplying liquor to an intoxicated person

[At the Exchange Hotel] £10 + £3-19-0 expenses

Burra Flower Show, in the Institute 15 November.

Heat and the arrival of locusts the previous Sunday had affected the flowers, but in fact exhibitors managed to do wonders and a good show was held.

As a whole it was the best show held so far in Burra.

[Personal interest: Prizes for W. Fuss (i.e. H.C.W. Fuss) were:

1 cyclamen 2/- 6 fine foliage plants 7/6

1 fine foliage plant 2/6 3 coleus 3/-

1 coleus 3/- 1 rose 1/-

3 gladioli 3/- 1 gladiolus 1/-

3 carnations 3/- 3 dianthus 2/-

1 dianthus 2/- 3 everlastings 3/-

1 everlasting 2/- 6 fuchsias 5/-

1 fuchsia 2/- 3 pelargoniums 3/-

1 zonale single geranium 2/- 6 zonale double geraniums 5/-

3 zonale double geraniums 2/- 1 zonale double geranium 2/-

6 phlox drummondii 3/- 3 phlox drummondii 2/-

12 verbenas 5/- 6 verbenas 3/-

3 verbenas 2/- 1 verbena seedling 2/-

6 petunias 2/- 3 petunias 1/-

6 annuals 3/- 3 annuals 2/-

3 pansies 2/- 12 flowers grown outdoors 5/-

6 flowers grown outdoors 5/- 1 flower grown outdoors 1/-

3 tuberous or bulbous 2/- 1 tuberous or bulbous 1/-

6 larkspurs 2/- floral design for table 2/-

bouquet for hand 5/- bouquet for table 5/-

bouquet for buttonhole 1/- bouquet of native flowers 5/-

Prizes for J. Rumball were:

1 carnation 2/- 12 flowers grown outdoors 7/6

3 climbers 2/- floral design for table 5/-

bouquet for table 3/- bouquet for buttonhole 3/-

bouquet for buttonhole 2/- bouquet of native flowers 3/-]

Best cottage garden within 3 miles went to W. Davey (20/-)

Very frequent prize winners were T.W. Pearce, F.W. Holder, D.S. Packard, W. Escott, C. Oppermann and J.D. Cave.

North Ward Election Meeting

Royal Exchange Hotel, 13 November. Attendance was very small.

Cr Rabbich thought on the whole they had done well and in the last year had spent in the North Ward £457-19-10 and estimated they would have next year £275. Some thought that Aberdeen had been favoured over Redruth, but this was not so.

Cr Rayner agreed: they had spent £240-8-2 in Redruth and £235-11-8 in Aberdeen.

C.W. Brown has agreed to stand for Council, but little of significance was raised or discussed.

Middle Ward Election Meeting

Thursday evening. Small attendance.

Mr Lockyer summarised the year’s works. He hoped the next year would see a windmill and tanks in Market Square, the town surveyed and more trees planted now that it had been established that it was eligible for subsidy. The Recreation Ground was a white elephant with a debt of over £150. He would like to see all reserves planted and the completion of the footway to Aberdeen. He was for more streetlights. He was opposed to a tax on stock sales.

Cr Geake favoured a town survey and against the Corporation owning saleyards. He would support public baths if it could be shown they were ‘reproductive’. [Presumably he wanted them to make a profit.] He would support a general water supply if the majority wanted it. He believed the Recreation Ground would ultimately be of benefit.

V, 229, 17 November 1882, Page 3

Obituary & Inquest. An inquest was held on 15 November by J.D. Cave JP as coroner, on the bodies of Mrs Morrison and her son who drowned on 14 November. [Born Jane Agincourt Lambert: died aged 34]

Alexander Cobb - Works for Murdoch Morrison of Flagstaff. Mrs Jane Morrison was his wife and Donald his son. Just before sundown the children, Mary, Ann and John came to say Mother and Donald were in the tank near the house. It is a waterhole c. 10’ deep and 12’ in diameter. On arriving at the tank could see no bodies. Tried dragging the tank with wire and then got a rope and wire. Was then sent to get Mr Morrison’s brother.

Donald McLean - (Labourer) Overtook the three children on my way home and went to help at the dam. Got out Mrs Morrison, and the boy 15 minutes later.

Murdoch Morrison could add little except he believed the boy had probably slipped in trying to fill a waterbag and his wife drowned trying to save the boy.

Verdict was accidental drowning. [Donald Morrison was born 5 December 1873.]

V, 230, 24 November 1882, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 17,247 sheep on 28 November and 14,930 on

1 December.

Advt. For sale on account Mr Winnall, lot 29, Kooringa with 65’ frontage to Church St and 97’ to Queen St. 7 roomed house with 2 cellars, pantry etc. Presently occupied by J. M. McBride.

Advt. In the Institute 27 November, Professor Simon

The Famous Physiognomist: Every Man a Walking Sign

Concluding with The Blindfolded Séance

Reserved seats 2/- and others 1/-

Burra Town Council Elections

Mayor Edward Catchlove Lockyer (elected unopposed)

North Ward Charles W. Brown (elected unopposed)

Middle Ward John Drew (elected unopposed)

South Ward Alexander Harris

John Sampson Jun.

Auditor Matthew M. Birt

John D. Cave

Elections for South Ward and Auditor to be held 1 December 1882.

Editorial on the Prorogation of the SA Parliament.

2nd Leader on the Water tanks and wind pump for Market Square and the possibility of a general water supply - but fearful of the high cost of the latter based on figures from Gawler, which were outrageously high.

The Aurora Australis was brilliant on Monday night.

Sir W.D. Jervois, Governor of SA, leaves shortly to become Governor of New Zealand.

Rev Father Peters lecture, Temperance, was well attended.

SAMA stated in its half-yearly report that the Burra Mine was likely to be advantageously disposed of shortly.

Locusts have been in Burra and perhaps up to 50% of the young street trees have been destroyed.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions annual services and meetings were held Sunday and Monday last. Rev Youngman, a missionary to the Chinese preached and his Monday lecture was well attended.

V, 231, 1 December 1882, Page 2

Editorial on Burra Corporation and the Midland Road Board.

The kerbing and pitchpaving in Best Place is halted because of a dispute re the correct alignment of the road. The surveyor and Mr Kelly [of the Road Board] are very seriously in error and the surveyor is either negligently or wilfully so.

Last September the Mayor and Town Clerk waited on the Board to get permission for kerbing and watertabling. The Board undertook to raise the road.

There has been an encroachment, which has led to a dispute over the alignment of the road between Mr Ridgway’s and Mr Austin’s properties. [The latter’s shop being occupied by Mr Rabbich.] There is only 621⁄2’ for a 66’ roadway between the two. [The text here is corrupt and the above is the only reasonable interpretation.]

The Town Council called in the surveyor, F.G. Richardson who found the encroachment to be on Mr Ridgway’s side, varying from 0’ to 7’ and Mr Ridgway admitted a small encroachment, though not to that extent. Nothing was done until the kerbing commenced following Richardson’s line.

This began, but it was found that pegs were wrongly driven and Mr Richardson had to be recalled to relay his line.

Meanwhile Mr Duffy, surveyor for the Midland Road Board insisted he have the right width of road between the kerbs (which the Council had always intended), but also that the footways either side be full width. This, in view of the encroachment is impossible unless a strip on the east claimed by Mr Ridgway is cleared of buildings and made a footway, or on the other side a strip of about 3’ of vacant land and 3’6” of Mr Austin’s verandah are appropriated.

Council was prepared to have the inconvenience of narrowed footways and to give the Board full road width.

They only wanted to know the proper line to decide which side was wrong, but the Board’s surveyor did not oblige. He simply asserted that he would regard Mr Ridgway’s line as correct.

The Board has visited and has ignored the difficulties. They have not attempted to show how their surveyor is correct, but have decided to maintain the road as at present, i.e. in dispute.

Mr Kelly’s statement that no one has raised an objection is incorrect.

Mr Duffy’s statement that there exists the full width of 66’ except for a 6” encroachment is knowingly incorrect.

He further says the road has been thus for 25 years when in fact Ridgway’s fence where it encroaches most for its whole length beyond the house has been there for only about 3 years.

He also errs in asserting that the Council seeks to change the width of the road. There is a chain road there, but it has been encroached upon.

After the Board meeting Mr Duffy came along and found that the measurements would not tally with his preconceived ideas. He then shifted the road 16-20’ west which places the boundary line 16” inside the doorways of shops in a situation where owners hold title to land in front of their buildings.

Mr Duffy is not acting in the spirit of compromise which he said at the meeting was needed. The best compromise we believe would be to place the centre line midway between the opposing boundaries and the narrowing of footways will then be shared by east and west sides, rather than be all on the east as Council proposed, or all on the west as Mr Duffy wants.

The encroachments can then be removed as alterations to the buildings are made later.

2nd Leader on the desirability of irrigation.

Professor Simon drew a small audience.

Rain. Thunderstorms have deluged much of the north and the eastern plains, though there was little in Burra. There were widespread floods north of Port Augusta. Eastern dams are full and Hiles Lagoon [near Terowie], which has not been full for years, is flooded.

Redruth Court, 22 November

Lowe stray cows 5/-

S. Halls driving at over 7 m.p.h. 5/-

Cummings driving at over 7 m.p.h. 5/-

James Lavaun driving round the Exchange corner at over 4 m.p.h. 10/-

Lines v. Schutz and Schutz v. Lines

Mrs Schutz took Lines’ cab to the station to find her husband, but failing to do so, she took the same cab back and found him at Market Square.

He asked her why she did not ride in her own cab and an altercation between the two cab drivers led to the assaults complained of.

Schutz was fined 5/- + £3-12-0 expenses and bound over to keep the peace on his own recognisance of £20.

His counter claim was dismissed.

Midland Road Board. 21 November

The matter referred to at length in the editorial is mentioned, but it would not be as clear from this report as from the editorial what it was all about. This report does contain Ridgway’s letter justifying the position of his buildings, which was presumably accepted by Mr Duffy, judging by his subsequent actions. It goes into considerable detail

V, 232, 8 December 1882, Page 2

Advt. For Sale: Allotment 62 Township of Redruth comprising 1 rood. 160’ frontage to St Dye St. 4-roomed stone house and large cellar, known as Nolan’s Wine Stores.

Advt. Burra Cricket Club Grand Concert 13 December at the Institute.

Advt. Redruth Band of Hope Picnic near the German Chapel, 1 December.

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Service of Song next Tuesday: The Babes in the Basket.

Advt. Peter Morris: 1st Class Peg & Hand Sewn Boots Made to Order.

Obituary. Dr Tait, the Archbishop of Canterbury is dead.

Advt. Dissolution of the partnership of the auctioneers, Stock & Station Agents etc., trading as Austin Davison and Jaffrey. The firm will be carried on as Austin, Davison & Co., by Edward Austin and James Bentley Davison. 7 December 1882.

E.A. Jaffrey, E. Austin, James B. Davison.

Electric Light. Adelaide is to be partly lit by electricity. It will be tried first in King William St.

Apoinga Mine. Reports continue to be promising.

Burra Municipal Elections.

South Ward J. Sampson Jun. 78 (elected)

Alex. Harris 51

Auditor J.D. Cave 96 (elected)

M.M. Birt 76

V, 233, 15 December 1882, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic at Princess Royal 1 January 1883.

Rev Mr Hunter will lecture on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. at Kooringa: The Covenanters.

And on Wednesday at Redruth: Gambling.

Editorial on A Geological Survey of SA.

2nd Leader on the annual inspection of the Burra School at which 18 Compulsory Certificates were granted.

John Lewis JP is erecting a windmill at his house to fill elevated tanks, which will supply the house, stables etc.

The Cricket Concert was most successful at the Institute on Wednesday.

V, 233, 15 December 1882, Page 3

Licensing Court 6 December.

Commercial Hotel, Kooringa is transferred from J. Richardson to Charles Barrett.

Letter from ‘Disgusted’ who is disturbed by the unburied bodies of sheep lying along roads and along fences in paddocks and desiring the Councils to attend to same. He recently counted 10 on the road to Mt Bryan, 7 on the way to Davieston and several on the roads to Leighton and Baldina.

V, 234, 22 December 1882, Page 2

Advt. Leighton Annual Picnic, 25 December, on the flat near the township of Leighton. Ball in the evening. Moonlight.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 24 December & 25 December. Revs J.G. Wright & S. Knight will preach on the 24th with the tea meeting on the 25th.

Advt. Boxing Night Concert at the Institute in aid of the Recreation Ground.

Birth. On 12 December at Kooringa, to the wife of George Dawson, a daughter. [Mary Clarice Sarah]

Professor Simon’s lecture was much appreciated.

Mr Bath & Miss Bath returned last Saturday from a trip to Melbourne.

Rev Father Kreissl [also Kriessl within the same paragraph] was presented with a handsome spider buggy with hood and harness, by the congregation of St Joseph’s on Saturday. Mr James Terry of Paratoo had presented the harness. Pearse Bros of Terowie won first prize at the last Burra Show with this buggy.

Burra Town Council, 18 December

J.D. Cave pointed out that a small reserve in the N-W corner of Middle Ward had been enclosed by private persons and was producing no revenue.

Cr Rayner laid on the table a plan for a mortuary Chapel at the cemetery.

Midland Road Board. 10 December

The Superintending Surveyor, Mr Duffy, has unexpectedly resigned, effective 31 January 1883, because he has been appointed Engineer of Roads and Bridges in Tasmania.

The Best Place issue was settled by centring the road between the existing buildings and making the roadway 23’ either side of the centre line, with somewhat narrower footways.

Mr Duffy said he had plans of all the main roads in Burra, which he would happily place at the disposal of the Council for copying.

The Mayor expressed his satisfaction with the resolution of the difficulty.

V, 234, 22 December 1882, Page 2-3

Redruth Court, 20 December.

J.G. Innes Ker, Inspector of Stock v. Ford, for cutting off with a straight cut part of the ears of certain sheep. Adjourned from the previous week.

The case is reported at length - the theft of sheep being of considerable interest.

Ford contended that the action complained of was done before the Act under which the charge was brought, had come into force, about three years ago.

John C. Sandland gave expert evidence that the slicing had been done, some within six months, and the rest within twelve.

G.A. Gebhardt gave evidence contending that the sheep were his. Mr Ford’s land adjoined his.

Ford was fined 40/- per sheep plus costs. [The number of sheep doesn’t seem to be mentioned.] Mr Akhurst, for Ford, said he would appeal.

V, 234, 22 December 1882, Page 3

Mr Mathew’s School half-yearly examinations and prize giving is reported with speeches, items, etc. and the prize list is printed.

Mr Mathews is to reconstruct the school to allow for young ladies to pursue studies under his and Mrs Mathews’s supervision.

V, 235, 29 December 1882, Page 2

Advt. Ladies’ School. Under the Direction of Mr & Mrs Mathews.

Boys restricted to those under 11 years.

Terms per quarter:

Girls’ Senior Classes £2-2-0

Girls’ Primary Classes £1-1-0

Boys’ Senior Classes £1-11-6

Boys’ Primary Classes £1-1-0

The lower rates not available for children 9 years or upwards.

Notice. Assisted Passages for Nominated Migrants.

The following are the subsidised fares for passages from Great Britain to South Australia.

Males or Females under 12 £3

Males or Females over 12 but under 40 £4

Males or Females over 40 but under 50 £8

Children under 1 year Free

Special rates are available for large families.

Passage money must be paid within 12 months of arrival.

Obituary. 29 September at Hamilton, Bermuda, Susan Jane Steele, aged 17 years 8 months, 3rd daughter of Joseph Durham Steele and Ann Berry Steele.

Editorial. The Year in Retrospect.

The year was peaceful internationally except for the Egyptian scene, which has now passed.

Unrest in Ireland, Germany, Russia and France.

The murder of Lord Cavendish and Mr Burke.

Locally it was a bad year for grain farmers, but pastoralists have recently had good rains.

There has been speculation in mining and in land, especially in the metropolitan area.

SA has been politically uneventful.

In Burra it has been a quiet, but progressive year. The town has been less afflicted by party feeling and more unified.

The town has been improved. The roads and footways are much better than five years ago. There are new bridges in Chapel and Kangaroo Streets and more trees have been planted.

The Recreation Ground will be a fit place for use for football and cricket next year.

There is a stylish new manse for the Wesleyan Church, worth c. £1,200.

Mr Tudor has a new shop at Redruth.

Dr Brummitt’s house has been considerably enlarged and improved and it becomes the first place in Burra to be lit by gas from a machine on the premises.

In the course of erection are two large houses for Mr C. Drew and Mr T.W. Wilkinson.

[C. Drew’s was Heathmont on Limestone Hill and T.W. Wilkinson’s was behind the Institute on Mount Pleasant.]

The old mine has been idle, but with a possible sale a renewal of work is expected.

The prosperity of the town has been limited by the almost total failure of agriculture in the Hundreds to the east where the farmers have been saved only to the extent that they have been able to resort to wool and wood carting.

Bishop Benson of Truro is to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Kerbing has been resumed in Best Place.

Christmas Day was cool and passed quietly. A band of carol singers could be heard in the streets.

The Largs Bay Pier and Railway were opened last Saturday.

C.C. Williams has made a 3,500-gallon corrugated iron tank for G.A. Gebhardt of Mackerode.

John Dow has been appointed Inspector.

The Recreation Ground Concert last Tuesday in the Institute grossed £14. The Burra Band played some nice selections outside.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on 24 & 25 December saw a large crowd of children. On Christmas Day the school made a procession through the town with the brass band and more tea provisions had to be obtained. The school now numbers 180. Collections and the tea raised £29.

Cricket in the holidays.

25 Dec. near Drew & Co., Aberdeen. Burra True Blues 150 defeated Manoora 30 & 73

Tuesday, near Drew & Co., Aberdeen. East Adelaide 132 & 82 Burra 103 & 18 for 3

Thursday. Burra 153 I. Zingari 58 & 90 for 5 wickets

Saddleworth, Christmas Day, Saddleworth 66 & 98 (164) defeated

Aberdeen 53 & 108 (161)

Characteristics of the 1882 paper.

Page 1

There is a mass of small advertisements with a few spread across two columns. Many of them are local.

Page 2

This page begins with advertisements for stock and other sales, public notices, a handful of classified advertisements, market reports and usually an editorial.

The editorials are wide-ranging, but many are concerned with the activities and policies of the Government in Adelaide and the editor’s interest in finance is apparent. Often there are two or three leading articles that take up issues similar to those found in the editorial. After that there are items of mainly local news, which tend on the whole to be fairly short.

The dividing line between pages 2 and 3 is flexible, depending on the quantity of advertising.

Page 2 to 3

Correspondents’ reports from other parts of the colony including Adelaide and even some overseas news at times or material from other parts of Australia. The town Council and the Midland Road Board are reported in considerable detail. Often page three has very little if any local news. Advertisements on page 3 are few.

Page 4

Advertisements fill the page. They tend to be larger and mostly not local, but they cover a good range of things.

Generally the paper remains a very good journal of record for the daily events and concerns of the town. There is a strong editorial interest in the town’s progress and a willingness to pursue a strong line in favour of an active role for local government as well as a desire to have people well informed about the activities, role and deficiencies of the government in Adelaide. The editorials and leading articles must have been beyond many of the readers whose level of literacy could not have been all that high.

Numbering of the paper.

1882 began with Volume IV, Number 184 on 6 January 1882

and ran to

Volume IV, Number 216 on 18 August 1882 and then

Volume V, Number 217 on 25 August 1882

and ran to

Volume V, Number 235 on 29 December 1882.

Date Novel Short Story Poetry Science Nature Agriculture Travel Household Misc. Humour Essays Literature Sketcher Boys

&/or Fun

6 Jan. Bella’s Hero or the Maquis An Old Hand’s Yarn X X X X X X X X

and the Freebooter, by by R.P. Whitworth

Sylvanus Cobb Jun. V-VI

13 Jan. VI-VII Gerald’s Four-Leaved X X X X X X X

Shamrock

20 Jan. VII-VIII The Engineer’s Story X X X X X X

27 Jan. VIII-IX The Cornet Solo X X X X X X X

3 Feb. IX-XI Aunt Sukie’s Luck X X X X X Ulster Folk Lore

10 Feb. XI-XII A Swim for Life: X X X X X X X

A Western Episode

17 Feb. XIII-XIV Taking Boarders X X X X X X X Exaggerations

24 Feb. XIV-XVI The Dutch Captain’s Device X X X X X Anecdotes of the American Stage

& The Ball Scandal

3 Mar. XVI-XVII Faint Heart Ne’er Won X X X X X X Pearl Diving Among Devil Fish

Fair Lady

10 Mar. XVII An Iron Welcome X X X X X X Epistolary Curiosities

17 Mar. XVIII Nil Desperandum X X X X X X X The Burning of Shelly’s Body

by R. Mounteney Jephson

24 Mar. XVIII (Concluded) His Little Game X X X X X Secret of Second Sight

31 Mar. The Gully of Bluemansdyke X X X X X X

7 Apr. Theodora Vail I-III Little Forty-two X X X X X X X X Some Peter Stonnor Stories

& A Little Figure in Black

14 Apr. IV-VI Good End of a Bad Shilling X X X X X X Leichardt Letters

21 Apr. Mr Montford’s Room X X X X X Vision Seers

by Waif Wander

28 Apr. Monk’s Mark X X X X X X

by Waif Wander

5 May Grit by Donald Cameron X X X X X Equal to the Occasion

I-V

12 May V-X The Dead Watch X X X X X X Curiosities of old Parliamentary

Elections [Rotten Boroughs]

19 May X-XII The Man Who Came Home: I X X X X X X X X

26 May XII-XIV II X X X X X X For Life

2 Jun. XIV-XVI Babsie X X X X X X X The Aethete [sic] on His Travels

[Oscar Wilde]

9 Jun. XVI-XIX The Circus at Squatty’s X X X X X X X My Burglar Friends: by M. Quad

16 Jun. XIX-XXIII Perseverance X X X X X Henry Irving at Home

by Charles Reade

23 Jun. XXIII-XXVII A Romance of West Point X X X X X X X X

30 Jun. XXVII-XXXI An Idyll of Provence X X X X X X Choctaw Courtship and Marriage

7 Jul. XXXII-XLII, but numbers X X X X X X The Difference of a Dot

omit XXXIV-XXXVIII

Date Novel Short Story Poetry Science Nature Agriculture Travel Household Misc. Humour Essays Literature Sketcher Boys

&/or Fun

14 Jul. XLII-LI X X X X X X

21 Jul. LI-LVII X X X X A Drive in the Dark

28 Jul. LVII-LXIV X X X X X Not Exactly As We Had Intended

4 Aug. LXIV-LXX (End) The Scent of a Dead Rose X X X X X X X X

11 Aug. By Slow Degrees: I-V American Brigands X X X X X X X The Seizure of the Channel Tunnel

by Alexander Montgomery

18 Aug. VI-XII X X X X X The Transferred Ghost

25 Aug. XII-XVII X X X X X X X

1 Sep. XVIII-XX The Little Square Box: I X X X X X

8 Sep. XXI-XXV II X X X A Pleasure Trip

15 Sep. XXVI-XXVIII Bryan: by Janet Carroll X X X X X Charmed White Deer

22 Sep. XXVIII-XXXIV X X X X X X

29 Sep. XXXIV-XXXVII Mountain Regulators X X X X X X Shopping in Melbourne

by Col. George W. Symonds

6 Oct. XXXVII-XL On the Spur of the Moment X X X X X X A Speculative Spirit

13 Oct. XL-XLII The Double Game: X X X X X Atlantis: The Antediluvian World

A Spanish Story

20 Oct. XLII-XLIV A Yankee Atalanta: by X X X X X X

Lucia G. Runkle

in Harper’s Bazaar

27 Oct. XLIV-XLVI Number Seven X X X X X X X X The Gotham Coaching Club

3 Nov. XLVI-L Mr Josiah Smith’s Balloon X X X X X Cotton Futures

Journey: I

10 Nov. L-LII II X X X X X X The Rival’s Stratagem

17 Nov. LII-LIII (End) Mr Bixby’s Bathing Suit X X X X X X X Etiquette of Watering Places

by Mary Kyle Dallas

24 Nov. Saved by a Ring: I-II The Psalm of Life X X X X X X X The Love Story of a Hero

by Harold W.H. Stephen by Mary Kyle Dallas

1 Dec. III-V Supplanted X X X X X X X

8 Dec. V-VIII The Curate’s Guest X X X X X X X X Life in a Parisian Studio

15 Dec. VIII-X The Victims of Cedar Gulch X X X X X X X

22 Dec. X-XIII “Agnes” An Episode in the X X X X X X X X

Life of Garibaldi

29 Dec. Special Christmas Supplement

Some short seasonal poems and a series of short stories:

The Variable Star by Donald Cameron

All’s Well That Ends Well by Grosvenor Bunster

Tender and Tried and True by R.P. Whitworth

The Maitlands by Frank Morley

Comments on Literary Supplements for 1882.

The comments for the supplements for 1880-81 apply unchanged for this year.

It would appear that the supplements were common for a number of country papers and may not have been printed by the Burra Record. When the microfilm versions were compiled some of the literary supplements from the Burra Record were not available. It was possible to complete the collection by using those from other publications where it would seem the identical format prevailed, as the serials fitted in as required.

The reader certainly got good value for money with a good collection of reading matter both in fiction and non-fiction, though reading the small print employed, by candlelight or kerosene lamp, must have been something of a challenge to many.

The supplements comprised a single broadsheet page of seven columns of small print. The poetry was quite limited and the prose each week would have provided a good deal of reading ranging over a wide variety of topics.

The titles of the serialised novels give a sufficient hint as to their contents. They are generally romances of a most melodramatic sort.

V. 236. 5 January 1883, Page 1

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Austin, Davison & Jaffrey Auctioneers, Kooringa, [From 7 Dec. 1882 this was actually Austin, Davison & Co., the partnership with Jaffrey having been dissolved]

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

A.H. Forder AMP Insurance Agent

Drew & Co. Importers

W.H. Benham Solicitor

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor etc., Market Square

Arthur Akhurst Solicitor & Notary Public, Commercial St

John D. Cave All business under the Real Property Act etc.

Agent for Cornwall Fire Insurance Co.

Agent for Eagle Life Insurance Co.

Peter Morris Bootmaker, Bridge St

W.H. Pearce Galvanised Iron & Tinplate Workers, Commercial St

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker & Jeweller, nearly opposite the

Commercial Hotel

D.W. Smith Painter, Paperhanger, Sign-writer, Court House Hotel, Redruth

James Scott Shoeing & General Smith, Iron Mine (Late A.J. Filmer)

T.W. Wilkinson Kooringa Dispensary, Christmas Cards

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen

Near Sara & Dunstan

G. & W. Sara & Dunstan Builders, Timber & Iron Merchants, Steam Saw Mills,

Burra & Terowie: Burra Brick Yards

Agents for Imperial Fire Insurance

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

James E. Doe Burra Hairdressing Saloon, Pipes, Cigars, Tobacco &

Cricketware, Market Square

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith, Tankmaker, etc. Sewing Machine

Depot, Glass, Firearms, Ammunition

W.H. Batchelor Hampshire House, Stationery, Cards, Albums, Musical

Instruments, Framed Oleograph Pictures, Toys, Fancy Goods,

Window Glass

T. Kitchen Grocer, Glassware, China, Crockery, etc. Commercial St

A.H. Forder Agent for SA Insurance Co.

William Pearce Agent for the National Mutual Life Assoc. of Australasia

Ltd., Agent for the National Building Society

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

F.E. Bromley Bushman’s Home Boarding House, Aberdeen

[More accurately Redruth]

Harry & Burns Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights, next to Commercial Hotel

Thomas Parks Teas, Commercial St

John Snell Registry & Labour Office, Market Square

V. 236. 5 January 1883, Page 2

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers

L. Jacobs Auctioneer & Valuator

Mr & Mrs Mathews Ladies School, Kooringa

W.H. Batchelor Having let his premises all stock must be cleared

T. Edwards Draper & Clothier, Commercial St

J.P. Satchel Piano & Harmonium Lessons

Mrs G. Dawson Instruction in Music, Singing and Waxwork

M. Symons (Late W. Symon[s]) Butcher, Market Square

J. & E. Hosking Drapers & Outfitters, Market Square

V. 236. 5 January 1883, Page 3

Advertisements

F.W. Holder Organs & Pianos

Roach Bros. Burra Mill

V. 236. 5 January 1883,Page 4

Advertisements

Alexander Harris Steam Chaff Works, Kingston St (Late Snell & Williams)

W.D. Josling Saddler etc., Commercial St

John Pearce Builder, Contractor, Furnisher, etc., Chapel St

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker, Aberdeen

V. 236. 5 January 1883, Page 2

Marriage. 26 December at Mt Gambier.

George Butterworth, 2nd son of J. Butterworth of Normanville and Burra,

and Minna Margaret Loutit, eldest daughter of A. Loutit of Mount Gambier.

Sparrows. Since October 1881 the Government has paid for 37,875 sparrows’ heads at 6d per dozen and for 210,793 eggs at 2/6 per hundred.

The New Year was heralded by the usual watchnight services at Kooringa and Redruth, which were largely attended. There were no outbreaks of larrikinism. The picnic at Princess Royal was very largely attended.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held special end-of-year services at which R.M. Hunter officiated. On New Year’s Day the Sunday scholars and teachers, numbering about 300, went to the Princess Royal woolshed area for a picnic and games. In all fully 1,200 persons attended.

On Tuesday evening Mr Hunter delivered his famous lecture on the Scottish Covenanters and on Wednesday he spoke at Redruth on Gambling. The amount raised was £73.

Letter from [Dr] Robert Brummitt re the proposed windmill and tank in Market Square at a cost of c. £170. The tank is unlikely to be ornamental and the lowness of the square limits any possible household connections. A tank on the hill above Mr Murphy’s house could supply almost any house in Kooringa and could be fed, I am told, by a windmill. Such a scheme would be of considerable cost.

[The writer then outlines a possible reticulation scheme with metered water supplies.] P.S. Messrs McLean, Rigg & Co. say their 12’ windmill will pump water from 150’ to 200’ and so could easily lift it the elevation required.

V. 236. 5 January 1883, Page 3

Cricket. Friday last.

Kensington 73 defeated Burra by 67 [Actual scores not given.]

26 December

Young Australians 61 & 2 wickets for 49 (110) defeated

Model School Boys 62 & 47 (109)

V. 237, 12 January 1883, Page 2

Advt. Mr J.P. Satchell will open a select private school in the old church on Limestone Hill from 1 February 1883, to be known as Churchill School. It offers a sound English education with elementary Latin and French, Music, Drawing, Painting and shorthand. There is room for a limited number of boarders.

Editorial: Ourselves

We apologise for our late appearance, but the day after the last publication a fire destroyed all our stock, plant, type, machinery etc. We have arranged for Carey & Page to print the journal for the next three or four weeks.

The Market Square Fire.

The most disastrous fore in Burra’s history broke out on the morning of 6 January when the continuous note of steam whistles roused the town. A fire was destroying four of the newest shops in Kooringa and threatening many others.

The fire underscored the need for a better water supply. Willing workers saved the surrounding buildings, but a reel would have helped greatly. Even better would have been a large supply of water fed by gravity as suggested recently by Dr Brummitt. A reservoir of 80,000 to 100,000 gallons on the hill would supply water for troughs, water carts, pipes to the larger houses and an abundant flow in case of fire. As the supply would only go to those who wanted it there would be a great advantage over a Government scheme where all would have to pay. Furthermore the profits would go to the town. We are glad that the Town Council took the matter up favourably at its last meeting. It now awaits a report from a competent engineer re costs and practicability. This should be a scheme for the whole town and not just one ward. Revenue then would also be the property of the whole town.

At least the purchase of a reel would not be very costly and would protect business premises.

The total loss from the fire is estimated at c. £4,000, almost all of which is covered by insurance. Nothing was saved from the four shops. Drew & Co.’s stores and other large shops on the other side were saved by willing work and the change and then drop in the wind.

As a consequence there will be no supplement for this or the next two issues.

Mortuary Chapel. This is very much needed and would be very useful as a resting place for Sunday visitors. A stone chapel would be costly and would have to be kept locked. It would be dreary inside and ugly outside. Combine the arbour and the other and you gain many ends and lose no advantage.

British and Foreign Bible Society. Special services are to be held on 21 January: in the morning at Kooringa in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, in the afternoon a united service in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church, and in the evening at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Redruth. Office bearers were re-elected except that William Davey Sen. replaces J. Roberts, who has left the district. The deputation is Rev. W. Davidson of Wallaroo who will give a lecture Bible Triumphs that will be repeated at Redruth Wesleyan Church on Tuesday and Westbury Wesleyan Church on Wednesday.

Mr Dunden of Burra has taken a very creditable photograph of the ruins of the Kooringa fire.

Burra Institute, Annual Meeting.

The debt has been reduced this year by £211-4-7, leaving liabilities of £169-18-4.

The library has 2,599 volumes and there are 96 subscribers.

Elected were:

President T.W. Wilkinson

Vice-President W.F. Coglin

Treasurer Dr Brummitt

Hon. Sec. C.C. Williams

[F.W. Holder was among others on the committee]

Inquest on the Market Square Fire.

Held at the Burra Hotel on 8 January with Dr Brummitt as coroner into the destruction by fire of a block of buildings owned by S. Drew & Co. W. Davey Sen. foreman of the jury.

William Waterhouse - clerk of the National Bank, Kooringa. Noticed the fire in Doe’s shop at 2 a.m. and alerted P-C Johnson.

John Kennedy - tailor. Was called by Mrs Snell at c. 2.10 a.m. who said there was a fire. Ran and called Mr Wade, my employer. Saw fire in Drew & Co.’s shops. Ran across to it and met P-C Johnson. The fire was then in Doe’s shop. Broke into Mr Geake’s shop and got the books and cash box. Then climbed onto the verandah roof of Mr Geake’s. People then began to arrive with water buckets. No idea of the fire’s origins. Fire was then confined to Doe’s, next to Geake’s. Held a bill of sale over the shop fittings and household furniture and was paid the amount of £50 on Saturday after the fire upon putting the bill into execution. Was paid by cheque from Mr Akhurst, solicitor. Don’t know how Doe stood financially.

P-C J.W. Johnson. Mr Waterhouse reported the fire. Found Doe’s shop on fire: seemingly in the south-west corner and spreading towards the front. The wind was then from the south-east and Geake’s shop was in danger. Broke open Geake’s and Lane’s and procured the cash box, safe and books. Wind then shifted to the north-west and flames travelled along the roofs of the four shops, which were all ablaze within twenty minutes. Mr McBride and others helped to get the safe from Mr Packard’s office and the things from there and from Duff’s office. Was of the opinion that the fire originated where there were some marks on the wall caused by some inflammable material.

James Edward Doe - hairdresser. Left the shop at 9.20 p.m. Friday leaving no light burning. Had about ten gross of matches in fixtures next to Mr Geake’s. The contents were insured. All the matches were tandstickor: did not keep safety matches.

[Doe admitted being in some financial difficulties, but said his creditors were not pressing and he had always satisfied them by part payments and secured renewals. There was then some discussion about insurance during which it was revealed that some of the stock was insured by his suppliers in their own name - an action he says was unauthorised by him]

Thomas Richardson advanced the money on Saturday to pay the bill of sale after the fire. Last took stock in September when stock held over liabilities left him £200 to the good.

S.J. McCallum - manager of Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of SA. Smith and Grant insured the stock of James Doe of Kooringa for £400 in their own name as creditors: a policy last renewed on 20 August 1882.

Amelia Doe - wife of James Doe. Husband came home c. 9.45 p.m. on Friday and did not leave until called by his assistant R. Pascoe about 3.30 p.m.

Richard Pascoe. Left the shop on Friday at 7.30 p.m. and did not return until hearing of the fire about 3.15 a.m. Went and found Doe. Don’t know how the fire could have started. Doe gave me notice on Wednesday on account of the dull times. Would have left [his employment] on Saturday. Knew he was hard up. Used to buy candles regularly at Geake’s.

[Doe had said he didn’t use candles for light, but used candle-grease for the strops.]

William Geake - grocer. Heard of the fire about 2.30 a.m. when it had just reached the Record office. Most of the fire was put out on my premises when I arrived and found the door had been broken open and books and cashbox taken out. Estimate damages at £15. Insured stock for £300 and the building for £300. Doe bought a candle the night previous to the fire.

The coroner made a long summing up and the jury had a lengthy consultation before deciding there was not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated.

Burra Town Council, 8 January.

Funds available for works: North Ward £295, Middle Ward £395, South Ward £68.

Ordinary rate declared at 1/- in the £ and the Health rate at 3d.

There was considerable debate over the proposed water scheme for Market Square. Eventually £200 of Middle Ward money was set aside, but a final decision was deferred. An estimate and report is to be got from Mr H.W. Hargrave.

Redruth Court, 10 January.

Mr Lewis tried to avoid paying a fine for driving around Best Place corner at over 4 m.p.h. by pleading that without a town survey and a town plan lodged there were in fact no town streets. The bench held that the Corporation Act considered all thoroughfares to be streets and fined him 10/- + 42/- expenses.

Richardson was charged with selling less than 1 gallon of brandy contrary to his storekeeper’s licence. On 13 December Sheperdson went to the wine and spirit cellar behind Mr Park’s shop and asked for a bottle of brandy, which was supplied for 6/6. Despite a plea of entrapment and others of a technical nature the defendant was fined £10 plus £3-14-0 costs or 28 days.

V. 237. 12 January 1883, Page 3

Some of the material normally in the Literary Supplement appears here, notably chapters XVI-XVII of Saved by a Ring.

V. 238. 19 January 1883, Page 2

Obituary. Martha Penrose, aged 72, died in Kooringa on 11 January after a long and painful illness.

Bushman’s Home, Aberdeen. Mr A. Williams, having given up the above boarding house begs to inform that the same will be kept on as usual at moderate rates, meals and beds of best quality. F.E. Bromley, Manager.

Advt. Austin Davidson & Co. offer for sale a portion of section 36 Redruth with 45’ frontage to Ludgvan St and 105’ depth on which is a substantial shop, almost new stone house and stock of crockery, lamps, books, window glass, saddlery and drapery.

Advt. Mr J.P. Satchel assisted by R.Z. Jones will open a select private school in the old church [St Mary’s] on Limestone Hill.

Term charges: Junior Classes £1 -1-0

Senior Classes £1 -8-0

Elementary Latin & French 10-6

Shorthand 10-6

Drawing or Painting 10-6

Music; Piano or Organ £1 -1-0

A small number of boarders may be accommodated.

Advt. M. Symons has taken over the butchering business in Market Square previously run by W. Symon[s].

Advt. Special annual services for the British and Foreign Bible Society will be held on 21 Jan. In the morning in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church and afternoon in the Kooringa Wesleyan Chapel (A united service)

Advt. 21 & 24 Jan. Special effort at the Bible Christian Church in aid of circuit funds.

Editorial on the Salvation Army.

The Blue Ribbon army is an allied movement originating in the USA. On Saturday night last Burra had the opportunity of judging for themselves something of the nature of the Salvation Army work for a large open-air meeting was held in Market Square in their usual style. [The tone of the article suggests that it was the first such meeting in Burra.]

Midland Road Board is widening the main Kooringa-Aberdeen road by 5’, which is much needed. 10-12’ extra would be a good idea as it is very busy. A footpath is also to be constructed which is also most necessary.

Obituary. George Williamson, last Saturday, 13 Jan., at the Burra Hospital. The deceased had been admitted from Terowie and died from Delirium Tremens. [Registered as 14 January aged 52]

Farewell Banquet to J. Braley JP and Charles Gall. Mr Braley has retired from the firm of Stephens & Braley. Charles Gall is about to leave the management of Mt Bryan Estate, which has recently been sold, to Messrs Bowman. The banquet was thrown at Lewis’s Hotel, Hallett and about 40 sat down.

A presentation was made to Mr Gall of a chased gold hunting watch by the Mayor of Burra, Mr E.C. Lockyer on behalf of friends of the gentleman.

V. 238. 19 January 1883, Page 2

Other removals. Mr H.O. Hopkins, teller for 12 months in the National Bank, Kooringa, moves to be manager of the branch at Nairne and Mr Hawson, teller for the Bank of Australasia, Kooringa, is moving to Adelaide. They will both be missed in football and cricket.

Mr F. Snell, formerly of Burra has been appointed headmaster of Balaclava School.

Obituary & Inquest into the death of George Williamson, a shepherd who died at the Burra hospital aged c. 52. [Probably on 14 January.]

He died soon after admission following a two week drinking binge at Winterbottom’s Hotel at Terowie.

Dr Brummitt examined the deceased and failed to find any serious injury. He was suffering from delirium tremens. Was called out at 5 a.m. to see him when he was in a state of coma and dying. Post mortem showed a small wound on the lower back possibly caused by a kick or fall. There was no evidence of internal injury. Cause of death was probably delirium tremens.

Catherine Cameron - Matron of the Burra Hospital. Deceased said he had been a shepherd at Hearn & Foot’s station Outalpa for two years. He had come into Terowie and given Mr Winterbottom £40-11-0 and had lived on that for four weeks. He gave his age as 52.

V. 238. 19 January 1883, Page 3

Inquest. Verdict: ‘ . . . came to his death by excessive drinking and not otherwise, and censure the publican Winterbottom who supplied the deceased with drink for two weeks continuously, until his £28 was spent, and then forwarded him to the Burra Hospital, where he died shortly after and was buried as a pauper, penniless, while Winterbottom retained a silver watch, and a Savings Bank Book for £12-11-0.’

Some of the material normally in the Literary Supplement appears here, notably chapters XVII-XIX of Saved by a Ring.

V. 239. 26 January 1883, Page 2

Editorial on the question of some much-needed Government aid for the drought-stricken Northern Area farmers.

Bible Christian special effort last Sunday and Wednesday.

Fire on Wednesday morning utterly destroyed the cottage of Mrs Lawler, close to the old Smelting Works ford.

Mr John Pearce has won the contract for restoring the premises lately destroyed by fire in Market Square, for £900.

British & Foreign Bible Society annual meetings were held last week. The deputation was Rev. W. Davidson who lived in Burra years ago. Services and meetings were well attended.

Letter from ‘Athlete’ re the proposal to shift the Foresters’ Picnic from the Queen’s Birthday Holiday to Easter Monday. This brings it into competition with other events such as the Burra-Jamestown cricket match and the Wesleyan Sunday School tea meeting. In addition the Princess Royal grounds are better than the Police Paddock, while the weather is also more suitable on the Queen’s Birthday.

Burra Town Council, 22 January.

The Mayor reports that he has been told there is a surveyed road going through the Smelting Works from Kooringa to Redruth.

The Road Board is widening the Aberdeen-Kooringa Road, but only by 5 feet when it needs 10-15’.

Cab Stands and Fares

Stand on Railway Tce in front of the passenger station.

Stand in Young St, Aberdeen.

Stand in Market Square.

The Town Clerk is to find out if the hose at the railway station could be made available for use in the town in the event of fire.

W. Herchousen [sic] is appointed lamplighter for the North Ward lamp at £10-7-6 p.a.

V. 239. 26 January 1883, Page 3

Some of the material normally in the Literary Supplement appears here, notably chapters XX-XXI of Saved by a Ring.

V. 240. 2 February 1883, Page 2

The Burra Record office is temporarily in Mr Walker’s old shop during rebuilding.

Advt. Grand Vocal and Instrumental Entertainment at the Institute on 6 February in aid of Mrs Lawler whose house was recently burnt. [Program printed.]

Obituary. 20 January 1883, at Kooringa, Ann Williams, wife of J.H. Williams, aged 45.

[Wife of John Henry Williams, died aged 45, nee Ann Macrae.]

Editorial on the increasingly grave situation with respect to farmers in the north and other drought-affected areas and with their suppliers of goods. The aid must go far beyond that of last year’s Land Act.

Arrears of interest must be remitted.

Rules of surrender of land and re-selection must be liberalised.

Those wishing to change conditions of old agreements to the more liberal conditions now applying must be allowed to do so.

Wesleyan Conference. Rev. J.C. Hill succeeds Rev. W.A. Bainger as Rev. S. Knight’s colleague here. Mr Bainger goes to Cunningham.

Obituary. Rev. G.W. Patchell, who was stationed in the Kooringa circuit six years ago, had an apoplectic seizure at the Conference last Friday and died. He was aged 50 and leaves a wife and 5 children. He had been at Goolwa for the last 3 years.

He was born in King’s County, Ireland on 11 April 1832. In 1857 he passed the District Meeting in Omagh and was accepted into the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Ireland as a minister. In 1866 he was received by the Australian Conference and served in the circuits of Wallaroo, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Pirie St, Kooringa, Willunga and Goolwa. He was Vice-President of the SA Temperance Society. [George William Patchell died 26 January 1883]

Mrs Lawler. Subscription lists have been made up to aid her following the fire at her house.

H.W. Hargrave has visited the town and taken levels with a view to preparing a report and estimates on the water scheme.

Mail Contracts for the next three years.

John Snell Kooringa to Redruth and the Railway Station

Mr Midwinter Kooringa to World’s End

Mr Carpenter Kooringa to Thistlebeds

J.J. Sanders Aberdeen to Copperhouse

A.J. Lewis The lines around Hallett

The Kooringa to Spalding mail run has been replaced by a Clare to Spalding run.

Letter from William H. Hardy giving 2⁄3 column on European politics: especially Russia’s intentions in Heart and Afghanistan.

Letter from ‘Forester’ in reply to ‘Athlete’ pointing out that last year’s Foresters’ Picnic was not on the Queen’s Birthday (24 May), but on the 4 May as the former date was deemed too late in the season for outdoor gatherings. It will be Easter Monday, but in neither of the locations ‘Athlete’ mentioned, and arrangements are being made to have the cricket played at the same site.

V. 241. 9 February 1883, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. are selling by auction, on behalf of W.T. Rabbich, who is leaving the district, Hundred of Kooringa sections 39, 43, 47, 57 (668 acres) with 5 roomed house and detached kitchen & 4 roomed cottage, underground tank and spring. £1,000 for the land.

Advt. Austin, Davison & Co. will sell for Thomas Hastie, who is leaving for England, a four-roomed stone house with outside kitchen, stone coach house and stone stable, together with 8 acres of fenced land at Roach Town.

Notice. The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will present the service of song The Pioneers of Primitive Methodism on 11 February.

Birth. 29 January at Kooringa, to the wife of John Pearce, a son. [Norman Whitney Roskilly]

Marriage. 31 January, James Ellery, youngest son of Edward Ellery of Kooringa and

Mrs Teresa Ann M’Mahon of Mt Bryan, 2nd daughter of the late Mr Peter Collins.

Obituary. On 31 January at Kooringa, Sarah Ann Hardy, daughter of William H. & Mary Hardy, aged 9 months. [Born 22 April 1880]

Editorial on the Land Question. Yet another Land Bill will try and sort out the problems of distressed farmers.

2nd Leader on the balance sheet of the Burra Town Council. £2,500 was raised by loan on bonds discounted by 7%.

The survey money has been placed on fixed deposit as it has been found insufficient for the work.

£500 for the Recreation Ground has been expended. This is a problem since although the bonds will have to be repaid, the Recreation Ground is not generating income.

£1,617-4-1 has been spent on public works.

The town has been much improved with respect to footways, roads and bridges.

Aberdeen Waterworks. The main has been extended north along Young St to the White Hart Hotel and there is talk of an extension to Opie’s Hotel to the south. A main could be constructed from the present standpipe around Commercial St to the Burra Hospital if there were a guarantee of £102 p.a. revenue. The scheme contemplated by the Council could be done for half that.

Mrs Lawler’s benefit concert was well patronised and the nett proceeds of £15 are to be added to the £60 raised by subscriptions and to the £20 special donation of Mrs R.C. Baker of Adelaide.

Burra Town Council, 5 February.

Messrs Tiver and Preece asked to be allowed to purchase a portion of an unused street between their allotments in Aberdeen. Council will inspect the site before deciding.

Mrs Mowatt asked leave to place a water trough in front of her premises, Aberdeen. Granted.

Cab Licences were fixed at 10/- p.a.

Fare from Kooringa to the Railway Station 6d per passenger

For intermediate stands 3d

Trips off the line of route either

3/- per cab per hour OR 6d per passenger per 1⁄2 mile OR 2/- if the whole cab is engaged.

V. 241. 9 February 1883, Page 3

The Wants of the Burra District were presented to the Commissioner of Public Works on Wednesday by the local members, W.B. Rounsevell and E. Ward. The most pressing item for the town of Burra was the erection of the new railway station at once.

[1⁄2 column is devoted to the needs of the wide-flung electorate.]

South Australian Farmers’ Mutual Association met and produced a list of seven desirable changes or concessions in view of the great distress of farmers, especially in the Hundreds beyond Goyder’s Line. To be forwarded to the government for action.

V. 242. 16 February 1883, Page 2

Notice. A meeting is called at Midwinter’s Hotel Baldina for Saturday 24 February to consider what is to be done re the overdue payments on selections.

Editorial on the Irish National League.

2nd Leader on the Government’s reply to the requests of the SA Farmers’ Mutual Association. They have dismissed all but one of the requests.

[The editor suggests that if the Government remains firm on this issue they will be displaced.]

The Primitive Methodist service of song The Pioneers of Primitive Methodism was much appreciated.

Sir W. Robinson is due as the new SA Governor, from WA tomorrow.

Kooringa Water Supply. Mr Hargrave has recommended a new bore, an engine house and a steam engine (not a wind pump) and a 150,000-gallon reservoir with an iron roof. The cost is estimated at £1,900.

Aberdeen Waterworks. We understand the main will shortly be extended to Redruth.

Obituary. Henry Dawson JP has been drowned in a yachting accident. A party of gentlemen had gone on a sealing expedition in the yacht Haidee to Pt Lincoln, Neptune Is and Sir Joseph Banks Island. The yacht was struck by an unexpected wave, which washed Messrs King and Dawson overboard. The boat could not be turned around to attempt to rescue them, but in any event their heavy clothing made survival in the water impossible. Mr King was the father of Thomas King MP (Mayor of Glenelg) and of Mr William King. He arrived in SA in 1852.

Mr Dawson was formerly in business in Burra and his departure from the town was the occasion of a farewell banquet. He took up squatting near Mt Bryan before retiring to Parkside. He leaves a large family well provided for. So far the bodies have not been found. [Died 8 February, aged 56, oddly the Deaths registration CD does not list a Mr King dying on or about that date.]

V. 242. 16 February 1883, Page 3

Obituary. James Waters of Kooringa and lately of Hawker died 15 February. [Aged 50.]

V. 243. 23 February 1883, Page 2

Advt. Burra Brass Band is open for engagements on Good Friday - J. Walker, Paddock, Kooringa.

Advt. J.R. Gray, Redruth Chaff & Wood Stores.

Advt. Reward of £1 for information on people who broke into my garden in Mitchell’s Flat last week. 20 Feb. 1883. R. Simpson.

Editorial on Waterworks for Burra.

Few places in SA are better supplied with good water naturally than Kooringa. In Aberdeen the natural deficiency has been met by the lately extended Government Waterworks. Redruth now seeks a similar boon, which no doubt will soon come. The lower part of Kooringa is content with numerous shallow wells and only Market Square and Commercial Street with the hill to the west requires a water supply. The town is so scattered and the houses so far apart that a general scheme will be both most costly and unnecessary. A scheme a few years ago would have involved a general rate, but it was rejected, as the majority were unprepared to pay for what was required by only the few. The case of Gawler with its very high rates proves that this was a wise decision. We warn the whole body of ratepayers to be wary of this lest the great mass of people end up paying heavy rates beside their existing burden - for the benefit of the few. Nevertheless it is evident that a further supply of water beyond the Market Square well (which has been very useful) is essential for the business area and upper part of Kooringa. This is needed both for convenience and for fire protection.

Three or four schemes are before Council:

1. Mr Hargraves scheme would supply the whole of Kooringa and cost more than would be wise in both initial cost and maintenance.

2. Another would be so limited that only the Square would be served, apart from the water carts. It would comprise simply tanks over the well in the Square.

3. Then there is Mr Henderson’s scheme, which would seem to suit quite well.

4. Finally there is an extension of the Aberdeen pipes.

This last scheme involves agreeing to the Government making 121⁄2% on their outlay either by levying a rate, a Corporation payment, or private guarantee. Besides this it is tacked onto the railway supply.

Now if a scheme can return 121⁄2% to the Government it can do so for the Council, which can borrow at 6% and so make 61⁄2% profit. Moreover the Government does not get work done as cheaply as the Council so the cost to Council would be even less. This would also remove the threat of a general rate being introduced.

Another plan available is for the Government to construct the scheme and then hand it over to the Council for local authorities to run at what profit they can get while paying the Government 3% of the cost of construction in year 1, 4%in the 2nd year and thereafter 5%. This would remove the problem of obtaining the funds for construction.

The Council would have a say in the extent of the scheme and the working would be in their own hands. This is the plan likely to be recommended by Government and a new well and tower could be provided between Kooringa and Aberdeen from which all portions of the town could be served.

Roadworks. The work on the Kooringa-Aberdeen Road was left in a dangerous state, but has now been proceeded with and will be properly finished, though in the meantime it is rather dusty.

Mr Henderson has just made an iron girder to carry the parapets of the new shops replacing those recently burnt down. It is 67’ long and weighs 30 cwt.

Daviestown Wesleyan congregation held its anniversary on Wednesday and it was very well attended, surprisingly so since there are only two or three houses within site of the Council Chamber where the services are held. Proceeds came to £14.

Burra Town Council

Kerbing in Aberdeen is proceeding.

The rubbish depot needs attention.

Material from the hospital is most offensive and should be buried.

A report on Mr Hargrave’s water scheme is printed.

Hargrave was to report on the possibility of a water supply using an elevated reservoir. He took levels to ‘Gilberts’ and the Brewery Paddock wells and found that at ‘Gilberts’ the water level was 19’ above that in the Market Square well. The Brewery Paddock well level was 82’ above the Market Square level. Portions of the area to be served are above these levels. An elevated reservoir would supply water for inhabitants and for fire use. The suggested supply is 50,000 gallons a day and therefore Hargraves fixed the reservoir at 150,000 gallons, or three days’ supply. This is not excessive considering fire or if the Corporation should decide to erect public baths. The water in the Market Square well contains sulphate of magnesia, calcium sulphate and sodium chloride, but not in sufficient quantity to be deleterious. Steam power is the only reliable means of pumping the required quantity of water. [Hargrave discusses the wind power possibilities, but dismisses them.]

He then considers the cost of the reservoir, pump, pump house etc., new well, pipes and 3” main to Market Square etc. to come to £1,900.

The income was estimated:

Sale of 9,000,000 gallons @ 3/- per 1,000 gallons 1350

Sale of excavated material 50

£1309 *

[* Thus in the paper, though the correct figure would seem to be £1400, and the sale of excavated material would be a once off.]

The annual costs are listed as:

Interest on the loan 125

Wages of the engineer 160

Coal, waste, oil, etc. 400

£712 **

[** Thus in the paper, though £685 would seem obvious.]

Mr Henderson of Market Square offered to provide steam power and a pump etc. to force water from his well to the proposed reservoir at 3/6 per 1,000 gallons for 10,000 gallons a week, 3/- per 1,000 for 20,000 gallons, 2/6 per 1,000 for 30,000 gallons and 2/- per 1,000 for 40,000 gallons or more. He would offer a five-year contract.

Crs Brown and Rayner supported extending the Aberdeen scheme. A guarantee of £120 p.a. would be needed to extend the main to the hospital. More than £30 of it would come from Aberdeen, leaving Kooringa to pay only a little over £60.

Messrs Tiver and Preece offered £20 plus expenses for the piece of old street in Aberdeen. Council resolved the price should be £70 plus expenses.

V. 243. 23 February 1883, Page 3

Offences. The following were fined 10/- for driving or riding around a corner at faster than walking pace: Messrs Symons, W. Bruse, P. Lewis & Donald Morrison.

Apoinga Copper Mining Co. The half yearly meeting of the company was held in Alfred Chambers, Adelaide and stated that operations began on 5 Sept. and work has been steady with pits sunk on five lodes. The shaft had not yet proved the mine. [A column of detail is provided.]

Jeffrey Pearce writes regretting the way in which ‘party’ dominates local politics in Burra. Place, power and patronage are used to promote party ends. For example recently a number of tenders were recently called and he says he has often had his lowest tender ignored. ‘Two or three councillors can work away the ratepayers’ money just as they like through spite . . . and their reasons for doing so should be explained.’

V. 244. 2 March 1883, Page 2

Advt. Cabstands in the town of Burra are located at: -

Market Square - half a chain from the north corner of the troughs, facing north.

Aberdeen - opposite allotment 47, facing south.

Railway Station - Opposite allotment 5 facing east.

Fares: - Between Kooringa stand and the railway station, 6d per passenger.

Between intermediate stands, 3d per passenger

Vehicles to the railway station must not leave Market Square more than 25 minutes before train staring times. 27 Feb. 1883

Advt. At the Burra Institute 5 March, Robson’s Transparent Panorama - England, Ireland, Scotland and the Egyptian War. 1/-

Advt. Kooringa Volunteer Brass Band is available for engagement any public holiday.

Advt. Mrs Lawler thanks all those who contributed to the Lawler relief fund in her late loss. [A half column list is printed] £89-8-3 was raised of which £20 came from Mrs R.C. Baker of Adelaide and £14-14-0 from a concert.

Editorial. Train Times. A correspondent to the Register complains that the train from the north does not arrive at Hamley Bridge at a time to allow a transfer to the Yorke Peninsula line and the Railways say it cannot be done. This is nonsense. The northern train only has to depart Terowie a little earlier and be delayed a little less at stations to effect a passing of the other train at Hamley Bridge.

Reply Post Cards were issued for the first time yesterday.

MPs. Our representatives W.B. Rounsevell and E. Ward arrived in Burra on Monday evening and went on north on Tuesday.

Bank Charges. SA Banks have decided to charge for collecting cheques: 3d on one up to £25 and 3d for each additional £25 to a maximum charge of £10.

Methodism. There was a large camp meeting of the three branches of Methodism near the Model School last Sunday afternoon. A very large assembly was addressed by Revs J.G. Wright and S. Knight and by Messrs Holder, Crewes, Hutchins and White.

Pig and Whistle Fire. At 2 a.m. last Wednesday a fire broke out at the Pig and Whistle Hotel and in a short time everything was destroyed. It was an old premises, among the first erected in Burra and at the time considered a triumph of architecture.

Rechabites. Quarterly meeting of the Rose of Sharon Tent. 102 members good on the books, an increase of 11 for the year. The increase of funds for the year was £67-8-11.

The annual festival of Hope of Kooringa Tent IOR was held Wednesday in the Wesleyan Schoolroom when about 50 juvenile members sat down for a repast. There are 54 members.

William Sara is retiring from the firm of G. & W. Sara & Dunstan. On 24 Feb. he received a gold keyless hunting watch at the Burra Hotel on the occasion of his leaving the district. P. Lane was chairman. Various leading townsmen spoke and toasts were offered. There was also a framed and glazed address from employees. The firm will now be known as Sara & Dunstan.

Larrikinism. On Sunday 25 Feb. Arthur Hudson, Alfred Hunt, William Lawn & Alexander Ross knocked on the door of Mrs Jacka’s boarding house in Thames St in the early hours asking for lodging. When she found they were locals living in Kooringa an altercation began in which Lawn tried to strike Thomas Hall, [Halls?] one of the boarders. Two of the boarders received blows and Hall knocked Ross down into the gutter. Convicted of knocking on the door without lawful excuse Ross & Lawn were fined 15/- each. Hunt & Hudson 5/- each. All were + costs which are unclearly printed, but seem to be 14/3 each.

V. 244. 2 March 1883, Page 3

Inquest. An inquest was held before P. Lane in the Pig and Whistle Fire.

Elizabeth Calloway: Late on 27 Feb. got up on a box to take down the bar lamp. It was hot and the box slipped. The lamp fell from my hand and broke as I fell from the box. Fire ran all over the place, I couldn’t put it out and called my husband. He threw buckets of water on the fire about 2 a.m. and I tried to beat it out with a bag. It must have been 20 minutes before he called Mr Benny. Part of my son’s clothes was saved, but all mine and Mr Calloway’s were lost. There had been a slight disagreement between Mr Calloway and my daughter and she had gone to spend the night at a friends and ordered a cab to get to the train in the morning as she was going to stay at her sister’s at Rhynie. She took all her clothes with her. There were no threats made when Mr Calloway ordered my daughter out of the house. The cause of the fire was my falling over with the lamp.

Edward Benny: I was roused early in the morning of the 28 Feb. by someone running by the side of my house and calling ‘Benny, my house is on fire.’ I raised the alarm and turned on Mr Henderson’s whistle and roused Constable Johnson and returned to the fire. By this time I saw it one or two persons would have been of little use. People were doing little, but some of the little rooms were cleared out. About 3.00 a.m. the roof of the large room fell in. The roof of the other part had fallen before I got back about 2.45 a.m.

John Calloway: Corroborated his wife’s evidence, but suggested he threw three buckets of water before rousing Mr Benny. He could not say he was perfectly sober. Was never pushed by any creditors. Insured for £500 in the Felix office for furniture, fixtures, stock and clothing. Have been offered £500 for the business. Premises are rented from Catchlove & Co. [Unicorn Brewery] and are not insured by me, but I think they are insured. Owe them one month’s rent and one month’s beer. I value my stock and goodwill at £600. Lost £31-4-0 in the fire - kept in a barrel in the cellar.

Emma Freeman (Mrs Calloway’s daughter) corroborated her mother’s story.

John W. Johnson’s evidence suggests men would not help when asked to get some furniture out. The kitchen and back bedroom furniture was saved. When I asked Calloway if he knew how it started he said ‘no I don’t know anything about it. I did not wake up until the smoke woke me up; sometime after that Mrs Calloway came and told me . . .’ [the story then conforms with Mrs Calloway’s]

Verdict: ‘ . . . fire caused by the accidental upsetting of a kerosene lamp . . . Had Mr Calloway been more energetic in saving the property the public would have assisted more freely.’

Cricket. Since the Christmas matches Burra cricket seems to have died. Clare intends to visit this month and there are plans for Easter matches.

Letter from W.H. Hardy that occupies 2⁄3 column. It is a long letter on the Irish Question following the actions of the Land League and the Phoenix Park murders. Hardy blames the followers of Parnell in and out of Parliament for stirring up the trouble by setting the mood and agenda, even if they were not directly involved. He was strongly against Parnell and Messrs Davitt and Redmond. [Davitt was an Irish Nationalist and agrarian agitator and instigator of the Land League of which Parnell was President. Redmond was an MP and leader of the Irish Home Rule Party.]

V. 245. 9 March 1883, Page 2

Obit. On 13 Feb. at Hawker, James Waters, husband of Helen Waters, aged 51, leaving a wife and three children

Samuel Davis, once a hotelkeeper at Burra has been doing so at Terowie and has been committed for trial at the Supreme Court charged with perjury.

Burra Town Council

Resolved 5 March to see to the flagging of footpaths in front of Messrs Geake, Lane, Snell & Mrs Bock. Tenders called. A contract has been let for the flagging in front of the shops being rebuilt - half of the cost to be recovered from the owners.

Frederick Butler, an Aboriginal from Port Lincoln was charged with stealing a watch from the landlady of the Bon Accord Hotel, Mrs Rundle. The circumstances are unusual.

V. 245. 9 March 1883, Page 3

Baldina farmers after four years of severe conditions have petitioned the Government to be allowed to exchange their present agreements for others under the provisions of the Scrub Lands Act. Failing this they will be unable to stay on their lands.

Letters to editor.

A long prose contribution for a whole column on the Irish question from R.W. Mathews and a shorter, 1⁄4 column of dreadful poetry from P. Murphy on the same theme.

V. 246. 16 March 1883, Page 2

Bible Christian anniversary services last Sunday were well attended, as was the tea meeting on Monday and the proceeds were very good. Rev. J. Pearce has been re-appointed for another year.

Kingston St: the new road is dangerous. It is only about 24’ wide with a sudden fall of 3’ on the northern side. It is unlit at night and could easily cause a fatal accident. This is a Road Board road not controlled by the Town Council.

Pig and Whistle. The bar business is being carried on in two small back rooms which escaped the fire. No accommodation is available. This cannot long continue as a bar licence only cannot be justified by the needs of the place.

The Nairne Railway was opened as far as Aldgate on Wednesday by the Governor. It was embarrassing with the engine failing at Blackwood and c.200 guests and the official party having to wait about three hours for a replacement.

Railways proposed in the new session of Parliament:

Hergott Springs to Strangways Springs

Port Darwin to Pine Creek

Hergott Springs east of Lake Hunot towards the Diamentina

Terowie towards the Barrier Ranges (120km)

V. 246. 16 March 1883, Page 3

Clare Races on the Inchiquin Racecourse, Clare, 14 March. Results are printed.

W. H. Hardy responds to R.W. Mathews on the Irish question at almost as much length.

V. 247. 23 March 1883, Page 2

Advt. Burra Girls’ School under Mr & Mrs Mathews: Easter holidays 22 March to 5 April.

Advt. Easter Monday Foresters’ Picnic and Entertainment featuring the laughable farce ‘Limerick Boy’.

Advt. Anniversary services of Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School. Easter Sunday 25 March. Preacher, James Bickford, President of Conference. Service of Song ‘Daniel’. Tea meeting Easter Monday.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Good Friday with children’s tea at 2.30 p.m., public tea 4.30 p.m. and public meeting at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on the fiasco of the opening of the railway to Aldgate which was indicative of the state of management and the failure as yet to fit automatic breaks which makes travel on the Hills line dangerous.

Obit. Mrs Stanton, relict of the late Rev. L.W. Stanton, once of Burra. At Adelaide on Wednesday in the residence of her son-in-law S.G. Kingston. [Anna Phipps Stanton died 21 March 1883 aged 49.]

The Forestry Picnic will be in Austin’s Paddock, Aberdeen. There are many entries and the Volunteer Brass Band will attend.

The Register reports that the last harvest was probably the worst ever recorded in the colony. Average yield was 4 bushels 32 lb an acre, down 2 lb on the previous one. In the Lower North and the old Southern and South-Eastern areas the yield was 10 to 221⁄2 bushels per acre, which kept up the average.

V. 247. 23 March 1883, Page 3

Offences. Some of the usual offences of stray cows and speeding around corners are reported.

Unchained vehicles attracted fines for W.L.H. Bruse, Lewis Grow, H. Lambert and John Bampton.

Burra Town Council

There was a complaint from Cr Sampson re crowds obstructing Market Square on Saturday nights. [The unstated cause was clearly the Salvation Army]

Other councillors saw no problem and some thought the crowds on footways attending auctions were just as much a problem. The matter was then dropped. [Cr Sampson was an auctioneer.]

Flagging. Sara & Dunstan’s tender for flagging the footpath in Market Square was accepted at 1/3 per foot.

Cab Licences were issued to Alfred Schutz & A. Lines.

SAMA. The Council Ranger moved that SAMA be asked for the deeds to the Recreation Ground.

V. 248. 30 March 1883, Page 2

Obituary. Last evening [29 March] Mr & Mrs [Richard] Rogers of Gum Creek were thrown out of their trap while returning from Baldry. Mr Rogers [aged 70] is dead, but Mrs Rogers is not dangerously hurt.

[But see V. 267. 10 August 1883, Page 2]

Editorial on the improvements to the town in the past six years. Money was borrowed last year to have the town surveyed, but it was then found that a reliable survey would cost at least £1,000 and it then became a question what to do with the money. It is to be hoped that the ratepayers will soon be asked this question.

Trees. There are now a great many trees about the town, both in public and private places and in a year or two they will show above the houses to improve the appearance of the ‘hitherto naked town’.

Obituary. Mr Rogers of Gum Creek. Last evening Mr and Mrs Rogers were returning from Baldry when they were thrown from their trap when crossing a creek near their home. Mr Rogers was killed and Mrs Rogers seriously hurt. [Issue of 6 April says that he was Richard Rogers, aged 70 and that he left six children.]

Good Friday saw a public tea at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School and another at the Westbury Wesleyan Church.

Burra MUIOOF quarterly finance meeting on 15 March reported 303 members.

Police. A notice received on Monday transferred P-C Johnson from Kooringa. Various prominent men have telegrammed their objection to this. [See comment V. 271. 7 September 1883, Page 2 re the reasons for this transfer]

Salvation Army on Saturday evening last came to Market Square with its band to find another band had taken possession through some misunderstanding and even when they moved away some distance ‘the discord produced by two brass bands playing different tunes may be more easily imagined than described.’ A little later ‘a third band struck up airs a few yards off.’

Proceeds from the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary were good.

Rev. W.A. Bainger, the Redruth Wesleyan minister for the last two years has been appointed to Ardrossan and he was given a farewell last Thursday at a tea followed by a public meeting. Various addresses were read and speeches made. (Including one by F.W. Holder)

The Foresters’ entertainment in the Institute on 26 March was a great success, after which dancing continued till about 3.00 a.m.

V. 248. 30 March 1883, Page 3

Foresters’ Sports results are published (The high jump at 5’4” was won by A. Lott.)

Unfortunately the tea, coffee and fruit stall tenderer failed to show up and there were some ‘unpleasant disturbances . . . in the latter part of the day.’ [Possibly due to the success of the booth of Mr C. Barrett of the Commercial Hotel.]

A Letter to the Editor protests at Cr Sampson’s hypocrisy in objecting to the Salvation Army being a obstruction in the square; pointing out Cr Sampson is prepared to regularly obstruct the footpath himself while ‘standing on a box with a riding whip in his hand, surrounded by an assortment of, well, almost everything, for the purpose of, as he says, giving the people a bargain.’

Not Cricket! Aberdeen played Manoora at Manoora on Good Friday. Manoora 53 & 144 defeated Aberdeen 66 & 31 for 6 when Aberdeen forfeited. The Aberdeen captain withdrew from the ground following his brother, H. O’Brien’s dishonourable conduct in arguing with the umpire after being twice clean bowled and once stumped.

Cricket. North Adelaide played Burra at Burra on Good Friday. North Adelaide 141 defeated Burra 29 and 61 for 3 wickets.

Last Saturday Burra played the Wanderers at Martindale. The Wanderers 180 defeated Burra 65 and 72 for 6 wickets.

Easter Monday Burra played the Northern Areas Assoc. at Burra. Northern Areas 94 and 78, Burra 69 and 36 for 3 wickets. This, in contrast to the preceding was called a draw. [It was usually agreed before the game that if four innings were not completed the game would be decided on the first innings.]

V. 249. 6 April 1883, Page 2

Mr R. Rogers was buried on Saturday last. He was an old colonist and about 50 vehicles followed the hearse. Mrs Rogers is slowly recovering. [But see 10 August 1883.]

Redruth Band of Hope entertainment with F.W. Holder in the chair. Music, songs and recitations and an address by Holder.

Football. 1st meeting for the season of Burra Football Club. At the Commercial Hotel, 7 April.

Rev. J. C. Hill, new Wesleyan minister begins next Sunday.

Mrs Baeyertz is announced to hold a series of evangelistic services from 8 April at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Surrendered sections are being resold and in most cases the original owners are buying them at 20/6 per acre, having originally bid £4-£5 per acre. Having forced others to go elsewhere the reckless bidders have caused the state great loss of money and have now depreciated the surrounding land values.

Advt. A public meeting is called to consider the route of the Transcontinental Railway, the Charges on Cheques, the Vermin Act and the immediate need for a dissolution of the House of Assembly.

The SAR has lost its appeal against the £250 damages awarded Price for a broken kneecap and will have to pay costs.

The Burra Amateur Dramatic Club was formed on Wednesday with Mr Gibson in the chair and Mr Liebig as Secretary & Treasurer.

Tenders for the new Parliament House in Adelaide have been received. Kapunda Marble & Building Co. Basement in granite and superstructure in marble will cost £102, 864-19-3 with the portico and tower adding £48,568-8-1. If it is all done in SA marble the building to cost £101,466-0-7 with £50,390-12-11 for the portico and tower.

J. Jude quoted for a basement of Melbourne bluestone and a superstructure in Sydney brown freestone at £91,283-14-10 plus £45,092-3-6 for the portico and tower.

St Mary’s vestry meeting at Easter saw the church in credit £7-10-2 and the Sunday School with a credit of £2-15-2. Mr Boult was thanked for a splendid dossal. Application is to be made to the Bishop to sell the old schoolhouse, formerly used as the church, to reduce the debt on the new church. Should the efforts to obtain the title for the sale of allotments at Redruth fall through then notice will be given to the purchaser for recision of the contract and the return of the deposit.

Burra Town Council

Cr Sampson objected that cabs were ignoring designated stands and were parked in front of hotels and that the drivers frequently left them. The Inspector was instructed to enforce the by-laws.

The Market Square pump was broken on Sunday morning and was ordered repaired. Steps are being taken to find the culprits.

Inquest into the death of Richard Rogers runs 1⁄2 column, but it adds little to what has already been stated.

Not Cricket? J. O’Brien writes to give the other side to the story of the Manoora match. On arrival at Manoora not a person could be found that knew anything of the match. Play eventually commenced at noon instead of 10.30 a.m. At 1.30 p.m. we were told lunch was ordered at the hotel, but when we got there the landlord knew nothing of it and charged us 1/6 each for bread and jam. As for my brother being bowled twice, the wicket keeper put the stumps clean down every time with his foot. The continual cheating by Manoora and the foul language was disgusting. ‘In fact the swearing became so strong I called my team off the field, hence the uproar.’

The Bands. William Davey of the Volunteer Brass Band wants to say he informed the Primitive Band they were coming out, but not before 8.00 p.m. - we would have preferred 7.00 p.m., but did not wish to interfere with the service. We waited at Mr Snell’s balcony which was kindly lent until about 8.00 p.m. when we thought every hymn would be the last, but seeing they did not make a shift we began and they stopped. Davey thinks there was more fuss in the paper than in seeing two brass bands ‘and something else’ playing in the street.

V. 249. 6 April 1883, Page 3

Vermin Act regulations are printed.

Railway. A report on the proposed route of the railway to Victoria via Strathalbyn is printed.

V. 250. 13. April 1883, Page 2

Advt. Grand Musical & Dramatic Entertainment at the Institute 17 April to raise money for the Institute Funds. Concludes with the farce ‘The Limerick Boy’. 2/- & 1/-

Advt. St Joseph’s Church, Kooringa, a mission will be given in the church by Rev. Fr Leo Rocalski SJ. 12 -18 April

Advt. Mrs Baeyertz will preach in the Institute next Sunday evening at 6.30 p.m.

Obituary. James Mills Patterson died at his residence, Lostwithiel, aged 67 on 10 April.

Editorial on New Zealand: a colony with much to offer the immigrant.

Public Meeting at the Institute last Monday was not a success with little interest shown in the topics being discussed. The Mayor took the chair.

Mr Venning spoke on the Intercolonial Railway. The Nairne-Callington route was very rugged with the line inaccessible and a gradient of 1:40 whereas the line from Strathalbyn to the Murray was level and over productive country. The debate came down to the cost of bridging the Murray.

[The figures then quoted seem to be incorrect and contradictory, but the point being made was that he believed the cost quoted for crossing the river at Wellington was inflated and it could be done far more cheaply thus making the southern crossing better than the route via Murray Bridge.] J.B. Davidson moved that the meeting favoured a route via Wellington rather than that via Nairne [and Murray Bridge.]

P. Lane moved an amendment that surveys of the competing routes be made before a decision was reached. Carried.

The question of cheque charges and the Vermin Act lapsed for want of speakers.

Mr Holder moved that the House of Assembly be immediately dissolved. The coming election must be held within nine or ten months and would be on new district boundaries with six more members. The coming legislation affected the north which was currently unrepresented. The new House should improve such representation. P. Lane moved that a dissolution was not desirable. Amendment lost and motion carried.

St Mary’s annual Sunday school picnic was held yesterday at Koonoona.

Samuel Davis, licensed victualler, formerly of Burra was sentenced last week to 18 months for perjury.

Mrs Baeyertz preached last Sunday to crowded congregations and will preach again next Sunday. On Wednesday she took a large group of children from the Burra School to the Bible Christian church for a scripture address after school.

Poisonings. Last Friday and Saturday some 50 dogs were killed in the town by poison baits laid in the street and thrown into private yards. Also killed were many fowls, geese, cats etc. A £20 reward is offered for detection of the offender.

New Buildings. Despite bad times new buildings are planned in the neighbourhood.

1. Woolshed at Booborowie to be built by Sara & Dunstan

2. New railway station for Burra.

3. New house in Kooringa for Mr McBride

4. New house at Koonoona for Mr Sandland

5. New house at Mt Bryan for R. Brown jnr

Obituary. On 10 April in his residence at Lostwithiel, James Mills Paterson, in his 68th year. He was a resident of over 28 years and a Freemason for nearly 45 years. His daughter is Mrs Sanders.

Football. Burra Football Club met on Saturday with E.F. Brady in the chair. Elections: J. Lewis JP, President; E.C. Lockyer, Captain; George Parks, Vice-Captain; G. Dawson, Treasurer & Hon. Secretary.

Court Cases. Thomas Richardson [of the Burra Hotel] claimed £9-6-6 from P-C Johnson for billiards and a small quantity of refreshments. Johnson claimed this was payback for getting Richardson’s father fined for selling liquor in smaller quantity than allowed by his storekeeper’s licence. The Bench noted that in any case the motive would be irrelevant and the verdict was given for the amount claimed.

Mrs Everett claimed support from her father John Calloway of the Pig and Whistle Hotel as she had a child to support and her husband had deserted her four months since. An order was made for 5/- a week.

V. 250. 13 April 1883, Page 3

There were the usual cases of speeding around corners, this time involving M. Symons, Frederick Schutz and Garret Barrow who were each fined 10/- + 10/- costs.

Schutz and Morrison were each fined 10/- + 10/- costs for employing an unlicensed person to drive a cab on Easter Monday.

Alfred Lynes [Lines perhaps?] left his cab without chaining the wheel: 10/- + 10/- and for the same offence three days later another 10/- + 10/-.

He was also fined 5/- + 5/- for driving a horse with a sore shoulder.

John I. Sangster writes re the dog poisoning and calling for active investigation and punishment. He lost two dogs.

Not Cricket? Manoora responds to O’Brien’s outburst. The Club protests that it was a ‘false and ungentlemanly attack on members of the Manoora Cricket Club’. O’Brien is a ‘Captain [who] by his own men’s confession held or usurped the position they did not know how or why.’ The allegation that the wicketkeeper kicked down the stumps is dismissed as false. No starting time was fixed and the luncheon problem lay with the publican not the Manoora Cricket Club. As for having to pay for it: ‘it was only what we did when visiting Aberdeen’. As for the language issue: - ‘Those who live in glass houses should never throw stones.’ The reason he took his men from the field was simply ‘they funked on the game, and were glad of any excuse to bring it to a conclusion.’

Rabbits. There is an article on the use of phosphorised wheat for killing rabbits: patented by Felton, Grimwade & Co.

V. 251. 20 April 1883, Page 2

Advt. Tender called for the construction of a new passenger station at Burra.

Advt. A Bazaar in aid of a new Wesleyan Parsonage will be held at the Institute on 2-4 May. 1/- admission redeemable in goods.

Editorial. There has been no reply from the commissioner re the transfer of Constable Johnson from Kooringa. He has now gone to Georgetown. The town pays half the salary and was well satisfied and this should have kept him in place.

‘Unfortunately it seems that the security of a police constable’s position depends not upon the fearlessness with which he does his duty and the satisfaction he gives the law-abiding portion of the community or authorities, but upon the persistence with which by keeping his eyes closed to unpleasant facts he escapes getting into hot water with those over whom he is supposed to watch or getting them into trouble.’ The Inspector of Police to whom the Commissioner referred the matter ‘does not avoid all the appearance of evil . . . for his best and most intimate friends are those who know before hand of his visits, and take him to and from the train &c., [and they] are the publicans.’

Under the present regime we cannot retain a constable who does his duty, nor remove one who continually neglects it.

Terowie Train: on Saturday the passenger train from Terowie was an hour late due to the engine derailing itself twice at Terowie.

Mrs Baeyertz has moved on to Redruth for a week of meetings before returning to Kooringa for a farewell meeting.

Redruth Band of Hope meeting on Tuesday 10 April was very successful. This Band is in a very flourishing state.

SAMA; Annual Report.

Township allotments and buildings have increased in value by £4,801-19-4

And country holdings have increased by £8,114-8-5.

The sixty-first dividend of £12,320 was distributed.

In the last six months SAMA sold 6283⁄4 acres of country land for £2,188-15-6

And town allotments totalling about 1 acre for £417-10-0

An Entertainment at the Institute in aid of the Institute funds on Tuesday was only fairly attended. The program was almost that of the Foresters’ Concert on Easter Monday.

Burra Town Council 16 April

Mr Peak wrote suggesting the need for a privy and urinal at the cemetery as well as some shelter and drinking water. Rev. Howitt also suggested the advisability of a shelter under which a service might be held and asked what might be done to stop the sort of disgraceful behaviour of the crowd at the Cemetery on the preceding day at a funeral. A tender was called for two privies, a urinal and a suitable place to hold services etc. Police to be asked to attend when large funerals were held, especially on Sundays, to prevent misconduct.

Council will visit the Recreation Ground next Monday to see what is needed to make it available for football. Also to look at the road through the smelting works and the footbridge behind the Burra Hotel.

10/- will be given to the boys who gave information on who broke the pump and the offenders are to be required to pay for the repairs.

A public meeting is to be called to determine the use to which the £372 in hand for a town survey can be put.

V. 251. 20 April 1883, Page 3

Burra District Council 14 April

J.J. Sanders wrote to resign the pound at Copperhouse. He has been asked to continue until another appointment is made.

V. 252. 27 April 1883, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for two earth closets, a urinal and a mortuary chapel at the cemetery. (The chapel to have trellis sides and an iron roof.)

Advt. Tenders called for ‘the removal of two steam boilers at the Bon Accord Mine and taking to rail side at Kooringa Station’ [sic]

Thomas Anthony, Kurilla Mine, Kadina, 16 April 1883.

Advt. Notice of the dissolution of the partnership of Benjamin Arthur Preece and James Couch, trading as Couch & Preece at Aberdeen as blacksmiths, wheelwrights etc. James Couch will carry on solely. 20 April 1883.

Advt. Entertainment at the Institute in aid of the Kooringa volunteer Brass Band, assisted by A.E. Carter of Rhynie and the Burra Amateur Christy Minstrels and Professor Primrose, Australian Star Phrenologist and concluding with the laughable farce ‘Virginia Mummy’. 2/- & 1/-.

Advt. £ 20 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who laid poison in the streets of Burra on or about 6 April. F.W. Holder, Town Clerk.

Advt. £20 reward for the same offered by John F. Duff.

Advt. £10 reward for conviction of those who broke into Sugar Loaf Hut on or about 8 April. Isaac Killicoat.

Editorial on Taxation. The Editor writes in favour of a land tax.

2nd Leader on the recently released and very unsatisfactory report on SA railway accidents. [Which the editor clearly saw as a whitewash job. One of the three ministers who produced the report was the head of the Railway Department so the result could not be expected to be any different.]

Sara & Dunstan are the lowest tenderers for the Burra railway station.

Mr Batchelor has moved from the old shop to that previously occupied by Mr Walker. [See also advt. page 1.]

Mr Watt has moved to Mr Batchelor’s old shop. [See advt. page 3.]

Mr Urwin begins business as a clothier and draper in Mr Watt’s old shop. [See advt. page 3.]

The Recreation Ground was visited by the Council on Monday and they decided to spend £25 ploughing, sowing, rolling etc. to form a green turf. It will not be available for use till next year. The trees are growing well.

The Mail. A deputation has asked that a weekly packhorse postal service be established from Burra to Quondong Vale Station. The land is now permanently settled and c.120 men were employed along the route. The cost is estimated to be £350-£400 per annum.

V. 253. 4 May 1883, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are called by Arthur F. Akhurst in the estate of John Calloway deceased of the Pig and Whistle Hotel, Kooringa, for the unexpired lease (c.3 years 6 months) and the goodwill of the Pig and Whistle Hotel. The weekly rental is £3.

[Obituary. Registration shows John Callaway died 13 April 1883 aged 52.]

Advt. Burra & Aberdeen MUIOOF Lodges Picnic and Athletic Sports Gathering. 24 May at the grounds of Messrs Duffield and Makin on the Adelaide Rd

Mainly flat races and hurdles, but also the running high jump, hop step & jump, three-legged race, jumping in sacks, kicking a football (place kick), pig with a greasy tail.

There will be an evening entertainment by the Burra Amateur Dramatic Club.

Advt. Wesleyan Foreign Missions will feature Rev. Dr Kelynack of Sydney at Redruth & Kooringa 6 May and a lecture on missions in the Kooringa Wesleyan church on 7 May.

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Church anniversary 6 May & tea meeting on 9 May.

Advt. Professor Primrose, phrenologist will give an entertainment at the Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen on 7 May. He can be consulted privately at the Burra Hotel.

Editorial on the Education Commission Report.

The Wesleyan Bazaar has possibly been the most successful effort of the sort ever seen in Burra. Mr John Dunn MLC opened the bazaar following a luncheon in the Masonic Room. Proceeds are expected to reach nearly £400 by the close.

Burra Town Council. 30 April

Sara & Dunstan’s tender for two privies and one urinal at the cemetery was accepted. The privies will cost £11-9-0 each and the urinal £9-12-6.

The mortuary chapel was ordered readvertised.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands telegraphed that the Hydraulic Engineer had been instructed to arrange with Burra people for a water supply.

The road from Paxton Square through the Smelting Works is to be done by day labour as far as possible.

Tenders called for a footbridge over the Burra Creek opposite the Institute and alternative tenders for one at the site of the old one at the back of the Burra Hotel.

Ada Davis (5) & Annie Davis (4) the children of Frank Davis of Redruth who deserted his wife, Annie, about 21⁄2 years ago have been sent to the Industrial School till aged 18 as their mother is unable to support them even with Government rations.

Letter from ‘Fiat Institia Ruat Cœlum’ asking why the police are not investigating a case of attempted suicide in one of our leading hotels last week. Is it being hushed up because the landlord is a man of means or because some of our leading men were present or because the Inspector has instructed the police to do nothing?

V. 253. 4 May 1883, Page 3

The Volunteer Brass Band concert last Monday was presided over by W.F. Coglin JP. The attendance was better than it deserved. ‘We seldom sat out an entertainment of a less interesting character.’ The first half of the program, which was very patchily done, ended with Professor Primrose and although entertaining, many of his remarks were decidedly vulgar, and not at all such as should be permitted before a company of respectable people, especially ladies. Even the farce was only fair.

V. 254. 11 May 1883, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of G. Anderson at Kooringa on 3 May, a daughter. [Registered as 4 May: Margaret Helen Anderson]

Birth: to the wife of E.W. Crewes at Kooringa on 4 May, a son. [Ernest William Crewes]

Editorial against the idea of compulsory Bible reading in schools.

The Wesleyan Parsonage Bazaar had fewer visitors on days two and three on account of rain, but takings exceeded £400 with about £200 worth of goods left over.

St Leon’s Circus and Menagerie arrived in Kooringa yesterday and its performances are highly spoken of. The attendance last night was very fair and the performance first class.

Burra Waterworks have been delayed pending the arrival of the new hydraulic engineer, Mr Mestayer.

Mr Belcher, photographer is visiting Burra and has a studio at the rear of the Commercial Hotel.

Rain has at last fallen. Kooringa had 0.78” Friday, 0.6” Saturday, 0.1” Monday and 0.14” Tuesday, for a total of 1.62”.

Bon Accord Hotel has changed hands. J.C. Wood is the new landlord.

V. 254. 11 May 1883, Page 3

Artesian Wells: a long article of over one column.

V. 255. 18 May 1883, Page 2

Advt. Program for the entertainment at the Institute for the Queen’s Birthday Concert, 24 May. [It features the usual songs and Mr W.G. Lester, the Premier Ventriloquist and the comedy, ‘Make Your Wills.’

Birth: to the wife of E.F. Opie at Banbury on 12 May, a son. [Lesley James Opie]

Accident. A little son of Mrs Marsh, living at Mr Rabbich’s, Aberdeen, was kicked by a horse on Monday and is still unconscious.

Redruth Wesleyan anniversary on next Sunday & Monday.

C.C. Williams, following in the wake of those mentioned last week has installed an Alpha Gas Machine and the light is excellent. [I have been unable to find the reference to gas lights in the previous issue.]

Mr W. Bentley, who has long been a photographer at Redruth, has moved into a studio next to the Burra Hotel.

Bible Christian Sunday School anniversary last Sunday and Monday was well attended.

Water Supply. Mr Jenkinson from the Hydraulic Engineer’s Dept visited Burra on Monday to ascertain conditions and capabilities of the present waterworks for supplying Aberdeen, Redruth and also Kooringa.

The Foresters’ Sports Committee met on Monday at the Burra Hotel and showed a surplus of £22-2-6 and that sum together with the £7-13-3 left from last year was voted to the town’s poor. £5-5-0 was immediately voted to a poor, but deserving widow and the rest was handed to the Mayor and Doctors to distribute.

Burra Town Council 14 May.

The tender of I.W. Goss for building the Mortuary Chapel in the cemetery was accepted for £79. All the tenders for a footbridge across the creek near the Institute were deemed to be too high.

Council called tenders for a night cart.

The Inspector is to enforce the by-laws with reference to the discharge of firearms within the town.

V. 256. 25 May 1883, Page 2

Birth: To the wife of D. Jones at Kooringa on 23 May, a stillborn son.

Editorial on the Burra Water Supply.

We have always maintained that a general water scheme was unnecessary as a majority of ratepayers neither wanted water nor were willing to pay for it and the widely scattered nature of housing made it too costly to deliver via pipes. The scheme should only serve places where it is needed and where houses are reasonably close together. We support a scheme whereby the Council takes over the waterworks and sells water not by rate, but by metered amounts at a certain price per 1,000 gallons. The Council would have the balance of the revenue after working expenses and payment to the Govt (3% on capital in the 1st year, 4% in the 2nd year and 5% per annum thereafter.) Should the Council secure the railways as a customer, even at a severe discount, it should enable a good profit if water were sold at 5/- per 1,000 gallons. The plan is to construct a reservoir on the hill opposite Messrs Roach Bros Mill, high enough to give a good pressure of water to all customers and to lay pipes to Commercial St and the Hospital, and also to connect the existing Aberdeen system and to run eastwards to about Mr Bartholomæus’s store in Redruth. From these mains services could be laid on as required. Fireplugs would be placed along the mains and Aberdeen would be supplied from the reservoir, not the present raised tanks, receiving cooler and fresher water. A question to be decided is where to pump from. A new well might be sunk. An old shaft might be deepened, or the present source used with new, more powerful lifts. A new well has cost against it, and both of the other options leave the railways with their own supply, removing a valuable customer. Thus the present shaft would be best if at a reasonable cost and if not then another of the Bon Accord shafts. Or the present shaft could be leased. This would be the best choice since it would be the most cost effective in the event of the mine starting again and so lowering the watertable, making a new well or old shaft useless.

The Hon. G.G. Hawker has resigned his seat in the District of Victoria and several local gentlemen are in the field to replace him.

Redruth Wesleyan anniversary activities went off well despite other attractions.

The Oddfellows’ demonstration yesterday came off well in every way and though the morning was rather cold and moist the afternoon was delightful. The evening entertainment was also very well attended. Mr Lester, the ventriloquist, greatly pleased the audience and the Amateur Dramatic Society did well. About 40 gathered between 9 & 10 o’clock and marched to the hospital from where wagons and trollies took them to the ground about six miles from town. The distance did however, result in only a moderate attendance of the public.

The program of events was well run. (The pig with a greasy tail event was won by T. Hall. [Halls?]) Kicking the football was won by A. Lott.

The main event was the Burra Handicap of three races over 150, 220 & 440 yards. (Prizes were £6, £3 & £1)

150 yds, Mahon & Lott dead heat with G. Parks 3rd

220 yds, J.E. Petherick 1st, G. Parks 2nd, Mahon 3rd

440 yds, J.E. Petherick 1st, Mahon 2nd, G. Parks 3rd

Overall J.E. Petherick 1st, Mahon (from Seven Hills) 2nd, Lott & Parks equal 3rd

V. 257. 1 June 1883, Page 2

Advt. Application for position of nightman for 12 months. The applicant will have use of the Corporation night-cart and must charge according to the authorised scale.

Advt. Miss Kilkelly begs to inform inhabitants she will open an evening class for girls on 4 June. Classes in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic & Book-keeping.

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. 1/- per week

Editorial on French interference in Madagascar.

Train timetable changes slightly with the first train each way slightly later.

Burra Station. Work on the new passenger station is under way.

Burra nightman. Charges will be 6d per cubic foot to a depth of 10 feet and beyond that by agreement.

Larrikinism. J. Rooney, tried to sue T.T. Shortridge and A. Fordham for hissing his performance at the entertainment after the Oddfellows’ sports, on the grounds that it was of such a nature as was likely to cause a breach of the peace, but the case was dismissed without costs.

‘Cynic’ wonders why the ratepayers’ meeting to discuss what to do with the money borrowed to survey the town hasn’t come off.

‘I think the Councillors are afraid to do so, for fear some of the ratepayers living in the back part of the town would get a bit of a footpath to enable them to get out of their houses without stilts this wet weather.’

He also criticises J. Rooney.

V. 257. 1 June 1883, Page 3

The Governor’s speech for the opening of SA Parliament is printed.

V. 258. 8 June 1883, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of R. Hunt at Kooringa on 6 June, a son. [Harry Robert Hunt]

Editorial on the vote of no confidence in the Government moved by Mr Coles. It is not expected to succeed.

The season looks good so far and the Burra Creek has been running for a fortnight, as it has not done for two years at least.

MUIOOF Oddfellows, half-yearly finance meeting showed 306 members.

IOR Rose of Sharon Tent, half yearly meeting showed 106 members.

Show Society has met and fixed 18 September for the next show.

Burra School Board of Advice. The annual report by the Chairman, P. Lane on the two schools under its control: Burra and Copperhouse Provisional. Burra is in good repair, but the premises at Copperhouse are so bad that the Board recommends that a suitable school be erected. The average attendance is 29. Burra School is well run and attendance is improving. Applications for free instruction have been numerous this year and even with great care we have had to grant assistance to many on account of the mine stoppage and other causes. 64 notices were issued re failure to comply with compulsory attendance. The % of children failing to attend as required has dropped from 7.69 in 1881 to 4.79 in 1883.

‘Citizen’ writes in response to ‘Cynic’ of 1 June and identifies the latter [almost certainly correctly] as W.H. Hardy. He calls Hardy a ‘self-styled professional Irish Comic who fills in his spare time, when not acting, at the desk of one of our local stores’. He says ‘Cynic’ instead of criticising, should have said: -

‘we have in our midst, a young gentleman, who, after his day’s work is done, occupies his leisure time by working up a dramatic club, instead of lounging about the streets, smoking and otherwise making himself obnoxious, like myself and associates.’

‘Citizen’ goes on to point out how much Mr Rooney has done to help in charitable performances etc. and how the reception he got was simply because he ‘trod on the tail of the great serpent - larrikinism.’

J. Rooney also writes - with the view that the recent court case merely upheld larrikinism. The cause of this outburst of larrikinism has however been absent from the paper. On the occasion of the entertainment in aid of the Volunteer Brass Band I criticised the performance of some of that Company so severely in your issue of 4 May - one in particular, T.T. Shortridge, has admitted in court that he completely broke down in his song, that he knew he could not sing. This criticism led to the preconceived plan to upset the entertainment of which I was the manager. The conduct was indulged in before the performers began the items and so could not be a result of audience reaction to unsatisfactory performance. The court case was not proceeded with just because of the actions on the night of the performance. The abuse continued in the street and extended to others of the company. Rooney then comments on ‘Cynic’: -

‘wit, however, seems to have been dealt out long before his advent into this “world of cares and sorrows” . . . the ass knows no better.’

V. 259. 15 June 1883, Page 2

Birth. On 6 June at Aberdeen to Mrs Harry Roach, a son. [Paul Antony]

Marriage. 10 June at St Patrick’s, West Terrace [Adelaide], Charles Keefe & M.A.M Linkson, only daughter of William George Linkson, storekeeper of Redruth.

Burra Town Council, 11 June

Trees have been obtained from the Forests Department for planting in reserves and streets and for distribution to ratepayers.

R. Andrews & H. Howes tender for £9 has been accepted for exclusive use of the Corporation night-cart for one year.

‘Cynic’ slings some mud back at ‘Citizen’ and in the process identifies the latter as one who teaches German for 1/- a week. [Could this be Mr Leibing?]

A. Fordham writes denying that any insulting conduct in the street involved him.

Thomas T. Shortridge writes to rebut the charge that the events at the concert on the 24 May were payback for the critique of the 30 April. During the early part of the 24 May concert he was engaged at the Record office and other gentlemen who were with him when he was at the hall have already sworn that his conduct there was ‘in no way unbecoming of a respectable person.’ John Kennedy’s notorious conduct was the main cause of the altercation just before interval. If anyone deserved to appear in court it was he. Shortridge also denies any insult to Mr Rooney, or any member of his company in the street and says that Rooney has admitted as much. Rooney would not only have you believe that Shortridge and his witnesses lied in court, but that the decision of the magistrates was wrong. His letter is a ‘fawning production, endeavouring to enlist the sympathies of the public.’

Burra District Council, 11 June: J. Edwards has been appointed pound-keeper at Copperhouse.

Advt. Primitive Methodist Chapel Springbank, anniversary 17 June. (Mr Holder to preach in the evening) Tea meeting on 20 June.

Advt. Primitive Methodist Chapel Iron Mine, anniversary on 17 June with the tea meeting on 18 June.

Chess. A telegraphic chess game was played between Burra & Terowie on 8 June.

Mr Cave v. Mr Keighly (drawn after 8 hours and 70 moves each.)

Mr W. Anderson v. Mr J. Belcher

Mr Gibson v. Mr Upton

Advt. The partnership between Eliza Malt Soward and William Neville, carrying on business in Redruth as publicans, is dissolved from 6 June 1883. William Neville will carry on the business alone. [The Courthouse Hotel]

V. 259. 15 June 1883, Page 3

Kooringa Court, 9 June.

Police charged Walter Calloway with using insulting words intending to provoke a breach of the peace on 8 June and also with disturbing the peace at the Pig and Whistle Hotel on the same day. Fined 10/- on each charge.

V. 260. 22 June 1883, Page 2

Advt. A Grand Vocal, Musical and Histrionic Entertainment will be held at the Institute on 27 June, in aid of Mrs Hill who is entirely without support owing to the death of her son. [Her husband Thomas Hill died 7 September 1882 aged 54 and the son Thomas, born 25 July 1866, died 8 June 1883.]

Birth. At the Mine Stores on 17 June, to the wife of J.I. Hewlett, a son. [Sidney Herbert]

Sara & Dunstan will at once commence the erection of the Agricultural College at Roseworthy.

Eastern Mail. The best price for a mail service east of Burra is £300 per annum, which is more than the business, would justify according to Mr E. Ward, Minister of Education, but he will send a postal inspector to visit the district.

The season continues promising with rain and mild temperatures. Rainfall so far this year has been 7.02”.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church anniversary was well attended and the public meeting heard that the debt had been reduced during the year.

Springbank Primitive Methodist anniversary was also very well attended. Messrs Pearce, Bagg and Dew sent wagons to Kooringa to take a large number of friends with the Brass Band in the lead. The tea meeting was too big for the room. Finances are going well and the chapel hopes soon to be free of debt.

Road Boards. It is proposed to transfer responsibility for main roads within Corporations from the Road Boards to the Corporations. The Burra Corporation has written to all others in the colony agreeing that such a move would remove the source of considerable conflict, but insisting that it be accompanied by a grant of a certain amount per mile to maintain such roads.

Burra Girls’ School, run by Mr & Mrs Mathews, held an afternoon tea and entertainment in the evening to bring the midwinter session to a close. The work of the children reflects well on the teaching and Mr & Mrs Mathews merit the success, which has so far attended their efforts.

‘South Australian’ writes regretting the lack of any football so far despite a well-attended meeting earlier in the season. Also drawing attention to the need to change the rules which allow such tackling that recently a young man was killed through dislocation of the spine.

‘Cynic’ writes that a temperance society is needed in Burra and notes no effort to form an Anti-Shouting Society, such as has been established in Adelaide.

V. 261. 29 June 1883, Page 2

Sale of allotment with 50’ frontage to Chapel St and depth of 175’ on which are erected the walls of a seven-roomed villa. Also a good well. Liston Shakes & Co.

6 June.

Advt. Mathews’ Burra Girls’ School resumes Monday week.

Marriage: 20 June 1883, Julius Evan Petherick, 6th son of the late P.J. Petherick of Victoria, Somersetshire, and Thirza, eldest daughter of the late J. Smith of Mintaro.

Fire. On Tuesday morning one of the rooms of the Burra Hotel caught fire and but for a timely discovery the whole might again have been reduced to ashes.

Trains. On Wednesday 11 June Mr Bosworth moved that the timetables on the Balaklava and branch lines be adapted to enable the public on lines beyond Hamley Bridge to travel between Terowie and Wallaroo in one day - now taking four days under existing arrangements. The proposed timetable is appended.

The Concert on Wednesday night in aid of Mrs Hill was well attended. Mr Rooney was warmly received despite any little misunderstanding that may have been on a recent occasion.

Burra Town Council, 25 June

A ratepayers’ meeting will be called on 10 July at 7.30 p.m. to decide on the application of the money borrowed for the survey.

‘Cynic’ considers a good flood down the creek would be a good thing if it:

‘took with it that heap of ruins which stands on its banks in the southern part of the town known as the Pig and Whistle hotel, and ticketed “Bar at the back”. It might be the means of inducing the owners to spend the insurance money on a building more worthy the name “hotel” than the place there at present.’

Chess. In the telegraphic chess games played on 8 June Mr Belcher of Terowie lost to W. Anderson of Burra in 42 moves and the games between Mr Upton of Terowie and Mr Gibson of Burra was drawn after 53 moves.

V. 262. 6 July 1883, Page 2

Advt. Entertainment at Wesleyan Schoolroom Monday 9 July. (Music, songs & recitations) 1/- & 6d

Advt. The Blue Ribbon Army and Gospel Temperance Union will meet at the Primitive Methodist Church, Redruth, 10 July, and at the Institute 11 July.

Editorial on the ratepayers’ meeting.

£400 had been borrowed for a town survey, but the survey would cost £1,000 to £1,200 and this, even if available, could not be justified. To what purpose then should this sum be applied? All money, including previous loans have now been spent and unless all work is to cease this £400 must be employed or another overdraft secured.

Thomas Nevin has been appointed a pupil teacher to the Burra Model School.

Susana Donithorne has been made provisional teacher at Copperhouse Provisional School in place of Miss Sim, who goes to Wallaroo Mines.

Miss Killicoat was on her way to St Mary’s on Sunday in a wagonette when the horse bolted. Miss Killicoat apparently tried to get out for she was found on the road with a broken collarbone and other injuries, but is progressing favourably.

Parliament House. The Government has accepted the tender of the Kapunda Marble and Building Co. for the first portion of the new Parliament House in Adelaide.

V. 262. 6 July 1883, Page 3

The Education Question: a one-column article by R.W.M.

The education offered by the compulsory primary schooling is not ‘education’ but merely schooling. The labouring classes should treat it with considerable suspicion. It will not result in a blurring of class boundaries as many think. It will not touch on tastes, not will the regimental system used do other than stifle genius at birth. The State System will never produce more than mediocrity. It is to be feared that at its best this education will merely spoil a good many embryo workmen without giving them anything in exchange commensurate with what they lost. Any attempt to effect the upheaval of any class in society by government by artificial means must prove disastrous for all and the class concerned especially. Class is a natural law. We advocate education for all up to a standard sufficient for all practical purposes, go beyond that and the equilibrium of the state is affected.

V. 263. 13 July 1883, Page 2

Birth. At the school residence, Black Springs, to the wife of A. Dearlove, a son. [Edley Montague]

Editorial on the Education Bill which proposes to increase fees from 4d and 6d to a uniform 6d a week and to 1/- a week if the child remains after completing the compulsory certificate. It would be more sensible to stimulate effort by making education free after the compulsory certificate. School fees raise less than 20% of Education Department costs and small as they are, they are a real burden to workingmen with large families. Various communities have passed resolutions in favour of free education. We agree.

The Entertainment in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Monday was well attended.

The Institute half yearly meeting of subscribers on Tuesday found that the debt on the property is now only about £40 despite additions to the library stock and some planting on the grounds.

On Thursday evening the Rev. S. Knight will deliver a lecture at the Institute on Thomas Carlyle in aid of its building funds. Children from the Model School under Mr Cater will contribute some musical selections.

Gambling. The Attorney General proposes to ban all gambling in public places.

Burra Floricultural Society held its annual meeting on 6 July and elected Dr Brummitt as President; J.D. Cave, Vice President; F.W. Holder, Treasurer; W. Davey, Secretary. [There was a W. Fuss on the committee who may have been H.C.W. Fuss as he was known as William and was a keen gardener.] The next show will be on 31 October and the balance in hand is £8-11-9.

The Show Society has drawn up some revised rules and a revised prize list for this year.

Trees ordered by the Town Council from the Forest Board have arrived.

Football. A game was played on Saturday between 14 players from the Model School and 10 of the College Boys at home for the holidays. C. Cater captained the Models. Models won 1.15 to 0.5

Foresters’ Picnic & Sports Committee presented a beautifully engrossed parchment to Mr Rooney in thanks for his organisation of their recent concert. Mr Kennedy made the presentation speech.

Temperance. Last Tuesday Mr Howie of the blue Ribbon Army and Gospel Temperance Union addressed a large meeting at the Primitive Methodist Church, Redruth, and on Wednesday another at the Institute. He said there was a public house for every 403 people in SA and spoke ‘condemning moderate drinking as the nursing mother of excess.’

The New Land Bill. A note outlines how one could surrender land held under the Land Bills of 1878, 1880 & 1881 and regain the same under the provisions of the new bill.

V. 263. 13 July 1883, Page 3

Burra Town Council. [In 1883 kerbing and watertabling of the streets was going on fairly generally, though it took years to do most of the town.] Mt Pleasant Rd was tendered for in the Council meeting of 7 July.

Goats in streets and reserves are to be destroyed.

Ratepayers’ Meeting, at the Institute, last Tuesday.

The proposal was to consider the proposition that the £390 in hand for the town survey was insufficient for that purpose and should instead be applied to public works on the streets and footways. 30-40 people attended. The Mayor (E.C. Lockyer) presided. Cr Geake said that about 18 months ago ratepayers gave leave to borrow £2,500, of which £400 was for a town survey. After considerable effort it was found that it would cost between £800 and £1,200. The money had then been placed in the bank at interest. He explained the financial advantages of spending it now on public works and moved that it be done. Cr Ward 2nd. P. Lane asked for information on the funds already expended in 1883 - £642-11-8, on which a subsidy of £149-17-2 has been received and subsidy on a further £320 is expected. J.D. Cave moved that the money be spent on a public baths that would be profitable and beneficial. The chairman ruled this out of order and Cr Geake’s motion passed 27 to 6.

Parliament. Neither the Land Bill nor the Education Bill are likely to pass except perhaps in a much amended form.

V. 264. 20 July 1883, Page 2

Advt. 300 teams are wanted to cart wool from the N-E of SA and from NSW to Terowie and Burra stations. S. Drew & Co.

Editorial on the endorsement by other councils of the Burra Corporation’s view re funding for main roads within Corporation borders. Burra has 51⁄3 miles on main road carrying heavy traffic from north, south, east and west, from Mt Bryan, Booborowie, Robertstown, Black Springs and Baldina to the railway station. Many ratepayers do not own either a horse or cart and use only footways.

Wesleyan Home Mission annual meetings held in the last week.

Mrs Hampson, the Lady Evangelist is about to visit SA.

Midland Road Board will make a 5-chain length of road leading to the Burra Station. It is in a bad way: never having been a made road.

V. 264. 20 July 1883, Page 3

“Dot” from Adelaide describes a Salvation Army meeting.

The Education Question by R.W.M. part 2.

Supposing a workingman’s son does manage to get a superior education and so get to be a clerk in some Government office or win an exhibition to the university. How does he prosper - he will have to contend with those who are better nourished, have influential parents and have a social position giving advantages he cannot match. Too late he will find the lot of the tradesman he affected to despise is infinitely preferable.

How far then is the Government justified in raising educational standards, knowing full well the disappointments in store for the many? Examinations are not the true test of all round superiority. ‘The mean man is more easily exalted, and the man of honourable instincts and hereditary integrity, finds himself distanced by unscrupulous but clever men.’

‘Our public service is becoming tainted with this spirit.’

R.W.M. goes on to be concerned that the professions as well as Government service will be swamped by men who will not be influenced by considerations of honourable conduct and professional tradition if we allow only education and academic merit to dictate who is admitted. If the Government could educate the masses and give them good jobs it would still be absurd to pay them ‘wealth equal to that of the more opulent classes because they would lack the refinement and dignity of character the outcome of a life of ease and intellectual culture.’

The dangers of ‘gratuitous State education’ are palpable. The years of compulsion should stop at 11 as those who can afford to pay are taking advantage of the present system to age 13. After 11 full cost recovery fees are needed. Only the most exceptionally talented children should be encouraged with state aid beyond 11.

[To be continued] [All in all a very conservative document.]

V. 265. 27 July 1883, Page 2

Advt. Liston Shakes & Co. offer 4,800 sheep for sale on 3 August.

Advt. Tenders are called for the preparation and seeding of the Recreation Ground.

Advt. The foundation stone of the vestry at the Redruth Wesleyan Church will be laid by Mrs Torr on 1 August. Trees will be planted followed by a public supper (1/6) and a meeting in the church at 7.00 p.m.

Advt. There will be a special effort for the Kooringa Primitive Methodist church on 5 August. Rev. A.T. Glasson of Kapunda will preach. Public Dinner on 8 August in the Institute followed by a sacred concert in the evening.

Editorial on the concept of perpetual leases for Crown Land. Many places in SA are surrounded by large estates rather than by square mile farms and as a result towns languish. Even Burra is surrounded by large and growing estates. The editor then goes on to consider the aims of perpetual lease rather than ownership. The ownership of improvements would be acknowledged, but not of the land. There would be an acreage tax - much easier to collect than income tax. Large estates would not be productive enough to sustain themselves, as they would be taxed at optimum productive levels favouring more intensive use.

Burra Cemetery. There has not been an interment for more than six weeks.

The Bible Christians held a successful supper and entertainment in the schoolroom at Kooringa last Wednesday despite the bad weather. The Burra Brass Band provided good service.

Burra Town Council, 23 July.

Some slight improvement has been made in the Mortuary Chapel at the cemetery during the progress of the work. It is to have additional iron stays and the inside roof will be painted white.

SAMA wrote offering a 999-year lease on the Recreation Ground. Council had believed freehold had been promised. Discussion was deferred.

Offences. Stray animals remain a problem and attracted fines: -

T. Drew a cow 10/-

W. Bentley a cow (twice) 15/-

J. Williams a cow & calf (twice) 15/-

Thomas Young horses 10/-

V. 265. 27 July 1883, Page 3

The Education Question, part 3, by R.W.M.

R.W.M. wants an education limited for each grade and condition of society - ‘not necessarily for the perpetuation of class distinction’

The State, he says, cannot provide free education for all levels of society. Those exercising rights and privileges attached to wealth and social position need a superior education the State can’t provide. R.W.M. then goes on to consider the ‘evil effects of an indiscriminate bestowal of the suffrage.’ Education requires a very strong moral base, thus the State should ensure that the time between 13 and 21 is spent in learning some useful occupation.

A reply to R.W.M.

‘One who has worked both in broad cloth and moleskin’ writes to condemn the drivel of R.W.M. who comes forward to ‘oppose the march of civilization and educational progress.’ R.W.M.’s outpourings are ‘a vast amount of platitude and weak assertion’. Education can give the poor power and influence and enable workers to get representatives from their own ranks to sit in Parliament. The education of the people will lead to the regeneration of our whole political and social fabric. The advice of R.W.M. to avoid the disappointment of clerkships is sensible, given the overstocking of this group, but it is equally applicable ‘to the children of the “respectable” or “shabby genteel” class as to those of the working men.’

Let R.W.M. turn his advice to the poorly paid clerk who scarce earns enough to survive and yet who prefers to labour for such mean rewards than turn to better pay as a crossing sweeper - all the time claiming that manual labour is honourable - though not for them. Education will allow a sorting out of jobs for which ability is required, whether the person be aristocrat or democrat. The working class of Burra must not be misled by such casuistry. They should demand as education not merely in the 3 R’s, but one that will enable them to fill creditably the highest positions in the colony.

[The writer also regrets that others have not responded to R.W.M.’s stuff.]

[Though anonymous, this piece has the feel of W.H. Hardy about it. Hardy did feel though, that the education actually being provided was designed to keep the lower orders ‘in their place’ and was opposed to technical education because it would continue to keep the poor at the bottom of the social ladder.]

‘Cynic’ writes arguing that evidence in divorce courts should be banned from publication. A law will be needed due to the avidity with which the public seeks such information.

V. 266. 3 August 1883, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 6 August. Entertainment by the Burra Amateur Christy Minstrels in aid of the Burra Hospital. To end with the slide-splitting farce: - ‘The Black Barber’.

Advt. Special effort for the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday 5 August & Wednesday 8 August when there will be a public dinner at the Institute at 4.00 p.m. followed by a sacred concert at 7.30.p.m. The program is printed.

Advt. Special service in connection with the laying of the vestry foundation stone at the Redruth Wesleyan Church on 5 August. Rev. S. Knight & Rev. W.T. Carter. Collection to aid the building fund.

Editorial on Payment of MPs.

The editor is strongly in favour as it is the only way to get local as opposed to metropolitan representation and the only way others than the wealthy classes can be represented. Payment will give more candidates to choose from.

2nd leader on the budget speech.

3rd leader on Government tax policy.

Cricket. A meeting is called for Thursday at the Commercial Hotel with the aim of starting a new club - just the one for the town as there is insufficient support for more.

Redruth Wesleyan Vestry. The foundation stone was laid last Wednesday. The vestry cost £250 and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. S. Knight. Trees were planted around the church afterwards followed by a spread that included turkeys, fowls, tongue, suckling pig etc. A public meeting followed and the total proceeds including previous promises were £95.

V. 266. 3 August 1883, Page 3

A Sculling Match in Sydney for £100 a side has been won by the ex-champion Edward Trickett.

V. 267. 10 August 1883, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for building a Public School and Teacher’s residence at the Hundred of Baldina, to close at noon on 20 August 1883. See Govt. Gazette for details.

Advt. Meeting this evening in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall to form a Burra YMCA.

Advt. A public meeting is called for 15 August in the Institute to consider the Education Bill and Taxation proposals.

Advt. Burra Eating House: Thames St. Board and lodging - Good beds.

Advt. Grand Entertainment in Aid of the Aberdeen Cricket Club at the German Schoolroom, Redruth on 15 August. Music, Songs & Recitations, concluding with the farce ‘Handy Andy’.

Obituary. Ann Rogers of Alverton Farm near Burra, wife of the late Richard Rogers, died on 30 July aged 68. [Born Ann Bennett.]

Obituary. Mary Matilda Rodda, wife of William Rodda, died at Kooringa on 1 August, aged 38, after a long and painful illness. [Born Mary Matilda Webster.]

Editorial on Water Supply for Burra.

This has long been talked of. In some parts of town wells are close to nearly all the backyards and in the square as ample supply is provided for the labour of pumping from a shallow depth, but in the commercial part of town and on the hillsides where the newer houses are, water is not so readily available. Even in the square the supply does not answer the needs of fire fighting, as we saw in the calamity of the first week of 1883. Even where wells abound on the flat so do cesspits. We have always opposed a scheme that would impose a general rate. Now there is a letter from the Hydraulic Engineer to Council suggesting a scheme for which the annual cost would be £400. In order to make this sum the Council would have to sell 2,000 gallons a day for 6 months and 6,000 gallons a day for the other six at 6/- per 1,000 gallons. After that every gallon sold is profit. That such a small amount could be sold seems certain. The present works in Aberdeen yielded last year £75-8-0. Taking into account extensions already made and the further ones to Opie’s Hotel to the south and to Bartholomæus’ store to the east, the north would yield £150 per annum. Surely a main in Kooringa from St Mary’s to Jeffrey Pearse’s corner, running through the chief business centre would yield £150 p.a. This must secure the Council against loss at the outset. We have not taken into account any possible sales to the railways or to the contemplated public baths.

Rifle Volunteer Co. We understand steps are being taken to form such a company in Burra. It is thought that over 30 young men will join.

A Blue Ribbon Army has been formed in Burra on Saturday, uniting all the temperance organisations.

The Christy Minstrel Concert on Monday was not a success either musically or financially. The Burra Brass Band played selections outside previous to the concert.

Miss Cave was given a presentation on Tuesday evening as thanks for her presiding at the organ at St John’s Terowie on the occasion of the visit of the bishop.

Burra Town Council, 6 August.

Arthur Lungley, the Acting Hydraulic Engineer, wrote re the request to extend the water main to the eastern boundary of Redruth and to the Hospital. The Commissioner of Public Works has ordered the arrangement of a water supply under the guarantee system. The proposed extension will see a 30,000 gallon reservoir on the hill to the west of Roach’s Mill, about 120 chains of 4” main and 52 chains of 3” main to supply the eastern end of Ludgvan St and southwards to Kooringa along Commercial St to Ware St, but not to the hospital. The reservoir is high enough to supply the hospital and Mr C. Drew’s house south of Commercial St. The SAR offer to buy water at 1/- per 1,000 gallons and require 10,000 to 12,000 gallons per day in summer, but very little in winter. The estimated cost of the extension is £2,488. The amount spent to date is £912, making £3,400 in total.

The estimated yearly expenditure:

5% on £3,000 170

Rent of the shaft 100

Labour working expenses 150

Fuel costs 150

Total £570

If the Bon Accord Mine shaft cannot be leased on favourable terms it would be advisable to deepen and timber the shaft on an adjoining allotment owned by the Corporation. This would incur an increase in costs to £3,800 and the yearly expenses would then be: -

5% on £3,800 190

Working expenses 300

Total £490 say £500

This would be for 30,000 gallons a day, but without railway water perhaps 10,000 gallons per day would reduce expenses to about £400 p.a. (Expenses for the first two years would be less as the first year’s interest is at 3% and the 2nd year’s at 4%.)

Council is to try to ascertain likely water usage.

SAMA has promised to convey freehold of the Recreation Ground if it is enclosed and planted.

Mt Bryan. A public meeting on 4 August is reported in an article extending for over 1 column. The main demands are for a goods shed at the station and a school & teacher’s residence - attendance being sufficient to justify the same. The meeting approved the purchase of the old Wesleyan Chapel for use as a Council Chamber.

V. 268. 17 August 1883, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for additions to the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa.

Obituary. Robert Duncan of Hallett, a carpenter, died on 11 August at Kooringa, aged 41.

Editorial on the payment of Members of Parliament.

2nd leader on the Budget Debate.

The Public Meeting at the Institute on Wednesday included most of our representative men and some of all shades of opinion, but a relatively small total of about 80 indicated the level of interest taken here in public questions. The editor favours a tax on property rather than on income and is for the abolition of school fees. The motion by Rev. S. Knight in favour of the Social Purity Movement is ‘well timed’ and raising the age of consent by two years is also highly recommended. He does not however, agree with the reading of Bible passages in school without comment. This will fail to inculcate any reverence for God or the spirit of religion.

Concert. The entertainment in aid of the Aberdeen Cricket Club at the German schoolroom on Wednesday presented a good program, but was only moderately attended.

Cricket. Burra cricketers met on Thursday 9 August with Mr M’Cleary in the chair. It was decided to form one club instead of three as previously. The fee will be 10/6 a season. Colours to be gold and black. Captain, J.R. M’Cleary; Vice-Captain, E.F. Lockyer; Secretary and Treasurer, G. Parks.

William Hewitson was charged by Thomas Richardson with stealing six sheepskins valued at 15/-, belonging to George Miller of Redan, Mt Gipps. After some complicated evidence he was found guilty and given one month in Redruth Gaol.

V. 268. 17 August 1883, Page 2-3

The Public Meeting at the Institute on Wednesday had the Mayor in the chair. The 1st motion approving the Govt’s taxation policy was moved by Cr Sampson. The poor paid more than their due through customs duty and a tax on real and personal property would be fairer. Cr Ward 2nd. Though imperfect this was a move in the right direction said Mr Holder. As the 1st £500 was exempt it did not fall on the poor and at 8/4 per £100 over that, it was not excessive. P. Lane also thought it imperfect, but supported the principle. Carried with one dissention.

F.W. Holder then moved the meeting agree with the abolition of school fees in state schools, which fell most hard on poor families with many children. The taxes proposed should easily cover the £22,000 to £24,000 collected in fees. Also the present exemptions often went to the wrong people. 2nd Cr Brown and carried unanimously.

Cr Geake moved that the meeting disapproved of the present migration policy, which saw £30,000 to £40,000 spent to bring out migrants who then moved to other colonies. Also at present many men were out of work, yet migrants were arriving. He favoured free passage to those nominated by friends here. 2nd Cr Rayner and carried nem. con.

Rev. S. Knight moved the meeting endorse the Hon. J. Colton’s action in favouring the proposals of the Social Purity Society. Dr Brummitt 2nd. Carried.

Rev. S. Knight moved the meeting endorse the reading of selected passages of scripture in state schools without explanation. Mr Kitchen 2nd. R.W. Mathews supported and W. Pearce, P. Lane, J. Sampson jnr and W.F. Coglin opposed. Carried by 2 votes.

V. 269. 24 August 1883, Page 2

Advt. Burra show will be held on 18 September at Redruth.

Advt. Burra YMCA lecture by Rev. S. Knight on Richard Heales, day labourer and Chief Secretary of Victoria. Kooringa Wesleyan Schoolroom, 31 August.

Advt. Grand Wesleyan Bazaar at the Institute on Show Day.

Marriage. John Lockett, eldest son of James Lockett of Victoria and Rosenia Ann Williams, second daughter of Joseph Williams of Redruth. 6 August.

Editorial on the taxation question. Four schemes are discussed and the editor believes all need modification.

Advt. The Burra Record will shortly be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Waterworks. The waterworks scheme for Burra is not looking very hopeful. It will cost at least £400 p.a. and be cheap at that in both convenience and in the event of fire. In Aberdeen and Redruth nearly £200 worth of water has been guaranteed, but Kooringa has only with difficulty been persuaded to buy £70 worth and of that £40 came from just three persons. We believe once the water is laid on consumption will increase. ‘Once the luxury of a bath is enjoyed it will be frequently repeated.’ And let the garden be drenched in hot weather and that process will also be repeated.

Post Offices

Kooringa P.O. in 1882, letters sent, 198,664

Redruth P.O. in 1882, letters sent, 30,511

Aberdeen P.O. in 1882, letters sent, 56,127

Burra YMCA is to meet in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa at 7.30 p.m. every Friday.

President, Rev. S. Knight; Vice-Presidents, Rev. J.G. Wright, J. Pearce, J.C. Hill, F.W. Holder; Treasurer & Secretary, J. Hosking.

The Bible. Another article on Bible reading in state schools.

Mt Bryan. A deputation from Mt Bryan waited on the Commissioner of Public Works, asking for a goods shed, and on the Minister of Education asking for a school and teacher’s residence. It was pointed out that the school was presently conducted in the Wesleyan Chapel, which lacked a fireplace and was very draughty. The minister said 20 children within a radius of two miles were needed.

Burra Town Council, 2 August. [sic] [Since the paper of 10 August reports a meeting on the 6 August this is probably a misprint for 20 August.]

Guarantees for water worth £74 in Kooringa and £150 in Aberdeen and Redruth have been obtained. A further effort will be made because if the government’s offer is rejected it is felt unlikely it will be repeated any time soon. The sum required annually is £400

Quarry St to East St and East St are to be formed.

Board of Health. Inspector Saunders wrote calling attention to the damp, unsanitary condition of Opie’s Hotel. The Inspector is to visit and report.

Offences.

Charged with plying for hire when off the cabstand, A. Schutz, 5/- fine, and Symes, 5/- fine.

A. Schutz was charged with drunkenness and furiously driving a cab at Aberdeen and fined 10/- for furious driving.

Symes was charged with leaving a cab with an unchained wheel on the 16th, 17th and 18th August and was fined 10/- for each offence.

A 5/- fine for having straying cattle was imposed on: -

Thomas Drew, Jacob Burrows, W.L.H. Bruse and Mrs Drake.

The Taxation Policy. The Treasurer proposes a land tax of 1d in the £ on the value of land and also a tax of 1d in the £ on all other property. There is then a list of 10 categories of exemptions. Property of less than £500 value would be exempt.

V. 260 (2). [Wrongly numbered: should be 270] 31 August 1883, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. offer 12,315 sheep on 7 September.

Advt. Ulooloo Wesleyan Church anniversary 3 September. Public picnic at Ulooloo - at a tent under the trees in Ulooloo paddocks. Dinner at 1.00 p.m. and tea at 4.00 p.m. Visitors by the midday train will be met at Ulooloo Railway Station and conveyed to the ground and returned in time for the afternoon train free of charge. Public meeting at 7.00 p.m. in the church. Two services by the Rev. W.H. Rofe on 9 September.

Advt. Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary, 9 September. Two sermons by Mr J. Paull of Hanson. Tea meeting on Wednesday.

Advt. A Grand Musical and Literary Entertainment at the Institute hall, Hallett, 12 September 1883 in aid of Institute funds. MOONLIGHT.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Concert, Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 6 September. 1/-

Obituary. Thomas Sharpener, aged 21⁄2, died at Clare when he fell down a well in Mill St and drowned [Thomas Amos Sharpen was born 18 May 1881 and died on 25 August 1883.]

Editorial. Why is it that an officer of the postal department has to accompany the mailbags to Burra every evening, but from there on mailbags are dumped in the guard’s van with no one responsible for them. Are Burra bags ‘of such superior value that they merit extra care?’

2nd leader on ‘what is the qualification needed to become a Member of Parliament?’

3rd leader on Taxation Policies.

Miss Sim, recently teacher at Copperhouse, thanks parents and children for the gift of a Bible and an address.

G.J. Lehman of Burra took three pens of fowls to the Adelaide Poultry Show last week and secured a 1st prize for each, together with two special prizes.

Burra YMCA, first meeting last Friday. Three short papers were read.

Entertainment. The Nardoona Minstrels played at the Institute on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and gave a musical treat to those who attended. Had there been proper publicity no doubt audiences would have been larger.

J.F. Duff & J. Lewis arranged a trotting match in the past week. Mr Duff conceded an eight-mile start to Mr Lewis’s pair and a handicap of 3cwt in the trap. Mr Lewis accomplished his distance, Sod Hut to Kapunda, in 3 hrs 45 mins, starting at 6.00 a.m.

Mr Duff’s pair refused to trot till Marrabel and so he was completely out of contention and he reached Kapunda at 11.15 a.m., having made a 15 minute stop at Waterloo and another at Marrabel, as well as 30 minutes at Hamilton. He covered the 48 miles in 4 hrs, not including stops.

Offences.

More stray animals.

Thomas Richards 2 cows 5/- each

T. Simpson a cow 5/-

Morris Rayner a horse 10/-

W.F. Coglin a horse 5/-

Fowl Fanciers

There is 3⁄4 column on Burra fowl fanciers, who were notably J.D. Cave and G. Lehman, but also included C. Schutz, P.L. Killicoat, F.W. Holder, Mr Rabbich, M. Rayner, Mr Warburton & A. Loutit.

V. 260 (2). [Wrongly numbered: should be 270] 31 August 1883, Page 3

Bible Reading

There is a long letter from R.W. Mathews on Bible reading in state schools. In it he adopts a rather extreme position; not only predicting dire consequences from allowing secularism to spread, but actually suggesting: - ‘I am not sure that such conduct [i.e. eliminating the Bible from schools] on the part of our nominally christian [sic] Government may not be regarded “constructively”, as treason against the throne’, since ‘one of the most important offices of the Crown is to uphold the christian [sic] religion in these realms.’

‘Anti-Serenade’ writes complaining of members of the local brass band playing in front of his door at 10.00 p.m. (And not playing very well!)

Volcano. The eruption of “Cracatia” [Krakatoa] in the Sunda Strait is reported. The eruption is said to be visible nightly from Batavia. [Djakarta].

V. 271. 7 September 1883, Page 2

Editorial on the waterworks.

An effort to get sufficient guarantees to take the water has now resulted in the total reaching about £320. SAMA has not yet replied and one or two others and it is probable the target will be reached. As more people come in the price, now set at 6/- per 1,000 gallons, can be reduced.

Thomas Richardson, landlord of the Burra Hotel was charged with not closing the doors of his bar at 11.00 p.m. on 25 August and keeping them closed till 5.00 a.m. the next day. He was fined £2. In his defence Richardson claimed that Inspector Saunders had suggested it would be all right if the bar was cleared by 11.15 p.m. The Court replied that Inspector Saunders, even if he had made such an incredible statement, had no power to over-ride the Act. The editor comments that it was for a similar act that Constable Johnson was transferred. It remains to be seen whether Constable Radford’s action will have the same result.

3rd leader on taxation again.

The Band of Hope entertainment in the Primitive Methodist schoolroom on Wednesday was well carried out, but the room was only about 2⁄3 full which was a pity. The proceeds were c. £3.

Burra YMCA inaugural lecture last Friday by Rev. S. Knight was very successful.

Burra Town Council, 3 September.

The Town Clerk reported that the water guarantees had reached £320 and that SAMA had been written to for aid. Another fortnight has been allowed for further effort. The Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Association informed the Council they would negotiate the sale of their pumping engine. Council will inform them that they would have to deal with the Government.

The Town Clerk reported he had cancelled two [cab] drivers’ licences after the court cases the previous week.

Alfred Schutz asked that his licence be restored and promised to reform. Council decided not to accede to the request at present.

The Local board of Health heard the inspector’s report on Opie’s Hotel and resolved that the Board adjourn to the hotel the next day at 9.30 a.m. to make an inspection.

4 September. The whole Board, excepting Mr Lockyer met at the appointed place, and after making an inspection resolved that while the premises examined are in a bad state of repair, and some of the rooms on the north and west sides are far too damp for occupation as bedrooms and should immediately be repaired, the Board of Health do not consider that there is sufficient danger to public health and safety to call for their present interference. Also that the occupier be warned, that unless the necessary repairs be effected and dampness remedied within one month, the Board will step in and declare the rooms uninhabitable. Meeting then adjourned.

The ‘Cracatia’ Eruption is further reported. There is total destruction in the port of Anjer with early reports placing the loss of life at 30,000 and others saying 75,000. A tidal wave was felt along the WA coast. At Geraldton, on 26 August, the sea receded 100 yds and then returned, rising 8 feet. The effect was also felt at Fremantle.

Snow. Report from Mt Bryan East, 4 September. Snow fell all through last night - about 2 inches at Mt Bryan East, but 7 inches on the mountain, rising in places to 12 inches. It was the heaviest fall in over four years.

V. 271. 7 September 1883, Page 3

The snowfall extended to Terowie.

Cricket. The Burra club has accepted a challenge from the Aberdeen club for 8 September, at the ground near Drew’s store.

V. 272. 14 September 1883, Page 2

G.H. Catchlove & Co. call tenders to undertake work at Opie’s Hotel.

1. For picking out the joints outside of the northern wall and filling in again with cement and repairing the same inside.

2. For stuccoing the two front walls of the house and repairing the same inside.

Burra Rifle Volunteer Co. Persons interested in joining this proposed company should meet Lieut. Tolley at the Commercial Hotel this evening at 8 p.m.

Advt. St Mary’s. The Lord Bishop of Adelaide will visit on 15 & 16 September. On 15th there will be a service of preparation for Holy Communion [confirmation] 16th September, Holy Communion at 8 a.m., Matins & Holy Communion at 11 a.m. and Evensong at 6.30 p.m.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church anniversary, 23 & 26 September.

Advt. Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary 16 & 19 September.

Advt. Hallett Institute Grand Musical and Literary Entertainment 20 September.

Advt. Entertainment at the Bible Christian schoolroom next Tuesday evening in connection with the half yearly Council of the IOR.

Editorial on taxation.

To a suggestion that taxing non-income-producing property is iniquitous the editor says he believes idle wealth should be taxed and can see no reason why it should be treated differently from income-producing wealth.

Bishop Kennion, [Anglican Bishop of Adelaide] visits tomorrow.

Redruth Wesleyan Church’s new vestry was opened last Sunday. Rev. S. Knight preached morning and afternoon with Rev. J.C. Hill in the evening.

The Entertainment at Hallett Institute that was scheduled for last Wednesday was postponed to next Thursday on account of the wet weather.

Stock Sales at Burra were once insignificant, but now are very large and Messrs Austin, Davison & Co. have announced weekly sales will now take place at the Bon Accord Yards.

Mr W.F. Coglin JP has received a Government appointment necessitating his removal from Burra after many years. He is a member of the Hospital Board and the Burra Institute Committee.

Mrs Baeyertz has returned to address congregation members in the Wesleyan church this evening.

IOR Rose of Sharon Tent. At the quarterly financial meeting the order reported 111 members and 59 in the juvenile tent.

Kooringa Blue Ribbon Army. The first meeting was last Saturday in Market Square, but just as a large crowd assembled a strangely dressed man with a large torch lit on either side of him drove past in a trap and after repassing he stopped at the southern end on the Burra Hotel, drawing away two thirds of the crowd. The after meeting in the Primitive Methodist schoolroom saw only a small attendance as a consequence. There were interesting addresses, a few selections from the brass band and twelve pledges were taken.

Burra YMCA had a large number of new members last Friday, including two lady associates. A Parliamentary debate was the evening’s work. The main topic after election was payment of members, which was introduced by F.W. Holder. Tonight’s program is elocution.

V. 272. 14 September 1883, Page 3

Redruth Court, 12 September

Thomas Harvey sought to eject Ann Williams from allotment 45, Aberdeen. Williams claimed title by adverse possession and the court upheld her claim, subject to Supreme Court opinion - to be sought within a month if at all.

There is a fairly detailed report of a breach of promise suit of Elizabeth Geach v. Frederick Jones. The court awarded Geach £150.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ [W.H. Hardy?]

A better than usual amusing comment on the situation re Constable Radford and Thomas Richardson and wondering how the Inspector will react. Will it be the Inspector or the constable who gets moved on?

Wesleyan Sunday School, Daviestown anniversary last Sunday and Wednesday.

V. 273. 21 September 1883, Page 2

Editorial on Parliamentary Privilege.

Burra YMCA on Friday night was not so well attended due to other attractions.

Wesleyan Parsonage Fund Bazaar in the Institute this week was well attended and the two days raised £170.

IOR, Albert District, half-yearly Council meeting in Kooringa this week.

Cricket. The match on Tuesday afternoon last near the brewery between Aberdeen and Young United resulted in an easy win for Aberdeen.

Young United scored 24 and Aberdeen won for the loss of 1 wicket.

Burra Co. Rifle Volunteer Force. On Friday evening 28 persons signified their intent to join when Lieut. Tolley outlined the privileges and duties. The preliminaries towards forming the company were left to Mr Holder.

The Burra Show was held last Tuesday in the Smelting Works Yard. It was a decided advance in all respects. The rain threatened, but did not actually fall till all was over. Exhibits were well arranged except for the flowers. Butter was well represented, but not so bacon and cheese. Birds were very good. Dogs were not so good this year.

There were not many horses, but there were some good ones among those shown. No bloodstock was shown. The sheep were very even, giving the judges some trouble. Implements were few, but of high quality. The results are printed.

[Flower & vegetable results of personal interest: -

Turnips, 12 yellow W. Fuss 2nd

Herb collection W. Fuss 2nd (no 1st)

Cauliflowers W. Fuss 1st

12 or morepot plants in bloom W. Fuss 2nd

24 or more varieties of cut flowers W. Fuss 1st

Hand bouquet W. Fuss 2nd]

V. 273. 21 September 1883, Page 3

St Mary’s. First visit of Bishop Kennion to Burra. Confirmation Service on Monday. The sermons are described in summary. We regret that the town laid on no public recognition for the Bishop’s first visit.

‘Stranger’ writes wondering whether the two persons seen the last two or three nights at midnight at the corner of the right-of-way by Park’s shop are interested in local poultry (which has gone missing of late) or are interested in activity at a local hotel - perhaps the police can answer?

Obituary & Inquest. William Collins died on 15 September, at Wandillah.

An inquest was held.

Agnes Collins: - Everything was normal till 3 a.m. on Tuesday when she noticed the deceased was breathing heavily and when she lifted his head, he said, ‘What?’ and died within ten minutes. She cannot explain the sudden death.

William Irwin saw the deceased at 8.30 p.m. and he then seemed quite well. Heard Mrs Collins speak about 2 a.m. and afterwards she called out ‘Bill is dying.’ Tried unsuccessfully to wake him: he was drawing breath once a minute or so. I went to get two mates, but he was dead on my return.

Dr Sangster performed a post mortem and found a greatly enlarged heart indicating a disease of long standing. Verdict was death by disease of the heart. [Death registered as 18 September, aged 30.]

V. 274. 28 September 1883, Page 2

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will offer 12,700 sheep on 1 October.

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 14,620 sheep on 5 October.

Birth: to Mrs George Butterworth at Aberdeen on 23 September, a daughter. [Margaret Muriel Butterworth]

Editorial on the Government’s effort to tax property and the opposition’s efforts to defeat it.

The Government has been defeated and an election is expected to follow.

Parcel Post has been extended along railway lines by increasing the limit from 1 lb to 7 lb from 1 October. (But not along coach lines.)

Dr Cockburn of Jamestown will be asked to stand for the Burra District in the next election.

Burra YMCA last Friday heard Mr Hardy read a paper on ‘The Creation’ and a good discussion followed.

Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday and Wednesday. Rev. J.C. Hill preached. There was a floral service in the afternoon.

Wesleyan Quarterly Meeting resolved to ask the town ministers to attend the Model School an hour a week to give instruction to children willing to attend. Mr C. Drew offered to assist if the meeting would do what it could to make up a sufficient sum to employ Mr R. Snell as a missionary for six months to railway camps on the Great Northern Railway. A resolution was passed favouring Methodist Union. Rev. S. Knight was not prepared definitely to accept a 3rd year so it has been left to Conference.

James Wilson was charged with forging two cheques and committed for trial.

‘A Sojourner’ writes defending the reputation of the Burra Hotel after recent suggestions in the paper’s columns that its publican enjoyed a cosy arrangement with the Police Inspector at Clare.

V. 274. 28 September 1883, Page 3

Cricket. The return match between Burra and Aberdeen will be played on Brewery Flat tomorrow.

V. 275. 5 October 1883, Page 2

Editorial, on the Government crisis. The Government had not resigned, neither had it sought an election, but its supplies had been exhausted.

2nd leader on the Burra Waterworks. On Monday ratepayers will have to decide whether to accept the plan whereby the Government builds a water supply scheme and hands the running over to the Council which will pay 3% on the capital cost in the 1st year, 4% in the 2nd year and 5% per annum thereafter. The editor favours the scheme because it would help the town and be useful in fires and also it is likely to be quite profitable. The Council has been securing guarantees to take a certain quantity of water. Some of the guarantors will die, and some may move, but as the premises will be in the best part of town and water will be laid on, they are unlikely to remain empty.

The Burra Record will be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, beginning from next Tuesday.

IOR. Next Tuesday a female Rechabite Tent for Burra will be formed.

Burra YMCA met last Friday for impromptu speeches.

Burra Co. RVF. The 1st 12 men were sworn in last Saturday.

The Season. The prospects are fast fading with dry winds and to the east the crops on the plains are already dying. To the north and north-east the news is grim unless rain comes very soon.

Westbury Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services were preached last Sunday by F.W. Holder and Rev. J. Pearce. The tea meeting is Wednesday.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Sampson is moving to realign ward boundaries. At present Middle Ward has good income and little work is needed while South Ward has similar income, but much more work required. The plan is to divide the wards by a north-south line instead of an east-west line so the expensive streets are divided between the two.

Kooringa Bible Christian Circuit quarterly meeting saw a small deficiency of £3-12-5. Rev. James Pearce was asked to stay for a fourth year, and should he decline the Rev. John Dingle of Orroroo is invited. The meeting was in favour of Methodist Union.

St Joseph’s School annual picnic was held at Princess Royal on Tuesday. Father Kreisll and the Sisters and others did very well in preparing the day.

Taxation. The Government brought forth a new tax proposal instead of resigning.

1⁄2d in £ on the actual value of real property

6d in £ on profit and gains from personal property

3d in £ on profit and gains from professions and trade

1st £500 of real property is exempt

1st £25 p.a. profit from personal property is exempt

1st £300 p.a. of income from personal effort is exempt

Exhibition Building. The Legislative Council is objecting to too lavish an expenditure on the Exhibition Building on North Terrace, Adelaide.

Burra Town Council, 1 October.

SAMA has agreed to pay £25 p.a. for water. The total guaranteed is now £330 and as this is almost the sum required for the first year and consumption would increase after that the Council seems to be safe in accepting the offer. A ratepayers’ meeting to discuss it is called for 8 October.

V. 275. 5 October 1883, Page 2

Cr Sampson called attention to the sale of an entire horse in Market Square recently and he thought common decency should not permit a repetition. The local auctioneers will be asked not to sell entires in such a public place.

Cr Sampson gave notice of his intention to move for a change in ward boundaries as outline above.

Robert Brown jnr writes affirming that all the ewes that won prizes at the recent show were bred at Wandillah and not from Martindale as some person had rumoured. All ewes shown were local and all but 2 of the 21 rams also - and those 2 were not prizewinners.

Cricket. Burra v. Aberdeen last Saturday on Brewery Flat.

Burra 122 defeated Aberdeen 36 & 26 for 7 wickets.

A series of matches is being arranged with Clare, I. Zingari, East Adelaide, Adelaide Young Men and Alma.

V. 276. 9 October 1883, Page 2

Editorial on the new format of the paper: this being the first Tuesday issue.

2nd leader on Water Supply.

There will be a local poll on the water supply question. The poll will be on the basis of the value of property.

Annual Value Number of votes

<£25 1

£25-£35 2

£35-£45 3

£45-£55 4

£55-£65 5

£65 6

Taxation. The debate continues.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church anniversary services were held by Rev. A.J. Burt [Birt?] of Saddleworth and were well attended last Sunday.

Retiring Councillors.

Messrs Rayner, Geake & Ward.

Burra Flower Show will be on 30 October.

YMCA has decided to move from the Wesleyan Lecture Hall to the Institute. The subject of the last meeting was ‘Eternal Punishment’.

Taxation. The new proposals go to Parliament today.

Burra Town Council, 8 October

J.D. Cave is to make a new assessment of the town.

Burra Waterworks: Ratepayers Meeting at the Institute, Monday evening.

c. 70 attended. The mayor took the chair.

The Town Clerk stated that the Government had undertaken to construct a scheme for £3,400 to £3,800 depending on the shaft used and then to hand over the works to the Council to run, charging them 3% on the capital cost the 1st year, 4% the 2nd year and 5% p.a. thereafter. The costs including this interest would be c. £400 p.a. Guarantees for £332 have been obtained. It is believed that the Kooringa standpipe will earn at least £70 p.a. for supply to water carts.

Cr Rayner moved that the Council be authorised (upon obtaining the completed guarantees) to accept the agreement offered by the Government. Dr Brummitt 2nd. He would not support a scheme where those who neither wanted nor used it would pay, but was pleased with this scheme. He was confident revenue and consumption would increase once water was laid on. The benefits in case of a fire were obvious.

J.D. Cave said his house was so located he could not possible benefit, yet of there were a deficiency he would be called on to pay as a ratepayer. Nevertheless he thought it a public good, especially if public baths followed.

Mr Lane asked the estimated cost of deepening and timbering the shaft on Corporation property. The Government put it at £400, but Council members thought that excessive. If the mine started working the reservoir could be filled by the mine operator. F. Simpson said the railways used 30,000 gallons a day last summer. Mr Lane queried the sum of £70 from the standpipe in Kooringa. Cr Geake said two carts operated and if charged 3d or 4d a load at their present rate of usage it would reach £70 and by saving time and the labour of pumping they could sell their water more cheaply. Mr Lane then said he would support the motion.

The town Clerk then read the list of guarantees. P. Murphy moved the matter stand over for 77 years - he was worried what would happen when guarantors died, became insolvent, or left the town. There was no seconder. The vote was then taken: 31 for and 29 against. A poll was then demanded by a group of ratepayers and one will be held on 12 October.

V. 276. 9 October 1883, Page 3

Two serials make an appearance, but not with chapter 1

‘Ettie’s Error’ by Harold W.H. Stephen, Ch. XVII

‘Mrs Birtle’s Boarders’ by R.P. Whitworth, Ch. V

These had presumably been running in the Literary Supplement, which also presumably ceased when the paper was published twice weekly. Unfortunately the position is not absolutely clear as neither the hard copies I have had access to nor the microfilm version preserve copies of the Literary Supplements after 10 August. An announcement says Ettie’s Error was due to begin on 17 August. A truncated assortment of the Literary Supplement features continued within the paper after it changed to twice-weekly publication in the form of two serials and usually two other headings. See summary of Literary Supplements at the end of the year.

V. 277. 12 October 1883, Page 2

Birth. On 9 October at Kooringa, to the wife of Hugh Bell, a daughter. [Isabella]

Editorial on the Taxation Proposals before the SA Parliament.

Obituary. The death is announced of Dr Short, the former Anglican Bishop of Adelaide. He will be mourned ‘as a bishop, a churchman, a colonist and a friend.’

As head of the Anglican Church in SA for almost 40 years he had a hand in making the colony what it is today. [Augustus Short 1802-83]

Sara & Dunstan have put in the lowest tender for the Jamestown Cottage Hospital.

Burra Waterworks poll today.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 7 & 10 October. Rev. A.J. Burt preached. The tea was well attended and the meeting crowded. As more seats are required it has been decided to add 15’ to the back of the church.

Mr Ward presented a petition signed by 445 inhabitants of Kooringa and Redruth in favour of social purity.

Railway Accident. There has been a bad crash near Woolshed Flat. A 21-truck sheep train was detached from its locomotives that were being watered. The trucks then rolled back down the incline and smashed into a materials train.

Lily of the Valley Tent IOR. Following the success of the Rose of Sharon Tent and the Juvenile Tent of the IOR there was a meeting at the Institute on Tuesday evening to establish a female Rechabite Tent in Burra. It was decided to call it The Lily of the Valley Tent and the officers elected were:

Senior Matron Miss Kilkelly

Junior Matron Miss A. Snell

Guardian Miss Anderson

Levite Miss M. Jellett

Writing Stewardess Miss Geake

Money Stewardess Miss L. Pearce

Secretary Mr Kitchen

Treasurer Mr W. Pearce Sen.

Kooringa Court, 8 October

James Kelly drunkenness 5/-

Thomas Farrell drunkenness 5/-

George Mayger insulting behaviour 5/-

George Mayger charged by his wife with being an

habitual drunkard - supplying him

with liquor is banned for 12 months

Joseph Lawrence charged with being a lunatic &

Dr Brummitt certified it was so Sent to the asylum

Redruth Court, 10 October.

Geach v. Jones

Geach applied for support for their child. Jones swears the child is not his and that he has never had any improper intercourse with Geach. The bench queried why, if that was the case, Jones had not defended the breach of promise case that Geach had brought the previous month in which the verdict went against him for £150.

Jones was ordered to pay £2 per calendar month.

In an unusual case Gustav Gebhardt had dismissed a man and his wife because he could not stand, and she would not cease, her constant hymn singing. The man was a boundary rider and his wife a cook. The couple sought £38-17-7 damages for unfair termination of contract. The bench ordered they be paid 30/- that was owed them in wages, but dismissed the claim for damages on the grounds that her annoying practice was ‘a sufficient excuse for discharging a servant.’

Long Letter from R.W. Mathews on the likelihood or otherwise of Eternal Punishment. This followed the report of a discussion on the same subject in a recent YMCA meeting. [Mathews did not believe in it since Christ had taken away the sins of the world and brought forgiveness. He gives scriptural references in support of his views.]

Letter from ‘Picnic’ urging that a town picnic at the Princess Royal be organised to celebrate the success of the Wednesday half-holiday movement, now of almost two years’ standing.

Letter from ‘One Willing to Help’ desiring an official opening of the Recreation Ground with a sports meeting followed by an evening concert. Collection cards could raise the £15-£20 needed for the prizes for the sporting events.

Letter from ‘A Working Man’ who wonders why both at Clare and Burra flour is £10 per ton, but if bought by the bag it is £1-7-0 at Burra and £1-0-0 at Clare, making it the equivalent in Burra of £13-10-0 per ton!

Letter from ‘J.H.’ complaining about those who stroll through the cemetery on Sundays plucking the flowers.

V. 278. 16 October 1883, Page 2

Editorial, calling for the discontinuance of the use of the definite article with the town’s name: i.e. The Burra.

‘we suppose . . . that the complete expression is the Burra Mine.’

2nd leader on the question of an eastern mail run. An officer was to have been sent to investigate, but has not turned up yet.

Douglas Church tea meeting tomorrow.

Burra Station. The new railway station is now complete and has been passed. A pity that when the new asphalting was being done the old area was not re-laid. The bank in front of the station also needs cutting back to allow more room.

Charity. The Foresters’ Demonstration money has now been distributed and was divided among 15 deserving cases.

Waterworks Poll. To the surprise of many this was not a secret ballot. Results: -

For Against Majority For

Votes 341 167 174

Voters 111 83 26

Burra Town Council, 15 October.

The Mayor reported the waterworks poll results as above.

Attention was drawn to cab drivers plying for trade off the ranks.

The form of guarantee drawn up by the solicitors was adopted and 100 ordered printed.

Cr Geake asked if the Bon Accord water was wholesome.

Crs Brown and Rayner declared it to be ‘very superior water for all purposes.’

It was decided to apply for a copy of the Government analysis.

Cricket. The 1st match of the season between Burra & Clare was played at the ground near Drew’s store on Saturday.

Clare 52 & 181 def. Burra 66 & 68

William Bowman writes from Martindale confirming Mr R. Brown Jun.’s statement re the prize-winning sheep at the show - though they were bred from Martindale sheep.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes and hints that some of the town’s JPs are shooting turkeys in the closed season - ‘it should be stopped for what is sauce for the goose is ditto for the gander.’

Also he says too many traps flit about at night unlit - where is the inspector?

V. 279. 19 October 1883, Page 2

Editorial on Taxation Policy - again.

YMCA tonight is the Parliamentary night and the Treasurer brings in a taxation policy.

SAMA half yearly report.

Income for the period £1,239-11- 5

Debits £66- 8-11

The balance is now £72,566- 3 - 1

Season. The crops on the eastern plains are not quite as bad as earlier reported and if rain comes soon some wheat will still be reaped.

Burra Institute. The whole of the inside of the Institute has been renovated by Mr D. Jones.

Cricket. The I. Zingaris have postponed their visit to Christmas Week.

Wesleyan District Meeting for the Middle District was held in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall last week.

V. 279. 19 October 1883, Page 3

Advt. An entertainment at the Institute in aid of the Institute funds on 25 October.

Advt. The partnership between Thomas P. Goodridge and Henry M. Goodridge, butchers of Aberdeen is dissolved from 6 October 1883. H.M. Goodridge will carry on alone.

V. 280. 23 October 1883, Page 2

J.M. McBride has been appointed a JP.

Eastern Mails. Mr Knuckey has gone out east to look into establishing a mail run.

C.C. Williams has just made four galvanised iron tanks averaging 3,000 gallons each for Pine Valley Station - made to fit one inside the other for easy transport and arranged so they can be made to supply sheep troughs with self-acting valves.

Burra Model School ̧ Pupil Teachers’ Exam Results.

For appointment A. Wade 1st class

M.S. Bampton 2nd class

A.J. Dobrey 2nd class

1st year teachers Thomas Nevin 1st class

2nd year teachers Charles Cater 1st class

2nd year teachers Martha Williams 1st class

3rd year teachers Rosa B. Bentley 2nd class

Offence.

Richard Berry was sent for trial on a charge of stealing one £5 note, 8 £1 notes,

£5-10-0 in silver, a gold brooch valued at £1-10-0 and a gold seal valued at 10/- from Ah Bow, hawker of Warrabarra [Wirrabara?] on Friday evening last when Ah Bow was sleeping in Mr Emanuel Frederick’s lodging house. [See V. 293. 7 December 1883 Page 2]

The Midland Road Board in its Annual Road Inspection beginning on 2 October visited the ford in course of construction across Baldina Creek on the Mongolata road. Execution of the work was favourably commented on. Unfortunately the creek will soon silt up and the waterhole formed by the dam will cease to exist. Diprose Creek road was found to be in good order.

V. 280. 23 October 1883, Page 3

Hallett Picnic Sports will be held on 9 November.

V. 281. 26 October 1883, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes 7 Co. offer 33,329 sheep on 2 November.

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. offer 22,000 sheep on 5 November.

Editorial on a proposed Government Bill re water conservation. There is quite a bit of detail on how the Government proposed to finance a water supply for various parts of the colony.

Burra Hospital. Messrs S. Drew & Co. have received £17, the proceeds of an entertainment at Outalpa Station for the benefit of ‘that excellent institution the Burra Hospital.’ Many patients come from stations in the N-E and it is gratifying to see that persons value the institution.

V. 282. 30 October 1883, Page 2

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will offer 22,000 sheep on 5 November.

Burra Town Council, 29 October.

The Town Clerk reported that nearly all the water guarantees had been signed, but a few more names were needed.

G. Sara wrote suggesting that on the west side of the new reserve a chain street should be left instead of only half a chain. It was resolved that 50’ be left.

Cr Ward called attention to a statement circulated outside by Cr Sampson to the effect that certain water guarantees had been obtained by false representations and he moved that Cr Sampson apologise.

Cr Sampson said he had not said that, but he did say that Messrs Barrett, Davis & Neville did not understand that they had signed any guarantee and would not do so, and it was a fact.

After discussion the Mayor expressed a view that Cr Sampson had been injudicious and the matter dropped.

Editorial on the Protectionist agitation in the lead-up to the elections.

Cricket. On Brewery Flat on Saturday the match was drawn due to rain.

Henderson’s 52 versus Young United 1 for 15

Mr Trengrove, active for some years in the Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School and Church is removing from the district and was farewelled with a tea on Friday.

Burra YMCA met on Friday when E. Hosking read a paper: Points of similarity between the British and the Israelites, to lead a discussion. W.H. Hardy then read one on Evolution.

An Entertainment in aid of Institute funds was held last Thursday.

V. 283. 2 November 1883, Page 2

Burra Hospital recently received a donation from Outalpa and now an entertainment at Oulina Station has yielded £13-0-7, and one at Waukaringa £3-10-0 for the Burra Hospital.

Advt. Liston, Shakes 7 Co. offer 33,929 sheep on 2 November.

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. offer 22,110 sheep on 5 November.

Burra Station. The new station is finished and looks respectable. We hope it will not be covered by advertising hoardings.

Kooringa Court, 30 October

Alfred Schutz was fined 10/- or three days for insulting behaviour on 29 October.

Taxation. It now seems unlikely the Taxation Bill will pass.

Burra Flower Show was held last Wednesday. It was the fourth such and the best so far. Quality was down a little on account of recent rough weather and plants were a little backward. Fuchsias and cinerarias were very good and petunias, pelargoniums and azaleas were also good. Ferns and foliage plants were plentiful and very good and the tree ferns of Mr T. Drew were much admired. Roses were better than seen before.

Prizes for design and bouquet were awarded by popular vote taken in the afternoon:

Design for table: Mrs Knight 97

W. Fuss 95

J. Cater 90

Table bouquet: W. Fuss 143

Mrs Knight 131

J. Cater 67

Hand Bouquet: D.S. Packard 150

J. Cater 128

W. Fuss 45

Wild Flowers W. Fuss 106

W. Anderson 86

C. Oppermann 81

Buttonhole D.S. Packard 97

D.S. Packard 90

F.W. Holder 75

[Results of personal interest: - W. Fuss (i.e. H.C.W. Fuss) won first prizes for the following: -

Table bouquet, wild flowers, 6 antirrhinums, 6 ranunculi, 3 ranunculi, 3 carnations, 1 carnation, 3 sweet Williams, 1 sweet William, 3 dianthus, 1 dianthus, 3 ever-lastings, 6 double zonales, 6 phlox drummondii, 3 phlox drummondii, 12 verbenas, 1 seedling, 12 annuals, 6 annuals, 12 outdoor flowers, 6 outdoor flowers, 3 outdoor flowers, 6 bulbous/tuberous, bouquet of natives, best cottage garden within 3 miles of Burra.

He gained second prizes for: -

Design for table, 6 single zonales, 6 phlox drummondii, 3 phlox drummondii, 3 petunias, 6 pansies, 1 outdoor flower, 3 bulbous/tuberous, 1 bulbous/tuberous, 3 double stocks, 1 double stock.

And third prize for: -

Hand bouquet.

With respect to his garden the judges said:

‘The first prize covers a large area and is well stocked, the others much smaller, although well attended had no chance in competition.’]

V. 283. 2 November 1883, Page 3

Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary on 4 November. Preacher will be Mr J.D. Hill of Adelaide. The tea meeting is on 9 November and public sports of the 9 November.

V. 284. 6 November 1883, Page 2

Obituary. John Tallant Bee died at his residence in South Clare on Wednesday last from heart disease. He was Clerk of the Clare Local Court and of the Midland Licensing Bench: the former for over ten years. Aged 73. [Registered as 31 October 1883 aged 74.]

Editorial, on the Loan Transfer Bill.

2nd leader praising the flower show and the gardens of the town.

Flower Show. Winners who received collectively over £1 were: -

T.W. Pearce £6-19-0

W. Fuss £6-0-6

T. Drew £3-3-6

F.W. Holder £3-2-0

D.S. Packard £2-1-0

W. Pearce Sen. £1-17-6

C. Oppermann £1-12-0

Dr Brummitt £1-6-6

J. Cater £1-0-6

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church trustees have resolved to add 15 feet to the length of the church. I.W. Goss has begun work.

YMCA: last meeting held a question box evening.

Cricket. Last Saturday 11 from Burra Club v. 15 Allcomers.

Burra 64 defeated Allcomers 41.

Letter from ‘Warning’ says the Wesleyan Church at Redruth should take heed of the Sunderland disaster. The Sunday school children were all on a gallery at one end of the church and the entrance door was blocked. In event of fire many might have died in the panic.

V. 284. 6 November 1883, Page 3

Advt. Bible Christian Sunday School will hold a Grand Concert in the schoolroom on Wednesday 7 November. The Burra Brass Band will attend and proceeds will go towards new seats, lamps, etc. for the school.

V. 285. 9 November 1883, Page 2

Editorial on SA Parliament and the Loan Bill and Land Bill.

The Bible Christian Concert last Wednesday was well attended and the proceeds were satisfactory.

Advt. William Young (late of S. Drew & Co.) announces he has taken over the Burra Hotel from T. Richardson.

Advt. The Primitive Methodist Church, Redruth, special effort on 11 November with a tea meeting on 14 November with a sale of gifts.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church special sermon to young men on 11 November: ‘Joseph in Egypt’ and on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 November in aid of Foreign Missions.

Advt. Annual British and Foreign Bible Society’s services, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. Deputation, Rev. W. Wilson of Port Pirie.

V. 286. 13 November 1883, Page 2

Burra Town Council, retiring officers: -

Mayor E.C. Lockyer

Auditor W. Davey

North Ward M. Rayner

Middle Ward William Geake

South Ward R. Ward

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School annual fete was held last Friday. An enjoyable series of sports was held under a threatening sky, which followed a night of thunder and lightning, but it was dry till an evening shower. Proceeds were highly satisfactory.

Advt. At the Institute 13 November Wilford Branscombe’s Great Entertainment. ‘People we Meet’; Little Lillie, child elocutionist and vocalist; Fred Rollin, Dutch, Irish and Negro delineator. 3/-, 2/- & 1/-

A review from Jamestown suggests it is a very good show in all aspects. Little Lillie was amazing for a child of 41⁄2. The show at Jamestown concluded with the Negro farce: - ‘A Bad Night’s Rest’.

Sales. Sheep sales at Burra sometimes reach 30,000-40,000 sheep.

Cricket. On the Prince of Wales’ Birthday Saddleworth played Aberdeen on the flat near Drew’s store. It was windy and rain threatened, but the latter held off. Aberdeen made 32, followed by Saddleworth, which managed 46. Aberdeen then made 122 before lunch was taken at Opie’s Hotel, after which Saddleworth was dismissed for 98, resulting in a win for Aberdeen by 10 runs.

Burra Town Council, 12 November.

Waterworks. The Council intend to use their own shaft and extend the main to the hospital.

The water guarantees are almost complete.

Council sought further assurance that the cost would be within the estimate.

V. 286. 13 November 1883, Page 3

Advt. J.G. Ward, veterinary surgeon, announces he has taken over the Bon Accord Hotel and intends also to practise his profession from there.

Advt. The Wesleyan Church Sunday 18 November, Foreign Missions, Rev. G.E. Rowe preaches. There will be lectures on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.

V. 287. 16 November 1883, Page 2

Tax. Opponents of the Government’s tax scheme are confident of ultimately rejecting the Bill.

Entertainment. The Wilford Branscombe Troupe appeared on Monday to a small but appreciative audience. (As at Jamestown the lack of publicity no doubt affected audience size.)

Redruth Primitive Methodist special effort last week was successful and raised >£40.

Redruth Court.

In Schutz v. Schutz Mrs Mary Ann Schutz said her husband was a cab driver, but had been drinking in excess of late and had rarely been sober in three months. When working he earned 35/- a week, but he has had no work for three months. When drinking he leaves her without money and necessities. An order was given prohibiting anyone from supplying him with intoxicating liquor for twelve months.

Hallett Picnic Sports: results are printed.

All the athletic events are pedestrian except one designated ‘wheel race’

Total nett proceeds £15.

V. 288. 20 November 1883, Page 2

Burra School. The annual examination resulted in a very creditable average of 89.95%. Examples of the exam papers for each class are printed in the paper. 35 Compulsory Certificates were gained this year. (15 in 1882)

Ratepayers’ Meeting for North Ward, last Friday at the Exchange Hotel.

Cr Rayner said £425 had been available for North Ward and £411 had been spent, but work in hand would use more than the balance. Kerbing had been the main item. Not so much had been spent in Redruth as in Aberdeen, but the kerbing would not have to be done again. The mayor regretted that the footway from Kooringa to Aberdeen had not been gone on with due to conflict with the Road Board. This would change if the Council eventually got control of the main roads within the Corporation. Mr Rayner was proposed and 2nd for another term, but could not give a definite answer yet.

V. 288. 20 November 1883, Page 3

Advt. The Band of Hope will have an entertainment at the Primitive Methodist schoolroom this evening.

Advt. There will be a Monster Picnic and Grand Athletic Sports on account of the IOR Rose of Sharon Tent at Princess Royal on 26 November.

Advt. New Lime Kiln - C. Rawling - Near the Bon Accord Engine House.

V. 289. 23 November 1883, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of E.A. Hubbard at Redruth on 19 November, a daughter. [Ethel May Hubbard]

Editorial on the Intercolonial Conference in Sydney next week to discuss the annexation of New Guinea (& if possible the New Hebrides) and also Federation. The New Hebrides question was largely the fear of being ‘overrun by French criminals of the very worst type’ because France was proposing to send convicts to its Pacific possessions.

Blue Ribbon Army. The usual monthly meeting in Market Square is tomorrow evening. Two lady visitors from the Adelaide branch will speak and a second meeting will follow in the Wesleyan Schoolroom. Miss Crimble will address young women at the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m.

The Band of Hope gave a successful entertainment at the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom on Tuesday evening to a crowded room. The noisy demonstration of a few larrikins was all that marred the event. We believe the organisers of the Band of Hope have other important engagements and are about to withdraw. We hope others will take their place or this important organisation will collapse. Proceeds £3-5-6.

Ratepayers’ Meeting, for South Ward at Mr Mathews’ Schoolroom, Wednesday.

There was a very small attendance.

Mr Coglin, having been asked to stand addressed the group. South Ward had the problem of many creek crossings and a small income to cover the outlay. The road to the cemetery was an urgent need. He felt this should not be a South Ward responsibility alone. He was in favour of increasing the size of South Ward to increase income. Cr Ward, who is retiring was not present.

Cr Sampson said the South Ward had available in 1883 £198 and had spent £199-8-11 and it had, he believed, been judiciously spent west of the creek and it was now time for the east side to see some expenditure. He favoured the formation of an East and West Ward to divide monies more equitably. Next year the expected income would be £250 to £300.

V. 290. 27 November 1883, Page 2

Burra Town Council, 26 November

Larrikins have destroyed some trees at Aberdeen.

£5 reward is offered for their conviction.

St Joseph’s anniversary services were held last Sunday. Rev. Fr Peters SJ preached to large congregations. On Monday evening there was a concert by the children of the school in the Institute, which was a decided success.

Editorial on the messy state of affairs in Parliament with the Government evidently convinced its tax proposal will not pass the Legislative Council.

Mr T. Warnes declines to stand for Mayor as he is about to leave the district.

Ratepayers’ Meeting for Middle Ward in the Institute, 23 November.

Dr Brummitt spoke on his candidature for the Mayoralty. He had no intention of standing, but a large requisition had convinced him to do so. He laboured under the disadvantage of lack of experience as a Councillor. He could not promise great works, as their money was limited. Previous loans need to be repaid. About £800 would be available over the three wards.

The question of ward boundaries was worth consideration. The footway from Kooringa to Aberdeen needed making, but would need to wait until the responsibility for main roads vested in the Council.

Mr Duff spoke as candidate for Middle Ward, but said little.

The Mayor’s Report for 1883.

The year began with a debit of £2-3-4 and South Ward was heavily in debt to Middle Ward. After deducting debts North Ward had £295, Middle Ward £395 and South Ward £68. The money in hand for the town survey was later made available for works by ratepayer permission which increased ward totals to: North £425, Middle £525, South £198. At present the balance was: North £13, Middle £22, South debit £1-8-11. He anticipated the new Council would start the year 1884 with a clean sheet apart from the bonded debt, of which £100 will fall due in 1884.

During the year various waterworks proposals were considered. Ultimately the scheme decided on was the proposal of the Government to construct a waterworks and a system of mains etc. and to hand the scheme over to the Council with the latter to pay 3% on capital costs in the 1st year, 4% in the 2nd year and 5% per annum thereafter. The Council would control the scheme and retain any profits over this annual rental and running costs. A number of people have guaranteed to take a specified amount of water. It is believed water could be temporarily laid on from the present works pending completion of the new reservoir.

The Recreation Ground has been planted and sown, but the grass seed has not come up. The trees are doing well. The place will become popular in time but as yet there is no revenue to offset the large outlay. The present debt exclusive of the £500 in bonds is in all £163-17-10.

The Local Board of Health has continued scavenging and inspection and the town is in a good sanitary condition.

The cemetery has been maintained and improvements made so its account is in debit £66-3-2, but this will gradually decrease.

The most notable work in Middle Ward is the road through the Smelting Works from Kooringa to Redruth. Mt Pleasant St has been made and Market Square kerbing completed and the Square raised. In South Ward the work included new bridges and raising the road in Queen St.

V. 290. 27 November 1883, Page 3

Municipal Election Nominations

Mayor Robert Brummitt elected

North Ward James Tiver elected

Middle Ward John F. Duff elected

South Ward William F. Coglin

Julius E. Petherick

Auditor William Davey

John A. Fry

Necessary elections will be held 1 December.

V. 291. 30 November 1883, Page 2

Hills Railway. Last Tuesday the Hills railway opened as far as Nairne and the branch line to Mt Barker was also opened.

MUIOOF. The Burra lodge annual finance meeting last Wednesday showed income of £224-14-11 for the last quarter and expenditure of £202-0-9. Total funds at the start of the year £5,555-2-10 and at present £5694-8-0. There are 306 members.

A. Bartholomæus, of Redruth will start a new industry in about a fortnight when he begins the making of bone dust fertilizer.

Offences.

Cab drivers plying for trade off the stand. Fined 5/- per offence

Charles Grow (1 offence)

Alfred Lines (1 offence)

Thomas Halls (4 offences)

Loitering in the streets with cabs also attracted a 5/- fine per offence for: -

Charles Grow (1 offence)

Thomas Halls (2 offences)

Cricket. A Burra Club 11 played 15 Young Uniteds at Kooringa last Saturday.

Young Uniteds scored 33 and Burra 80. In the second innings Young Uniteds were 55 for the loss of 10 wickets at the end of play.

V. 291. 30 November 1883, Page 3

A. Bartholomæus is selling off the whole of his stock at his Redruth store as he is giving up storekeeping after 8 years. Drapery, groceries, ironmongery etc. are to be had for bargain prices. Cash only.

V. 292. 4 December 1883, Page 2

Election Results.

South Ward W.F. Coglin 81

J.E. Petherick 53

Auditor W. Davey 134

J. Fry 57

Editorial on Local Option Polls.

YMCA monthly meeting at which prepared speeches were the topic.

Fire. On Sunday just before going to bed J. Lewis noticed smoke in his house and on investigating found all was safe except the door to the servant’s room was closed and upon opening it he found the room thick with smoke. The bed was smouldering. The girl was got out of bed and the fire extinguished.

A few more minutes and she would have been suffocated and probably the house destroyed. She had been reading with a candle on the bed and had dozed off.

V. 293. 7 December 1883, Page 2

Criminal Cases (Heard in Adelaide)

Charles Miller (21) was charged with stealing £9-12-0 from the pocketbook of George Aird at Kooringa on 2 November. Sentenced to 2 years hard labour.

Richard Berry (22) pleaded guilty to stealing from Frederick’s Lodging House in Kooringa. He had several previous convictions. Sentenced to 6 years hard labour.

[See V. 280. 23 October 1883 Page 2]

V. 293. 7 December 1883, Page 3

Entertainment at the Hallett Institute by the Terowie Glee and Dramatic Society on 12 December, featuring the drama ‘The Seven Clerks’ in 2 Acts plus songs, glees and a laughable farce. 2/- & 1/-. MOONLIGHT.

V. 294. 11 December 1883, Page 2

A letter, appearing in the form of a paid advertisement from ‘One who strives to act as a gentleman should’ querying whether the Hallett entertainment advertised last issue was in fact timed to inflict damage on ‘our church effort’ as he believes to have been done before.

Burra Town Council, 10 December.

The Town Clerk’s salary was fixed at £115 and he was relieved of the outdoor work of collecting rates. The Inspector’s salary was set at £100 and the scavenger at the previous wages.

The Hydraulic Department replied that the Waterworks could be done for the estimated costs. New pumps and an engine were included. It would not be advisable to lay on water from the present system without fixing meters to the Aberdeen troughs.

Cr Drew moved that the Government’s offer of 26 July 1883 be accepted, using the Council shaft and not providing for the Locomotive Department. Cr Duff 2nd.

Cr Sampson amended it to stand over for a fortnight. Cr Tiver was unprepared to vote. Cr Sampson thought the promises to ratepayers had not been fulfilled. Amendment carried.

Bicycling. We note that the bicycle is coming greatly into use here. Only a few months ago there was but one machine here and now ‘no less than seven or eight may be seen whirling along the roads’.

Entertainment. The talented Musgrove Concert & Operatic Co. that visited Burra some weeks ago will reappear at the Institute tomorrow. The performers are of more than usual merit.

YMCA met last Friday in Parliamentary mode to debate local option. The majority were in favour.

Pig and Whistle. At the Midland District Licensing Bench, C.H. Catchlove & Co. made application to have the Pig & Whistle licence moved to new premises. The matter is to stand over and plans and notices to be lodged in the usual way.

Agricultural Machinery. There is a long article on Shippie & Gratton’s combined header and thresher and another on The Combination Harvester.

V. 294. 11 December 1883, Page 3

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan School building fund services on 30 December with Rev. W.H. Rofe of Terowie and Rev. S. Knight to preach. And on 2 January 1884 there will be a Grand Concert in the Institute.

V. 295. 14 December 1883, Page 2

Advt. Program for the Rose of Sharon Tent IOR Picnic & Sports Day on 26 December. It includes a 440-yard ‘Wheel Race’ for a 20/- prize and a Bicycle Race of 5 miles with prizes of £5, £2 & £1

[Hallett Sports in November had also had a ‘wheel race’ - so what was it? Neither distance nor terminology suggest a bicycle race, but was there a surface suitable for a form of roller skates?]

Obituary. William Turner of Copperhouse died on 11 December at Sevenhills. [Aged 65.]

Obituary. Sarah Moyle, relict of the late William Moyle, died on 9 December at Riverton, aged 73.

Burra Model School, annual picnic this afternoon in the Police Paddock, Redruth.

Editorial, regretting the delay in getting the Waterworks started now that the decision has been made.

Percy Robin B.A. has gained 1st prize for the Colonial Institute’s Essay on the Australian Colonies. He was once a teacher at Burra Model School and has been studying at Cambridge.

Obituary. Mr William Turner, an old Copperhouse resident has died of heart disease at Sevenhills on Tuesday, having gone there Monday for a load of fruit. [Registered twice: 10 December aged 66 & 11 December aged 65.]

Entertainment. A fair audience saw the Musgrove Operatic Co. in the Institute on Wednesday evening. It is one of the best travelling companies and well worth patronising.

Cricket. The following matches are planned for the holidays

Christmas Day, Burra v. East Adelaide

Boxing Day, Burra v. Adelaide

New Year’s Day, Burra v. Clare at Clare

YMCA. The second quarter was ushered in at a social on Wednesday in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall. About 130 were present. There were 3 microscopes, several stereoscopes, a graphoscope*, an electric machine, prints, works of art, curiosities and conversation. There were also songs, musical selections, light refreshments and teetotal drinks. [* An apparatus with a magnifying lens for viewing engravings and photographs.]

V. 296. 18 December 1883, Page 2

Advt. A meeting is called at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday next with the object of forming a Quoits Club.

Local Medical Officer of Health. The Central Board of Health has demanded that the Burra Local Board appoint a Medical Officer of Health. They were informed that Dr Brummitt as Government Medical Officer performed the necessary tasks. The Central Board replied that Dr Brummitt is not bound by his appointment to discharge duties under the Public Health Act, but if the Local Board appoints him as Officer of Health he would be likely to be approved.

Burra Public School held a picnic last Friday as a reward for the students’ creditable performance at the late examination. Headed by the Burra Brass Band they marched through Kooringa, Aberdeen and Redruth to the Police Paddock. The youngest went in a wagon lent by Catchlove & Co. The sports and treat were thoroughly enjoyed.

Letter from ‘Phoenix’ saying that the old council was careful to get all guarantees with respect to the waterworks and submit the matter to the consideration of ratepayers who authorised them to go ahead by a large majority. If such a scheme could be carried out elsewhere at the same cost it would have been accepted and completed in half the time taken to talk about it here. ‘Burra has always been remarkable for its want of public spirit, but it must be below freezing point when it hesitates to at an expenditure of £4,000 for an amply supply of pure water when smaller towns are paying nearly half this amount annually for interest only on a very much inferior article.’

A reasonable policy would be 1st the waterworks, then a weir across the creek to provide a lake equal to that on the Torrens. Stock it with fish and allow our youth to develop muscles rowing. 2nd acquire the markets and make them serve the town. 3rd lay a tram track from the station to the hospital.

Letter of a whole column by W.H. Hardy on Christmas. He likes neither those who write gushingly and sentimentally of it, nor those who sneer at it and he points out the practical and economic benefits which many derive from its celebration.

V. 297. 21 December 1883, Page 2

Advt. A Monster Picnic and Grand Athletic Sports will be organised by the Rose of Shannon Tent IOR for Boxing Day at Princess Royal. It will be followed in the evening by a concert at the Institute.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School will celebrate its anniversary on 23 December in the Bible Christian Church, lent especially for the occasion. The public meeting on 25th will also be in the Bible Christian Church.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Building Fund Services will be held on 30 December and there will be a New Year’s Day Picnic at Princess Royal and a Grand Concert on 2 January in the Institute.

Advt. To Let: a new and beautifully appointed shop in the best business position in the Town of Redruth, also a five-roomed cottage. Apply to Thomas Bath.

Advt. For Sale, allotment 7 Roach Town and allotments 92, 93, 96, 98, & 103, Millerton.

Advt. For Sale or To Let: with the right of purchase, Redruth Chaff and Wood Store.

Mr L. Teddy, Redruth.

Advt. At the Burra Institute 27 & 28 December. Mirth, Music and Melody with The Mowhawk Minstrels with a ball afterwards on the Friday night.

Editorial on the Railway Department and its inadequacies, both in rolling stock, locomotives and administration, to cope with the coming harvest season. The inconvenient passenger timetables are also attacked, especially where poor connecting services are provided.

Redruth Court.

Crown Lands Ranger Phelan brought cases for allowing cattle to stray onto Crown Lands in the Hundred of Baldina:

August Schmidt 15/- B. Watts 1/6

Dr Stephens 1/6 B. Warwick 1/6

P. Nankivell 4/6 T. Stodart 1/6

S. Campbell 1/6 John Morgan 3/-

William Halliday 1/6 William Barker 3/-

For having no light on a vehicle after dark:

F. Bernhardt 5/- E.H. Benney 5/-

The corporation Inspector, J. Dow brought cases for stray cows in the town:

J.W. O’Brien 5/- William Symons 5/-

John Sampson Jun. 5/- Thomas Young 10/-

F. Simpson 5/-

Letter from ‘Typhoid’ hoping the creek is dammed as by the end of summer the green slimy mud-hole will be exactly what would delight him ‘and I should be a constant resident.’

Letter from Cr James Tiver in reply to ‘Phoenix’ who had accused the Councillor of being the principal cause of the delay in the waterworks. Tiver says it takes more than one vote to shelve a proposal for a fortnight. Perhaps Phoenix should get on the Council and rush things through without due consideration. A lake in Burra would be a fine thing, but we would need more knowledge than Phoenix has to decide on its wisdom.

V. 298. 28 December 1883, Page 2

Birth. On 20 December, at Port Wakefield, to the wife of Albert Topperwein, a son. [Gladstone Moltke]

Christmas came with unusually cool and pleasant weather.

Mr R. Snell, recently sent to labour as a missionary to the railway men between Quorn and Farina gave an interesting report of his work in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Wednesday. He visits each camp for a week, teaching the children four hours a day and Bible reading each evening for the elders. On Sundays he visits Farina and distributes tracts house-to-house, holds Sunday school twice and has in prospect an evening service too. He has been very well received.

Entertainment. The Mohawk Minstrels appeared for the first time at the Burra Institute last night and were enthusiastically received by a good audience. Sentimental and comic songs were interspersed with jokes. Step-dancing by Messrs O’Neill, Gault & Gordon was the highlight. They appear again tonight in a different program, which will be followed by a ball.

W.H. Richardson was farewelled as landlord of the Dawson Hotel on 21 December.

Burra Town Council, 24 December

Cr Brown moved the offer of the Government to construct a Waterworks for the town, inclusive of cost of the present works, for £3,800, using the Corporation owned shaft and not providing for the supply of locomotives, to be handed over to the Council for 3% of the cost for the 1st year, 4% for the second year and 5% per annum thereafter, be accepted. The Government to be asked to proceed as soon as possible. Cr Coglin 2nd.

Cr Sampson moved an amendment that would have delayed acceptance until the guarantees reached the full amount. He said the proposed scheme would never reach Hampton of Mitchell Flat and it was monstrous to push it through to the detriment of these people before guarantees were complete. They had guarantees for only £327 and they needed £380 without going to the hospital, which would make it £385. This £60 would have to come from general revenue and so force those across the creek to pay for water they could not access or use. They were breaking faith with the ratepayers by going on £60 short. The Mayor was sure that extra users and the standpipe in Market Square would make up the difference. The motion was carried with Cr Sampson alone objecting.

‘Phoenix’ writes in reply to James Tiver to deny he blamed the latter for being the sole reason for the delay in the Waterworks. Phoenix did say something about the singular reasons Tiver gave for not being informed on the subject and Phoenix certainly did not want things done without due consideration, or for the ratepayers to be heavily taxed. He did say the waterworks had been sufficiently considered for a decision to be made. He also took issue with ‘Typhoid’.

A letter ̧ from ‘A Lover of Good Order’ complains about the larrikinism that abounds at all the concerts held in the Institute. It is disgraceful. It might be better to put the 1/- tickets to the front and others to the back. Many young lads ‘would be ashamed to be seen doing there what they now do in the darker corners of the hall.’

IOR. The Rechabite picnic and sports at Princess Royal on Boxing Day were a great success. In excellent weather all kinds of vehicles made their way there, yet many had to walk home, as cabs were not up to time. There must have been fully 1,000 in attendance. Brothers met at the lodge at about 9 a.m. and marched through the town led by the Burra Band before being conveyed in wagons to Princess Royal. Only three entered the big event: the Demonstration Handicap. Harris’s win seemed popular, though he was not a local. There were also only three in the bicycle race, which was a good contest between Ford and Anderson, being won by Ford. The 440 yards wheel race was won by W.H. Hardy.

The concert was largely attended and was marred only by the larrikinism at the back of the hall.

Cricket. On Christmas Day Burra, 117 defeated East Adelaide, 29 & 80 (109).

On Boxing Day at Princess Royal, adjacent to the Rechabite Picnic Adelaide, 130 defeated Burra, 13 & 74 (87).

On Christmas Day Aberdeen, 78 & 86 (164) defeated Saddleworth, 96 & 49 (145), at Saddleworth.

The characteristics of the paper in 1883

Page 1

This held the usual regular advertisements, mostly of larger size and many from outside the town.

Pages 2 & 3

The dividing line between the two was very flexible, but these two pages held most of the local news in small paragraphs. The editorial and 2nd leader (sometimes with a 3rd as well) were quite varied in length. They frequently dealt with SA Parliamentary issues or other matters beyond the town itself. The Town Council meetings were usually reported only briefly, but there are some exceptions where considerable detail is provided. The Midland Road Board’s activities are reported in rather more detail. There are reports from correspondents in other northern centres and these are both numerous and significant. Advertisements do not intrude into the news. Overseas news is significant, but is usually reported in very short paragraphs without headings or breaks. Headlines are small and used only for major articles. Many smaller items blend into one another. There is rarely any prose fiction and only occasionally a poem.

This is also the place for small classified advertisements and official and other notices.

Page 4

There is a little news: generally in the first two columns. The remainder of the space is for advertisements among which patent medicines feature strongly.

Changes.

The quality of the newsprint was bad in the second half of the year.

From 9 October the paper was published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays instead of only on Wednesdays.

This saw the introduction of serial fiction and a lot more overseas, Australasian and regional items - not necessarily of great quality. It did nothing for local coverage, which was at best the same spread over two issues, and may even have declined.

Essentially the former pages 2 & 3 were condensed onto page 2 and page 3 carried a condensed selection from the former literary supplement plus notices, especially Council notices and some small advertisements.

The lengthy and repeated articles and editorials on taxation issues and Land Acts etc. surely reflect the interests of the editor rather than those of most of his readers. While an elite might have liked them, it is hard to imagine that they were widely read, given the literacy levels of the day.

Temperance issues occupy a significant amount of space.

Numbering of issues in 1883.

1883 began with Volume V, Number 236 on 5 January 1883

And ran to

Volume V, Number 298 on 28 December 1883

Note that the issue after Number 269 was numbered 260 (31 August) and, as 270 was not used, the series continued with 271 on 7 September.

Date Novel Short Story Poetry Agriculture Boys Humour Science Household Misc. Nature or Essays Traveller Sketcher

Naturalist

5Jan. Saved by a Ring by Harold The Merry Xmas X X X X

W.H. Stephen. XII-XVI

12 Jan. XVI-XVII A Good Sword Stroke [There was no supplement due to the fire at the paper, but the serial and short story appeared on page 3 of the paper.]

19 Jan. XVII-XIX [There was no supplement due to the fire at the paper, but the serial and short story appeared on page 3 of the paper.]

26 Jan. XX-XXI [There was no supplement due to the fire at the paper, but the serial and short story appeared on page 3 of the paper.]

2 Feb. XXI-XXII (End) A Glimpse of Mexico X X X X X X X X Mick Houlahan’s JP

by Donald Cameron

9 Feb. Harry Bloomfield or the Off His Bargain X X X X X X Bob and Betty

Adventures of an Early by Mary Kyle Dallas

Australian Squatter: by

Angus M’Lean, I-II

16 Feb. II-IV The Woman Who Sang X X X X X X

23 Feb. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

2 Mar. IV-VIII Captured: a Story of Rebellion X X X X X X X X

9 Mar. VIII-XI The Postman’s Story X X X X X X X

16 Mar. XII-XIV The Man-Dog X X X X X X X

23 Mar. XIV-XVI Passages from the Journal X X X X X X X X How I Met Frank Weston

of a Social Wreck

30 Mar. XVI-XVIII Œnone X X X X

6 Apr. XVIII-XIX A Carpet X X X X X X X

13 Apr. XIX-XXII How a Tenor was Saved, & X X X X X X X X

Byle’s Pepperide’s Client’s

Secret

20 Apr. XXII-XXIII Der Erlkonig X X X X X X X X

27 Apr. XXIII-XXV A Little Flirt X X X X X X X X Picnicing [sic] in Strange Places

4 May XXV-XXVIII The Roguish Lover X X X X X X X

11 May XXVIII-XXXI X X X X X X X X

18 May XXXI-XXXVI (End) X X X X X X X

25 May A Stranded Ship, by Napoleon’s Three Warnings X X X X X X

L. Clarke Davis. I

1 Jun. I-II A German Prize Story, by X X X X X X Palmistry

Freiherra V. Roberts, &

A Ballad of Madness

8 Jun. II What Might have been Expected X X X X X X In the Death Station

15 Jun. II-III Who was the Thirteenth Guest? X X X X X X X

By Jerome A. Hart

22 Jun. III An Artist’s Ghost Story X X X X X X The City of Earthquakes (Caracas)

29 Jun. III-IV X X X X X X Dickens as a Mesmerist

6 Jul. IV (End), & Evangeline, X X X X X X A Fair Enthusiast

by Donald Cameron. I-II

13 Jul. II-IV Parted X X X X X

Date Novel Short Story Poetry Agriculture Boys Humour Science Household Misc. Nature or Essays Traveller Sketcher

Naturalist

20 Jul. IV-VI Helen Mansfield’s Fight, by X X X X X X

Alfred Balch

27 Jul. VI-VIII The Tiff X X X X X X

3 Aug. Evangeline, VIII A Theft of Seventy Millions X X X X X X Sydney Sketches

10 Aug. VIII The White Death, & X X X X X

Black Matthew Moore, by

Mary Kyle Dallas

17 Aug. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.] The serialised novel Ettie’s Error by Harold W.H. Stephen was due to begin this week. See 9 Oct.

24 Aug. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

31 Aug. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

7 Sep. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

14 Sep. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

21 Sep. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

28 Sep. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

5 Oct. [If issued this is not preserved either in hard copy or microfilm.]

With the change to twice weekly publication some of the Literary Supplement material begins to appear in the paper on pages 3 & 4 and the Literary Supplement proper presumably ceased.

Date Novel Second Serial Poetry Agriculture Household Misc. Poultry Farm Dairy Science Special

Articles

9 Oct. Ettie’s Error, by Mrs Birtle’s Boarders, by X X X

Harold W. H. Stephen R.P. Whitworth

XVII-XVIII V

12 Oct XVIII-XIX V-VII X X

16 Oct. XX-XXI VII-IX X X

19 Oct. XXII IX (End) X X

23 Oct. XXII-XXIII X X X

26 Oct. XXIII-XXIV X X

30 Oct. XXV Kitty Dunolly: My Schoolmate X Cricket Curiosities

by G.E.C. I-II

2 Nov. XXVI (End) III-IV X

6 Nov. The Admiral’s Second IV (End) X X

Wife. I-II

9 Nov. III-VI X X

13 Nov. VII-VIII X X X X

16 Nov. IX-X X X

20 Nov. XI-XII X

23 Nov. XII-XIII X X

27 Nov. XIV Following Up the Track, I-II X X X

30 Nov. XV (End) II-III X X X

4 Dec. A New Palingenesis, by III-IV X Novel Industries

Robert Duncan Milne

7 Dec. (Continued) V-VI X X X

11 Dec. (Continued) VI

14 Dec. (Continued) VI-VII X Horticulture

Date Novel Second Serial Poetry Agriculture Household Misc. Poultry Farm Dairy Science Special

18 Dec. (Concluded) VI-VIII

21 Dec. Wairewa’s Love: A VII-IX

Christmas Tale of Maoriland

by Silas Wegg

28 Dec. (Continued) IX

Comments on 1883 Supplements.

The comments for the period 1880-82 apply equally to this year’s supplements.

It would appear that the supplements were common for a number of country papers and may not have been printed by the Burra Record. When the microfilm versions were compiled some of the literary supplements from the Burra Record were not available. It was possible to complete the collection by using those from other publications where it would seem the identical format prevailed, as the serials fitted in as required.

The reader certainly got good value for money with a good collection of reading matter both in fiction and non-fiction, though reading the small print employed, by candlelight or kerosene lamp, must have been something of a challenge to many.

The supplements comprised a single broadsheet page of seven columns of small print. The poetry was quite limited and the prose each week would have provided a good deal of reading ranging over a wide variety of topics.

The titles of the serialised novels give a sufficient hint as to their contents. They are generally romances of a most melodramatic sort.

V, 299, 1 Jan. 1884

Page 1

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Austin, Davison & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

A.H. Forder Agent for AMP and SA Insurance Co.

S. Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

W.H. Benham Solicitor, Kooringa

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor etc. Market Square

Arthur K. Akhurst Solicitor & Notary Public & Commissioner for taking Acknowledgements of Deeds executed by Married Women

John D. Cave All business under the Real Property Act

Agent for Eagle Life Insurance Co.

Agent for Cornwall Fire Insurance Co.

Liston, Shakes & Co. Stock & Station Salesmen, Auctioneers, Valuators

Austin, Davison & Co. Stock & Station Salesmen, Auctioneers, Valuators

William Pearce Agent for National Mutual Life Assoc.

W.H. Pearce Galvanised Iron & Tinplate Worker, Ironmonger

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Builders & Contractors, Building Materials, Steam Saw Mills, Burra Brick Yards

Agents for Imperial Fire Insurance, Aberdeen & Terowie

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker, Tinsmith, Gasfitting & Bell Hanging, Commercial St

J.G. Wood Veterinary Surgeon & Proprietor of Bon Accord Hotel

M. Symons Butcher, Market Square (Late W. Symons)

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker, Jeweller, nearly opposite the Commercial Hotel

W.H. Hardy Accountant & General Commission Agent

W. Pearce Agent for National Building Soc.

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

J.T. Walker Boot & Shoemaker - back in his old shop in Market Square

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

T. Kitchen Groceries, Tea, Crockery, Glassware, & Fancy Goods, Commercial St

E. Frederick Burra Eating House, Thames St

Page 2

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

John Sampson Jun. Auctioneer

Page 3

Advertisements

Luke Teddy Redruth Chaff & Wood Store, For Sale or Let

(Previously E.A. Hubbard’s)

John Snell Burra Labour Office, Market Square

J.E. Petherick Watchmaker & Manufacturing Jeweller

C. Rawling New Lime Kiln, New Aberdeen, near the Bon Accord Engine House

Harry & Burns Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths, next to Commercial Hotel

J. & E. Hosking Drapers & Outfitters, Market Square

A. Bartholomæus Store disposed of: Clearing Sale of Drapery

L. Urwin Draper & Clothier, Commercial St

Andrew Wade Tailor & Outfitter, Market Square

Mrs George Lock Boarding House, Taylor St, Aberdeen, for Respectable Young Men

W. Lasscock (Late H. Dawson) Saddler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Christmas & New Year Cards, Books, Stationery, Vases, Musical Instruments, Sterling Silver, Jewellery, Paints, Paperhangings, Window Glass, Brushes etc.

Page 4

Advertisements

Wilkinson’s Books, Cards, Aerated Drinks, Novelties, Burra & Terowie

F.W. Holder Pianos & Organs

William Young Burra Hotel

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Aberdeen near Sara & Dunstan’s

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker

D. Jones Coach Painter, Signwriter, Decorator, Queen St

W. Bentley Photographic Artist, next Burra Hotel

Alexander Harris Steam Chaff Works and Cut Wood, Kingston St

F.W. Holder The Burra Record, Commercial & General Printing

V, 299, 1 Jan. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the transition 1883-84.

‘We live fast, and especially in these new lands every year has for individuals and for communities immense results either of happiness or ill.’

‘upon the experience of the past we stand making history at a very rapid rate.’

He saw himself in a society on the brink of great changes, of an end to tyranny and injustice and the dawning of an age of greatness, truth and prosperity.

1883 closed with impending war between France and China and in Africa fanaticism so far triumphant under the banner of El Mahdi.

1883 saw the first steps in Australia towards federation and the prominence of the annexation policy. In SA the year was characterised by severe depression and ended with a good harvest. In Burra 1883 began with the destruction by fire of four of the newest business premises. These have been rebuilt. The last event has been the adoption of a waterworks scheme for the town. In politics it is taxation and the land question that have dominated the year. The Intercolonial railway is in hand and the Jubilee Exhibition is in prospect and the Federated Australasia question will continue.

Accident. Hugh Kennedy, at W. Henderson’s had a piece of iron fly into his eye from an adjoining forge on Monday. It is possible the sight might be saved.

J. Snell has in his window a clock needing to be wound only once in 13 months. The pendulum rotates round one way and then the other. We understand there are only three such in SA.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary services were held last Sunday. Rev. W.H. Rofe and Rev. S. Knight preached. There was a nightwatch service on New Year’s Eve and today the children have their annual picnic to Princess Royal.

The weather has been perfect for harvesting, though rough weather earlier has reduced the yield.

R. Snell’s report of his home mission work on the Great Northern Railway points to the need for education facilities along the route. At least travelling teachers should be appointed to visit each place for two days a week.

W.F. Coglin writes a letter complaining of the omission of any reference to the Christmas services at St Joseph’s by Rev. Father Kriesll [sic]: midnight mass on Christmas Eve and services at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Though the paper duly reported the Protestant services.

The Protector [SA’s navy] was launched on the Tyne on 23 Dec. 1883. It carries four, forty-pound breech-loaders and a seven inch breech-loading gun amidships and two Norderfeldt guns.

Advt. Grand Concert in the Institute on Wednesday 2 January. Program of piano overture, three songs, a duet, a recitation and then two songs before interval, followed by another piano recital, song, recitation, duet, recitation part II, three songs and a duet, before God Save the Queen.

[This was probably organised by John Roach as he performed the major recitation in the second half.]

V, 300, 4 Jan. 1884, page 2

Advt. W.T. Rabbich is selling ‘Wattle Grove’ near Aberdeen comprising sections 47, 43, 39, & 57 = 668 acres. [i.e. the farm at Cobb & Co.’s Corner.]

Advt. For Sale: a new shop in Redruth, best business position, beautifully fitted with a cottage of five rooms. Apply Thomas Bath.

Editorial on the Role of Council. With the really big works now done there will be a claim for maintenance of them and gradual extension of the kerbing, metalling and foot pathing. The cemetery road must be done.

A Medical Officer must be appointed as required by the Central Board of Health. The job will be thankless, as anyone reported or investigated will feel aggrieved. A £20 fee could be squeezed from the present rate, but more would require an increased rate. We cannot allow the Central Board to step in and make a costly appointment.

Entertainment. The concert on 2 January by local amateurs assisted by Mr & Mrs G.C. Smith and Mrs James from Adelaide was well patronised and appreciated. The proceeds of £20-5-0 will aid the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School.

New Year’s Day. The main event was the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School picnic. The Burra Brass Band and a large number of wagons, traps etc. headed out to the woolshed and shearers’ kitchen, which had been kindly, lent by Mr McCulloch. Caring for the needs of pupils was a somewhat arduous task. Families picnicked along the creek for a long distance, many bringing their own provisions. Various sports were arranged and a well-contested bicycle race was won by Mr John Anderson with Mr Reiss 2nd. The return was c. 6p.m. Unfortunately Mr Anderson injured his arm when thrown from his bicycle on the way home. Three children slipped into the creek and one child cut its head running into a plate carried by another. On getting out of the trap back in Kooringa, Mrs Holder was thrown to the ground with a child in her arms, when the horse suddenly moved, and she was knocked unconscious. The child was not injured and Mrs Holder is recovering.

Redruth Court, 2 January.

Mr William Dare was fined £15 for using an illegal brand on 30 sheep. The offence was regarded as accidental.

‘Spectator’ writes suggesting a through line of railway to the Barrier has been surveyed from Terowie. An alternative one should be made from Burra. It would save 30 miles.

‘Observer’ writes asking for locals to stand for the local Parliamentary seat rather than allowing Messrs Rounsevell and Ward to represent them. W.R. Ridgway made a good showing last time.

Cricket. At Clare 1 January. Clare 203 defeated Burra 41.

V, 301, 8 Jan. 1884, page 2

Obituary. Robert Brummitt, father of Dr Robert Brummitt, died on 24 November at Banbury, England, aged 64.

Editorial favouring taking the railway line direct to the Barrier from Burra, rather than via either Terowie (as surveyed), or from Orroroo as in one other proposal. The line would foster trade with NSW and Queensland.

2nd Leader on free trade between the colonies.

SA had been paying a sum to NSW to make up for duties that might have been paid on materials sent into NSW from SA. Owing to the low rivers and other causes this has been higher than the duty that would actually have been paid. (The difference however is not sufficient to counter the disadvantage that would result from actual customs levies.)

Obituary. James Flaherty died on Saturday at Burra Hospital after falling from a wagon at Petersburg two weeks ago and sustaining a fractured skull. [Died 5 January, aged 38.]

Burra Town Council, 7 January.

The General rate was fixed at 1/- in the £.

The health Rate was fixed at 3d in the £.

Lamp lighting will continue at the old rate if the contractors are agreeable: if not it will go to tender.

Mr Shakes has given marble caps to the [Gateway at the] Recreation Ground.

‘A Youthful Burraite’ writes re the urging of ‘Spectator’ that Burra wake up and form some sort of progress association or ‘Vigilance Committee’. He considers that the most successful of the commercial interests seems to sit back and play no active role in the town’s welfare, which accounts for the general inactivity in the town. Geographically Burra is well located, but it must be active. A railway to the Barrier would be a good start and save 30 miles over one from Terowie. Port Augusta is trying to divert trade that way. Petersburg and Orroroo are also competitors for Burra’s trade.

V, 302, 11 Jan. 1884, page 2

Birth. On 27 December, to the wife of W.M. Humphrys, a son. [Frederick Alfred Payne]

Editorial on the Town Rate. The writer approves of its staying at 1/- in the £, especially as it maximises the Government subsidy which is soon to end.

2nd Leader on The Institute. He is greatly in favour of it and praises the efforts resulting in the new era of success from 1875. The main building included a hall, a large entrance and four other rooms. Since the new order [1875] it had also been enclosed with a stone wall and ornamental railings. A cottage has been erected for the librarian and a large room for Masonic and other lodges has been built. Two rooms have been provided in what was the entrance hall - one entirely fitted with shelves for the library and the grounds have been planted.

At Umberumberka over Christmas one man died from drink and 17 men are (on 3 Jan.) chained to posts with ‘the horrors’ and 5 have gone bush similarly afflicted. Thackaringa is not much better. [i.e. in the Barrier Ranges]

Messrs Rounsevell & Ward have waited on Government members to outline the needs of the district:

A school at Sugar Loaf Well east of Terowie

Part of the railway reserve at Terowie to be given for an Institute

Repairs of the crossing over Mannanarie Creek

Redruth Court, 9 January.

Mr Pinch appealed against his assessment. The premises were assessed at £22 and he thought they were not worth more than £12. They had previously been a wine and spirit store assessed at £25, but were now a private dwelling. The assessment was upheld with £1-1-0 costs against Mr Pinch.

Burra Institute Annual Meeting last Tuesday.

The library held 2,726 volumes.

There were 92 subscribers, down 4 on last year. (4 life subscribers, 34 £1 subscribers and 54 12/- subscribers)

Income £347-1-2. Expenditure £275-10-2. (Librarian paid £83-1-8)

This allowed a reduction in liabilities from £169-18-4 on 1 January 1883 to £98-7-4 on 31 December 1883. The reduction in debts 1877-1883 as at the end of each year:

1877 £627-2-5

1878 £542-0-5

1879 £484-14-10

1880 £419-17-9

1881 £381-2-11

1882 £169-18-4

1883 £98-7-4

Elected: President, Mr Lockyer JP; Vice-President, C.C. Williams; Treasurer, Dr Brummitt; Hon. Sec., H. Roach. [The committee included F.W. Holder.]

‘Lover of Trees’ writes re vandalism of street trees. Moreton Bay fig trees in front of the National Bank in Aberdeen have been damaged. Street trees need protection of police and the Corporation.

V, 303, 15 Jan. 1884, page 2

Notice: T. Edwards thanks all and especially J. Lewis JP and J. Anderson for aid in extinguishing the fire at his store last Sunday morning.

Notice: H. Howitt thanks neighbours who helped put out the fire in the Glebe last Friday.

Editorial on the need for a considered approach to the coming elections for the SA Parliament.

Obituary. W.G. [William George] Goodchild of Goodchild & Duff & Co., auctioneers of Kapunda and Kooringa, died on Sunday [13 January] of inflammation of the lungs, aged 39.

Fire. On Sunday morning Mr William Anderson was awakened by the smell of smoke in his house. He ascertained the fire was not in his house, or shop, but came from the roof of the adjoining shop of T. Edwards. He gave the alarm and with PC Radford broke into the smaller shop and thence to the other. The whole of the office was burning and the shop was smouldering all along the western side. Lack of ventilation seems to have limited the flame. Taking care to limit the air they began putting water on the fire as soon as possible and in half an hour it was extinguished. Keeping the front doors closed and saturating the smouldering mass saved the shop. Water came from Mr Bruse’s and Mr Barnett’s wells. Damage amounted to c. £1,000. It is thought the fire started from a match Mr Edwards struck to collect some papers as he was leaving and that it had smouldered for over three hours before being discovered.

A Political Meeting was held on 14 January, chaired by the Mayor, Dr Brummitt. It was to consider local representation in Parliament. The existing members, Rounsevell and Ward are likely to stand again.

Mr Lane thought Mr Rounsevell should give answers of his position on several matters.

Several men were proposed as possible candidates: Dr. J.R. Stephens, W.H. Duncan, Wentworth Cavanagh, C.R. Goode, Mr Ridgway, & S.D. Glyde.

Mr Ridgway said he would stand.

(Mr Bath was also suggested, but he is soon leaving for England.)

A committee will sound out these men and seek their views etc. [F.W. Holder on the committee.]

Mr Holder moved the members try to get a railway line survey done from Burra to the Barrier at once.

T.W. Wilkinson moved the committee communicate with the Railway Commissioners to alter timetables to allow travel from the north to Wallaroo and vice versa without an overnight stay at Hamley Bridge.

V, 304, 18 Jan. 1884, page 2

Advt. Re-opening of Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church, 20 January by Rev. W. Jenkin. 2.30 & 6 p.m. with tea meeting 23 January.

Notice: R.W. Mathews, Burra Girls School will resume 21 January.

Advt. Alexander Harris has bought Snell & Williams’s Chaff Stores and will carry on the business.

Editorial on the preliminary political meeting held last week.

2nd Leader on the Northeast Railway Question.

The writer urges that the best line would be the shortest distance from the border to Port Adelaide.

3rd Leader on the desirability of communication with Wallaroo without having a stay at Hamley Bridge and other matters raised.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will re-open after closing for the addition of 18’ to its length.

Redruth Court, 16 January.

Thomas Hall[s] and Charles Grow were fined 10/- each for plying for hire off the cabstand and C. Grow a further 10/- for smoking while driving his cab.

George Mayger was charged with using insulting language to F-C Radford. Mayger had been banned from being supplied with liquor and Radford had warned the licensee of the Pig and Whistle not to serve him. Mayger promised to make it difficult for Radford while on duty and for Radford’s son for stealing his pigeon eggs. He was fined 40/- or 1 month.

O’Brien was fined £5 + £1-1-0 for driving two horses off the land of Davison.

V, 304, 18 Jan. 1884, page 3

Kooringa Court, 15 January.

Alfred Lines fined 20/- or 14 days for fighting Frederick Camp [or Kemp in one part of the report]

Alfred Lines fined 40/- or 7 days for disturbing the peace at the Burra Hotel on 14 January.

‘H.S.B.’ writes urging the railway to the Barrier Ranges go from Terowie, as it would then pass through many more Hundreds capable of agricultural development than would one from Burra.

Inquest into the fire at Mr Edward’s shop. Held at the Commercial Hotel, Tuesday last. Thomas Edwards gave 1⁄3 column of evidence in which he said he threw a match, which he had believed extinguished, onto the floor about 9.40 p.m. on 13 January. He was insured for £2,000 for stock and £800 for fittings. The stock last August was £1,696 and had increased considerably since to an estimated £2,200. Damage was estimated at £1,000. Details outline the location or absence of flammable materials.

Elizabeth Edwards (wife), Helen Anderson, William Anderson (bootmaker), George Parks (grocer’s assistant), & John Anderson (blacksmith) all gave evidence, but they add little to what has been reported.

The jury found the origin of the fire to have been purely accidental.

Obituary. A 3⁄4 column article is reprinted from the Kapunda Herald on the late William George Goodchild. He came to Kapunda c. 1864 and worked in his uncle’s office. (Mr J. White) He then became manager of the Clare branch of the English & Scottish Bank and later went into partnership with Mr James White as auctioneers and stock salesmen. He married a daughter of Mr William Oldham. In 1872 he went to the NT when the gold rush occurred there, but returned to Kapunda and entered into business as an auctioneer on his own account. Shortly he joined with Mr Coles to form Coles and Goodchild. When Mr Coles retired the firm continued briefly as Goodchild, Austin & Co. and then finally as Goodchild, Duff & Co. He was respected as an honest man and made a JP in 1879 and had recently been elected Worshipful Master of the local Masonic Lodge.

James B. Davison writes that in a case in the Magistrates Court on 16 January the Magistrate found the preponderance of the evidence was clearly against the defendant and imposed the lowest penalty allowed by the Act viz. £5 and £1-1-0 costs. The cost to the plaintiff amounted to £6-10-0 so the expenses to the plaintiff were almost as much as the defendant’s costs including his fine.

[In fact the figures seem to suggest were more than the defendant’s cost, though the letter of A.F. Akhurst in the next issue argues against that.]

V, 305, 22 Jan. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the move to get new men to stand for the SA Parliament and that the criteria be other than ‘the long pocket’.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church re-opened last Sunday after being enlarged. Rev. W. Jenkin of Two Wells preached to good congregations.

Rev. Father Kriesll, who has for 14 years presided over the congregation of St Joseph’s is to go to Jamestown and will be succeeded by Rev. Father O’Dowling.

Burra Town Council

The appropriation of Ward moneys for various purposes is outlined. Each ward had between £230 and £260 to spend.

J. Snell will light the lamp in Middle Ward for one year for £10-7-6.

SAMA has been ordered to fix guttering to roofs, which overhang footpaths.

T. Bath to be advised of the extreme desirability of removing the verandah on the footpath in Market St.

SAMA to be asked to grant a road to the slaughterhouse.

Kooringa Magistrate’s Court, 21 January.

Alfred Schulz charged with being drunk in Market Square on 19 January and fined 20/- or 14 days.

Alfred Schulz charged with being a habitual drunkard (three charges within 12 months) and sentenced to 1 month in jail from the date of his next conviction.

J.W. O’Brien writes re James B. Davison’s letter on the Davison v. O’Brien case.

He defends the magistrates Coglin and Lockyer against any imputation of impropriety, but says that he has been persecuted by the Ford family because he prosecuted Mr Ford for keeping an unregistered dog and impounded his cattle.

Arthur Akhurst (solicitor etc.) writes to put the Davison v. O’Brien case into a different light with respects to costs.

V, 305, 22 Jan. 1884, page 3

Obituary. Henry Prettejohn died on 11 January. He was a resident of Wallaroo and a son of an English squire. He once held a commission in the Royal Navy and was born in Berkshire on 21 January 1809. An uncle was once Governor of Malta and another, Gen. Frederick Maitland, was Governor of Ceylon. He leaves a widow, three sons and four daughters. [More details are printed.]

V, 306, 25 Jan. 1884, page 3

Editorial on the appointment of a Medical Officer for Burra.

The duties are rather nominal unless an outbreak of diseases occurs. The work is elsewhere paid anything from £25 p.a. at Moonta and Port Augusta down to being gratis at Hindmarsh. In Burra only Dr Sangster is qualified. (Dr Brummitt being disqualified because he is Mayor.) The present rate yields at best only £30-£40 beyond the sum needed for the scavenger.

Obituary. T. Duell of World’s End died on 22 January. He was a colonist of c. 46 years.

[Thomas Duell, aged 74.]

The Wesleyan Conference seems likely to send the Rev. S. Knight and Rev. G.E. Rowe to Burra.

The Baldina Ford, recently constructed by the Midland Road Board was opened to light traffic on Tuesday by E.C. Lockyer JP. Captain Killicoat, the surveyor and a few others attended. The work is first class.

Herrgott Springs Railway. The extension from Farina has been completed and was handed over from the contractors on Monday. It is likely to be opened for public traffic on 5 February. The contractors were Messrs Robinson, Moorhouse & Jesser. The 321⁄4 miles cost c. £3,000 per mile for the 3’6” gauge line.

Kooringa Court, 22 January.

Edward William Brooks was fined 20/- for using insulting words intending to provoke a breach of the peace in Market Square on 21 January.

‘One Who Wants to Know’ writes questioning the power of the Central Board of Health to appoint or to cause to be appointed, a Medical Officer foe Burra, and suggesting that all that is needed could be done by the Inspector.

J.B. Davison writes clarifying his point re the Davison v. O’Brien case and its costs and itemising his specific costs.

V, 307, 29 Jan. 1884, page 2

Notice: Applications are called by the Burra Town Council for a Medical Officer of Health.

Advt. A Complimentary Banquet will be tendered Mr Matthew Burnett at the Institute on Wednesday 6 February at 5 p.m. before he leaves for Tasmania.

Editorial on the injustice of the decision to deny a mail delivery to the Northeast area of pastoral leases because of the cost of between £250 and £300 p.a. when the Government gets an annual revenue from the area of £1,042-19-10.

2nd Leader on the Land Question.

The Wesleyan Conference has finally appointed Rev. S. Knight and Rev. G.E. Rowe to the Kooringa Circuit. Rev. R.W. Campbell goes to WA.

Fire Insurance. The Northern Fire Insurance Co. offered T. Edwards £500 and subsequently £550 in settlement of his claim recently. Mr Edwards however, had the stock valued and in the final result was awarded £469.

V, 308, 1 Feb. 1884, page 2

Advt. Mortgagee Sale at Hampton: Lot 12 150’ x 300’ with three substantial stone cottages and also allotments 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39 each of 32 perches, fenced and containing a stone quarry.

Birth. On 31 January to the wife of John Jones at Redruth, a daughter. [Linda Ellen]

Editorial on the Ilbert Bill, which would allow, in India, British born persons to be tried for criminal offences before Indian native judges with or without juries of natives. The Bill he finds quite objectionable in either its original or amended forms.

Obituary. William Roberts died last Monday [28 January] at Burra Hospital from alcoholic poisoning. [Aged 44.]

Redruth Court, 30 January.

Benjamin Clegg and Susan Clegg alias Susan Charlton were charged with incest, having lived together as man and wife for 4 or 5 years, they being brother and sister. Case adjourned for evidence from the mother to be obtained.

W.R. Ridgway writes on the desirability of perpetual or continuity leases, believing that the freehold principle has contributed greatly to the depression of the 1880s.

T. Edwards writes re his recent fire. He explains that his claim was for £600 for stock and when they offered £550 he objected and signed an agreement for valuation for damage by fire, water and smoke in the one valuation, but the valuators simply valued what had been burnt and awarded £469-19-6. Unfortunately the whole stock was not valued and as he is still finding stock damaged by smoke, he believes he is £200 or so out of pocket.

V, 309, 5 Feb. 1884, page 2

Editorial on Cr Sampson’s proposal for a change in Ward boundaries. As now constituted Middle Ward would always have a large income, but little expenditure needed while the reverse is true of South Ward. An east-west division would remedy this. The line Cr Sampson proposed would run from the North Ward in front of Opie’s Hotel down the centre of the road to the National Bank corner Kooringa then west up Mount Pleasant and south down the right of way [Drew Lane] and then down the middle of Chapel St to the southern boundary. The rateable value of East Ward would then be £5,383 and of West Ward £5,601. We cannot see any objection to so evident an improvement unless in minor details.

The mail. A memorial is being widely signed to bring about a North-Eastern Mail Run.

Bible Christian Church Anniversary last Sunday when the Rev. T. Keen and Rev. S. Knight preached to good congregations.

Mr M. Burnett preached at Redruth on Sunday afternoon at a service to aid the fund for a new organ.

Burra Cemetery. A well is being sunk on the highest ground and from thence it will be possible to run water in gutters all over the site and to aid the growth of trees, shrubs and flowers. It is believed that water lies at 25’ to 28’. The road to the cemetery is now being formed. We hope to see this road planted along both sides.

‘Veritas’ writes a letter extending 1 column decrying the recent article on the Ilbert Bill and defending the native Indian population against the suggestions that justice would not be possible under a judge or jury that might be Hindu, Mohammedan etc.

Kooringa Court, 1 February.

William George Stuart was fined 5/- for being drunk in Kangaroo St on 31 January.

Bernard Donelly was fined 5/- for being drunk in Market Square on 1 February.

Thomas Thomas was fined 20/- for using words intended to provoke a breach of the peace in Chapel St on 1 February.

Burra Town Council, 4 February.

A tender has been let for sinking a well in the cemetery.

No tender having been received for the position of Medical Officer, the Councillors will wait upon Dr Sangster.

Cr Sampson moved a change in Ward boundaries as discussed in the editorial.

V, 310, 8 Feb. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the work before the SA Parliament in the coming session: especially the Tax Bill and the Land Bill.

2nd Leader. The Burra Electoral Committee calls for candidates to let it be known where they stand on the issues of the day.

3rd Leader on the War in Sudan.

The Banquet tendered to Mr Burnett on Wednesday was very successful with many speeches. [Mr Burnett was a great temperance campaigner.]

Redruth Court, 6 February.

Benjamin and Susan Clegg, alias Susan Charlton were charge with incest, their being brother and sister and having been living as man and wife.

Mary Ann Brown, mother, gave evidence that Susan married Mr Charlton and had four children by him. Her husband left her and Benjamin and Susan had then lived together at Leasingham. Others gave evidence of their living together as man and wife. They were committed for trial at the next Criminal sittings.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church Anniversary. John Snell, secretary, said the church debt was £420. Receipts had been £73-12-7 and there was £16-12-7 in hand, though there was an account yet to be received for more than that. Speakers looked forward to Methodist Union.

V, 310, 8 Feb. 1884, page 3

The Banquet to Mr Matthew Burnett is reported in c. 11⁄4 columns.

V, 311, 12 Feb. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Experimental Farm at Roseworthy.

2nd Leader on why the Government Medical Officer at Burra (Dr Brummitt) gets £100 while the one at Gawler gets £10. At Burra the Medical Officer does all the medical and surgical work at inquests, post mortems and law courts, certifies lunatics and attends the destitute poor. In Burra he also visits the Gaol at least twice a week. The duties in Burra completely justify the expense.

These are not the duties required of the Medical Officer under the Local Board of Health. Dr Sangster refuses to take this on, saying those duties are worth £100 p.a. and he won’t take on a job requiring a special rate. [13 provisions laid down by the Central Board of Health are printed.]

Aberdeen Waterworks has shown a loss again for the last year. The amount was £58-13-3 and Mr Mestayer, the hydraulic Engineer, endorses previous recommendations that local authorities should pay for water supplied to free troughs.

The Season. The far north is very bad with drought with sheep at Beltana dying at the rate of c. 100 a day.

V, 312, 15 Feb. 1884, page 2

Advt. A. Bartholomæus calls for any quantity of bones for his bone mill at Redruth.

Advt. Lecture by the Venerable Archdeacon Dove at the Institute on 19 February on Impressions of India.

Advt. Joseph Higginbotham, late of Adelaide, has commenced business as a barber, next to Snell’s Labour Office in Market Square.

Advt. R.D. Pascoe has moved to the premises lately used by J.E. Doe, Hairdresser & Tobacconist, Commercial St.

Editorial on the New Road Bill.

Mr Finch of Baldina had a foot crushed on Monday when a loaded wagon passed over it.

Obituary. John Torr of Redruth died at his residence on 14 February. [More next page.]

Spring Bank Primitive Methodist Church held a Harvest Home Tea on Wednesday. The Band and many from Kooringa and Redruth attended.

Redruth Court, 12 February

William Moolan, alias William Robb was charged with obtaining £4-5-0 worth of drapery goods by false pretences from J. & E. Hoskings. He was committed to the criminal sessions.

13 February.

John Lewis charged that Nelson, a drover, refused to do his work. Nelson charged that John Lewis owed him £5-13-7 in wages. Nelson was fined 5/- + 5/- damages and £1 costs. Lewis was ordered to pay £4-13-1 less damages and costs.

V, 312, 15 Feb. 1884, page 3

Cricket, 9 February, at Mintaro.

Mintaro Juniors 154 & 5 for 38 (192) defeated Burra Juniors 67 & 122 (189)

V, 313, 19 Feb. 1884, page 2

Obituary. John Torr, aged 68, died on Thursday 14 February of inflammation of the lungs. He was the father of Mrs James Brown (Mintaro), Mrs R. Dale (Bath UK), Mrs Maughan (Wallaroo), James C. Torr, John S. Torr & Thomas Torr (Redhill), William G. Torr (Moonta Mines).

Editorial on the rejection of the Taxation Bill.

Mr E. Lipsett is standing for Parliament for West Torrens.

St Mary’s Harvest Thanksgiving services last Sunday.

Advt. Burra Institute, Wednesday & Thursday 29 & 21 February.

Lawton & Dearin’s Federal Comiques & Minstrels.

Salvation Army. On Friday the ‘War Cry’ was heard in Burra streets for the first time. On Saturday there were reinforcements in the person of Staff Captain Thurmann and several Lieutenants who opened their campaign on the hill near the state school. The United Methodist Church meeting was held at the pump as usual. The Salvationists went to Paxton Square. Rev. S. Knight and other speakers at the pump expressed their willingness to co-operate with the Salvationists at their Saturday night meetings. The battle was rejoined on Sunday.

Burra Town Council, 18 February.

Dr Sangster has refused in writing to act as Health Officer under the Local Board of Health.

The well at the cemetery has reached 34’ with hardly any water.

John Dunstan Jun. asked for a road to be opened on the east side of the creek for Redruth children to get to school.

[In 1928 there are references to Creek St, which seems otherwise unknown. Could this be its origin? The 1928 references would seem to indicate the site of the 2004 cycle and footpath.]

Cr Sampson gave fresh notice of his motion to change Ward boundaries.

The footway in Market Square is to be flagged where it has not been, opposite Messrs Lane’s and Geake’s.

Alfred Schutz granted a [cab] driver’s licence.

V, 313, 19 Feb. 1884, page 3

‘Unity’ writes of not being opposed to the work of the Salvation Army, but thinks God’s work would be more advanced if they went to places ‘less favoured with evangelistic services than the Burra’.

V, 314, 22 Feb. 1884, page 2

Marriage. On 16 February at St Mary’s

John Meeres Lucas of Riverton married Amy Ellen Williams, 2nd daughter of Mr A.J. Williams of Hallett.

Editorial on the Burra Election Campaign.

A public meeting of electors is to be held in the Institute next Monday by the Burra Electoral Committee.

The Salvation Army has obtained the land on which John Sampson’s auction mart stands and intends to build there a Barracks. They are attracting large crowds nightly in the square.

The Federal Comiques opened before a fair crowd considering the great heat of late. The reputation of the company was fully sustained.

V, 314, 22 Feb. 1884, page 3

Obituary. Mrs [Janet] Neil Sen. of Hallett died 19 February from cancer.

[Registered as 17 Feb. Aged 50.]

Obituary. David Moyses died at Paratoo. [Registered death date 17 February. Aged 52.]

Obituary. John Flaherty was found in a creek near Clare, unconscious, and subsequently died. The inquest that followed attributed his death to sunstroke. [Registered date of death 17 Feb. Aged 41.]

Kooringa Court, 16 February.

William Knowles drunk in Market Square, 15 Feb. 5/-

John Carey drunk in Kooringa, 15 Feb. 5/- or 3 days

Thomas Stater drunk in Kooringa, 20 Feb. 20/- or 14 days

Redruth Court, 20 February.

John Carey driving without a light 5/-

W.J. McBride driving without a light 5/-

Mr Duff furious driving

Mr Akhurst, for the defence, claimed that under the 1882 by-laws there was no such offence and these had replaced the 1876 by-laws where it had existed.

The Bench deferred a decision to consider the legality of the offence under the old by-laws.

C. Tiver stray horse, Aberdeen 5/-

Mrs Smith stray goat, Kooringa 10/-

R. Bert stray goat, Kooringa 10/-

Charles Grow plying for hire off the stand £1

Charles Grow leaving the cab stand out of his turn £1

Charles Grow driving a cab at over 8 m.p.h. £1

Jeffery Pearce not having his name on his dray 10/-

Morris Schmitz riding on a footpath 10/- + 10/- costs

James Seymour driving around the Thames St & Market Square corner at faster than walking pace 10/- + 10/- cost.

Archdeacon Dove’s talk on India is reported in 2⁄3 column.

V, 315, 26 Feb. 1884, page 2

Advt. Benhamo’s Great English Circus will open in Burra on 29 February.

The Salvation Army have taken over the old Church of England on Limestone Hill and had three large congregations there on Sunday. They have use of the old building pending the erection of the Barracks.

Kooringa Court, 23 February.

John Smith drunk in Market Square 10/-

The Election Meeting, organised by the Burra Election Committee, at the Institute on Monday 25 February, considered the replies of gentlemen thought likely to stand for election. The mayor presided and there was a good attendance.

Mr R. Reece MP said he would not be a candidate.

Mr E. Ward had only acknowledged receipt of their letter. (But is known to be a candidate for Frome)

Mr Rounsevell replied that he would respond if he decided to stand.

Full replies came from Messrs Cockburn, Ridgway and Stephens and these were read to the meeting and are printed in full in c. 31⁄3 columns.

V, 316, 29 Feb. 1884, page 2

Notice. Kooringa and Redruth Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving Services 2 March.

Editorial on the end of the current SA Parliament and its generally unsatisfactory session which the writer believes has happily favoured the wealthy and done nothing to relieve other classes of the undue burden they carry. He continues with some further remarks on the Legislative Council and on the Electoral Committee for the district, which he thinks was a worthwhile experiment.

V, 316, 29 Feb. 1884, page 3

Kooringa Court, 27 February.

Daniel Gleeson, alias Edmond Sullivan was charged with being drunk in Church St on 26 Feb. and fined 5/- or 25 hours.

Daniel Gleeson, alias Edmond Sullivan charged with indecent language at the Salvation Army Barracks in Church St on 26 Feb. and fined 20/- or 14 days

28 February.

John Stevenson, alias Smith charged with using insulting words with intent to cause a breach of the peace on Market Square on 27 Feb. and fined 20/- or 7 days.

W.H. Wilkinson writes saying that Captain Bonnell of the Salvation Army has claimed that the only backslider in Moonta in 300 conversions was a son of W.H. Wilkinson. The facts are different:

My fifth son, aged 15, claimed to be converted at Mr Burnett’s meeting at Maitland in September 1882. I was glad of this change, but soon disappointed.

The first Sunday night in April 1883 that the Army was in Moonta this lad was one of the penitents. I said, in view of his record, before joining the Salvation Army, or any church, he should first show piety at home. To the best of my knowledge he never joined the Army and as he was a child attending school do not think his case deserved mention. People here will smile at there being only one case of backsliding, but I don’t want to go into this.

V, 317, 4 Mar. 1884, page 2

Obituary. Archibald Millar, aged 79, died at Toorak Victoria, He was the father of Fanny McLagan of Burra.

Black Springs. First and final dividends are being prepared for the Assigned Estate of Arthur Worby, Licensed Victualler of Black Springs.

Editorial of the recent visit to the town by an Inspector of the Central Board of Health.

2nd Leader on the apparent inability of the Inspector to abate the goat problem, concluding that at £100 p.a. the Council is not paying enough for a man’s full employment. Previously he was getting £90, or less than a labourer. In Adelaide he is paid £160. Surely ours is worth 50/- a week. [£130 p.a.]

Benjamin & Susan Clegg are to serve two years for incest.

Redruth and Kooringa Wesleyan Churches celebrated Harvest Thanksgiving last weekend.

Benhamo’s Circus played on Friday and Saturday to very good houses. It was a good show, particularly the acrobats and clowns.

V, 317, 4 Mar. 1884, page 3

Burra Town Council

The flagging in Market Square to be done for 51⁄2d per square foot.

The cemetery well is reported to have reached water at 39’.

SAMA has agreed to dedicate a road to the slaughterhouse if Council will pay to fence its eastern side.

Tenders to be called for kerbing in Thames St.

Burra Local Board of Health has received a report from the Central Board of Health Inspector who visited Burra on the 19 & 20 February.

He says Burra has an area of 3,600 acres and a population of 2,647, with 557 houses.

The drainage goes into Burra Creek, which is dry for 9 months of the year and is not used for drinking water. The creek is the recipient of all household slops, bathwater, offensive liquids from the brewery, dead poultry etc.

Few properly constructed cesspits exist in town, but primitive structures are erected over deep holes in the ground, which is usually of a hard rocky nature.

The licensed nightman spreads nightsoil in one of Mr Forder’s paddocks.

The scavenger is required to visit houses regularly, but few of them have receptacles for rubbish. The rubbish depots are near Kooringa and beyond Aberdeen and both are free from nuisance.

The Corporation Slaughterhouse and piggeries at Kooringa were in a very unsatisfactory condition.

Water for Kooringa and Aberdeen comes principally from wells, but Redruth is supplied with water laid on from the Bon Accord Mine.

Sanitary inspection seems quite perfunctory with the local inspector confining his attention to butchers’ premises, slaughterhouses, etc. and ignoring private homes.

D.J. O’Leary objected to the report on the slaughterhouse.

The Local Board of Health will visit the place and make orders accordingly.

Captain Bonel [Bonnell] writes to say that he did not claim that there were no backsliders at Moonta when he left, but that there had been none for three months.

W.H. Hardy writes making the same point and saying there are ‘so many prejudiced minds against the Salvation Army here’.

Deputation to Hon. A. Catt, Commissioner of Crown Lands, calling on the Government to alleviate the distress of farmers in the Hundreds of Parnaroo and Wonna. There has been a total failure of crops and the call is for the total remission of amount due and that the sums already paid be considered part of the purchase money. The Minister could not assist and did not consider the requirement to have to cultivate 20% of the land a drawback to their success.

V, 318, 7 Mar. 1884, page 2

Advt. Burra Races, 9 April. Six events with the main race, the Burra Handicap, for 70 sovereigns.

Notice. Tenders called for kerbing the western side of Thames St from Ford’s Corner to the creek.

Advt. Fire Sale. T. Edwards will continue sale of salvage from the late fire in the adjoining store during reinstatement of the building.

Notice. Tenders are called for the supply of firewood for locomotive purposes for the SAR.

Editorial on the SA deficit, now £302,000 and the need to impose a form of taxation.

2nd Leader on the annual meeting of the SA Farmers’ Association, which was not very flourishing at the time.

The Bible Christian Conference has appointed a committee to look at Methodist Union. Rev. C. Tresise from Port Augusta has been appointed to Burra.

Primitive Methodist Church annual district meeting has appointed a committee on Methodist Union. J.G. Wright has been appointed to Kooringa.

V, 318, 7 Mar. 1884, page 2-3

SA Farmers’ Mutual Assoc. advocates land in SA be classified according to climate and quality with prices varying from 5/- to 20/- per acre. Land to be allocated by simultaneous applications decided by lot. Maximum areas to be increased to 2,000 acres with payment spread over 10 years. Cultivation requirement to be not less than 10%. They also had a series of points relating to surrender of land, leasing land and pastoral leases.

V, 318, 7 Mar. 1884, page 3

Kooringa Court, 4 March.

Alfred Lines disturbing the peace 7 days

Redruth Court, 5 March.

In the adjourned case of Duff from 20 Feb. who had been charged under an old by-law with furious driving (exceeding the speed limit), the case was dismissed as the by-laws had been repealed.

Delbridge stray goat 10/-

R.W. Mathews writes explaining why, in very hot weather recently, he got some of the youngest children to have a sleep in his school, as they were peevish and disruptive for the rest of the school. This has caused adverse comment (perhaps because he offered a 1d for lollies for the first to go to sleep), which under the circumstances he finds surprising.

‘An Elector’ writes objecting to a man who is to be a deputy returning officer, going about the country canvassing names for a requisition in support of a gentleman.

The editor queries whether the man in question is to be a deputy returning officer.

[Is it possible the objection is to Holder himself, given that a requisition was being circulated calling on his father-in-law, Dr Stephens, to stand?]

V, 319, 11 Mar. 1884, page 2

Notice. W. Coglin thanks all non-Catholic friends for their liberal subscriptions for a testimonial to Rev. Father Kreissl SJ who is removing to another mission.

Obituary. James Watt, aged 25, died at Comesty, Forgue Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 13 January. He was the son of James and Margaret and brother of J.A. Watt of Burra.

Obituary. When the overland telegraph was interrupted on Friday a patrol sent to see to it found an unidentified male body at the site. It is supposed he cut the line in an effort to summon help, but died before it arrived. [Perhaps the 50 year-old unidentified male who died at Kanyaka 23 February?]

Flood. There was heavy rain Friday afternoon and a very heavy fall just southwest of Kooringa sent the creek through the town down a banker. It was blocked at the bridge in Commercial St and overflowed into the street. Several lower lying houses were flooded and cellars were filled. About 13⁄4” fell in two hours. Much metal was washed off streets. On Saturday afternoon the eastern slopes of the town were drenched, but the west was barely sprinkled. The creek reached the Washout in the Hundred of Bundey on Saturday, where no rain had fallen.

Father Aloysius Kreissl was farewelled on Saturday evening last after 14 years at the catholic Mission here. He was given an illuminated address. The weather prevented many from attending and so did the hour of 6 p.m. When he came in 1870 they were using a small and unpretentious building, but now a beautiful church and schoolhouse. He thanked SAMA for donating the land and their agent, Mr West, for his courtesy at all times. He will be followed by Father O’Dowling.

V, 320, 14 Mar. 1884, page 2

Notice. Tenders called for painting and repairing the public school at Leighton.

Notice. Tenders are called by G.H. Catchlove & Co. for the pulling down, stacking etc. of the building known as the Grammar School on Allotment 301, Kooringa

[i.e. the Kooringa Hotel site.]

Editorial on the recent inspection of Burra by the Central Board of health. In the past the creeks have been the general deposit for all impurities. We now know that earth constantly saturated with filth becomes a storehouse of disease and death. We know cesspits need to be watertight and the material removed safely to a place removed from dwellings and be used for a productive end instead of harm. Though new dwellings are required to have watertight cesspits, many old porous pits remain and they gradually contaminate an area around them. This is a serious problem where drinking water is obtained from wells.

2nd Leader on the failure of the Local Optionists at a recent Upper House election.

W.B. Rounsevell has decided to offer himself again as MP for the district.

Redruth Court

Under the Destitute Act two parents sought orders compelling their children to pay maintenance.

Mr Symes succeeded, but Mr Nelson failed.

Louisa Dunstan (12), Charles H. Dunstan (10) and Elsie Dunstan (12 months) were sent to the Industrial School till the girls were 18 and the boy 16.

Their mother had died about five months since and their grandmother, Mrs Morgan, died last week. Mr H. Morgan, who was Mrs Morgan’s second husband, had no one to look after them and refused to maintain them any longer. [Ann Morgan, wife of Henry, died 4 March 1884 at Redruth aged 62.]

V, 321, 18 Mar. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Ministry and the Election.

The editor calls for an end to the procrastination on the issuing of writs for a general election and stresses the importance of the taxation question and a new Land Bill.

2nd Leader on the Situation in Sudan.

3rd Leader on the Abolition of Road Boards.

4th Leader on the Future of the NT of SA, an area whose administration has been marked by blunders and misadministration.

F.W. Holder replaces T. Bath on the Burra School Board of Advice.

New Hotel [The Kooringa]

The plans are for a plain, but substantial structure with 18 rooms plus pantry, bathroom, passages etc. There will be a balcony on two frontages. The licensing branch has allowed six months for erection.

Burra Town Council, 17 March.

Henry Miles awarded the contract for kerbing in Thames St for £2-10-0 per chain.

The motion to change Ward boundaries was again deferred.

V, 322, 21 Mar. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Coming Election.

The editor thought the time allowed before voting was too short to allow for a considered debate of the issues.

Election. For District of Burra nomination day was 15 April and voting on 23 April.

V, 323, 25 Mar. 1884, page 2

Birth. On 20 March at Kooringa to the wife of T. Kitchen, a daughter. [Lilian]

Marriage. On 22 March at the residence of the bride’s father

William Harris, third son of the late James Harris married

Mary Ann Walker, eldest daughter of Henry John Walker of Kooringa.

Editorial on the Government policy for the coming election. The editor’s view is that they lack any real policy. They will re-introduce a Taxation Bill already rejected and a Land Bill will be re-introduced.

2nd Leader on Bible Reading in State Schools.

Dr J.R. Stephens has been presented with a requisition to stand for Parliament and he has agreed to do so.

Candidates for the Burra Election:

W.B. Rounsevell

Dr Cockburn

Dr Stephens

W.R. Ridgway

V, 324, 28 Mar. 1884, page 2

Birth. On 23 March at Kooringa to the wife of C.J. Pearce, a daughter. [Evelyn Morton]

Rev. J.C. Hill will preach a farewell sermon at Kooringa on Sunday morning and at Redruth Sunday evening.

The Rose of Sharon Tent IOR has now 121 members and the female tent has 30.

Redruth Court, 27 March.

P. Lane stray beast 5/-

J. Sampson Jun. stray beast 5/-

Morrison loitering with a cab at the Burra Hotel 5/-

J. Collins indecent and abusive language £1

Election Meeting: Burra Institute, 26 March, the Mayor, Dr Brummitt, in the chair.

W.B. Rounsevell spoke as Leader of the Opposition. The hall was full and the report runs for four columns. The main issue was taxation. He favoured a land tax and an income tax with a minimum level of £300.

W.H. Hardy writes advocating the reading of the Bible in schools, but the editor contends that what Hardy really wants is religious teaching which a secular Government education cannot provide.

V, 325, 1 Apr. 1884, page 2

Advt. For Sale or To Let: The House, Orchard and Paddock in Roach Town, known as Dare’s. Apply, T. Hastie.

Kooringa Court.

Elijah White drunkenness 5/-

Elijah White indecent language £2 or 14 days to take effect from next conviction

Editorial on Mr Rounsevell’s Speech.

Rounsevell advocated a progressive land tax without a minimum, beginning at 5%* and then an income tax at 3d in the £ from £300 to £1,000, 31⁄2d from there to £2,000, 4d on the next £1,000 and so on in £1,000 steps to 1/- in the £. He also wanted the gradual removal of subsidies to Councils and a stamp duty. All this would amount to over £1 per head for every man, woman and child over the existing taxation. Let us hope such a policy is never put in place.

[* This is not correct: see the correction offered in V, 326, 4 April 1884, p.2]

Obituary. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and youngest son of Queen Victoria, has died suddenly in the south of France. [7 April 1853-28 March 1884]

Burra Town Council

A deputation waited on Council to urge the widening of the Queen St Bridge. [i.e. a widening of the waterway not the roadway.] It recently formed a barrier, which held back water and increased the floodwater flow down Commercial St.

W.D. Scott protested on behalf of the Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Association over the Council’s seizing control of the Aberdeen Reserve.

Cr Sampson moved that the division into Middle and South Wards be replaced by one into East and West Wards with the division in the centre of the main road from Aberdeen to Kooringa as far as the National Bank corner, then the centre of Mt Pleasant St, Drew Lane and Chapel St to the centre of Burra Creek and then the centre of the creek to the southern border of the corporation. Carried unanimously.

Election Meeting at Burra Institute, 29 March, Dr Brummitt in the chair.

Mr Rounsevell ceded to the others the right of being heard first as he had already addressed electors for two hours on Wednesday.

Dr Cockburn:

He said he was not a partisan of any one cause and took a broad view of the general interest of the colony. He was ardently pro-temperance.

On annexation he agreed that no other nation should be allowed to annex islands adjacent to our coasts and New Guinea should be annexed by Great Britain. France should cease to send criminals to New Hebrides.

On Federation he thought it an assured thing in the long run and those for it should not hold back because the details were not perfect. He hoped the recent proposal would be passed.

He favoured payment for MPs.

Taxation would have to be raised and he favoured the NZ scheme.

Mr Ridgway:

He began by going over actions of the recent Parliament and his general tone was to condemn almost everything done: the Nairne Railway, the Northern Railway, the new Parliament House, the Exhibition Bill, the bridge over the railway line at Morphett St in the city, Adelaide’s deep drainage, the Women’s Property Bill and a string of enquiries and commissions, expenditure on defence. All except wool growing in the colony is in a state of bankruptcy. What is needed is decentralisation, retrenchment and then productive expansion.

He was a Chartist and favoured payment of MPs.

Local Councils should not be subdivided.

Education he favoured, but not ‘a Government machine’.

Local Government should run the education system.

On taxation he agreed with Dr Cockburn.

V, 325, 1 Apr. 1884, page 3

Dr Stephens:

His views, he said, were similar to Dr Cockburn’s.

He was for the abolition of newspaper postage charges and for the Government ownership of wharves.

He favoured Government grants for those educated in non-state schools who passed secular examinations. The education system was, he believed, too centralised.

In taxation he agreed with Dr Cockburn. If the whole of property, both land and personal was taxed, leaving the first £500 free, the rate could be very low, but if land only was taxed then the rate would be higher.

On the land issue he believed in perpetual leases as the best form of land tenure with leases to be transferable as present titles were.

Duties on daily necessaries should be reduced.

He did not believe in assisted migration.

Mr Rounsevell then gave some of his 30 minutes to Dr Cockburn to expand his views. This he did, talking of the need for education to be both compulsory and free.

He went on to consider land reform where he favoured allocation of land by lot as better than the auction system and for payment to be spread over 20 years.

He also expanded his comments in favour of free trade.

Mr Rounsevell:

He briefly recited his views on taxation, believing the NZ model to be most unjust and iniquitous. It permitted large landed proprietors to get off scot-free. It would do away with improvements and cripple labour. He though payment of MPs undesirable, but would support it if his constituents so indicated.

The candidates were then proposed to the meeting and the results were:

For Against

Mr Rounsevell 51 26

Dr Cockburn 81 3

Mr Ridgway 16 0

Dr Stephens 45 1

V, 326, 4 Apr. 1884, page 2

Notice. A requisition extending for c. 2 columns of names urged W.B. Rounsevell to stand for Parliament.

[Burra names included H.C.W. Fuss & F.W. Fuss]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, Sunday 13 April.

Birth. On 31 March to the wife of Robert Brown Jun., a daughter. [Leslie Marion]

Editorial on the Election Meeting.

The lack of clear policy on the part of either Government or Opposition is allowing matters to drift into personal preferences.

‘It is a great pity we do not have more distinctly defined parties in the state.’

2nd Leader correcting an error in the previous article on Mr Rounsevell’s tax policies. His land tax was not, of course, 5% on the value of land, but the assessment would be 5% of the value and the tax would then be levied on that assessment on a sliding scale.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit

Arrangements have been made for a second married minister and Rev. G.E. Rowe has been appointed and a house taken for him in Aberdeen.

Rev. J.C. Hill is going to Magill and Rev. S. Knight continues.

V, 326, 4 Apr. 1884, page 3

Obituary. Dr [Joseph Waterfield] Chown JP died suddenly on 1 April as the result of concussion sustained during a fit. He was a well-known magistrate of Terowie and active in the Institute, Rifle Company and Bicycle Club, among other local institutions in Terowie.

[Date of death at registration was 2 April. Aged 33.]

Rev. J.C. Hill was given a valedictory tea on Monday after 12 months in the circuit.

Election Meeting at Redruth, Monday evening, Mr Ridgway addressed a small gathering at the [German?] schoolroom, chaired by H. Pinch.

He again went through the actions of the late Parliament. He did not think the time right for federation. He opposed annexation and the Exhibition Scheme, but was for payment of MPs. He also favoured the retention of postal charges for newspapers and was for the Government ownership of wharves. He opposed an all-Government education system and thought it ought to be locally controlled. Taxation should be aimed more at the rich. He favoured perpetual leases for land and while against any extension of the current railways he was for a new line to the northeast [Broken Hill]. He supported assisted emigration where the emigrants were selected by their friends. [Presumably he was actually discussing immigration!] He favoured the abolition of road boards, the Military Force and the Marine Board.

V, 327, 8 Apr. 1884, page 2

Advt. Sale at the Hillside woolshed, four miles north of Burra on 16 April, of surplus live and dead stock of Mt Bryan Station.

Advt. R. Austin has to let a shop and dwelling house of five rooms in the best business site in Aberdeen. Presently occupied by Gartrell & Co. [Presumably the shop adjoining Austin’s butcher shop.]

Advt. Burra Races on the Old Course. (Mr Austin’s Paddock, near Copperhouse.) The main race is the Burra Cup (Handicap) for £70.

Notice. Stony Gap Annual Tea Meeting on Friday.

Notice. Annual United Meetings on Good Friday.

7.30 a.m. Prayer Meeting, Primitive Methodist Church, Kooringa.

11 a.m. Service in Kooringa Wesleyan Church, Rev. S. Knight.

2.30 p.m. Testimony Meeting in the Bible Christian Church.

Marriage. At the residence of the bride’s parents, 20 March.

George Williams, eldest son of Mr G.T. Williams of Norwood and

Elizabeth Luke Richardson, eldest daughter of Mr A. Richardson near Aberdeen.

Editorial on the Growth of Indian Wheat Production.

This could threaten our exports and keep down prices.

1873 India exported 1,000,000 bushels

1880-81 it exported 16,000,000 bushels

1881-82 it exported 40,000,000 bushels

We must have diversification.

Burra District Elections.

A meeting at Saddleworth on 4 April is reported.

Mr Rounsevell accused Mr Holder of deliberately misrepresenting him in order to benefit his father-in-law, Dr Stephens, who is a candidate.

Holder said he had proposed a 5% tax on the actual value of land, which is preposterous.

Mr Ridgway spoke and so did Dr Cockburn.

Mr Holder, who was present, asked to be allowed to reply. He admitted one error in a fifty-three-line article for which he had apologised. (He had said a tax of 5% rather than an assessment of 5%.)

Rounsevell said he had proposed first a land tax and then an income tax and then after the gradual abolition of subsidies, a stamp tax which Holder said would add £1 tax to every man, woman and child. Dr Stephens had no knowledge of the editorial and should not be damaged by assertions to the contrary.

Mr Rounsevell said Mr Holder’s explanation was specious.

Stockowners Meeting in Kooringa on 4 April at the Institute considered ways of controlling the introduction of scab into SA from NSW. T. Warnes JP took the chair. A motion was passed calling on the Government to take due precautions to prevent the spread of scab.

‘Observer’ writes condemning certain unnamed gentlemen for training their horses for races on a Sunday.

Sudan. There was a 11⁄2-column article on the situation in Sudan where General Gordon was at Khartoum.

V, 328, 11 Apr. 1884, page 3

Advt. Copperhouse Wesleyan Church Anniversary, Good Friday, Rev. G.S. Rowe & Rev. S. Knight and Mr Goss will attend.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, Easter Sunday with service of song: The Martyrs of the Covenant at 2.30 p.m.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 13 April with Rev. H.J. Pope of Adelaide.

Editorial on the SA Election, which was then half way through. [Not all constituencies voted on the same day.] The Ministry is back except for the Treasurer, but there will be many new faces in Parliament. (Six new members are provided for by the Constitution Act.) The Exhibition is doomed and so is Local Option, at least in the extreme sense some sought. Payment for members is likely to pass.

2nd Leader explores the role of the editor in election campaigns. The writer says he should be quite neutral or impartial with respect to facts and in publishing letters, but he must be a man of convictions who is willing to publish his judgements and views.

An Election Meeting at the Institute tomorrow evening will hear Dr Cockburn speak.

Burra Institute Committee last Tuesday recommended a ‘Crysanthemun Show [sic] and promenade concert’ to raise money for hall funds.

Redruth Court

William Stafford sued John Sampson Jun. for £50 for falsely and maliciously causing the plaintiff to be arrested on a charge of larceny as a bailee.

[Bailee is one to whom a delivery in trust is made.]

Last year the plaintiff said he received £6 from the defendant as a mortgage on his horse, cart and harness. (He was a fish hawker between Morgan, Eudunda and Burra.) The defendant said he had purchased the items and lent them to the plaintiff for 3/- a week. Soon after this the plaintiff disappeared and the defendant issued a warrant for his arrest. The plaintiff said that as the money was a loan he should have been sued in a civil court. As it was the plaintiff had been arrested at Canowie, but the case was dismissed on the non-appearance of the defendant. There is almost a whole column of detail and in the end the plaintiff was awarded only £10 damages plus costs because the bench held that ‘the proceedings had been brought about by his own folly’.

Burra Races were held on Wednesday 9 April.

Four years had passed since the last meeting and the committee can be said to have had a fairly successful day. The weather was good. The grandstand was well patronised and being built on rising ground gave a good view. There were two publicans’ booths and a refreshment booth. The Burra Band played. Professor Hullar, snake-charmer etc. was the only sideshow and he had to go to the Burra Hospital when bitten in the mouth by a snake. The Burra Cup, over 2 miles was the main event with prize money of £70 and it was won by Ike Callaby’s Algetha.

V, 329, 15 Apr. 1884, page 2

Advt. Accommodation for Boarders etc and for Ladies during confinement at Thames St, Kooringa. Mrs Goldsworthy.

Editorial on the importance of the elections and on the responsibilities of the voters to vote. He was strongly against plumping, which he thought should be illegal.

[In multi-member electorates plumping was the habit of voting for only one candidate rather than for the number to be elected.]

Sale Yards. Cr Coglin has given notice that he will move that the consent of ratepayers be sought to enable the Council to take out a loan to erect sale yards for Burra.

The Easter Holidays passed in Burra without any organised activities except for Sunday school anniversaries. Why is Burra unlike other towns in this respect? It used not to be so.

Accidents.

M. Ryan fell over the bridge opposite the old Catholic school in Kooringa and cut his head open in several places, rendering himself unconscious for some time. He is now progressing satisfactorily.

A son of Mr Eichler of Redruth fell from the footbridge at the White Hart and broke his kneecap.

A daughter of J. Couch of Aberdeen was run over by a cab on Monday afternoon and is in a critical condition.

The United Religious Services on Good Friday brought together the three Methodist bodies and the Salvation Army and drew large congregations. A similar meeting at the Wesleyan Church on Monday afternoon was also well attended.

Terowie Sports run by the Oddfellows and Foresters on Friday were a great success, drawing people from many towns including Burra and accommodation was taxed to the utmost. Results are printed.

Burra Burra Mines, 39th Annual Report.

The income for the last six months was £1,469-16-7 from rents and interest. Expenditure was £634-19-0.

Undistributed profit is now £73,401-0-8

About 21⁄4 acres in Kooringa have been sold for £570. There have been no sales of country land. Value of land held is said to be £130,000.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary is reported at length. Rev. G.E. Rowe preached to a large congregation. The report for the year showed a nett decrease of 34 children due to removals. (45 removed) And ‘one young man had died triumphantly’. The schoolroom had been renovated. Mr Holder spoke of the work of the children. Rev. R.W. Campbell, who is on his way to Perth, WA, also spoke. Proceeds were over £36.

Terowie Sports: Results printed.

Election Meeting at the Institute on 12 April with the Mayor in the chair.

Dr Cockburn had called the meeting, which about 160 people attended.

Dr Cockburn:

He repeated some of his earlier views on annexation, federation, payment of MPs, immigration, customs, duties and education. He said he favoured perpetual leases for pastoralists. Mineral development should be encouraged. Local Government should be more complete with the powers now held by road boards, liquor boards and over education and irrigation for instance. He was for the Transcontinental Railway [To Darwin]. He would abolish appeals to the Privy Council.

Mr Ridgway:

He contradicted some rumours circulating. He was not intending to withdraw. He had been well supported three years ago. He was not a nominee of Mr Rounsevell and that gentleman was not paying his election expenses. He had been called a loafer, but had earned his own living since the age of 10. He did not desire to overthrow the Education Act, but to draw in children from out of the gutter. He was not too old. Some said he was not religious: he said he lay down every night at peace with God and man. He had long favoured perpetual leases and in townships the blocks too should be open for selection and not allowed to be held by speculators for profit.

Dr Stephens:

He began by disassociating himself from the rumours about Mr Ridgway. He went on to support federation, water conservation, amendments to the Real Property Act and an end to legal tyranny in court and the tyranny of money over the poor. He was against the Exhibition.

Mr Rounsevell:

He spoke mainly on taxation reform. The proposed property tax was unfair and by no means as simple or equitable as the proposers pretended.

V, 330, 18 Apr. 1884, page 2

Advt. Chrysanthemum Show and Promenade Concert at the Institute, Wednesday 30 April.

Obituary. Mary Godden, relict of the late Edward Godden of Kooringa, died on 16 April at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr Richard Collins. [Aged 94.]

Burra Town Council.

The Public Works Committee could not recommend any work on the Queen St Bridge due to the present state of finances. They held that the recent floods had more to do with the narrowness of the Commercial St Bridge and the narrowing of channel by the walls of Mr Pearce’s property.

The facts relating to the Aberdeen Reserve will be submitted to the Municipal Assoc.’s lawyers.

Redruth Court, 16 April.

William Develaing was fined £1 + £1-8-0 costs for not complying with a Local Board of Health order to clean the urinal and closet at the rear of the Exchange Hotel, the bench agreeing that limewash and a small ventilator was an inadequate response.

Mr Duff was fined 10/- for driving at 11-12 m.p.h. through Best Place.

Elections. When nominations closed on 15 April the names put forward were:

J.A. Cockburn of Jamestown, Doctor of Medicine.

W. Ridgway of Aberdeen, Gentleman.

W.B. Rounsevell of Glenelg, Wine & Spirit Merchant.

J.R. Stephens of Kooringa, Doctor of Medicine.

The election takes place on 23 April.

‘An Elector’ writes to urge the election of two local men and not W.B. Rounsevell who is in favour of the sale of public land, opposed to payment of MPs, for taxing land, and says nothing in support of local government. W.B. Rounsevell’s interests in the NT favour nominal rents on long leases and the maintenance of the land monopoly.

‘An Elector’ writes that Dr Cockburn’s tax scheme would tax all land according to its value. W.B. Rounsevell’s scheme would tax productive land twice and unproductive land once [by imposing both a land tax and an income tax.]

J.W. O’Brien writes in support of W.B. Rounsevell who ‘has represented the district well for the last nine years’.

‘Athlete’ writes to urge a meeting to organise a suitable opening of the Recreation Ground on 24 May.

V, 331, 22 Apr. 1884, page 2

Editorial protesting the sending of French criminals to New Caledonia.

2nd Leader on the election on 23 April, urging all to vote and promoting the local candidates over W.B. Rounsevell.

Football. The Burra Football Club met last Friday at Barnett’s Commercial Hotel. J. Drew was asked to accept the position of Patron and Dr Brummitt that of President. E.C. Lockyer was elected Hon. Sec. The Captain & Vice-Captain to be elected later.

T. Bath and his daughter were given a farewell at the Burra Hotel on Monday. They are about to re-visit England. Captain Killicoat presided over a gathering of about 60. An address printed in gold on parchment was read and presented by Mr W. West, Past Master of Kooringa Freemason’s Lodge on behalf of the Worshipful Master, Mr A. Stewart.

V, 332, 25 Apr. 1884, page 2

Advt. ‘Crysanthemum [sic] Show and Promenade Concert’ 30 April.

The classes of flower to be exhibited are printed.

Birth. On 1 April, at Kooringa, to the wife of R.H. Birt, a daughter. [Laura Rachel]

Obituary. Margaret Helen (Pearl), the only child of G. & M. Anderson, died on 22 April at Kooringa, aged 12 months. [Born 4 May 1883]

Hon. J.C. Bray, Premier of SA, reshuffled his ministry on Monday.

Accident. A trap with one horse driven by Mr Holder and also containing Messrs Geake, Ward, W. Anderson, Hardy and Harry, was travelling towards Aberdeen on Tuesday evening when it collided with a trap coming towards Kooringa driven by J. Sampson Jun. Mr Sampson’s trap struck the other between the front and back wheels. The horses snapped the swingle trees and escaped and all seven persons were thrown out. Mr Geake was the only one much hurt. His nose was laid open and he was much shocked. Mr Sampson was driving without a light and with only one horse in the pole he could not manage the trap safely. Other road users said they were lucky to escape him elsewhere along the road.

St Mary’s vestry meeting on 22 April was chaired by Rev. H. Howitt. The balance sheet was £1-2-5 in credit. The minister’s stipend was fixed at £300 p.a. Thanks were extended to Mr & Mrs Whitington for donating vases, to Mrs Warburton for a chalice and to Mr Couch for a screen.

Burra Election. The voting results are given in detail.

Final outcome: Cockburn 926

Rounsevell 796

Stephens 420

Ridgway 332

At the declaration of the poll Mr Rounsevell criticised Mr Holder and The Record for their unfair articles against him.

V, 332, 25 Apr. 1884, page 3

Burra District Council

The Government Gazette for 12 April contained an opening and closing of roads notice and there being no objections the same is confirmed.

Joseph Fogg is appointed Inspector of Slaughterhouses etc.

V, 333, 29 Apr. 1884, page 2

Editorial. Dr Cockburn contended that Burra had not been disenfranchised by the election of himself and W.B. Rounsevell, but we believe that Mr Ridgway’s comment to the contrary is correct. ‘Dr Cockburn is in all his leanings decidedly a radical. Mr Rounsevell is as decidedly a Conservative.’ If they both stick to their principles they might as well pair off on all-important decisions and both be out of the house. We rejoice in the return of a man like Dr Cockburn because of the policies he supports, but regret the return of Mr Rounsevell who will neutralise the influence of Dr Cockburn. The return of Dr Stephens or Mr Ridgway would have delivered two votes on every subject.

2nd Leader on the new Parliament. There will be 20 new members and the Ministry will be one third new. Mr G.C. Hawker will most likely be Leader of the Opposition, which will be more powerful and less divided. Ministries should be more stable in the enlarged House.

Scab. The Commissioner of Crown Lands says NSW authorities have taken steps to prevent infected sheep from entering the districts of Wentworth and Menindee and therefore no inspector will be sent to Thackaringa.

The Kooringa Police Station has a good crop of pumpkins, melons, tomatoes and other vegetables to defy those who say vegetables will not grow in Kooringa.

Hon. J.C. Bray is likely to be knighted according to a cable from London.

Copper price continues to fall.

Burra Town Council

The Crown Lands Department has sent the agreement for the Burra Waterworks to be signed and work will commence upon its return. The agreement was signed and sealed.

Legal opinion on the Aberdeen Reserve is to be sought.

The cemetery wall is to be covered in. [?]

Persons willing to plant and care for street trees will be given tree guards.

The Mayor has promises of donations towards the planting of Paradise, Welsh Place and Chapel St.

‘Port Augusta Gossip’ writes on the chaos caused by the new rule that forbids people to enter or leave Salvation Army services except during singing. The rule is causing more disturbance than the movement of people did. People have a right to leave a public building when they like. It is said the gaps between singing are short, but some of the rambling testimonies belie that.

R. Smith writes about larrikinism in Redruth. Young men are disturbing Salvation Army meetings there at the Redruth Barracks. Why, he asks, is there no police action when it is ‘right opposite the police station’?

[It is not clear from this exactly what site is meant, but allowing for a little latitude in the description they were perhaps using the old German Church.]

W.R. Ridgway takes up the editor’s suggestion last issue that it would have been better if he had withdrawn from the election and so helped Dr Stephens’s chances of being elected instead of Mr Rounsevell. He disputes that this was a good option.

‘I suppose in your editorial wisdom you thought it better to hands of[f] Rounsevell and push Ridgway.’

[A somewhat ironic conclusion considering what Rounsevell had to say of his treatment by the same editor.]

[Barrier Ranges. As is common throughout 1884 there are more long reports on activities in the Barrier Ranges. There was great interest among Burra people as a possible source of employment. I have not noted most of the voluminous reports on the various discoveries, which were ultimately to attract a very large segment of the Burra population to Broken Hill. Some poor deposits of silver had been found at Thackaringa in 1876 and at Umberumberka (later called Silverton) there were further discoveries in 1882. Broken Hill itself began with a claim of Charles Rasp on 5 September 1883 and BHP was established two years later. With no railway anywhere near the area from Sydney, SA saw a great opportunity to get all the trade from the area either through a railway line to Port Adelaide, or as actually eventuated, one to a Spencer Gulf port. After much debate and lobbying Port Pirie won the role.]

This report notes that it was still difficult to get to the Barrier, though Mr McDonald of Terowie was said to have just ridden a bicycle to Silverton in four days over sandy terrain with a 50 lb swag. The railway then terminated at Terowie and if you could afford it there was a coach for the 190-mile trip beyond that. The SA Government provided water tanks or wells at about 30 mile intervals. Reports come in from Silverton and Thackaringa and the new town of ‘Silver City’ six miles east of the old border town of Thackaringa. Silver ore was first discovered by a shepherd in 1876, but nothing then eventuated, but c. 18 months ago another lot of ore was sent to England and though a poor lot was sent it returned £7 a ton after paying high commissions and charges. There are 11 claims at Silver City in sulphides of lead or argentiferous galena, making c. £12 a ton. One shaft is down 130’. The second group are 28 miles from Silver City and are called the Lakes Camp Group. They are on purely sulphides. Two tons sent to England recently fetched £600. Shafts here vary from 10’ to 75’ and one struck a lode worth £300 a ton.

V, 334, 2 May 1884, page 2

Notice. Mortgagee sale of the property of the insolvent Elias Wilks. Hundred of Hallett, sections 73 (464 acres) & 57 (364 acres) comprising a well-improved farm with dwelling house etc.

Advt. Young Men’s Friendly Soc. St Mary’s Burra Branch will hold its inaugural meeting on 7 May with tea at 5 o’clock at the YMFS room in Thames St. (Late the schoolroom of Mr Mathews). Afterwards a choral service in the church at 7.30 p.m.

Notice. Football. The opening match of the Burra Club for the season will be played on Saturday 3 May 1884. Colours v. Allcomers on the Recreation Ground at 4 p.m.

Notice. United Evangelical Services of the three Methodist Churches in Kooringa. There will be services every day:

12 noon: Prayer Meeting

7 p.m. Outdoor Singing Band

7.30 p.m. Evangelistic Meeting.

This week using the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Editorial on the discoveries of underground water and urging a thorough geological mapping program of the country to map the resource.

Chrysanthemum Show in the Institute last Wednesday was a great success. Takings in aid of the Institute came to £9. There were a large number of exhibitors. Dr Sangster and Mr Packard were judges. There were no money prizes, but awards were presented. To give some variety awards were also made for 6, 12 & 24 cuts of any flowers. Of the chrysanthemums, splendid entries came from Mr Lasscock and Mr Drew. There were also 84 hand bouquets made by students from the Burra Model School. The major contenders were: Mrs Cave, J.D. Cave, M. Rayner, Dr Brummitt, T. Drew, C. Drew, F.W. Holder, C. Oppermann, Ambrose Harris, W. Lasscock, Miss Lewis and C. Schutz.

[W. Fuss (i.e. H.C.W.) submitted a hand bouquet and entered the other cut flowers sections where he was 2nd for 24 cuts and 2nd for 12 cuts.]

W.R. Ridgway writes congratulating the Town Council on the Waterworks and hoping the work needed will employ some of those out of work. With ten dealers in fruit and vegetables in the town he feels there must be an opportunity for up to 20 men to supply them with produce now that water will be available.

W.H. Hardy writes a column length letter attacking ‘B.F.L.’ who had in turn written an attack on the New Utopia of Henry George.

Football. ‘Mark’ writes that in the past considerable effort went into making a ground near the brewery, but without much success. A stir some three years ago saw the Council acquire and wall the Recreation Ground, but they have done nothing to make it a viable oval. He suggests handing it over to a trust of the town’s sportsmen would have been more productive of a useful outcome. Now it has a fine wall, one large and two smaller iron gates, a few forlorn trees - and not much grass.

V, 335, 6 May 1884, page 2

Editorial on Taxation.

The writer condemns the heavy reliance on customs duties, which means the poor contribute about as much per head as the rich. The expenditure has largely been in adding to the value of the lands owned by the wealthy. Over £20 million has been spent in this way and it has seen over £40 million added to the value of property. The wealthy have contributed about £74,000 in probate and succession duty. They have stubbornly resisted any tax on land, but land tax is now a matter of necessity and the land interest will have to yield.

Henry Hicks, working for Mr Howard near Petersburg, had his hand shattered when his Enfield rifle burst on Friday morning. He was brought into Burra Hospital where it was amputated above the wrist. He is progressing.

Burra Waterworks. The Council has signed the agreement and sent it to the Government, urging the use of local labour. The Department is preparing plans to have the work finished for next summer.

Football. The season opened last Saturday with a game at the Recreation Ground, which was used for the first time. It is a great improvement on the old Brewery Flat ground. [Despite the comments of ‘Mark’ apparently.]

[Results of the match are not given.]

The New SA Gunboat [The Protector] has undergone trials in Britain.

‘B.F.L.’ responds to Hardy’s letter, but with a personal attack rather than answering Hardy’s points. He says among other things:

‘He [Hardy] writes, however, very much in the style of one who having once carried a hod cannot forgive the upper strata of society for having permitted him to do so.’

‘Who or what “Mr W.H. Hardy” may be I have not taken the trouble even to ask, though I am quite unaware of his identity, and am willing to grovel still further in the dark, so far as he is concerned.’

[It seems unlikely that the writer would indeed have been so ignorant and while Hardy later denies having carried a hod, the thrust may well be a disguised shot at his past as a chimneysweep.]

‘Order’ was outraged by a brass band parading the streets on Sunday like a circus procession. ‘I must just inform you that it is generally conceded that larrikinism has increased at least twofold since the advent of the Salvation Army at Redruth.’

This ‘obnoxious procession . . . disturbed congregations while they were worshipping in the churches, and upset one Sabbath School at least. I know that the penalty for this is very severe and means imprisonment.’

Methodist’ from Aberdeen also wrote to complain that the Salvation Army had paraded through Aberdeen and Redruth and disturbed the Sabbath School and again in the evening when it disturbed the Redruth Wesleyan Church Service. They also marched past the Primitive Methodist Church during anniversary services.

‘I presume to entice the people away.’

The Salvation Army, he says, have done good work and continue to do good, but this sort of action is unjustifiable. He describes four steeds harnessed to a four-wheeled vehicle bearing men in gold-banded caps playing brass instruments with an inscription on the vehicle: ‘Grand National Circus’.

‘They resemble them too in their tunes which are light, gay, or what you please to call them, for I don’t call them sacred.’

The Adelaide Correspondent has much to say of the faith healer who is active there: Mr Wood.

The Barrier. There are further reports on the silver mines.

‘Miner’ of Silver City writes to contradict parts of the article that was reprinted from the Melbourne Age of 14 April. Shafts do not extend 150’: their maximum is 85-90’. And far from there being a shortage of labour, there are many men seeking work.

Cricket. On 5 May Clare 103 defeated Hanson [i.e. Farrell’s Flat] 33 & 25.

V, 336, 9 May 1884, page 2

Editorial on ways of dealing with destitution. He considers the possibility of some form of compulsory insurance.

Accidents.

Mr McGovern fell from a cart at Port Pirie and injured his spine. He was brought to Burra Hospital. He is unlikely to recover.

Mr Davis crushed his foot when a wagon passed over it at Hallett on Tuesday. Four toes were amputated at the Burra Hospital and he is making a recovery.

Football. Burra Football Club met on 6 May at the Commercial Hotel and the meeting was well attended. E.F. Brady was elected Captain & G. Parks Vice-Captain.

Street Trees. The Mayor has in hand a scheme for planting trees on small pieces of land in the present season. The places are by roads in Paradise, Welsh Place, Chapel St and elsewhere. If enclosed and successful the planting of trees in guards along the streets will need to be continued. The Mayor is soliciting donations amounting to c. £50 for the scheme. The Government subsidy will apply and SAMA has said it will offer 20% on whatever the public subscribe. Thus for every £1 donated a further 24/- will become available. [The main cost was fencing to keep out the town’s voracious livestock.]

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 4 & 7 May. Rev. Rowe and Rev. Tresise preached. The tea meeting was well attended. The trustees have decreased the debt and paid £40 for a piece of land and effected other improvements.

Young Men’s Friendly Assoc. was inaugurated on the 7 May in their rooms, formerly Mr R.W. Mathews’ schoolroom [Thames St]. Dr I.J. Sangster was President and welcomed those present. The society aims to improve the religious and social welfare of the young men of St Mary’s congregation.

W.H. Hardy supplies another long letter of over 1⁄2 column on Henry George’s Utopia. Most of the space is devoted to an attack on B.L.F.’s attack on him.

‘Live and Let Live’ writes at even greater length on B.L.F.’s attack and in some 3⁄4 column says that as we see wealth growing we also see poverty growing and this problem needs to be addressed. Poverty slays its millions and the clergy and others who express indignation that the workingman does not attend church on his only day off should try his 10-12 hours of work six days a week and see if they are not ‘embittered by a life of constant drudgery and care’.

Riverton Correspondent writes upholding the sound commonsense of the Salvation Army’s rule forbidding people to come and go except during singing and explains the habits that led to the introduction of the rule.

Football. The match on Saturday at the oval was between 11 Colours under E. Lockyer and 13 Allcomers under J. Herbert. Colours 0.8, Allcomers 0.2

The ball was started for the season by Mr P. Lane standing in for the Mayor.

The Young Australians Football Club has decided to join the Burra Football Club with the idea of forming a second 20.

Riverton Salvation Army had a tea and presentation of colours on 1 May when the band from Burra attended. There were afternoon and evening marches through the streets. Major and Mrs Thurman led the services. [Perhaps ‘Thurmann’]

V, 337, 13 May 1884, page 1

Advt. Any quantity of bones needed for the mill at Charleston near Redruth.

A. Bartholomæus.

V, 337, 13 May 1884, page 2

Marriage. At White Hut Wesleyan Church, 30 April.

Horace S. Stephens of Mongolata married Mary R. Pascoe of White Hut.

Burra Waterworks. The Superintendent of Works expects to leave the Mt Gambier works for Burra in about a month.

Answers to Correspondents. A correspondent had clearly asked the penalties in law for interruptions to religious services following the recent letters about the Salvation Army. The editor cites the Criminal Law Consolidation Act Section 420, which provides for imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years with hard labour. The Police Act Section 80 provides for a fine of £2 for each member of a band playing an instrument after being warned to move on.

J.H. Angus [sic] [Angas] has given Adelaide University £6,080 to establish a Chair of Chemistry.

Obituary. Mr McGovern, [who had suffered spinal injuries, see V, 336, p.2] died at Burra Hospital on Friday. W.F. Coglin JP ruled that an inquest was unnecessary. [James, aged 50, died 9 May.]

Terowie. The overland mail from Sydney arrived yesterday, 27 hours late due to heavy rains, extending as far to the northeast as Mingary. They totalled 1.5” in some places.

Silverton now has two coaches a week and the last two carried 14 or 15 passengers each.

‘Bushman’ writes a fairly letter to the Brisbane Courier concerned with the likely effect on trade of extending the various railway lines that will take western Queensland livestock either to the east coast, possibly to the Gulf of Carpentaria, or to Port Augusta. The writer considers lines to, (or extensions of lines beyond) Cloncurry and Boulia, Thargomindah, Farina, Innamincka.

V, 337, 13 May 1884, page 3

Burra Town Council

A. Harris’s tender to fence ground for tree planting at 3/10 per foot per post, wire netted with 2” mesh was accepted.

Burra Waterworks will proceed as soon as possible.

Ten people were granted the right to plant street trees having undertaken to water and care for the same.

The tree guard contract has been extended to 150.

The Burra Football Club was granted the use of the Recreation Ground on Saturdays for half the gate money on any occasion when a charge is made.

The Corporation cannot spend money on a pavilion etc. until their own terms with SAMA are finalised. Gate money is only to be charged with the permission of the Mayor.

V, 338, 16 May 1884, page 2

Advt. A. Wade calls for tenders for alterations to his shop in Market Square.

Advt. Burra Institute, 21 May, Grand Entertainment in aid of the Catholic School, Burra. The program of songs etc. is printed.

To conclude with the farce, The Quarrelsome Servants.

Advt. Comfortable Board and Lodgings for one or two Respectable Persons may be had at Mrs Torrington’s opposite the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Thames St, Kooringa.

‘Ratepayer’ writes complaining that the ratepayers should not have to meet the costs incurred when cases are dismissed because the Inspector does not lay the information correctly, as has happened twice recently concerning Mr Sampson and an unlit vehicle.

‘Artemus Ward’ writes a humorous attack in dialect on the Salvation Army.

Football. Saturday. 21 Allcomers under F. Bruse took on 10 Colours.

Allcomers 0.4, Colours 0.3

‘Mark’ writes that he is astonished to find that having spent some £800 the Council does not own the Recreation Ground - not having any definite understanding with SAMA. The Football Club did not get exclusive use of the ground and felt that their situation was decidedly unsuitable with respects to needed improvements such as a pavilion etc. As for charging for admission - in any such matches they would play on the old ground since the Recreation Ground might be withdrawn at any time if anything else was occurring on the same day. The arrangement arrived at is very unsatisfactory. Perhaps a public meeting on the use of the ground would help to sort matters out.

V, 339, 20 May 1884, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, Wednesday 21 May, Grand Entertainment in Aid of the Catholic School. Program printed: ends with the farce The Quarrelsome Servants.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary, Sunday 25 May. Rev. S. Knight, Rev. George E. Rowe & Rev. Ralph Brown. Tea meeting 26 May.

Advt. Rev. Ralph Brown of Victoria [phrenologist and physiognomist] will give his popular lecture: Heads and Faces at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa 23 May.

Notice. United Evangelical Services continue this week at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Editorial on The Recreation Ground. About two years ago the Town Council obtained the promise of 7 acres of land from SAMA for use as a recreation ground. The terms were that the Council enclose the land and plant the ground within two years and on completion the ground would be conveyed to the Council. Ratepayers approved a loan of £500 and a further £200 more has been spent on levelling, tree planting etc. Several hundred trees are now doing well and the central oval has been planted. The trust deed is now being prepared. The question is whether it must always be open to any member of the public free and on this depends the provision of further facilities such as a pavilion etc. If no income can be derived the Council would not be at all justified in expending more money on it than is needed to maintain the oval etc. Council has long decided that any clubs could use the ground for half the gate.

We have been amused at the way in which some persons ask for more exclusive rights and yet decline to assist the Council. They use the public ground for practice and yet go to the other side of Aberdeen whenever money is to be taken. It is not reasonable to expect the Council to hand over the ground to two clubs for their use alone on all holidays and occasions when the public might desire to use it. This would be unjust to other clubs and users. These two clubs are not prepared to contribute towards past expenses or to guarantee anything of the cost of the pavilion.

V, 340, 23 May 1884, page 2

Advt. Salvation Army ‘T Fight!’ Monday 26 May. [This was the first Salvation Army tea in Burra.]

Advt. Burra Football Club Sports on the Oval, Monday 26 May. There will be a program of contests ending with a football match between Colours and Allcomers.

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. on instructions from G. Dawson will sell by auction on his premises in Thames St furniture etc.

Tree Planting is being prepared for. The small reserves are being fenced and over 300 tree guards are being made and placed in holes prepared for trees. 800 trees have been ordered.

The Unemployed in Adelaide are called to a meeting at the Adelaide Town Hall. 406 men have been placed on lists as unemployed in the city - most of them are labourers.

The Quondong Mail. A deputation has waited on the Minister of Education urging a weekly mail service by horse or coach to Quondong, c. 110 miles northeast from Burra. Tenders have previously been considered too high. At present a bi-weekly mail goes to Thistlebeds and it is thought one of these might be extended to Quondong. The area is permanently occupied, carries 105,000 sheep and pays £1,100 rent. Extending the Thistlebeds service would save £100 p.a.

St Joseph’s School Entertainment on Wednesday evening drew a large audience to the Institute and school funds benefited by c. £15.

Redruth Court, 21 May.

Pearce fined 10/- for a stray cow

W. Young charge for a stray cow dismissed on legal niceties

Schutz fined 20/- (or 7 days) for indecent language

Nelson fined 20/- + 5/- witness fees (or 14 days) for indecent language

‘Est Modus in Rebus’ writes a letter querying the style of the Salvation Army. They use, he says, a style that is terse and prone to pugnacious piety. Paradoxically, by converting everyday events to a ‘declaration of war’, ‘storming of the forts of hell’, ‘attacks on the devil’s quarters’, and so forth, makes issues less clear. They confuse the moral and the material. It is not surprising if some of the rougher portion of the population respond in an unfortunate manner. The dangers of spasmodic conversions and fanatical piety are illustrated in every chapter of history. Fanaticism is fatal to true and solid progress in any field as it takes captive not only the mind, but also the imagination.

Football. Practice game on Saturday resulted in 23 Allcomers drawing with 15 Colours when neither side scored.

With reference to the use of the oval, all we want is exclusive use on Saturdays and holidays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This leaves five other days free each week (when a holiday does not occur).

V, 341, 30 May 1884, page 2 [Note that there was no paper on the 27 May as the 26 May was the Queen’s Birthday holiday.]

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will sell for George Harry on 6 June at the Burra Hotel, the farm comprising section678 in the Hundred of Hallett of 517 acres divided into three paddocks with a stone house of two rooms etc.

Notice. Tenders called for the formation of 9 chains of road in Kingston Tce. [?]

Notice. A. Wade, having made additions will remove in about six weeks to his old premises opposite the National Bank.

Marriage. On 24 May at the house of the bride’s father, John Pens and Mary Ann Eustace.

Obituary. The infant son of Albert and Jane Topperwein died on 24 May at Pt Wakefield, of convulsions, aged five months. [Gladstone Moltke Topperwein born 20 December 1883.]

Obituary. Priscilla Opie, eldest child of E.F. & M.A. Opie died at Aberdeen on 24 May, aged 5 years 7 months. [Born 15 October 1878.]

Salvation Army ‘T Fight’ on Monday was attended by 1.200 to 1,500 persons from all districts around.

Unemployment is causing distress in Adelaide. Other colonies are suffering similarly.

Trees. All applications for trees for ratepayers in Kooringa are likely to be granted as donations have been pretty readily given. About 400 will be planted in streets and several hundred more in reserves this year. Residents in North Ward are now applying.

Loyal Burra Burra Lodge No. 10.

There are now 305 members with 300 good on the books.

Income for the quarter was £216-13-3 and disbursements £203-2-7 of which sick pay was £103-19-8. Total worth of the lodge fund is £5,857-12-3.

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday with sermons by Rev. S. Knight, Rev. G.E. Rowe & Rev. R. Brown. The tea meeting on Monday was the largest for some years. Dr Brummitt gave an address on Christian Work: the Genius of the Methodist Church. £271-13-6 has been spent in building a new vestry and other improvements. The total cost of the whole property has been £2,000-4-9 and the debt was £531-19-7. Other addresses were given by F.W. Holder, Rev. J.G. Wright, Rev. C. Tresise, Rev. S. Knight, and Rev. G.E. Rowe. The financial result of the anniversary was over £60.

Rev. Ralph Brown’s talk on Heads and Faces is reported at some length.

Burra Town Council, 28 May.

No labour except local is to be used on the Burra Waterworks unless it cannot be obtained locally.

The tree guard contract has been extended to 300.

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday school is to use the Recreation Ground on Whit Monday for sports.

Salvation Army big ‘T Fight’ on the Queen’s Birthday last Monday drew members from various northern towns. At about 11.30 a.m. a procession headed by the Burra Salvation Army Band marched to the railway station to meet Major & Mrs Thurman and those coming from Adelaide, Riverton, Gawler, & Saddleworth. They then marched back to the Institute.

In the afternoon there was an open-air meeting on Brewery Flat before all adjourned to the Institute for the tea meeting. The tables were nicely laid and there was adequate for all. In the evening the hall was crowded to hear Miss Comerford, the Converted Nun and Bob Judd the burglar, give an account of their past lives. Several others also made confessions of past depravities now deeply deplored and followed by a determined turning to Christ. Major Thurman presented the colours to the Burra Corps and Captain Bonnell and Lieut. Stratham received them. A well-patronised supper followed. It is estimated that over 1,000 attended during the day.

Football. Last Saturday Allcomers 3.7 defeated Colours 2.6

The Monday holiday sports at the Recreation Ground had a pretty good attendance. In the football match Allcomers won by 1 behind.

Obituary. Rev. W. Asquith Baker, Presbyterian minister of Clare, died last Friday after a short illness.

[William, died 23 May 1884 aged 39.]

V, 342, 3 June 1884, page 2

Editorial on the new Parliamentary Session and the need to act on the land question and on taxation policy. The liquor laws also need reform.

2nd Leader on the present condition of the labour market. The writer is against the cessation of public works. The cost of administration has been rising and the amount for works has been falling. Road Boards have been starved of funds. He is for immigration, which he believes stimulates demand.

Unemployed men are being sent to the drainage works in the South-East and others to water conservation works at Ardrossan. We hope work will soon start on the Burra Waterworks.

George Dawson was given an address and gold locket from the eight apprentices at the Burra Record office last Saturday. He is leaving Burra after having been foreman of the office for six years. Mr Holder made the presentation on their behalf.

Bible Christian Church Anniversary services last Sunday were presented by Rev. J.G. Wright, Rev. G.E. Rowe & Rev. C. Tresise. The children’s treat was held at the Burra Recreation Ground.

Obituary. A lad, named James Moran, of delicate health, was found dead in his bed at Farrell’s Flat on Tuesday morning. An inquest was deemed unnecessary. [Perhaps born 30 November 1872: death not registered.]

Silverton, 28 May. People continue to flock to the area. Rain down the track caused the coach to be 30 hours late.

V, 343, 6 June 1884, page 2

Editorial on The Totalizator. This ceased to be a legal betting machine on 1 June. In two race meetings in Adelaide in May no less than £70,600 passed through the totalizator. It had been introduced to cut out the fraudulent behaviour of bookmakers and to reduce problem gambling by eliminating betting on credit. But in fact while the totalizator has been very successful for its promoters, bookmakers have also prospered and the machine has introduced many to gambling who would have been shy of approaching bookmakers. The repeal of the Totalizator Act was difficult and there is already a push to repeal the Repealing Act. The writer was strongly against any reintroduction of the totalizator.

Hon. John Cotton has become Leader of the Opposition.

The Laura-Gladstone Railway was opened to traffic on Monday without ceremony.

SA Parliament: 1st Session of the 11th Parliament was opened by the Governor on 5 June. The House of Assembly now has 52 members, which it is hoped will produce greater stability.

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary services concluded on Monday last with addresses by George Anderson, Rev. J.G. Wright, Rev. G.E. Rowe, Rev. S. Knight and Rev. C. Tresise. Proceeds were c. £30.

George Dawson, formerly of the Record office was given a farewell at the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday evening and was presented with a purse of sovereigns.

Football. A meeting was held last Saturday evening at the Stanley Hotel to form a club in Clare.

The Governor’s Speech at the opening of SA Parliament is printed.

Redruth Court, 4 June

Frederick fined 5/- for having a stray cow

Woollacott fined 10/- for a stray cow

Linkson fined 10/- for a stray goat

Develaing fined £2 + 5/- court fees for supplying Alfred Schutz with beer: Schutz being a person whom it was illegal to supply with beer or allow on licensed premises.

Football. On Saturday 25 Allcomers 1.3 defeated 14 Colours 0.6.

Colours would have won had either Griffiths or White kicked straight.

V, 344, 10 June 1884, page 2

Notice. Charles Schutz informs the public that his cabs continue to run to the station and asks them to note that ‘T. Halls is no longer in my employ and is not authorized to act for me in any way, not to use my name for his own business.’

Notice. J. M. Hunt has removed to Mr Carey’s Chaff store near Messrs S. Drew & Co.’s large store in Aberdeen.

Advt. J.M. Hunt, agent for Sheepskins, Hides, Tallow, Fat, Wool, etc.

J. Posselt of the Hundred of Bundey has been granted a Storekeeper’s Colonial Wine Licence.

Editorial on the Governor’s Speech at the opening of Parliament. It is slated as policyless.

2nd Leader on the Queensland Government’s decision to substitute Crown Lease for fee simple to prevent further alienation of Crown Lands.

3rd Leader on the need to change the nature of land tenure from absolute right to right of use.

The Dog Nuisance. A meeting was held at the Burra Hotel on 6 June with R. Brown in the chair. Nothing was resolved and there will be further discussion at the next meeting.

Burra Town Council, 9 June.

C. Schutz tendered to form 9 chains of road in Paxton Tce at £1-15-0 per chain. Accepted. [Note: is Paxton Tce here the correct name for the Kingston Tce for which tenders were called for 9 chains of road in the paper of 30 May?]

Bath & Pearce were allowed to pave the footpath opposite their shop.

The hydraulic Engineer is to be asked to push on with the Waterworks.

Resolved that the Inspector obtain signatures re alterations to Ward boundaries.

Notices re walking around corner to be fixed at Henderson’s and removed from Ford’s, Urwin’s, Batchelor’s and Kangaroo St.

Tenders called for a nightman’s licence.

Silverton: many familiar faces from Burra are to be seen.

[W.H.] Hardy writes in response to people in the town denouncing the game of football. This, he says, offers a way for the youth ‘of our savage breed to give vent to their fighting propensities.’ [He then develops this point, saying it is a very important outlet and he does not believe it interferes in any way ‘with duty to the Blessed Master’ and if he finds it begins to do so he shall ‘at once say - get behind me forever’.]

Artemus Ward jun. writes in Cornish dialect on Manly Sports. He regrets the language used by some young men, saying that rather than have a son of his speak so he would have him ‘blow his branes out, or buy shares in the Apoinga Mine’.

He was approached at the football by one who saw it as a waste of precious time. But he believes it does them much good: ‘I dont think that enjoyin the good gift ov God will bring men down to the pit.’

We don’t want them to grow up ‘only fit to lean agen lamp posts, and grone at the inikivity ov the world, - week, sickly, and narrow-minded, & c., & c., an when they begin to battle with the world, there dishartend before they have well started.’

Silverton. A mock dramatic dialogue on Our Trip to Silverton.

V, 345, 13 June 1884, page 2

Editorial on the current position in Parliament.

Quondong Mail. Tenders have been called in the last Government Gazette for a mail service from Kooringa to Quondong with an alternative of Thistlebeds to Quondong.

‘Passerby’ writes saying the new footpath on the west side of Thames St is rendered useless in wet weather due to the water from houses running across it for want of a few loads of stuff to turn it into its correct path and from the lack of spouting on SAMA’s cottages which pour water onto the path, cutting it up and giving a third-rate shower bath to any passers-by.

V, 346, 17 June 1884, page 2

Notice. THOMAS HALLS, THE POPULAR DRIVER (lately in the employ of C. Schutz) respectfully informs the Public that he has secured the line of CABS, known as MORRISON’S and trusts by civility and strict attention to business to merit a share of public patronage.

Editorial on the Defeat of the Bray Government in a no-confidence motion last Thursday. Mr Colton was sworn in as Premier and Chief Secretary yesterday. Hon. W.B. Rounsevell becomes Treasurer.

The writer sees the new ministry as a mixed bag. Rounsevell is no financier and would be better as Commissioner of Public Works. The Hon. R.C. Baker as Minister of Justice and Education is ‘illiberal and crotchety’.

2nd Leader on the problem of wild dogs. The writer favours much higher registration fees.

3rd Leader on The Egyptian Question, condemning the shilly-shally policy of Gladstone’s Government.

The Weather has been cold and wet for a week.

The Salvation Army, not being allowed any longer to rent the old church, are holding their meetings in the open air.

Mr G. Mayger is growing vegetables in his garden near the Recreation Ground. While such are available we need not be dependent on outside supplies.

Silverton. An effort is being made to get a coach service to Silverton twice a week. The town’s importance is daily increasing.

Redruth Court, 13 June.

Samuel Nesbitt, a coloured man, was charged with obtaining from Alexander Harris, 1 ton 19 cwt of iron valued at £4-19-5, by falsely stating he was employed by William Watkins of Adelaide.

Harris gave evidence that Nesbitt had obtained the iron and had said the boss, Watkins, would send up a cheque.

Case adjourned to obtain the attendance of Watkins.

16 June, case resumed.

William Watkins, general dealer of Currie St, Adelaide, knew the prisoner, who was not and never had been in his employ. Nesbitt had sold items to Watkins. Watkins received goods from him last on 8 May and in the last two weeks had received a telegram saying 13 tons of old iron was on the way and asking for a cheque for £2 at once. The cheque was sent. Had sent prisoner money to buy stuff, but only as a loan, not as an agent.

The bench said that there being some evidence of an agency no jury would convict the prisoner, who was discharged. Watkins expenses to be paid by the Government.

The Dog Nuisance. A meeting of stockowners was held at the Institute on Friday with Captain Killicoat in the chair. The meeting considered means of suppressing the dog nuisance. Eight resolutions passed recently at a Clare meeting were read.

A motion was passed that police be the only registrars of dogs and they or any others securing a conviction receive half the fine.

Also passed a motion calling on all dogs to be taxed £1-1-0. [i.e. the registration fee.]

And for all dogs to be kept in confinement from sunset to sunrise. Persons travelling on roads or through free or leased property to have dogs muzzled, coupled, or led, unless the dog is actively driving stock.

Sluts on heat to be kept on a chain.

Each male Aboriginal (adult) be allowed one dog to be registered without a fee and women and children be not allowed to keep any.

The penalty for having an unregistered dog to be £5-£10.

The resolutions to be distributed to interested groups and sent to Parliament in a memorial.

‘Fairplay to All’ writes a letter re one law for the rich and another for the poor. The writer’s specific complaint relates to the decision not to prosecute prostitutes at a particular high-class brothel in Adelaide because so many of the ‘Upper Ten’ were visitors, including Members of Parliament, leading lawyers, and other prominent citizens.

V, 347, 20 June 1884, page 2

Editorial on The New Ministry. Parliament adjourned for two weeks so the Government could formulate its policies, which the editor thinks will be difficult, given the contradictory stance of its individual members.

2nd Leader on one policy almost certain to be agreed upon - the construction of a railway line from Terowie to the NSW border near Silverton.

From Terowie the line would be 145 miles.

From Burra direct it would be 167 miles.

From Burra via Terowie is 185 miles: the direct route saves 18 miles.

The direct route suggested runs 7 miles to the east from Burra and then northeast via the main woolsheds: North Dam (60 miles from Burra), Government Dam (67 miles), Anamba Well (107 miles). We are satisfied a Burra line would be the best, but now it seems only the Terowie line will be surveyed.

Ward Boundaries. The memorial to change the ward boundaries in Burra is being well signed.

Silverton. Negotiations to run the mail twice a week are under way.

Trees have been planted in the town’s streets: 400 in tree guards and more are to go into the reserves.

M.H. Leworthy of Middleton writes suggesting that the policies desired by the pastoralists re the dog nuisance would be more suitable if the animal concerned were a lion or a tiger. No wonder no Aboriginal woman or child is to be trusted with one! Registration cost is to rise from 5/- to £1-1-0 and the dog to be chained, muzzled or confined from sunrise to sunset. The whole thing is absurd.

Football. Last Saturday Burra sent 23 players to Mintaro (by train). After some disagreement with the mail driver, who consented to take only eight, that and other conveyances took them the final four miles to the ground in the rain. After lunch at the Devonshire Hotel the game started late at about 3.15 p.m. due to the delayed arrival of seven players from Seven Hills. The game ended in a draw with both sides 0.2.

The return trip to the station had some difficulties when the driver couldn’t get the horses to start and had to hand control over to one of the players. A return match planned for today has fallen through.

V, 348, 24 June 1884, page 2

Obituary. J.F. Wigley, who some time ago contested a seat for the Legislative Council, and at last election was defeated for Newcastle, died suddenly of heart disease at his North Adelaide home on Saturday. [James Francis Wigley died 21 June, aged 53.]

Mr Short of Aberdeen has furnished further proof that we do not have to send out of Burra for vegetables if we only take the trouble to grow them here. He has from his garden four radishes 18” long and 4 lb in weight without leaves.

Silverton Railway. Mr Rounsevell has replied to the Mayor that the Burra-Silverton route will not be overlooked.

Pt Pirie is now agitating for the line to be taken from Petersburg so that the trade would go to Pt Pirie and in that case the line would be narrow gauge.

Adelaide and Pt Adelaide merchants should support the direct line from Burra.

Burra Town Council.

P. Lane JP presented a request that the ‘walk around the corner’ sign at Kangaroo St be replaced in the interests of children as there is no footway. Granted.

Mr Wade is not to be allowed to raise the footway in front of his new shop above the adopted level.

F. Gebhardt is to remove his fence on the Thames St footway.

Midland Road Board, 17 June.

£200 allocated to the Burra-Eudunda road via Robertstown. (40 miles)

V, 349, 27 June 1884, page 2

Obituary. Angus Mc Donald, an old man, [74] was found last Wednesday morning drowned in the gulf near Tassie’s Jetty at Port Augusta. [Died 25 June 1884.]

Kooringa court, 20 June.

‘John O’Brien was charged with being a pauper lunatic. Dr Sangster having certified as to his insanity, he was ordered to the asylum.’

24 June.

Alfred Lines was fined 20/- for insulting behaviour in Kooringa on 23 June.

Marriage. At Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church on 25 June.

John George Oates, eldest son of Philip Oates and

Elizabeth Eve Langsford, eldest daughter of Mr Langsford of Wildotta Farm, Iron Mine.

Editorial. Burra has not been assertive enough in the past. Other towns have more and get more.

Gawler has a tramway from the railway station into town.

Pt Augusta, Mt Gambier, Moonta & Gladstone have local Courts of Insolvency.

Our Local Court is ‘Redruth’ not ‘Burra’.

We have no Stipendiary Magistrate.

The Licensing Bench sits at Clare.

Kapunda is our chief polling place for the Legislative Council.

2nd Leader on the advantages of a local Insolvency Court.

3rd Leader calling on private enterprise to establish a tramway from the station (via Butterworth’s Mill to avoid the steep gradient in Morehead St). The line could carry goods as well as passengers.

William Splane has started business in Kooringa as a Bootmaker. He was a Burra resident many years ago.

Unemployment distress continues in Adelaide.

Chess. In the third match between Burra & Terowie Burra won with two victories and a draw. (Victories to Cave & Roach and a draw to W. Anderson.) In the first two encounters each club won once.

Silverton Railway. Carrieton and Pt Augusta are now angling for a route to Silverton. Pt Pirie and Pt Germein both want the route with Pt Pirie favouring a route via Petersburg and Pt Germein one via Carrieton.

Accident. The horse in a trap containing Mr & Mrs J.A. Watt and two children bolted near Kooringa, when loose horses approaching from behind frightened it. Mr Watt was thrown out and dragged into a fence, but then the reins got caught in the wheel and pulled the horse up. No one was much hurt and the damage to the trap was slight.

M-C Thomas H. Williams leaves Jamestown today to take up duties at Burra.

The Dog Nuisance. The Jamestown Review favours even harsher measures. Sporting dogs should have a £5 registration. Perhaps the police should be fined for having stray dogs within their jurisdiction or perhaps the scalp fee from registrations, going to the police, should rise from 2/6 to 10/-.

Football. On Saturday Colours 2.4 defeated Allcomers 0.2. The oval entrance gates are now surmounted by the Kapunda Marble caps presented by James Shakes Esq.

Salvation Army. The article from the Clare correspondent indicates a hostile reaction to the Salvation Army and regards them as a common nuisance in the town: ‘parading the streets, and making night hideous’.

V, 349, 27 June 1884, page 3

Salvation Army. There is a 1⁄2 column article of quite favourable comment on the ‘Hallelujah Lasses’, which is reprinted from the Pall Mall Gazette.

VI, 350, 1 July 1884, page 2

Notice. Public Meeting convened by R. Brummitt, Mayor, in response to a requisition to consider the Silverton Railway question.

Advt. Tenders called for building a public school and teacher’s residence at Mt Bryan East.

Editorial supporting true sport, but strongly opposing the modern tendency to ‘turn it into labour, business, and mental effort, and talk about “scientific cricket”, make money by “professional footballing”, and practise so assiduously as that our mental and physical strength is more taxed in our sports than in our work.’

Mr A.F. Akhurst has moved from the No. 1 office in the suite next to Drew & Co.’s to the one in the rear of it, next to Mr Cave’s.

Obituary. At Terowie a butcher called Martin fell while working on a shed and broke his spine. He died last week leaving a wife and four children. [John Frederick Martin, died 15 June, aged 34.]

VI, 351, 4 July 1884, page 2

Advt. William Splane, Bootmaker, has opened his business next to Mr W.L. H. Bruse in Commercial St.

Burra District Council. There will be a ballot at Copperhouse Post Office on 7 July to elect two councillors for North Ward. Candidates: Robert Brown

John Cockrum

Robert J. Smith

Advt. Burra Institute Tonight, 4 July. Cameron & Jones New & Novel Entertainment - Minstrelsy, Comedy, Concert, Gymnastic.

Editorial on the Policies of the New Government.

They support a land tax and a tax on incomes over £300. Subsidies to Corporations and District Councils will be phased out, being reduced 1/6 each year till they cease. There will be new land laws.

Narrow gauge railways are proposed for:

Western side of the Flinders Ranges from Pt Augusta to Phillips Ponds (114 m.)

Petersburg to the Barrier (150 m.)

Herrgott Springs to the Queensland border

In NT from Primrose Springs to Pine Creek - in sections though authorised all together

Naracoorte to Mt Gambier

A Broad gauge line is proposed from Adelaide to Willunga.

There will be changes to the Real Property Act.

The Jubilee Exhibition Act is to be repealed.

Payment of Members is left open. [And various other matters.]

[The editor thinks the line to the Barrier is the wrong choice - it should be broad gauge from Burra to avoid a break of gauge between there and the city and the reduction in the subsidy to local government bodies should be related to how long it has been paid. Newly formed bodies deserve a period of subsidy.]

Daviestown School has just been examined and Miss Snell has to be congratulated. On the roll there are 26 and of the 18 examined 17 are to be promoted. The school has been established about 12 months.

Bible Christian Church. The quarterly meeting for the Kooringa circuit was held at Mt Bryan on Wednesday. The income met the minister’s stipend and repairs to the mission house with a balance in hand.

Land Act. The proposed changes are listed.

Redruth Court.

Treweck No collar on a dog fined 5/-

Elijah White Insulting language to P. Murphy n Sunday in

Market Square on his road to join the Salvation Army case adjourned

Duff Trotting round Henderson’s Corner fined 20/-

A. Schutz Being away from his cab in Market Square fined 10/-

Burra District Council, Election nominations 30 June.

Auditors: Of the three nominations only W. Davey’s was formal. He was declared elected and fresh nominations called for the other position.

Middle Ward: S. James declared elected unopposed.

North Ward: R. Brown

R.I. Smith

J. Cockrum

Frederick declared informal

Austin declared informal

Ballot of the formal nominations for North Ward called for 7 July.

Football. On Saturday the Second Twenty 3.11 defeated the Model School 1.2

And Allcomers 1.5 defeated Colours 0.1

On Monday Colours 2.7 defeated Allcomers 1.5

Salvation Army has not yet appeared in Clare, though they were expected to do so last Saturday. [This article needs more accurate dating as it appears on the face of it to contradict the report in the paper of 27 June.]

VI, 351, 4 July 1884, page 3

Silverton Railway.

A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Institute on Wednesday last chaired by Dr Brummitt. (Mayor).

A meeting in January, he said, had formed a committee to push for a survey of a direct line from Burra to the Barrier. On 8 February Mr Rounsevell wrote that such a survey was promised and indeed a surveyor had arrived to commence the task, but had been recalled. When the survey from Terowie was announced he had written again to Mr Rounsevell and received an assurance that the Burra survey would not be overlooked. Dr Cockburn has since said a report will be obtained re the cost of getting through the ranges east of Burra.

John Dunstan jun. JP moved a lengthy motion calling for the construction of a railway on the shorter route via Burra. The Government’s decision to go via Petersburg was hasty and against the best interests of the colony. He developed an argument favouring Port Adelaide over Pt Pirie and other ports, bringing Adelaide nearer to NSW and opening up access to 2,560,000 acres of SA territory and then turned to Burra’s unlimited water supply ‘which is the best on the line for locomotive purposes’. If the line goes via Petersburg water trains will have to run an additional 62 miles in dry seasons.

W.F. Coglin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

F.W. Holder moved that to show the advantages of the Burra route it be surveyed so that a fair comparison is possible. He was willing to concede to another route if it would serve the colony better, but believed a fair and informed comparison would support the direct route from Burra. The hills around Burra could be easily negotiated and after five or six miles the route would be flatter than any other. Local trade along the route would be in their favour. Wool would come from the south side of even this route and every mile north towards the Petersburg line was injurious to this trade. The land in NSW would also be more usefully served by the more southerly line. Pt Adelaide was the best port to serve the Silverton trade. To place a break of gauge between the northeast and the chief port was not to be tolerated. The line must be on the broad gauge. They could save 41 miles by this more direct line. The water to the east was good also at Government Dam (70 miles), Gorge Well (103 miles), Davenborough Well (130 miles, Duffield’s Well (150 miles), and Upper Mingary (160 miles). They must press their claim. Seconded by J. Duff and carried unanimously.

VI, 352, 8 July 1884, page 2

Obituary. Albert Nourse, son of J. & C. Nourse, died on 4 July at the Burra Mines, aged 7 months. [Born Albert Bertie Nourse 6 December 1883.]

Obituary. George William Linkson died on 7 July at his residence in Redruth, aged 54, leaving a wife and six children. He was a colonist of 39 years.

Editorial on the removal of the Government subsidy to councils and road boards. The editor opposed subsidies to the latter in particular as the income to Government was drawn mostly from the poor while the rural road boards benefited mostly the landowning class. Transferring roads to local bodies will transfer the cost to those who benefit most. He does however, suggest that the withdrawal should be gradual and that newly formed districts should continue to be subsidised - say for five years, after which it might decrease.

Silverton. We believe that three syndicates have now been formed in Burra to prospect and purchase claims in the Silverton District - we wish them success.

Silverton Railway. Pt Augusta is despatching a person along their preferred route from Carrieton to the border to get information for their case.

Towns on the line from Port Pirie are lobbying for Petersburg.

Kapunda supports a line from Morgan.

Mr Mann from the Engineer-in-Chief’s Department will undertake a flying survey of the Burra-Silverton route.

Football. On 5 July at Burra, Burra 3.8 defeated Clare 0.1

Burra Recreation Ground is gradually assuming an appearance in keeping with its name. The trees and couch grass are growing though in winter the latter gives way to native grasses. The entrance is now impressive with the marble caps of Kapunda marble donated by James Shakes.

Burra Town Council.

The night cart is to be loaned to people wishing to use it for 5/- per night.

28 ratepayers presented a memorial desiring that the Salvation Army be prevented from parading the streets on the Sabbath with a brass band ‘in desecration thereof’, ‘utterly subveraive [sic] of the decorum which should characterise a day set apart for rest and devotion.’

The Council decided to ask the Captain to discontinue the practice of parading the streets on Sunday with a brass band.

The Aberdeen Reserve is to be planted. [Perhaps worthy of note since the Council didn’t own it.]

£2-2-0 to be given to the Inspector for obtaining signatures re changing Ward boundaries.

‘NEMO’ writes re the petition to stop the Salvation Army’s band parades. The writer opposes the petition. In England at towns where soldiers are stationed you would hear a band playing on going to church, passing by churches and houses of more importance than those in Kooringa. Let those who complain, if any, that live near the pump rather than those who live a mile away.

VI, 353, 11 July 1884, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute 18 July Only.

Byron Comedy Company assisted by Miss Ada Grantleigh & Mr Ed. Reeves

Will appear in Palgrave Simpson & Herman Merwale’s comedy drama Alone and concluding with the laughable farce Borrowed Plunes [sic]

Advt. Wanted - Good respectable cook

Apply - H. VIVIAN, Opie’s Hotel, Aberdeen.

Marriage. 9 July at the residence of the bride’s parents.

Charles Thomas Winders, third son of Mr William Winders of Kooringa and

Sarah Jane (Minnie) Hopkins, third daughter of Mr Hopkins of Kooringa.

Silverton Mines. On the last trip down the mail met more than 150 swagmen tramping the road to the Barrier and also dozens of horses, buggies and carts.

The Government has found the mail tender too expensive and will not fund the second mail in a week at this time.

We hear that Hill & Co. intend to put a number of coaches from the Strathalbyn line on the Terowie-Silverton route and this may reduce the price.

Burra Institute Committee Meeting 8 July.

The Hall Committee reported favourably on the guttering of the roof.

At the half-yearly meeting of subscribers it was said that there are now 2,773 volumes in the library. Income for the half-year was £201-11-9 and expenditure £202-19-3.

Redruth court, 9 July.

Reed was awarded £8-12-6 in a claim for carting wheat for Whinham & McEllister.

Henry Price and another claimed £200 from William Henderson in breach of an agreement to give the plaintiff time to chaff certain stacks of hay and to hold over a summons on condition of the plaintiff’s handing over a policy of insurance on the said hay to the value of £200. The defendant said he had refused to accept the policy on advice from John Sampson as it offered no security and was thus unacceptable. Henderson apparently failed to write to Price acquainting him of this fact. Verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of £5.

Resumed hearing of the police v. Elijah White.

Patrick Murphy said the defendant had stopped him outside Wilkinson’s shop and asked him if he was going to subscribe to Young’s defence. Refused to give anything and the defendant made use of bad language. By then a group almost as bad had gathered round. The defendant called as a witness Abraham Fordham and James Kennedy who said White had used language as bad as the defendant’s.

White was fined 10/- (or 48 hrs.)

VI, 354, 15 July 1884, page 2

Advt. Tenders called for fencing, erecting pump, stage etc. to the reservoir on the Travelling Stock Reserve opposite section 11 in the Hundred of King.

Editorial on the desirability of the nationalisation of land.

Burra Ward Boundaries.

The petition to change the ward boundaries was published in the Government Gazette last Thursday. It must be published thrice and then any counter petition also after which the Governor may proclaim the changes at his discretion.

John Banks, brother of the late W.H. Banks of Kooringa, has been going about the town, obviously of unsound mind. The police took him in charge and yesterday he was taken to the Lunatic Asylum where he has previously been confined for two years.

Burra Floricultural Society met on 11 July. They have a credit balance of £8-18-3. Elected: President, Mr Cave; Vice-President, T. Drew; Treasurer, Mr Holder; Hon. Sec., Mr Davey. It was resolved to hold the next show on either 22 or 29 October as determined by the committee. [The Fuss Sen. on the committee was presumably H.C.W. Fuss.]

Burra District Council. Meeting 11 July declared one auditor, J.R. Edwards duly elected. Cr Sandland was elected chairman for the year.

‘G’ writes re the Burra Waterworks, calling on the Council to urge the Government to commence work speedily because:

There are many men unemployed at present.

Money will be lost from the town by delay because when farming operations absorb local surplus labour soon outsiders will have to be brought in the do the work.

There will be no summer water supply unless work starts soon.

(The editor explains that the Council has been pressing the matter, but apparently it all awaits the engineer’s completion of the work he is currently doing at Mt Gambier.)

VI, 355, 18 July 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Parading of Salvation Army Brass Band through the streets. The editor regrets the tone and argument taken by Captain Bonell. Bonell’s objections that the Council it seeking to curtail the liberty to worship God is not at all what the Council sought to do and they would probably object to church bells as well were they mounted on wheels and carted through the streets to be rung on Sundays.

2nd Leader on Mr R. Rees’s effort to secure free education in Public Schools by abolishing fees. We wish him success with his motion in Parliament.

Burra Institute. Dr Brummitt has received a valuable collection of 21 classes of copper ore from the Moonta Mines to add to the small Institute collection.

Frost on Tuesday morning was the sharpest ever according to old hands. Taps and pumps froze and the creek froze over. Boys stood on the ice in the water troughs.

Silverton Railway. A motion to survey a route from Morgan was lost in the House of Assembly.

Wesleyan Home Missions annual meeting on Wednesday in Kooringa with Mr Holder presiding. Income for the year was over £1,500. Addresses were given by Rev. G.E. Rowe, Rev. S. Knight & Mr Chester. There was a similar meeting in Redruth on Thursday.

Jubilee Exhibition - so far costs incurred total £2,094-17-0. The second reading of the repeal bill has been stood over pending printing of information about costs.

Salvation Army. A letter was sent from F.W. Holder as Town Clerk to the Salvation Army respectfully asking that the Sabbath not be disturbed by parading the streets with a brass band. The Council had no desire to hinder the work of the Army or to restrict methods of worship. Nor do they suggest any cessation of music on the Army’s own premises or any they may have at their disposal.

Captain W. Bonell replied that he felt in a free country everyone has a right to worship God in their own way and he sees no reason to stop the band as long as church bells keep ringing.

Football. On Saturday Allcomers 2 defeated Colours 1, probably, but scores are not given clearly and the behinds are not recorded.

Redruth Court, 16 July

Rabbich fined 10/- for a stray horse

Jacob Burrows, Charles Tresise, J.B. Davison & John Snell were each fined 5/- for various stray horses and cows

Holmes was fined 10/- for riding a horse on the footpath in front of the Burra Hotel.

Capt. William Bonell of the Salvation Army v. Young for disturbing an open-air service on the evening of 21 June.

Bonell said the meeting was on land at the back of Mr Hicks’ house in Kooringa. As the Army was singing The Salvation Army is Marching Along the defendant and other young men sang The Salvation Army has all gone wrong.

He asked the young man if he was called ‘Young’ and he said yes. Thought he was the leader of the group.

Mr Akhurst said the by-law imposed a fine, but the Criminal Law Consolidation Act in Clause 320 imposed only a prison sentence. The by-law could not over-ride statute law and was therefore invalid. The court concurred. The Court declined to allow costs and warned the young men involved that if a charge were laid and proved under the Criminal Law imprisonment was the only mode of dealing with it.

VI, 356, 22 July 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Bill to amend the Dog Act.

The editor says the provisions proposed are so draconian that evasion would be general and the whole thing unworkable and in need of redrafting before it could be passed.

Football. Last Saturday Burra 0.3 drew with Mintaro 0.3

Salvation Army. The Army began at Clare last Sunday and were received in a way that justified all that had been said of the rowdy and lawless element there.

Burra Town Council, 21 July.

The Mayor said he had authorised the publication of the correspondence with the Salvation Army.

It was resolved to send copies of it and the memorial from the ratepayers to Major Thurman.

Council will have a special meeting in three weeks to consider framing a better by-law to meet the case.

Burra School Board of Advice sought a better footpath from Redruth to the school for the children.

The Council said, having no control over the ground, they could not expend rates there.

Mr Chenoweth and two others waited on the Council seeking work for the unemployed.

The mayor said it had done all it could to urge the beginning of the Waterworks, but another request will be sent.

Salvation Army. The events in Clare are reported.

Captain Carr, wife and family arrived in Clare on Friday.

Two eggs were thrown at him in open daylight.

Lieut. Phillip arrived to a similar reception on Saturday.

Staff Officer Baker on Saturday evening fared better.

Some hundreds turned out to see the events on Sunday, but a relatively quiet meeting followed at the old Government School buildings in the afternoon.

The evening proceedings outside the Barracks were however, disgraceful.

Stones were showered on the roof. Eggs were hurled through open windows and the Army was showered with rotten eggs all the way to their homes. Many others were also pelted. The Army had provoked some of this by giving such a bad account of Clare in other places and at Adelaide.

[The editor adds: ‘The perpetrators of the outrage should be severely punished.’

VI, 357, 25 July 1884, page 2

Advt. Burra Market. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer by auction 18,180 fat and store sheep on 1 August.

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will auction on 30 July on the premises near the Smelting Works, the household effects of John Drew, who is leaving Burra.

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will offer by auction 18,840 fat and store sheep on 4 August.

Notice. W. Chynoweth [Chenoweth] & W.H. Hardy, Convenors, call a Mass Meeting of Unemployed Working Men in Burra at Harry & Burns shed on Friday [25 July] at 8 p.m.

Silverton. We note that most people passing through Burra on the way to Silverton take the eastern route commonly known as the peg line. They consider it the best to travel by. This is another argument in favour of the line advocated by Burra residents for the proposed railway.

Burra Waterworks. Mr Jenkinson the Assistant Hydraulic Engineer is expected in Burra today with Mr C. Jobson who will superintend the construction. It is possible work will begin within a fortnight.

The Barrier Coach Line, run by Messrs R. Rayner, McGowan & Co. has striven to improve the service at heavy outlay of capital. Supplying horse feed along the way is a problem. Teams despatched from Terowie on 1 May took 54 days to reach Mt Gipps, a journey of 220 miles. The line is now well horsed and needs to be with heavy loads on nigh impassable roads in places.

VI, 358, 29 July 1884, page 2

Football. On Saturday 26 July at Clare Burra 4.4 defeated Clare 0.6

Obituary. Mr T. [Thomas] Paynter died at his sister’s, Mrs Opie, at Redruth on 26 July. [Aged 63]

Unemployed. The meeting of the unemployed in the town was called to ascertain their number and secondly to see if anything could be done to aid them. It was largely attended. Mr J.H. Chenoweth said if the Waterworks got under way it would find work for most of them. Mr Murphy spoke at length on the Waterworks and the employment it offered. A proposal to send a memorial to Dr Cockburn MP to urge immediate commencement of the Waterworks was passed unanimously. 40 names of bona fide unemployed men were taken. Three quarters of them were married.

Salvation Army. Reports from activities in Clare continue.

VI, 359, 1 Aug. 1884, page 2

Notice. Tenders called for sinking a well near Mildorky Ck, North-East Pegged Line.

Obituary. Thomas Paynter died on 26 July at the residence of his sister, Mrs N. Opie, Redruth. He was the eldest son of the late John Paynter of Bealler’s Row, Redruth, Cornwall. He was aged 64 and a colonist of 40 years.

Burra Vigilance Committee meeting called for 1 August in the Institute.

Dr J.A. Cockburn JP expects that the wishes of the unemployed workmen of Burra re the employment of local men on the Waterworks will be met.

Accident. Teamster Robert O’Connell was admitted to the Burra Hospital on 29 July with a shattered leg caused when a wagon passed over it on the road from Terowie to Silverton. He is not expected to live.

R. Austin lost a valuable horse when it strayed onto the Bon Accord crossing on Wednesday morning and was struck by the luggage train from Terowie.

The Salvation Army packed out the Bible Christian Church for a monster meeting last Tuesday. The object was to raise money for a new Barracks. Speakers were Major Thurman and his wife from Adelaide, Staff Officer Hendy from Victoria and Staff Officer Jones from Gawler.

Mrs John Drew was given a farewell at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church. The public meeting afterwards was in aid of Sunday school funds.

Burra Show Soc. AGM was held at the Institute last Wednesday afternoon. The Vice-President Mr T. Warnes presided. Election: Patron, A. McCulloch Sen.; President, Mr Rounsevell; Vice-Presidents, Messrs I. Killicoat, Warnes, Lockyer, Lane, Bath, McBride, Lewis, Barker; Treasurer, F.W. Holder; Sec. Mr Cave.

The prize list was gone through. Captain Killicoat will again be asked for the used of the Smelting Co. Yards for the show.

Unemployed men were sent by the Government 100 miles to Burra to plant trees along the railway line!

Kooringa Court.

Francis Alexander Costelle, a pauper, was certified a lunatic by Dr Brummitt and was ordered to the Asylum.

Football last Saturday. 23 Burra players and three trap loads of supporters left at c. 8 a.m. for Clare and arrived soon after noon. Play started at 2.45 p.m. As reported in the last issue Burra 4.4 defeated Clare 0.6.

At Burra Allcomers 0.10 drew with the Second Twenty 0.4

VI, 360, 5 Aug. 1884, page 2 [Wrongly dated 6 Aug. on page one only.]

Birth. On 2 Aug. at Kooringa to Mrs G. Anderson, a daughter. [Dolcie May]

Obituary. Susan Rowling Sampson, wife of John Sampson jun. died 31 July aged 48, a colonist of 34 years. [nee Sanders]

Larrikins. Police caught about seven young larrikins - some of them the sons of respectable residents - for egg-throwing on Saturday night. [Presumably at the Salvation Army.]

The Salvation Army has been pleading for a place to erect a Barracks and have been promised a piece of land in Chapel St by Mr Pearce, but its nearness to the Wesleyan Church probably means another place will be found.

The Bible Christian Dinner and Concert will be held tomorrow (Wednesday). The aim is to raise funds to re-light the church.

Burra Vigilance Committee. Dr Brummitt presided at the Institute on 1 Aug.

It was resolved again to request the Government to place an alarm gong at the Bon Accord crossing.

Resolved to request a Circuit Court be established at Burra and an Insolvency Court.

The Government will be asked to fence the land in front of the school to protect the children from passing cattle on sales days.

The Government will be asked to plant trees around its own buildings: the Court House, Police Station and Gaol.

The Government will be asked to erect a post office at Redruth.

A deputation to The Commissioner of Public Works is to be organised re the Burra -Silverton Railway.

‘Industry, Thrift’ writes arguing that contrary to a recent assertion a man might keep a wife and six children on £2-2-0 a week and in fact he knows of a case where it is done on 17/6. It is the bottle and tobacco and the extravagant dress of wife and daughters, music lessons etc. ‘that does not become their class - that keeps them in such poverty-stricken circumstances’.

‘Comfort’ writes complaining that ladies’ waiting rooms at railway stations are not heated in the depths of winter.

W.H. Hardy writes in a letter extending almost a column, on ‘Freethought’.

The Adelaide Freethought Society announced recently a series of lectures. Thus holding out, in Hardy’s view, ‘the right hand of citizenship to - the Spirit of Evil’. They would strip the church of its revenues and apply the money for secular purposes.

In a remarkable flowering of purple prose he proceeds to attack the coming lecturer, Miss Ada Campbell as an agent of His Satanic Majesty.

VI, 361, 8 Aug. 1884, page 2

Advt. Great International Circus in Burra 12 August. 15 First-Class Performers.

S.G. Kingston has been convicted of grievously wounding Patrick Guerin, the cabman. Sentence has been deferred.

Silverton Railway. A strong deputation for a Terowie-Silverton line has failed to move the Government from the Petersburg line.

The Burra-Silverton deputation will wait on the Commissioner of Public Works next Wednesday.

Burra Waterworks. Mr Jobson, the engineer, has arrived and is preparing to commence operations. The work is expected to be completed in about three to four months.

Bible Christian Special Efforts to raise funds to re-light the church raised £20 and were judged very successful.

The Silverton Mines. First in a series of articles.

The recognised track from SA to the Barrier has been along the ‘pegged line’, a track surveyed by the Government and marked with mileposts and running as nearly in a direct line as allowed of striking water at convenient distances from Burra to Thackaringa. It has long been used by cattle and sheep coming to SA markets from Queensland and NSW. It is still the best route as it is less cut up than the line from Terowie used by the mail coaches. The pegged line goes through Baldina, past Caroona, touches North Dam Station at 60 miles, Anabama at 100 miles, Duffield’s Well at 150 miles, and then either via Mootra and Burta (About ten miles further round) or past Higher Mingary to Thackaringa, about 18 miles over the border and 208 miles from Burra. There are several large dams along the line between points mentioned. The route can be done readily at this time of year in four days from Burra with night camps at North Dam, Anabama, Duffield’s Well and Thackaringa. Avoiding deviations for water could reduce the distance by 20 miles. This is the route which it is sought to have for the Burra-Silverton railway. After the first four miles from Burra there is not a single obstacle, just plains of saltbush and bluebush and areas of black oak and sandalwood. The ground is rubbly limestone and the water supply good.

Salvation Army. More on the activities at Clare where the correspondent says they are attracting two groups: followers of Wesley and Larrikins.

Redruth Court.

William Symonds fined 5/- for stray cows.

Emanuel Federick [sic] fined 5/- for stray cows.

John Wood fined 10/- for driving on the footpath.

VI, 362, 12 Aug. 1884, page 2

Notice. Applications are invited for the position of Burra Town Clerk with positions also of Issuer of Licences, Overseer of works and Secretary to the Local Board of Health. £115 p.a.

Birth. To the wife of D. Spencer Packard, on 7 August, a son. [Guy Spencer]

W.T. Rabbich, late of Burra, is said to have found a lode of silver in the Silverton District, so valuable that he was almost directly able to sell 7/8 of it for £3,500 cash and has pegged out two claims adjoining the find.

Mr M’Cleary [Or M’Leary depending on the line.] Manager of the Bank of Australasia, Aberdeen, has been promoted to a position in Head Office in Adelaide after five years in the district and he will be replaced by Mr Horn.

Mr J.R. M’Leary [sic] left for Adelaide on Monday after residence here for 4 years 9 months. He was given a farewell at Young’s Hotel on Monday. John F. Duff presided. His health was drunk with bumpers of champagne and musical honours.

The Bible Christian Church has been fitted with new lamps, which have greatly increased the light and improved the appearance of the building.

John Drew was given a farewell address at the Burra Institute on Monday afternoon. The Mayor (Dr Brummitt) made the presentation. The address was signed by 50 persons and was elegantly bound in morocco. It was illuminated by Mr G. Colyer of Adelaide.

Burra Town Council, 11 August.

The licence of A. Schutz as a [cab] driver was withdrawn.

Applications for Town Clerk were invited.

Agreement between the Mayor and Major Thurman will make it unnecessary for a by-law as to band playing on Sundays.

Messrs Symon, Bakewell & Symon advise the Council has no title to Aberdeen Reserve. A committee of Council will interview the Secretary of the YPMA in reference to the matter.

Messrs Tiver & Preece offered £20 for a portion of Short St. Council decided to accept not less than £50 plus the costs of the transfer.

The Mayor reported the arrival of Mr Jobson as resident engineer of the Waterworks. There is a little difficulty getting control of the land needed for the reservoir and the shaft, but these being obtained the work would proceed at once.

The committee formed re the Aberdeen Reserve was authorised to negotiate for the land for the reservoir and shaft as well.

The Public Works Committee was authorised to arrange the necessary extension of the mains.

Silverton Mines. Second article in the series.

There are descriptions of Thackaringa, 15 miles from Silverton where the chief mines are the Pioneer and the Gipsy Girl. Then of Silverton Town where the nearest mine is about 11⁄2 miles away at Umberumberka. 11 miles a little to the east of north is Lake’s Camp with a number of claims.

Kooringa Magistrate’s Court, 5 August.

Daniel O’Brien fined 5/- for being drunk in Market Square.

11 August.

Alfred Schutz was fined 40/- or 14 days hard labour for being drunk in charge of two horses and a cab in Market Square on 9 August.

Salvation Army. There is a report of further disturbances at Clare.

Seb. George writes doubting the veracity of the Silverton correspondent. He accuses him and the papers generally of greatly exaggerating the value and significance of the finds.

VI, 362, 12 Aug. 1884, Supplement

Burra & N-E A. H. & F. Society [The Burra Show Society]

Prize List for the Show to be held on 18 September.

VI, 363, 15 Aug. 1884, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church, Special Sermons and Annual Dinner. Sunday 17 August three sermons by Rev. H. Hartley, late of England.

Public Dinner next Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. in the Institute, followed by a concert.

Editorial on the SA Budget Speech.

The previous Treasurer was accused of wilfully misleading the House by submitting insufficient estimates of expenditure etc. Without new taxation the colony would end the year down £593,000. The Government therefore proposed a 1⁄2d in the £ land tax and an income tax of 3d in the £ on incomes over £300 and of 6d in the £ on incomes derived from investments.

Aberdeen Post & Telegraph Office. A deputation to the Minister of Education was told that if the savings they said were there to be made could be proved it would be done.

The Terowie Enterprise, a new paper just published by Messrs O’Loughlin & Dawson, is a vast improvement on its predecessor and Mr Dawson’s many Burra friends will wish it every success.

C.C. Williams has just completed and loaded for Silverton 10 galvanised iron tanks in two nests of five each. The demand for tanks has increased steadily and Mr Williams has had to add extensively to his manufacturing plant.

The Burra Silverton Railway deputation met the Commissioner of Public Works on Wednesday, but he said the length and cost far exceeded what was needed and he held no hopes for its construction.

Bath & Pearce have substantially altered their premises, enlarging them and adding late glass windows and a new verandah and paving the front with Mintaro slate. The contractor was Mr John Pearce.

Obituary. The Rev. James Way, the senior Bible Christian minister in SA and father of the Chief Justice has died [on 14 August, aged 80]. He served in the Kooringa Circuit many years ago. He has been ailing for some time and his death was not unexpected. He last visited Burra about two years ago when he preached the anniversary sermons.

Burra Institute. Captain Hancock has sent 16 varieties of copper ore from Moonta Mines for the Institute Museum. A collection of silver-lead and silver ores from the Barrier Ranges has also been received recently.

Silverton Mines. Third article in the series.

This describes the Soakage Group, Nolan’s Big Slug and Mt Gipps, where the Burra & Mt Gipps Mineral Syndicate has ten claims.

Silverton Railway

The argument of the deputation on the Burra-Silverton route is reported in just over 1 column. Their argument was that the Burra route took the railway through developed wool country with sheep stations on both sides, and the eastern lands were being opened to settlement. Adelaide was the obvious and growing port for both the wool and Barrier traffic. Broad gauge or a dual gauge line would suit intercolonial trade. The Burra Hills were a minor obstacle and after that it was all flat and water was available. To the north there were hills at Hallett and Gumbowie. The Terowie delegation had proved the Barrier trade needed to be connected to the city and the port and this ruled out a route via Petersburg, but Burra was an even better choice in this regard. The Commissioner disputed the distances they cited, but in any case was clearly more attracted to the shorter narrow gauge connection to Petersburg over 152 miles compared with their broad gauge of 182 miles. He said broad gauge would cost an extra £500 per mile. He also believed his preferred route passed through more productive country.

Aberdeen Post Office deputation is reported in more detail. J. Dunstan says that in 1882 56,127 letters passed through the post for Aberdeen and 30,511 from Redruth. Receipts for Redruth post office were £95 and for Aberdeen £177. The town had five hotels, two mills and sixteen other places of business.

VI, 364, 19 Aug. 1884, page 2

Advt. Dr Sangster vaccinates at his surgery on Fridays 2.30 to 3.30 p.m.

Advt. Dr Brummitt will vaccinate at his surgery Friday 2 to 3 p.m.

Birth. On 17 Aug. at Kooringa, to the wife of Robert Brummitt, a daughter. [Ida Muriel]

Editorial on the Burra-Silverton Railway in which the editor disputes the distances cited by the Commissioner and contending that a broad gauge line would only be £170 per mile dearer, not the £500 a mile cited by the Commissioner. Water facilities on the Burra line would be much better. In several seasons in the past water trains have had to serve Terowie from Burra and Petersburg from Yongala. The reason teams go from Terowie is that the cost of 40 miles by rail is worth saving 15 miles of team carriage. Despite this many teams still do go from Burra.

Burra Waterworks. Construction has begun and the pipes are expected at once. The reservoir site has been surveyed and applied for and work should begin there soon too.

The Memorial calling for the establishment of a Circuit Court and an Insolvency Court in Burra is being circulated and signed.

Kooringa Court.

George Dark was fined 5/- for being drunk in Market Square on 16 August.

Silverton Mines. Fourth article in the series.

‘The Pinnacles’ about 11 miles east of Thackaringa and 11 miles southeast of Silverton is described. This is where Mr Rabbich made his fortunate discovery we noted a week ago. Then there are general remarks which point out that though a great deal of silver exists in the area the work so far has gone little beyond the prospecting stage and most of the ‘mines’ are as yet rather insignificant holes in the ground. At present summer water shortages are severe and a major problem about which little can be done for the coming summer at least and many will be driven away by lack of water. There is much speculation. ‘Two [sic] much money is being asked at present for claims to give speculators a chance.’

‘Labouring men should not go there at all seeking employment, but only to guaranteed engagements.’

Hardy [Presumably W.H.] writes calling on the Burra Vigilance Committee to espouse the cause of Land Nationalisation. He would also like to see circulated a petition in favour of the totalizator along with one against it.

VI, 365, 22 Aug. 1884, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Concert at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 22 August. 1/- & 6d.

Editorial on the Budget Debate.

2nd Leader on the Proposed Taxes.

The Weather continues very dry.

The Primitive Methodist Dinner & Concert last Wednesday at the Institute was most successful and resulted in a return of c. £30.

S.G. Kingston shooting case. An article from the SA Times is reprinted.

Pastoral Land Bill. The provisions are outlined.

Redruth Court, 20 August.

Jeffery Pearse fined 10/- for a stray cow.

J. Jenkins fined 3/- for driving loose horses in Commercial Street between 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

George Mayger fined 10/- (or 7 days) for being drunk in Market Square.

James Henderson jun. Thomas Price

Archibald Ker William Hopkins

Patrick Lally Samuel Barnett

Were each charged with insulting behaviour in that they threw eggs at passengers and each other at Drew’s Corner in Market Square on 2 August.

Price, Ker and Hopkins pleaded guilty and Henderson, Lally and Barnett not guilty.

F-C Radford gave evidence of damage to Miss Morgan’s dress and that one egg landed on Mr Drew’s daughter’s jacket. He saw Henderson, Barnett & Price run away and heard Henderson say ‘I gave him one right on the back of the head.’

He did not actually see the eggs thrown. There were the remains of about five eggs on Drew’s verandah and several more between there and Symon’s butcher shop.

All the boys were discharged with a severe caution.

William Develaing was charged with being drunk while in management of the Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen.

Thomas Halls gave evidence of Develaing’s drunken state and of a scuffle between him and Halls. The defendant had abused the witness, calling him an informer and a scoundrel.

Henry Cox, a drover, corroborated Halls story.

M-C George Innes saw the scuffle and the defendant was the worse for drink.

The defendant had given Halls in charge, but did not later come to sign the complaint and refused to prosecute.

William Develaing denied that he pulled Halls into the bar, but said words arose because he had refused to serve beer to Alf Schutz who was a prohibited person. Halls had rushed down the bar and tried to choke him and in the struggle Develaing’s shoulder had been dislocated. He was not drunk.

Morris Rabbich described the assault, but did not think the defendant was ‘uproariously tight’.

Develaing was convicted and fined £2 plus 10/- costs.

Salvation Army. There is a further report of eggs and court action from Clare.

VI, 366, 26 Aug. 1884, page 2

Advt. To Let: The house lately occupied by John Drew at the Smelting Works.

Apply I. Killicoat, Abberton Park.

Silver-Lead is said to have been found at Ketchowla c. 10 miles east of Pandappa Dam.

Burra Waterworks. Pipe laying has begun.

The Burra & Mt Gipps Syndicate has sent down 52 bags of ore giving an assay of between 1,000 and 1,500 oz to the ton.

The Wesleyan Concert on Friday was well carried out and the hall was splendidly lit with new lamps with duplex burners. The hall has been recently renovated and decorated.

Terowie-Silverton Track. Contrary to recent assertions about the nature of this route 470 teamsters have now sent a petition to Parliament complaining of the northeast track and asking for the dams and wells to be reserved for travellers as they were being drained by the squatters’ stock at Paratoo, Winnininnie, Manna Hill, Copperlinkie, O’Leary (Olary), Lower Mingary and the boundary dams and wells.

W. Ker writes disassociating himself from the egg throwing. He had no personal knowledge of the event and such action could endanger his job in the public service.

Burra Town Council, 25 August.

C. Schutz applied for permission for Alf. Schutz to drive a cab on sale days. Refused.

9 applications received for the Town Clerk’s position:

M. Rayner J.D. Cave J.A. Fry

W. Davey E. Opie A.B. Fordham

J. Dow J. McGown W.H. Hardy

VI, 367, 29 Aug. 1884, page 2

Notice. Burra Corporation acknowledges contributions of £108-14-0 to the Tree Planting Fund.

[Donors listed.]

Advt. Grand Concert in Burra Institute 1 September. [Program printed]

Editorial on the Treasurer’s intention to move on the proposed taxes: Land, Income & Beer.

2nd Leader on the proposal to end the subsidy to Councils. The writer favours this move because, while the subsidies are undoubtedly of use to country councils, its principal benefits go to the city and near city councils. It is money raised from everyone and is a means of collecting from the country and giving to the city and from the poor to benefit the rich.

Aberdeen Post & Telegraph Office has not been recommended by the Minister of Justice and Education.

S.G. Kingston has been sentenced to six months in the Adelaide Gaol for the wounding of the cabman Guerin.

Burra Waterworks. SAMA has given the land for the reservoir without cost and pipelaying is continuing rapidly.

Silverton Railway. The NSW Government has refused to construct a railway to Silverton.

Homestead Leases. The Hon. G.W. Cotton intends to move for the inclusion of Homestead leases for blocks of not over 20 acres to be lived on, in the Agricultural Crown Lands Bill.

‘Common Sense’ writes condemning the decision by the Government to build the reservoir in concrete rather than stone.

Morris Rayner writes urging that as part of the Burra Show Professor Custance be invited to give a lecture on The Agricultural Interests of SA.

A.H. Forder writes urging the establishment of a sugar beet industry in the district.

VI, 368, 2 Sep. 1884, page 2

Wool. The first load for the season arrived from Messrs Church and Warnes Dustholes Station.

Burra Waterworks. Laying of the mains is proceeding.

Persons wishing to have water laid on and who have not yet applied are asked to signify such to the Council at once.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church organised a concert in the Institute on Monday featuring some of the colony’s most talented vocalists. Mr & Mrs Crocker Smith, Mrs T.H. Jones and Mrs J. James presented a fine program aided by Miss Clarke and Miss Knight with overtures and Mrs H. Roach as accompanist.

Football. North Adelaide visited at the weekend.

On Saturday Burra 2.14 defeated North Adelaide 0.1

‘A Looker On’ writes in comment on a recent Clare-Mintaro football game, which Clare complained about, and among other matters the writer considers ‘had the Clare team (or at least some of them) keep [sic] out of the public house they might have done better in the match’.

W.H. Hardy writes deriding Morris Rayner’s call for a lecture by Professor Custance. Until the scheme of the Land Nationalisation Society is carried out farmers will not improve their lot. Farms are mortgaged to the hilt and selectors are paying through the nose for their land and staring at high taxation.

‘Lectures from Government representatives - Bah.’

VI, 369, 5 Sep. 1884, page 2

Advt. Catholic Young Men’s Soc. and students of St Joseph’s School will give a Grand Concert in the Institute on Wednesday 10 Sep.

Editorial on Taxation. This discusses the likely income from the new land and income tax proposals.

Primitive Methodist Church quarterly meeting showed an increase in members and a credit balance for the quarter.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Chapel held its anniversary on Sunday and Wednesday and about 40 travelled out from Burra to the tea meeting. The whole of the chapel debt was paid off thanks to all the kind friends.

Quondong Mail Service, so long sought, starts today. The contract went to Mr Midwinter.

Redruth Court, 3 September.

J. Tiver fined 10/- for a stray horse.

Dr Brummitt fined 10/- for riding round the Bank of Australasia corner in Aberdeen at more than walking pace.

Football. ‘Mark’ writes on the North Adelaide game giving slightly different results from the earlier report: Burra 2.13 defeated North Adelaide 0.1

Clare Correspondent replies to ‘A Looker On’ denying any vindictiveness and also upset by the implication of drunkenness on the part of some players. ‘Looker on’ needs to ‘cultivate a little more regard for the truth’. He maintains his report was both truthful and fair, but that the Mintaro players were unfair and rough.

Salvation Army. Further reports from Clare where eggs continue to be thrown.

VI, 369, 5 Sep. 1884, page 3

Silverton Mines. An official report from the Government Surveyor is summarised in c. 1⁄3 column.

VI, 370, 9 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Unearned Increment, i.e. the increased value of land due to the growing Government infrastructure and spread of settlement.

2nd Leader on the New Industries worthy of attention in SA, urging the importance of a diversification in the sources of national income. Manufacturers are needed and in the mean time at least bacon, pork, eggs, butter, and cheese as well as mutton and beef could be added or increased.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. S.F. Prior of Port Augusta preached. Tea meeting tomorrow.

A Bolt. Mrs Quinn of World’s End was visiting friends on Limestone Hill on Saturday when her horse bolted. It ran down the hill and up Queen St where it was captured by Mr J. O’Leary and Mr Prowse. On Mrs Queen getting into the cart to drive off again the horse reared and she was thrown between the shafts and the cart. Fortunately the horse broke the shafts and got free, releasing the lady.

Burra Town Council, 8 September.

J.D. Cave was appointed Town Clerk from 1 October.

SAMA advised that they were giving the land for the reservoir and were permitting the pipes to be laid through their land.

Council has decided to prepare a cricket pitch at the Recreation Ground for use by any club on payment of a fee.

A resolution thanking Mr Holder for his work as Town Clerk was passed.

S. Mortimer, field umpire for the Clare-Mintaro football game that had sparked controversy wrote adding his comments. He says the rough play was quite even on both sides and Mintaro won on its own merits. He did not threaten to leave the match on account of Mintaro’s rough play as the Clare correspondent had said. He did say to Mintaro that if their bad language was not moderated he would not act in future games. This however, he intended as a hint to both sides as the language of the Clare team was equally bad.

VI, 370, 9 Sep. 1884, page 3

Midland Licensing Bench, at Clare 3 September.

E.C. Lockyer was granted a licence for the Kooringa Hotel from 1 October.

VI, 371, 12 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial: a long 13⁄4 columns article on Land Nationalisation.

Rev. H. Howitt said in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it was against his religious convictions to take an oath so he was allowed to make an affirmation.

Rain this week was splendid, but on Tuesday afternoon it was a regular brickfielder with vivid lightning. The wind damaged the roof of the White Hart Hotel, removing the front part. The rain then set in gradually.

Burra Lodge [Oddfellows] for the quarter ending 27 August had 306 members of whom 299 were good on the books. Receipts were £332-14-3 and expenditure £214-13-11. Loans on mortgage stand at £5,620 and the worth of funds £6,128-6-0.

Catholic Young Men’s Soc. and the school students drew a good attendance to their concert with the hall comfortably filled. The farce Under False Colours was creditably given.

Kooringa Wesleyan Tea Meeting was presided over by Dr Brummitt. F.W. Holder read the financial report showing the debt increased by £100 due to nearly £200 spent on improvements. The usual reduction in the debt had not occurred due to heavy increased circuit expenditure and the erecting of the new parsonage. Rev. J.G. Wright, Rev. S.F. Prior, and Rev. C. Tresise all gave addresses and the financial result of cash and promises amounted to £100.

The Dog Act. Proposed provisions for the Dog Amendment Act are printed.

Supreme Court.

William James McBride petitioned the court for the dissolution of his marriage to Ada McBride nee Barrett [check Barnett?]. He had been married on 25 March 1884, but business had forced him to go to Queensland on 19 May, leaving his wife at home with his sister as a companion. He returned on 21 July. He alleged his wife’s adultery with Ferdinand Schutz on 19 May and on other days in May, June & July 1884.

On arriving in Adelaide he had received a communication from his mother, which had resulted in his arrival at his home in the company of P-C Radford and Frederick Ulrich. He obtained access via a window and Ferdinand Schutz had been found under his wife’s bed clad only in a shirt.

His Honour said he would report the allegation of adultery proved to the Full Court.

[Insert here the remarriage information for both parties.]

VI, 372, 16 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the proposed Dog Act.

Advt. Grand Bazaar in the Institute Hall on Thursday & Friday in Aid of the Kooringa Wesleyan Parsonage Funds.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope: third meeting last Thursday drew a large attendance.

Mr P. McM. Glynn BA LLB, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Kapunda Land Nationalisation Society, lectured at the Institute on the objects of the society to a representative, but not large audience.

Railway Employees. Railway repairers employed between Farrell’s Flat and Terowie met at the Bon Accord Hotel on 13 September to consider the action of the Government in charging them rent from 1 October. They resolved that since 6/- a day barely affords a living for themselves and their families they cannot sign the agreement and respectfully request the matter be reconsidered by the Commissioner.

The Clare Correspondent replies to S. Mortimer disputing the disclaimer by the latter of rough and unfair play. He cites instances and alleges bias by Mortimer.

[The editor declares an end to this correspondence.]

Cricket. The opening match of the season on 13 September saw Burra 63 defeat Aberdeen 25 & 17 (42)

Burra Town Council held a special meeting on 15 September to decide what to do seeing that the Aberdeen Reserve was offered for sale by auction. There was much talk, but no decision.

VI, 373, 19 Sep. 1884, page 2

Burra Show.

The dry weather and four other shows on the same day dampened people’s ardour and the increased entrance fee did not help. Perhaps with hindsight it would have been better to reduce prize money. The day was hot and the grounds dusty.

[These introductory comments seem to sit uneasily with the next statements!]

The attendance was very large and the gate money we believe a record.

Sheep and poultry are the mainstay of the show.

Implements are becoming fewer, though Henderson & Co. had highly recommended items on display.

Pigs and draught stock were few, but good.

Cattle were few as usual and wheat was good.

In the large hall there was a sorry sight with too few entries. Flowers were down due to the hot windy day.

P. Lane’s saddlery was a credit to him.

T.F. Bentley’s colonial wood cabinet was beautifully carved and the school entries reflected credit on both teachers and students.

The prize list is printed.

[Personal interest: Prizes won by [H.C.] W. Fuss

Vegetables grown within 20 miles:

12 yellow turnips 2nd

Herb collection 1st

12 cabbages 1st

Flowers grown within 20 miles:

Cut flowers not <24 varieties 2nd

Bouquet for table 2nd

Bouquet for hand 2nd]

Redruth Court.

J. Shortridge fined 14/- for driving loose cattle in Market Square.

T.H. Woollacott fined 4/- for driving 4 horses in Young St within prohibited hours.

W.A. Rabbich fined 10/- for two stray cows in Aberdeen.

VI, 373, 19 Sep. 1884, page 3

Mr P. McM. Glynn’s speech on Land Nationalisation is reported in just under 3 columns.

VI, 374, 23 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial on Railway Rental Housing.

The writer supports the men’s position. They are paid little enough and on the northern line it is to the Government’s convenience, not theirs, that they be given small enough houses in some inconvenient locations - there being but few towns far apart along the line they work.

2nd Leader on the Government’s decision to get an official report on the Bird-in-Hand and other Woodside gold reefs.

Railways. The government today will introduce bills for railways:

Pt Augusta to Phillip’s Ponds [NW of Pt Augusta & north of Pimba.]

Petersburg to the Barrier

Kooringa Wesleyan Parsonage Bazaar raised c. £130. In the last 18 months there have been three bazaars, which have raised £720 for this fund.

Mr A. Bartholomæus showed a sample of bone dust and a sample of bone meal from his mills at Charleston near Redruth, at the Burra Show. He is to be commended for turning a waste product into manure.

Obituary. A little daughter of Mr A.H. Forder succumbed to diphtheritic croup on Thursday. [Alice Louisa, born 8 August 1879; died 18 September, aged 5.]

Terowie-Silverton Track. Dr Cockburn said he was arranging for water supplies along the northeast track from Terowie:

Deep Well Teetulpa - a station well

Winnininnie Well - a station well

Copperlinka Government Dam - has been put in order. [Sometimes as Copperlinkie.]

Olary Well - a station well

Stark’s Camp Government Dam - has been put in order

Lower Mingary - a station dam

Higher Mingary - Government Reservoir

Thackaringa Boundary Dam - Government Dam

The last two are each 20’ deep and hold 5 million gallons.

S.E. Holder BA, holder of the SA Scholarship has just passed his intermediate examination for MB degree at London University 18 months after matriculation - usually allowed only after two years.

John W. O’Brien writes complaining he missed a prize at the show because no one was there to see the cows milked, as they should have been. Judging was therefore done without milk production being evaluated.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes complaining that bread costs as much now as it did when flour was £6-£7 a ton dearer.

S. Edwards writes of bad judging practices and bad management of the poultry at the show.

‘One of the Workmen’ writes re railway housing rents. The Commissioner claimed the men got 8/- a day, but it is only 6/- and living is dearer the further north you go.

Burra Town Council, 22 September.

Some of the trees planted had been killed by frost and to complete the planting as intended some 200 -300 more would be needed.

Crs Tiver and Sampson objected to spending more when they were in debt.

The Mayor said that having spent 11/- each on tree guards it seemed absurd not to spend 4d each on trees.

He had personally raised £108, which with the Government subsidy made £216 raised and he now asked them for a few pounds. But only Cr Brown supported him.

A long discussion on the Aberdeen Reserve followed. A move to turn it into a town rather than a North Ward responsibility was lost on the Mayor’s casting vote. He said it could not be compared with the case of the Recreation Ground.

The Hydraulic Engineer will be asked to re-connect the Aberdeen water trough with the water main until the new arrangements are complete.

VI, 375, 26 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the scurvy way in which the Council treated the Mayor’s request for some trees. The permanent benefit to the town was surely worth a brief debt of perhaps £2-£3 for each ward.

2nd Leader. The Aberdeen Reserve should never have been considered a town reserve and the Mayor’s decision to leave it to North Ward is totally justified. The North Ward Councillors constantly complain of the ‘white elephant’ of the Recreation Ground, but this move shows they are only complaining because it is not in North Ward. Such petty jealousies are pitiable and unfortunate.

The Recreation Ground is almost equidistant from both ends and all parties should accept it in its proper light as a recreation ground for all for a long time to come. We don’t wish to see the Aberdeen Reserve lost to the Public, but if it is to be secured it must be at the cost of those whose properties will be benefited by it and by the Ward, which desires its appropriation.

3rd Leader on the need for a detailed scientific investigation of SA to establish its mineral worth and potential for mining development. In particular the proprietors of the Alma & Waukaringa Mines deserve the Government assistance they are requesting.

The YMPA has sold its Aberdeen properties by auction in Adelaide yesterday to the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank.

Mr W. Fuss, [H.C.W. Fuss] considers that 1st prize in the show for cut flowers went to a collection with considerably fewer than the stipulated 24 varieties, but he does not intend lodging a formal protest. [Perhaps, but if so he apparently changed his mind: see VI, 376, 30 Sep. 1884, page 2.]

Railway Rents. A long article of c. 2⁄3 column outlines the history of the dispute.

Kooringa Court, 19 September.

James Nipper fined 5/- (or 3 days) for being drunk in Market Square.

25 September

Henry Shadrick fined 5/- for being drunk in Market Square.

VI, 375, 26 Sep. 1884, page 3

‘A Guarantor’ writes asking for more extended accounts of Council meetings. The discussion with regards to the trees was too mean and ridiculous to require further comment.

Many residents have guaranteed certain sums per year for water and may be required to pay for more water than they use up to the limit of the guarantee, but if you live near the Aberdeen water trough you can have what you want for nothing. The free troughs, if continued in Aberdeen as at present, will enormously reduce the likelihood of the cost of water being reduced. The Kooringa well had to be paid for and Aberdeen people can likewise pay for their water.

A ‘Ratepayer’ also writes re the meanness of the Councillors over the question of trees. The Council by such an excess of economy makes itself a laughing stock.

‘Non Nobis Solum’ writes considering the Council is full of ‘party humbug’. He is sorry that the present Mayor has had to put up with ‘such a lot of old dames’. They refuse a few pounds for trees, but these are the same men who voted the inspector an extra £10 a year for doing what he was engaged to do and also added on a few pounds for his getting signatures to memorials in the hours he is already paid for and a few pounds to collect rates and a few pounds to impound goats. His salary almost becomes double what the Council led ratepayers to believe the Inspectorship would be done for. They also go spending money to fence the Aberdeen Reserve, which they don’t own. [He also lists other ‘follies’.] It is time things were done in the town to best advantage and voted for without fear or favour.

VI, 376, 30 Sep. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Aberdeen water troughs, which clarifies the situation. In the past the water consumed from the troughs has been paid for by the general taxpayers of the colony and the beneficiaries have been those with horses and cattle who would otherwise have had to pay for the water their stock consumed. Under the new arrangements any deficiency in revenue after all have paid for water used (except those using the free troughs) must be got from the guarantors. Is it fair that guarantors who have pledged themselves so that the town may be supplied with water should pay for more water than they use while those using the water troughs get water free? Even if there is no deficiency in revenue the injustice of the free troughs remains apparent since their use will affect the general price of water even if the guarantors are not called upon.

2nd Leader on the Payment of Members.

It seems likely that the measure will now pass the assembly and go on to the Legislative Council. The opponents have fallen back on the cry of economy, but it is an unpaid

House that has brought about the financial difficulty. Paid members will widen the choice of voters and make it possible for all classes to be represented and make it possible for country electorates to be represented by local men. The benefits will be cheap at £13,000 p.a.

Annexation. The Agents-General of all the colonies except NSW have urged on Lord Derby the annexation of New Guinea.

Burra Town Council. The Government has agreed to a change in Ward boundaries, replacing Middle and South Wards with East and West Wards.

Bishop Kennion has visited the north of his diocese and held a service at Herrgott Springs. He held services at St Mary’s last Saturday and Sunday with a confirmation service on Sunday at 11 a.m. As we go to press he is delivering a lecture in the Institute on Tales of Life in Yorkshire.

Burra Show. Various protests about the acceptance of entries and awarding of prizes were heard. Two were upheld and one referred for more evidence. One was dismissed as no prize was involved. W. Fuss’s protest re there not being 24 varieties in the cut flower class was dismissed: the judges decision being declared final.

‘A Lover of Fair Play’ writes re the Corporation not supporting moves by the North Ward Councillors to get Council control of the Aberdeen Reserve by making it a town rather than a ward matter. The writer alleges it was a matter of about 6d in stamps to send a protest to the offending parties. He considers the paper should be renamed The Kooringa Advocate and North Ward Detractor. The Recreation Ground is indeed a White Elephant situated in Middle Ward such that the elderly cannot walk to it without being utterly prostrated. And to assert that it is centrally located is stretching ones imagination too far. Also why are all cases of drunkenness in Kooringa duly chronicled under Magistrates Court Kooringa while no such cases are reported from Redruth? North Ward was forced into borrowing money to enclose the Recreation Ground by votes from the other wards. It could have been a success had it been located about where the brewery is. Is it not a fact that the reason the Aberdeen [water] scheme was not at first accepted was because the water would come from North Ward? And when it was seen it could be got no other way was it not accepted with very bad grace?

The editor considered much of this to be nonsense. He explains the different names used in the two courts, says the question of the Aberdeen Reserve is a matter of scores of pounds not 6d, while the remarks about the water supply are simply infantile.

‘Onlooker’ writes re some of the matters recently prominent in Clare and on Miss Campbell’s visit. Also the railway workers are now to pay 1/- a room rent instead of 1/6. This remains unfair, but may correct itself if no one comes forth to work for the Government under such circumstances. While the workers are charged like this why are there so many hangers-on with good salaries - inspectors and their assistants and the like. Such are too well paid for too little work. Perhaps ministers intend to economise by cutting their own salaries. The Burra Councillors have decided to economise on trees and while saving money is good this seems rather mean for such a trifle when the Mayor has raised so much.

Carl Oppermann writes re the 24 varieties of flowers at the show. He denies the truth of the complaint and says in any case he competes less to win than to excite competition.

The editor explains the complaint turns upon what constitutes ‘distinct varieties’. Mr Oppermann included several pansies and ranunculi, though no two flowers were alike. The decision of the judges has been upheld.

W.H. Hardy writes re ‘A Guarantor’. He agrees with the comments about the meanness of the Councillors with respect to the trees. But he thinks the ‘Guarantor’ is about as mean as the Council he attacks. He says guarantors will be compelled to pay for all the water they use - and why not? No one could get water free from the troughs unless they cart it out in buckets after cattle have had their noses in it. If anyone took the water for other purposes the Inspector has a remedy, as it is clear this water is only for the use of cattle and horses. As for the Kooringa well, it was expected a profit would be made with water to be charged for except for that in the horse troughs.

[The editor finds Hardy’s letter ‘amusing in its grotesque misconceptions and displays such an ignorance upon the question under dispute that we are obliged to refer to it in order to convey some information to other persons who may labour under similar errors.]

VI, 376, 30 Sep. 1884, page 3

Petersburg-Barrier Railway

The total cost is estimated at £542,400. The route proposed is 155 miles. This runs from Petersburg to the border opposite Silverton, some 11 miles further north than where the road goes over to Thackeringa, which accounts for the different distances arrived at by the Government and the Burra deputation.

Miss Ada Campbell’s visit to Clare is reported. The writer says that out of curiosity some 200 came to her first lecture, but only some 30 or 40 to the second. She is, the writer says, an atheist who should be stopped for her ‘blatant blasphemy and ridicule of religion that ever mortal man could imagine.’

Cricket. Saturday, Kooringa 17 & 6 for 36 lost to Aberdeen 190

[For some reason this is described as a win to Aberdeen by 175.]

Bishop Kennion’s lecture on Life in Yorkshire is reported in a little over 1⁄2 column.

VI, 377, 3 Oct. 1884, page 2

Notice. John D. Cave has removed his offices to the Burra Institute.

Advt. ‘G. Webber having made additions to his premises, can accommadate [sic] anyone wishing to stay in the Burra.

Dinner from 12 to 2 o’clock. Tea or Coffee at any hour.

A good assortment of Fruit, Biscuits and Confectionary. All kinds of Fancy Goods.

Advt. Wanted: a smart and steady young man. Apply Charles Schutz,

Livery and Bait Stables, Kooringa.

[In this context ‘livery’ probably suggests the availability of horses for hire and ‘bait’ the care and feeding of horses.]

Editorial on the Silverton Railway Routes.

Only those from Petersburg, Terowie and Burra deserve comment. The others are out of the question due to the country passed through.

The Petersburg line would be of 154 miles.

The Terowie line would be very similar.

The Burra line would be 182 miles.

The character of the country is similar in each case after the first few miles, though the Petersburg line may be the easiest for a railway built without ballast, as there are fewer creeks. The Burra line has some difficult country initially.

There is no doubt that 99% of the traffic will be between the Barrier and the port or metropolis and so the distance between these two points should be noted.

Via the Petersburg line it is 307 miles, the Terowie line is say 298 miles and via the Burra route 282 miles. The Government is sticking to the Petersburg option.

2nd Leader on the Bill for the Protection of Women and Girls.

3rd Leader on the Aberdeen Water Troughs.

We oppose the continuance of free troughs after the corporation takes over the scheme. The cost of supplying the water is reckoned at 3/- per 1,000 gallons and consumption would reach some hundreds of thousands of gallons, so no small sum is involved. To require the guarantors to pay for persons who do not pay for what they use is out of the question. Neither can it be made up out of the rates. Those who use it should pay. Once the new engine is working it should be able to supply water at 1/6 per 1,000 gallons. A local resident could be used to collect a small charge from those who use the troughs at a fixed fee per head sufficient to leave a small profit for the collector.

Copperhouse Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was celebrated last Sunday when the preachers were F.W. Holder & Mr Paull. Tea Meeting is on Wednesday.

Davieston Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held last Sunday when Rev. W.H. Rofe of Terowie preached. Tea meeting Wednesday. All services drew large attendances.

Outalpa Annual Concert at the woolshed on 27 September raised £25 and it was decided to give half to the Adelaide Hospital and half to Burra Hospital. Last year the Burra Hospital was the beneficiary and got £17. The proprietor, Harry Foote Esq. presided.

‘BFL’ writes suggesting that local farmers follow the lead of those in parts of New Jersey who place two goats with their sheep and they chase off attacking dogs.

H.C.W. Fuss writes in reply to Carl Oppermann’s letter. He objects to the personal way in which Mr Oppermann has taken the whole matter. His argument was not with Mr Oppermann, but with the committee. He did not blame the judges, but the committee for upholding the decision of the judges when ‘they must have known that the judges had made a mistake, or they did not know what different varieties means: if not, I pity them’.

W.H. Hardy writes again re the water troughs. He reiterates his charge of meanness against the guarantors. You say the Aberdeen water system has shown a loss every year due to free water at the troughs and that the beneficiaries are those whose stock received free water, but it has been those who had water laid on who also used the troughs, not only those without water. So they were not paying for all they used either. As to the new system, I have been told (from one I took to be an authority) that the three wards will become the guarantors, not individuals. If I am mistaken in that I must pull in my horns a little. I still think having free water troughs in the town will do more good for the town than all the squabbling by two or three men who have signed guarantor forms and are now sorry for it.

VI, 377, 3 Oct. 1884, page 3

Burra-The Barrier Railway. The report by J. Randall Mann runs to c. 11⁄4 columns. He suggests that a slightly different line from that proposed by local advocates would be best. Details of the route are given, but the ultimate recommendation is that it is a less favourable route than that from Petersburg.

VI, 378, 7 Oct. 1884, page 2

Editorial on The Pastoral Lands Bill.

2nd Leader on the Findings of the Railway Commission re a dispute between the Deputy Engineer-in-Chief Mr Patterson and Locomotive Engineer Mr Thow and between Mr Mais and the Superintendent of Signals Mr R.A. White.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday. Sermons were preached by Rev. G.E. Rowe and Rev. J.G. Wright. In the afternoon the children and choir presented the service of song Little Dot.

The Protector, SA’s navy, arrived last week.

Burra Town Council. The new boundaries will require the retirement of both councillors of Middle and South Wards on 30 November and their replacement by two new Councillors each for East and West Wards.

Barrier Ranges. Run holders are enclosing water supplies and many of those who have gone to the Barrier are now leaving again due to water shortages. Though many of the claims have proved of little value the few good mines are so rich that a large population is likely to be settled here in the future and the fortunate owners will be richly rewarded. There have also been many swindles.

Burra Town Council, 6 October.

Minor works were approved.

The alteration in Ward boundaries has been gazetted. Councillors for the old Middle and South Wards will retire on 30 November. The debt or credit of old wards will be equally divided between the new wards.

There was discussion with Mr Jobson over details of the Waterworks arrangements. He said meters would be charged for at an annual rental of 12/- for 1⁄2” meters and more for larger ones. Meters were valued at £5. Meters were considered a necessity.

Mr Jobson had suggested that Council appoint a man to take charge when the works were handed over: to drive the engine, make connections as far as the meters, repair and read meters.

A letter to seek better terms re the rent of meters was to be sent as the Mayor said it was a much higher rent than was charged in Adelaide.

A schedule of duties and the advertisement for tenders are to be ready by next meeting.

With respect to the Aberdeen Reserve all that could be discovered of past actions was that the question had been referred to the London directors of the YPMA with no response. Nothing was resolved.

SAMA is to be asked to carry out their undertaking to fix spouting where eaves overhang footways.

New Ward Boundaries were proclaimed in last week’s SA Government Gazette. The proclamation is reprinted.

John Drew & John F. Duff were appointed Councillors for East Ward till 30 November.

John Sampson the younger and William Francis Coglin were appointed Councillors for West Ward till 30 November.

The division is described. From North Ward’s south-eastern boundary the boundary between the two new wards runs down the middle of the main road to a point opposite the centre of Mt Pleasant St and then southwest along the centre of Mt Pleasant St to a point opposite the centre of the right of way on allotment 78 [Drew Lane] and then along the centre of the right of way, across Commercial St and along the centre of Chapel St and its production to the centre of the Burra Creek, and then the centre of Burra Creek to the southern boundary of the Corporation.

VI, 379, 10 Oct. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the annexation race for territories in Africa and Asia being undertaken by France, Germany and Russia, while Great Britain seemed to be asleep.

2nd Leader on the importance of The Protector and our two forts and volunteers in maintaining the colony’s security.

3rd Leader approving the Government’s decision to buy locally produced iron water pipes.

4th Leader wonders about the wisdom of limiting the hours of work to 8 a day - many people work 10 or even more: professional men, merchants, tradesmen, farmers and agricultural labourers among others. The writer seems to favour a 10-hour working day.

5th Leader on the Annual Report of the Woods and Forest Department.

The Burra Show will be held on 29 October.

Mr W. Fuss [H.C.W. Fuss] has sent us nearly 100 pansy specimens he has growing in his garden. The blooms are of great size, many are extraordinarily large and many are of good form and colour, including several new shades.

Victorian Railways. Among new proposals is a line from Dimboola to our border (63 miles) to join the SA line now being built.

Rain has been unusually heavy in the last two to three weeks and the crops are coming on splendidly.

Redruth Band of Hope met as usual on 7 September and continues to meet fortnightly.

Burra Waterworks. The mains originally included in the plans have now been laid. A temporary engine has been provided and the reservoir on the hill to hold 31,000 gallons has been excavated and is being walled in with concrete and as soon as it is ready the house services will be fixed and water is expected to be available in about one month. It is hoped the issue of the meter rental will be resolved by then.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was held on 5 & 6 October. Rev. G.E. Rowe preached in the morning, the service of song Little Dot was rendered in the afternoon and Rev. J.G. Wright preached in the evening. The tea was very well attended and it was provisioned from Mr Gebhardt’s bakery. Over £200 has been raised in the past year and all demands have been met with a few pounds over.

Bible Christian Church. Rev. C. Tresise was temporarily sent to Kooringa after the last Bible Christian Conference, but now Rev. James has arrived from England, freeing Rev. Tresise for evangelistic labours in different places. A tea was held to farewell him on Wednesday, presided over by Mr W.H. Turner. Mr Holder spoke in appreciation of Rev. Tresise’s work followed by Mr Trellagan of Mt Bryan, Rev. G.E. Rowe and Mr G. Anderson.

VI, 380, 14 Oct. 1884, page 2

Birth. On 11 Oct. at Spring Farm, World’s End, to the wife of T. McWaters, a son. [Alexander: d. 22 Jan. 1885]

Birth. At Kooringa on 9 Oct. to the wife of Samuel Burns, a son. [Norman George Merrick]

Editorial on Land Tax Proposals - arguing against the move to exempt churches and other religious buildings, but in favour of an exemption from income tax for charities and friendly societies.

2nd Leader on The Pastoral Bill.

3rd Leader on the annexation of New Guinea.

4th Leader on the Bill to abolish grants-in-aid for Corporations and District Councils. The money is most unevenly distributed. Most of the grants go to the metropolitan area and since they are derived from general revenue they transfer money from rural to the urban area. The writer argues for the continuation of grants for a fixed period dating from the proclamation of a Corporation or District Council. (From the proclamation of the original Council in the event of the subdivision of Councils etc.)

Rev. C. Tresise has gone to Silverton to establish a Bible Christian Church there. He is accompanied by Rev. J. Thorne.

Railway Accident. A young man named Smith was injured in a shunting accident at Hallett on Saturday. One leg was lacerated when caught between a wheel flange and the rail. He is progressing in Burra Hospital.

SAMA: half-yearly report. After debiting the profit and loss account with £3,080 in payment of the 62nd dividend, paid on the 8 July and with expenses in the last half-year to 30th instant, amounting to £701-2-6 for rents and interest received there remains to the credit of the account £70,795-7-1.

A surrender of the unexpired term of a 99-year lease of land to the E & A copper Co., on which the smelting works is erected, has been accepted by the directors and part of the land, amounting to about 47 acres, has been sold to the Copper Co. in exchange and in consideration of £300. This is regarded as advantageous to both parties.

Five allotments in Kooringa have been sold, amounting to rather more than an acre, for £295 and some lease renewals have been granted for fair rentals.

The assets of the Association are set down at £134,000.

W.H. Hardy writes expressing amazement that the editor on 10 October came out against the eight hours movement. He argues that a greater population would not bring greater prosperity, at least not of itself; if they were merely farmers, farm labourers and the like. He goes on at length to ague his case using income figures. He says incomes dropped when hours of work dropped. The editor’s argument for greater productivity, he says, implies that he wants men to work the ten hours for the same as they earn now for eight. As for professional men working ten hours or more - perhaps they do, but they get well paid for it, and by the hour.

VI, 380, 14 Oct. 1884, page 3

Cricket. Brewery Flat on Saturday.

Young Australians 123

Kooringa 68 & 28 (96)

[Which the writer says is a win by an innings and 57 runs, but it looks more like 27!]

On Saturday Burra, 71 defeated Aberdeen, 28 & 5 for 49.

VI, 381, 17 Oct. 1884, page 2

Notice. Tenders called by Corporation of Burra for the position of Engineer, Collector etc. for the Burra Waterworks.

Advt. At the Burra Institute This Evening: Helen Vivian’s New Premier Dramatic Co.

Presents Queen’s Evidence - the Sensational, Emotional & Humorous Drama

And on Saturday Lady Audley’s Secret with the comedy Checkmate.

Editorial on the London Economist, which has been writing about wheat production in America, India and Australia. The writer considers the problem in Australia of land being exhausted with no new areas to be opened up. In the past in SA new land were always available for settlement, but no longer. Farms gradually went from 80 acres to 2,000 and he now predicts a reversal of this trend as more farmers’ sons seek farms. But can smaller areas be made productive enough to support a family and be kept fertile? He suggests an integrated farming system with cropping, dairying and pigs that would enable this. Other products will be beet sugar, olives, mulberries (for silk), honey, flax, chicory and tobacco. Methods of cultivation must be improved. He supports the efforts of Professor Custance at Roseworthy.

2nd Leader. The Payment of Members Bill now goes to the Legislative Council.

Friendly Societies will now be exempted from income tax.

Burra Model School’s pupil teachers have done well at recent examinations. The following are the passes: 1st Year M.S. Bampton

2nd Year Thomas Nevin (First Class)

3rd Year Charles Cater & M. Williams (Both First Class)

4th Year Rose B. Bentley

Mr Joubert, of exhibition fame, proposes a number of gentlemen become guarantors of an exhibition in 1887 to replace the one projected by the late Government and dropped by the present one. He is prepared to be one such.

A Homestead Bill granting small blocks to workingmen was read for the first time in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Workingmen are defined as one employed by another in actual manual labour. The blocks are not to exceed 20 acres. There will be a limit of one licence to a person and the licensee is to erect a house and live on the block. Having satisfied the conditions he may, after three years, be granted a 21-year lease. If applications exceed blocks the allocation is to be decided by lot.

The Helen Vivian Dramatic Co. is reviewed very favourably. On Wednesday it gave the French drama The Woman of the People or The Horrors of Drink and yesterday presented East Lynne.

‘Industry’ writes condemning the nonsense of W.H. Hardy and describing the eight hours system as:

‘a nightmare resting on our national life, paralysing our industries and tyrannous alike to employer and employed.’

‘Your correspondent does not know what he is writing about.’

It makes the cost of building dearer and is thus a prime cause of the scarcity of work.

J. Cooksley also writes on this subject to say the eight hours system is a failure and only drains the colony of money by having us import things that should be made here. Mr Hardy says the lack of industry is due to want of capital and inability to pay for the productive power. This is nonsense. It is due to the high cost of labour.

E. Wilfred Robinson, Secretary of the British & Foreign Bible Society writes to explain why arrangements announced for the society’s special services have had to be changed. The Church of England does not allow by law their ministers to officiate at Divine Service outside their own communion. He will therefore preach at St Mary’s on Sunday evening at 6.30 p.m. and will attend the annual meeting on Monday.

Cricket. Brewery Flat on 15 October.

Kooringa 59 & 61 (120)

Drovers 44 & 71 (115)

VI, 382, 21 Oct. 1884, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute 21 October. Mr Sebastian George, the Wonderful Mind Reader will appear for an exhibition of Mind and Muscle Reading.

Editorial on the Railway Commission into the Thow Affair.

2nd Leader on the onset of summer and with it the potential for summer diseases.

3rd Leader urging the reasonableness of the Government aiding mining industry in Sa - specifically aid for the finding of an adequate water supply for the Alma and Victoria Mine.

4th Leader on the Annexation of New Guinea.

Burra Town Council, 20 October.

Mr West says the fixing of guttering along eaves overhanging footways has again been referred to the [SAMA] directors.

The Finance Committee had gone into revenue and expenditure of the part of the town now in East and West Wards and found c. £50 had in the past year been expended in West Ward and £555 in East Ward. They recommended that the Middle Ward credit of £7 and South Ward debit of £62 be both given to East Ward so that West Ward begins without a debt and East Ward with a debit of £55.

Cr Sampson wanted to consider this further, but the report was adopted.

Mr R. Bartle was appointed Waterworks Engineer at 54/- a week.

H. Pinch offered to rent two unclaimed allotments in Redruth for 10/- p.a. for ten years and he would have them fenced. Granted.

The ford and footbridge in Aberdeen are to be tarred and painted.

110 more trees to be purchased.

Waterworks: no reply yet from the Department re the cost of meters.

The cost of laying on house services including the fixing of meters would be:

30/- for 1⁄2” service

40/- for 3⁄4” service

60/- for 1” service

Benj. F. Langford writes on the Annexation of New Guinea.

VI, 382, 21 Oct. 1884, page 3

W.H. Hardy writes an inordinately long letter of over one column on the eight hours system.

Cricket. Saturday on Brewery Flat.

There being only eight on the printing staff an 8-a-side game was played:

Typos 32 & 65 (97)

Young Australians 54 & 38 (92)

VI, 383, 24 Oct. 1884, page 2

Notice. Tenders called for sinking of a well on park lands adjoining the town of Franklyn in the Hundred of Wonna. Plans at the Terowie and Franklyn Post Offices.

Notice. Eleven men sign a notice thanking W.H. Hardy for supporting the eight-hour day on behalf of the Working Man.

Editorial on the Burra Waterworks.

The approach taken to deal liberally with small consumers and making the first charges as low as possible has greatly increased the demand and therefore the profit. The cost of raising extra water after the system is installed is a mere nothing, so that once the guaranteed quantity is sold the rest is nearly all profit. The Government has not however given the Council much encouragement, or even justice. In Adelaide meters are let out at 12/- p.a. irrespective of size. The proposed charge here is much more. Water pipe has also been charged at an exorbitant rate.

2nd Leader on the Thow Affair.

Redruth Band of Hope met as usual last Tuesday in the Wesleyan schoolroom. There was a large attendance, but rather a poor program was gone through.

The Triennial Conference of the Australasian Wesleyan Church will be held in Christchurch NZ from 12 November. Among SA representatives are Rev. S. Knight and Mr F.W. Holder of Burra.

Mr Sebastian George drew a fair attendance on Tuesday.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. annual meeting was held in the Institute on 20 October. The deputation gave an interesting address on the works of the society. Elected for the next year: President, P. Lane; Vice-President, Dr Sangster; Committee of the town’s ministers plus F.W. Holder, W.H. Turner, J. Dunstan jun. & T. Edwards.

The Mayoralty. Dr Brummitt has declined to stand again and Mr John Dunstan jun. has been asked to stand.

A.R. Tuck, of Narridy, writes re the eight-hour system. He is against the paper’s view and for the eight-hour day. He finds it hard to see the claimed mutual benefit for worker and employer for the worker’s slaving an extra two hours a day for the same wage.

Charles T. Young, of Narridy, writes in a similar vein, urging the worker to fight against any move to end the eight-hour system.

Robin Morton, on behalf of Sara & Dunstan’s employees at Narridy new Post & Telegraph Office, writes in support of Hardy and the eight-hour day.

J. Cooksley writes again attempting to explain to W.H. Hardy the error of his ways.

W.H. Hardy writes objecting to the appointment of Mr Bartle at Waterworks Engineer when others tendered for nearly £30 p.a. less and he claims it was all arranged well before the tenders were opened. He also suggests that Bartle couldn’t light a fire under the boiler without first receiving instruction.

[He does not however, mention that he was himself one of the tenderers for the job.]

Cricket. Brewery Flat on 22 October.

Kooringa 64 & 9 for 60 (124)

Zingari 40 & 76 (116)

VI, 384, 28 Oct. 1884, page 2

Advt. Goodchild, Duff & Co. will auction at Copperhouse on 31 October on the premises known as R.J. Smith’s: three allotments of land in Copperhouse including a stone house of four rooms, garden and well of fresh water, also a butcher’s shop with cellar, three large pigsties, stable, cart shed, sausage room, underground cellar etc.

Advt. Quondong Mail. William Midwinter will run a mail trap between Kooringa and Quondong conveying passengers and parcels, leaving Young’s Hotel every Friday at 1 p.m. Leaving Quondong Monday 9 a.m. and arriving Kooringa Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Advt. Burra Floricultural Society. Fourth Annual Show, Wednesday 29 October.

Editorial on The Chinese Question.

This article concentrates on the use of Chinese labour to crew ocean liners and ships in the intercolonial trade. It reports an address by Rev. J.C. Kirby in the Port Adelaide Town Hall on the coolie labour question where he said: ‘Unless checked in fact and it has gone very much too far as it is, this land would become a huge, leperous, [sic] festering Chinese colony, “evolving”, to use the Darwinian term, a future nation of hybrids.’

‘Mr Kirby might have gone still further, and pointed out to an intelligent and enthusiastic audience that the foul subterranean grub that gnaws at the root of that fair tree of “Social Purity” of which he is the leading champion and cherisher, is to an almost incredible extent, the Chinaman.’

Mr Derrington also took part, but confined himself to the maritime aspect of the question.

Migration. In the week ending 11 October 160 arrived in SA and 325 departed.

Burra Waterworks. The Hydraulic Engineer has agreed to allow connection to the mains before the handover to Council, which will make water available two or three weeks earlier.

Weather. Last Saturday began with a dust storm, but some showers fell in the afternoon.

VI, 384, 28 Oct. 1884, page 3

Fire. A small amount of damage was done to bedding at Mr Mayger’s premises on Saturday night, but we do not say more as accounts are confused and Mayger has been taken into custody to appear before the bench.

W.H. Hardy writes again to attack J. Cooksley on the 8 hours issue.

The editor says this closes the correspondence on the issue and chastises Hardy for being greatly deficient in the courtesy that had been displayed by his opponents.

VI, 385, 31 Oct. 1884, page 2

Advt. J.B. Hocking has set up business as a hairdresser and tobacconist next to the Burra Record office. (After eight years at Gawler.)

Editorial. “Westward Ho!”

The editor likens WA to Texas. WA is now clamouring for responsible government. What are the immediate prospects for WA? Some four years ago the Kimberley District was opened for selection with wonderful water and grass for ten months of the year. Pastoralism has taken off. Cattle are doing well and sheep are being sent there by ship. Derby is growing. A new and prosperous era is in store for WA.

Railways. The Morphett St viaduct in Adelaide was opened by the Mayor on Monday.

2nd Leader on the Homestead Bill of Mr Cotton.

[This article takes up again the rabid racism of the Chinese Question editorial and has passages of even more purple prose.]

e.g. ‘a great proportion of our agricultural labourers, dam sinkers, road makers, shearers, bricklayers, builders, mechanics, et hoc genus omne, are runaway sailors, “niggers”, Malays and Indians, to whom we must now add Egyptians and Assyrians! - to say nothing of “the yellow agony”, in the shape of almond eyed, meek and gentle Mongolian.’

‘Does Mr Cotton mean to establish veritable homesteads among us for the very lowest dregs of Africa, Asia and the black peopled islands of Melanesia?’

[The writing style is rather incoherent, sprinkled with Latin tags and full of extreme hyperbole and arrant nonsense. It is not said who Holder put in place as acting editor while he went to NZ, but this reflects neither Holder’s style nor attitudes. The style and comments made in his obituary strongly suggest it was Benjamin Franklin Langford, as does a notice later in 1884. See: VI, 397, 12 Dec. 1884, page 2 and XV, 388, 11 Oct. 1899, page 2]

Burra Waterworks.

The Town Clerk advises that the tenders for the job of Engineers and Caretaker were:

W.H. Hardy £200 for the 1st year and £100 thereafter

A.F. Furniss £156 p.a.

F. Simpson £156 p.a.

R. Bartle £140-17-0 p.a.

A. Lott £117 p.a.

Ralph Bartle was appointed.

Bicycle Accident. Mr Thomas Richardson was thrown to the ground when a piece of wood got entangled in his wheels. He was rendered unconscious for some hours.

A son of J.G.I. Ker sprained both hands in a similar accident.

Rev. W.F. James, newly arrived from England, preached missionary sermons in the Bible Christian Church on Sunday. Rev. James has been accorded a hearty welcome.

Mr Hugh Anderson, who is leaving to live in Victoria, was given a farewell by Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday school and members of the Rose of Sharon Tent IOR.

VI, 385, 31 Oct. 1884, page 3

Burra Flower Show, in the Institute on 29 October.

The show was probably a good success, but the prose takes a lot of wading through to establish that. It seems the impression was somewhat marred by the defective arrangement of the blooms.

The financial results were c. £35-£36 which was down about £6 on the previous year.

[Of personal interest: Prizes won by W. Fuss, i.e. H.C.W. Fuss.

6 Antirrhinums 1st 3 Pansies 1st

6 Ranunculi 2nd, 3rd & 4th 12 Annuals 2nd

3 Carnations 1st & 2nd 3 Annuals 2nd

1 Pink 1st 12 Flowers grown outdoors 1st

3 Dianthus 1st & 2nd 3 Flowers grown outdoors 2nd

1 Dianthus 2nd 6 Bulbous or tuberous 1st

3 Everlastings 1st, 2nd & 3rd 3 Bulbous or tuberous 2nd

6 Phlox drummondii 1st, 2nd & 3rd 1 Bulbous or tuberous 1st

12 Verbenas 1st 3 Stocks 2nd

6 Verbenas 1st 1 Stock 1st

1 seedling raised by exhibiter 2nd Floral Design 3rd

3 Petunias 1st Bouquet for Table 2nd & 3rd

3 Double petunias 2nd Bouquet for Hand 2nd & 3rd

Native Flowers 1st & 2nd]

W.H. Hardy writes to say he is not surprised at the comments the editor made about him in the last issue. It is only natural since they have such opposite views. He says the editor is known to be a supporter of those with large purses and would naturally seek to silence a voice supporting the poor and oppressed. Hardy alleges that the editor altered his letters to make them more vulgar, and then complains of it!

The paper printed: ‘A person who cannot see any further than the flaps of his own trousers.’

Hardy says he wrote ‘ . . . the flaps of his own pockets.’

He accuses this temporary editor of taking a ‘dirty mean advantage’.

The Editor then comments on what he calls ‘This unique production which we insert in all its vulgar integrity.’ And which he says would speak even more for itself if printed as it was spelt. He denies utterly any accusations of revenge or the other coarse insinuations of the writer.

Cricket. Young Australians 32 & 63

Aberdeen 69 & 4 for 35

VI, 386, 4 Nov. 1884, page 2

Advt. Dr Lee may be consulted at E. Frederick’s Burra Eating House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. He has cured many dangerous complaints given up by other practitioners.

Notice. St Joseph’s Anniversary Services will be preached by the very Rev. Father Kreissl SJ on Sunday 9 November.

The Editor advises W.H. Hardy that his ‘few words’ are of no interest to the public and will not be published.

Editorial on Queensland and The Protectorate.

2nd Leader on Mr Colton’s new Education Bill.

[Once again the ranting in purple prose is like wading through treacle, but the gist of the complaint seems to be that the writer objects to public schooling being strictly secular and abhors the way in which God and his works have been excluded from the curriculum and, consequently of course, all moral values at the same time.]

Colonel Downes has reported to the Government on the Rifle Volunteer Force ‘as little better, if at all so, than a shooting club, on a large scale.’ It has the added disadvantage of giving a false sense of security.

His remarks have provoked much dissension and a soldier writer says the Adelaide Rifles [i.e. the paid military force of the day] should be included in the strictures. He says the officers are ignorant and can’t maintain discipline, and the whole force is little better than ‘an armed and well dressed mob’.

Furthermore Downes’s anticipated retirement in June next ‘will not evoke a very violent outburst of grief’.

Silverton Railway. The Bill for the railway from Petersburg began its passage through Parliament, but the debate has been adjourned.

VI, 386, 4 Nov. 1884, page 3

Burra Town Council, 4 November.

The Hydraulic Engineer has refused to alter his terms for the hire of water meters and has referred the matter to Dr Cockburn.

North Ward Councillor is required next meeting to submit a scheme re the Aberdeen water troughs.

A pump is to be got for the cemetery well.

Salvation Army. There is another report from Clare of what the writer describes as the Army’s ‘disgraceful proceedings’, though much of the disgraceful behaviour seems attributable to others.

VI, 387, 7 Nov. 1884, page 2

Advt. Hallett Institute Anniversary Picnic Sports and Entertainment on the Public Holiday 10 November.

The Oddfellows’ & Foresters’ Sports will be held [in the Police Paddock] on 10 November with a Grand Entertainment at the Burra Institute at 8 p.m.

Editorial on ‘Chinese Gordon’

2nd Leader on the Silverton Railway Bill and its supporters and detractors in Parliament. It has now gone to the Legislative Council.

3rd Leader on the troubles in China where in particular the French and the Chinese have been at loggerheads.

4th Leader on the disreputable scenes in Clare surrounding the Salvation Army.

Sebastian George, the mind reader, will appear at the Institute tomorrow (Saturday) night.

Advt. Burra Institute 11th, 12th & 13th November:

Melbourne Dramatic Co. will present: Two Orphans.

St Mary’s Sunday School Picnic was held at Princess Royal woolshed last Wednesday and was well attended. The only drawback was the disagreeable dust storm that blew for part of the time.

Redruth Band of Hope gave a very successful entertainment in the Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom on 4 November in aid of the piano fund.

VI, 387, 7 Nov. 1884, page 3

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 2 & 3 November, was very well attended, drawing the largest number for some years.

The afternoon service of song by the Kooringa choir was much appreciated.

During the year the trustees have reduced the debt on the church and paid £40 for an allotment of land.

Kooringa Court.

George Mayger Sen., mason, was charged by William West with maliciously setting fire to a house, the property of SAMA, on 25 October last. It not being established whether the fire was deliberately lit, the case was dismissed.

Cricket. At Aberdeen on Saturday

Aberdeen 2nd Eleven 36 & 37

Kooringa 37 & 7 for 41

Silverton. Statistics of the mines and the tons produced and the value thereof are printed. The earliest discoveries date from 1866, but no work was done till 1883. By far most discoveries also date from 1883-84. The following mines had produced over £1,000 worth by 30 September 1884.

Mine Value in £ Ore Tonnage

At Thackaringa Pioneer 30,000 2,000

Gipsy Girl 13,500 900

Kingston 3,000 200

Hercules 2,400 200

Goat Hill 3,750 250

Magrath 1,250 150

At Silverton Umberumberka 9,500 560

At Lake’s Camp Day Dream 9,000 300

Hen & Chicken 6,000 60

Apollyon 10,000 300

Uno 1,200 4

At Mt Gipps Clifton 4,500 16

Maybell 3,500 7

Manola 1,500 2

At Purnamoota Lubra 8,000 12

Caledonian 1,500 6

Christmas 5,000 6

[Smaller mines are listed as well.]

VI, 388, 11 Nov. 1884, page 2

Advt. Young Men’s Friendly Assoc. Sciopticon Entertainment. Views of English Cathedrals and other places of interest on 13 November at the Society’s rooms in Thames St.

Birth. To Mrs H. Roach, on 8 November, a daughter. [Kathleen]

Editorial on The Question of Races.

[The editor is responding to criticism of himself in the Port Adelaide News, which apparently considered that the Record, usually having sound views, had gone ‘so much astray’ in its comments on the homestead issue.]

But where have we gone astray? We utterly deny this imputation.

[The editor then goes off in characteristically flowery fashion and cites the lost tribe of Benjamin and the Rape of the Sabines as examples of contamination of the racial stock. He goes on to say that in the last 50 years all moral considerations have been given over in favour of powerful commercial interests.]

Every consideration of the Chinese has been founded upon the grossest and lowest principles - the mere and sheer principle of lucre.

‘They may pollute poor European families, and European society as they do, by obtaining wives by abduction, seduction and secret barter (we write again advisedly) and not a word is said; not a complaint made, by European father, mother or brother.’

‘But let the Chinaman (which includes here all coloured races) be considered in relation to capital and labour, to certain trades and occupations, to the lowering of European wages, then the modern colonial philanthropist is deeply wounded. Wipe out, smother, pollute, corrupt his morals, and he is meekly content; but let the Chinaman or the Oriental influence of his wages, and reach for his pocket, and he roars out with genuine agony like a bull of Bashan! Absit omen.’

The meeting at Pt Adelaide was in the interests of the pocket: not social or moral interests.

[Absit omen = may this foreboding not become fact. Which seems a trifle odd since the allegation is that it has been fact for the last 50 years.]

2nd Leader on wheat statistics and their relation to the wheat trade as brought up in the Legislative Council by Mr Glyde.

Accident. A gun being handed to Mr Nichols*, who was in his trap at Vivian’s hotel, discharged and shattered his arm on Saturday morning. Dr Sangster had to amputate it above the elbow and the patient is doing well.

[* Corrected in the next issue to Mr John Nykiel, of Hill River. See also probable reference VI, 390, 18 Nov. 1884, page 2]

St Mary’s Sunday School students were shown views of English cathedrals, cities of Europe etc. and views of Robinson Crusoe’s life, exhibited by means of a sciopticon in the old church on Friday.

The Mayoralty. The Mayor convened a meeting to allow candidates to address ratepayers. John Dunstan was the only candidate and expressed his views very clearly. Questions relating to public baths created much merriment.

Mr Sebastian George played on Saturday evening to only a small audience at the Institute.

Oddfellows’ and Foresters’ Sports on Monday. By about 2 p.m. the Police Paddock grew busy and the morning’s warm and dusty conditions gave way to a clear and cool afternoon. The grounds were well prepared. There was a procession in regalia and with banners from the Institute about 10.30 with the Burra Band. Sporting results are printed.

Salvation Army, 8 November. There has been more trouble in Clare with an attempt on Monday to burn down the barracks. Floors and doors were soaked in kerosene and were set alight. It was extinguished before much damage was done. On Wednesday (Guy Fawx night) [sic] the Clare Skeleton Army turned out to oppose the Salvation Army, which did not march for fear of starting a riot. Captain Carr was paraded through town in effigy astride a beer cask and later burnt. At the barracks fireworks were let off among the Salvationists and eggs were thrown by both sides. Captain Carr left on Friday for Moonta and two buxom ‘lassies’ have taken his place.

VI, 389, 14 Nov. 1884, page 2

Advt. John Sampson jun. will sell on 19 November, on account of J.B. Hocking, the whole of his stock in trade as a tobacconist and fancy goods dealer, as his shop has been re-let.

Advt. Drawing Room Entertainment at Burra Institute 21 November.

In aid of Institute and Hospital Funds, by Lady and Gentleman Amateurs.

MOONLIGHT

Advt. Grand Bazaar in aid of St Joseph’s Residence Building Fund.

To be opened by the Mayor, Dr Brummitt.

Advt. Melbourne Dramatic Co. at the Institute.

Tonight: Sin and the Shadow

Saturday: The Shaughraun

Monday: Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Editorial on maladministration in the Northern Territory.

2nd Leader on Incendiarism at Port Adelaide.

3rd Leader on The Silverton Railway Bill, which almost came to grief in the Legislative Council, but was finally passed.

Mr G. Sara was given an illuminated address by the congregation of the Redruth Wesleyan Church and friends on Wednesday evening on the occasion of his departure for Terowie.

Burra Waterworks. As originally provided for they are almost complete and water should be flowing in about one week. All applicants at Kooringa have been connected and service laying begins in Aberdeen on Saturday or Monday. Extensions in Kangaroo, Queen and Chapel Streets are progressing with connections expected in about a fortnight.

Dr Cockburn has now advised that meters will be included in the capital account and charged for at 5% p.a., instead of being rented at 12/- p.a.

St Joseph’s. Father Kreissl preached three sermons on the anniversary of St Joseph’s Church last Sunday.

Burra Hospital Board, 12 November.

A donations of £12-15-0 has been received from Outalpa Station and one of £13-13-0 from Oulinna Station thanks to station managers and hands.

Various minor works approved.

Melbourne Dramatic Co. opened on Tuesday to a very fair house and did better on Wednesday. Both performances receive good reviews.

The Oddfellows and Foresters’ Entertainment following their sports was fairly well attended considering the counter-attractions, though the back of the hall was empty. The performance was very creditable.

Burra: a Visitor’s View.

There is an item headed: The Stranger in Burra.

A bird’s eye view of the town would show ‘a sort of resuscitated Herculaneum; a washed, and dried and cleansed Pompeii; the preponderance of ramshackle, inartistic houses and walls are [sic] so great. But in the midst lurks snug retreats with foliage and “verdure clad” often behind high and uncouth walls.’

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 9 & 10 November. Rev. G.E. Rowe preached in the morning to a fair audience. The service of song in the afternoon was A Child of Jesus. Rev. J.R. Bradbury preached in the evening to a crowded congregation. Proceeds c. £24.

VI, 389, 14 Nov. 1884, page 2

Salvation Army: Colonel Booth in Burra.

There is a report in Langford’s ornate style of the visit to the town of the son of the Army’s founder. Unable to find a building to use the Army marched through the town and settled at the Market Square pump for their meeting. The writer suggests there were some 1,200 present at the peak and still 1,000 by 9 p.m. Staff-Officer Hendy, who accompanied Col. Booth was by far the better speaker.

[This item doesn’t say when, but a letter to the editor places it on the previous Monday night.]

Kooringa Court.

George Ashton fined 40/- or 21 days for abusive language in a public place.

A. Schutz fined 40/- or 21 days for drunkenness in Kooringa on 10 November.

Richard Bickford fined 5/- for drunkenness in Kooringa on 10 November.

‘Sympathy’ writes wondering at the lack of Christian spirit that prevented the churches allowing the Salvation Army the use of a church building on Monday night.

Rev. J.R. Bradbury gave a lecture in the Redruth Wesleyan Church on 11 November on Reminiscences of a Voyage to the Antipodes.

Hallett Sports on Monday 10 November are reported as well attended by 400 -500 people and the results are printed.

Cricket. At Hallett on Monday 11 November.

Kooringa 146 defeated Hallett 28 & 47 (75)

VI, 390, 18 Nov. 1884, page 2

Notice. Tenders called for the repair of the Mount Bryan East Bible Christian Chapel.

Editorial on ‘the exposure and exploration of the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.’

2nd Leader on the Silverton Railway Bill and its unusual passage through the Legislative Council.

3rd Leader on proposals in Toowoomba for rubbish disposal by incineration. In the article the writer refers to the uncovering of the old rubbish fill by the water pipe trench being dug in Chapel St. [Presumably a consequence of the re-aligning of the creek in earlier days.]

Burra Hospital. On Thursday evening a man named Fitzgerald, suffering inflammation of the lungs, became delirious. He tried to drag another patient, the victim of a severe gun accident, from his bed. [See probable reference VI, 388, 11 Nov. 1884, page 2.] He was restrained by another patient and when a nurse assisted he tried to strangle her and her hair had to be cut from his grasp to release her. He was eventually restrained.

The Melbourne Dramatic Co. leaves today for Adelaide. Since the last paper: Octoroon and Sin and Its Shadow were presented on Friday and on Saturday Blue Ribbon of the Turf. The advertised play, The Shaughraun, was withdraw on account of the difficulties of handling the scenery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was presented last night. All performances were reported as being well done.

Burra Town Council, 17 November.

The tender for a force pump at the cemetery for £10-2-6 was accepted.

Various minor works were approved.

Both Councillors for East and West Wards will retire this year.

VI, 391, 21 Nov. 1884, page 2

Burra Town Council

The new arrangements for the water supply will see the meters charged to the capital account and there be no direst charge to consumers for them. Instead users will agree to guarantee to take water for three years as follows:

1⁄2” service, £1-5-0 worth.

3⁄4” service, £2-10-0 worth.

1” service £5 worth.

Editorial on the SAR Enquiry and also the one in Queensland.

2nd Leader on the Burra Waterworks.

The water will begin to flow on Friday 21 November for all who have connections to the main. [This is a characteristically flowery paean of praise is unusual only in its adding of Persian to the languages dropped in to impress the reader: ‘this necessary element, this àb-i-hàiàt’.]

Oddfellows & Foresters’ Picnic Sports ended up with a balance in hand of between £5 and £6.

VI, 391, 21 Nov. 1884, page 3

W. Pearce jun. writes urging the Town Council to procure 100’ or 150’ of hose and get say six volunteers to practise twice a week at fire fighting.

Ratepayers’ Meeting, Burra Institute, last night.

Dr Brummitt took the chair to be replaced by Mr Lane when he had to read his report.

The assessment was £15,941. Income from rates was £774-12-4 and total income was £1,529-13-5 including a Government Grant of £498-13-1. About £100 is still to be claimed from the Government. Expenditure was £1,599-8-7

£100 of bonded debt has been repaid and the £100 due from the Government should enable the year to end without any increase in current debt.

Present liabilities are: Bonded debt £2,300- 0- 0

General Account overdraft 234-17- 4

Recreation Ground overdraft 190- 2- 2

Cemetery overdraft 43-10- 3

Total 468- 9- 9

Health Account credit 55-11- 0

Total overdraft £412-17-11

The new assessment is slightly lower at £15,912-4-0*.

• The print is unclear: may be £15,914-4-0.

North Ward main works were:

Aberdeen reserve has been fenced

Various areas of kerbing and watertabling

Roads formed near the Courthouse and in Hampton

Some trees planted

Middle Ward main works:

Paxton Tce and road to Recreation Ground were formed and metalled and with the road through the Smelting Works this makes a good road to Redruth.

Many trees planted

South Ward main works:

East St was made

George St was made passable

Bridge Tce was remade, but not metalled

Open drain in Chapel St covered in

Upper Thames St kerbed on one side, road remade and metalled, footway made and gravelled

Ayers St considerable work done including the bridge opposite the cemetery gate

Chapel St re-metalled

Trees planted

New ward boundaries were proclaimed in the start of October. Middle Ward had an excess of income and South Ward an excess of roads and creek crossings. The new East and West Wards are near enough equal in income and have about equal road lengths.

The main extraordinary work has been the erection of the Waterworks.

Tree planting has been undertaken with public donations. It began with tree planting in open places in Welsh Place and Paradise and then went on to street plantings. £217 has been expended. Hundreds of trees have been planted.

Middle Ward rates paid for the avenue from Kooringa Hotel to the Recreation Ground.

The Conservator of Forests has planted the Railway Reserve.

The Waterworks

At the start of the year the Commissioner of Public Works presented a draft agreement for the Waterworks which would on completion be leased to the Corporation at an annual rental of 3%, 4%, and 5% for the 1st, 2nd,and 3rd years respectively and at 5% thereafter. It was signed on 28 April and the works got under way after some considerable delay. Many have now applied for connection and several extensions have been, or are being made. Proposed charges for meters and service pipes were so high that we fought to have them changed and they will now be charged to a second capital account at 5% from the first year. Consumers will simply be charged at 6/- per 1,000 gallons. We hope at the end of the year to reduce this charge. This will depend on consumption, but the works are rapidly growing in favour. The total outlay to date is approximately £4,000 and on this interest in the first year will be c. £120 plus interest of £16 on the second capital account for a total of £136. Labour will cost £140, fuel and oil £74 so that total first year cost is estimated at £350-0-0.

Guarantees from users amounted to £296-15- 0

Plus 18 other users at 27- 0- 0

2 standpipes & 2 troughs expected to bring in 40- 0- 0

Total income £363-15- 0

Additional guarantees from people not yet requiring water have been made for £50-4-0 and further extensions are contemplated. I am confident that further extensions will add little to the expense, but will increase revenue. Mr Jobson, the Superintendent of the Works has done much to keep down the cost on the capital account.

Mr Holder resigned as Town Clerk at the end of September after c. 6 years and was replaced by J.D. Cave.

Mr Geake asked how the assessment was lower when the assessor says it was £140 higher. (This has not yet been explained.)

Mr Sampson explained his opposition to the Waterworks, though not to the satisfaction of all.

Mr E.C. Lockyer and Mr A.F. Akhurst are not reported to have said much.

Mr Sampson dwelt on the question of proper yards for sheep and cattle and the removal of the footbridge from behind the Burra Hotel.

There was considerable debate over the free water troughs in Aberdeen.

Mr Launder asked for the candidates’ views on the Salvation Army parading the streets on Sundays with drums and tambourines. Messrs Coglin, Akhurst and Sampson were opposed while Mr West would stop it by force and W. Pearce entered into a long defence of the Army.

Redruth Court.

William Woollacott was charged that on 5 November he assaulted and beat Malcolm Ker.

Woollacott was driving a trolley of boys home from the St Mary’s Sunday School picnic when he saw Ker throw his bun to his sister on the other trolley and it fell to the ground. He hit Ker twice across the back with his whip and made him walk home. At a gate Ker, Ker’s brother, and another boy opened the gate to let the others through but closed it on Woollacott’s trolley. Later Woollacott chased them and gave Ker five cuts with the whip. As well as Ker, Archibald Wade and Alfred Barrett gave similar evidence, which denied that the gate had struck the horses leading Woollacott’s trolley. Ker also denied swearing or giving cheek.

J.G.I Ker, the boy’s father, gave evidence of the marks on the boy from the whip.

Woollacott said the boys had broken their buns and were throwing pieces at the girls, not to them. Ker had been cheeky and had slammed the gate on the horses, which was a dangerous act.

William Gerard, driver of the girls’ trolley confirmed that the gate had hit the horses and the pole of Woollacott’s trolley, which could have had dangerous consequences.

Woollacott was fined 5/- + £2-6-0 costs.

Salvation Army. There is a report on the Salvation Army in Kapunda where there was a court case over their band parading the streets on Sunday.

VI, 392, 25 Nov. 1884, page 2

J.B. Hocking, Hairdresser of Gawler, thanks customers for their patronage during his brief stay in Burra.

Editorial on the French reaction to the English response to an outbreak of cholera in Toulon. The editor turns this into an attack on the qualities of France as a colonial power.

Burra Hospital has received a further donation of £30 from the owner and employees of Paratoo Station.

The Drawing Room Concert filled the hall and is reviewed verbosely in 2⁄3 column.

North Ward Ratepayers’ Meeting, in the German Chapel, Redruth. Mr Bartholomæus took the chair.

The Mayor referred to his report and spoke of the work done in the year.

Mr Brown spoke of his term and was thanked. Cr Tiver ditto.

Mr Ridgway spoke of his past service and wanted the Aberdeen Reserve brought under the Real Property Act. He believed the water troughs in Aberdeen had to be a source of revenue or be removed.

Municipal Elections Nominations.

Mayor: John Dunstan jun. (elected unopposed)

North Ward: W.R. Ridgway (elected unopposed)

East Ward: A.F. Akhurst

John Sampson

M. Symons

West Ward: W. Anderson

W.F. Coglin

W. Pearce Sen.

W. West

Auditors: J.R. Edwards

J. Fogg

W.H. Hardy

R.Z. Jones

T.T. Shortridge

Elections 1 December.

R.Z. Jones writes saying that the assessment for this year is £104 higher than last year not £140 as published.

[The rest of the letter gives other figures that seem to me to be incomprehensible.]

W.H. Hardy writes calling attention to the sale of a dangerous Chinese firework. Sales of these should be stopped during the summer months for fear of fire. Also in the evening young men stand in the doorways of shops in the town smoking pipes and cigars, knocking them out and scattering sparks which the draught blows under doors and into shops.

VI, 393, 28 Nov. 1884, page 2

Marriage. 27 November. Harry James, eldest son of Stapleton James of Castlereagh and Mary Treleggen, 2nd daughter of William Treleggen of Kooringa.

Birth. On 26 November, to the wife of Horace Steele, a daughter, stillborn.

Editorial on Hospitality - A Study.

This is another long rant against the threatened ‘inundation of cheap black labour’ and ‘a regular equipped Chinese Armada’. But he goes on to tell the absurd tale of some shipwrecked Chinese sailors, who on being rescued from the sea when the Chang Chow sank, were immediately demanded to pay the Poll Tax for landing in Queensland.

2nd Leader on the Australasian Wesleyan Conference in New Zealand, which had voted in favour of union with the Primitive Methodist Church, the Bible Christian Church and the United Methodist Free Church, and any others wishing to join.

Measles is very common at present in Burra, but fortunately it is in a mild form.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Annual Picnic, 1 January. A special train will run to Hallett for a program of sports. Return tickets 2/6.

Departs 9 a.m. returns 6 p.m.

The Town and Country Bank will open a branch in Burra on Monday 1 December with Mr Boote as manager. It will be located next door to the Record office.

E.F. Opie of Hallett injured his left hand when his gun burst while he was out shooting on Wednesday. The case is not serious.

Explosion. A small boy named Padrogie blew up a flask of gunpowder while playing near Mrs Torrington’s in Thames St yesterday. It could easily have killed him. The flask was blown 30 yards and cut the side of his head as it hurtled past. Fortunately the damage was not as serious as it might have been.

Dr Lee. Doctor, or Ah Lee, a Chinese, appears to have left the town with debts unpaid. [At least this appears to be the import of a very tediously wordy and supposedly humorous paragraph.]

Obituary. Walter Kellock, aged 15, son of Mr & Mrs John Kellock of Thistlebeds, died on Tuesday last of heart disease. [25 November.]

Municipal Elections: polling places.

East Ward: Mr White’s schoolroom in Thames St

West Ward: Burra Institute

North Ward: German Chapel, Redruth

Kooringa Band of Hope held an entertainment in the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom last Wednesday evening.

Fire broke out on Thursday morning on the railway line north of Firewood Creek after the passing of the luggage train. It consumed the grass in Mr Thomas’s paddock and then entered Messrs Scott’s and C. & E. Gebhardt’s paddock. After a struggle it was extinguished.

Burra MUIOOF Lodge. Finance meeting on Wednesday. Receipts for the quarter were £215-5-5 and expenditure £194-2-3. The loan account was £5,620 and funds were worth £5,985-8-3. There were 306 members.

St Joseph’s Bazaar was held at the Institute last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It was opened by the Mayor, Dr Brummitt. Details occupy c. 3⁄4 column. Proceeds: £140.

VI, 393, 28 Nov. 1884, page 3

Wesleyan Methodist foreign Mission Soc. Annual services were held last Sunday at Redruth and Kooringa.

Redruth Court.

Edward Williams was charged with deserting his wife four years ago in Port Augusta. He then had nothing, but since had prospered and now earned £4 a week and was quite willing to support her. He was ordered to pay 25/- a week and his railway fare from Pt Augusta. [sic] [Perhaps her fare?]

W.H. Hardy writes seeking clarification of the figures in Mr Jones letter re the assessment in the last issue as to Hardy [as to me] they were ‘entirely Greek’.

John D. Cave writes to clarify his view of the new assessment. He goes into complicated detail, but at least is clear when he says the 1884 assessment was £15,944-2-0 and for 1885 is £15,907-4-0 after appeals were heard.

Cave says the papers left by Mr Jones showed an error of £100 in adding up and sundry other smaller errors.

He says that Cave’s assessment for 1884 of £15,944-2-0 compares with Jones’s of 1883 of £14,450-3-3 which was an increase of £1494 and resulted in an increased income, based on a 1/- in the £ rate, as follows:

Increase due to increased assessment £74-14- 0

Plus the Government Subsidy 40- 0- 0

Plus the health rate @ 3d in £ 18-13- 6

Total 133- 7- 6

Less* 35- 0- 0

Leaving the town to the good £98- 7- 6

Cave then goes on in a similar complicated process to illustrate that the loss of income by using the new assessment will be £39-5-0.

[* This £35 was not explained until the next paper when a correction made it clear that it was Cave’s fee for writing up the assessment.]

VI, 394, 2 Dec. 1884, page 2

Advt. Drawing Room Entertainment at the Institute, 5 December.

Repeated by Special Request. MOONLIGHT.

Editorial on the fate of Gordon at Khartoum.

Advt. The Town and Country Bank has opened a branch at Kooringa under the management of William Boote.

2nd Leader is a waffly extravagant construction decrying the lack of fanfare and any public demonstration to greet the arrival of the town water supply and concluding with the observation that ‘Our title for Dr Brummitt is “Aquarius the Waterman”’.

Municipal Elections.

East Ward: Coglin 53 West Ward Symons 84

West 49 Sampson 66

Pearce 28 Akhurst 36

Anderson 20

Auditors Shortridge 61

Edwards 45

Fogg 38

Hardy 19

Jones 17

First two elected in each ward and Shortridge as auditor.

Goodridge & Duff will sell on Friday the heaviest bullock ever yarded here which weighed in yesterday at 2,100 lb or 183⁄4 cwt.

Burra School. Girls in the 4th Class presented Miss Rosa Bentley with a silver bracelet and ring on Thursday. She is leaving to go to the [Teachers] Training College.

Town & Country Bank. The building is not quite ready yet, though the manager is able to transact business.

Burra Waterworks. The trial on Saturday showed the pressure of water in Commercial St to be 65 lb per square inch.

The Drawing Room Entertainment, to be repeated on 5 December will this time benefit St Mary’s Church Building Fund.

Kooringa Court.

Henry Dansey sentenced to 7 days for having no visible lawful means of support.

Alfred Schutz sentenced to 7 days for drunkenness.

Thomas Turnbull fined 5/- for drunkenness.

VI, 394, 2 Dec. 1884, page 3

R.Z. Jones replies to Mr Cave with some re-workings of the figures, which purport to show that the town would be better off with his slightly lower assessment than with Mr Cave’s. He does it by calculating the amount the fees charged by each would represent in the assessment and by deducting that from the assessment, where as Cave deducted their respective fees from the revenue raised. Since he charged £12 and Cave charged £35 he comes out on top in his calculations.

VI, 395, 5 Dec. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the Quasi New Guinea Protectorate.

2nd Leader on aspects of the Tichborne Affair.

Rev. James Read of Clare gave a lecture in the Redruth Wesleyan Church on Monday evening to a fair audience on Queer Folks and Where they Live. The collection aided bazaar funds.

Burra Waterworks. All the extensions and connections are likely to be completed by the end of December.

VI, 395, 5 Dec. 1884, page 3

Redruth Band of Hope held an entertainment in the Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom on 2 December in aid of the society’s piano fund.

Burra Town Council, 1 December.

First meeting of the new Council. Committees were appointed.

Tenders are to be called for the use of public standpipes and troughs.

Cr Ridgway gave notice he would move for the Aberdeen Reserve to be brought under the Real Property Act.

Redruth Court, 2 December.

Patrick Hennessy was charged with stealing two £5 notes from the coat pocket of J. Crawford at Gum Creek shearing shed on 10 November.

Both men were shearers.

The prisoner had been searched en route to Burra, but although nothing was then found, he had later changed two £5 notes at Petersburg and was arrested and charged and confessed to the theft. He said he had done it while drunk and intended to return the notes to Hennessy at Petersburg, but had again got drunk there before finding Crawford. He was committed for trial.

3 December.

J. Shore fined 5/- loitering with his cab

J. Lewis fined 5/- for a stray horse

M. Drake fined 5/- for a stray cow

W. Symons fined 5/- for a stray cow

John Lawn fined 2/6 for a stray goat and kid

Esther Jane Laity fined 10/- for not sending son to school as required

James Nelson fined 20/- for hindering P-C Radford who was attempting to remove John Armstrong (who was the worse for drink) from a Salvation Army meeting.

VI, 396, 9 Dec. 1884, page 2

Advt. Athletic Sports on Boxing Day, 26 December at Princess Royal.

In connection with the Rose of Sharon Tent IOR.

Main event is the Rechabite Handicap over three distances: 150, 220 & 350 yds.

1st prize £8-8-0, 2nd prize £3-3-0, 3rd prize £1-1-0.

Editorial on Cruelty to Animals. The writer argues against killing purely for sport and is also against cruel practices in shearing and livestock transport by rail and ship. He cites also Robert Morley writing in the London Daily News who wrote against rabbit coursing in which rabbits were torn to pieces in a square of spectators by terriers. He is also against live hare coursing.

2nd Leader on the heroic conduct of King Humbert of Italy in the recent outbreak of cholera in Naples.

Obituary. Dr Moore, who once practiced in Burra, died on 6 December in Adelaide. He arrived in SA somewhat over 35 years ago. [Robert Waters Moore, aged 64.]

Larrikinism. The glass door of Mr Petherick’s shop was smashed on Tuesday night last.

Last Friday the last train from Adelaide ran into a pair of railway trolley wheels that had been placed on the track two miles south of Burra. The wheels were hurled some 38 yds, the cowcatcher was bent and one buffer was smashed on the locomotive. Police have not traced the culprit.

A Hailstorm hit Burra on Saturday followed by rain. Almost 1” fell in 48 hours and the creek came down, running a good part of Sunday.

W.F. Coglin, newly elected Councillor, proposes merging the offices of Inspector and Dayman and appointing the Town Clerk as Collector of Rates.

VI, 396, 9 Dec. 1884, page 3

The Drawing Room Entertainment is reviewed in over 3⁄4 column. The performance was in aid of St Mary’s building fund. There was a very good house and the performance is described as one which would have ‘a pleasing and softening influence upon society at large; especially the rougher portions of it’.

Cricket. On Saturday last Aberdeen 146 defeated Kooringa 48.

VI, 397, 12 Dec. 1884, page 2

Notice. [Benjamin Franklin Langford inserts a rather strange notice, but one which seems to fit his character. He intimates that he is soon to leave Burra and he thanks those who welcomed him and have been courteous and kind. He then takes a very round about way to sarcastically ‘thank’ a young woman who apparently conveyed abroad most offensively her opinion of him. In the process he compares her with a costermonger’s donkey cart.]

[Though not spelled out this presumably marks the end of his stint as editor pro tem, as he would no doubt have termed it, with the return of Holder from New Zealand.]

Editorial on the recent shocking outrages committed against women near Adelaide.

2nd Leader on the proposal to merge the jobs of Dayman and Inspector. This is fine if it can be done effectively, but the real economy is only achieved if we can get the two jobs well done for the price of one wage and this seems absurd. The apparent gain would soon be an obvious loss as neither job was well done. No one without special experience can be an efficient sanitary experience either.

Burra Mine. We hear again that negotiations for its sale are in progress and that Captain Roach and some Sydney capitalists have visited the mine this week.

Major-General Downes will leave the service of the SA Government next March and enter the employment of the Victorian Government.

The Burra Hotel had its parapet blown back onto the roof on Thursday. Considerable damage was inflicted on the roof, but none to life or limb.

The harvest news throughout the northern areas is good.

Rev. James gave his address on President Garfield at the Redruth Primitive Methodist Church on Tuesday to a good audience.

Advt. Rev. D. O’Donnell will lecture on England Under Queen Victoria at the Burra Institute on Monday next at 8 p.m. 1/-

Redruth Court.

Joseph Ford sued Robert McBride for £49 for watering 5,000 sheep on 2 & 4 November at the plaintiff’s dam on Lagoon Run. The evidence is extensively reported. Some evidence disputed the amount of damage done while other evidence claimed permission either explicit or tacit had been given. The bench finally awarded Ford £10.

A related action under the Scab Act of not giving notice before entering Ford’s run was withdrawn.

Halls sued Henry O’Brien for cruelty to a horse O’Brien had hired from Halls. Claim for £10 damages. A wire seems to have been used instead of a whip. The case was dismissed essentially on legal technicalities as having been wrongly brought rather than on doubt about the damages to the horse.

VI, 398, 16 Dec. 1884, page 2

Editorial on the need for SA to diversify its production. There is a good harvest, but with wheat prices low the farmers will still not get good returns. Suggestions include olives and white mulberries.

2nd Leader on the apathy of people towards the great issues of the day and their inability to remain focussed on any single issue for more than a few weeks.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held re-opening services last Sunday. Rev. D. O’Donnell preached morning and evening while Rev. G.E. Rowe held an afternoon flower service. The church has been thoroughly renovated inside. The heavier parts of the woodwork have been relieved with gilt lining.

VI, 398, 16 Dec. 1884, page 3

W.H. Hardy writes re the Council economy, agreeing with the editor that the amalgamation of the jobs of Dayman and Inspector is impractical. The solution Hardy offers is to pay the Town Clerk perhaps £20 more, make it a full-time job which includes collecting the rates and doing the Inspector’s job. The Town Clerkship is expensive at present considering the time it takes.

VI, 399, 19 Dec. 1884, page 2

Notice. McLaren, White & Co. of Kapunda and Burra have taken Mr H.T.H. Morris (so long associated with Messrs Liston, Shakes & Co.) into partnership and having secured the Bon Accord Yards close to the railway station, will conduct monthly sales of stock. Members of the firm are: John McLaren, J. Wharton White, A.F. Scammell and H.T.H. Morris. The Burra office is three doors south of the National Bank.

Editorial on The New Taxes, for which so far the regulations have not been published. The editor then explains something of the Income Tax and the Land Tax, which was on unimproved land value: explained as the total value less the value of erections.

2nd Leader on the Long Depression, which he says, has been brought about principally by drought combined with the fall in commodity prices. Both wheat and copper have fallen sharply in value.

3rd Leader on the Salvation Army. The writer says that despite the sometimes erratic doings of the Army religious liberty and personal freedom of the age demands that we protest against some of the types of opposition currently being waged against the Army. Despite claims that people oppose the Army’s supposed interference with public or individual right, we believe the true reason is a dislike of the doctrines they teach and the restraints they seek to impose. The likes of the Skeleton Army do not usually defend the rights of others or the public good; they act to desire liberty for their own profit without regard of others. So strong is the prejudice that the Army is dragged off to prison while their opponents are set free or given nominal fines when they deserve imprisonment for a considerable time.

The Strathalbyn-Goolwa & Milang Railway was opened for steam traffic on Wednesday last.

Water Charges in Adelaide have been dropped to 1/3 per 1,000 gallons: vastly cheaper than here.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held a public tea last Wednesday in connection with the re-opening of the church. It was well attended with Dr Brummitt presiding. Rev G.E. Rowe said the renovations had cost £125 and all but c. £40 had been raised. Rev. S. Knight and Mr Holder were welcomed back from the New Zealand General Conference. Mr Holder gave an account of his trip and the conference.

Redruth Court

The following were each fined 5/- for stray cows.

James Cater Thomas Woollacott W.A. Rabbich

Richard Austin Charles Schutz

J. Richardson was fined 5/- for riding a horse around Snell’s corner at faster than walking pace.

VI, 400, 23 Dec. 1884, page 2

Notice. The Salvation Army will hold two services at Hallett Institute on Boxing Day at 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. Captain Prowse.

Notice. Thomas Kitchen invites applications for Christmas Cheer from the poor of Burra. The following have made donations:

A. McCulloch 6 sheep

James Thyer 6 sheep

J. Sampson jun. 1 bullock

A gentleman of Kooringa £5 of groceries

Editorial on The Christmas Season.

St Joseph’s School. Prizes for the year were distributed on 19 December. Rev. Father W. O’Dowling SJ presided. A program was rendered and Cr West distributed the prizes. Prize list printed.

Burra Town Council, 21 December.

Cr Sampson protested that the meeting was illegal, not being held on the proper night. The Mayor held that the 49th clause of the Act gave adequate justification.

On the application of Mrs Williams of Limestone Hill to have her rates remitted, as she couldn’t pay them the Mayor said remission was not possible, all they could do was allow them to stand over. After some discussion a resolution was passed to call on the landlord (SAMA) to pay the rates. (Cr West, agent for SAMA protested that the company already provided accommodation without getting rent in such cases.)

Cr Ridgway moved that the solicitors be instructed to bring the Aberdeen Reserve under the Real Property Act. He cited legal opinion that the origin of the problem lay in 1855 when a plan of old Aberdeen was deposited. He said there would be no problem in proving public use ever since.

The Council had never asked on what terms the YPMA would hand over the Reserve. It had just asked for the proper conveyance of what belonged to the Council. The old town went only to Taylor St and when New Aberdeen was surveyed a new plan including old Aberdeen and showing the Reserve was prepared. Even if he was wrong no one but the Burra Council had ever questioned the town’s right to the Reserve. Original purchasers of the town had told him they had bought with the understanding it was a Public Reserve. It had not been fenced by the Company when they fenced their other property and rates had not been paid on the land. Cr Tiver 2nd.

Cr West did not want to deprive North Ward of a Reserve, but said as in other plans ‘Reserve’ here, he thought, meant reserved for other purposes. No rates had been paid, as it was not assessed. He said the Corporation had no tenure and no reason for claiming the land. They might become involved in no end of legal expenses.

Cr Sampson said that Cr Ridgway had shed no light on the matter at all. The plan said ‘Reserve’ and not ‘Public Reserve’. He didn’t want to go to legal experts, but to leave things as they were at present. Was North Ward to bear the legal costs - if it were the council as a whole that would do so he would oppose such a move.

Cr Coglin thought the council had moral but not legal right on its side. The best course was that of Cr Sampson.

Cr Ridgway had no doubt of either the legal or moral right. The Supreme Court had deemed that ‘Reserve’ meant public use. He did not propose to enter merely a caveat on the title, but to apply for title under the RPA. It would be for anyone else to enter a caveat. It should simply have been gazetted like the other Redruth Reserves, but as the council was not in favour of proceeding he would withdraw the motion.

The Mayor suggested a legal opinion be obtained. On of the first acts of the district Council when formed was to seek to fence and plant the Reserve, but the ratepayers had not then consented.

Cr Ridgway said that unless the council did something the reported owners would and then Council would have to defend their claim.

Cr Coglin moved that the positions of Inspector and Dayman be merged and the Town clerk and Collector of Rates positions be merged.

The result would be a saving of £100, which would become available for subsidy and so be worth £200. Cr Sampson said five days notice of such a move had to be given.

Cr Coglin agreed to withdraw his motion till salaries were being discussed.

Council then proceeded with officers and salaries.

Cr Coglin moved Mr Cave be reappointed Town Clerk at the same salary, but including duties related to the Waterworks with a rearrangement of where the payment would come from the different departments to increase the amount able to claim subsidy.

Not 2nd.

Cr West then amended that there be a combined office of Town Clerk, Controller of Waterworks and Inspector of works at £200. Not 2nd.

Cr Sampson moved a committee report on the matter next meeting. Cr Sampson 2nd.

Cr Tiver amended that the Town Clerk be reappointed at the same salary as at present. Cr Coglin 2nd.

The amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor.

[And presumably the motion passed?]

Meetings will be 1st Monday and 3rd Saturday of the month.

Finance Committee Report:

The financial position is difficult and no new work except what is essential should be done. At the end of the present year the debts will be:

Recreation Ground £200

Cemetery £41-10-9

General Account* £449-13-4

Bonded Debt £2,300

• In view of the Mayor’s report in the paper of 21 November the figure here for the General Account seems more likely to be the figure for the General Account plus the Recreation Ground and Cemetery less the Health Account credit. This total then being estimated at £412-17-11.

VI, 401, 30 Dec. 1884, page 2

Advt. G. Webber, having made additions to his premises can accommodate anyone wishing to stay in the Burra. Burra Refreshment Rooms, Market Square.

Editorial on 1884.

There are signs of the depression easing.

Wheat and copper have been lower than ever. Farmers must turn their attention to products other than wheat.

The winter here came late. More than average sickness prevailed with smallpox in the eastern colonies.

France has been at war in Madagascar and China and there have been the complication for Britain of Egypt and Sudan. Russian colonisation continues in Asia and Germany has expanded its control in Africa and the Pacific.

The English government has behaved capably at home and despicably abroad.

Australian politics have been more settled. The eastern colonies have been stable and there was a general election in SA resulting in a somewhat improved Parliament with the passage of a Taxation Bill, an Agricultural Lands Bill and a Pastoral Lands Bill.

Locally the year was marked by several achievements:

£217-8-0 was expended on tree planting

The long considered Waterworks have been carried into effect and have proved more successful than anyone anticipated. Under the present state of affairs ‘we enjoy perhaps a more liberal arrangement than any other place’

Cr Sampson initiated a fairer division of the Town into Wards

2nd Leader on Municipal Matters.

We are happy that the Aberdeen Reserve matter has been left as it is. Cr Ridgway’s speech did not throw much light on the issue. The Council has always proceeded on the assumption it was theirs until W.D. Scott, solicitor for YPMA formally protested. To say it should have been gazetted along with the Redruth Reserves is absurd. The Council didn’t do this: the government, who owned them, did so and that dedicated them to the town.

As to salaries the total now paid from all funds is £215 less than £100 of which comes from money which could be subdivided [sic] [Surely a misprint for subsidised.]

To save money one must reduce the total or reduce the amount paid from rates and thus gain subsidy. This could be achieved by paying the Town Clerk for Waterworks related duties from Waterworks revenue.

The scavenger arrangements do not need changing. Money cannot be saved further at the cemetery.

The Recreation Ground has debt, but no income and a scheme has to be devised by a rate in lieu of the present rate to wipe out the debt.

The Health Account is all right.

We are sure the public will not stand for the removal of the Kooringa water troughs. There is no analogy between them and the Aberdeen troughs.

The Primitive Methodist Church had its usual tea meeting on Christmas Day.

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary was held on 21 & 25 December. Rev. W.F. James preached.

Obituary. George Rigby, an old man, who was on his way from Quorn to the Adelaide Hospital had a fit in the train at the Burra Station and died shortly after being removed to the Bon Accord Hotel. He had worked on Yardea and Mt Eva Stations northwest of Port Augusta. [Died 26 December, aged 61.]

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School holds its picnic at Hallett on 1 January 1885 by special train. Departs Burra 9 a.m. and arrives Hallett 10.05 a.m.

Burra Brass Band will attend.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 21 & 25 December. Preachers were Rev. W.F. James, Rev. G.E. Rowe and Rev. J.G. Wright. Christmas Day saw the usual children’s treat in the schoolyard adjoining the church and then a public tea in the schoolroom.

Income for the year was £59-11-3 and expenditure £66-5-0.

There were 83 male and 87 female scholars and 16 male and 14 female teachers.

There was a presentation to Miss Mary Pearce, the organist, who is leaving Burra.

E.F. Brady writes re a Fire Brigade. Council needs to get the town gazetted as a Fire District and it can then approach the Insurance Companies for funds for half the cost of a brigade. The Government would fund one third leaving the council to pay the remaining one sixth. The Council should lose no time in doing this given the great benefits that would be gained.

VI, 401, 30 Dec. 1884, page 3

Rechabite Sports Demonstration, Boxing Day, 26 December.

There was a somewhat dusty northwest wind. A procession in regalia led by the Burra Brass Band went from the Institute up Commercial St and back to Market Square and thence to the grounds about 5 miles south of the town by all sorts of vehicles. Catering was by W. Geake. A large marquee was provided. C. 700-800 attended. A Grand Entertainment followed in the Institute in the evening.

Sports results are printed.

Cricket at Saddleworth on 25 December.

Aberdeen 34 & 47 (81) defeated Saddleworth 44 & 25 (69)

And at Clare on 25 December

Clare 2nd Eleven 215 defeated Burra Young Australians 52 & 79 (131)

Saturday last

I. Zingari 100 defeated Burra 52 & 44 (96)

Serialised Stories Appearing in 1884.

Wairewa’s Love by Silas Wegg concluded 1 January 1884.

Following Up the Track, Chapter IX continued 1 January to conclude 11 January 1884.

Nearly Wrecked began 11 January and concluded 18 January 1884.

Stephen Bell, the Usher began 18 January and concluded 4 March 1884.

Sunshine and Clouds began 25 January and concluded 19 February 1884.

From Dawn to Sunset began 4 March and concluded 15 April 1884.

A Cast of the Net: Story of a Detective Officer began 15 April, concluded 25 April 1884.

Caught at Last by John Spindler began 25 April and concluded 29 April 1884.

Halves by James Payn began 29 April and concluded 1 August 1884.

Keane Malcombe’s Pupil began 22 July and concluded 19 August 1884.

Geoffrey Luttrell’s Narrative began 22 August and concluded 19 September 1884.

Notes or Gold began 23 September and concluded 16 December 1884.

A Witness for the Defence began 19 December and concluded 23 December 1884.

Characteristics of the 1884 paper.

The paper was published twice a week and included features that had previously been in the literary supplement. Local news was probably as well covered as when there was a weekly publication, but was spread somewhat unevenly between the two issues for the week. Some items seemed to be very brief this year: sometimes to the point of lacking clarity. The absence of F.W. Holder due to his attendance at the Wesleyan General Australasian Conference in New Zealand led to the appointment of a temporary editor. This person is not named, but evidence from the style and the public notice inserted on the departure from the town of Benjamin Franklin Langford suggests that he was the culprit. His writings were prolix to the point of confusion and his purple prose on the issue of Chinese and coloured labour and/or immigration involves some amazing hyperbole in which his prejudice reaches hysterical heights.

Page 1

Large and small advertisements, mostly but not entirely local.

Page 2

Smaller advertisements. Public notices of coming events and local government notices. Advertisements for sales and classifieds. Usually lengthy editorials and other leading articles. News.

Page 3

Sometimes some local news and often items from other colonies or further afield. Items of interest including non-fiction items, humour and fiction, including a serial most weeks.

Page 4

Advertising: predominantly larger in size and mostly not local. Plenty of patent cures.

Numbering of issues of the paper in 1884

1884 began with Volume V, Number 299 on 1 January 1884

and ran to

Volume V, Number 349 on 27 June 1884, and then

Volume VI, Number 350 on 1 July 1884

and ran to

Volume VI, Number 401 on 30 December 1884.

VI, 402, 2 January 1885

Page 1

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

A.H. Forder A.M.P. Agent & S.A. Insurance Co. Agent

Drew & Co. Importers

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor Etc., Market Square

John D. Cave All business under the Real Property Act & Agent for

Royal Life Insurance Co. & Cornwall Fire Insurance Co.

William Midwinter Proprietor of the Quondong Mail from 27 Oct. 1884. Passengers & Parcels depart Young’s [Burra] Hotel Fridays 1 p.m. and Quondong Monday 9 a.m. to reach Burra Wednesday 3 p.m.

William Pearce National Building Society Agent

Sara & Dunstan Imperial Fire Insurance Agents

A. Wade Opposite the National Bank, Men’s Clothing

W.H. Pearce Galvanised Iron & Tinplate Worker

Mrs Goldsworthy Board & Lodging, Thames St

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker & Jeweller, nearly opposite Commercial Hotel, Kooringa

J. Snell English Lever Watches

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker & Tinsmith, Firearms, Ammunition & Sewing Machines, Commercial St

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder & Undertaker, Commercial St

D. Jones Coach Painter, Signwriter, decorator, Queens St

T. Kitchen Grocer, Tea Dealer, Crockery, China, Glassware, Fancy Goods, Butter, Eggs, Fowls, Ducks, Turkeys, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Cards, Workboxes, Writing Desks, Albums, Work Materials, Ice Wool, Berlin Wool, Musical Instruments, Books, Stationery, Vases, Children’s Books, Paint, Paperhangings, etc.

J.M. Hunt Agent for Luxmore & Co. of Adelaide, Dealers in Sheepskins, Hides, Tallow, Fat & Wool

T.W. Wilkinson Seeds, Books, Cards, Novelties, Aerated Waters

A. Bartholomæus Bone Mill, Charleston

C. Rawling New Lime Kiln near the Bon Accord Engine House.

F.W. Holder Standard & Palace Organs

Harry & Burns Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths, near the Commercial Hotel

James Rule Coach Builder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen, near Sara & Dunstan’s

Alexander Harris Chaff Works & Cut Wood, Kingston St

J.E. Pethericks Watchmaker & Manufacturing Jeweller, Market Square

Page 2

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers

G. Webber Burra Refreshment Rooms, Market Square

Mr Snell Agent for Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Kooringa

William Boot Manager of The Town & Country Bank, Kooringa Branch

McLaren, White & Co. Auctioneers, Kapunda & Burra

Page 4

Miss Clark Fancy Work, Parian Marble, Fish Scale Work, Painting, at Mrs Hosking’s, Chapel St

Dr Sinclair Visiting Dentist for painless dentistry and artificial teeth, 11 February & 24 March

VI, 402, 2 January 1885, Page 2

McLaren, White & Co. announce they are extending their Kapunda auction business to Burra, having taken into partnership, Mr H.T.H. Morris, formerly of Liston, Shakes & Co. They have acquired the Bon Accord Yards which will be renovated and enlarged and auctions will be held 3rd Friday each month from 16 January 1885.

Editorial on the New Year.

Looking to the future we are taking in a harvest we hope to average almost 10 bushels per acre. Our gold mines are looking good and the silver mines across the border are ‘virtually annexed by the soon-to-be railway.’ No great issue faces Parliament demanding settlement. The coming Legislative Council election will be the first ordinary election under the act dividing the colony into districts. And 1884 will be the first year direct taxation will be levied - a land tax and an income tax. To the north and east of Burra the crops are better than for many a year. We shall lose some trade with the completion of the Silverton Railway, but it runs so far north that a large area to the east will remain dependent upon Burra as before. Large estates surrounding the town sap the prosperity as for many country towns.

New Year in Burra arrived with the usual watchnight services and less than the usual larrikinism. The chief attraction for New Year’s Day seemed to be the picnic at Hallett, for which there was a special train at 9 a.m. as well as the normal one.

The Bible Christian quarterly meeting on Wednesday noted that though many had been added the number of removals was such that there were fewer members than last year. It was decided to build a much-needed new manse, which is expected to cost c. £700.

At the tea meeting on 29 December Rev. W.F. James gave a lecture on President Garfield. The profits from the good audience were £10-10-8, which will provide furniture for the Mission House.

Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic at Hallett on New Year’s Day. Usually Princess Royal had been used, but this year a change was tried. Early on Thursday the children assembled at the schoolroom and were taken on various vehicles to the station. A train of trucks, comfortably seated and with a covering overhead was speedily filled and left at 9 a.m. for Hallett. On arrival they were taken to a nearby pretty spot with trees for games and abundant provisions. The train left for Burra at 5 p.m. even more fully laden as some returned who had come by ordinary trains. Burra was reached a little before 6 p.m. It all came off without a hitch. The Burra Brass Band enlivened proceedings.

New Zealand. There is a 1⁄4 column on a tourist in New Zealand.

Burra Town Council, 30 December 1883.

The Town Clerk’s salary was fixed at £120

As Town Clerk, Collector of Rates

& Registrar of Dogs 20

As Secretary to the Waterworks 40

As Overseer of Works 40

As Secretary to the Board of Health £20

£120

The Inspector will get: As Inspector of Weights & Measures 55

As Inspector under the Board of Health 35

As Curator of the Cemetery 10

£100

The sexton was reappointed at £110 p.a.

Cr Sampson had an alternative scheme, which is printed. [Though in VI, 403, 6 January, Page 2, column 7 says it was not actually formally proposed at the meeting.]

VI, 402, 2 January 1885, Page 3

Cricket. Young Australians v. Kooringa on Brewery Flat.

Young Australians, 41 & 116 (157) defeated Kooringa, 48 & 52 (100)

On New Year’s Day Kooringa v. Hallett at Hallett

Kooringa 64 & 27 for 2 defeated Hallett 70 & 18 (88) by 8 wickets.

On New Year’s Day Aberdeen v. Saddleworth at Burra

Saddleworth 54 & 64 [118] defeated Aberdeen 41 & 78 [119]

[sic: that is what it says]

[Note in VI, 404, 9 January 1883, page 3, this is corrected and Saddleworth’s scores are given as 55 & 65 (120).]

VI, 403, 6 January 1885, Page 2

Advt. The Town and Country Bank has opened a branch in Burra under the manager, William Boot.

Editorial on the Town Council’s approach to employment. It criticises the habit of considering jobs vacant each year and suggests that while the salaries may legitimately be considered, the employees out to remain unless they are unsatisfactory: in which case there is no need to wait till year’s end.

Also the cemetery arrangements seem to have thrown £10 of funding money away for no good reason while calling for tenders for the daymen’s jobs is penny pinching, looking like an attempt to save 6d a day at the expense of workingmen’s wages.

Council needs to escape from the erroneous notion that it cannot bind its successor, which may be the origin of the annual appointment of officers idea. Of course the Corporation continues in perpetuity and there is strictly no such thing as a new Council - in any event a Council is always doing things that bind successors.

2nd leader suggests that as now the world is much smaller and ‘the other side of the globe is not now far off’ Australia need to look to its own defence and other interests. England is less prepared to look after us, and this is a powerful reason for federation.

[This was sparked by the question of the German annexation of New Guinea.]

Primitive Methodist Church, Copperhouse, anniversary on New Year’s Day.

‘The number at tea was so large that all the provisions were consumed; even the crusts of bread were eaten.’

‘Not half those present could gain admittance to the chapel.’ £16 has been paid of the debt and certain improvements made.

Letter from ‘A Ratepayer’ querying why £10 is added to the Inspector’s salary as curator of the cemetery when the sexton (Mr R. Thomas) has been doing the job quite satisfactorily. Is it to keep certain individuals in office?

New Zealand tourist notes part III.

Burra Town Council, 5 January.

Crs Sampson, Symons & Coglin voted against accepting the minute of the last special council meeting. Cr Sampson said the minute did not record what objections he had to the report. [Apparently a report of the Salaries Committee.] The Mayor said he had invited Cr Sampson to add his protest at the foot of the report, but it had not been done. Cr Sampson pleaded lack of time to do so. The Mayor accused Cr Sampson of childish behaviour. (‘It was like child’s play to act in this fashion.’) Cr Sampson threatened ‘an unhappy year’ if he was not accommodated.

Cr Ridgway said something inaudible.

Cr Sampson complained that Ridgway had said he was no gentleman. [The reporter says that Ridgway had not said that.]

Cr Ridgway refused to repeat what he had said.

Cr Ridgway ‘moved Cr Sampson be made dictator of the Council and that all the others withdraw and leave the business in his hands.’

The Mayor said that was not in order.

The Mayor then suggested those who objected to the minutes state what correction they required so it could be made and business could proceed.

Cr Coglin then made the extraordinary statement that he objected ‘because he had last meeting opposed what was then carried’.

The Mayor pointed out that if every Councillor refused to sign minutes unless he supported all that had been done minutes would never be passed at all.

Cr Coglin then said he would agree with the minutes.

The Mayor invited Cr Sampson to state the protest he wished inserted. A protest was suggested, but ultimately Cr Sampson objected and the Mayor again put the motion and this time it was carried: Cr Sampson dissenting.

Council took notice of Cr Coglin’s intent to move that the Government be asked to gazette the town as a district under the Fire Brigade Act.

Cr Ridgway wanted sales of horses and horned cattle to be prohibited except in licensed premises to prevent their taking place in unsuitable places. Deferred for consideration.

The Waterworks Department notified that the capital account would be kept open till the engine was fixed.

Cr Sampson objected to any cost of the culvert in Chapel Street being charged to East Ward as the boundary was the centre of the road - the debate was adjourned.

Tenders were accepted for:

The scavenger at 9/- a day from R. Andrews.

Daymen at 7/6 a day for North Ward and 7/- a day for East and West Wards.

Cr Coglin would move next meeting that they all be 7/6 a day.

The lamp in North Ward, at £7 from J. Tobin.

The lamp in Market Square at £10-10-0 from J. Snell.

The Waterworks had not yet been handed over to Council and they were losing money on the water consumed at the Aberdeen troughs.

The Inspector reported that weatherboard buildings had been erected in the town contrary to Act of Parliament.

VI, 403, 6 January 1885, Page 3

The Salvation Army has been outrageously attacked at Clare.

There is a 21⁄2-column article savagely attacking the Salvation Army’s propriety and morality.

VI, 404, 9 January 1885, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for building the Salvation Army Barracks at Kooringa.

Advt. E.H. Benny advises he has sold his butchering business to Mr M. Symons of Market Square.

Advt. Bazaar in aid of the new Bible Christian manse will be held in the Institute 28 & 29 January. The anniversary of the church will be held on 22 & 23 January.

Editorial on the need for fire a fighting capacity in the town. The Fire Brigade Act is actually of little avail outside the city. What is needed is a couple of fire reels and a volunteer group. Also a key to allow turning of full pressure into the street where the fire is.

2nd leader. When our Jubilee Exhibition Scheme was before the public we heard much of how it would aid our industry and develop our resources. We hope that private gentlemen will take it up and be successful, and we also think SA has a great opportunity to display its potential at the Exhibition of Colonial Products in London next year, but if it is done at all it must be done well. An inferior effort would do more harm than displaying nothing at all.

Schools. Mr John O’Connell has been appointed as assistant at the Burra School. Mr H.G. Gibson from Leighton goes to Stony Point and Mr John T. Augove [sic, for Angove] succeeds him at Leighton.

Bible Christian Manse. Over £100 has already been promised for the new manse.

Council Salaries.

We learn that the clause ordering minor offices to be tendered for was reluctantly inserted by the Committee at the wish of Cr Sampson.

When the motion for its adoption was put Crs Ridgway, Tiver and West supported and Cr Coglin and Sampson opposed with Cr Symons abstaining. The mayor’s casting vote went against the amendment of Cr Sampson. Cr Sampson assures his scheme was laid before the committee and considered. Cr Ridgway had a scheme too. Finally one prepared by the Mayor, John Dunstan jnr, was adopted.

New Zealand notes part IV.

Offences.

John Lewis - driving around a corner in Kooringa faster than a walking pace - 5/-.

W.J. Brook - same charge, but dismissed when the Ranger failed to prove there was a notice requiring that in position.

W.E. Warburton - same as previous charge.

Charles Schutz - two charges of having no name on his cab on Boxing Day - 5/- each.

Charles Schutz - employing and unlicensed cab driver - 10/-.

Stephen Hill - driving a cab from the stand before time on Christmas Day - 10/-.

Mary Mowatt - stray swine in Aberdeen - 7/6.

William Jones -stray horse in Market Square - 5/-

Letter from ‘Observer’ in defence of the Salvation Army, which had been complained of for frightening, horses with its drums and processions. Nonsense he says: Matthew Burnett [a temperance speaker] had paraded the streets with crowds and torchlight. Soldiers in London march to church regularly with a band etc. He accuses the churches of ‘class clique and pride’. The Salvation Army denounces pride and extravagance. It is claimed the Salvation Army creates larrikins, but many young men of that age and class stand up at Army meetings and ‘in an unmistakably pious manner exhort and plead for Christ’.

VI, 405, 13 January 1885, Page 2

Advt. St Mary’s Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday 18 January. Rev. Canon Green will preach.

Advt. Burra Institute, Monday 19 January: lecture by Rev. Cannon Green.

[The next issue gave the topic: Courtship.]

Advt. Entertainment at the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 19 January, in aid of the Church Renovation Fund. Rev. S. Knight.

Birth: to the wife of E.W. Crewes at Kooringa on 5 January, a daughter. [Evelyn May Crewes]

Editorial, on the Adelaide Court’s overturning of convictions against the Salvation Army for marching and playing in Kapunda despite the new by-law there. He supports the Army’s right to do so, even though he dislikes the noise and distraction.

2nd Leader on the Mignonette Case in which Dudley & Stephens were shipwrecked with a young lad called Parker and they ate him in order to survive themselves.

New Zealand Notes - conclusion.

Vermin Act - Regulations are printed.

VI, 406, 16 January 1885, Page 2 [Page 1 is wrongly headed Tuesday instead of Friday]

Editorial on Institutes and lifelong education.

Accident. Mr T. Bentley lost the top of his thumb in an accident with a saw at Roach’s Mill on Tuesday.

Accident. Harvey’s fruit cart, driven by a John McNevin was capsized in Thames St on Thursday when the horse bolted. The horse took the cart over the embankment of the creek near the Pig and Whistle. The boy was thrown out, but was not hurt and the cart was not damaged.

Burra Institute ̧ annual meeting on last Tuesday - a bare quorum attended. Library volumes are now 3062 and members 88: a decrease of two. For 1885 the President is F.W. Holder, Vice-President W. Anderson, Treasurer Dr Brummitt and Hon. Secretary J. Hosking.

Cricket. On Saturday afternoon near Drew’s store in Aberdeen

Aberdeen, 74 defeated Young Australians, 61.

VI, 406, 16 January 1885, Page 3

Fires. Large bushfires are raging in the hills near Adelaide.

Letter from ‘Lover of the Sabbath’ objects to two parties going kangarooing last Sunday.

13⁄4 columns of Mining News is reprinted from the Silver Age.

VI, 407, 20 January 1885, Page 2

Advt. McLaren, White & Co., auctioneers, announce they have taken into partnership H.T.H. Morris, formerly of Liston, Shakes & co. and have secured the Bon Accord saleyards, which will be renovated and enlarged. The Burra office is three doors south of the National Bank. Members of the partnership are: John McLaren, J. Wharton White, A.F. Scammell, & H.T.H. Morris.

Notice. The office previously occupied by Mr Akhurst is to let. Apply Samuel Drew & Co.

Notice. E.H. Benney has sold his butchering business to Mr Symons of Market Square and thanks customers for their patronage in the past three years.

Miss L. McBride thanks all for past patronage and regrets she is unable to open her school again.

Editorial on The Council.

The editor hopes the experience of the past two meetings will not be repeated. The problem is the Council persists in seeing the four Council funds as interchangeable. They are not. The cemetery alone is responsible for its debts. We are glad the question of the water troughs has been settled in a fair and equitable way. We think the rates struck are correct. The General Rate is 1/-, Health Rate 2d and Park Lands 2d. The reduction of the Health Rate by 1d and the new Park Lands rate will increase the rate burden by 1d in the £. This slight burden will raise £120 p.a. and will address the Recreation Ground debt. 1⁄3 of the rates are paid by SAMA and the Hotels, 1⁄3 by the other businesses, and 1/6 is shared by the poor, or £20 of the extra £120. The new rate also frees £120 of the General Rate, which can then be used to attract Government subsidy.

Burra Town Council, 17 January.

Cr Ridgway moved that auction and other sales of horses, cattle etc. be prohibited except in places duly licensed under the Corporations Act of 1880. This was, he said, in the interests of public safety. Not seconded.

It was resolved on Cr Sampson’s motion that where the ward boundary was the middle of the road, the road expenses would be shared, but footpath and other expenses would be attributed to the ward in which they were actually incurred.

Cr Coglin introduced the idea of a fire brigade, but this matter is to stand over.

Waterworks Committee Report

There has been an interview with the engineer, Mr Jobson. Before the work can vest in the council the Governor would have to proclaim such in the SA Government Gazette. The Town Clerk is to communicate with the Government on the matter.

A large number of extensions have been made and the engineer consented to lay down a second pump should the one ordered prove insufficient. Arrangements for troughs are needed and the Committee recommends:

The Market Square troughs remain as at present with the standpipe to be abolished and a new one connected to the waterworks to be installed. [The existing troughs and standpipe were served by the Market Square pump.]

The standpipe and troughs to remain in Aberdeen and the troughs to be fitted with lockable covers and the railway station troughs to be similarly treated.

Charges to be 3/- per 1,000 gallons for persons willing to rent the standpipes or troughs except the Market Square trough. The condition being that the contractors charge the public 6/- per 1,000 gallons and 1⁄2d per head per use for cattle or horses.

Arrangements have been made to move the water-rating year so it begins on 1 January.

Cr Sampson asked if the Market Square pump was to be removed. The Mayor said it would stay and the trough can continue to be used as at present.

Cr Coglin moved the dayman for East and West Wards be paid 6d more per day to come into line with the one in North Ward. The other Councillors thought he should be paid what he tendered for and the motion lapsed.

Cr Ridgway pointed out that the police constable in Redruth had been away for six months and yet they were being charged the police moiety for his services. He moved the Government be written to on the subject.

The curator of the cemetery reported that the woodwork of the mortuary chapel needed painting and the wall in places needed pointing.

VI, 407, 20 January 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council reformed and settled down to business.

Fires continue to rage near Adelaide. Incendiarism is suspected.

VI, 408, 23 January 1885, Page 2

Wanted: a smart youth to look after a billiard table. Apply at the New Hotel, Kooringa.

[i.e. the Kooringa Hotel.]

Editorial on the new Education Act Regulations.

2nd leader on irrigation on the Gawler Plains.

Entertainment. At the Institute on Monday Canon Green’s humorous lecture on Courtship was given to a good audience.

St Mary’s. There were good congregations for the Harvest Thanksgiving services preached by Canon Green last Sunday

Entertainment. The Rev. S. Knight’s lecture on New Zealand and its accompanying entertainment passed off well on Monday.

Obituary/Inquest. Traugott Wilksch drowned in a dam at Emu Downs on Wednesday. The inquest was by J.D. Cave at the Burra Hospital on Thursday. The verdict was accidental death. The deceased seems to have fallen from a plank he was walking on to fill a bucket with water for the horses and may have hit his head on rocks when he fell. [Born 3 September 1853; died 20 January, aged 31.]

Roach’s Mill.

For some months work has been going on at Roach Bros Burra Mill to take out the old machinery and install new roller apparatus. The most recent studies suggest that in the old system the damping of the grain and the subsequent heat generated by the action of the stones changes the most nutritious part of the grain and decreases its food value. In the roller process damping is not required and the grain is gradually reduced without the friction causing heat. The quality is thereby improved.

All space in the mill including the extra floor is occupied by the elaborate and expensive new machinery. Alterations to the building were by Sara & Dunstan. Several gentlemen from Adelaide were invited on Thursday when the Mayor, John Dunstan jnr started the engine. After that a toast was drunk in champagne and some rolls were made from the 1st roller flour ground the previous evening were eaten. Henceforth Mr H. Roach will look after the practical milling and T. Roach do the books and outside work. Mr G. Hewell, Mayor of Unley, proposed the toast ‘the Town and Trade of Burra’. The other toasts etc. that followed are detailed.

VI, 408, 23 January 1885, Page 3

The Salvation Army continues to be persecuted in Clare.

VI, 409, 27 January 1885, Page 2

Editorial. This criticised the Corporation balance sheet, which was published in the previous issue, in that it lacked much of the detail previously provided. Accounting procedures had changed and some items normally charged to the next year were included in 1884, which made comparisons with previous years difficult. In a number of cases 15 months expenditure had been charged in one year.

2nd leader on the incubus of centralisation in SA.

3rd leader on terrorist attacks in London: i.e. Irish attempts to blow up buildings like Westminster Hall, the House of Commons and the White Tower in the Tower of London.

Aberdeen Crossing. Dr Cockburn MP has been seeking action on a gong for the railway crossing at the Bon Accord and again ‘enquiries will be made.’

Burra Mill. A major cogwheel at Roach Bros Mill has broken and production will be delayed some days.

The Wesleyan Church has appointed Revs. S.F. Pryor and G.E. Rowe for Burra.

Terowie. The local correspondent reports cancellation of one of the coach lines to Silverton. The other is said to come in with no consideration of time or appearance.

Burra Mill. Almost 2⁄3 column on the machinery and processes involved at the Burra Mill.

VI, 410, 30 January 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Corporation Assessments in SA.

2nd leader on Silverton and the Barrier Mining Area.

Salvation Army. Sara & Dunstan have started work on the new barracks in Burra.

Burra Mill. Messrs Martin & Co. of Gawler have cast, turned, bored and finished the main driving wheel for Roach’s Mill in four working days. It weighs almost two tons. It was delivered yesterday afternoon.

The Bazaar on Wednesday in aid of the new Bible Christian manse was opened by the Mayor, John Dunstan jnr and £130 is in hand already. The old manse has been in service for 30 years. The bazaar raised over £50 and the remaining goods worth about £30 will be offered at the forthcoming anniversary.

Letter. R. Brummitt writes reminding those who undertook to look after young trees, that now was the time they needed the care and water.

Letter. ‘Treeguard’ writes complaining that the Council is not watering its street trees, nor those at the Recreation Ground and the latter must grow before there can be any increase in revenue from it.

Letter. ‘Doubtful’ writes hoping to be assured that the following rumours are wrong.

That the man appointed to attend to the Waterworks is to be replaced despite the fact that ‘those who had previously employed him, say that he was just the man for the place and work’.

A member of the council ‘has a friend, perhaps a kinsman, whom he would like to have appointed’.

Letter. ‘Argus’ writes on the deficiencies in the Corporation accounts as published.

Letter. ‘Finance’ writes in support of the Corporation accounts as published.

Letter. John D. Cave with further figures to explain the accounts and the editor replies with further statements critical of the way the late Council continued to spend after the funds were exhausted.

VI, 410, 30 January 1885, Page 3

Cricket. Last Saturday Aberdeen, 123 defeated Young Australians, 29.

VI, 411, 3 February 1885, Page 2

Advt. The Burra Comedy Co. will present Charles Matthews’ popular amusing comic drama in two acts, ‘Aggravating Sam’, at the Institute 9 February.

Editorial on the Thow Case.

Grand Tea in the Recreation Ground on Wednesday for the laying of the foundation stone of the Salvation Army Barracks.

Wesleyan Conference confirmed the appointments to Burra to Revs S.F. Prior and G.E. Rowe. Rev. W.H. Rofe goes to Terowie and Rev. S. Knight to North Adelaide.

Terowie: a story circulating is that T. Richardson from Burra is about to take on the Royal Hotel in Terowie. ‘Many of the residents say he will soon wish himself out of it. We shall see.’

Council accounts. J.D. Cave and the editor continue to squabble over aspects of the Corporation accounts.

A Deputation of the Mayor and Cr W.R. Ridgway to the Attorney General (C.C. Kingston) as Acting Commissioner of Public Works was introduced on Friday by W.B. Rounsevell (Treasurer). The first matter was the road leading to the station. Before the railway station was built a good road existed, but subsequently the road was altered and a new road was never made so in winter it becomes a quagmire. Council asks for a grant to get a road built to carry stock to the station. The Corporation has no funds and the Road Board could not make the road. The cost is c. £150. The Corporation would do the work.

The deputation than drew attention to the new Waterworks. The new engine ordered would only pump 2,000 gallons per hour while they needed 5,000 gal/hr, and even the old one did 4,000 gal/hr. If not a new engine, they needed a new pump. When water was laid on they were guaranteed 60 services. At present they had 150 to 160 with more applying. In 2-3 years they expected some 300. The next request was for a piece of ground on which to sink the shaft connected with the waterworks. The present shaft was sunk in the road and land adjoining which they wished the government to purchase for them - it was owned by the English, Scottish and Australian Bank. They also drew attention to the supply of water to the railway station. The Acting Commissioner could not immediately respond, but he would let the Commissioner of Public Works know their wants when he returned.

VI, 411, 3 February 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 2 February.

The Mayor and Cr Ridgway reported on their visit to Adelaide and were hopeful of getting the £150 for the road.

It was decided to write to the Central Fire Board re the operation of the Fire Brigade Act.

C. Jobson, the Waterworks Engineer, sent a list of materials he suggested the Council keep in stock in connection with the Waterworks. This was referred to the Waterworks Committee. Cr Sampson protested about Waterworks business being mixed with ordinary business. Things were so mixed he got confused. The Mayor thought everybody else understood it.

Cr West suggested that when reels were got the trees should be watered from them rather than from a cart.

Cr Symons said many trees were dying.

Cr Ridgway thought it was time meters were read. Carried.

The stationman ‘Herchousen’ [sic: - probably Hirschausen] had injured himself working for the Council. Cr Tiver moved that he be paid for the eight days he was ill, less the amount due to him from the Lodge. Cr Ridgway 2nd.

Cr Sampson asked whether this was not getting money under false pretences. He protested.

Cr Ridgway said if the injury was received not due to carelessness employers were liable under the Employers’ Liability Act and the principle was just and equitable. He was astonished at Cr Sampson.

Cr Coglin knew that in the past half wages had been paid and supported the motion.

Cr Symons objected to anything being done that would not be done by private individuals.

Cr West thought they might pay it as a bonus and no subsidy asked.

[This presumably refers to Government subsidy payable on public works and is also what probably what Cr Sampson was referring to when he mentioned gaining money under false pretences - i.e. the Council would be getting a subsidy on money not actually expended on public work.] Cr Symons said he [Hirschausen] was already getting more pay than the others. [This was due to the tender system the Council had brought in at the start of the year and it was hardly Hirschausen’s fault if they were paying him 6d a day more than the others.]

Cr Sampson thought it was a bad precedent, but the motion was carried.

Mr Ford complained that damage was being done to his fences at Redruth by cattle and he thought Inspector Dow was not dealing fairly with his case.

Local Board of Health.

Cr Coglin considered the report unsatisfactory, as typhoid was prevalent. Piggeries were complained of, but no action was taken. A place in Queen St was unfit for habitation. He wanted the report referred back and corrected. Cr Sampson said it was satisfactory and moved it be agreed to. He accused Cr Coglin of an unfair attack on Inspector Dow. The report was adopted.

VI, 412, 6 February 1885, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are called for the erection of a dwelling house and butcher’s shop for Mr Rabbich Sen. at Aberdeen. G. McLagan, Architect, Redruth.

Advt. The foundation stone of the new Salvation Army Barracks in Kooringa will be laid by the Mayor John Dunstan jnr JP on Wednesday 11 February. There will then be a TEA FIGHT in the Recreation Ground. Guests include Major Thurman and Staff-Officer Hulman from Victoria.

Advt. The very popular service of song ‘A Child of Jesus’ will be repeated in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church by the Redruth scholars and choir, next Sunday. Readings by Rev. G.E. Rowe. In aid of the Kooringa Church Renovation Fund.

Editorial. Further on the Thow case.

2nd leader on Mr Coles and the SAR administration.

Advt. Burra Co. RVF. Those interested in forming the same are to meet at the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday at 8 p.m. to elect officers etc.

VI, 413, 10 February 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the proposed new rating system.

2nd leader on the possibility of compulsory insurance for members of the public service for a sum equal to twice the annual income of the contributors class or grade, to be drawn on death or at age sixty or to be taken as an annuity equal to one fifth of such salary. The premiums to be deducted by the Treasurer and to be paid until death or retirement and to be unassignable till death or retirement.

3rd leader on the fall of Khartoum with no news yet on the fate of General Gordon.

4th leader is a strong attack on the situation in Clare where there were serious and dangerous attacks on the Salvation Army and on the inaction of the police there.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church. The very well produced service of song, ‘A Child of Jesus’ resulted in a large collection.

Dr Sinclair, famous for his painless dentistry will arrive on 11 February.

Letter from ‘Cash’ urging the daily publication of The Record and lamenting the lack of local business vitality that would, he says, provide prices comparable with Adelaide and so prevent the tendency of people to shop in the city.

VI, 413, 10 February 1885, Page 3

Advt. 1⁄2 column advertisement for L. Sinclair, dentist, who will set up his private office next door to Drew & Co in the premises lately occupied by Mr Akhurst.

VI, 414, 13 February 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Taxation Act.

2nd leader on the Death of General Gordon.

Burra Co. RVF. About 40 attended the meeting to form the Burra Co. RVF. J. Kennedy was in the chair and he called on Mr O’Connell to outline the regulations etc. 13 signatures were taken down and the meeting adjourned.

Bicycling. A fine display of riding was given on Wednesday afternoon by a visitor, Mr Garden, of Adelaide.

‘He rode fast and slow and even came to a standstill and folded his arms, then after a time gradually moved on again; he got on and off the machine while in motion with the greatest of ease without altering its pace, he rode side saddle fashion, sitting on the step instead of in the saddle and standing on one foot on it, and finally lying down at full length, his feet away in the front and his head over the small wheel. Then he took another machine alongside, and turned short and made the figure 8, and did other feats; and then to crown all took a third bicycle on the other side of him and manoeuvred the three with wonderful facility riding with arms folded; and then coming to a dead stop and slowly starting off again, with three more easily than most would have done with one machine.’

Advt. There will be a harvest thanksgiving tea meeting at the Douglas Primitive Methodist Chapel on 25 February 1885.

Burra School Board of Advice met on Wednesday. Reports of children improperly supplied with drinking water were investigated and found to be wildly exaggerated, but there was a shortage of pannikins. A supply has been arranged.

The 1884 quarterly returns showed 472 children on the register with an average attendance of 323. There were 81 free scholars

At Copperhouse there were 45 enrolled with an average 30 attending and 4 free scholars.

Davieston had 27 enrolled, an average attendance of 16 and no free scholars.

Entertainment. The performance of the Burra Comedy Co. at the Institute raised money for the Church of England’s Young Men’s Association. There was a fair attendance, but it was not the success it was hoped for. There were several hitches: a timidity from some actors and an over-reliance on the prompters. The songs after interval were generally more favourably reviewed.

Salvation Army Barracks. There is a one-column report on the laying of the foundation stone for the new barracks last Wednesday. For months meetings have been held out of doors, but eventually a tender from Sara & Dunstan was accepted to erect a plain, but substantial hall 60’ x 45’ x 20’ high for c. £600 with square headed doors and windows. At 3 p.m. a procession was formed in Market Square led by Major Thurman, Staff-Officer Jones and Captain Prowse and the band and they then marched to the Kingston St site. After hymns and a prayer the Mayor, John Dunstan jnr, laid the stone. He was glad the treatment of the ‘Army’ in Burra had lacked the violence and antagonism displayed elsewhere, at least to any great extent. He then went on to deprecate the ‘despicable action of a certain section of the Clare people’.

Staff-Officer Jones spoke and said it was he who at Clare last Saturday had first been pelted with rotten eggs and then felled to the ground with a stone because he had belonged to the Salvation Army. He would not have raised the matter had the Mayor not done so first. He gloried that he was counted worthy to suffer for the Salvation Army and for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Major Thurman then replaced him on the stone and expressed his pleasure in seeing the foundation stone laid of their 12th barracks in SA. There were now 42 stations and over 60 officers in SA and only 12 months ago there had been only 14 stations and 26 officers.

The procession then went on to the Recreation Ground to a large tent and a tea. Weather threatened then with rain likely, but the crowd adjourned to Market Square where several hundred people stood for two hours around a wagon from which various visitors addressed them. Thick clouds of wind-borne dust did not deter them. We understand financial proceeds were satisfactory.

VI, 415, 17 February 1885, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Tuesday 17 February. Rev. J.P. Pithouse will give his second lecture. Topic: ‘Slave Life in America’ with c.70 grand dissolving views.

His 3rd lecture is on Wednesday night in Redruth: ‘War in Egypt’ with dissolving views. 1/-

(His 1st lecture on Sunday had been at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on ‘The Life of Christ’. He was a visiting minister from Victoria.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Bazaar at the Institute Wednesday 25 February, to be opened by the Mayor of Adelaide. Continues Thursday and Friday.

Advt. McLaren, White & Co. offer 6415 sheep on 20 February, and they look like doing a good share in this the largest stock market in SA.

Birth: to the wife of John Pearce at Kooringa on 4 February, a daughter. [Beatrice Eleanor Pearce]

Editorial on the sending of NSW troops to the war in Sudan.

Salvation Army. The usual Salvation Army meeting at Redruth Sunday evening saw a large crowd and some strong remarks addressed to backsliders. A well-known Kooringa resident took up the challenge and began to criticise the conduct of some Army leaders. An attempt was made to sing the objector down when the heavy rain penetrated the old roof and a form broke to add to the confusion, which soon subsided and quiet returned. [It would be interesting to know which building is referred to here - the German Chapel is the most obvious possibility.]

Death of Gordon. Rev. H. Howitt at St Mary’s and Rev. G.E. Rowe at Kooringa Wesleyan Church gave addresses on the death of General Gordon last Sunday and the pulpit at the latter was draped in black. Reference to the loss was made at all the churches.

Burra Institute. Mr Kennedy, on behalf of the Glee and Dramatic Co. offered to give three concerts in aid of the Institute funds.

Mr Dobbie is invited to give his address on ‘Clairvoyance’ about the end of March. This is to be the first in a series of free lectures: one in each quarter.

The Chrysanthemum Show will be at the end of April or the beginning of May.

The Richardson Bros took over the Terowie Royal Hotel on Wednesday.

Gordon. J. Cooksley of Farrell’s Flat on 16 February writes debunking Gordon’s hero status and attacking those who place all blame on the British Government. Gordon, he says, was sent to try to effect a reconciliation between Egypt and the rebels and to establish order. He disdained peace overtures, advised the English Government to take certain steps and when they declined he endeavoured single-handed to bring about the changes he thought best. Gordon was an officer who exceeded his duty and got into trouble. He goes on at some length to sheet the real blame home to Gordon’s defiance of orders and impetuousness.

VI, 415, 17 February 1885, Page 3

Cricket. Aberdeen and Burra Cricket clubs met on Tuesday at the Burra Hotel to bid farewell to the Waterworks engineer, Mr C. Jobson. Cr Sampson was in the chair and he gave a speech congratulating him on his work at the waterworks and for the game of cricket in Aberdeen. Several speakers then followed and an address was read. Mr Jobson replied. He said what the town needed was a good pitch. He could remember playing with the grass so high about every fourth ball was lost in it. Several songs were sung and a most enjoyable evening spent.

Accident. There is a report on the railway accident near Wasleys on 17 January.

VI, 416, 20 February 1885, Page 2

Advt. Professor Gilbert, the American temperance lecturer, phrenologist and physiognomist will give two of his celebrated lectures in Burra on 2 & 3 March.

Advt. There will be a harvest thanksgiving tea meeting at Douglas Primitive Methodist Church on 25 February.

Advt. The partnership of James White, John Finlay Duff & Bessie Goodchild, trading as Goodchild, Duff & Co. (Auctioneers etc.) is dissolved from 16 February 1885. The business will continue with James White and Bessie Goodchild.

Advt. Baldina Wesleyan Church Anniversary on 23 & 25 February. [This is an error and should read 22 & 25 February]

Advt. Kooringa Bible Christian Church anniversary 22 & 23 February. Rev. W.H. Cann from England will preach. Articles left over from the bazaar will be sold at the tea meeting at greatly reduced prices.

Editorial on the response in Australia to the campaign in Sudan. On balance it is not in favour of Australian participation. ‘. . . there seems to be nothing now Gordon is dead, to fight for.’

The line is general that if there were a reason to fight then South Australia would be ready to a man to defend the honour or integrity of the empire, but in this case the cake is not worth the candle.

Miss Knight, the daughter of Rev. S. Knight of Burra, has recently passed the matriculation exam of London University and goes to England by the Lusitania on Monday.

A Bolt. Rev. W.F. James, Mrs James and a small child, were thrown from their trap when a normally quiet horse bolted on the way to Mt Bryan on Thursday. They were badly bruised, but otherwise escaped serious injury.

Sudan Campaign. Offers from SA and Victoria to help in the campaign have apparently been declined, at least as far as going with the NSW contingent, but later service is a possibility. [NSW despatched 750 men on 23 March and they saw action at Tamai as soon as they arrived at Suakin, but then saw mainly railway fatigue work and were repatriated 17 May 1886. Their greatest losses were from fever on the way home, when six men died.]

Rev. J. Pithouse’s lectures and sermons were largely attended and were inspiringly delivered. The illustrations were superb and the incidents shown from Uncle Tom’s Cabin on Tuesday were ‘almost painfully impressive’.

Davieston. The special effort here was very largely attended. On Sunday Rev. S. Knight preached two powerful sermons and on Wednesday the tea meeting was such that not half those present could get into the building. Special thanks are due to T. Drew who paid the railway fare for the choir. The circuit fund was £20 short and the proceeds of the effort were £20-14-6.

Offences.

Mr Thomas was fined £1 for insulting language at the Salvation Army meeting in Market Square. He pleaded drunkenness in mitigation and being unable to pay was given 14 days instead.

Mr James Bitmead and Mr S. Hill were fined 5/- each for driving cabs at over 7 m.p.h.

James Bitmead was also fined 5/- for not having two lamps on his cab.

J. Shore was fined 5/- for driving round Best Place corner at more than walking pace.

Valentine’s Day saw fewer cards sent this year than ever.

VI, 416, 20 February 1885, Page 3

Letter from W.H. Hardy defending Gordon against the attack of Mr Cooksley and the shilly-shallying of the Home Government. Gordon, he says, was doing his duty and the Government was following a peace-at-any-price policy.

Letter from ‘Smith’ also on the Sudan question. He condemns the effusions from the pulpits recently, based on less than a tithe of the information the Government had to make its decision and yet choosing to condemn them. What did Gordon do? What was he asked to do?

Gordon advised that Zebehr Pasha, a notorious slave hunter, be made Gov. of Sudan.

The Government declined to appoint him - surely not a bungle.

Gordon asked for Turkish troops to garrison towns while he led British troops to ‘smash the Mahdi’.

The Government replied it did not wish to conquer the Sudan.

Gordon was summoned to return.

For months he said he was perfectly safe, made expeditions up and down the Nile and claimed that 1,500 men would demolish the Mahdi, and if pressed he could secure his own safety.

When he finally realised he was in a serious position and asked for help it was practically impossible to provide it without terrible loss of life.

Could the relief have got there sooner by another route? Perhaps, but the best advice available to the Government said no, and ‘I still think that the combined wisdom of the present Government of England is at least equal to that of any clergyman in South Australia, or to that of

Yours, &c. SMITH’

Letter from J.B. on the same topic from Adelaide. He defends Gordon and denies that he disobeyed orders.

‘But if Gordon did oppose the Government he would have done nothing but was justifiable’. He was sent as the expert to do a task and when he tells the Government the best way to do it, they say they know better and issue other orders. He obeys and while executing them Gordon is abandoned in his hour of peril. He then quotes Gordon’s despatch in which Gordon justifies his action in remaining at Khartoum against instructions.

Letter from ‘One Annoyed’ complaining that with an over-supply of cabs they are now soliciting business by ‘blowing their brass instruments’ at hotel doors, which is ‘not at all melodious’ and against the by-law which restricts their stands to specified places.

Letter from ‘Fidelis’ who also supports in general the Home Government’s position on Gordon and the Sudan Campaign.

Cricket. Young Australians (15) v. Aberdeen (11)

Aberdeen 38 & 72 [110] defeated Young Australians 47 & 31 [78]

Typhoid remains prevalent in the town.

VI, 417, 24 February 1885, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of H.S. Stephens at Poonunda, Mongolata on 22 February, a son. [Horace Pascoe Stephens]

Editorial on the Town Council’s finances.

The finance committee considers the situation to be very serious. The editor says it is worse than they think, because they have made an error in understanding the principle on which the grant-in-aid is paid. As they have adopted the report rather than merely receiving it, the Council have put themselves in a worse position.

The income for the year is £880-0-0

The overdraft is £213-9-9

£1093-9-9

Less debts and expenditure

Not on public works £1014-15-3

£78-14-6

Govt. grant £61- 8-6

£140- 3-0

Which is the sum available for public works. The Govt. grant must be expended before another claim can be made and cannot be used to reduce debt.

[The editor goes on to say that the subsidy attracted would fail to meet the police moiety of £140 by about £60, which suggests that the £78 attracted a £ for £ subsidy.]

Where does the £61-8-6 come into the story? Is it the unexpended remains of the previous Govt. grant?]

This would result in the council effectively not only receiving no subsidy, but in addition would actually owe the Government £60 on account of the police.

The Council document shows they expect a grant-in-aid of £253 and in order to get this they will have to spend from the rates £393, made up of £140 police moiety and £253 in cash. The £253 must first be spent and vouchers then sent in to obtain the Government grant. Their budget must be to spend £646 if they expect a grant of £253 - made up of £253 cash from rates, £253 from grant-in-aid and £140 of police moiety.

If, as they propose, they spend only £393 the cash subsidy claimable would be only

£126-10. [The £393 would represent £126-10 from rates plus £126-10 from subsidy plus £140 for the police moiety.]

The editor suggests: -

Defer reduction of the subsidy for one year because after this year it is likely the subsidy will cease and with it the police rate also.

This would allow the expenditure on public works to rise by £387-19-6 and indebtedness to the Government would be met.

The clear gain to the town would be an increase in subsidy by £224-12-6

It would be wise, as suggested by Crs West and Sampson to reduce the interest on the debt by the issue of bonds.

Why is it necessary to increase the town’s debt?

The debt has benefited the town in enabling the expenditure in the town of double the amount of the debt, above what would else have been spent. That is to say that money representing the debt has been spent plus a subsidy equal to it.

We have no doubt about the wisdom of it and in view of the early cutting off of the grant we believe it should continue while the grant lasts. To pay the debt off now is to lose money, while to pay it off when the grant ceases is to lose nothing.

Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday at Redruth Wesleyan Church.

A Fire Brigade. The cost of establishing a fire brigade is beyond the resources of the Council at present and it is hoped that private subscription and a committee might supply the want. The Mayor is to take the matter up.

Bible Christian Anniversary services and tea meeting had good attendances. The report at the meeting showed that £40 had been paid off the debt, reducing it to £400. The total raised for the year was £409-15-0. Several people spoke including Rev. C. Tresise, Mr Holder & Rev. W.H. Cann.

Letter again from J. Cooksley on the Sudan question. He says he will take no notice of W.H. Hardy’s letter ‘until he can write to the press in a less bombastic and abusive style’ - he [Hardy] plays the man and not the ball. He is surprised that J.B. considers opposing the Government to be nothing unjustifiable. The argument is essentially the same as before.

VI, 417, 24 February 1885, Page 3

The Terowie Correspondent says that their paper reports that the Burra Comedy Co. has come to a full stop.

Burra Town Council

The Waterworks. The question of laying fresh mains and services had been discussed with the Hydraulic Engineer, who suggested they be allowed to accumulate and then be charged to the capital account and he also promised to arrange to exchange the present engine for a more powerful one. The banks of the reservoir should be planted with grass and notice boards fixed to warn trespassers.

The Mayor said the man in charge now was in the pay of the Council and as there were no funds it was necessary to collect rates, or arrange an overdraft.

Mr Rawling offered to buy at cost price the Council’s allotment in Aberdeen with the shaft on it.

Crown Lands Office wrote to say that as the Redruth Police Constable had been removed there would be no further charge on that account after 1884 unless a constable were sent again.

Cr Ridgway moved that the Council consider the services of a constable at Redruth necessary, but object to paying for the six months for which he was away. Carried.

The Fire Brigade wrote to say that assuming sufficient mains pressure, all that is needed is a hand reel with hose etc. at c. £90 or a horse reel at c. £115.

The usual staff is one foreman and two firemen for a hand reel and one foreman and three or four firemen for a horse reel. The cost to the Corporation would be half of the establishment cost and 1/6 of expenditure thereafter.

The Waterworks Engineer, Mr Jobson, notified the completion of the works and of his departure. So far 447,000 had been consumed. It was decided to arrange an overdraft as rates would be collected on 1 April and quarterly thereafter.

The finance report was introduced. [And is printed]

Cr Ridgway moved its adoption. It was painful he said - a case of reaping before sowing.

He said if they acted as outlined they would reduce the overdraft to £213-9-9. He objected to pay £100 interest a year on bonds, but they also had to pay interest on the overdraft. The overdraft had to be reduced as in 1888 they would begin to have to meet coupons for £200 p.a. and it would take all the income to keep going and to pay interest without doing any work, especially if the Government subsidy was withdrawn, as was almost certain. The only good thing was that the money spent had greatly improved the town.

Cr West favoured spending the rates while the subsidy was available to enable claiming all they could. He suggested ratepayers be asked to sanction a loan of say £500 to clear the debt and claim subsidy and do the usual works. He supported the report as a statement of position, but not as a binding limit on their actions.

Cr Sampson also objected to being so bound.

Borrowing £500 would allow them to claim the full subsidy of £750 and spend that and all the rates on public work, but paying off the overdraft would leave little to spend and would lose £500 of Government money. Moreover money could be got 3% cheaper on bonds than on overdraft.

Crs West and Sampson wanted to receive the report, but it was eventually adopted.

Cr West gave notice of a motion to borrow £500.

Population loss. 578 persons have left SA by sea since 1 January. Mostly to go to Melbourne.

VI, 418, 27 February 1885, Page 2

Advt. Professor Gilbert, physiognomist physiologist and popular speaker will lecture at the Institute 2 & 3 March on The Physiognomy of Intemperance and Crime.

Editorial on British Policy in Sudan.

Baldina Wesleyan Church anniversary services last Sunday. The tea meeting was fairly attended.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church anniversary services. On Wednesday the chapel was filled five times over and partly filled a sixth and still there was enough left for a good supper. The meeting had to be held in the open air as not half the people could get into the church.

Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar in the Institute on Wednesday was opened by Mr Bundy, the Mayor of Adelaide. There was a good attendance at the opening. The living waxworks were very impressive in the adjoining room and included Topsy, May Queen, Italian Beauty, Gipsy Queen, William Penn, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and others. About 200 visited the show in the evening. There was a large attendance at the bazaar.

VI, 418, 27 February 1885, Page 3

Lapford Correspondent.

[There were correspondents’ reports from many centres on a fairly regular basis, but since nothing much ever happened at Lapford the correspondent purporting to give news from there often produced a humorous article sometimes with wider ranging satirical comments. See also the note at VII, 468, 21 August 1885, page 3.]

‘Were one seeking the hospitality of Lapford, he would fare very badly indeed; for there are only two houses and three inhabitants all told, in the entire township proper; and “entertainment for man and beast,” is but a dim and misty legend of bygone days.’

‘The survey “pegs” are here, and the streets, roads, and “blocks” are here, but all is desolation beside.’

An effort was recently made to open a school here. The school is held in an iron building once devoted to the dispensation of Wein und Läerbier.

It is a disgrace that there is no state school hitherto in the Hundreds of Mongolata, Baldina and Bright.

Letter from W.H. Hardy in reply to Mr Cooksley and he is warned by the editor to be less personal in the future.

Letter from R.B. advocating the poisoning of sparrows.

Letter from Argus about the Town Council finances, in favour of borrowing £500

Population. At Port Adelaide last week departures 456, arrivals 302.

VI, 419, 3 March 1885, Page 2

Rev. A. Turnbull (Chief of Christian Crusaders) will lecture on General Gordon at the Institute on 4 March in aid of Mr Turnbull’s Mission. 1/-.

Birth: to the wife of H.C.R. Batchelor at Queenstown on 1 March, a daughter. [Maud Gladys Batchelor]

Editorial on the Town Council and Cr Ridgway in particular.

‘Cr Ridgway, however, on last evening fairly eclipsed even himself’

After last week’s exposure of the mistakes in the Finance Committee’s report he,

‘wildly charges us with torturing the Council week by week for trying to reduce the debt, and damaging them in the eyes of the ratepayers and of the public. He said too that we should do better to help them in their work. As a matter of fact it takes us most of our time to correct the mistakes of Cr Ridgway.’

‘Besides we have frequently praised the Council and when we have criticised it has been with an honest desire to help forward the interest of the town.’

He says that the £1,200 we claim was spent last year on works includes interest and the bond redeemed.

But the audited and published balance sheet shows our statement to be correct.

He says tree-planting subscriptions were supplemented.

But subsidies to private subscriptions were ended years ago.

He says a very small sum was got of Government subsidy last year.

But the balance sheet shows it was £498-13-1.

He says the Council has lost by past loans - let him produce the figures to back his claim.

Mr T. Bath and Miss Bath have returned to SA after a long holiday in England.

The Wesleyan Bazaar raised c. £135.

The Bible Christian Conference has appointed Rev. W.F. James again to Burra.

Unemployment. 500 unemployed men were addressed in Victoria Square, Adelaide, on Friday, urging that Parliament be recalled as a matter of urgency as the Government is incapable of dealing with the crisis in employment. A meeting was held in the Town Hall in the evening to consider the matter.

Letter from ‘Colonial’ deploring the editor’s choice to write about the Sudan last issue when crisis closer to home were calling to be addressed - like Council finance, or the depression, or departures, or declining trade.

Letter from ‘SMITH’ once again at length on Sudan. He raises many points, which are supported with quotes and evidence to bolster his opinions, but the editor comments that he fails to question the moral responsibility of the Government.

Burra Hospital. Report for 1884. The hospital board called for an ambulance to be supplied to transport patients from the station, but the government did not respond. The board continues to urge it. Other details of the operation and statistics are printed.

Population. People continue to leave SA.

VI, 419, 3 March 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 2 March.

The Mayor said no loan vote could be carried unless a special meeting had been called, but a discussion of finances would be helpful.

Cr West sought to reduce debt, but also to provide work, which would be much needed in the coming winter. He also thought they should get the Government subsidy while it was still available. Using the money they had and leaving the overdraft would involve paying 10% interest on it. If they borrowed at 6% on the new loan they could pay off the overdraft and pay only 6% on the new debt. He suggested they take out a loan for £500 to £600.

Cr Ridgway was opposed to borrowing money and said the press had said a good deal that should not have been said. He would prefer not to have borrowed at all. Now it took them £250 to pay bonds and interest each year and this was £250 that could not be used to attract subsidy and so meant a loss of £500.

[He then went on to the points raised at the end of the editorial that the editor had challenged.]

He believed the Council was more in debt than was legally allowed.

Crs Tiver and Symons spoke against borrowing.

The Mayor was also of the view that ratepayers had had enough of loans, especially as the Recreation Ground had turned out to be a bad investment.

He held that £275 of the £449-14-4 debt was incurred by the Recreation Ground in bonds and interest with £300 more due in bonds and interest over this and the next two years.

Cr West was not swayed by the Mayor’s argument and pressed for a ratepayers’ meeting.

Local Board of Health

The nightman intimated that he could empty no more cesspits now that the matter had to be buried, unless the burial pits were dug by the Council. The Inspector was asked to report on a resolution to this problem.

VI, 420, 6 March 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the present depression.

2nd Leader on Council Finances.

In Council and out the feeling is against further loans, but we say the past loans and present overdraft have been a direct gain of no small sum to the Council. But if there is to be no new loan then the Mayor’s suggestion is the next best way out.

Of the Council debt the sum of £275 is on account of money paid for the Recreation Ground account, comprising interest on bonds and their redemption plus interest on the overdraft to redeem them.

This year another £100 will be expended to redeem another £100 bond.

So £375 to be provided for this year is really due to the Recreation Ground and might fairly be debited to it.

A transfer of this sum to that account would release £375 to be expended from rates and thus available for subsidy, so increasing the amount spent on public works by £750.

The debt on the Recreation Ground would then be £564-0-2, to be reduced by the Park Lands rate.

Cr West should then turn his attention to getting by some means the balance of this sum at a lower rate of interest than the banks charge.

The editor then appends 3⁄4 column of discussion and figures to show that the effect of the previous borrowings, which enabled the council to maximise Government subsidy and maximise spending on public works, was to leave the Council £488-3-4 better off, even taking into account all the interest paid, added to which the town had all the benefit of the works all these years. Without this borrowing the Council would, since 1878, have had £3,288-3-4 worth of works less than it has had. They were, he said, paying £131 a year interest and it was decreasing every year.

3rd Leader on the patriotic folly going on in Sydney over the Sudan Campaign - folly because the Imperial Government admitted it had no further ambition, but to rescue Gordon. 250,000 had gathered to see the contingent off and one of the troop ships had, in the process, collided with a small steamer, crushing two women, one of them the wife of a soldier on the Iberia, and injuring several others.

Rev. W.F. James appointed to the Bible Christian Church in Burra.

Primitive Methodist Church. Rev. J.G. Wright goes from Burra to Adelaide and Rev. J.J. Salmon comes to Burra. Mr J. Burrows, an old worker in the district, goes to Dawson and Rev. A.J. Birt to Strathalbyn.

Professor Gilbert’s lecture was given last Tuesday at the Institute on The Physiognomy of Intemperance and Crime. His view was that ‘no use of alcohol was anything but abuse.’

Letter from ‘Looker On’ laments the rising tide of larrikinism in Burra with two-pound loaves of bread being broken up and thrown around at the Salvation Army meeting last Wednesday.

Offence. Thomas Watkins, vegetable and fruit hawker of Hampton, was charged with assaulting a ten-year-old boy, Alfred Cullen, whom he lived next door to. He was fined £1 plus £2-1-0 costs and being unable to pay got 14 days in gaol. [But see VI, 424, 20 March 1885 Page 2]

VI, 420, 6 March 1885, Page 3

Lapford Correspondent. Another column from the place which, as the writer says, is better known as World’s End Creek, but Lapford is the township proper. The writer is ‘beginning to feel like a ghost, walking every evening through streets where there are no houses.’ ‘. . . in this “city” with its population of pegs.’ The private school is doing very well so far. Come and buy an urban allotment, or a suburban one of 15 acres at £30 each.

VI, 421, 10 March 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Football Club meeting called for Tuesday 7.30 p.m., Commercial Hotel.

Advt. Mesmerism & Clairvoyance at the Institute, Thursday 26 March.

Editorial on the tendency of the surrounding land to pass into large estates and either become sheep runs or get cultivated on the ‘halves’ system, all of which produces a reduction in population and a decline of towns.

Rifle Volunteer Force. Surely the latest news of England’s ultimatum to Russia following the latter’s incursion into Afghanistan will get the Burra co. RVF up and running.

Redruth Wesleyan Church has a new imported organ for which opening services were held last Sunday when Rev. W.A. Bainger preached.

Rev. H. Haigh lectures on ‘Life Mission Work in the Mysore’ in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa, tonight.

Letter from H.C. Young writes expressing surprise at seeing himself mentioned as a leader in the bread throwing larrikinism and denying same - though he is willing to admit being present and doing ‘what a good many more did’. He also considers that it is a bit tough to write as if the larrikinism was the cause of the current depression.

[The heading ‘LARRIKINISM AND THE HARD(Y) TIMES’ suggests that W.H. Hardy was the ‘LOOKER ON’ of the previous issue.]

Council Finances. W.R. Ridgway has 1⁄3 column taking up the cudgels again on the Council finances and he is replied to by the editor at about the same length.

Letter from Henry Bennetts denying he had anything to do with throwing bread at the Salvation Army meeting.

Letter, presumably from an ex-councillor thanking the editor for showing that the previous Councils had not squandered money recklessly or without common sense.

Letter from W. H. Hardy, who writes at great length [over 1 column] on the British Government’s foreign policy. He accuses the Government of ‘lowering British prestige and inviting contempt ‘which will lead in time to the real danger of a combination of great powers to despoil England of her outlying possessions.’

Sudan Campaign. SA and Victoria have offered troops for the Sudan campaign and their offer has now been accepted for August/September. [But did not eventuate.]

Feral Pests. The stoats, ferrets and weasels imported into New Zealand to destroy rabbits are proving a great nuisance.

VI, 421, 10 March 1885, Page 3

Midland Licensing Bench, 4 March. Renewal or granting of licences as follows: -

S. Alderman granted for Lancelot Hotel, Lancelot, (with billiards)

W. Midwinter renewed for Baldina Hotel, Baldina.

J. Peak renewed for Cross Roads Inn, Cross Roads.

Other Burra Hotels are also mentioned, but not the Pig and Whistle.

VI, 422, 13 March 1885, Page 2

Birth. At Redruth, 11 March to the wife of John Dunstan Jun., a daughter. [Irene Gwendoline]

Birth. At Kooringa on 14 February, to the wife of B.P. James, a daughter. [Martha]

Editorial on a Government proposal to cut up the travelling stock routes. They are a vital necessity. The Government says it wishes to shift to other shoulders the responsibility of keeping them free of vermin and thistles. But the gain to the country of having these routes outweighs any loss of Government revenue, or costs to it. Just as the cost of maintaining roads falls to the Government so should these costs. If the routes are being abused then apply the law, but don’t sell them off. A three-chain road is no substitute for the present 20-chain route that does not provide too much feed nor too much room for the passing of large flocks going different ways. Narrow passages would be useless. Ultimately the meat consumer will also be affected by the price of meat.

2nd Leader on Taxation.

3rd Leader on the looming prospect of war with Russia and asking why Burra is without a volunteer company.

Oddfellows Lodge quarterly finance meeting revealed 302 good on the books.

Rev. H. Haigh’s lecture on ‘Life and Mission Work in the Mysore’ at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Tuesday raised £22 for the cause.

Travelling Stock Routes.

The Mayor took the chair at a meeting at the Institute on Wednesday to discuss the Government’s proposal to cut up and lease travelling stock reserves.

J. Lewis moved that the meeting condemn the proposal. If some people abused them or used them illegally that could be remedied. If income is needed a small tax could be charged on stock not going to or from market. The Government perhaps wanted to force the use of railways, but from Burra it would cost 1/- a head and a loss of condition, compared with 2d a head and good condition on the stock route.

Stock could not travel on a chain road and even a three chain one would not allow flocks to pass.

T. Fairchild 2nd and said abuses could be curbed and should be because while they were largely used by adjacent landowners and others sponging off the feed they might as well be cut up.

Cr Coglin said he knew of several flocks regularly kept on the routes. Motion carried.

J.B. Davidson moved that the properties of adjacent landowners would decrease in value as a result of cutting up the routes- rather remedy the misuse he said. J.F. Duff 2nd. Carried.

Cr Coglin moved they be maintained for bona fide travel as originally intended. Carried.

Letter from ‘Looker On’ affirming his original contentions re the bread throwing.

Letter from W.R. Ridgway of c. 1⁄2 column having another go at Council finances.

VI, 422, 13 March 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Satellite’ suggesting that ‘Looker On’ has made a mountain out of a molehill.

Unemployment. Not many unemployed left.

Migration. At Port Adelaide last week 281 arrived and 415 departed.

Cricket. Last Saturday a Combined 15 scored 85 to defeat a Combined 11 on 26 & 58. A win by an innings and a run.

VI, 423, 17 March 1885, Page 2

Advt. Thursday 19 March, at the Institute, an Art Union and Bazaar in aid of the Residence Building Fund of St Joseph’s, Kooringa. 6d.

Editorial on the Taxation Act.

2nd Leader on the approaching Legislative Council Elections.

Mr C. Jobson, lately in charge of the Burra Waterworks, was very interested in cricket and has presented the Aberdeen Cricket Club with a very handsome Lillywhite bat.

Burra School Board of Advice comprises P. Lane, A. Bartholomæus and F.W. Holder.

Travelling Stock Routes. Messrs Lane, Coglin and Holder are in touch with Pt Augusta, Adelaide and elsewhere and a large deputation will soon seek to change the Commissioner’s mind on stock routes and reserves.

Board of the Burra Hospital for the year is Dr Brummitt, Messrs P. Brown Jun., J. Hogg, J. Dunstan Jun., A.F. Akhurst & F.W. Holder.

F.W. Holder is president of the Burra Institute.

Vermin District No. 3, Board of Directors met on Wednesday at Baldina under T. Warnes (Chairman) and declared the rates of pay for vermin killed after 29 January.

Dingoes of dogs gone wild £2

Dingo pups under 3 months 10/-

Any dog 10/-

Eaglehawks 1/-

Kangaroos 6d

Wallabies 4d

Rabbits 2d

The Inspector, George Broughton, salary £200 p.a.

G.R. Croot, Secretary, salary £30 p.a.

Street Trees. [A 1⁄2 column revealing F.W. Holder’s continuing interest.]

The trees planted last season are doing reasonably well. Welsh Place looks very promising.

Also in Paradise, Kingston St, by the bridge, and in Chapel St they are doing well.

Aberdeen and Redruth Reserves are looking promising, as is the plot behind Mr Bartholomæus’ store.

Many street trees are doing well, especially the road from Kingston St corner to the Recreation Ground.

Some attention is needed to replanting and staking, but overall we have no reason to regret the expenditure.

Letter from ‘Verbum sap’ advising the editor: -

‘If Mr Ridgway implies that in the past the affairs of the Town Council have been grossly mismanaged, what is that to you? Let the ex-mayors and ex-councillors fight their own battles, and mind your own business.’

Taking up other people’s battles will only ‘make enemies and lose business.’

VI, 424, 20 March 1885, Page 2

Advt. Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church on Wednesday 25 March at 4.30 p.m. there will be a public tea to take leave of Rev. J.G. Wright, who goes to a city church.

Editorial on the Taxation Act.

Mr Turnbull (the faith-healer, not the crusader) has been giving powerful addresses in Market Square and the streets this week.

VI, 424, 20 March 1885, Page 2

Street Trees. The council has said that water is to be laid on to Welsh Place to water the trees. A hydrant has been obtained so a hose can be fitted to any fireplug.

Troops for Sudan. SA has deferred consideration of renewing their offer to send troops to Sudan until the end of May.

Letter from Frank Treloar, Manager of Gum Creek, denying that any of their stock is depastured on travelling stock reserves.

Thomas Watkins replies to the rather full account of his trial published in the paper of

6 March and he gives a very different, and apparently quite plausible version of the situation.

Letter from ‘Bourgeois’ supporting the editor and condemning ‘Verbum sap’.

Letter from ‘Pater Familias’ who complains that the patriotic fervour at school apparently has little girls drilling in the hot sun, which he says, is both cruel and senseless as ‘we are not likely to require “Amazon” guards for either the Soudan or for our own defences.’

VI, 425, 24 March 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Council finances, complimenting the Council on following up the Mayor’s suggestion which removes the overdraft at a high rate of interest and transfers the Recreation Ground debt to the Parklands account where it will disappear in about seven years. The loss of about £500 in subsidy will be avoided giving more money for employment when it is so sorely needed. The previously opposed councillors were won over and the scheme adopted unanimously. The proposed loan of £500 will pay off the overdraft, which will reduce the interest from 10% to 6%, bringing about a saving annually of £20.

There will be a ratepayers’ meeting on Tuesday evening, 31 March to approve the borrowing of £500 on the security of the Parklands rate.

St Joseph’s Church has raised £345-1-4 in an Art Union and two bazaars towards the object of building a residence for the pastor attending St Joseph’s.

Band of Hope entertainment in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Thursday evening last was most satisfactory. The collection was c. £1.

Burra Town Council 21 March, Special Meeting.

This was convened to consider Cr West’s proposal for a loan of £500. He said he hoped he would have support since every £ of the general rate used to reduce outstanding debts was the loss of another pound which could have attracted subsidy. The proposal is very simple. The probable curtailment or abolition of the Government Grant-in-Aid is Government policy and we would be foolish to lose any portion of it while it remains available.

Cr Ridgway pointed out that the borrowing of £500 secured by the Parklands rates would enable the paying off of the debt in about seven instead of nine years, due to the reduced rate of interest and would allow the Council to spend about £500 more this year than would otherwise be possible and so if Cr West would accept a loan against the Parklands rates he would have Ridgway’s support - but not if it were against the general rate.

Cr West readily agreed and so did the Mayor.

[There then follows a printed report on the Recreation Ground Account, which demonstrates how the application of the Parklands rate to reducing the debt would see it vanish in seven years. Note though this assumes that all the said rates go to reduce debt and the Parklands rate must have been levied because there were Parkland expenses!]

The loan would not increase indebtedness, but would enable them to get money at lower interest.

Cr Coglin had been convinced by the argument and so was Cr Symons. Carried unanimously.

Ratepayers’ approval is to be sought at a meeting on 31 March.

Ordinary meeting 21 March.

Tobacco trees in the cemetery are to be destroyed.

The mayor reported that an old shaft had made an appearance near the pumping station. The works Committee will investigate and act on this and another nearby shaft also complained of.

The Hydraulic Engineer sent a tracing showing the water mains, stopcocks and fireplugs in the town.

The Hydraulic Engineer wrote to say no changes could be made in the engine as it had already left England and to say the hydrant had been sent.

The Mayor said the understanding was that the engine referred to was to be disposed of and a new and larger one substituted.

Local Board of Health

Mr Forder would take all the night soil and prepare trenches and pay 2/6 a load. The nightmen were allowed the 2/6 to compensate for having to take it the extra distance from Kooringa.

Letter from J. Cooksley, writing again on UK Government policy.

Letter from W.R. Ridgway who writes at length. [c. 3⁄4 column] He takes issue with ‘Bourgeois’, or at least he would except that he ‘failed to understand the strange tirade’

[Although Ridgway takes an inordinate number of words to say so, I agree with him that ‘Bourgeois’ (or Boar-jaw, as Ridgway calls him) is rather obscure. Most of Ridgway’s letter is however, a lot of words about very little.]

VI, 425, 24 March 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Industry’ objecting to the 8-hour day or any other attempt to control wages.

Letter from James Cullen in response to Thomas Watkins, to debunk the latter’s attempt to put himself in a good light over assaulting Cullen’s child. He says that as the character of Watkins is well known in Burra, Cullen really finds no need to contradict him, but as people beyond Burra might read the paper and so be led to believe Watkins he feels the need to reply. Watkins suggests that the Cullens have previously annoyed him, a thing Cullen denies and challenges Watkins to find witnesses to the same.

Watkins actually admits the assault in his own letter - in denying he took stones out of the boy’s hands and then saying he knocked the stones from his hands and pushed him backwards. Had he lived thirty years where he is without a blemish on his character as he [Watkins] asserts, there would be none of this. ‘I will leave that to all who know him.’

VI, 426, 27 March 1885, Page 2

Advt. Methodist Easter Services

Good Friday United Holiness Services

Prayer Meeting, 7.30 a.m. in the Primitive Methodist Church

Preaching Service, 11 a.m. in the Wesleyan Church

Testimony Meeting, 2.30 p.m. in the Bible Christian Church

Evening Meeting, 7.30 p.m. in the Primitive Methodist Church

Advt. Sunday 26 March [Misprint for 29th?] Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary

Public tea meeting and sale of gifts on Good Friday.

Advt. Public Religious meeting on The Second Coming of Christ, in the store next to the Wesleyan Church, Redruth on Good Friday at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on whether there will be war with Russia or not.

Rain was general on Thursday and since.

Offences.

S. Hill only one light on his cab 10/-

Charles Grow Driving round the corner of

Mt Pleasant St faster than walking pace 10/-

Charles Grow loitering with cab at the Burra Hotel 5/-

Our Boy Dick and Granny, a humorous piece on the Salvation Army in dialect.

Cr Sampson has been ill all through the loan discussion.

VI, 426, 27 March 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Bourgeois’ in reply to what he calls ‘the terrific outburst of Billingsgate’ from the pen of Cr Ridgway in the last paper. He says he was at a complete loss to understand the relevance of Cr Ridgway’s story and declares it a ‘quarter yard of gibberish.’

Letter from ‘An old resident’ in reply to Mr Cullen’s assertions that those who know Mr Watkins will need no further comment. He defends Mr Watkins’ character, having been his neighbour and having had many transactions with him. As for Cullen’s posing as a Christian - what Christian man would drag an old man to court - a supposed brother of the same church, and get the old man jailed when he couldn’t pay the fine.

VI, 427, 31 March 1885, Page 2 [Said to be Friday on page 1, but actually Tuesday]

Editorial on the deputation on the revision of the tariff.

Ratepayers’ Meeting tonight re the loan - most seem either indifferent or in favour.

New Train Timetable

From 1 April 1885

From the north to Adelaide Arrive 7.44 a.m. Depart 7.44 a.m. [sic]

Arrive 4.26 p.m. Depart 4.26 p.m. [sic]

From Adelaide to the North Arrive 12.23 p.m. Depart 12.29 p.m.

Arrive 9.31 p.m. Depart 9.38 p.m.

This was arranged to allow connections with the Wallaroo line trains, but the earlier afternoon train, by 40 minutes is awkward for the Burra sales.

Rowing Championship - we received a telegram from W. Pearce Jun. of Kingston, who is in Sydney on a trip, that Beach had retained the Championship for Australia from Hanlon.

100,000 went to see the boat race.

We at once issued slips.

War News. Preparations for war [i.e. with Russia] continue in England with a squadron preparing for the Baltic. A British army of 50,000 is already advancing. [Presumably in Afghanistan]

NSW troops head for the front in Sudan while England buys cruisers and bids for a Turkish alliance and Russia masses troops in the Caucasus.

Mr Dobbie of Adelaide had a good audience for his talk on Mesmerism and Clairvoyance at the Institute on Thursday evening.

Cricket. Saturday last, Aberdeen 114 defeated Sara & Dunstan’s Employees 55 & 40 (95).

Letter from W.H. Hardy who writes over 1 column on the positions of England and Russia.

VI, 428, 2 April 1885, Page 2 [Thursday instead of Friday because that was Good Friday]

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday, 5 April & tea meeting 6 April.

Advt. Grand Concert in aid of the Catholic Building fund, 6 April, to conclude with the laughable farce, Turn Him Out.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church tea meeting, 8 April, to farewell Rev. J.G. Wright.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary 5 & 6 April with Sunday afternoon service of song Jonah. Tea meeting 6 April.

Advt. Baldina Races 29 April.

Editorial on the Town Council loan, which was approved without the need for a poll. They have got a purchaser for the bonds at par and a rate of 6%. Mr Lane produced figures to show that the estimates indicated that 37% of the sum on work would go in salaries and other management costs and though this seems high when compared with the proposed expenditure - £250 out of £675 - it is not so if compared with other years when expenditure was £1,200 or more, nor with what will be possible now that the loan is approved.

Mr Ridgway considered overdrafts immoral and thought it little less than a crime for one Council to anticipate another. This arises from a misconception in that Councils are forever and merely change councillors. A Council is constantly pledging its successor.

The Council Bonds have been taken at par by Mr J. Richardson.

War News. Peace seems a little more likely, but the defences of the colonies are all being set in order.

Leighton Wesleyan Church Anniversary was last Sunday and Monday with sermons by Rev. J.G. Wright and F.W. Holder, to large congregations.

Rev. S. Knight was farewelled at a social tea on Monday evening when representatives of other churches attended. An address in morocco covers was presented as well as a handsome marble clock.

Unemployment is on the rise in Adelaide.

Cr Coglin says he would resign, but for the £20 penalty.

VI, 428, 2 April 1885, Page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting, Institute, Tuesday 31 March.

Mayor, John Dunstan Jun. in the chair.

Cr West introduced the motion to borrow £500 against the Parklands rate and explained it in the terms used at the Council meeting. The debt would be paid in seven years. The savings in interest would be £140 and £1,200 would be spent on works with the loan, while without it the Council could do nothing to improve the town or relieve unemployment. He pledged that there would be no overdraft if this one were paid off.

Mr Holder 2nd and supported the loan as a repayment of an overdraft already incurred. It was easy to be wise after the event and he could now see it would have been better to have had the bonds redeemable at longer dates. The other advantage of bonds was they had a fixed term, but the overdraft repayments would be uncertain. Of course there must not be another overdraft.

Cr Coglin had opposed the loan at first and had never liked debt, had never had a loan in his life, but he had been compelled to see it would not add to their overall indebtedness and would enable them to get all the Government subsidy they could while it was still available. He would certainly not countenance any future overdraft. He hoped the proposal would pass without a poll which would cost £10-£15.

Mr Lane was assured the loan would pay off the overdraft. He then spoke against the scheme. He doubted their ability to keep the pledge on no future overdraft. He pointed to the council’s failure to save money on salaries and effect other economies and brought up the cost of administering work (as mentioned in the editorial). He thought they could dispense with one constable - after all he had been away for four months out of six.

The Mayor then corrected some of Mr Lane’s figures.

Cr Coglin said he had certainly tried to keep his pledges on economy, but had failed to carry the rest of Council. He would never stand again and would resign but for the £20 for doing so.

Cr West was also aggrieved by Mr Lane’s charges.

Cr Ridgway was also sure the Council had done its best and if they were not able enough the town should have elected better men. He would have opposed the original loans, but having entered upon a particular policy they must carry it out and he supported it, though he would not have done so on the general rates. He thought Corporation overdrafts immoral and one Council should not anticipate the revenue of the next.

Cr Sampson expressed has sympathy for the loan, though he regretted his motion for the readjustment of offices had not been carried.

Ambrose Harris asked where the Parklands were and did they not belong to SAMA.

The Mayor listed the Recreation Ground, the Redruth Reserves, Welsh Place etc.

Mr Harris thought they were useless and saw no reason the pay a 2d rate for them.

The motion was carried almost unanimously.

The Mayor asked if a poll was required and being met with silence closed the meeting.

Letter from J.J. Duncan re Mr Lane’s recent assertions that Gum Ck people had sheep and cattle on the stock route illegally. This is not true and never has been and neither is his assertion that we reported him to the ranger for trespass on the reserve. J.J. Duncan would have sued Lane for slander had he been able to prove the slightest injury had resulted.

VI, 429, 7 April 1885, Page 2

Editorial on Council Finances.

The Council has now adopted a revised statement of money available for expenditure. One or two things are most striking. The general idea had been that the loan would, with subsidy, provide a respectable sum for expenditure in works and so improve the town and provide employment. A couple of months ago the Council estimated there would be £393 to expend on works and now with the loan there will be only £500 to spend in the year, of which £109-16-3 has already been spent, besides about £15 passed on Saturday night. This shows that the original estimate of £393 was altogether wrong, as is now admitted. As to Mr Lane’s assertions at the loan meeting, the new figures justify his concern. With the expenditure so low on works the cost of management is even worse than Mr Lane represented. Management appears to be £223, or 44.6% of the works outlay. Total salaries according to the Mayor are only £5 in excess of those paid last year. Further and larger economies must be practised.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church anniversary celebrations last weekend were very successful.

Advt. Institute 9 April, A Grand Entertainment by the Burra Dramatic Club to be held in aid of St Mary’s Church. Part II features the 1 Act farce A Race for a Widow.

2/- & 1/-. MOONLIGHT

Cricket. Good Friday at Aberdeen. Young Australians defeated Clare Juniors by 74 runs.

War Preparations. SA has ordered 14 Whitehead torpedoes and fittings and has held an encampment of the volunteer forces at Balaklava.

Obituary. Mrs Winders, last week. [nee Sarah Jane Hopkins: died 1 April, aged 19.]

Burra Town Council 4 April.

The Mayor reported the approval of the £500 loan and that the bonds had been issued and the money received.

The Waterworks Committee advised that Wards be charged 3/- per 1,000 gallons and the banks of the reservoir be sown with couch grass. Watering trees in parks to be charged to the Parkland rate and in streets to wards.

The shaft complained of in the last meeting has been filled.

About 50 trees from Dr Brummitt have been planted in the Welsh Place Reserve.

The revised estimate of receipts and expenditure is printed and was adopted.

Cr Ridgway moved Council withdraw from the Corporations Association because membership cost £10-17-0 p.a. To be decided next meeting.

Council has dispensed with the solicitor’s retainer.

The Hydraulic Engineer writes that no arrangements can be made for any alteration in the machinery for the pumping station.

The Government wrote that a road having been proclaimed and handed to the town in lieu of the road on which the Burra Station was built and the old road not being metalled; there was no claim for the construction of the new road.

The Mayor said that that was no reply to their report and a memorial will be prepared outlining the case again. Dr Cockburn will be asked to present it to the Government. The letter received was an evasion of the question.

The Government said that the constable would be sent back, but no deduction would be allowed on account of his absence - he had been absent for four of the six months charged for. A memorial will be prepared for this matter too.

Cr West moved that a footway be constructed on the west side of the main road to Aberdeen. It was dangerous at night and would not be a very costly work.

Cr West said SAMA might give 10-15’ on the east side for a footway, which might be planted. Motion carried.

Cr Coglin asked whether there was any promise from SAMA to fix guttering.

Cr West then became very disturbed and offended as a representative of SAMA and thought SAMA had been singled out. Eventually notice was given of the matter.

VI, 429, 7 April 1885, Page 3

Cricket. Aberdeen 108 & 14 (122) defeated Clare 2nd Eleven 83 & 35 (118)

Travelling Stock Reserves. A report on the deputation to the Commissioner of Crown Lands occupies 11⁄4 columns.

VI, 430, 10 April 1885, Page 2

Advt. Baldina Races 29 April 1885 in Mr Midwinter’s Paddock, Baldina. Five events: -

Maidens 11⁄4 mile £7 Hurdles 11⁄2 miles £7

District Plate 2 miles £8 Hacks 1 mile £6

Hurry Skurry 1 mile

Train Timetable, Corrections.

From the North to Adelaide

Arrive 7.44 a.m. Depart 7.50 a.m.

Arrive 4.26 p.m. Depart 4.32 p.m.

From Adelaide to the North

Arrive 12.23 p.m. Depart 12.29 p.m.

Arrive 9.31 p.m. Depart 9.38 p.m.

Advt. Salvation Army, Wednesday 15 April

Major Thurman and Staff and a host of soldiers from other stations arrive for the opening of the New Barracks, Kooringa.

Editorial on The New Railway Timetable.

This is causing problems. In its favour it is a boon to be able to the city earlier and to the Peninsula in one day. But the disadvantages are: -

1. The first train from Adelaide leaves so late it delays all morning mail for businesses.

2. The last train from the north is too early for business hours.

The editor offers a solution in adjusting timetables, but says that speeding up the train would be another answer. This could easily be done by checking tickets faster or less often - or by running corridor carriages instead of side-loaders so that tickets could be checked while the train is in motion.

2nd Leader on the very tame election campaign that was under way for the Legislative Council.

The Barrier.

No less than 14 mines exported silver ore from the Barrier Ranges via Silverton Customs House in the quarter just ended. In order of size of production they were: -

Day Dream Maybell Umberumberka Lubra

Manola IXL No name Uno

Garot Baltic Britannia Rock Well

General Gordon Bird-in-Hand

Rev. S.F. Prior has arrived to head the Wesleyan Circuit and was received at a tea at Redruth last Wednesday.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church farewelled Rev. J.G. Wright and Mr Burrows last Wednesday evening. The former goes to Adelaide and the latter to Dawson as a Home Missionary. At a tea meeting a purse of sovereigns went to Mr Burrows and the ladies gave Rev. Wright a small sum to procure a memento of Burra.

Accident. John Roach of Burra had a lucky escape from injury on Good Friday when one of the reins broke on a trap he was driving belonging to Mr Gray of Clare. No one was hurt, but it was a near thing. [Details are printed]

Salvation Army. On Easter Monday 24 members and friends of the Salvation Army travelled to Clare on a coach drawn by four horses. Near Clare the brake failed to act and the coach ran onto the pole horses that swerved, snapping the pole off short. The coach was upset and fell against a post, which stopped it from falling down an embankment. The passengers were thrown out, but surprisingly no bones were broken, though Mr Smith of Copperhouse sustained a crushed leg and others were very seriously bruised, while some escaped with a shaking and bruises. Notwithstanding the accident they were pelted with potatoes as they marched down the street.

Entertainment. On Easter Monday there was a fair attendance for the Entertainment at the Institute in aid of St Joseph’s Mission House Fund. The Burra Brass Band played outside and c. £11 was raised.

St Mary’s Annual Vestry Meeting was held on 8 April. The debt last year was £1,000. This year it was £880 with substantial donations - £50 from Catchlove & Co., £40 from Sir Henry Ayers, £40 from the Building Fund and £9-10-0 from Cannon Green’s lecture. A loan of £824 has been raised from the congregation for 5 years, interest free, on the condition the previous interest continues to be raised and applied to the reduction of principal. The Church also maintains the Widow Hocking at £60 p.a. She was a church cleaner for 25 years and has been maintained since June 1882. This year that fund was deficient by c. 50/-.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Anniversary last Sunday. The newly appointed Rev. F.S. Prior preached and the service of song was Jonah. Congregations were very large.

On Monday the children marched to the playground [?] where sports were held and then back to the schoolroom for tea. Mr R. Ward supplied grapes. The report at the meeting later showed 39 teachers and 247 scholars. Mr J. Paull, who is removing to Strathalbyn spoke of his connection with the school.

Clare Salvation Army held a great meeting in the Clare Skating Rink on Easter Saturday, where seating was provided for 400. Larrikins rained stones on the roof. Services continued Sunday and Monday and so did the rain of stones. 500 sat down for the tea fight on Monday.

VI, 430, 10 April 1885, Page 3

Burra Salvation Army Barracks have been smartly done. A cheap job well executed.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ asking: -

1. Where did the ‘factious’ opposition come from that the Mayor referred to at the last Council meeting, when reporting on the ratepayers’ meeting?

2. If they are saving money why pay 2/- a week for stabling the useless water cart and why pay to make footpaths and allow them to be cut up by cart and washed away by water from the roofs of SAMA cottages, or doing away with the solicitor and paying through the nose when advice is needed, or paying the Overseer of Works £30 p.a. for doing nothing, or repairing tree guards when the inspector ignores them . . . [And so at some length.]

Cricket. A report on the trip of the Clare cricketers to Burra indicates they left Clare on a coach at 5.30 a.m., had breakfast at Farrell’s Flat, and got to Burra at 10.20 a.m. They had tea at Farrell’s Flat on the return trip.

Easter Monday. Aberdeen 80 & 29 without loss, defeated Hallett 39 & 60 (99)

What a shame the Burra Cricket Club collapsed this year.

VI, 431, 14 April 1885, Page 2

Advt. Chrysanthemum Show and Promenade Concert in aid of the Institute, Wednesday 29 April.

Editorial on the Threat of War with Russia. Russian warships were known to be in the Indian and Pacific Oceans with a consequent threat to the cable between Banjoewangi and Port Darwin. A raid on Adelaide was possible, though its position on a gulf would be dangerous for a Russian ship to linger in. SA would be protected by its navy - the Protector - and two land forts [Largs and Glanville] and by a military road between them, though this was in a bad state and a railway should be laid along it as soon as possible.

Football. The Football Club AGM will be held at the Commercial Hotel this evening.

Fire. About £20 damage was dome to a room at the Burra Hotel on Easter Sunday.

Election. Messrs Bright, Martin and Bosworth will address electors at the Institute on Thursday evening.

Kooringa-Aberdeen Footway. Council has accepted tenders in 12 chain sections for this very necessary work from Kooringa to the Mine Bridge. The footway will be cut on the upper [west] side of the road and the material cut away placed on the lower [east] side to form a footway there too. Council will try to get an extra 15 feet along the lower side to form an avenue which, when planted, would make a pleasant promenade in future. The estimated cost of the work let is £150.

War Preparations continue. Russia is said to have 70,000 men east of the Caspian. Germany suggests mediation.

SAMA. 40th Annual Report on 15 April. For the last six months expenses were £509-1-4 and income was £1,338-1-3. The credit balance stood at £71,624-7-0. In the last half-year about two acres of allotments have been sold in Kooringa, but no country lands.

Burra Dramatic Club performed before a large audience at the Institute on Thursday in aid of St Mary’s Church and the Burra Brass Band played out front. The review is quite lengthy and while not vicious is certainly quite critical, ending with ‘we have entered into more detail, and been more critical than we usually are with amateur entertainments because the Dramatic Club is a permanent institution, and nothing will help it like wholesome criticism.

Football Notes by ‘Drop Kick’.

The first game of the season last Saturday following the wake of last season was a scratch match in which Colours 0.13 defeated Allcomers 0.5

Dick an’ Granny or This Side an’ That. A dialect piece.

VI, 431, 14 April 1885, Page 3

Burra Rifle Co. It is a pity Burra can’t ‘muster loyalty enough to form a rifle company.

Sculling. There is over 1 column reporting on the recent Great Boat Race in Sydney by W. Pearce Jun. who was present. There is talk of a return match for £20 a-side or even £500 a-side in Canada or America.

VI, 432, 17 April 1885, Page 2

Editorial on Government Policy.

The Government is to reintroduce the Bills to abolish Corporation and Council Grants-in-Aid and also the Torrens Act granting indefeasibility of title.

Obituary. Martin Symes, aged 20, well known in Burra, fell from the top of the quarry while at the Stockade [Yatala Prison] for forgery and uttering and was killed on Tuesday.

[Born 8 December 1864; death registered twice 14 April, aged 20, or 15 April, aged 21.]

War Preparations. Two cruisers have been purchased to defend Australia and the colonial Governments are pushing on with preparations, but there are now some hopes that was will be averted.

Football. The meeting at the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday saw 20 members elect: -

Patron Dr R. Brummitt President Dr. J.A. Cockburn

Captain J. Blott Vice Captain J.E. Petherick

A match against the Hotham Club from Adelaide has been arranged for 24 May.

The Salvation Army opened their new barracks in Burra yesterday. The corps marched to the railway station to meet the first Adelaide train and Major Thurman, Staff-Captain Oldham, Staff-Captain Hendy, Lieutenant Ward, and others. The whole then marched back to Kooringa, band playing and colours flying. An open-air service followed at the pump and then tea in the new barracks. The hall was crowded to capacity in the evening. Staff-Captain Hendy opened the meeting. The Wesleyans had given them the land and the cost from Messrs Sara and Dunstan had been £582-0-9 and the present debt was £437, but seats and other conveniences would increase that to £500. The building in Kingston Street is large and substantial, if plain. The room is 60’ x 45’ x 18’ high. Acoustic properties seem good and ventilation is sufficient. The doors need attention. In the event of fire there are three doors and the hall could be emptied quickly, but they slide and in a panic with pressure against them they would be immovable.

Offences. James Nelson was charged with interrupting a congregation at religious worship by making unnecessary noise within the place on 13 April. Captain Robert Prowse of the Salvation Army gave evidence of the disturbance at a meeting at Redruth. The prisoner was drunk at the time. Fined £1.

Robert Hunt, Thomas Regan and Charles Morgan were charged with fighting in front of the Salvation Army Barracks at Redruth. [?] Captain Prowse said he saw Hunt strike Morgan. Morgan and Regan then tried to strike Hunt and a fight ensued. All three were quite sober. Hunt had been in barracks all evening. Hunt claimed provocation - Morgan had called him a damned fool. All the larrikins were then together and the language used was frightful. Fines: -

Hunt 15/- +5/- costs

Morgan & Regan 10/- + 5/- costs

(7 days in default)

Redruth Court, 15 April.

Alf Lines Driving a cab at over 7 m.p.h. 10/-

Alf Lines Trotting around Best Place corner 10/-

(2 days in default)

Schutz Driving a cab at over 7 m.p.h. 10/-

Jones Driving a cab at over 7 m.p.h. 10/-

Bartholomæus Driving at over 7 m.p.h. 10/-

Also three cases of straying cows were heard.

Kooringa Court, 14 April

Alfred Lines Drunkenness at Mitchell’s Flat, 13 April 10/-

Alfred Lines Assaulting P-C Radford £3

(1 month in default)

(The fines were paid by his father)

VI, 432, 17 April 1885, Page 3

War Preparations. A fort is to be built at Glenelg.

The Lapford Correspondent waffles on at very great length, but says little except that Lapford is desolate. The P.O. is 3 miles away uphill from the town and ‘generally allowed to be “awkwardly” situated.’

VI, 433, 21 April 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Legislative Council elections.

Deputation to Commissioner of Public Works. The District Members, Hon. W.B. Rounsevell and Dr Cockburn waited on the Commissioner asking that the Government grant £150 to metal the road to the station. The original Council road had been mistakenly fenced and incorporated into the station yard. The commissioner agreed to look into the matter. In response to the suggestion that the waterworks engine was too small to supply both the town and the railways the reply was that the railway had its own well that was sufficient and the engine was sufficient for the town, according to the Hydraulic Engineer.

Burra Town Council, 18 April.

Tenders were let for the footway to the Mine Bridge.

The Mayor had communicated with Captain Killicoat and it would be necessary to formally ask the Midland Road Board for permission to make the footway.

As the solicitor’s fee had been paid in advance the motion carried re his retainer will effect a savings next year.

The Mayor said he had twice interviewed Mr Mestayer [the Hydraulic Engineer] and understood the engine coming from England was only 6 h.p. and would not be sufficient.

He suggested the engineer be asked the power of the engine and its pumping capacity per hour. They would then cave something definite to take to the Commissioner. It would be better to keep the engine in stock than to set it up if it was inadequate. Suggestion accepted.

Election Meeting. Burra Institute, Thursday.

Only about 100 electors were present. Dr Brummitt presided.

Mr Bright.

Was willing in the outside country to give tenure for 42 years or longer to encourage improvements. The colony suffered from surrenders of land in agricultural districts and much had been resold at low prices, reducing the Government’s income. He was not in favour of increasing duties on agricultural implements. Was for inter-colonial free trade. The whole world was in depression and the Government could not find work for all. Debt was out of proportion to their population. Too much had been spent on public buildings, and the railways were not well managed. The poor should be educated to a certain level, but beyond that they should pay for it and those who could pay should pay for all education.

Bosworth

Was for greater fixity of tenure for pastoral lands. He favoured Bible reading in state schools. The Road Boards should continue and he was for the gradual reduction of grants-in-aid and for consolidation and preservation of the Real Property Act. He opposed increased tariffs or duties. He favoured federation and assisted immigration, but opposed any increase in the civil service.

Martin

He was in favour of some protection. Duties should be paid on things that could be produced here and if this raised too little then small duties might be imposed on other products. Land tax should pay for Government borrowing for improvements in bridges, roads, railways etc. and for defence. Property had in the past been insufficiently taxed. Education should be free for reading, writing and arithmetic only, and for some technical education to fit people for work. At present there was too much cramming for examinations. There might be advanced schools for gifted children. He favoured a continuation of grants-in-aid.

Bright and Bosworth opposed the payment of members [of Parliament].

Martin had changed his mind and was now in favour.

VI, 433, 21 April 1885, Page 3

Election Meeting. Burra Institute, Thursday

This meeting was disappointing both because of the lack of interest from voters, but also because the candidates were all such as were stuck in the past and with such members the Council will continue to be a heavy drag on progress. They offered nothing for the future. In education they were particularly out of touch and would follow policies creating class distinction. Bosworth thinks Bible reading is unobjectionable, when we know it to be highly controversial. There is little to choose between the three, who are equally uninspiring.

Football, by ‘Drop Kick’

At Saturday’s scratch match Blues 3 defeated Reds nil. Mr Hardy was umpire.

VI, 434, 24 April 1885, Page 2

Advt. We have arranged to receive all Reuter’s Agency telegrams sent to the colony. For £1 p.a. we will deliver Record Extraordinaries as the telegrams arrive, to all subscribers who will thus get news as soon as it is known in the city.

Editorial on Russia’s ambitions in Afghanistan and thence in India.

Salvation Army farewelled Captain & Mrs Prowse last night at the barracks after six months term in Burra. Captain Gillieland replaces him for a month and then new officers will be appointed. Captain Prowse is still recovering from the coach accident at Clare.

Redruth Court, 22 April.

G. Webber, J.W. O’Brien and Thomas Young were each fined 10/- for having stray cows in the streets.

Henry Peak was fined 10/- for driving faster than 7 m.p.h.

War Preparations. A few years ago the Russian scare saw the start of the SA Volunteer Force and the erection of our forts. Volunteers were called out last Friday night in a practice.

Rifle companies are being formed everywhere except Burra!

Cricket. Clare 2nd Eleven defeated Aberdeen by an innings and 30 runs.

[But the next issue on 28 April gave the figures as Clare 127 def. Aberdeen 50 & 41 (91)]

VI, 434, 24 April 1885, Page 3

Obituary and Inquest. Andrew William Seitner, born 9 July 1884, died 18 April 1885, child of Elizabeth and William Seitner, living near Hallett. The inquest was held at the Commercial Hotel with W.F. Coglin as coroner.

The mother said she had left the child with Mrs Rossett at the end of January in good health and saw it Sunday night [presumably the Sunday a week before its death?]. It was in a very bad state with bad seat and feet. Have been in charge of the child since Wednesday.

Dr William Bran Baker: -

Saw the child yesterday afternoon. It was in a bad state suffering from bronchitis. Large granulating scars on the soles of its feet, others on the right side of its nose, the right side and back of head and whole buttock in a very inflamed state. Scars on feet probably due to burns. Others may be due to disease, but aggravated by neglect. Child badly fed and carelessly attended to. Bronchitis was the immediate cause of death.

Dr Robert Brummitt: -

Saw the child yesterday afternoon. Corroborate Dr Baker, though the buttocks rather deep sores than scars and on feet deep sores in process of healing.

Case adjourned to Monday when: -

William Seitner: -

His wife had left him with two children, a girl aged 5 and a boy aged 8 months. He had taken the children to Mrs Rosser [sic, not Rossett in this part of the report.] and promised her 10/- per week.

The deceased was then healthy and fat, though with sores on head, arm and leg, which had healed in a few weeks. Later the Rossers forbade him to visit. Had not seen the child till Wednesday last. He then sent it, with his wife, who had returned, to Burra, to the doctor’s. He owed Mrs Rosser £7 - although earning 16/- a week he owed his employer money.

August Pohlner, farmer: -

Had employed Seitner six weeks before and believed Mrs Seitner neglectful of the children and weak in the head - she always asked her husband what she should do.

James Rosser, cook near Hallett: -

Took the children on 25 January and returned them on 26 as the baby was covered with sores and had maggots. Have kept them till 8 April. After six or seven weeks Seitner came to board with me, but after 17 days I told him to leave as I couldn’t afford to feed him. He paid nothing for the children’s support or himself. Cannot say how the baby’s feet came to be blistered.

Elizabeth Rosser, wife of above: -

[Gave parallel evidence to her husband.]

Fed and cared for the baby who had continual outbreaks of sores which had healed and then returned. [In general her evidence placed the blame for the baby’s condition on Mrs Seitner.]

The jury found death from bronchitis, but that the parents deserved severe censure and the coroner pointed out to them that by their neglect and shameful behaviour to the deceased infant, they were in the sight of their maker, guilty of murder.

The Lapford Correspondent among other things says there was once a store there as well as a wine shop and from the threshold of his door he could survey the depths of an old abandoned cellar wherein lie ‘battered kerosine tins, jam pots, herring and lobster tins, broken pots and cracked saucepans, fence wire puzzles, broken chains, rags of every shape and hue and even many interesting varieties of eggshells! - to say nothing of bottles.’

VI, 435, 28 April 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute for three nights beginning Thursday 30 April.

Woodroffe’s Glass Blowing Exhibition.

Editorial on The War Scare and another call for a Burra Company of the Rifle Volunteer Force.

Advt. 32 men have signed a requisition calling on the Mayor to call a public meeting on 1 May to consider forming a Burra Co. RVF. The Mayor, J. Dunstan Jun. accedes to the request.

Accident. James Murphy of Aberdeen was badly injured when rails fell from a truck onto him when he was working on the railway near Mintaro [i.e. Merilden]. He is said to be doing well.

Burra Gardens are looking particularly well just now as they reap the advantage of the water supply now available.

Letter from Edward Gilleland of the Salvation Army, condemning the cowardly act last Saturday when a large stone was thrown into their midst from the Commercial Hotel balcony, or its vicinity. This is not the first time and it is both cowardly and dangerous.

Reading Room for “North Burra” [This and no more appears in the ‘Items’ column.]

The VMF is now fully enrolled and can take no more.

Advt. Liston, Shakes and Co. offer 12,530 sheep on 1 May.

VI, 435, 28 April 1885, Page 3

Football, by ‘Drop Kick’

The Recreation Ground is much improved over the last four to five years.

On Saturday, Blues 1 defeated Reds nil.

The writer deprecates the altercations with the umpire.

Midland Road Board 17 March

The board acceded to the request from Burra Town Council to form a footpath on each side of the main road from the English Chapel [St Mary’s] to the Mine Bridge. The intention to form an avenue of trees on the east side is also mentioned.

VI, 436, 1 May 1885, Page 2

Obituary. Captain Stratham of the Salvation Army, formerly of Burra, but lately at Strathalbyn, was buried in Adelaide on Wednesday. [Registered as Thomas Statham, died Adelaide 27 April, aged 27.]

War News. The NSW contingent in the Sudan has been offered for service in Afghanistan and the offer has been accepted.

Entertainment. The glassblowers who open tonight will show two operating steam engines made entirely of glass.

Rev. W.F. James will give a lecture on Garibaldi, on Monday evening.

War News. War is now generally considered inevitable between Russia and England - negotiations have ceased.

Charles Barnett of the Commercial Hotel strongly denies that the stone thrown at the Salvation Army came from either his balcony or a hotel window.

The Chrysanthemum Show, managed by the Institute committee was held on 29 April. The display was highly creditable and in fact 24 blooms brought from Adelaide by one of the judges as samples of good blooms of the newest and best sorts were quite outdone by many of the locally grown flowers. The best flowers undoubtedly came from Mr J.D. Cave.

His flowers were sometimes twice the size of others and some extraordinarily large. Mr C. Drew and Mr J. Lewis also did well, as did Mr Lasscock. For flowers in pots Dr Brummitt and Messrs Drew, Holder and Mayger divided the honours. Other successful exhibitors of cut flowers were Mrs McLagan, and Messrs T. Pearce and W. Davey. The prize list is printed.

Clare Salvation Army continues to experience the most cowardly and dangerous attacks with little official reaction.

VI, 437, 5 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the lack of interest in the Legislative Council elections.

Accident. Alfred Dearlove was thrown from his horse at Mt Bryan on Sunday and rendered unconscious. He is now home at Kooringa still unconscious.

Accident. Railway workman Monaghan got his hand crushed in a shunting accident near Daviestown on Monday.

War News. The signs now are that war with Russia will be avoided.

Letter from ‘One Who Respects the Sabbath’ complaining about military drilling on the Sabbath.

Burra Company RVF. Meeting in Institute last Friday.

Rev. G.E. Rowe said no one could but regret that a place with over 2,000 inhabitants had been so very long without a rifle corps. He gave a synopsis of the regulations. He said there was a move for the Government to supply uniforms, but he feared it would fail. There were men in the town who would supply uniforms for those unable to afford them, in return for them pledging their capitation grant which would pay for it in two years. “Efficients” received 30/- p.a. He moved a rifle company be formed to be called the Burra rifle Company under the Rifle Company’s Act.

Dr Brummitt 2nd though he felt his duty lay elsewhere. If later it became necessary he would join. The motion was carried unanimously.

The Mayor then read a letter from J.J. West requesting formation of a junior volunteer force for lads 13-16.

Mr Kennedy felt that now that the joining was for the good of the country those joining should have uniforms at the cost of those not prepared to join. They could not afford the time and money too.

Rev. S.F. Prior said if they went as volunteers they should expect nothing of this sort; they were unpaid and freely gave their services.

Mr F.W. Holder said ‘those who were not prepared to join themselves, or to make sacrifices of time and money or to risk their lives, should at least provide uniforms for those that did more than they were willing to do, and who were, perhaps, not nearly so well able to afford it.’

He moved that a Patriotic Fund be started to meet the expenses of the corps - he believed £50-£100 might easily be got.

Mr Murphy 2nd. Carried unanimously.

Neither the Revs G.E. Rowe nor S.F. Prior liked the tone of Holder’s remarks.

Holder refused to withdraw anything and held to his view of the least that non-joiners could do.

A list of almost 40 names of would-be joiners was made.

A committee to take charge of the Patriotic Fund was formed

Holder moved the formation of a committee to suggest names for recommendation to the company as captain.

Captain Bleechmore of Terowie will attend on Wednesday to start the company on the right lines.

Burra Town Council, 4 May.

The Mayor reported 30 trees stolen from the Redruth Reserve. £10 reward was offered.

Burra Football Club was offered free practice time at the oval and half the gate money for matches.

Crown Lands Department refused to allow any reduction in the police moiety for the constable’s absence on the grounds that the troopers had done his duty. This reply was considered most unsatisfactory.

Dr Cockburn wrote that if dates tallied the police money would be allowed.

[This would appear to contradict the letter from Crown Lands!]

Tiver and Preece offer £20 for 4 chains of Short St in Aberdeen. Cr Ridgway said the street would never be of any use and so he moved that the offer be accepted. Cr Coglin 2nd.

Cr Sampson said he was opposed - if planted it would make a nice avenue and at 15/- a foot they should not sell it. Cr West supported the motion, as it was an area of only 4 chains by 0.5 chains. Carried.

Cr Ridgway offered to take charge of a reserve in Redruth and spend £5 p.a. on it for seven years. Accepted.

SAMA agreed to allow the use of 15’ of land on the east side of the road from Kooringa to Aberdeen [for a footpath/avenue].

The Hydraulic Engineer said the Waterworks pump was 10 h.p. and would pump 2,700 gallons/hr.

The Public Works Department said their well was adequate for their needs and they would not be Council customers.

The Police Department objected to taking water in Kooringa, but were reminded that their Inspector Peterswald had promised to do so.

Correspondence from SAMA on fixing spouting along the eaves of SAMA owned cottages that overhung footways.

Cr West said that when all other ratepayers were to fix guttering SAMA would too, though it would cost £200, which would necessarily raise rents. They objected to being singled out.

A dangerous wall in Helston St is to be removed.

Both street lamps were inadequately maintained. The contractors are to be advised to tend to the same.

Cr Tiver proposed half the cost of cutting the footway on the main road be charged to East Ward as it benefited as much as West Ward. Cr Coglin 2nd.

Cr Sampson promised a public meeting if it went ahead and raised the cost of the Cemetery Road again - it benefited all wards.

Cr Symons thought North Ward was also a main beneficiary and should also pay.

The Mayor read the minute on work on both sides of the road, which had passed in the presence of Cr Sampson.

Cr Sampson moved it stand over - if East Ward were saddled with half the £140 cost it would swallow the whole of its money.

Cr West thought £30 was a reasonable contribution, but in due course East Ward would have to pay for fencing, planting and completing the eastern footway.

The matter was adjourned for two weeks.

VI, 438, 8 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the apparent end to the war scare with Russia.

Captain Gillieland of the Salvation Army is farewelled this evening and his place taken by Captain Foyle.

Burra Company RVF. We hope it will be 60 strong in a short time.

Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Co.

Report of a meeting in the secretary’s office in London says a move is being made to amalgamate with Ravenscliff. Ravenscliff we believe holds a gold mine in New Zealand and a resolution was tabled for them to increase the capital by 100,000 £1 shares in order to buy YPM. Subsequently YPM met and confirmed the desirability of a merger. The object was to get the company out of the hands of the bank who presently hold it. The assets were theoretically valuable, but in reality would only have worth if an injection of capital to work the assets were obtained. The arrangements had to be made before May when the concession of time allowed by the bank expired.

North Ward. The two reserves either side of the Redruth Bridge have been fenced. Cr Ridgway has undertaken to spend not less than £5 p.a. on planting and tending the larger reserve on the south side of the bridge.

The new Aberdeen-Kooringa Footway is nearing completion and when both sides are finished it will be a great improvement. The usual width between kerbs in chain streets is 46’, leaving a 10’ footway on either side. We assume the old fence will be shifted back 46’ from the edge of the new footway and then with the 15’ granted by SAMA there will be a 25’ strip on the eastern side for a plantation all the way. The roadway needs to be widened by moving the fence, as there is much traffic on it.

Letter from ‘Rifle’ supporting the Patriotic Fund, but ashamed that it looks as if only 10 uniforms will be provided by patriotic Burraites - so different from other places.

The editor is more sanguine that the public will respond and a company of 60 can be provided for with at least 30 finding their own clothes.

Letter from ‘One of them’ to say that ‘Respecter of the Sabbath’ got it all wrong. Though it is not the most coherent of letters.

Kooringa Court 5 May

William Seitner was charged with placing a baby with a woman not being a licensed foster mother not under the control of the Destitute Board. Fined 5/- (or 3 days)

Elizabeth Rosser was charged with receiving the above child, having no licence etc. Fined 5/- (or 3 days)

Burra Co. RVF. Wednesday. 1st Company meeting with Captain Bleechmore of Terowie who organised the corps. The roll was called and names added to complete the first 40. A letter was received from [Rev.] George Edwards Rowe on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, pledging to equip 40 men. The committee for the selection of a Commanding

Officer resolved that Mr F.W. Holder be appointed to the position. There being no other nominations, Holder was elected unanimously. J. O’Connell was appointed Sergeant and W. Anderson and G. Butterworth corporals. After compliments and thanks had been exchanged the next drill was appointed for Monday.

VI, 439, 12 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the first election for the Legislative Council under the new Constitution Act. The main problem was the failure to attract suitable candidates.

Burra Institute Committee Meeting, 8 May. The Chrysanthemum Show raised £7-16-9. Burra Rifle Corps to use the hall for drill at 2/6 per drill.

Messrs Rayner and Goss waited on the committee in reference to the establishment of a branch reading room at Redruth.

Election for No.3 District (North-East) for the Legislative Council.

Martin 1929

Bright 1352

Bosworth 1242

[First two elected]

Football from ‘Drop Kick’

Last Saturday a scratch match was held between 20 and 25.

Blott captained the 20 and Petherick the 25. In the end neither side had kicked any goals, but the 20 had slightly the better of the behinds.

VI, 440, 15 May 1885, Page 2

Obituary. On 13 May at Kooringa, Frederick Thomas, fifth child of Charles Henry and Jane Ewins, aged 3 years 6 months. [Born 29 October 1881]

Editorial on Bible reading in State Schools, which the editor held to be quite futile. A reading without comment or explanation of antecedent and subsequent events would not only be boring, but absurd.

War News. The NSW contingent from the Sudan campaign will now return home since the threat in Afghanistan has abated.

Railways. The lowest tender for the railway from Petersburg to the border was for £153,569-10-5 by J.McGuire & Co.

New Train Timetable

From the North Arrive 7.38 a.m. Depart 7.44 a.m.

Arrive 4.20 p.m. Depart 4.26 p.m.

From Adelaide Arrive 12.23 p.m. Depart 12.29 p.m.

Arrive 9.31 p.m. Depart 9.38 p.m.

Burra Co. RVF has had four drills and now has 48 names on the roll. Drill is rapidly being learnt. The company meets this evening in Mr Edward’s store in Commercial St.

Burra School Board met on Wednesday and reported on visits to Daviestown and Copperhouse schools, which were satisfactory with 17 and 33 students respectively. Miss Willow at Copperhouse asked for a stove and repairs to broken windows. The board strongly urges that a school be built at Copperhouse. 16 parents at Stony Gap asked the Board to help them to get a teacher.

Railways. J. McGuire & Co. have withdrawn their tender for the railway to the Barrier on account of making an error. Messrs Millar Bros have now the tender for £179,000.

VI, 440, 15 May 1885, Page 3

SA Population is increasing more slowly than any other Australasian colony.

Letter from ‘One of them’ charging the town Council with the responsibility of creating work for the unemployed. [Though he thought they had more money than they actually possessed.]

Letter from ‘A Ratepayer’ about the habit councillors have of making good roads even to their own back doors, while others could not even get a rut filled in at their front doors. He says in his rambles he ‘noticed a nice new street made at the back of the blacksmith’s shop and leading to no place in particular. I was puzzled as to its use, but my mate, called me an ass . . . He told me it was a military road, to be used when the Russian cruisers sail up the Burra Creek!’

VI, 441, 19 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Town Council and the Waterworks.

The Council is annoyed with the Waterworks Department, but it is behaving unreasonably and petulantly. Extension after extension has been allowed to the mains even though the Department knew its plans were being disarranged. The contract with the government is for it to fully equip the works and then to charge interest on the capital to be paid, we believe quarterly in advance. The first quarter might have been demanded over four months ago, but has not been till now and so the council has been able to collect water rates in advance of payment.

The two things that have angered the councillors now are: -

1. The slowness in supplying a new engine

2. The slowness in getting good title to the land on which the shaft stands.

They seem to see injustice everywhere they look.

They need to remember that since the work started the length of the mains, the number of the services, and the consumption of water, have all a good deal more than doubled, so it is no wonder if the engine ordered months ago is insufficient, but the Department has no other use for it and it will be ample for winter needs. They promise to supply another if it proves insufficient in practice.

As for the other matter the Council are not responsible for the land, they merely rent it from the Government. Let the Government see to its own title itself.

If a shed is wanted and Council are prepared to pay the interest, then the Government will surely build it.

They have contracted to pay interest on the cost and can be expected to be told the total cost. That information they have. Do they really expect to see an itemised account so they can challenge anything deemed excessive?

Burra Town Council, 16 May

Cr Sampson asked to see the original tender of the Waterworks engine. He understood the Engineer would find labour for connecting. The other councillors dissented after reading the tender.

The Hydraulic Engineer applied for payment of the first half year’s interest on the cost of the Burra Waterworks, being £70-16-0 at 3% on cost and £23-5-0 at 5% on cost of services.

Cr Ridgway moved payment without prejudice and that the commissioner of Public Works’ attention be drawn to the dilatory way the Department had carried out the work and the unsuitability of the engine and the impossibility of erecting it until a piece of land had been acquired. Everything should be in place before a penny was asked for.

Placing the engine on the road would destroy the frontage of a portion of Bon Accord property and render the Council liable for damages.

Cr Sampson would not pay the account till the items had been supplied. He thought they should ask for a detailed account.

Cr Tiver seconded the proposal to pay under protest. The matter of the engine was done in an unbusinesslike way. Mr Jobson had done his work well, but the Commissioner should come up and the Council should point out the blunders that had been made since then.

Cr West moved an amendment that the account not be paid till the details were supplied. He felt the truth of Cr Ridgway’s remarks, but they did not want to become hostile to the Department.

Cr Symons asked what more they wanted?

The Mayor said they didn’t know what they were being charged interest on.

The motion was amended to make payment dependent upon receipt of the details and was then passed on the Mayor’s casting vote.

Cr Symons could not see who had been dilatory, as all had praised Mr Jobson.

Cr Sampson said that making East Ward pay for part of the cost of the new footway could not be put without a call of the Council as the Council had previously made the centre of the road the boundary.

The Mayor said the last meeting had heard the resolutions read and under them, unless some other resolution were passed, the cost must be equally divided as orders were for footways on both sides.

Cr Sampson said it was contemptible, all East Ward had got was a heap of rubbish. To finish the job would take three times the sum already spent. He would take extreme steps to prevent it.

Cr Symons did not know that any East Ward ratepayer wanted the footway and he would move that East Ward pay only the cost of levelling. Cr Sampson 2nd.

Cr West said Cr Sampson wanted to gain all he could at the cost of West Ward. The footpath would be used by all persons on both sides and should be paid for by both.

Cr Ridgway moved that West Ward pay 2⁄3 and East Ward 1⁄3 and that East Ward finish the other footway.

Cr Tiver did not wholly agree, but would support that if it was a way out.

The amendment was finally carried.

2,000 trees were ordered for use and distribution.

VI, 441, 19 May 1885, Page 3

Burra Co. RVF has been gazetted.

Bath & Pearce’s are to have improvements made.

VI, 442, 22 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on a speech of Mr Rees MP at Lobethal on the need for some measure of protection for local industry, while in general he was a free trader. This was a view that the editor appears to have come to endorse.

Advt. The Bible Christian Sunday-school Anniversary will be on 24 & 25 May with sports and a picnic at the picnic ground on 25th.

Burra Co. RVF. The full complement of officers has now been made up: Captain Holder, Lieutenant O’Connell, Sergeants Butterworth & Horne and Corporals Anderson & Horne.

The company is likely to be called to Adelaide on 20 June to take part in a review.

Letter from ‘Disgusted Ratepayer’ condemning the new footway that he considers largely benefits North Ward - but of course ‘one of the councillors has to travel this way.’

[Presumably a reference to Cr West, who lived in the old mine site.] Other roads in West Ward are a disgrace.

Letter from Robert Brummitt.

He considers the Council’s attitude to the Hydraulic Engineer needlessly pugnacious.

On the point about the land title he says the entire shaft is on a road belonging to the Corporation. The Waterworks proposed to erect a shed and fence a small yard, say 15 or 20’ in the width of the road. The Waterworks Committee proposed to take the steps to close the section of road, but were advised that as there was no likelihood of successful opposition it would be cheaper to wait till some other roads required similar treatment - as one now does. When it was proposed to acquire some land from the YPMA for an enclosure for wood, the engineer, Mr Jobson, advised it would be likely to be quicker and cheaper to do so in some way other than through the Government. The yard is desirable if not too expensive, but as the Council decided to go through the Government delay is a matter of course.

The absence of a shed is not surprising as the plan was to erect the engine and build a shed over it - the engine has not yet arrived.

When the engine was ordered the mains were to be 13⁄4 miles long - now they are 71⁄2 miles. The engine and pump ordered will lift 2,400 gallons per hour, but the engine will work two pumps if a second be got from England. The Hydraulic Engineer agreed to leave the present pump in position as well as the new one until demands are ascertained. That seemed reasonable to the committee last year - being assured that with the extra pump the engine will raise 4,800 gallons per hour. What Cr West calls ‘pepper’ will not be likely to improve the relations of the Council with the Waterworks Department.

Football by ‘Drop Kick’

On Saturday last the 20 picked to play Hotham on 25 May played Allcomers who were so numerous they got in each other’s way. In the end the 20 scored 2.4 to the Allcomers 0.2

Burra played the first match for the season at Terowie on 20 May and Burra scored 0.4 to Terowie 0.2

Cricket. Aberdeen Cricket Club ended its season on Wednesday last. It was a most satisfactory year. Out of 16 matches 11 were won and 5 lost. The highest average scorer was Linkson with 13.1 from 16 matches, from Jobson with 12.2 from 5.

The best bowler was Pryor.

VI, 443, 26 May 1885, Page 2

Football. Burra 1.5 defeated Hothams 1.4

The Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary on Sunday and Monday was very successful.

The Bible Christian Sunday-school Anniversary on Sunday and Monday was well attended.

Miss Bruse was run over by a cab driven by a man named Ford at the end of the football match on Monday. Two wheels passed over her and she was at once taken home in the cab and Dr Brummitt sent for.

Agricultural Statistics 1883-84 & 1884-85 for County Burra

Acres Production Yield/acre

83-84 47,855 212,008 b. 4,626 lb

84-85 51,257 408,162 b. 7,658 lb

VI, 444, 29 May 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the coming session of Parliament.

Miss Bruse is progressing satisfactorily.

VI, 445, 2 June 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the nature of the ‘peace’ with Russia in Afghanistan.

Bible Christian Manse. Almost £140 has been received towards the cost of the new manse in Kooringa. When £200 has been received tenders will be called, but an effort is being made to get to the half way mark of £350 before beginning to build.

Football. The Hon. Sec. Of the Hotham Football Club writes to thank Burra for its hospitality and the club so enjoyed its first visit to Burra that they hope it could be made an annual event.

Burra Town Council, 1 June

Captain Holder asked permission for Burra Co. RVF to use the Recreation Ground as a parade ground. - Granted.

The Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote to say that Dr Cockburn, having explained the position of Council in respect to the policeman from Redruth, it was decided to credit Council with the amount which had been charged.

The Surveyor General has said he would not oppose closing Short St, Aberdeen.

The Hydraulic Engineer wrote that the cost of the works should be ascertained by certificate of the Department and it would be costly and undesirable to depart from that provision.

Cr Ridgway moved that they pay without prejudice, as there were other ways to get the information through Parliament. He believed that the Department had charged 50% profit on pipes.

Cr Coglin said he would 2nd if ‘without prejudice’ were omitted.

Cr Ridgway objected to this, saying the police incident showed the value of persistence.

He feared there were old waterworks included in the value. About £300 was expended there in enlarging the railways tank and that might also be included and perhaps all the old scheme’s losses as well. There was no 2nd for Cr Ridgway’s motion.

Cr Sampson moved that the account be paid and at the same time the request for details be renewed.

Cr West moved that the account be paid and Cr Coglin 2nd.

Cr Sampson’s motion was carried.

The Mayor had information on a larger Waterworks engine. It would make a difference of £55-11-6 p.a. in fuel costs. To work the present engine to fullest capacity would double the fuel concerned. [At least I think this is the gist of the argument - the prose not being crystal clear at this point.] Maintenance costs would rise too.

Cr Ridgway thought they should pay interest on the engine coming and order a larger one too.

There was also a discussion on the roads around the railway station.

VI, 446, 5 June 1885, Page 2

Advt. There will be an Entertainment at the Institute on 22 June in aid of the Children’s Hospital Funds.

Advts. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 13,440 sheep on 5 June.

Davey, Farrar & Scott will offer 10,907 sheep on 9 June.

Editorial on the Beetaloo and Barossa Water Conservation Schemes.

Cyclists be warned, travelling at night is both dangerous and illegal without lights.

Burra [Oddfellows] Lodge, six-monthly finance meeting showed 308 members. Income £536-16-3, Expenditure £440-13-2.

Rev. Father Kreissl was attacked at the Jamestown railway station on Monday by a man being sent to Adelaide Lunatic Asylum and his face was badly bruised.

The Rifle Volunteer Force

Numbers for each company in SA are given up to 31 May

Company Officers Men Total

Adelaide City 6 77 83

Burra 1 43 44

Eastern Suburban 3 117 120

Gladstone 2 44 46

Glen Osmond 2 44 46

Kadina 3 59 61 [sic]

Mt Gambier 3 58 61

Orroroo 3 44 47

Pt Augusta 3 98 101

Quorn ? ? 49

Riverton 2 71 73

Terowie 4 63 67

Unley-Goodwood-Parkside 3 66 69

Yorke Peninsula No.1 3 94 97

Since then Burra has grown to 1 56 57 (+ Hallett sub group)

[Note that this doesn’t seem to fit with the information printed in VI, 442, 22 May 1885, which gives Burra a Captain and a Lieutenant]

Redruth Court 3 June

There is quite a long (2⁄3 column) report of the case against William Ford for furious driving arising out of the running down of Miss Bruse. Three witnesses basically thought he was driving too fast, was on the grass and not the metalled road, and the horses were not fully in control. Two people associated with cabs gave evidence. Joseph Shore (a driver) said Ford was following other cabs, but might have turned off to avoid the two young ladies. Robert Zincraft Jones (father of a cab proprietor) thought Ford’s speed was not as fast as the other cabs, he had called out to clear the way, and had done all he could to save the young lady. Ford admitted to a speed of 7-8 m.p.h., but said he called out, failing to apply the brake as he thought the girls were going to move out of the way - indeed one girl ran to one side and the other tried to go the other way and in confusion ran into the horses. Fined 30/- + 10/- costs.

Foot Constable Radford v. John Laity, Henry Weston (15) and William Gebhardt (14), who were summoned for setting a dog on to worry a cat belonging to Mrs Sleep of Thames St on 24 May. Laity failed to appear and the others pleaded not guilty. The boys were all present, but it was Laity, according to witnesses, who threw a stone to knock the cat off a closet roof and then set the dog on it. The two boys were fined 10/- each (or 3 days) and Laity was fined £1 (or 6 days)

William Lavan (11) was sent to the Magill Industrial School for two years for being an uncontrollable child, on the application of his mother, Ann Lavaun, widow. [The inconsistent spelling of the surname is as printed.]

Letter from ‘Quick March’ suggests that the RVF needs a good-sized drill shed of wood and iron to be erected on some cheap land from SAMA. About £100 total cost should cover it and the musical sympathizers might raise the same with a few concerts and subscription lists.

VI, 446, 5 June 1885, Page 3

Advt. Burra Institute, 10 June, A Grand Juvenile Entertainment in aid of St Joseph’s School. 2/- & 1/-.

The Governor’s speech at the opening of the 2nd session of the 11th Parliament of SA is printed.

VI, 447, 9 June 1885, Page 2

Advt. Band of Hope Entertainment in Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 17 June.

Editorial on the opening of SA Parliament.

VI, 448, 12 June 1885, Page 2

Advt. J.F. Duff has started a business as an auctioneer. He has no connection with Goodchild, Duff & Co.

George Schweir [sic] has taken over the business of Thomas Young of Aberdeen.

Notice. Mr Packard is moving to the office next to S. Drew & Co. lately occupied by Mr Akhurst.

Advt. Entertainment at the Burra Institute on Monday 22 June, in aid of the Children’s Hospital.

Advt. Grand concert at the Institute in aid of Institute funds, Wednesday 17 June. 2/- & 1/-

Editorial on the no-confidence debate in the SA Parliament.

2nd Leader on the resignation of the Gladstone Government in England.

Burra Co. RVF. The rifle volunteers have now received their rifles and been measured for their uniforms.

St Joseph’s School concert in the Institute on 10 June was held before a fair audience. Proceeds were satisfactory.

Letter from ‘Control the Boys’ blaming lax parental control for the problems of larrikinism etc. ‘Children of the present generation are allowed too much liberty altogether, very different from the way they were managed by the wise and good old parents past and gone.’

Typhoid rages in Sydney.

Chess is active in Burra.

Burra Glee Club will make its first appearance on 17 June.

VI, 449, 16 June 1885, Page 2

Advt. Mr Packard, solicitor, has moved to the offices adjoining Messrs S. Drew & Co., lately occupied by Mr Akhurst.

Advt. Mrs McLagan will open a school in Kooringa on Monday 6 July if she can procure a suitable room. Mrs McLagan teaches the Kinder Garten system. 1 guinea per quarter for 1 child.

Editorial on the government’s defeat in a no confidence motion.

Burra Glee Company Entertainment tomorrow night at the Institute, in aid of the Institute funds.

Obituary. Murder-Suicide. Alfred Lines, late of this town has shot his wife and Maurice O’Connor with whom she had eloped to Adelaide, before taking his own life. Lines, though young was well known to police and has convictions for drunkenness and violence. He boasted of his infidelities and is said to have profited by his wife’s shame. It is little wonder she was willing to escape any way from his power. Great sympathy is felt for the father and mother of Lines and O’Connor and for the friends of Mrs Lines.

J.W. Downer will be the new Premier.

VI, 449, 16 June 1885, Page 3

Alfred Lines: murder-suicide.

There is a two-column report on the details of the Alfred Lines murder-suicide.

It took place in a cottage in Stanley St, North Adelaide on Friday last, 12 June. Lines left a letter for his parents, which is printed. Alfred Lines, son of Joseph Lines, was born 27 July 1837 and is therefore 26 years of age. [sic] [This is clearly nonsense. He was born 27 July 1859 and was therefore 25.] He was a drover. On 3 September 1881 he married Elizabeth Jane Stephens, born 8 December 1863 and aged 22 at death. [Actually aged 21 at death] They had two children, one aged 2 and the other an infant. Alfred was addicted to drink and had formed an illicit intercourse with his sister-in-law Amelia Grow, aged c. 16 and who, on Thursday last gave birth to a child, the paternity of which he acknowledged. Alfred lived at Mitchell Flat. [The daughter, Rose, died aged 4 weeks in July.]

Maurice William O’Connor, a labourer, had for some time an improper intimacy with Mrs Lines. At the start of June, Lines went off saying he was droving to Cooper’s Creek and would be away six weeks. On 5 June Mrs Lines and O’Connor went to Adelaide and wrote to Lines telling him that as he was struck after Amelia and she was putting all trust in him, he had best get her to come and look after all the children together.

Mrs Lines and O’Connor met members of his family in Adelaide and then set up house in north Adelaide. Lines returned unexpectedly, read the letter and the rest followed. In Mrs Lines’ purse was found a note:

‘I hereby give my handwriting stating that I am no longer the husband of Elizabeth Lines; she can go anywhere she likes, and can marry whoever she likes -

Alfred Lines. This day, 17th of March, 1885.’

VI, 450, 19 June 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the New Government.

2nd Leader on the Change of Government in England, and its effect on the Russian negotiations.

Mr T. Bath & Miss Bath left for London yesterday. They expect to return in c. 6 months.

Accident. Last Saturday Mrs Cundy, while going along Blyth St towards Ayers St in the dark, fell over the bank 16’ deep into the remains of one of the old creek-bank dwellings. She was taken to hospital and we are amazed she was not more hurt.

Entertainment. The Burra Glee Club’s first appearance was under very unfavourable circumstances on Wednesday evening. The weather was wet and cold and the house was very small and even some members of the committee were absent. The concert was quite worthy of a bigger audience and was one of the best a local company have produced. The Burra Brass Band played outside the hall.

VI, 451, 23 June 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the new Conservative Government in England.

Rev. Howitt who has been at St Mary’s for a number of years is about to leave to take charge of Semaphore parish. He has taken a close interest in the Burra Hospital and Burra Institute.

Burra Town Council, 20 June.

R. Snell given permission to run a 3⁄4” pipe under the roadway from the spring.

Hydraulic Engineer’s Report.

It is not correct to say the engine and pumps ordered are manifestly unequal to the requirements. It is capable of delivering 2,700 gallons per hour. The reservoir will hold 31,000 gallons and can thus be filled in 111⁄2 hours. The present daily consumption is under 6,000 gallons. The pump can deliver in 31⁄2 hours more than the town uses in a day. If fitted with a second set of pumps the engine could lift 8,000 gallons per hour. These would be fitted when consumption warranted the expense. It has never been my intention to supersede any of the machinery ordered, as stated by the Town Clerk.

Any further extension required in a few years would probably be for additional storage and the present reservoir is so placed an additional one could be added on the same land if required.

With respect to the site: the well is situated on a road which the late town Clerk said was a Corporation Road and the Corporation authorised the Department to fix the engine and machinery on it. It is a much wider road than would be required for traffic and the Corporation agreed to lay off a strip 16’ wide by whatever length was required for the engine and boiler-house etc. The present Council are opposed to that and want the Government to acquire land adjoining the shaft. This is merely increasing the cost without any advantage. However much land is acquired the shaft must remain where it is and the engine and boiler with it. It makes no sense to place them on adjoining land where the cost of connection to the pumps would be increased. (See attached plan.)

The shaft is 74’ to the water and is 6’ x 3’.

The guarantee system was intended to supply water at least cost by providing experience and expertise. The works remain the property of the Government and are only leased to the guarantors and it is essential they are designed and carried out under the control of Government officers, who are, as a rule, better able to assess the town’s requirements better than the Corporation. If the Corporation were to purchase the works they could do what they like. If the works are to remain Government property I strongly recommend they be carried out as originally intended. R.L. Mestayer. Hydraulic Engineer.

The Hydraulic Engineer included the following costs for the works.

Cost of the existing Aberdeen Waterworks 960

New Works pipe-laying 3161

tank 380

pumping water 18

shaft 170

sundries 28

4717

Service laying - labour & material 935

£5652

Prices charged for pipes supplied:

5⁄8” cast iron 6 ‘ long 2/6 each

2” cast iron 6’ long 3/6 each

3” cast iron 9’ long 7/6 each

4” cast iron 9’ long 11/3 each

1⁄2” wrought iron 4d per foot

3⁄4” wrought iron 6d per foot

This is at cost price, Adelaide.

Cr Tiver said they needed the larger engine, which would require more space. He thought the suggestion they buy the works was an insult.

Cr Ridgway said the present Council was dealing with a much larger scheme than the earlier one had envisaged.

The Hydraulic Engineer had again declined to supply details of the cost of the works, but the Town Clerk analysed the situation as follows on the 13 June.

The Hydraulic Engineer’s report is misleading. It gives the impression that the capacity of the machinery had never been questioned, but in fact in two interviews with the Mayor the necessity had been tacitly admitted by the Hydraulic Engineer. On the 9 December he wrote to the Council. Although the mains applied for are largely in excess of the requirements first given to the Department it will be advisable to fix the machinery as ordered and then to ascertain to what extent any extension of power is advisable.

The Hydraulic Engineer has consistently and persistently opposed concession of any kind and when they have been granted it has been by the Commissioner in spite of the Hydraulic Engineer’s attitude.

The argument from average consumption is very fallacious. The demand in summer may be 100 times the winter demand.

The Council employs one man and in summer with the smaller engine he would spend virtually all his time at the pump and a mechanic would be required to look after the plant. With the larger engine one man would suffice and fuel would also be more economically used. The feeling re the need for a larger engine is intensified by the knowledge that the Railway Department has given up the lease on the adjoining property whence they have derived their water supply and have fallen back on their original plant south of the station. This supply will be deficient whenever a seasonal drought occurs, as has previously happened. A larger engine would place the Corporation in a position to supply such needs.

The suggestion that the Corporation should purchase the plant could only have been made in derision. All we wish is to have a constant supply at minimum cost and this can best be done by setting up at the start a system that will require neither addition nor alteration for a lengthy period.

The site of the shaft should be arranged before the erection of the new engine to prevent any further litigation or uncertainty and the purchase of a small piece of adjacent ground would enable this. The site question could be so much more easily understood upon inspection that the Council invites the Commissioner to examine it for himself.

John D. Cave.

Town Clerk

Cr West moved the formation of a footway to Aberdeen, which was carried after much opposition from Cr Sampson.

A few panels of fencing are to be erected at the place in Blyth St where Mrs Cundy fell recently.

Football, Monday last:

Half-time Full-time

Burra 1.4 1.8

Terowie 0.3 0.4

VI, 452, 26 June 1885, Page 2

Notice. Mrs McLagan will open a school in Kooringa on 6 July in the schoolroom lately occupied by Mrs Mathews. She teaches the Kinder Garten system. 9.30-12.30 at 1 guinea per quarter per child.

Advt. The Nigger Troupe will reappear by special request in a Grand Entertainment in aid of the Burra Institute on 3 July. 2/- & 1/-. [They had appeared before on 22 June.]

On the same day Mr Roach and troupe will give a performance for children at 4.30 p.m.

6d & 3d.

Editorial on The Waterworks.

We had thought that the Town Council was behaving in a needlessly offensive way towards the Hydraulic Engineer in demanding the particulars of the costs of the Waterworks. We had in our simplicity thought the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department would take items on actual cost and the Council would have to pay the interest on this whether it seemed excessive or not, knowing that the expenditure had been under the watchful eye of the resident engineer, Mr Jobson. The particulars now to hand are so peculiar as to justify the Council’s stand. Some seem to point either to wilful falsification or to grave blundering. All the Council inherited from the old Aberdeen Waterworks is the pipe main and it is impossible it should have cost £960. Other prices set down are almost beyond belief. As we understand full particulars will follow we refrain now from comment except that the statement that pipes are quoted at cost in Adelaide does not match indents in the Public Works report where we find the prices cited are at an advance of no less than 75%.

2nd Leader on the Aberdeen footpath. We think this a very worthwhile enterprise, but the over-ruling of Cr Sampson as representative of the East Ward, when there is little to spend on other East Ward work of higher priority, especially in the absence of the second East Ward Councillor [Cr Symons], was simply tyranny. North Ward has always insisted on the right to spend ward funds as they see fit. We are not surprised there will be a ratepayers’ meeting. The proposal would take virtually all East Ward’s funds for the year.

Inspector John Dow is recovering from a severe operation in Adelaide to remove a cancer from his mouth. He hopes to return soon.

St Mary’s. A committee has been established to confer with the Bishop in selecting a successor to Rev. Howitt, who officiates at St Mary’s for the last time on next Sunday week. He has been here for eleven years.

Entertainment. John Roach’s Ballad Concert and Entertainment in aid of the Children’s Hospital last Monday attracted a full house with some being turned away. The first item was the ‘Ten Little Nigger Boys’: a well-trained troupe of youngsters who later returned to sing ‘Little Brown Jug’ and again after interval. The night raised over £15.

Weather. It has been frosty - 3° below freezing.

Letter from ‘One of the Disgusted’ who was outraged at the prices charged for the Waterworks and the Government’s evident extortion of money from the Council.

Letter from the Mayor, John Dunstan Jun. in response to a requisition to call a public meeting re the footway to Aberdeen. He declined to call such a meeting and asserted that:

‘no possible good could come from such a meeting, as it could not interfere with the action of the Council, which is perfectly constitutional.’ It would provide a bad precedent. He is confident he has the support of the majority of ratepayers.

Advt. John Sampson Jun. will auction John Boundy’s Blacksmith’s Shop with stone buildings etc. on a block with 30’ frontage to the main road and a depth of 276’.

Notice. John Sampson and Matthew Symons, Councillors for East Ward call a public meeting at the Council Chamber on Wednesday 1 July at 7.30 p.m. to consider the issue of the footpath on the east side of the road from Kooringa to Aberdeen.

VI, 453, 30 June 1885, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 23,970 sheep on 3 July.

Advt. On June 24 21 ratepayers requested the Mayor to call a public meeting of ratepayers to consider the issue of the footpath on the eastern side of the main road from Kooringa to Aberdeen. The Mayor having refused to comply the meeting is now called by John Sampson Jun. and Matthew Symons, councillors for East Ward, for the Council Chamber, 1 July at 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Public Tea to farewell the Rev. Howitt, in the Institute Wednesday 8 July.

Advt. Grand Entertainment, Friday 3 July, in aid of the Institute.

Second Great Battle of Twelve Cockroaches v. One Solitary and Unprotected Mosquito.

The Nigger Troupe will appear again: New songs, New Jokes, New Hits.

For lovers of good recitation Mr James Bodinner of Prince Alfred College will appear for three recitations. Performance for children 4-5 p.m. at 6d & 3d. Evening 7.30 p.m. 2/- & 1/-

Editorial on the Mayor’s refusal to call a public meeting.

Of course it is his privilege, but it does strengthen the position of the requisisitionists

Had he simply said no, no one could have said much, but by giving his reasons he invites criticism in every paragraph.

He sees no reason to comply, but 21 gentlemen though otherwise.

He says no good could result; the action is in accordance with the majority of ratepayers.

But the meeting might adopt one of two courses: -

It could approve the Council action.

It could demonstrate the unwisdom of proceeding and bring about the rescission of the resolution.

Parliament is often influenced by public meetings and outside discussion and Council is not greater than Parliament.

Surely not half a dozen ratepayers in East Ward would agree with the work, so it is useless to speak of the wishes of the majority of the ratepayers when it is East Ward that is to bear the cost. No one knows better than the Mayor how the other councillors have exulted over the two East Ward representatives in this matter.

2nd Leader on the folly of importing migrants when we have in SA high unemployment and hundreds are leaving to get jobs in other colonies - and more would go if they could afford the passage. What is lacking and badly needed is something to employ people besides wheat with its great need for employment for just two months out of the twelve.

Burra Show Society. Meeting on Friday last in the Institute. It starts the year with a debt of just under £1, but with considerable assets. The next show to be the Thursday after the Adelaide Show.

Wesleyan Home mission services were preached last Sunday with annual meeting on Monday. Financial proceeds were a considerable advance on last year.

VI, 453, 30 June 1885, Page 3

Obituary. A man named Demmell was murdered near Sliding Rock Mine on 17 June. He was shot by an Aboriginal named Sydney after a quarrel following a drinking bout. [From the rest of the article it seems likely that Demmell was taking illicit liquor to the mines. His is registered as Peter De Mel 16 June 1885 aged 38.]

Football. Terowie footballers think they were shabbily treated at Burra. The umpire was as good as six men on the Burra side.

Letter from ‘Go Ahead’ urging the establishment of bacon and cheese factories in SA.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ condemning the Editor for setting Ward against Ward and supporting the Mayor’s actions. [The editor replies, defending his position.]

VII, 454, 3 July 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the ineptitude and lack of policy of the new Government.

2nd Leader on the East Ward ratepayers’ meeting. The editor now believes the ratepayers have spoken so strongly that the Council must rescind its motion to go on with a footway on the eastern side of the main road and spend the money elsewhere in East Ward.

Mr J. Dow has returned home after his painful operation and is doing well and hopes soon to be able to resume his duties as Council Inspector.

Bible Christian Church quarterly meeting. Due to removals etc. membership has decreased 1 to 119, despite 7 new members being received. Signs of increasing religious fervour were noted and the sum collected for the new manse is now almost £200. Tenders will soon be called.

Central Board of Health inspected Hallett and reports that the water supply there is largely from wells of 50-60’ depth plus underground and other tanks. Many of the wells are unprotected from contamination from the large amount of rubbish in the town and from foul cesspits. By-laws are not being enforced. (Population of town c. 160)

East Ward Ratepayers’ Meeting

About 60 people attended.

Cr Sampson opened the meeting and asked for an impartial chairman to be appointed - Mr J. Hosking was voted in. Cr Sampson made a statement.

1. Last April a resolution was made to construct a footway along the western side of the road from Kooringa to Aberdeen. Moved & 2nd by West Ward councillors and carried.

2. A week later the Public Works Committee inspected the site and decided to call tenders. Cr Sampson at that point felt uneasy and said he would vote against the work being done if East Ward was called upon to bear any cost. The answer was ‘No.’

3. The contracts provided the earth cut away be placed on the east side and when payment was made for it Cr West said East Ward must contribute for what was put on the east side. Cr Sampson protested.

4. On 4 May on the Mayor’s casting vote East Ward was ordered to pay £47-7-0 for the rubbish placed there to convenience West Ward.

5. The dividing line is the middle of the road and there was no work ordered up to 4 May on the east side.

6. He had always said he would agree to nothing on behalf of East Ward with respect to this work.

7. The specifications for the work said nothing on behalf of East Ward except the rubbish was to be put there.

8. Though there was no law in the matter, money had always been spent in the ward it was raised in, and controlled by the Ward councillors. North Ward councillors had long held this view, but seemed now not willing to allow it for others.

9. The Works Committee had adopted a plan for making the east side gradually slope off with two lines of fence and an avenue of trees and all his attempts to get a postponement for even ten days were in vain.

10. The plan required at lest 1,000 yards of filling and £270 of fencing. It would take all East Ward’s rates for 11⁄2 years. This unnecessary footway would cost every bit of £300. There was a grand footway on the west for which they had made East Ward pay liberally - what else was required?

11. He hoped the meeting would appoint a deputation to ask the council to rescind the motion. He had given the necessary notice and it would come on at 8 p.m. next Monday.

Cr Symons raised the issue of the cemetery road [rather irrelevantly] and said there were other urgent needs in East Ward, such as Mitchell’s Flat.

Mr Phillips asked how much in rates was collected from property along the new footway.

Cr Sampson thought about 17/-.

P.L. Killicoat thought it folly now to make a footway on the eastern side.

Mr Lasscock moved to uphold the action of the East Ward councillors in protesting against this work being done. 2nd P.L. Killicoat and carried nem. con.

Mr Geake thought that with 50 voices in support the Council would be open to reason. The subsidies would soon end and the places needing attention must get it now while there were funds.

J. Roach thought the footway was not wanted if it cost much and it would be a waste of money if it cost half the £500 mentioned.

Mr Steele moved a deputation consisting of Messrs Killicoat, C. Drew, Geake, Holder, Phillips, Launder, Watt, Kennedy, A. Harris and the chairman, wait on Council to request them to rescind the resolution to proceed with the work. Mr Harry 2nd. Carried.

Redruth Court, 1 July

Fined for straying cows: -

Emmanuel Frederick & George Webber; £1 each

Dr Sangster, Thomas Woollacott, Mrs Clode & R. McDonald; 10/- each

VII, 455, 7 July 1885, Page 2

Notice. Mr Packard, Solicitor, has removed to the offices adjoining Messrs Drew & Co., lately occupied by Mr Akhurst.

Notice. Miss Sleep, having had the schoolroom enlarged and made thoroughly comfortable hopes to carry on her scholastic duties with even greater success. The school reopens on Monday 13 July 1885.

Notice. £3 Reward for information leading to the conviction of the person who stole 4 lb of sugar and 6d worth of Jalap* out of A. Williamson’s Box lying in front of our Aberdeen Store between Saturday night and Monday morning. Bath & Pearce.

[* A purgative drug.]

Editorial on Government Policy or the lack of it.

Kooringa Masonic Lodge No. 6 last night presented a Master Mason’s Jewel to Bro. H. Richards on his departure from the district. He and Bro. Tamblyn will enter into business in Strathalbyn. Mr Richards has long worked for Drew & Co. On Friday he will be farewelled from Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School where he has been connected longer than any other teacher.

John Roach’s Entertainment presented last Friday in aid of the Burra Institute was well attended. The little nigger boys enjoyed their performances as much as the audience did. Nett proceeds were £14, which attracts a subsidy, and means a £28 gain for the funds.

Rev. Howitt officiated for the last time at St Mary’s last Sunday before his departure. He will be given a public tea next Wednesday and a purse will be presented. We hear it is likely he will be succeeded by Rev. J.S. Wayland from All Saints, Moonta.

‘Jingo’ produces a humorous review of Mr Roach’s Entertainment, which on the whole is not very complimentary. The tone may be judged from the sentence:

‘The interval was looked forward to with great anxiety, and was a great boon to a worn-out audience.’

Burra Town Council, 6 July.

D. McNeil declined to fence allotments as ordered by the Council. Only one of them, he said, belonged to him and he declined to fence that either.

The Mayor was authorised to sign the plan of the portion of Short St sold.

A deputation of ratepayers requested Council to rescind their resolution and not to proceed with the footpath on the eastern side of the road to Aberdeen this year. This followed a ratepayers’ meeting on Wednesday last.

J. Hosking, Chairman, reported their resolution and was supported by F.W. Holder - other work in East Ward was more important.

P.L. Killicoat also spoke in support - many sheep crossed from east to west and would break it up while fencing it would be expensive.

Mr J. Phillips supported them too - other works were more important and the path on the western side was quite adequate.

Mr Geake also supported the deputation.

The Mayor, John Dunstan jun. said the whole of the ratepayers’ meeting was a storm in a teacup. It was never intended to keep an extra man on for longer than a fortnight and there was nothing to rescind. The motion merely said the work should be done and to make this operative another motion would be necessary.

Cr Ridgway said SAMA would have to fence the frontage to the road.

The Mayor said their wishes re the further work on the footpath would receive the consideration it merited. He had also received a requisition that the work proceed, based on the need to provide unemployment relief and to give a proper and safe approach to Kooringa.

[The petition was signed by William West as agent for SAMA and contained 42 other names. The paper says that the reading of these names caused amusement and since few if any of them seem to be those of prominent citizens I suspect they were those of SAMA tenants probably from places like Paxton Square.]

Mr Holder said the council had shown its determination to proceed in the matter with three separate motions and he did not feel the deputation was in the sort of false position suggested by the Mayor. They were obliged for the counter-petition, which demonstrated the weakness of the side it was meant to serve.

The Mayor said that in the event of the footpath in question being completed he intended taking the matter of fencing and planting into his own hands and would hand it over to the ratepayers free of cost.

Football, Saturday, Burra 1.9 defeated Allcomers 0.4

VII, 456, 10 July 1885, Page 2

Advt. Miss Sleep’s newly enlarged classroom re-opens on 13 July.

Advt. The Bible Christian new manse memorial stone is expected to be laid by the Chief Justice on Tuesday 1 September 1885. Lunch at 1.00 p.m., stone laying 3.00 p.m., and a tea meeting to follow at 5.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.

Editorial on the SA Land Nationalisation Society.

The Burra School Board met on Thursday. The Inspector-General wished to know if parents at Stony Gap would undertake to provide board for a teacher as unless this were done the small attendance would make the salary too small for any teacher. Enquiries will be made. The Minister of Education requires a formal letter in reference to the wants of Copperhouse. It will be sent.

Rose of Sharon Tent IOR met on Wednesday and presented Mr H. Richards with a parchment and a handsome gold Albert in acknowledgement of his services to the order on the occasion of his leaving the town. The junior tent also presented an address and a gold pencil case. Mr Richards was one of the oldest members and had filled every office in it with credit to himself and profit to the order. [An Albert is a chain for a pocket watch.]

The Footway on the main road. One of the contractors replies to speculation whether they could be compelled to restore the fence taken down. The Clerk of Works had said at the time ‘You can take down the rails where required and the dayman will be with you to level the soil on the east side and attend to the fence.

Rev. Howitt’s Farewell. A public tea was held at the Institute last Wednesday to bid farewell to Rev. Howitt who is going to Semaphore. Over 300 attended from country districts and from various denominations. The ladies of the congregation of St Mary’s were kept busy for about two hours waiting on the tea tables.

Mr Edwards, the Senior Warden, then took the chair.

Rev. G.E. Rowe (Wesleyan) was the only minister present, but there were apologies from Revs J. Salmon (Primitive Methodist) and W. O’Dowling (Roman Catholic)

Mr W.H. Rosman spoke of Rev. Howitt’s service over the last 11 years, mentioning his work on the Hospital Board and the Institute Committee as well as his spiritual duties. He handed over a purse of sovereigns.

Rev. G.E. Rowe also spoke in support and on behalf of members of his church.

Mr W.F. Coglin JP came forward and spoke in appreciation on behalf of the Catholics of Burra.

Rev. Howitt replied - he begged pardon for sometimes perhaps speaking his mind and saying sharper things than perhaps he ought to have. He regretted has frequent illnesses and unfortunate accidents that had interrupted his work at times. The parting after so long was painful.

VII, 456, 10 July 1885, Page 3

Cr Ridgway wants SAMA to be required to fence their property on both sides of the road from Aberdeen to Kooringa.

VII, 457, 14 July 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the capital works program of the Government.

The season. Rain comes very sparingly and plantations and gardens alike are suffering from frost.

H. Richards was given 6 volumes of Tracts for Our Times by elder scholars of the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school on Friday evening at a tea and on Saturday the employees of Messrs Drew & Co. gave him a gold pin as a memento of his long connection with them.

Burra Institute half-yearly meeting saw only 10 subscribers, including the committee, to face the President, Mr Holder. He reported that the library held 3,062 volumes and there were 100 subscribers, which represented an increase of 12. Income for the half year was £128 and expenditure £112-9-9. The total debt on the large and valuable property was

£86-17-0 at 30 June, since when it had been further reduced to £56-17-0. The government subsidy would come in a week or two and would pay off all debts and outstanding accounts.

VII, 458, 17 July 1885, Page 2

Advt. A Racing Meeting is called for Tuesday evening next at the Commercial Hotel.

Advt. Unrivalled Athletic Combination at the Institute on Monday 20 July 1885.

Songs, Dances, Fancy Boxing, Wrestling, Statues and Specialities. Weight Lifting by Mons. Victor.

Editorial on the Railway Board Bill.

2nd Leader on Water Conservation Scheme near Morgan.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church is to establish a reading room.

Migration July 1884-June 1885

From SA to: - To SA from: -

Male Female Male Female

Victoria 9,243 4,043 Victoria 7,018 2,746

NSW 1,934 787 NSW 1,662 493

Queensland 33 13 Queensland 8 5

Tasmania 3 1 Tasmania 6 3

WA 475 182 WA 386 101

New Zealand 4 1 New Zealand 3 5

Total 11,692 5,027 Total 9,083 3,352 *

[* Sic: though the figures actually total 3,353.]

Burra Football Club made a presentation to E.F. Brady of a photo, in a handsome gilt frame, of the 22 players associated with him as Captain last year. Mr J. Blott, the present Captain, said it was an expression of their high esteem and in memory of the valuable service he had given in forming the club and bringing it ti its present efficient state.

Football by ‘Drop Kick’

Practice is kept up and some good work done, but in the absence of real matches it is apt to get a bit monotonous. Hothams are coming out top of the Junior Association, so Burra can be proud of drawing with such a team.

The ground, as a place of resort and amusement is a disgrace. In one place there is long dry rank grass and in another nothing at all, while gravel appears elsewhere. The Corporation cannot expect much revenue from such a ground. What is needed is a northern Areas Association or a Country Football Association to end the dearth of matches.

Next season, I hope.

VII, 458, 17 July 1885, Supplement

The Prize List for the Burra Show on 24 September.

VII, 459, 21 July 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Glee Club Concert Wednesday 29 July, in aid of the Institute Funds.

Editorial on the letter from the Hydraulic Engineer.

[This editorial represents an abrupt about face by the editor on the issue; a change sparked by what must have been the unexpected and shocking disclosures of the abuse of power by the Government and their obvious breach of faith with the Council.]

The Department has clearly acted ‘to disobey the orders of a Minister.’

The old Aberdeen Waterworks were essentially to serve the Railway Department. The Government has added to them to supply the whole town with the works being, on completion, handed over to the Corporation as lessees on payment of interest on the cost of construction. The total cost of construction as certified by the Hydraulic Engineer, on which interest has been demanded, was £5,652. Cr Ridgway believes this is an overcharge of nearly 75%. The sum of £960, which is put down as the value of the portion of the old works, is manifestly a fraud. The tank of 30,000 gallons, in ground and roofed, is absurdly priced. As to the service pipes - the Department stands convicted of charging a profit of nearly 100%. The minister promised they would be charged at cost and instructed the Engineer accordingly. The Council will probably seek the support of the guarantors, who as it means the difference between 6/- and 3/- per 1,000 gallons and will see an increase in the demand for water, will certainly support them.

2nd Leader on the ‘Causes and Cure of the Commercial Depression’.

‘It is an age of lightning speed this nineteenth century of ours, and an age too of outside show and haste to be as rich as seems, while always seeming a little more than is real.’

Waste is all around in Government buildings. In many places a single building could house the railway station, police station and the post and telegraph office, etc.

Burra Town Council, 18 July.

John Jenkin (stationman) wrote asking his wages be increased in line with the amount paid to the North Ward stationman. Cr Coglin moved it be granted and Cr Symons 2nd.

Cr Tiver said when tenders were called the North Ward man had valued his services at 7/6 a day while Jenkins had valued his at 7/-. He had no reason to complain if Council took him at his own price.

Cr Sampson thought it could not be granted without rescinding the motion to accept his services at 7/-.

Cr Ridgway did not think the request was put very civilly, but would suggest suspension of standing orders so that it might be dealt with. The suggestion was adopted and the request granted.

Aberdeen Lawn Tennis Club asked permission to use another portion of the same ground, undertaking to fence and plant and pay a nominal rent.

Cr Sampson thought they were trying to get at Council and to get the right to exclude cricketers, footballers, school children and others from the place and Council should refuse the request.

Messrs Roach called attention to the need for improving the approach to their mill and weighbridge. This was referred to the Works Committee, as was the approach to the White Hart Hotel.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded a copy of the report sent to him by the Hydraulic Engineer.

[The tone of the Engineer shows him to be highly defensive and clearly annoyed by the Council.]

He says: -

I have never admitted the engine ordered was unequal to the work

The steps taken to ascertain whether any substitution could be effected were taken at the instance of the present Mayor.

I visited Burra on 12 February and the Mayor urged me to order a larger engine. I said the one on order was large enough and would drive a second pump if required and as the machinery had been ordered some months ago it was too late to change.

The Mayor insisted I try, so I agreed to wait on F. Clark & Sons, but on reaching Adelaide I found the machinery was daily expected, and took no further action.

Meeting Mr Clark one day I mentioned the matter and then informed the Burra Corporation that the arrangement could not be effected.

I did not admit the engine ordered was insufficient.

A larger pump may be needed and there is no objection to one being made now if the Corporation are willing to pay interest on the cost of having reserve pumping power.

‘. . .the opinion expressed as to the relative economy of large and small engines are of such an extraordinary nature and so diametrically opposed to the results of experience as to occasion me the most serious misgivings in the propriety of placing the control of the works in the hands of the present Council.’ (R.L. Mestayer)

The Mayor said the Hydraulic Engineer ‘was labouring under an hallucination’. In interviews with Mr Mestayer he had gained the impression that the engineer agreed that more horsepower was necessary and correspondence bore out that view. The question was would the larger engine be better for the council and that point was not addressed.

Cr Sampson thought it a waste of time to continue the correspondence. The engineer had insulted the Council by saying they were incompetent to run the works. He moved a deputation go to the Commissioner of Public works to interview him in the presence of the Hydraulic Engineer and that the letter be referred to the Waterworks Committee. Cr Tiver 2nd.

The Cost of the Waterworks

Cr Ridgway moved that the Waterworks Committee be requested to prepare a memorial to the commissioner of Public Works asking for particulars on the cost of the Burra Waterworks.

After much correspondence they had managed to extort some particulars from the Hydraulic Engineer, but only enough to make them anxious for more.

Item 1 was the old Aberdeen Works, of which all that was leased to them was 40 chains of old mains, (The services along which had been paid for by the users.) plus one standpipe, two water troughs and 15 meters. £832 had been devoted to this and £65 had been repaid unexpended and that had included the pipes in the railway yard and doubling the size of the railway tank, which was understood at the time to have cost £300. They were being charged £960. This was more than twice the worth even if the works were new.

If the whole cost only £800 they were leasing about half of it and that half partly worn out, and instead of £400 were being charged £960.

Item 2 was mains and laying. At £3,161, even though he had no figures to go on, this was a staggering amount.

Item 3 was the tank. This was priced at £380 and any contractor would jump at the job for £250. Not only had the Engineer refused information, he had made it impossible to get details.

Item 4 was the charge of £930 for 185 services. From the Public Works Report he was satisfied they had not cost over £4-10-0 each, averaging the 1⁄2” and 3⁄4” services. The charge for service pipes, which were promised at cost, was put at 4d per foot when the government paid 21⁄4d per foot and they had been charged 6d for what had cost 31⁄8d.

He believed that overall the Hydraulic Engineer had charged 75% on actual cost. There is a clause in the lease, which said at intervals the particulars of cost should be ascertained and the interest paid on the certificate of the Hydraulic Engineer. A fair reading would infer that a copy of the particulars should be supplied to the lessee. The claim of the Engineer that getting the details would require extra clerical assistance is absurd - the details had to be got before he could certify them.

They had been charged £94 interest for six months too, instead of £88-10-0, which was another blunder. Cr Sampson 2nd. Carried

Football. Burra 1 defeated Allcomers Nil.

The Waterworks Engine. The Hydraulic Engineer said on February 12 this was expected daily. It has not turned up. Has it gone down? [i.e. sunk with its ship.]

VII, 460, 24 July 1885, Page 2

Advt. A meeting of guarantors of the Burra Waterworks is called for 28 July.

Advt. Burra Races will be held on 9 November.

Marriage. 19 July at Hampton.

Fred, eldest son of J. Dew of Springbank

and Adelaide Barber Cullen, eldest daughter of James Cullen of Hampton.

Marriage. 22 July at Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church.

Philip, 2nd son of T. Oates

and Mary Nicholls, eldest daughter of William Nicholls.

Editorial on Women’s Franchise

The proposal was, from Dr Stirling, that women who had the same qualifications that men needed to vote in the Legislative Council, could vote for both houses. The editor thought that this was to introduce a silly inequality, but also that this was not the time (in a depression) to raise the question of female suffrage. Theoretically, he says, nothing could be raised against female suffrage, though he does raise a number of what he sees as practical problems.

St Mary’s. It is believed that the incumbency of St Mary’s has been offered to J.S. Wayland of All Saints, Moonta.

Burra Floricultural Society met last evening and ends the year 9/3 in credit. Election: -

President, T. Drew; Vice-President, J. Hosking; Treasurer, F.W. Holder; Secretary, W. Davey.

The SA Co. with its large landholdings is faced with a land tax bill of £2,500 and has decided to sell a portion of its land.

Service of Song ‘General Gordon’ at Redruth last Wednesday.

Burra Institute has lost c. £20 because of the reduction in Government subsidies.

VII, 461, 28 July 1885, Page 2

Editorial on immorality in high places. Mrs McEvoy’s disorderly house in Adelaide was raided and she was fined £10, but the names of the ‘upper ten’ visitors were carefully concealed.

Town & Country Bank manager in Kooringa, G.H. Sims, has been transferred to the Northern Territory.

Rev. G.E. Rowe will soon arrange a Shakespearean night at the Institute.

Earthquake in Burra last Saturday at c. 11.45 p.m. It was the most violent ever felt here.

Accident. Mr C.F. Faulkner was knocked down by a cab as he crossed the road opposite Mr Snell’s shop. He lost a front tooth when the pole caught him in the face.

Institute Subsidies. A deputation to which Burra was not a party has succeeded in getting the full subsidies paid to Institutes for the past year. It will be welcome.

Weather. Last Saturday saw very unusual weather for July. There were dense clouds of dust with a strong northerly and showers in the evening. Crops are healthy, but backward with only 6.115” so far compared with 11.555” last year. Frosts have been severe.

Football. [Last Saturday?] Scratch match, Lott’s team 1 defeated Blott’s team Nil.

Tenders called for a school and teacher’s residence at Mt Bryan.

VII, 461, 28 July 1885, Page 3

Advt. Mr A.J. Stewart of Adelaide will deliver an address at the German Chapel, Redruth, on 31 July at 7.20 p.m. Bring your Bibles.

VII, 462, 31 July 1885, Page 2

Obituary. Eliza Ann Williams, aged 19, of Kooringa, at her father’s residence. [Born 26 November 1865; died 29 July 1885]

Obituary. Kate Bishop, on 29 July, wife of Joseph Bishop of Port Lincoln. She was the eldest daughter of John Roberts of Robertstown. [Born Catherine Robinson Roberts, 14 November 1850.]

St Mary’s. J.S. Wayland has accepted the incumbency of St Mary’s.

Wesleyan Conference President, Rev. C.T. Newman, will meet the young people of Burra and Hanson circuits at tea in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall, next Wednesday afternoon.

Burra Glee Club’s concert on Wednesday last was musically a great success, but the hall was only about half full and ‘demonstrated once more the incapacity of our townsfolk to appreciate local talent or good music, and the need there is for striving to educate them up to something better, rather than to pander to a low taste for broad farce.’

The Payment of Members Bill has seen the provision for £200 p.a. deleted and £2-2-0 per sitting day, to a maximum of 80 days p.a. put in its place. [It still faced the Legislative Council]

Football. Sevenhills is unable to get a team together so the match with Burra tomorrow has been cancelled.

Guarantors of Burra Waterworks Meeting in the Council Chamber last Tuesday. 12 plus the Council were present. No redress seems obtainable so the Waterworks Committee called the guarantors together to bring the utmost pressure on the Commissioner of Public Works in the interests of the town by presenting a memorial incorporating the following: -

At the time the scheme was initiated there was no idea of its present size.

Up to the time the reservoir was built only 98 had guaranteed to take water, but at present 208 are supplied.

One reason for the increase is the concession the late Commissioner made in allowing connection to mains and the cost of meters to be charged to the capital account. (For which the late Mayor and Council and the District Member, Mr Cockburn, are to be thanked)

That expansion involved an expansion in the means of supply.

The power of the engine and pump ordered is 2,700 gallons per hour, which is ‘by a curious process of arithmetic made 8,000 gallons per hour with a second pump.

These calculations are doubtless made based on the machinery working to capacity. We believe it is ‘not only unwise, wasteful, and extravagant, but positively unsafe to habitually drive machinery at its utmost tension.’ It is more economical to drive a larger engine at its nominal power.

We are anxious that machinery of a larger capacity should be substituted for that ordered without casting the slightest reflection on the ability of the Hydraulic Engineer, who cannot be blamed for eventualities of which he had no knowledge.

If part of the road is appropriated for the engine etc. it will be necessary to have room for firewood and we fail to see any possible reason against the purchase of a small piece of land for that purpose.

The mere statement of cost of works in a general way without proper details is not at all satisfactory to your memorialists who consider they are entitled to know what they are paying interest for, ‘more especially as in the account sent to the Council there are some obvious overcharges.’

Cr Ridgway as Chairman of the Waterworks Committee felt it was his place to move the adoption of the memorial, but first corrected a mistake in his speech in Council. The interest they were being charged was calculated correctly as they were being charged 5% on the cost of the services.

As for the capital cost. It was stated in a letter from A.P. Lungley that the old works had cost £912 complete, but in fact the records show that £832 had been granted for the work of which £65 was returned unexpended. The Council was only leasing part of the old works - 30 chains of 3” main, 10 chains of 2” main, 2 water troughs, 1 standpipe, and 15 meters. The only Government cost was for the materials; the consumers having paid for the labour. The whole cost to the government could not have exceeded £250.

Cr West said there were three vital points in the memorial: -

A larger engine would run on half the fuel for half the time.

Details of the costs were essential. The costs cited were very much above the original estimate and payable interest was up by 75%.

They had been charged extravagant prices for almost everything.

Dr Brummitt did not agree with the memorial. In the memorial much was made of details while the chief point was left to last. It was infinitely the most important and should be the first point. It was a long and hard battle to get a promise from the Commissioner of Public Works, Mr Playford that the materials would be charged at cost. If the capital account included a profit of 75% the Council would have been better off foregoing the Government’s low % interest rate and doing the work on borrowed money itself, at a higher rate of interest. The promise was in a letter to Dr Cockburn and was conveyed to the Hydraulic Engineer. The Hydraulic Engineer, when sending the cost particulars to Council, had written at the bottom: ‘The above are cost prices, Adelaide’. This is remarkable when the portion of the Public Works Department signed by him proved that it was not so.

Dr Cockburn was prepared to defeat this attempt to break the promise given and they only need ask and they were sure to have justice and a considerably reduced total on which to pay interest.

When he had written his report as Mayor last year he had written for the cost to date and an estimate for the completion of the whole then fell a long way short of £3,000 at that stage. If at the end of November last it was under £3,000 how could it have reached £5,652 by the end of December?

As for the first item about the engine. He had asked Mr Jobson whose opinion was respected and he said it was not so much the engine as another pump and the engine was quite able to work two pumps, so there was really no difficulty at all. Jobson suggested the Hydraulic Engineer be asked to allow the old pump to remain with the new until another was obtained if it proved necessary. If the two pumps could raise 5,000 gallons per hour and the tank held 30,000 gallons and was never emptied, the engine would be sufficient. As to the land - it was desirable, but not worth making a point of.

The Mayor said it was not whether the engine could do the job, but whether the larger would not be cheaper.

The Mayor said: -

12 horsepower pump at 45 lb/in2 cost £84-16-6

6 horsepower pump at 60 lb/in2 cost £140-8-0

Mr Holder said he thought the Council deserved thanks for their efforts to come to best terms with the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department and he desired to help them as far as possible, but he was very much disappointed with the memorial as read.

The one point of injustice was in reference to the charging more than the net cost of works and materials. He had believed that in dealing with a Government Department the head of which had no purpose of his own to serve, they could rely on being charged actual cost for everything and had no reason to believe they would be otherwise treated.

With the evidence supplied he was forced to the conclusion that something was wrong and must be set right. Strange to say the memorial did not ask for the one thing they all wanted. It asked for:

A larger engine

More land

Details of cost

It did not ask that the overcharge should be taken off. As for the engine - there was no doubt it was big enough when ordered and it was unreasonable to ask the Government to keep it for months or years till they found a use for it when it would do all that was required.

As to the land - several streets were only 33’ wide and accommodated more traffic than would pass the shaft. Land could be spared from the street without difficulty. They could have closed the street without extra cost while they were closing the one near Tiver & Preece’s.

They had Mr Mestayer’s promise in writing to allow someone from Council to see the books and papers and obtain the figures of costs. He had enough faith in Mr Mestayer that if the Town Clerk went down he could get what was needed without troubling the Commissioner. He hoped Dr Brummitt would move an amended memorial.

Cr Ridgway contended it would be impracticable to close the road due to possible/probable litigation from adjacent property holders.

Dr Brummitt said that when the question of the site was first raised the Corporation solicitor advised that there would be no difficulties in closing the road and no opposition would be likely to succeed.

The Mayor suggested they should add to the memorial at the beginning a clause asking the Government to insist on the promise to charge only net cost be carried out.

In answer to Mr T.W. Pearce the Mayor said the amount of water the railways were expected to have required was from 10,000 to 12,000 gallons per day in summer and little or none in winter. There was no need to press the matter as in the coming summer the Railway Department would be obliged to ask the Corporation to supply them and this made the larger engine more important.

Mr Bartle the Engineer at the Waterworks, said last summer the highest consumption was 49,500 gallons per week, but there were many more services now.

Dr Brummitt moved an amendment that a memorial to the Commissioner of Public Works be prepared asking that the promise of the late Commissioner, Mr Playford, that the net cost only should be charged, be carried out.

Cr West could not see the difference between that and the proposition.

Dr Brummitt said it dealt with one matter only and left the others out.

Cr Ridgway was unwilling to let the other matters go and so delay settlement of matters.

Mr Holder 2nd the amendment.

The other matters should not be forgotten, but dealt with in another way and not as a grievance.

Mr P. Lane supported the amendment, which was then carried 4 to 6.

Cr Ridgway said if he were in the deputation he would raise the other matters.

The Mayor would raise the question of the larger engine.

The deputation will be: The Mayor, Cr Ridgway, Hons J. Martin, H.E. Bright, Dr Cockburn & Mr Rounsevell MP.

VII, 462, 31 July 1885, Page 3

The memorial will represent the views of the guarantors and the deputation those of the Council.

Redruth Court, 29 July

G. Geier driving without lights 5/- + 10/-

Woodruffe driving round a corner faster than walking pace 10/- + 5/-

Thomas Hoare driving round a corner faster than walking pace 10/-

H. Ewins stray cow 10/-

W. Symons stray cow £1 + 5/-

I.W. Goss stray horse 10/-

Elizabeth Bosence stray mare and foal £1 + 5/-

Advt. Alexander Harris has purchased Snell & Williams’s chaff stores and he is prepared to supply chaff and cut wood.

VII, 463, 4 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co. will offer 29,120 sheep on 7 August.

Advt. Mr C. Oliver of London can be consulted at Young’s Hotel. He is a specialist in stammering and stuttering.

Transport costs. Last Friday Bath & Pearce received two loads of sugar from Pt Adelaide by road, at the same cost as it would have been by rail.

Letter from W.H. Hardy querying the need for a larger pump at the Waterworks. If the pump ordered can lift 2,700 gallons per hour and the same engine with a second pump can lift 5,000 gallons per hour, then the engine with the extra pump can lift 120,000 gallons if worked 3 days a week for 8 hours or 6 days a week for 4 hours. Thus even if consumption is doubled to 100,000 gallons per week compared with last year’s consumption, it will be adequate.

Obituary & Inquest. August Bertram, on 1 August at the Burra Hospital, aged 75. Leaving a wife [and descendents.]

The inquest showed that he was found at Newiky [sic] Creek, lying in the creek bed, by Alexander McPherson, labourer, of Caroona Station. He was brought to hospital suffering from exposure, exhaustion and bronchitis. The evidence does not clearly establish how he came to be there. Evidence of his last days is given by: -

Charles Bertram - whose mother was August Bertram’s daughter.

William Herschausen [sic] - whose wife was August Bertram’s daughter

Eliza Williams - a neighbour, who says: -

‘Mrs Bertram Sen. at Hampton is also her daughter’

[i.e. a daughter of the deceased’s wife and possibly therefore Charles Bertram’s mother]

Railway to Silverton is progressing.

Farm labour is hard to get even at 20/- a week with board and washing.

Football. Last Saturday 15 Allcomers 4.10 defeated 8 Reds 2.4

Service of Song A Child of Jesus was performed at Baldina on Sunday by the Redruth Wesleyan Choir to a large congregation.

VII, 463, 4 August 1885, Page 3

Adelaide Exhibition. A revised plan by E.T. Smith MP for a Jubilee Exhibition.

Take a piece of parkland west of Frome Road and east of the University, from North Terrace to the Torrens. Build a retaining wall from east to west to create two levels. Total available space 20-24 acres. Place the principal building on the upper level. Place to be used for the Royal Agricultural Society. The Royal Agricultural Society will give their present grounds to the Botanic Gardens who will in turn give 4 acres to the Zoological Society. Temporary annexes will be needed for the Jubilee Exhibition. Expenses are estimated at £33,350. The Government will fund half the cost of the permanent building - say £16,000 on this year’s estimates and the same on the estimates for 1886-87. He hopes to get gentlemen to guarantee £1,000 to £2,000 each to carry out the scheme, but believes the guarantors would not be called on. Sir Thomas Elder has pledged to guarantee £1,000.

[Note 1887 was a convenient 50th anniversary of both the city of Adelaide and Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne.]

VII, 464, 7 August 1885, Page 2

Editorial on Taxation Assessments.

Fire. On Thursday morning a fire broke out in a galvanised iron kitchen and washhouse at the rear of J.T. Walker’s house in Chapel St. Flames licked the house eaves and on the other side was a store of chaff and firewood. With the aid of a garden hose the fire was extinguished and damage was confined to the room.

Burra Waterworks. The Commissioner of Public Works has not yet made a response to the deputation on the Burra Waterworks. It appears that the Waterworks Department have paid the Railways Department £960 for the portion of the old works taken over from them. So if they have made a blunder it was the Railways Department that ‘got at’ us. The engine ordered has been in SA since February and has been altered slightly to make it more suitable.

C.T. Newman, President of the Wesleyan Conference visited Burra on Wednesday last to meet the young people of the Burra and Hanson Circuits. Over 400 people gathered at the tea and the President opened the Christian Reading room in Kooringa. It is open to all Christian denominations and is at the side of the Lecture Hall.

Unemployment remains a serious problem in Adelaide.

Weather. Another brickfielder yesterday.

Burra Waterworks. At the deputation to the Commissioner of Public Works, W.B. Rounsevell said that the Burra Council had arranged with the Government to construct a water supply equal to 30,000 gallons a day, with the locomotive department as a consumer, but the latter had failed to fulfil the promise. Works were partly completed pending the arrival of an engine from England. The Corporation had asked for an account, but before paying had asked for particulars. These were refused and they were referred to a clause in the agreement, which they thought did not apply. They paid, but also sought particulars once more. Mr Mestayer claimed to be understaffed, but supplied some information, which led them to believe they were grossly overcharged. They found they were charged 4d for 1⁄2” pipe when the cost was 21⁄2d and for 3⁄4” pipe they were charged 6d when the cost was 31⁄8d. He asked the matter be investigated, as it would be highly undesirable for the whole to be thrown on the hands of the Government. They were also charged £900 for the old works - they were not obliged to take over these works according to the agreement, but in any case they ought not to pay the first cost of such after 8 years of use. It would also be desirable to buy a piece of land on which to erect necessary buildings.

Mr Ridgway said a large part of the expenditure of the [old] works was on behalf of the Railways Department and they were not, as they stood now, worth a farthing over £250.

Mr Mestayer claimed the £960 included only the money expended by the Department for the Aberdeen works and not for the Railway works at all. The Commissioner will reply in due course.

VII, 465, 11 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. MATRIN PEDERSON [sic]

Late, with J.T. Waller [sic]

Has set up business for himself in the shop lately occupied by Mr Petherick.

[Subsequent issues inform us that this New Bootshop is run by Martin Pederson, late of J.T. Walker]

Advt. Mr G.J. Stewart will deliver an address on The Second Coming of Christ, in the German Schoolroom, Redruth, on 14 August, 7.30 p.m. Bring your Bibles.

Editorial on the renewed prospects of war with Russia in Afghanistan.

Burra Co. RVF - parades this week for target practice.

The Season. Crops are very backward for 25 miles around Burra. They are barely out of the ground, but healthy and thick. It is too soon to speak of a general failure except for the eastern plains.

Bible Christian Manse. John Pearce & Launder have the lowest tender for the new manse, for which £223 has so far been raised.

Football. Sevenhills 1st 20, 2.10 defeated Burra 2nd 20, 1.1

Burra Town Council, 7 August.

Mayor reported on the deputation to the Commissioner of Public Works.

Letter from ‘ROGO’ urging a fire reel and volunteer brigade be formed and a deputation go to Council on the matter.

Letter from ‘HARDY’ in a similar vein.

VII, 465, 11 August 1885, Page 3

Inquest at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday into the fire at Mr Walker’s house. William Radford, Foot-Constable, described how the fire was coming through a window facing the police station and how it was quickly quelled when Mr Parks used his hose. John Thomas Walker gave evidence and said the contents loss was c. £50 and the building c. £10. In all about 1 column of detail is printed, but the result was that the origin of the fire remained a mystery. [Though an ash pan was the probable source.]

VII, 466, 14 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary Services, 16 & 19 August. Dinner 19th at 4 p.m. and a Grand Concert at the Institute at 7.30 p.m. followed by supper in the church. Dinner 1/6, Concert 2/- & 1/-

Editorial on the Payment of Members Bill, which had passed the House of Assembly, but awaited an uncertain future in the Legislative Council.

2nd Leader on the desirability of larger shire councils to amalgamate the duties of Town Councils, School Boards, Boards of Health, Road Boards, Licensing Benches, etc. in the name of efficiency.

Burra Co. RVF. Target practice has begun.

Mr Browne has donated £60 towards reducing the debt on St Mary’s. We understand this virtually extinguishes the building debt. [Corrected next issue, V11, 467, 18 August 1885]

Weather. There have been some nice showers recently, which have brought the crops on nicely.

Mrs Solomon Williams, an old lady, missed the road in the dark in Queen St on Saturday and fell into the creek. A passer-by helped her out and she was taken home severely bruised and shaken.

Redruth Court, 12 August.

Austin v. Rabbich for £29.

Austin sued Rabbich for failure to keep premises in a tenantable state of repair during a yearly tenancy, also for rates, for wilful damage, for not cleaning the premises and for taking away a shop counter and meat hooks. All charges were denied.

Richard Austin said he had let the butcher shop, cellar, kitchen, stables and yards to the defendant, on a verbal agreement, for ten years at £4 per week in 1878. Austin took possession a month ago. Defendant left on 16 May. Austin inspected the premises the next day. The inside walls had been chopped as with a chopper. Fastenings were off windows, some glass was broken, there was rotten meat and dirty pickle in a stone salter. Half a load of filth and dirt was removed and repairs to the shop cost £10. There was £2-10-0 to clean the yards and repair a fence and £1-15-11 for a carpenter. [Other costs are listed.] Mrs Austin said the cellar was under her drawing room and had been offensive sometime previous to the defendant’s vacating the premises.

David Jones, painter, corroborated the above and said cleaning alone would account for about £2.

J.D. Cave inspected the premises on 10 July and saw a lot of putrid meat in the cellar.

W.A. Rabbich denied all and said the only agreement was for £4 a week rent. The premises had been cleaned out about18 months before he took them and had last been cleaned in 1881. The walls and ceiling of the butcher’s shop were washed once every year in addition, after the flies were gone. Walls were not injured when he left on 16 May. Plaintiff had made no complaint till after he had left.

The court gave a verdict for £4-15-0 stating that they did not think the defendant chopped the wall or that it was done with his knowledge.

[Note the surprising information that Mrs Austin seems to have used her drawing room not only while the smell was offensive before 16 May, but also until at least 10 July when J.D. Cave saw putrid meat there!]

VII, 467, 18 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. McLaren, White & Co. will offer 12,450 sheep on 21 August.

Advt. There will be a Grand Concert in the Institute on Tuesday 1 Sep. 3/-, 2/- & 1/-

Editorial on Government Expenditure Estimates.

P-C Radford, who has for some time been in charge of the Kooringa station, is to leave the district. He has at all times discharged his duties impartially, untiringly and well.

St Mary’s Church Debt. Far from being without debt, we find that members of the congregation have loaned, without interest for five years, the sum of £700 between them. While there are no other debts, these loans constitute a considerable debt on the property.

Ulooloo. A 21⁄2 oz. nugget of gold has been found on the goldfield.

Burra Institute has received the subsidy for the last year of £65-8-4.

Street Trees. We are glad to see that the Council is filling in the gaps in plantations. [The editor then gives a 1⁄4 column of advice on care for trees and what sort should be planted where.]

Burra Town Council, 15 August.

Council is to see to the replacement of trees where needed.

The Mayor called attention to the need for a fire reel and suggested a meeting be called to form a volunteer brigade. Cr West said it was a question of funds. It was referred to the finance committee.

VII, 468, 21 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. Fresh tenders called for the erection of a presbytery at St Joseph’s Church, Burra. George McLagan, Architect.

Advt. Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 23 & 26 August. MOONLIGHT!

Editorial on The Budget Speech.

2nd Leader on the Pastoral Lands Act.

Burra Co. RVF will be inspected by General Owen at 2 p.m. Saturday 12 September - before which date the uniforms will have come.

Miss Knight has passed the preliminary science exam at London University - the first Australian lady to so distinguish herself.

Cricket. The AGM of the Aberdeen Cricket Club was held at the Court House Hotel, Monday evening last. Mr Rabbich in the chair. ‘Resolved to remined [sic] those members who have not paid the call.’ It was suggested the club be renamed the Burra Club.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Dinner and Concert, last Wednesday went off very well. At the concert the front seats were crowded, but back seats were not full and larrikins there marred the occasion. Proceeds in all were c. £36.

Redruth Court 19 August.

John Midwinter trotting a horse around Henderson’s Corner in Kooringa 10/-

W. Sandland trotting a horse around the Bank of Australasia corner, Aberdeen 10/-

Robert Birt 2 stray horses and a foal 30/-

George Mayger stray horse 5/-

William Jones stray horse 10/-

George Webber stray cow 5/-

Henry Howes stray cow 5/-

Elizabeth Boscence stray mare and foal 20/-

Port Pirie receives its first silver ore. [i.e. from the Barrier Ranges in NSW]

Letter from ‘W’ saying that on Wednesday he saw boys 10-12 years old setting off ‘Chinese crackers’ in the doorway of the printing office and Mr Walker’s shop. It is time the sale of such was stopped in the interest of preventing fire.

VII, 468, 21 August 1885, Page 3

The New Tariff. Proposed new provisions are discussed in 2⁄3 column.

[Lapford* Articles. On 27 February a series of articles had begun which purported to come from the town of Lapford, supposedly from the solitary inhabitant of a poorly constructed tin hut on the edge of the creek. They were cast in the form of humorous accounts based on local incidents, but strayed rather easily into the tall story category and there are doubtless references that meant much more and were more readily identifiable to people of the day. The humour is rather laboured, the length somewhat excessive, even for 1885, and the writer interlards his work with scraps of poetry and quotations in Latin and other languages. In the paper for 18 August he takes issue with another contributor of humour who wrote an occasional column called ‘Echoes from the Bush’ under the pen name ‘By Jingo’. His efforts are said to be flat, stale and unoriginal with their inspiration coming from cheap American origins, though oddly enough he is accused of getting his American terms from English penny-dreadfuls. ‘Jingo’ naturally responded in a like vein and the writer of ‘Life at the World’s End’, as the Lapford articles had come to be headed, responded in turn with the announcement of a satirical look at Burra life which began in the paper of 28 August under the title of ‘The City of Big-Big’. This took the form of letters descriptive of the place previously known as Kooringa, written in the years 1910-12. From the style it is not unlikely that both players in the altercation were the one person.]

*Lapford was the name of a town surveyed on the north bank of the Burra Creek on the east side of the road to Robertstown where the two meet at World’s End. It was proclaimed on 9 August 1877 and after a brief flurry of activity was already defunct by 1885. It ceased to exist formally on 13 December 1962. The World’s End church and school was a short distance north on the western side of the road.

VII, 469, 25 August 1885, Page 2

Obituary. Andrew Young, an old resident of Clare, died on Friday night. [Died 21 August, aged 56.]

Burra Town Council has banned sheep from crossing the new footway between St Mary’s and the Mine Stores. As a result sheep are having to use the street through Kooringa. They are damaging the road and raising a lot of dust.

Railways. The following are in the course of construction: -

Nairne to the Victorian Border 1603⁄4 miles

Palmerston [Darwin] to Pine Creek 1473⁄4

Herrgott Springs to Strangways Springs 1021⁄2

Petersburg [Peterborough] to NSW Border 1501⁄2

Mt Gambier to Naracoorte 641⁄2

VII, 469, 25 August 1885, Page 3

The schedule of the proposed Stamp Tax is printed.

VII, 470, 28 August 1885, Page 2

Advt. A football match Burra 1st 15 versus Burra 2nd 25, will be played Tuesday 1 September, in aid of the Poor Fund.

Editorial on SA finances and the proposed tariff.

Cricket. AGM of the Young Australian Cricket Club at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday elected W.J. Davey, Captain; W. Jenkin, Vice-captain; J. Sampson, President.

Redruth Court, 26 August

T. Burow, Henry Brown and William Stagg were each fined 5/- + 5/- costs for not having a light on their vehicle.

John Sullivan was charged with stealing a watch and chain from William Chandler at the Court House Hotel, Redruth, 22 August. Chandler was arrested for drunkenness and then accused Sullivan of stealing his watch. Sullivan produced Robert Bruce and the landlord Mr Neville to swear that Chandler had given the watch to Sullivan for safekeeping in their presence. Chandler was then arrested for stealing the same watch from a man at Petersburg - he was taken there and fined £1 for unlawful possession. He was fined 10/- at Redruth for the drunkenness charge. Robert Bruce was given 7 days for a similar offence.

Telegraph. The telegraph link with Silverton, NSW, has been opened.

‘The Advertiser’ Poor Fund reaches £1,768-10-4.

VII, 470, 28 August 1885, Page 3

‘The City of Big-Big’, first episode.

Letter 1 dated 12 June 1910 from Big-Big

Lapford then had a population of 6,500, deriving its prosperity from coal and iron mines. It had excellent roads, beautiful walks and shady lanes.

Big-Big had a population of 50,000. The stream was clear flowing and swift where it used to be ‘yellow, rubbish-strewn . . .’ with ‘broken bottles . . . broken bricks, battered billy-cans, mutilated kerosene tins, legs of chairs, old book covers, bits of fence wire, sharp and ugly sheets of galvanized iron.’

The Big-Big Record is a daily of 16 pages.

VII, 471, 1 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. Liston & Shakes will offer 19,850 sheep on 4 September. [But see next issue also.]

Editorial on The Tariff.

2nd Leader on Other Taxation.

VII, 471, 1 September 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter II.

VII, 472, 4 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. Liston & Shakes will offer 18,672 sheep on 4 September.

Entertainment. The concert last Tuesday at the Institute drew a fair house.

Burra Waterworks.

The Mayor tried in Adelaide last week to bring the affairs between the Council and the Hydraulic Engineer to a conclusion.

The Commissioner of Public works promised details of the cost would be supplied. They must be in the Engineer’s office. Land ample for the purposes has been acquired. There is now no hope of reducing the sum of £960 for the old works, as that is what the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department actually paid the Railways Department. As to charges for pipes, the question is whether those used actually came from old expensive stock or from new cheaper stock.

New Bible Christian Manse. The Rev. W.F. James arranged for the stone-laying ceremonies last Tuesday. His Honour the Chief Justice was asked to lay the main stone. His father, Rev. James Way, was a pioneer in the Bible Christian denomination in Australia and was minister in Kooringa when the foundation stone of the big Bible Christian church was laid. His honour arrived on the midday train and had lunch at the church. He proposed the usual loyal toasts. Rev. James said the expected cost of the new manse was £700 and it was being erected on land got cheaply from SAMA. £311 had so far been given and promised. When Rev. James Way had arrived [in SA] there had been two Bible Christian ministers and one church. Now there were 67 ministers and 216 churches with 5,296 members, 10,000 Sunday-school students and 20,000 adherents. After various speeches they adjourned the few hundred yards to the manse site. The contractors have the walls up to about 3’. The rooms are comfortably large and will be lofty. The house is in a villa style with provision for a seventh room at some time. The chief memorial stone was of white freestone inscribed ‘This stone was laid by Chief Justice Way on Sept. 1st 1885’. After a prayer by Rev. J.J. Salmon (Primitive Methodist) and a reading by Rev. G.E. Rowe (Wesleyan), the Chief Justice laid the stone. A considerable sum was laid on the stone - his Honour leading off with £2-12-0. Mr Bentley took a photo. Mr R. Collins JP laid a stone representing the Mt Bryan Church. Mr John Snell laid another in the name of the Sunday-schools. Mr Holder laid the last stone in the name of sister churches. They then adjourned for tea followed by a public meeting in the church, chaired by the Mayor of Burra and followed by supper in the schoolroom. The proceeds of the day reached c. £70.

Further Report of ‘Life at the World’s End.’

Football on Tuesday saw Burra 1st 15, 4.8 defeat Burra 2nd 25, 1.6

VII, 472, 4 September 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter III.

VII, 473, 8 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. 9 September 1885, Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 7.30 p.m., Music, Recitations and Lecture by Mr J. Roach, in aid of the Lecture Room. Topic The Inspiration of the Bible. 1/-

Advt. Walhalla Bros’ Circus, Near Barnett’s Hotel, 11 September only.

Advt. Burra Co. RVF, Compulsory Drill Wednesday 9 September,

Inspection Saturday 12 September.

Advt. The new incumbent of St Mary’s, Rev. J.S. Wayland, will officiate on 13 September.

Football. Last Saturday at the Burra Recreation Ground.

Burra 2.12 defeated Sevenhills 0.1

9 of the 20 Sevenhills players missed the train and Burra had to supply substitutes.

Burra Town Council, 7 September.

No objections having been lodged and other formalities carried out the Council closed Short St Aberdeen as advertised in the Government Gazette.

The Mayor thought a bridge over the Burra Creek near the Bon Accord Hotel was badly needed. It will be brought to the notice of the Road board.

The Finance Committee Report is printed.

Money was holding out, with £70 still available in each ward.

VII, 473, 8 September 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Observer’ noting that deserving as the Adelaide poor are, there are local poor in equally distressing circumstances.

VII, 474, 11 September 1885, Page 2

Editorial on Forms of Taxation.

Burra Co. RVF, Drill tonight in the Institute & inspection tomorrow by General Owen at 2.30 p.m.

Rev. J. S. Wayland preached a farewell sermon at All Saints, Moonta, last Sunday. On Monday about 60 members of the congregation assembled at the schoolroom in Ryan St to bid him goodbye. He left Moonta for Burra on Tuesday.

J. Roach’s lecture The Inspiration of the Bible was the centrepiece of a very successful entertainment in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday evening.

Water carting has begun. Unless heavy rain falls Kadina will need three water trains a day.

The Payment of Members Bill has failed to pass the Legislative Council.

VII, 474, 11 September 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter IV: allegedly by Lankfürt von Löwenhertz.

VII, 475, 15 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Co. RVF. Class firing 16 & 19 September.

Advt. Drs Brummitt and Sangster offer free vaccination Fridays 2-3 p.m. for several weeks.

Advt. Hallett Institute Picnic Sports and Entertainment 9 November.

Advt. Fancy Fair, Burra Institute, 23, 24 & 25 September, in aid of St Mary’s Building Fund.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary 20 September & tea meeting 21 September.

Rev. J.S. Wayland officiated for the first time at St Mary’s on Sunday. There is a summary of his first two sermons, which were well received.

Ulooloo has produced some further gold nuggets.

The Walhalla Circus took away c. £70 from Burra.

Inspection of Burra Co. RVF. It is only four months since the company was established, several earlier attempts having failed for want of someone willing to be captain. 60 men were enrolled and since then removals etc. have seen the resignation of 8. On Saturday 50 appeared on parade and the General said that of the 18 companies already inspected only two or three had turned out so well, and none better. When the General arrived with Major Jervois they were taken to the firing range where SAMA have allowed the company to shoot over their land. The General was satisfied and said targets would be sent soon to replace the canvas ones now in use. The company was put through some simple evolutions on the Recreation Ground. The General was well satisfied given their short time in existence. He was glad to hear a band would be formed in connection with the company. The capitation grant was earned by all efficients for the company to be spent in providing uniforms and other equipment expenses. Drill and accurate shooting were both important. The company under Lieutenant O’Connell marched to the railway station and acted as a guard of honour for the General on his departure. The band could be formed, but it is a question of expense - the uniforms alone costing £3-5-0 each.

VII, 475, 15 September 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Duty without partiality’ re the stray animals in the streets. It is bad enough during the week ‘And then on Sundays, the place is actually swarming, and the Inspector’s assistants almost falling over them. I think it is only fair that the cattle, & c., belonging to the “upper ten” should be seen whilst straying in the back streets as well as the poor man’s cow in the front street.’

VII, 476, 18 September 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Vermin Acts.

Court House Hotel. A colt belonging to a teamster fell into the well yesterday, but was extracted none the worse for it.

St Mary’s Church. Archdeacon Dove and the Bishop introduced Rev. J. Stuart Wayland on Tuesday morning in a service.

Redruth Court, 16 September.

There were nine cases of straying animals.

Thomas Lawler was fined 15/- for furious riding on the 10 September. He was also charged that on 8 September he cruelly ill treated a horse in that, leaving Burra as the train was crossing the railway bridge, he then raced it to Mount Bryan. Fined £1-10-0.

Another letter from ‘Duty without partiality’, which reiterates the points previously, raised, but claims a specific example of favouritism.

VII, 476, 18 September 1885, Page 2-3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter V.

VII, 477, 22 September 1885, Page 2

Burra Town Council, 19 September.

The Mayor reported that the Midland Road Board was not inclined to erect a bridge at the Bon Accord, but would build a ford. They would do this and lengthen the culvert near the station for c. £350.

A. Schutz applied for a cab licence, which was granted.

Cr Ridgway moved that the Government be required to make good the road past the railway yard. He said Government officials had changed their story several times on the issue. The Government had taken the original road on which the railway yard was now situated and the present fence was wrongly aligned. There was no Council when it was done or widths of roads and alignments would have been attended to. The Government should keep its own laws. The Government had opened a lane along the highway to give an approach to Mr Butterworth’s Mill. It was in a state of disrepair and should have been put in repair before the Council took over.

Cr West 2nd, though he could not endorse all that was said.

Cr Sampson thought that they were unlikely to be able to force the issue without a survey of the town to prove the bad alignment and as tenders for that had been £800-£1,000, it was not going to happen. The motion was passed.

Cr Tiver thought Cr Sampson was wasting money altering the approach to the bridge by Henderson’s [The Kingston St bridge] and work elsewhere was more urgent. He had not been consulted, although he was on the Public Works Committee.

Cr Coglin said nothing discourteous had been intended and Cr Sampson had been under the impression that it was the general view that the work was desirable.

An altercation then ensued between Crs Tiver and Sampson, which the Mayor had to halt.

Cr Sampson moved notice be given to Mr Mayger not to continue to occupy any portion of road or footway in Market Square.

Cr Tiver thought that auctioneers [Cr Sampson was an auctioneer] should be dealt with the same way.

It was resolved the Inspector would proceed against all persons obstructing streets or footways.

Rabbits around Orroroo have been scalped for the bounty and let loose again to breed. Five have recently been shot without ears.

VII, 477, 22 September 1885, Page 3

Midland Road Board.

Mr Killicoat brought the Board’s attention to breaches of the Width of Tires Act. The almost daily habit of despatching overweight wagons from Burra to Silverton was destroying the roads. Some weighed from 10-12 tons and left indentations in macadamised roads. The surveyor was instructed to see that the stationmen put a stop to the practice.

‘City of Big-Big’. Part VI, wherein the author turns to the social scene and where, one assumes, readers of the day could identify particular individuals from the way their businesses are described.

VII, 478, 25 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. John D. Custance, Principal of the Agricultural College, will give an address ‘How to make land pay’, at the Institute on 2 October. Free - no collection.

Advt. Mr G.J. Stewart will lecture on ‘The Second Coming of Christ’ at the old Baptist Church in Thames St, Kooringa, Friday evening.

The Salvation Army held a demonstration in Kooringa on Thursday, which was largely attended. Major Thurman and other officers visited.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary. Last Monday the tea meeting was well attended considering the rain. The treasurer, F.W. Holder, read the balance sheet, which showed the debt for the whole property stood at £925. The old parsonage was valued at £500 and was let on a rental that paid the interest on that sum. ‘Practically the debt on the church buildings was £425’. Messrs C. & T. Drew have offered to contribute £150 if the whole debt is paid off. A list has been started and has reached £370 exclusive of anniversary proceeds. In a few months then they would be able to rejoice in being practically free of debt.

St Mary’s Church. The fancy fair in connection with the church was opened on Wednesday by the incumbent, Rev. J.S. Wayland. The whole was very well arranged. The fair opened with a stock valued at £600-£800, some of which was specially imported from England and Japan by J. Lewis. On the opening day sales reached over £120. The second day was also busy and the fair continued today and this evening.

Show Society. (The Burra & North-East Agricultural, Horticultural & Floricultural Society) The Burra Show was held on Thursday 24 September 1885 at the Yards of the English and Australian Copper Company. There were fears it would fail due to the poor season and general depression of trade, but sheep were in force and pigs were creditable. Horses were not numerous and cattle even fewer than usual. Poultry was good, but down in both quality and quantity on last year. Dogs, especially kangaroo dogs, were well represented. Dairy produce was well represented, but flowers were few, though of high quality, as were the fruit and vegetables. Roach’s flour from the roller mills is unequalled for quality in the colonies. Sara & Dunstan’s bricks were also worth their prize as was A. Bartholomæus’ bone Dust. W. Henderson & Co. won the prize for a buggy.

The show was held in good weather.

[Personal interest: there were no Chinese names among the fruit and vegetable winners this year and no Fuss name in the flower section.]

VII, 478, 25 September 1885, Page 3

Migration. Last week 191 more left Port Adelaide than arrived.

Letter from ‘Duty without partiality’ again condemning the lack of action of the Council re the partiality of Inspector Dow.

Letter from ‘Justice’ in a similar vein.

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter VII.

VII, 479, 29 September 1885, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for the fencing of Mallett Reservoir and erecting pumps, troughs etc. at the reservoir near the township of Mallett.

Advt. Celebrations in connection with the IOR Jubilee Celebrations.

High Officers from England will be received by the Ministers of the town and Members of the IOR, Burra on Tuesday 6 October, and luncheon will be held at the Burra Institute with a grand public meeting in the evening with speeches and music.

St Mary’s Fancy Fair raised £350 over three days, with 700 paying admission on Thursday evening.

Rain in the last week has revived the season’s prospects by over 50%. Dams are now full.

Letter from ‘Decency’ implies that the hotels are trading on Sunday when they ought by law to be closed.

VII, 479, 29 September 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter VIII.

VII, 480, 2 October 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the Federation Enabling Bill and the setting up of the Federal Council.

Salvation Army. We hear that at the Salvation Army tea on Show Day it was found that someone had put a quantity of jalap in the tea water. Fortunately it was discovered in time.

[Jalap is a strong purgative drug.]

W.H. Hardy writes in favour of free trade.

VII, 480, 2 October 1885, Page 3

Redruth Court, 29 September

Walter Brooks was charged with stealing a coat valued at £1 from John Freeman at the Aberdeen Hotel on 28 September. He got 6 months hard labour.

William Curtis was fined 10/- for indecent language.

J. Kelly was fined £1 for indecent language.

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter IX.

VII, 481, 6 October 1885, Page 2

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. W. Cooke preached. The tea meeting is tonight.

Smallpox. A notice urges the immediate vaccination of all children not yet done, due to an outbreak of the disease in NSW and Victoria.

Salvation Army. Captain John Upton reports that jalap was not placed in their water supply, though such an act was proposed.

Letter from ‘Pedestrian’ complains of the state of footpaths on the south side of Market Square and in Thames St. He blames run-off from houses and urges Council to effect a remedy.

Professor Custance’s lecture on ‘Making the Land Pay’ attracted only about 60-70 people and deserved a much larger gathering. The printed report runs to 13⁄4 columns.

VII, 481, 6 October 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 5 October

The Hydraulic Engineer pleaded that owing to pressure of business in preparing annual returns the particulars of the cost of the waterworks could not be ready for a little time and that as soon as the land was arranged the new machinery would be placed.

The Mayor reported that the surveyor had ‘found [it] impossible to accurately define the yard boundaries’ at the railway station.

Cr Ridgway pointed out the contradictory nature of the letters received from the Government on this subject.

Cr Symons called attention to the damage done to footpaths by the water from the eaves of cottages overhanging them in Market Square, Kingston St and elsewhere.

The Mayor said it was an evil that could only be overcome by a by-law.

Cr West objected to certain placed being singled out [by which he meant places owned by SAMA] when the problem was general.

Cr Symons said he simply mentioned places with much traffic.

Cr Sampson said ‘everyone asked to fix guttering had done so except the SAMA and except [one?] other person’.

The Council had only asked for guttering where the footpaths had been formed.

Mr West, as agent for SAMA had long ago promised to do the work and proposed to call tenders, but had never done it.

The Mayor said there were dozens of houses in North Ward besides those of SAMA doing the damage.

Cr West said it would cost £200 and lead to higher rents. It was absurd to ask for it to please a fad of two people.

VII, 482, 9 October 1885, Page 2

Burra Co. RVF continues to have drills at the Institute and to have firing practice.

Burra Races. Program printed for the meeting on the public holiday on 9 November. The main event is the Town Plate over 2 miles with £10-10-0 in prizes.

Advt. Halloo! Halt!

who is our

Local Chimney Sweep?

why

W.H. Hardy

Thames St Kooringa.

Editorial on Professor Custance’s lecture.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Rev. W. Cooke officiated. It was very successful and financial results were good.

Polling Places. The abolition of the following as polling places has been recommended: -

World’s End - voters to use Black Springs or Redruth

Mt Bryan East - voters to use Hallett, six miles away

Franklyn - insufficient numbers - fewer than 10 voted in the Legislative Council elections.

Rechabite Jubilee. Celebrations are being held in England and Australia. Brothers Hodgson (High Treasurer) and Dimond (Past High Chief Ruler) were present as a deputation from England and were met at the railway station by friends and brought to the Institute with Mr D. Nock JP, who accompanied them. F.W. Holder chaired the luncheon and then offered the usual loyal toasts. Various people spoke in support of the cause, including Dr Sangster, who though not a total abstainer was a sympathizer. The meeting is reported at some length - c. 11⁄4 columns.

The steam circus draws well. [This appears to refer to a steam-powered merry-go-round.]

Burra Co. RVF has formed a band.

VII, 482, 9 October 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letters X & XI.

VII, 483, 13 October 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the consequences of protection - the rising cost of living.

2nd Leader on SA Government finances.

Football. The Burra Football Club will end the season with a social dinner at the Commercial Hotel tomorrow evening.

The Season. Rains again have lifted the crops and the improvement locally is very marked.

Burra Floricultural Society met on Friday 9 October and set 4 November as the date for the 1885 flower show.

SA Military Forces, including the RVF will have a field day at Glenelg on 1 November. Burra Co. will go by train, a short distance from which will be staged a sham fight and then a march past.

Burra Institute. The British and Foreign Bible Society asked to use the hall on 1 November. Permission was refused on the grounds that there was a policy of not letting the hall on Sundays for religious or other purposes except in the case of a disaster to any churches requiring its use.

Letter from ‘Pedestrian’ on the matter of roof guttering in Burra - expressing his disgust at both Cr West and the Mayor and suggesting that voters give consideration to electing councillors who will consider the welfare of the town in general.

VII, 484, 16 October 1885, Page 2

Advt. The Steam Circus will provide a Grand children’s Afternoon, Tomorrow, 17 October, 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at 1d a ride with proceeds going to the Burra Hospital.

Editorial on the SA Ministry as reconstructed.

The Steam Circus. Messrs Seal & Baxter, proprietors of the Steam Circus and Park Swings, so well patronised this last week, have left at this office £1 for the Burra Hospital and announce a benefit for the Burra Hospital for tomorrow afternoon.

We hear they have taken not less than £150. The steam organ can be heard all over Kooringa. [The sum was corrected in the next issue to £111.]

1,000 children visited the swings and merry-go-round on Wednesday afternoon.

Marriage. The Cornish Telegraph of 10 September reports the marriage of: -

Mr T.B. James, youngest son of John James, merchant of Helston and Sarah Jane Bath, only daughter of Thomas Bath of Kooringa SA. [There is 1⁄4 column of detail.]

Football. 29 out of 50 members attended the football dinner.

The Burra Football Club had a very successful dinner to round off the successful season. The usual speeches etc. are reported. The season saw 5 matches played, of which 2 were won, 2 were drawn in their favour* and 1 was lost.

[*At this stage points were not being counted so the drawn games in their favour means the two teams had the same number of goals, but Burra had scored more behinds.]

Telegraph. A telegraph line to Silverton along the railway from Petersburg is expected to be in use by 1 June 1886. [It would seem that there was a circuitous line via Menindee in existence.]

VII, 484, 16 October 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter XII.

VII, 485, 20 October 1885, Page 2

Editorial on Bills affecting the Powers of Corporations.

The Steam Circus paid the nett proceeds of the Saturday afternoon to the Burra Hospital - £3-2-0.

The Mayor is visiting Silverton.

Burra Town Council retiring members: -

Mayor John Dunstan Jun.

North Ward Cr Tiver

East Ward Cr Sampson

West Ward Cr West

Auditor Mr Davey

Fire destroyed the haystack of Mr Jeffrey Pearce near Kooringa last Thursday, but the cause has not been discovered.

Trooper Haedge was being assaulted by a man named J. Holder in Market Square on Monday afternoon and was being thrashed when rescued by a man called Nelson and F-C Murphy.

Burra Town Council, 19 October

Cr Ridgway in the chair.

The quarter’s Waterworks operations will leave the Council £2 in debit, but it was the slackest quarter.

The Town Clerk said the costs of new connections were being charged to the income instead of the capital account.

A rather undignified squabble between Crs Sampson and Symons on one side and Crs West and Coglin on the other is reported.

Miss Higgins, of Burra Model School has passed as a pupil teacher.

VII, 485, 20 October 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letters XIII & XIV.

VII, 486, 23 October 1885, Page 2

Cricket. Tomorrow Aberdeen 1st 11 versus 15 Allcomers at the ground by Drew’s Store.

Editorial on SA Government financial position.

Burra Co. RVF. Lieut. De Burgh, RVF instructor, is to give the Burra Co. a special drill this evening.

SAMA Half Yearly Report.

The 63rd dividend of £3080 was paid on 8 July last. Expenses for the period were £589-13-4 and income £1,206-1-9. The account had a credit balance of £69,160-15-5. About 21⁄4 acres of land has been sold in Kooringa. No country land has been sold. Some Kooringa leases were renewed. Land held by SAMA is valued at £128,638-14-8.

Redruth Court, 17 October.

Ah Hing v. George Craddock for assault.

Ah Hing said that on entering a hotel in Kooringa the defendant abused and later assaulted him. Craddock fined £2.

20 October

Holman no light on vehicle 5/- + 5/-

Morris Rayner stray cattle 5/-

Thomas Woolacott stray cattle 5/-

Andrew Sharp stray cattle 5/-

Andrew Sharp another offence 10/-

George Mayger stray horses 10/-

(All plus costs)

Kooringa Court, 20 October

James Holder indecent language in Market Square 14/- or 14 days

James Holder assaulting M-C Haedge and damaging

His clothing & a cell bucket £10-11-0 or 2 months

(Unable to pay)

VII, 486, 23 October 1885, Page 3

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ objecting to the Council going into debt again after pledging they would not and especially against Crs West & Coglin & Tiver.

Letter from ‘Lady’ who considers ‘The City of Big-Big’ an extraordinary nonsense.

Letter from another ‘Ratepayer’ who says it is ridiculous to have paid stationmen 7/- a day when there are plenty who can’t get work at 5/- and when the rate recently was 6/6 for other hands and 7/6 daymen.

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter XV

VII, 487, 27 October 1885, Page 2

Advt. Liston, Shakes & Co.

LAND! LAND! LAND!

On Instructions from G.H. Gatchlove [sic] & Co.

For sale Block 256 Known as the “Pig and Whistle” property

Together with all building and material on the premises

Title - Conveyance from S.A.M.A.

[Should be Catchlove - owners of the Unicorn Brewery.]

Advt. 3 Nights at the Burra Institute begins 29 October

3 Distinct Entertainments - Webb’s Royal Marionettes - The Only Marionette Co. in the World

See the female Blondin - The Christy Minstrels - Beauty and the Beast Pantomime

with the Grand Dazzling Transformation Scene with lightning limelight effects.

Webb’s Marionettes were revisiting after an absence of seven years which had seen visits to America, India, China, Java, Russia & Germany.

The Mayor is back from the Barrier Ranges.

Burra Waterworks. The Railways Department has applied to connect with the Burra water mains with a view to becoming a large consumer. This should see the price to private consumers fall to 4/- per 1,000 gallons.

H. Wilkinson, late of Burra has been accepted as a candidate for the Wesleyan ministry.

VII, 487, 27 October 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 26 October.

Special meeting of the Waterworks Committee

The Commissioner of Public Works writes seeking the terms on which the Railways Department can have water from the Burra Waterworks. He understood water was required for all the line from Riverton to Orroroo. Under the old system the Railways Department charged the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department 3/- per 1,000 gallons and they had charged the public 6/- per 1,000 gallons. [Presumably the ‘they’ in this sentence refers to the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department.]

Cr West believed that in the past the Government had paid, for the rent of the well, wages and fuel, c. £310 p.a. and consumption should not be less in the future.

Another reason for connection was on account of fire.

On Sunday morning a fire had destroyed about six feet of the platform and had it not been discovered the station might have burnt and no water was available.

Cr Ridgway suggested a price of 1/6 per 1,000 gallons.

The works were in a ragged state and at present they could not undertake any definite supply. Things would be thrown out of gear in a couple of months by the installation of the new engine.

Cr Sampson thought 2/- would be better as you could always reduce the price, but not raise it.

Cr Ridgway thought his motion would allow sales to the public at 3/- per 1,000 gallons.

Cr Coglin would 2nd the motion at 2/- and Cr Ridgway agreed to this. Carried.

The Council has received details of the capital cost of the Waterworks and a statement that the land they want is available at £50 if they want it to go on the Capital Account - Council agreed to accept the land.

‘City of Big-Big’. Letters XVI & XVII.

VII, 488, 30 October 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 7 November 1885, Grand Concert by Members of

Saint Peter’s Cathedral Choir, in aid of St Mary’s Building Fund.

Program

Piano duet Norwegian Dances Greig

Song O Maiden Mine Blumenthal

Glee Jack and Jill Caldicott

Reading The Bashful Man Mackenzie

Glee ‘Orpheus’

Comic Song Sold Again

Sextet from ‘Patience’ Sullivan

Interval

Glees Venetian Boatman’s Song Bach

In this Hour of Softened Splendour Pinsutt

Song My Dearest Heart Sullivan

Trio The Hawthorn in the Glade (May Queen) Sterndale Bennett

Reading Butterwick’s Horse

Glee ‘Orpheus’

Serio-Comic Song The Good Young Man Who Died

Trio A Little Farm

Sea Song The Powder Monkey M. Watson

Glee Cradle Song Oliver King

Tickets 2/- & 1/-, Reserved chair 3/-, Ticket to Both Nights 5/-

Program for 9 November. Grand Christy Minstrel Entertainment

Overture ‘John Peel’

Comic Song Johnny Morgan

Song Come where my love lies dreaming

Comic Song Blow the candle out

Song Kiss me, Mother, ere I Die

Comic Song The Nigger what never knew nuffin at all

Song Dinah Doe

Comic Song Razors in the air

Brown’s Horse and the Ghost Scene

Intermission

Comic Song All Fours

Ballet

Song The Breach of Promise Case

The Grand Ventriloquial Scene

Intermission

The Farce The Troubles of a Stage Manager

Advt. Hallett Institute Anniversary Picnic Sports and Entertainment on the Public Holiday.

Cricket match in the morning: Hallett v. Terowie at 8.30 a.m.

Grand Entertainment in the evening.

Advt. Burra Floricultural Society, Burra Institute, 4 November

5th Annual Flower Show

Ornamental and Fancy goods left over from the recent Fancy Fair will be offered in the Corporation room.

Advt. Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 1 & 2 November.

Advt. Annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society

Institute, Monday evening 2 November. Rev. B. Wilfred Robinson, late Vicar of Tullow will address the meeting and dissolving views of the society’s work will be shown.

Editorial on the Colony’s Finances.

Obituary. Richard Finch Sen. aged 75 was killed when a train struck his horse and spring cart at the crossing near his home, Tuesday evening, 27 October.

Obituary. Mrs Prior of Redruth, aged 81. [nee Ann Pedler: died 27 October.]

Burra Co. RVF. It is expected helmets will arrive in time for the exercise. Those going to Adelaide on 9 Nov. are to give their names to the Captain by tomorrow so water bottles and haversacks can be issued.

Letter from ‘Lady’ complaining that work in Bridge St has resulted in dangerous ledges on either side of the street, one of which she fell over the other night.

Burra Waterworks Costs

Old Works

Mains 298

Labour etc. 355 653

Services Materials 102

Labour etc. 36 138

WI Troughs 41

Check Meter 54

Survey & Water Testing 61

Sundries 13 960

New Works to 31 December 1884

Pipe-laying Materials 1944

Labour etc. 1217 3161

Tanks 380

Pumping Water 18

Straightening &

Lining Shaft, Materials etc. 170

Sundry Labour etc. 28

3757

1 January 1885 to 30 June 1885

Pipe-laying Materials 487

Labour etc. 468 955

Pumping 22

4734

£5694

Service Fittings Account

To 30 June 1885 £1182

VII, 488, 30 October 1885, Page 3

Midland Road Board visit to Burra

Main concern was the Bon Accord Bridge request. Great traffic uses the road here due to Silverton and the wool cartage from the N-E Plains, but the extension of the railway to Silverton will change this and so for now an upgrading of the ford is decided on, with the bridge to be reconsidered later.

Agreements on several other culverts were reached.

VII, 489, 3 November 1885, Page 2

Editorial on the report of the Destitute Commission, which among other matters points to the failure of the state to raise children in its care or ‘reform’ those committed for such need. It was also concerned with the fact that ‘It is not that there is less of wealth, for there is more, but its distribution is fast becoming more and more unequal.’

It then considered ‘compulsory providence’ i.e. a form of pension or superannuation, funded by personal contribution.

Mr Packard has agreed to stand for Mayor for 1886.

Fire. A stack of straw belonging to Dr Sangster has burnt. Was it children playing with matches?

VII, 489, 3 November 1885, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 2 November.

The Council received a petition from the Municipal Association concerned about the removal of Government subsidies to Councils and opposing their abolition.

Cr Ridgway moved it be signed and Cr West 2nd.

He felt that if subsidies went then the Council needed to retain locally raised fees (Licences etc.) Some Councillors dissented on the grounds that subsidies favoured the city over country areas.

Cr Sampson thought they should not have to pay for police and yet not get to keep hotel licence fees, since without hotels there would be no need for police.

The petition was signed on the casting vote of the Mayor.

The matter of the half-yearly Waterworks account was raised. It was for £138-0-5.

It had been stipulated to the late Council that no interest was payable till the works were complete. Cr Ridgway maintained they were not complete and would not be for 6-9 months - though any small contractor would have done the work in three.

Cr Symons said that was all nonsense - under that argument the works would never be completed while additions were being made. He moved the account be referred to the Waterworks Committee and this was carried.

The new assessment was adopted.

The Court of Appeal will sit on Friday 27 November.

Mr Morris, of McLaren, White & co. has offered verbally to sell to the council the Aberdeen Reserve. A written communication is awaited.

Cr Sampson asked when the making of the ford between East and North Wards was ordered. [This seems to refer, given later discussion, to the ford in St Just St]

The Mayor could not say: he recalled the order, but would have to have the minute looked for.

Inquest into the death of Richard Finch. Held at the Bon Accord Hotel on Wednesday.

Ephraim George, driver of the train said as it approached the 2nd crossing from Burra he blew the whistle 600 yards before and nearer the crossing saw the man and spring cart and whistled again. The man took no notice. The vacuum brake was applied and the train stopped 40-50 yards after the crossing.

George Lewis, fireman, found the deceased on the frame of the engine; he was carried to the brake-van and returned to Burra.

Dr Brummitt attended at the Ladies’ Waiting Room at the station and saw that the injuries gave no hope of survival. Deceased died about 5.45 p.m.

The fireman and guard confirmed the driver’s evidence.

Francis Harris was coming along the road from the Cross Roads Hotel. Saw the train leave the station and the cart approach the line and heard the two whistles. Was about 40 yards away at the time of the collision. [Arrived at the scene] horse then nearly dead and cart smashed. Saw deceased carried to the van and then drove into Burra and got the doctor. Deceased drove steadily and made no attempt to stop. The train was visible for 500-600 yards - indeed almost from the station. Verdict was accidental death.

VII, 490, 6 November 1885, Page 2

Advt. Entertainment at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa, 12 November, in aid of the Methodist Reading Room Funds.

Editorial on the coming ratepayers’ meeting.

The town has been greatly improved in the last few years and the present Council has added to those improvements. When it came to office much of the expensive work had been done and the Council was in good running order. It was the right time to impose a parkland rate and get the most difficult account, that of the Recreation Ground, into order. The ratepayers wisely agreed to borrow money to eliminate the overdraft. Any further running into debt was then needless and inexcusable. The new ward divisions made the equitable distribution of work easier. It has thus been able to do its work without creating any debt that is not covered by claimable Government subsidy. The main problem with this Council has been its tendency to compare itself with its predecessors and conclude ‘nothing that was ever done before was right, never were things done so wisely as now.’

They often made themselves look small.

The constant over-riding of a minority by a relentless majority has often provoked obstruction and lack of harmony. This disposition to bluster and fuss has done mischief in the Waterworks question and has harmed relationships between the Government and the Council.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary celebrations were successfully concluded last week.

St Mary’s. The sale of left over fancy goods at the Institute on 4 November raised c. £50.

Incident at Dawson. On Wednesday P.J. Carmody and another man were working on the gable of the Roman Catholic Church at Dawson, about 40’ up, when a thunderstorm dropped two bolts of lightning nearby. Carmody thought they had better descend and they had barely done so when lightning destroyed about 4’ of the gable where they had been.

Burra Co. RVF. The helmets not having arrived, the company will go down to Adelaide on 9 November by special train and will take part in a sham fight in forage caps if the day is not hot and sunny. If it is they will be dismissed at journey’s end. Special departs Burra 5.10 a.m. and reaches Adelaide at 8.50 a.m. They will depart North Terrace at 10 a.m. for Glenelg. The return train will leave Adelaide at 7.50 p.m. and arrive at Burra at 11.50 p.m.

Redruth Court, 2 November.

Richard McMahon was charged that on 31 October he stole a silver locket and chain from Mary Salmon, a domestic servant at the Bon Accord Hotel. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6 months. He was also charged with stealing a watch from Levina Davis another servant at the same hotel and, pleading guilty again, was given another 6 months.

British & Foreign Bible Society. The annual meeting was better attended than usual. Philip Lane was elected president for the coming year.

Burra Flower Show, last Wednesday in the Institute.

Despite a reputation a few years ago as a place where nothing would grow, Burra now produces flowers the equal of anywhere - especially those grown under shelter. Mr T. Drew’s efforts in this class were particularly notable. T.W. Pearce’s and Dr Brummitt’s being also very good. Increased competition is however, desirable. In cut flowers: ‘One notable exhibitor, Mr Fuss, stood out altogether, and the rest had to be content with fewer and less meritorious exhibits than their fastidious taste would have approved . . .’ Captain Killicoat carried all before him in the roses and Mr Cave in the annuals. Other winners of note were Messrs C. Oppermann, Holder, Wilkinson and Lasscock. Bouquets were a disappointment. Attendance this year was rather small in the evening.

[* The observation about Mr [H.C.W.] Fuss seems very strange, as his name does not appear once in the prize list.]

VII, 491, 10 November 1885, Page 2

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, 15 & 18 November, 2.30 p.m. Service of Song: The River Singers.

Burra Races passed off very well yesterday. [In Austin’s paddock] The Town Plate was won by J.W. Foy’s Sceptre from Kapunda. The jockey, Moyle, had a nasty fall in the hurdles.

Cricket. 9 November at Saddleworth.

Aberdeen 187 defeated Saddleworth 124* and 102 for 6 wickets.

A win for Aberdeen on the first innings. The matting pitch was good, but the ground was bad.

[*This figure does not agree with the detailed report in the paper of 13 November.]

St Mary’s. The full choral service last Sunday by the St Peter’s Cathedral Choir was much appreciated.

Burra Co. RVF. A carefully organised sham fight took place near Marino last Monday when all branches of the SA Military Force took part, including the Protector. 47 members of Burra Co. RVF attended. Private Mayger fell on a steep hill and broke a rib. The manoeuvres went well.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir. The grand concert on Saturday evening was not largely attended, though the front seats were fairly filled. The habit of shopping and perambulating the streets on Saturday makes it the worst day in the week for a concert. In the hall the want of a proscenium is badly felt. The second concert on Monday evening of Christy Minstrels saw the hall closely crowded and the performance was much admired.

Ratepayers’ Meeting. About 60 assembled on Friday evening last to hear the views of candidates. The Mayor took the chair and invited candidates for Mayor to speak. No one came forward. When candidates for councillors were called Messrs Sampson and Anderson responded.

Cr Sampson, candidate for East Ward and retiring East Ward Councillor, regretted the absence of mayoral candidates. As they were about to lose Government subsidy they would have to enunciate a plan for more economy. He had a plan last year to save £200 (Crs West & Ridgway objected.) He would, if returned, go in for retrenchment. They had officers who got £230 p.a. for 36 hours a month. One man could do the work of Town Clerk, Inspector of Weights & Measures & of Nuisance. (A voice - ‘Scavenger too.’) No Decidedly not - combined with the Health inspector for £150. The Town Clerk did his duties properly, but they did not get value for money. Cr Sampson said last year Crs Ridgway & West took money from the Cemetery Fund, £10, when it was already in debt, and did not get more work done for it.

Cr Ridgway objected and said it was not true.

Cr Sampson said it was - the sexton did what he always had and yet £10 was added to the Inspector’s salary. That £10 could be saved. The work could be done for £130 instead of £230.

Cr Ridgway was shocked at Cr Sampson and did not know if he were not open to serious action for charging him with taking Corporation money. It was a disgrace that such a charge be made at that meeting.

The Mayor explained that there was no charge of fraud.

Mr Geake said the meeting fully understood what Cr Sampson had said and Cr Ridgway was making needless difficulty.

W. Anderson, a candidate for West Ward, would also be for economy.

Mr Lane asked how they would handle the Waterworks accounts.

Mr Sampson they could be done by the Town Clerk and he be paid pro rata.

The Inspector’s work could be done in 3 days a week and they would get 50 offers to do so at £3 for what now cost £5.

Cr West wondered whether nuisances only occurred on 3 days a week.

The mayor did not give a report, as the requisition did not refer to the past. He would do so at the annual meeting.

Mr Holder said there was no such thing as the annual meeting under the Act.

The Mayor said he supposed he would shortly call a meeting.

Mr Kitchen wondered if any Council worked on the lines proposed by Cr Sampson.

Cr Sampson thought about four, but couldn’t name them.

Cr West said that Cr Sampson was either under a great error or was wilfully false. They had great difficulty last year, and had always found that Cr Sampson would try to get his own way by foul means if he could not by fair.

Mr Holder moved a vote of thanks to candidates and to the Mayor for presiding.

‘He was not altogether sorry that ratepayers had had such an opportunity of seeing the kind of wrangling that had taken place at nearly every meeting of the Council during the past year.’

Obituary. J.G. Wood, late of Bon Accord.

Silverton Railway. The earthworks are complete for 50-60 miles from Petersburg. There is a delay in the arrival of rails. It is expected that rails will reach to this side of Paratoo by Christmas, leaving about 100 miles to Silverton to be covered by wagons. The line that far will be opened once the rails are laid.

VII, 491, 10 November 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big.’ Letter XVIII.

VII, 492, 13 November 1885, Page 2

Editorial on SA Government Expenditure.

Burra Co. RVF. Parade for Company drill 3.30 p.m. tomorrow. Assemble at Institute, march to range for drill. Return march at 5 p.m. led by the band for the first time.

The Season. The crops from Terowie & Spalding north to Dawson and Orroroo have largely failed and farmers can expect to get back little more than their flour and seed.

Burra Races went very well last Monday, although the townspeople did not attend in very large numbers the country folk were numerous. Mr Barnett of the Commercial Hotel did a grand trade in his booth. Cheap Jack and Lottery men started, but were stopped. The rider of H. Northridge’s Norman (Moyle) was thrown at the third hurdle and though severely bruised escaped without broken bones.

[Note the term Hurry Skurry is not used in Burra as defined in the Dictionary of Australian Words, as the winner and second in it were both winners in previous events. It would appear that here the race for horses not winning in other events was called the Consolation Race and was last on this card.]

St Blazey? Someone asks where in the Hundred of Kooringa is the Township of St Blazes?

[This is presumably a mistake for St Blazey, the subdivision of section 73 to the immediate south west of Westbury which itself adjoins Copperhouse on the south. St Blazey never seems to have had buildings and Westbury had a Wesleyan Church and at least one house.]

RVF. There is a proposal to amalgamate the VMF and the RVF, doing away with the pay for the former and granting each man a uniform and £2 p.a. capitation grant.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ who attended ‘the farce of a meeting held . . . on Friday last.’ There was no report on the stewardship of the retiring councillors and no outline of the works they would like to see in the future. The only candidate for Mayor was above appearing. Unless there is a good reason for that I would like to see another candidate come forward with a policy for next year. As the Mayor says he will call another meeting I trust that then we will hear a report on 1885 and some proper policy statements for 1886. ‘As I learn, the Town Clerk not only gets his £120 or £130 from the rates for doing very little work, but that he also gets a certain amount from the Waterworks department for work which in all conscience the officer of that department could do himself, and if the amount of salary must be paid out of the waterworks funds, why not let the one who does the work have the pay?’

VII, 492, 13 November 1885, Page 3

Football. The Aberdeen v. Saddleworth match is reported in more detail than in the paper of 10 November.

[In 10 Nov. paper Burra 187 defeated Saddleworth 124 & 102 for 6 wickets.]

Here Saddleworth is first credited with 126 in the first innings and in the score sheet details with 115, although the scores listed there actually add up to 126.

Hallett Sports on 9 November were very well patronised and successful.

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter XIX.

VII, 493, 17 November 1885, Page 2

Editorial on River Murray Irrigation.

Obituary. Mrs Eleanor Opie died on Saturday last. She was a long time resident of Burra and mother of Mr E.F. Opie of Hallett. [nee Painter/Paynter] [Died 13 November, aged 59.]

Burra Hospital. The shearers and station employees of Oulnina send £13 and those of Outalpa send £10 to the Burra Hospital.

Obituary. Charles Foster, an old shepherd employed by W. Dare at Piltimitiappa, was paid off last Friday and said he was going to Burra. On Saturday a station hand found him on the track lying comfortably with his hat over his face, and on coming up to him found he was dead. J. Dunstan JP made enquiries, but seems to have learnt little more. [Not found in registrations.]

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary services on Sunday were crowded, especially the Service of Song, The River Singers.

Accident. Mr & Mrs Bagg and a child were driving home towards Baldina on the Baldina road last Saturday. A horseman galloping past from behind caused their horse to shy and the cart was upset. Mr Baggs was cut about the face and broke his left arm. The other two were bruised and shaken and the cart and harness were much damaged.

Advt. Burra Co. RVF. Class Firing Wednesday afternoon.

Burra Town Council, 16 November.

Messrs Wells, Pinch, Linkson & Bentley presented a memorial asking the Council not to proceed with the ford over the creek and saying the dayman should be removed from near Mr Ridgway’s to Redruth Hill where Mr Wells said it was dangerous to move about at night.

Cr Ridgway said that Mr Wells had been very rude to him that morning and he thought it hard to be insulted when he laboured for the good of the town. The works around his premises had cost very little.

Grants-in-Aid will be paid next week.

The closure of Short St order has been duly completed and returned to Council.

The Mayor read his report, which we publish, next issue.

Cr West moved its adoption and said that despite some warm debates on occasion much positive work had been achieved. Cr Ridgway 2nd the motion.

Cr Tiver supported it and so did Cr Coglin.

Cr Sampson also did, though there were parts of the report he could not fully accept.

Cr Symons also endorsed it.

Cr West then read an address to the Mayor thanking him for his year’s work.

Cr Sampson reverted to the North Ward Memorial. At the last meeting the Mayor had told him the work had been ordered, but it did not appear in the minutes. He questioned the right of the Council to do any work in the bed of the creek and certainly those who questioned the work had a right to do so, for in the event of a flood they would suffer. Several jobs done in Aberdeen were not ordered by Council. He did not think any Councillor should order such work and it should be discontinued.

Cr Tiver said Cr Sampson reminded him of a storm in a teacup, and a dog in a manger. He thought the work had been properly ordered. The work in question* should be done.

[* The minute authorising the work was belatedly found. See VII, 495, 24 Nov. 1885, page 2, where it says the work was on the ford to the south ‘end of the new plantation’, which would indicate the ford in St Just St.]

VII, 493, 17 November 1885, Page 2-3

Cr Ridgway said he might have committed an error, but he thought the work was authorised. The improvement in Ellen Tce [sic] [Should be Helen] had been done at the instigation of the Road Board stationman. The work done in the creek bed did not stop the waterway, but gave an enlarged waterway and cost nearly nothing as it came from a cutting opposite. He did not care about the ratepayers’ remarks, but did expect support from Council.

Cr Sampson moved the ford be no further made. Cr Symons 2nd.

Cr West moved the matter should stand over till the new Council was elected.

Cr Coglin 2nd and Cr Sampson withdrew his motion. Cr West’s motion was then carried.

Cr Ridgway said the total cost was £5 or £2-10-0 more.

[*The work is not clearly identified, but given Cr Ridgway’s involvement and his comment that: ‘The works around his premises had cost very little.’ It seems likely that the ford in dispute was the one across the Burra Creek in St Just Street. This was confirmed when the missing minute was eventually found see: VII, 495, 24 Nov. 1885, page 3 & VII, 496, 27 Nov. 1885 page2.]

VII, 493, 17 November 1885, Page 3

North Ward Ratepayers’ Meeting. Held in the German Schoolroom, Redruth, Monday.

The Mayor took the chair.

Mr W. Pearce alone came forward. There seem to have been no questions directed to him.

Mr Brown thought retiring members should speak.

Cr Tiver thought the meeting was to hear from candidates.

Cr Ridgway wished to say a few words. A good deal of discontent had existed in Council and outside as to his position. He asked whether the money had been well spent in the last year. Discontent came from places where it was spent, but they could not spend £1 in two places. Some of the work was against his will. They had wanted to make some streets on Redruth Hill, but Council insisted on Railway Terrace. If the ratepayers wished it, he wanted to resign. He was not ready to fight for right against wrong simply as he had been. He did not want to create discord in Council or among his neighbours. He valued his rest and quiet. ‘In the morning he had been sat [sic - perhaps set?] on and insulted by a person now in the room in a savage manner.’ He had also been set upon in Council.

Mr Fuss asked why the Council opposed the work on the hill - he could not see the utility of doing it at all.

Mr Ridgway said the Council forced the work elsewhere which used the men and money.

Mr Wells asked if the Council also forced the work by Mr Ridgway’s. The money spent there would have made a footway up the hill where there was traffic.

Crs Ridgway, West, Tiver and the Mayor thought the Council did order it. Cr Sampson said it was not in the minutes.

Mr Pinch wanted to know whether the piping, standpipes and gates round the reserve had been paid for by Mr Ridgway.

The Mayor said they had been ordered and paid for by Council.

Mr Wells wondered if other people would be treated the same way and be provided with drying grounds.

The Mayor deprecated the trend of the discussion.

If they were dissatisfied they should accept Cr Ridgway’s suggestion and nominate someone else.

Cr Tiver proposed Mr Wells.

Mr Wells wanted time to consider - he said he was over age.

Mr Lane thought only Council could accept the resignation.

The Mayor agreed.

Cr Ridgway said he wanted them not to torment him another year and desired they ask him either to resign or to continue in office.

Cr Tiver thought it unkind of Mr Wells to raise matters without notice.

[In view of Cr Ridgway’s claim below that he had his resignation already written out, these questions may not have been so completely without notice as Cr Tiver suggests.]

The Finance Committee had done sterling work and the finances were never in a healthier state. In the year the North Ward had made 107 chains of new road and 183 chains of footways, had maintained 23 chains of road and 32 chains of footways, and spent not less than £300 in various parts of the town. Had Mr Wells waited on Council they would have done what he wanted.

(Mr Wells protested that he had spoken repeatedly to both Councillors.)

Mr Fuss would like to know where the work had been done: it was all-lopsided.

The Mayor said it was about equal in Redruth and Aberdeen.

Mr Fuss said he had assured himself there was much discontent and those who complained had acted honourably in saying so.

Mr Motley moved a vote of thanks in the two North Ward Councillors. Mr Rabbich 2nd.

Mr Pinch moved censure of the two Councillors as an amendment. Mr Linkson 2nd.

The amendment was carried 15 to 6 with many abstentions.

Cr Ridgway said he had his resignation written out and would be relieved to live in peace and quiet.

Cr Tiver thanked them [ironically] for two year’s wages.

VII, 494, 20 November 1885, Page 2

St Mary’s Sunday-school Festival on 22 November and picnic on 25 November.

Editorial condemning the vote of censure passed on the two Councillors who, whatever their faults, have spent a great deal of time and trouble in carrying out their duties and who we believe have honestly acted according to their convictions. There is criticism that too much work has been done in one area - the area where the two Councillors come from and yet we all see the problems most constantly before us as largest, so it is not surprising if Councillors do so too. Also no effort has been made to get men from elsewhere to stand.

2nd Leader on the Land and Income Taxes.

Cr Ridgway. We understand a memorial is being largely signed in North Ward urging Cr Ridgway to continue for the rest of his term and expressing confidence in him.

D.S. Packard recently drove from Morgan to Burra, a distance of sixty-five miles in a time, exclusive of stoppages, of 6 hours 10 minutes. He strove to hold back the horse and never used the whip - such a record without any attempt at pressure is rare.

Burra School Board of Advice. The Headmaster reported that four pupils had gone up for examination at the recent term. Miss Williams & Master Cater (4th year) had passed in 1st Class. Master Nevin (3rd Year) & Wade (2nd year) had passed in 2nd class.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary tea and public meeting was held on Wednesday and though it was a fine day few partook of the tea. The afternoon saw an abundance of good things for the children to eat and sports and other amusements. The report showed 23 teachers and 168 scholars.

Court, 18 November

John Sampson Jun. 2 stray horses at different times 10/- each occasion

R.Z. Jones 1 stray cow (twice) 5/- each occasion

Thomas Parks 2 stray horses 10/-

John Snell 2 stray horses 10/-

Joseph Pearce 1 stray goat 5/-

Thomas Kitchen 2 stray goats 10/-

Patrick Kenny 2 stray goats 10/-

Letter from ‘North Ward Ratepayer’ re the vote of censure. This vote is regrettable. It arises out of Cr Ridgway allegedly spending money without authority, but the Mayor and Crs West and Tiver believe that council did order the work on the reserve and the ford. The lack of any minute may mean the Town Clerk forgot to record it. The Reserve is condemned because it might increase adjacent land values. If this measure of selfishness works through the ratepayers we can say goodbye to all public squares, parks and gardens. The Councillor has to spend £5 a year for 5 years on the Reserve. The Councillor is censured for not building footpaths to the door of some of the 16 ratepayers. Have they, and those who did not vote, forgotten the other work done in North Ward. Compare North Ward with the other wards: -

North 107 chains of road made 183 chains of footpath made + maintenance of 23 ch & 32 ch respectively

East 291⁄2 23 4

West 44 90

And what of Cr Ridgway’s work on the Waterworks Committee and his discovery of how badly the town was treated there? I hope the Ward’s ratepayers will do the honourable thing and remove this stain and thank their Councillors for the work done, especially Cr Ridgway.

The Depression. Never was work so badly needed and yet Government policy is to stop all public work possible.

VII, 494, 20 November 1885, Page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting at the Institute on Thursday with Cr Ridgway in the chair. The Mayor delivered his report.

At the start of the year the debt was £440-11-11 and a coupon for £25 falling on 1 February brought this to £465-11-11. And a bond and coupon for £132-10-0 were due on 1 April.

To pay all this without virtually stopping all work was the puzzle. Much of the debt was due to the Recreational Ground from which no real return could be expected in the short term. A scheme had to be devised whereby this piece of property could repay its debt to the general fund and in the longer term gradually extinguish its debt.

It was pointed out that a Parkland rate could be struck and if the council were to borrow £500 then a Parkland rate at 2d in the £ would pay it off in a few years.

The Town Clerk could show that though the whole debt to the Recreation Ground on 1 April 1885 was £781, the rate could redeem it by 1 April 1893 and it was also thought that with strict economy the Health Rate could be reduced from 3d in the £ to 2d in the £ making the overall increase in rates only 1d in the £. The ratepayers duly approved the £500 loan.

£384 of the loan went to the general account and the rest was absorbed by the debt due by the Recreation Ground to the Bank.

Strict economy was then practised. There were suggestions to amalgamate jobs, but it was decided it was impractical to combine the Town Clerk’s job and the Inspector’s jobs. Nevertheless duties and salaries were arranged so that nearly all the rates could be spent on Public Works.

Income for the year to 14 November has been £1,453-7-11 and we ought to expect another £20 by year’s end.

Subsidy has been claimed on £672 from which the police moiety has to be deducted. This was eventually reduced from £150 to £120 after much correspondence and with the aid of the District Members. This will bring the claimable amount to £552.

On the amount spent up to June we should get the full subsidy and on that spent since, 75%, making about £500 additional. There has been a delay in paying the subsidy on the Government side, which is not due to any Council fault.

Summary of the Bonded Debts of the Corporation.

Burra Recreation Ground Bonds issued 1 April 1882

£100 falling due 1 April 1886

£100 falling due 1 April 1887: both to Joseph Richardson at 6% p.a.

ditto issued 1 April 1885

£100 falling due 1 April 1889

£100 falling due 1 April 1890

£100 falling due 1 April 1891

£100 falling due 1 April 1892

£100 falling due 1 April 1893: purchased at par at 6% p.a.

Public Works Loan issued 1 April 1882 to Joseph Richardson

No. 7 for £200 falling due 1 April 1888

No. 8 for £200 falling due 1 April 1890

No. 9 for £200 falling due 1 April 1891

No. 10 for £200 falling due 1 April 1892

Issued 1 July 1882 at 6% p.a.

No. 11 for £200 falling due 1 July 1895 [sic, but presume 1893]

No. 12 for £200 falling due 1 July 1894

No. 13 for £200 falling due 1 July 1895

Loan for Survey, Transferred to Public Works, Issued 1 July 1882

No. 14 for £200 falling due 1 July 1896

No. 15 for £200 falling due 1 July 1897

Total of Bonded Debts £2,500.

The public works this year have been work on about 200 chains of roads and 300 chains of footpaths. The relationship with the Midland Road Board has previously been rather strained, but we have this year managed to put them on a better footing. As a result the Board has ceded to Council control of the Main Roads except for the actual metalled centre, which has allowed us to effect many improvements. Examples: -

The footpath from St Mary’s to the Mine Bridge

A lengthened culvert near the Hospital

A widened road and footpath near Dr Sangster’s

A widened approach and relocated fence on both sides of the Commercial St Bridge near Mr Lewis’s

A widened approach on the N-E side of the Kingston St Bridge

New culvert and infilling of a dangerous drain on the S-E end of the Kingston St Bridge

Improved street junctions on Morehead St

Widening of the road near Roach’s Mill

Burra Waterworks

These were initiated in the Mayoralty of Mr Lockyer and continued in that of Dr Brummitt and have caused great anxiety and dealings with the Hydraulic Engineer have been difficult. He supplied few details and dismissed our queries. We have protested against taking over the old works at the cost listed and hope the Commissioner of Public Works will eventually see the justice of our position. It will probably take four months to get the extra land we seek at the shaft site. The engine was in the colony several months before we were told and now red tape is delaying things. Though costs have exceeded expectations, my faith in the scheme is not shaken. Apart from the water supply with its incalculable benefits, I believe it will be a financial success.

[Figures are then printed outlining the costs.]

Total cost to date, £6,876-0-0

The engine shed and land will bring this to an estimated £7,376

Estimated income and expenditure on operations to the end of 1885 (as far as can be determined)

Income £460-11-0

Expenditure so far £318-4-7

Expenditure estimated to 31 Dec. £506-5-0

Estimated debit balance at 31 Dec. £45-14-0

Many of these costs will not recur and the Railway Department has asked to be connected and we have agreed to sell them water at 2/- per 1,000 gallons. The connection is made and the Department will avail itself of the arrangements this week, which will affect the projected Waterworks deficit favourably.

Tree planting.

This has continued and gaps filled and much progress made in beautifying the town.

Sanitation.

The sanitary state of the town is very good and no epidemic problems have been encountered.

Cemetery.

This is not as financially satisfactory as it might be - partly due to the good sanitary report! The erection of the Mortuary created a debt, which is only being slowly extinguished. The debt has been slightly reduced. (To £44.)

Answers to Questions etc.

Details of various Redruth Reserves are given.

Mr Packard, candidate for the Mayoralty said his policies would be to work as economically as possible and to look into the case of the police moiety and move to have Burra treated equally with other towns.

Mr Anderson, candidate for East Ward, was prepared to answer questions.

Cr Sampson said they had not been a very happy family in Council and as a result many things were done that shouldn’t have been and others that should have been were not done. Still, good work was done - Hill St for example. Little had been possible in East Ward as it had to pay £50 for the footway in West Ward and began £60 in debt, so that of an allocation of £350, £110 had given no return.

Cr Ridgway had constantly been doing works not authorised.

The ford had not been before Council. He objected to the reserve being handed over to Cr Ridgway.

The Mayor had enclosed a piece of reserve with a stone wall and made it part of his own property.

(The Mayor interjected - That is not true!)

Another piece of land had been enclosed.

He then outlined his scheme for amalgamation of jobs.

The dayman’s wages should be 7/- a day.

The scavenger should get more: 10/- instead of 9/-.

The Mayor said he had permission to plant the reserve and if the ratepayers did not like the wall and trees they could remove them.

Cr Tiver had been in Council two years ‘and if ever there was a drone in Council it was Cr Sampson, and if ever there was a traitor in the camp it was Cr Sampson.’

Cr Ridgway said there was so much dissatisfaction because he had done too much, and he had handed his resignation to the Town Clerk.

[A lot of intricate crossfire then followed.]

The opinion was expressed that SAMA should fit guttering to their roofs where they overhung footpaths and be compelled to do so by a by-law if necessary.

After a vote of thanks to the Mayor was moved he said ‘he would not take the place again for £200’.

VII, 495, 24 November 1885, Page 2

Advt. Come and hear the River Singers tonight at the Redruth Wesleyan Church.

Editorial on the Mayor’s Report.

He is rather critical of it and would have been more so had he thought it would serve a purpose. He believed the Mayor had a ‘tendency to crow [that] was too much apparent’. The figures quoted re works done can be dropped from consideration, as the Mayor accepted no responsibility for them and Cr Tiver’s absurd claims on the relative value for money obtained in different wards collapses with them. He claimed North Ward footways cost 5/- per chain and in other wards £8-£9 per chain. But the North Ward ‘footways’ were mere watertabling; cut 6” deep with a little gravel placed on the part left standing. Some of the Kooringa footways were rock cuttings where blasting was needed (as between Kooringa and Aberdeen) and in places over 2’ of waste was shifted.

Where are the 10 chains of footway on the Slaughterhouse Rd? There is not an inch.

Other people acquainted with the other streets say other items are equally incorrect.

Though finances are sound thanks to increased rates and the new loan, to assert as the Mayor did that more money could have been spent on the eastern footway, without affecting finances is not to be credited.

We contend it is absolutely illegal to enclose portions of streets and reserves and to give any right or title to any person over any portion illegally enclosed. The Council have no power to permit any person to occupy any portion of a street with or without rent.

As to the Mayor’s enclosure of an area with a stone wall which unmistakably gives it the appearance of being part of his property; that is not at all justified. At the very least it should have had an application before Council for approval.

The year’s Council is not a pleasant one to review. It began with talk that everyone that went before it was all-wrong and about what wonders were to be performed. It continued with great storms and restlessness when criticised and ended in a very discreditable way with members of Council, including the Mayor, flatly contradicting each other. It is the first time there has been such a display and ratepayers have been good-humoured and long suffering.

The gravest piece of maladministration was the sale of Short St to Cr Tiver and Mr Preece for less than half its value. It could not be bought again we assert for £100 and was sold for £20.

Ratepayers though do not deserve much sympathy. The very matters they queried on Thursday and condemned, were reported by us in full and might at the time have been prevented, but no one cared to intervene. We have often protested, but have been called harsh and critical and the ratepayers left us to stand alone. Some people only wake up at election time and ask questions only when it is too late to do anything.

The Disputed Council Minute.

On Saturday, while looking for something else, the Town Clerk found the minute authorising Cr Ridgway’s work on “Ford south end of the new plantation.’ Cr Sampson and Cr Symons were both present when it passed. Much of the difficulty would have been avoided had this been found when it was sought by Cr Sampson a month ago.

Silver Discovery at World’s End. A Moonta syndicate has found silver c. 28 miles from Burra. A sample has assayed at 1,000 oz to the ton of ore. [This was corrected to 504 oz in VII, 497, 1 December 1885, page 2.] At the place 14 claims have been taken up and several of them have strong indications of silver. Messrs Manning, Warne & Roach however, do not like the nature of the country, which is not promising for the continuance of the lode at depth.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer East Ward’ re Corporation Matters.

A previous correspondent says dissatisfaction with Cr Ridgway arose mainly from the matter of the reserve and the ford - true. And because he spent money without authority - also, I believe, true. But your writer says this ‘bare and unproven statement’ is contradicted by Crs West & Tiver and the Mayor - Not founded on fact. Will the reserve not be an ornament to the town? More an ornament to Cr Ridgway’s property. As for the attempt to show twice the work done in North Ward for half the cost - this is misleading and false from beginning to end. A little watertabling is cheap - rock cutting is not.

I hold the censure vote justified as Crs Tiver and Ridgway have tried to mislead ratepayers like a pair of cardsharps. The mayor contributes to this by making a continuous misrepresentation in pretending North Ward gets double the work for half the costs. The Mayor’s report is also misleading in other respects and we have thrown £40 away paying the Town Clerk, as Overseer of Works when Cr Symons points out there has been no Clerk of Works this year. The Mayor and West Ward Councillors also deserve a vote of censure, they have neglected areas and have had work done to improve the value of their own property and sold a street to one of themselves that was valued by a previous Council at over double the price paid for it. Also the placing of fences in a creek and across streets and wastefully forming streets and footpaths where not required and one represented SAMA rather than his ward.

VII, 495, 24 November 1885, Page 3

‘City of Big-Big’. Letter XX.

VII, 496, 27 November 1885, Page 2

Advt. The new Bible Christian Manse opening services 29 November & Monday 30 November the Mayor will open the manse at 4 p.m. followed by a tea meeting in the schoolroom at 5 p.m. and a Grand Entertainment in the Institute at 8 p.m. The Military Band will play outside 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Editorial on Unemployment in SA

Kooringa Lodge IOOF reports 306 members. Profit for the year £190-8-3 and funds stand at over £6,100.

Fire in Aberdeen. On Wednesday the wooden shops of Mr T. Harvey were in flames about 3 p.m. The whole were destroyed in a few minutes. With difficulty flames were prevented from spreading to his larger shop and dwelling adjoining. They were saved by a 2’ parapet. Sparks and smoke were carried by a strong wind across the street so for a time it was feared the houses belonging to Mr Ridgway would also be destroyed. This was averted though trees on the property were scorched - it is feared to death. The shops had been built some time ago by I.W. Goss who occupied them for a time, but they then became the property of Mr Harvey who had one stocked with groceries, tinware etc., all of which was lost, though we believe insured. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Mr Harvey was absent from home for a day or two and Mrs Harvey was in the stone shop at the time. The lack of either a hydrant or a hose rendered the nearby fireplugs useless.

St Mary’s. The annual picnic was held on Wednesday. After 9.30 prayers at the church they went to the picnic grounds about 6 miles from Burra with the Military Band in the lead. Dinner was served and then sports etc. held. Tea was taken at 4 p.m. and about 6 p.m. they headed for home, arriving about 7 p.m., again led by the band: the day ending with the National Anthem at the church.

Redruth Court 25 November.

Johnson fined 5/- for omitting to move his bullock team and dray from the middle of the road to allow a buggy to pass.

Unemployment. The unemployed object to going to Hergott* to work for 5/6 a day.

[*Herrgott Springs, later Marree.]

Municipal Election. Redruth is in a quandary. Either they vote for the former Councillor, or accept one from Kooringa.

Some people are cruel enough to say that Cr Ridgway never meant to resign and Cr Tiver was determined to stand again to back him up.

Municipal Election Nominations

Mayor Daniel Spencer Packard elected unopposed

North Ward W. Pearce Jun.

James Tiver

East Ward John Sampson Jun. elected unopposed

West Ward William Anderson elected unopposed

Auditor William Davey elected unopposed

An election was duly called for North Ward.

Burra Town Council, 23 November.

Minutes of the meeting of 16 November read.

Cr Ridgway moved that such of the minutes as apply to the suspension of works in North Ward be erased on the ground that it would have the effect of rescinding the minute of 16 May which cannot be done except by a motion of which notice has been given.

Minutes carried as amended.

Cr Ridgway referred to a leading article in The Advertiser which said the Commissioner of audit held that the Burra Town Council had got at the Government to the extent of £140. This was due to a query for the Crown Lands Office whether £217 received by the Council as private subscriptions had been supplemented. This sum referred to tree planting and paving and the Town Clerk’s explanation had apparently satisfied the Commissioner otherwise they would not have received the Grant-in-Aid in full as would no doubt be reported later in the meeting. He moved the Town Clerk reply to the article. Carried.

Cr Ridgway also claimed to have been vilified by Cr Sampson at the ratepayers’ meeting in Redruth. Cr Sampson had claimed that his efforts alone stopped £150 more being spent on the footpath to Aberdeen and that there was no minute on record as to the ford near Opie’s Hotel. Cr Symons also spoke disparagingly. He moved that both Councillors be asked to withdraw their remarks.

A long and stormy discussion ensued.

Cr Symons said he was willing to withdraw any imputations on brother Councillors.

Cr Sampson said that remarks in the Record that £120 more would have been spent on the Aberdeen footpath, but for him, were incorrect. What he had actually said was: -

‘but for calling the public meeting the Council would have been committed to spending £120 extra’

He had also been under the impression that there was no minute as to the Aberdeen ford.

The matter then dropped.

The Grant-in-Aid of £535-7-11 was announced by the Town Clerk.

A letter from the Crown Lands Office said £18-4-9 had been remitted on account of the overcharge for the constable at Redruth (and was included in the £535-7-11).

The Public Works Committee allow the Town Clerk to define and set out a road towards Baldina from the Smelting Works Stables.

Cr Ridgway withdrew his resignation at the request of Crs Tiver, West & Coglin.

Cr Ridgway gave notice of a motion: -

‘That the road on the western side of the railway be made from the gate to the boundary.’

Resolved that the Council will not in future pay for repairs to the pump in Market Square, but they will be divided between East and West Wards equally.

VII, 496, 27 November 1885, Page 3

Obituary. John Reredon* at Burra Hospital, 26 November, of gangrene of the right arm. The injury was sustained at Petersburg. (Not a local to Burra)

[* Called Readon in VII, 497, 1 December 1885, page 2, on continuation of the inquest, though Reardon is the spelling in the registration of death.]

Letter from John W. O’Brien, thanking Cr Sampson for his exposé of the Corporation. It is a disgrace the way money has been squandered. Even the Mayor does not go scot-free. Salaries are too high and positions should be open to tender. I have nothing against the present clerk and if he is anywhere near the mark give him the preference. Abolish the position of Inspector and give the daymen another 6d a day to do the work.

Letter from ‘One of the unemployed’ re distress in Burra. It might be asked why they don’t go to Silverton. Well (a) there is little to induce a man to go and (b) many have not the money to carry them there.

Letter from W.H.H. [Hardy] to say that after the fire at J.T. Walkers he had written that a fire hose etc. ought to be left at the police stations at either end of the town - now Mr Harvey’s shop has been destroyed and all that was available were buckets. The Council ought to see to it even at the cost of 1d on the rates.

VII, 497, 1 December 1885, Page 2

Municipal Elections

One Councillor for North Ward is required. Candidates nominated: W. Pearce jun. and James Tiver.

Bible Christian Church. Three sermons were preached on Sunday by Revs H.H. Teague, J.J. Salmon & W.F. James in connection with the opening of the new manse, which the Mayor opened on Monday 30 November.

Burra Town Council, 27 November.

The Mayor mentioned the distress prevalent at present.

Three men were put on in East Ward - one to work in Welsh Place.

Three were put on in West Ward to work in Chapel and Kangaroo Streets.

In North Ward the road along the railway from the goods entrance west was ordered to be done.

Cr Coglin tendered his resignation, but it was not accepted.

A memorial was ordered to be sent to the Government for further details of the Waterworks costs and asking that the old works should be charged at their present value.

Council sat as a Court of Appeals on Friday.

Reductions amounting to £110 were granted.

Town Wits have been suggesting names for the late Council, among others:

The Fighting Council

The Thin-skinned Council

The You Scratch My Back and I’ll Scratch Yours Council

Letter from W.H. Hardy expressing amazement that such contempt for moral principle should persist as is shown by Cr Ridgway’s decision to withdraw his resignation or by Cr Tiver’s determination to stand again. Such hypocrisy is beneath contempt.

Letter from ‘One of the unemployed’ condemning the employment of just eight men by Council. If £50 is to be expended every unemployed ratepayer should have a chance, or the work let by tender and be shared out fairly.

Inquest into the fire at Thomas Harvey’s shop, Aberdeen. Held at the Courthouse on Friday last with Mr Ridgway as coroner and A. Motley as foreman of the jury.

Mrs Ann Harvey, wife of the owner, T. Harvey boot and shoemaker etc.:

At 2.45 a boy said a fire had broken out in one of our shops - asked where - found shop full of smoke and couldn’t enter. The boy W. Gerard returned with the cart about 2.30 and took boxes from the cart and placed them behind the counter as usual then fed the horses and went to his dinner. We both left the shop and I locked the door. The boy always carried tanstickor [sic - for tandstickor] matches in one of the boxes.

Thomas Harvey:

Was not in Burra at the time - returned to find the store burnt down. No idea of the origin of the fire. Insured for £365. The back wall was of pailing [sic] matchboard and paper. The counter was some 9-10’ from the wall. Stock was worth over £240.

William Gerard:

Unloaded three grocery boxes on returning from Mt Bryan. One box contained sugar, one matches etc. and the other soap etc. - he described the unloading and said that old bags had been placed over them. The matches were loose - i.e. in single boxes. Saw Mrs Harvey lock the door. Did not get back till the place was burnt down. Do not smoke.

Daniel Leyson, 14, apprentice at Sara & Dunstan’s:

Saw smoke through the top of windows of grocery store - saw a bag on fire but no flame, but while I was looking a flame appeared. Told Mr Austin & Mr Killicoat and Mrs Harvey. The door was closed.

Police Trooper Williams of Redruth:

Arrived c. 10 minutes after the fire commenced. Every effort was being made to put it out. Next morning examined the remains of the boxes. Probably the fire started in the boxes.

The verdict was insufficient evidence to establish the origin of the fire.

Inquest into the death of a man found hanged in a hut in the township of Douglas on Sunday

J. Dunstan, coroner, at the Court House Hotel. H. Pinch foreman of the jury.

George Hosler, unemployed labourer, entered the hut on Sunday 29 November having been travelling towards Morgan. He was accompanied by Edward Willmott. While Willmott was reading a notice on the door I noticed a man I first thought was standing up, but soon saw was hanging. We went to Baldina and told Mr Barker. Have seen the deceased previously, but don’t know his name. Should think the body was hanging 24 hours. No identification of the man’s name or place of origin.

Edward Willmott unemployed labourer corroborated. The position in which the body was found suggests he hanged himself. Fancy I have seen him in the northeast. There was no appearance of foul play. Did not enter the hut.

Police Trooper Williams from Redruth arrived at the scene about 2.45 p.m. Found the body hanging from a rafter. The feet were just touching the ground with the twine deeply sunk in the neck close up behind the ears. His hat was on his head. On the window ledge were slight marks as if a boot had recently slipped over it. This was a possible means of reaching the rafter to tie the twine. The body was rigid. Death seems to have occurred 24-30 hours previously. No other signs of violence. Search of the body did not reveal any identification. Various items (watch, knife, matches etc.) were found. No signs of a struggle. The body was very thin and I should not think the deceased was used to hard physical labour. Age c. 32-34. Efforts to identify the deceased have been unsuccessful.

Verdict - death by hanging himself and no evidence to indicate his state of mind at the time.

Obituary & Inquest on the body of John Reardon who died in Burra hospital on 26 November.

John Smith of Petersburg, labourer: [Registered as John Reardon, aged 58.]

The affair happened at Hoar’s Hotel, Petersburg about one week ago. Deceased came to me and said he knew me and I was Flanigan. Told him no. He bet 5/- it was. Flanigan then returned from the WC. Flanigan grabbed deceased and asked him what he was pulling his name about for all afternoon. Flanigan gave him a push and the deceased fell and when he got up said ‘You have broken my thumb.’ Then they both sat on a form in the bar. Did not think either man drunk, though both had been drinking. Did not think the deceased had been saying anything to warrant the attack by Flanigan - not in my presence at least. Have not since seen the deceased.

Thomas Phillips corroborated the above.

William A. Jones, barman at Hoare’s Petersburg Hotel:

Spoke to deceased about 16th instant. He showed me his finger and said Jack Flanigan did it. Tied up his finger. Tried to find Flanigan, but lost him down the street. On the morning he came to Burra the deceased told me his hand was getting worse - about the 23rd - he said ‘I believe Mrs Brady has poisoned my hand.’ Sent him to Dr Florrance and he came back saying it was much better for being dressed. I and another young man paid his fare to Hospital. Did not know of the row and have never seen the deceased quarrelsome. Did not see Flanigan and deceased in the bar together, though they might have been.

M-C Mathew George Ormesby gave evidence of arresting Flanigan: knew deceased - have never seen him drunk. Saw his thumb bleeding the night of the incident and he said ‘Flanigan done this.’ He would not have Flanigan in charge. Have known John Flanigan c. 3 years and not known him to be very quarrelsome. Don’t think the deceased’s thumb was broken as he moved it. The accident happened on 17 November. The verdict was death by gangrene of the right arm caused by a wound on the thumb received by a fall in a quarrel at Petersburg, but there is not sufficient evidence to convict the accused. The coroner should be asked to censure the accused John Flanigan.

VII, 497, 1 December 1885, Page 3

‘The City of Big-Big’. Letter XXI.

VII, 498, 4 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. G.H. Catchlove & Co. call tenders for a 6-year lease of the Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen (No old furniture or stock to take over.)

Notice. The partnership of Carl Gebhardt and Ernst Gebhardt, trading at Aberdeen and elsewhere as C. & E. Gebhardt, butchers, farmers, graziers etc. has been dissolved from 1 December 1885.

Advt. Clairvoyance: In Aid of the Burra Institute. Mr W.T. Carter will give one of his popular entertainments with dissolving views (see posters) on Monday 14 December. 1/-

North Ward Election. It is rumoured that Mr Pearce’s committee intend to take steps to test the validity of the election on account of some people voting who were not on the roll.

Inquests. There have been five in seven days at a cost of £23-17-6 to the Government. Two were for fires and three on bodies of persons meeting death in unusual circumstances.

Obituary. Emma Gurney, employed by Mr F. Simpson of Aberdeen as a servant, was brought to her house in Kooringa, ill, on Wednesday. The doctor saw her in the evening, but apparently apprehended no danger. She died early on Thursday morning. There was a post mortem and inquest.

Bible Christian Manse. The new Bible Christian manse was opened on Monday last. It is on high ground not far from the Church and built in a villa style by Messrs Launder, Pearce & co. A stable has been built and the land enclosed and will be a comfortable home for ministers for many years to come. The total cost is £700. It was opened by the Mayor, Mr John Dunstan jun. and the Mayor-elect, Mr D.S. Packard, added some comments. A tea in the schoolroom followed and an entertainment in the Institute in the evening. So far £407 towards the cost has been promised and of that £386 actually received.

Municipal Elections

There was a contest only in North Ward and the returning officer was the ex-Mayor.

Results: W. Pearce jun. 63

Cr Tiver 63

Informal 3

129

The returning officer exercised his casting vote for Mr Tiver.

Redruth Court, 2 December.

Police v. A. Schutz and Thomas Cosgrove for fighting in the street.

Stephen Hill, cab-driver, said on 26 November he was on the stand in Kooringa when a man named Tinker Bill told Schutz he wanted to go to Aberdeen in Schutz’s cab. Schutz waited 5-10 minutes for the man who was just getting into the cab when Cosgrove, a drover, took him to another cab. Schutz went and asked for his passenger or the fare. Schutz told him to clear off and gave him a shove. Schutz asked again and then Cosgrove struck him. Both then went to Aberdeen in different cabs.

Charles Morgan, a painter of Redruth, was in Schutz’s cab. At Vivian’s Hotel (Opie’s) Cosgrove was waiting with his coat off and said he wanted a fight. Schutz said he did not as he would lose his licence. They moved out of Morgan’s sight and by the time he had got out of the cab Cosgrove was on the ground.

Edward Bourk, labourer, gave evidence substantially corroborating this.

Thomas Cosgrove’s evidence also confirmed much of it except for the engagement of Bill the Tinker.

The information against Schutz was then withdrawn and Cosgrove was fined 10/- + 20/- costs.

‘One Eye Open’ writes complaining that the cabmen play pitch-and-toss on the stand in Market Square, quite openly. Where are the police?

E. Gray writes as a teamster plying between Terowie and Burra and Silverton. He complains that price-cutting between the merchants of Terowie and Burra is ruinous for the teamsters. He urges all carters to demand £7 a ton to Silverton, which after all is only wages when the wear and tear and horse feed is allowed for.

‘Naiveté’ enquires about all the references in the recent inquest to Ridgway’s Plantation, Ridgway’s Reserve and Ridgway’s Park and wonders where such exist?

‘Irate Observer’ writes re the failure of the Council to act to obtain the land opposite the end of Welsh Place by the new Bible Christian Manse. The present road to the cemetery is dangerous with two ugly corners to negotiate whereas the purchase of this land would have enabled a fairly straight road. Apparently SAMA offered to survey the land differently and sell the land to the east if the Council had decided to act, but there was no action, even though the matter was raised at Council.

VII, 498, 4 December 1885, Page 3

Inquest, Wednesday. P. Lane JP as coroner and J. Snell as foreman of the Jury.

Richard Roscoe recalled seven weeks ago when Mr Jeffrey Pearce’s haystack was burnt. He saw the smoke about 9.30 a.m. and followed the fence down and saw a little boy, Patsy O’Connor, on the east side of the stack about eight feet away. The fire was on the east side and the whole face was ablaze. Coming round the stack saw the girl Johanna O’Connor approaching from W. Young’s dam. Patsy O’Connor’s brother, William he believed, was inside the enclosure. He asked the children ‘Who done this?’ Then he said he must clear out or someone would blame him for the fire.

The children left. Roscoe said he did not see matches or a pipe and had not either himself.

Johanna O’Connor, daughter of William O’Connor said that morning she and the boys went towards Pearce’s haystack. She and Patsy were in Mr Young’s paddock and Willie was on the road. Willie went to the side of the stack facing the road. Patsy and Johanna went to the dam, but then Patsy left. Johanna saw the fire and when she asked who did it Willie said nothing, but later said he did it. She recounted the meeting with Mr Roscoe. Willie had afterwards told her he had a pipe. Willie will be 12 on 17 December. He is a cripple.

Patrick O’Connor largely confirmed his sister’s evidence and added that after the dam he had joined Willie, but did not know how the fire started. He had seen Willie with a pipe and matches, but not that day.

William O’Connor, father of the children said he did not know if Willie had caused the fire. Willie was at present in Adelaide with his sister.

Jeffrey Pearce said that6-7 tons of hay had been burnt. It was not insured. He had met Constable Williams at the scene about 2.30 p.m. Had seen the O’Connor children there. Had no idea of the cause and was on good terms with the O’Connors.

The jury found that the fire was accidentally caused by William O’Connor whilst trying to light his pipe behind the haystack unknown to his sister.

Obituary & Inquest. P. Lane JP as coroner at inquest on the body of Emma Gurney.

W. Geake was foreman of the jury.

Mrs Lucy Gurney of Kooringa gave evidence of her daughter’s return to her house, ill, on Wednesday evening, by cab. She was unable to walk. The doctor came and gave her some medicine and said he would call again in the morning. She sent a message in the morning saying it was no use to come, as her daughter was dead. She had complained of pains all through her body. She had given her medicine at 2.55 a.m. and she was dead when the mother had got up to call the boy to work at 4 a.m. Thought she was about 18. She had been keeping company with a hairdresser from John Snell’s.

Dr Brummitt said that on Wednesday evening the deceased had seemed to be suffering from inflammation of the lungs and pleurisy. He had not anticipated a fatal result so soon, if at all. So sudden a death was unexpected. The post mortem showed pleurisy with the right lung extremely inflamed and the left congested. This is believed to be the cause of death. Nothing suggested poison.

Frederick Simpson said he employed Emma Gurney for six days at the Railway Restaurant. She had seemed very poorly at work and had been given light duties. On Tuesday he had seen her drink from a small bottle, but he did not know if she was in the habit of taking medicine. She had not complained of illness before last Tuesday.

Dr Sangster, who had assisted at the post mortem, agreed with Dr Brummitt.

The jury gave a verdict of death from natural causes.

[Born 26 March 1868 and registered as died 2 December 1885 aged 17.]

VII, 499, 8 December 1885, Page 2

Obituary. Mary Hogg, aged 40, wife of James Hogg, Manager of the Bank of Australasia, died on 5 December after a short illness. (Inflammation of the lungs.) [Mary Selby Hogg]

Obituary. Fred Barnes of Suffolk, England, died on 6 December in the Burra hospital, aged 55. A colonist of 37 years.

Obituary. John Sampson Sen., aged 78, died on 5 December at Kooringa. He was born at Goldzithany near Marazion in Cornwall. A colonist of 39 years. Mr Sampson had been ailing for some time. Like most old colonists here, he had worked in the Burra Mine. He had long been a member of the Bible Christian Church. His wife, who survives him, has been an invalid for many years.

Deaths. There have recently been some 17 deaths in Burra, including seven in December. Most of them have come from the extended district rather than the town itself and the majority have had no more than their swags and were interred at Government expense.

Editorial on the Floundering Government of SA.

Mr W. Egerton-Warburton, manager of the Kooringa Branch of the National Bank has been promoted to the Port Adelaide Branch.

The Police. For some very peculiar reasons known only to bureaucracy the foot constable who has always resided in Kooringa and the trooper who has resided at Redruth are to exchange places. Since there are no stables at Kooringa they will either have to be erected or rented.

Obituary. An unknown man was found hanging in a hut at Douglas. M-C Williams says that investigations have shown that the deceased was a man who had been staying at John Snell’s boarding house from 24 to 29 November. He said he had come from South Queensland via Silverton and Port Augusta. He had no money and was low-spirited. A swag left at Snell’s contained nothing to aid in identification. [In view of above oddly registered as dying 28 November 1885 aged 33]

George Mayger writes some action over fire prevention and fighting. With no hoses or standpipes etc. the town is no better off now than before the Waterworks were built.

Burra Town Council, 7 December.

First meeting with D.S. Packard as Mayor.

Sympathy extended to Cr Sampson on the death of his father.

P.L. Killicoat advises he has seen people drinking from the cemetery well.

Cr Ridgway moved that the attention of the Hydraulic Engineer be drawn to the agreement that interest be not charged till the work is complete. No certificate of completion has been issued and the engine is not fixed and the engine house not built. A year’s interest was payable before the work began, but was to date from completion. The whole of that deposit has not been paid: about £95 of the £112, he thought. Carried.

J.W. O’Brien applied for work.

Dr Sangster complained of the way children crowded around graves at funerals to the exclusion of friends and relatives and hoped that steps would be taken to exclude them.

Government grant-in-aid received. The police moiety had been deducted only to 30 June.

Cr Ridgway said the staff was two troopers, one foot constable and one sergeant at a cost of c. £600 p.a. He thought a foot constable could replace the sergeant at Kooringa and the foot constable at Redruth could be dispensed with which would save c. £70 p.a. This advice will be passed on to the Government.

The Mayor said many men were unemployed and he wondered if anything could be done.

Cr Ridgway agreed with the seriousness of the situation. Never had the number been greater. They could not do enough for all. He suggested a subscription list be launched which the Council could then subsidise and use for creating relief work. A labour list should be opened at the office. He thought they should be able to compel men to go to other work if it should be found for them. He thought the Government should be putting embankments across Baldina Creek to provide work.

Cr Symons moved an amendment that all money in hand be expended and the Government be asked to advance next year’s subsidy and that the rates be got in, but this lapsed.

Cr Ridgway said they were employing 13 men in North Ward and 15 in each of the other two. He moved that each ward be allowed to employ 15 men till New Year’s Day. Carried. Pay to be 6/6 a day.

The Town Clerk was instructed to work with East Ward Councillors to try to get a piece of the corner to ease the deviation in the Cemetery Road. [This was to make the approach to Dead Man’s Bridge less sharp]

McLaren, White & Co offer to sell the Council the Aberdeen Reserve [on behalf of the owners]. Council to advise them that it did not acknowledge that their clients had the right to sell it.

VII, 499, 8 December 1885, Page 3

‘The City of Big-Big’ Letter XXII.

VII, 500, 11 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute 14 December 1885. Clairvoyance in aid of the Institute.

Mr W.T. Carter will give one of his popular entertainments with dissolving views.

Advt. Burra Institute, 18 December. Entertainment in aid of Christmas Cheer.

Editorial on the Government’s demand for the repayment of £144 alleged by them to have been wrongly paid as subsidy. The editor objects strongly to this. There is nothing to show that the work done was not paid for out of rates. It was clear that money subscribed could not be subsidised, but if it were used to pay salaries etc. the rates were then freed to be used on public works, which attracted the subsidy. This was done and the Council has not claimed one penny more than it was entitled to. If in the end it has to be repaid it is important that it be deducted from the grant-in-aid. If it comes from rates then the Council not only loses the £144, but also the subsidy on it as well.

Burra Waterworks. The new engine is expected to be at work in a few days.

Obituary. Mrs Bickford, the wife of Rev. James Bickford, who was the Wesleyan minister here for three years, has died aged 72. [Fanny Bickford died 7 December 1885 at Parkside]

The Christmas Cheer Entertainment has so far sold c. £30 worth of tickets.

Unemployment. The town has now employed 50. It is a pity that Cr Ridgway’s idea of a register of the unemployed was not followed.

‘Items’ column: Plenty of streets being formed now.

Council is putting on 45 men to work in the streets and employing young men as well as those with families.

‘One of the Sufferers’ writes complaining that in a family with young men the policy of the Council in not employing young single men means that the father must go to work while the fit young can stay idle at home or rove about the town on the income which their father earns.

Dr Sangster comments on the claim that 17 deaths have occurred recently in Burra Hospital: seven this month. He says there were seven in November and December: five in November and two in December. There were no deaths in September or October. In November two died of consumption, two were brought in from the bush in a dire state and one was the result of an injury.

The editor admits that 17 was the total for the whole town: not just the hospital.

North Ward Ratepayer writes that he has heard it would be possible to overturn the election in North Ward because John Prior voted and his name was on neither the Assessment Book nor the Roll. Surely it would be a good policy for the Councillor elected on the casting vote of the returning officer to send in his resignation.

VII, 500, 11 December 1885, Page 3

‘The City of Big-Big’ Letter XXIII.

VII, 501, 15 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic, New Year’s Day at Hallett.

Special train leaves Burra at 9 a.m., returning at 6 p.m. Tickets 2/6.

Advt. Bleechmore Bros, Terowie: 100 teams wanted at once.

Editorial on The Depression.

The writer speaks favourably of the New Zealand Government’s policy of spending £10,000,000 of loan money to provide ‘public works of permanent utility and profitableness.’ The circumstances point to the essential nature of the move to a progressive land tax, but he deplores the other response: a move towards protection.

Burra Co. RVF. Class firing was completed on Saturday and the company is now at 66, of whom 63 are ‘efficient’.

Theft. Someone got into J.R. Gray’s garden at Redruth on Sunday and stole all the fruit. £2 reward is offered.

Silver. Further discoveries have been made at World’s End. Four parties are at work. Lodes are not yet defined, but hopes are entertained.

Manslaughter. Flannigan, who was censured by the coroner at the inquest at the Burra Hospital over the death of Reardon, has been charged with manslaughter.

Burra Town Council, held a special meeting on Saturday, but failed to notify the press and so the report printed depends upon one of those present.

The Mayor said he considered the meeting informal.

Cr Sampson said they were met to consider the unemployment issue. He was not at the last meeting when they agreed to pay 6/6 a day and he thought they should have made it 5/- and so employed 8 or 9 more men. He asked for the payment to be changed to 5/- a day.

Cr Ridgway said they could not discharge the men or change what was now in place without a week’s notice as they were engaged till 1 January at 6/6 a day. To do as Cr Sampson wanted would be a breach of faith.

The Mayor ruled he could not entertain Cr Sampson’s motion.

Cr Sampson wanted to know if Council consented to the reduction and was 2nd by Cr Symons.

The Mayor said that before that the previous motion would have to be rescinded. [And this required notice.]

The mayor reminded Councillors of the 15-man limit per Ward.

Crs Coglin and Ridgway had not exceeded it. Crs Sampson & Symons had.

In the end no resolution was put.

Gold has been reported discovered at Oulnina, 5 miles northeast of Manna Hill and 60 claims have already been staked.

VII, 501, 15 December 1885, Page 3

‘Items’ Column: Streets being formed rapidly now.

New Grants-in-Aid Bill reduces subsidies to 15/- in the £ this year and 10/- in the £ from next year.

VII, 502, 18 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. Independent Order of Oddfellows SA

A preliminary meeting to form a lodge of the above order will be held at the Lodge Room, Burra Institute, 19 December 1885, J. Both P.G.

Advt. IOR Athletic Sports at Princess Royal on Monday 28 December 1885.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Anniversary Services Sunday 20 December. On Christmas Day Children will meet at 1 p.m. and make a procession through town and at 3 p.m. receive their usual treat. Public tea 4 p.m.: followed by a public meeting.

Advt. There will be a picnic at World’s End on Christmas Day with proceeds in aid of a fund for building a Wesleyan Chapel at World’s End.

Advt. Burra Institute, Boxing Night, 26 December, Grand Christy Minstrel Entertainment. By the Original Court Minstrels from Adelaide, in aid of the Aberdeen Cricket Club.

Cricket match the same day: Adelaide Australian Juniors v. Aberdeen at 10 a.m. at Aberdeen.

Mr Warburton, manager of the National Bank, leaves for Port Adelaide next week. He is to be replaced by Mr Furniss from Port Wakefield.

Salvation Army. The new officers in charge in SA, Major Lindsay and Adjutant Burnell, visited Kooringa last Wednesday and large meetings were held out of doors and at the barracks.

The Christmas Cheer Entertainment has so far sold £40-14-6 worth of tickets.

Christmas Cheer: Donations of sheep for the poor.

Joseph Thyer 12

F.T. Jones 2

Joseph Ford 2

H.J. Riggs 3

Richard Reed 1

William Cockrum 6

Bowman Bros. 5

Henry Skews 5

McLaren, White & Co. 5

Captain Killicoat 6 lambs

Mr James Hogg, manager of the Bank of Australasia, is to move to another colony.

Storms and rain occurred north and east on Wednesday. Very little rain fell in the town, but some side creeks came down indicating heavy falls nearby.

At Baldina there were some very heavy localised falls while other parts were dry.

To the north there was hail at Peterborough and the railway line beyond Orroroo was washed away.

The Manslaughter case concerning John Flanagan had to be adjourned at Gladstone when Dr Sangster telegraphed his inability to attend. (The magistrate contemplated his arrest.)

Obituary. The Rev. J.Y. Simpson said at her funeral that the late Mrs Bickford was born at Dodbrook in South Devon in 1813. After working for some years in SA the couple returned to England in 1876 owing to Mr Bickford’s ill health. They returned to SA in 1879 and laboured at Port Adelaide and Burra before settling at Parkside in 1884. Mrs Bickford died after a long illness. She had a long history of service to Aboriginals.

Mr Carter’s lecture in the Institute on Monday was poorly attended due to extreme heat and other attractions. ‘Clairvoyance’ he said was ‘clear seeing’ which referred to the views he exhibited using excellent lenses and an oxy-calcium light. His slides were excellent.

St Joseph’s School annual student concert was given on 14 December. The ably performed concert is reviewed in c. 1⁄3 column.

VII, 503, 22 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. Picnic at World’s End Creek, Christmas Day. Proceeds in aid of building a Wesleyan Chapel at World’s End.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday-school Annual Picnic at Hallett, New Year’s Day. Special train will leave 9 a.m. and return 6 p.m. Excursion tickets 2/6

Editorial on Irish Home Rule

Weather. There were extensive thunderstorms last week and floods to the east of Burra have filled the dams. Around Mt Bryan the dry feed was washed from the hillsides and some crops much damaged. Low ground was flooded.

Burra Model School. Presentations were made on Friday to Miss Williams and Mr Charles Cater who are to leave the district to enter the Training College.

Christmas Charity. The efforts of J. Roach and Mr Cater to present an entertainment to provide Christmas cheer for the poor were a great success.

300 reserved seats were sold. The program of local talent was a good way above mediocrity.

Tickets raised £41-4-6

Door takings brought in £1-9-6

£42-13-6

Expenses £2-5-0

£40-8-6

Letter from R. Hunt re Government red tape. Gentlemen at Baldina advertise for men to destroy rabbits. He applied for a job and was told to apply personally to the Sub-Inspector at Morgan - Why? - When there is an Inspector less than half the distance from here?

Letter from ‘Anti-humbug’ to say the Council resolved recently to employ 15 men in each ward till 1 January 1886. In West Ward 9 or 10 of them were put off on Saturday last. Either the Council should see their resolutions carried out or they should leave things entirely to the Overseer of Works.

Letter from W.H. Hardy on the idea that Christmas festivity is really the preserve of the poor. The rich cannot eat more or better than they always do so it is the poor who really appreciate Christmas.

Bank Closure. The Kooringa branch of the Town & Country Bank will close shortly.

VII, 503, 22 December 1885, Page 3

Weather. As we go to press the rain continues to fall and the Burra Creek is flooded as are most of the low-lying streets in the town.

Burra Town Council, 21 December.

Cr Sampson thanked all for their sympathy re the death of his father.

The Hydraulic Engineer writes expressing surprise at the non-payment of the interest on the Waterworks.

The Government is to be asked to provide an indicator to show the quantity of water in the railway station tanks.

Crown Lands is now claiming to have overpaid the Corporation £144-17-6 on account of subscriptions for tree planting etc. Resolved that a deputation be sent to see the Government.

Cr Sampson spoke as to the motion he gave notice of last meeting concerning the 15 men employed in each ward at 6/6 per day till 1 January. Cr Sampson proposed to pay 5/6 per day, but Cr Coglin said that would be a breach of faith.

Cr Sampson said - No a breach of faith had occurred with a number of the men discharged on Saturday. He still wanted the rate to be 5/6, which would allow 18 or 19 to be employed in each ward.

The Mayor, D.S. Packard, said that couldn’t be done at this meeting, as the motion required a special call of the Council.

Cr Sampson thought this meeting was a special call.

Cr Coglin 2nd the move to dismiss all currently employed. [To enable a change to 5/6 per day.]

Cr Ridgway said with about 5 days to work, men shouldn’t be treated like this.

Cr Tiver moved an amendment the men be retained on 6/6 per day.

The motion was carried.

Cr Sampson then moved the Overseer of Works be allowed to employ 10 men per ward in the next fortnight at 5/6 per day. He contended that though 5/6 was not enough to keep a family it would be better than going away to work for £1 a week and tucker. 5/6 was equal to 6/- from the Council’s point of view, as they would have to pay interest on the sum expended.

Cr Sampson moved that the daymen this year be paid 7/- a day. (Not 7/6 as in the past.)

Carried.

Cr Coglin moved the wages be 7/6 a day as at present

Cr Symons moved an amendment that tenders be called.

Carried on the Mayor’s casting vote.

Cr Coglin moved the scavenger get 10/- per day. Carried.

Cr Sampson moved applications be invited for Town Clerk, Secretary to the Board of Health, Secretary to the Waterworks etc. at £50 p.a. and Inspector of Nuisances, Weights & Measures, Overseer of Works, Inspector of the Board of Health and Surveyor at £110 p.a. The officer to give all his time to the Council.

The Mayor thought they would be better to pay one man to do all the inside work and one all the outside and to pay each £100 to get competent men.

Cr Ridgway said Cr Sampson’s move was impractical and moved it be left to the Finance Committee.

Cr Sampson’s motion was carried.

Rates declared at: General, 1/- in the £; Health, 2d in the £; Parklands 2d in the £.

Town Clerk was told he would be paid for work done after 31 December 1855.

He said he did not intend to apply for the position in 1886.

VII, 504, 25 December 1885, Page 2

Advt. Burra Corporation invites applications for:

No. 1 Town Clerk 20-0-0

Secretary to the board of Health 10-0-0

Secretary to the Waterworks 20-0-0

£50-0-0

No. 2 Inspector of Weights & Measures 20-0-0

Inspector under the Board of Health 30-0-0

Collector of Rates 10-0-0

Surveyor & Overseer of Works 50-0-0

£110-0-0

Notice. Kooringa Bible Christian Church, Sunday 27 December 1885

Mr W.G. Torr of Moonta will preach morning and evening and give a blackboard and pictorial address to the young in the afternoon.

On Tuesday evening he will give his popular lecture on ‘Palestine’ at 7.30 p.m.

Notice. The Independent Order of Oddfellows SA

Friendship Love and Truth Lodge

Loyal Kooringa Lodge No. 34 of IOOFSA will soon be opened.

For information contact: Alf. Allen J. Both Sen.

J. Howes D. Williams

T. Mellett J.H. Both jun.

Editorial on Christmas in a bad year when all round it has been the worst harvest on record. The depression has if anything intensified, unemployment is high and savings have been used up. He goes on with the usual Christmas hopes for good cheer, Christmas goodwill etc.

The Poor Fund receives £6-6-3 from the Committee of the Burra Races.

Christmas Cheer has been distributed to over 100 persons in total comprising £45 in cash, 25 sheep and 4 lambs.

Burra Co. RVF will present a military concert on 5 February 1886. The clothing and equipment for the Company has run to over £250 and this concert will aid that fund.

The Railway in Adelaide will be extended to the new Exhibition Building. [i.e. from the Adelaide Station under King William St just behind Government House and thence almost to Frome St.]

‘Ratepayer’ writes expressing disgust at the recent attempt by Crs Ridgway and Coglin to reduce the wages of men employed by the Corporation and carried on the 21st. It is ‘mean despicable and contemptible’.

John Dunstan Jun. writes to the Hon. Dr Cockburn, Minister of Education, urging a systematic search of the country east of Burra for minerals in this time of unemployment. Significant discoveries could ease the burden ‘by absorbing some of the surplus labour’.

VII, 504, 25 December 1885, Page 3

‘The City of Big-Big’ Letters XXIV & XXV

The Literary content of the 1885 paper.

There was always a serialised novel and in addition there was a fluctuating amount of other material made up of non-fiction articles of general interest, some poetry and a column headed ‘Wit and Humour’.

The serialised novels were:

No Alternative, by the author of Denis Donne etc., which ran from 2 January to 24 March.

The Last of the Montezumas: A Tale of Life’s Sunshine and Death’s Shadows, by Ben. Franklin Langford, which ran from 9 January to 3 March.

Life at the World’s End, also by Ben. Franklin Langford, followed the above and appeared on most weeks until 21 August. It was not a novel, but a satirical view of life as seen from the ‘township’ of Lapford at World’s End. The township at this time comprised a house or two and a lot of rapidly disappearing survey pegs marking out the streets and allotments. The satirical nature of the pieces does not allow a clear understanding of what can be taken as a literal picture of the life there, but the general impression is clear.

The Wicked Wood of Tobereevil, by the author of Hester’s History began on 20 March and ended on 28 July.

Lelgarde’s Inheritance, ran from 24 July to 21 August.

Madame Delamere: How I Found Her, How I Won Her, and How I Lost Her, by Ben. Franklin Langford ran from 18 August to 28 August.

A Sicilian Story ran from 28 August to 8 September.

Young Mr Nightingale, By the author of Hobson’s Choice etc. ran from 11 September and was still continuing at the end of the year.

After Life at the World’s End concluded Ben. Franklin Langford began a long production under the pen name of Lankfürt von Löwenhertz, MD, DCL, LLD, FRCS etc.

This was entitled The City of Big-Big and purported to be: ‘A series of letters descriptive of the condition of society in the community which was formerly known as “Kooringa”, in the years 1910-11 and 12.’

I think modern readers would find it very tedious and hard going, though when first published there must have been references to both people and events that we now fail to see the relevance of. Even allowing for that, I think there can have been few readers of the paper who were educated enough to plough their way through his verbosity. That some did is clear from the complaints about what he said that appeared from time to time. There are portions of the work that readers today can readily see as being obvious satirical attacks on aspects of life then that are recognisable. In the first letter for example there is quite a good description of the Burra Creek, which in its nastiness can only have exceeded the real thing by a fraction. I cannot pretend to have read the whole work to seek further gems hidden in the vast outpouring of the writer’s vitriol.

Characteristics if the 1885 paper.

Page 1. Larger advertisements, some local, some out of town.

Pages 2 & 3. Stock auction notices and a few classified advertisements with notices from District Councils and Burra Corporation. Commercial news, stock prices etc.

Usually an editorial and often one or more other leading articles, which are generally on events or situations beyond the local area. Often they feature colonial politics or overseas crises.

These are followed by short items of local news, sporting news, and correspondents’ reports from other towns or districts. Also letters to the editor.

Town Council reports and those from the Midland Road Board meetings are generally given in considerable detail.

The ‘Items’ column gives very brief and often cryptic snippets of news, most of which is not local. Mostly it is Australian, but may include overseas items too.

This is followed by a major item or two of lengthier information on science, the world, farming, etc.

Some serial fiction.

Advertisements barely intrude into this, at least until late on page three and even then not usually mixed with the news or articles.

The dividing line between pages two and three is flexible depending on the quantity of notices and classified advertising.

Page 4. Larger advertisements, especially for patent medicines, but also other items like farm machinery.

Sometimes a part column of ‘wit and humour’.

On April 24 the paper announced arrangements to get Reuter’s Agency telegrams sent on to them. For £1 a year they would communicate them to subscribers as soon as they arrived. How this was done is unclear as is how long this offer lasted and how many subscribers, if any, took up the offer. From 1 May the telegrams appeared in the paper regularly under the heading ‘Reuter’s Telegrams’. They usually ran to about a column.

The editorials were often concerned with the political situation in Adelaide and what was going on in the SA Parliament. Holder was particularly interested in the financial arrangements and policies of the SA Government. Although they are written in quite a readable style, much of this must have been of quite marginal interest and comprehensibility to most of the readers.

In the latter part of the year the burlesque ‘The City of Big-Big’ was a lengthy serial piece, which had entertaining moments, but in general it was overly verbose and can have been appreciated by very few subscribers. Perhaps the ability of readers at the time to identify the objects of the satirical comment sustained interest more than I can imagine.

The sporting reports seem to be somewhat inconsistent and clearly relied upon interested club members writing in on their organisation’s activities.

Overall the paper remained at this stage a good record of the day-to-day activities of the town and district.

Numbering of the issues of the paper in 1885

1885 began with Volume VI, Number 402 on 2 January 1885

and ran to

Volume VI, Number 453 on 30 June 1885 and then

Volume VII, Number 454 on 3 July 1885

and ran to

Volume VII, Number 504 on 25 December 1885.

VII. 505. 1 Jan. 1886

Advertisements, Page 1

Liston, Shakes & co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt Butcher

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

A.H. Forder Agent for AMP & SA Insurance Co.

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

Agents for Imperial Fire Insurance Co.

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

William Pearce Agent for National Building Society, Commercial St

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker, & Tinsmith, Gas Fitting &

Bell Hanging, Firearms, Ammunition, and Sewing Machines,

Commercial St

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

T. Kitchen Grocer, Tea-dealer, Crockery, Glassware, China,

Adjoining the Bank of Australasia, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Christmas Cards, Crewel Work Material, Work Boxes, Portrait

Albums, Jewellery, Ice Wool, Berlin Wool, Canvas, Musical

Instruments, Books, Stationery, Vases, China, Toys, Dolls,

Paperhangings, Paints & Window Glass.

[Crewel Work = tapestry and embroidery; ice wool = eis wool,

a very fine, glossy worsted yarn of two threads used for making

shawls etc.; Berlin wool = a fairly fine wool used in glove

making etc.]

Wilkinson’s Cards, seeds, aerated drinks

W.H. Pearce Ovens, Stoves, Coppers, Wringers, Ironmongery, Pumps,

Galvanised Iron Tanks, Tinware, Bell Hanging, Commercial St

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

F.W. Holder Organs & Pianos, see the Record Office

John Harry Windmills

Advertisements, Page 2

McLaren, White & Co. Auctioneers & Stock Salesmen, Kapunda & Burra

C.J. Pearce Cabinetmaker at the back of Mr Lasscock’s Shop

J.A. Watt Draper

Advertisements, Page 3

Harry & Burns Windmills, Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths, Horses Shod,

Next to the Commercial Hotel.

Walker’s Shoes

T. Edwards Millinery, Drapery, Clothing & Fancy Goods

James Rule Coach Builder, Blacksmith, Wheelwright,

Aberdeen, near Sara & Dunstan’s

D. Jones Sign-writer, Decorator & Paper-hanger, Queen St

William Midwinter Quondong Mail: Passengers & Mail, Friday at 1 p.m. from

Young’s Hotel. Returns Monday 9 a.m. from Quondong,

arriving Wednesday 3 p.m.

A. Lott Carpenter & Builder, Commercial St

M. Symons Wholesale and Retail Butcher, Market Square

Henry Eustace Carpenter, Fitting & Cleaning Clocks & Sewing Machines etc.

Midway between the Gaol and Redruth Post Office

C. Rawling Aberdeen Lime Kiln, near the Bon Accord Engine House

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, almost opposite the

Commercial Hotel

William Midwinter Quondong Mail

VII. 505. 1 Jan. 1886, page 2

Advt. IOOF, Friendship & Truth; the Loyal Kooringa Lodge No. 34 will shortly be opened. Information from Alf Allen, J. Howes, T. Mellett, J. Both Sen., D. Williams and J. Both Jun.

Notice. Tenders called for the ‘Supply of the Requisite Materials, Labor, &c., and Lighting Lamps. No.1 Market Square. No. 2 Opposite Tiver’s for the twelve months, commencing January 1 1886.’

Train Timetable

From North to Adelaide

Arr. 7.38 a.m. dep. 7.44 a.m.

Arr. 4.20 p.m. dep. 4.26 p.m.

From Adelaide to North

Arr. 12.23 p.m. dep. 12.29 p.m.

Arr. 9.31 p.m. dep. 9.38 p.m.

Editorial on 1885 in Retrospect.

1885 was a year of worldwide depression. [There was then much on European news and British Politics.]

SA was worse than the other Australian colonies because there was a coincidence of low wool, wheat and copper prices, with bad seasons as well. As usual SA had experienced a change of Government, but the new Government:

‘ . . . as a whole has no policy and no controlling power in the house’.

They believe in protectionist tariffs and the stopping of public works just when they should have begun.

The full effect of the depression had only recently reached Burra, but the 1885-86 harvest has been very bad and had brought it home. The only hope of revival in the short term was seen to lie in the ‘improbable . . . renewal of work at the mine’.

The editor felt that the locals were too absorbed in their personal making of money and too apathetic on public issues. Those who should lead the community do not even subscribe to the local paper; do not place their advertising work locally.

The Wesleyan Picnic this year was at Hallett on New Year’s Day, by special train.

Cricket. 1 January at Aberdeen, Saddleworth v. Aberdeen on the ground next to Drew & Co.’s store at Aberdeen.

Special Services for New Year were reported for the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School and the Kooringa Bible Christian Church, where the preacher was W.G. Torr of Moonta.

St Joseph’s was packed on Christmas Eve, with a midnight sung mass. Conductor was Mr Cater and Rev. Father O’Dowling preached.

Barrier Silver. There was a report on ‘The Eaglehawk Silver Mining Compaox’ [sic] situated at Mt Gipp, and in which the shares were nearly all held by people at Burra.

World’s End Silver. Silver has recently been discovered in the Robertstown-World’s End area, but too many people own claims with no intent of developing them.

James Cater, the first headmaster of Burra Public School has been promoted to East Adelaide School. He will be missed.

Entertainment. The concert on Saturday by the Court Minstrels in aid of the Aberdeen Cricket Club was very successful.

Wages. Cr W.F. Coglin wrote, replying to criticism that the Burra Town Council had employed at reduced wages. He said men had been employed at 6/6 a day, but so many had been looking for work at 5/- a day that the Council had reduced the pay to the Government relief scale in order to give more men jobs.

Another letter protests at the stance of Crs Sampson, Symons and Anderson that 5/6 was a sufficient wage.

W.H. Hardy however, writes in support of the reduction, under the circumstances.

A Letter calls for the construction of swimming baths.

VII. 505. 1 Jan. 1886, page 3

Rechabite Picnic. On 28 December the Rose of Sharon Tent had its third annual picnic at A. McCulloch’s grounds [Princess Royal], 5 miles from Kooringa. 200 people attended by the time the races started. Hall & Bromley’s swings were popular. William Geake Sen. catered. The usual foot races and jumping events were held and a bicycle race was the most attractive event of the day. It was won by E. Mutton. In the evening there was an entertainment at the Institute.

Floods. The year ended with a fall of over 6” in Silverton and heavy falls extended across the North-East, with floods from Silverton to Terowie.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary was on 20 December and is reported at length.

Cricket. On Christmas Day Burra Young Australians 82 defeated Clare Juniors 38 & 24 at Clare. Hall & Bromley’s conveyance left early, with breakfast on arrival at Clare. The team was home by 8 p.m.

Also on Christmas Day the Australian Juniors arrived by train to play Aberdeen. They travelled by Hall & Bromley’s large bus to the Commercial Hotel.

Australian Juniors 65 & 65 Aberdeen 65 & 5 for 85

Dinner was at Host Barnett’s.

VII. 506. 5 Jan. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Ann Sampson, relict of the late J. Sampson, died at Kooringa on 4 January, aged 74. Born in the Parish of Buryon, near Penzance Cornwall and a colonist of 39 years. [Born Ann Branwell.]

Aberdeen Reserve. A notice in the Government Gazette states that all lands lately held by the Yorke’s Peninsula Mining Association, including the reserve claimed by the Burra Town Council, is about to be brought under the Real Property Act.

New Year. Watchnight services were held in several churches: ‘that in the Barracks being prolonged for some time after midnight.’

After dawn, when vigilance had eased, a number of wooden privies were overturned, gates and vehicles moved and damage of various sorts done.

The Wesleyan Picnic at Hallett by special train was a great success.

World’s End Silver finds continue to create interest with reports of 4 oz silver per ton and 3 dwt of gold.

Obituary. Kyran Linkson, aged 13 drowned last Sunday [3 January] in Sara & Dunstan’s dam, having gone swimming there with Johnson Carpenter.

Obituary. E.W. Pitts has died. [Edward William Pitts, died 30 December 1885, aged 54.]

Cricket. 1 January. Aberdeen 111 defeated Saddleworth 26 & 22, by an innings and 63 runs.

Burra Town Council has moved to place a caveat on the title of the Aberdeen Reserve when it comes under the Reap Property Act.

The police report they intend to withdraw one trooper from Redruth, but to continue with one foot constable at Redruth and one at Kooringa. The Council did not see the need for a foot constable at Redruth and decided to see the Commissioner of Police.

VII. 507. 8 Jan. 1886, page 2

Burra Public School. Mr Wittber of Salisbury has been appointed the new headmaster.

Obituary. Mr Hannibal Orchard, formerly of the Aberdeen Hotel, died at Gawler last Wednesday.

[Died 6 January 1886 aged 66]

Obituary. Kyran Linkson, youngest son of Catherine Linkson, aged 13, drowned while bathing on 5 January at Redruth.

Obituary. Florence Lillian McDonald, daughter of Robert & Agnes McDonald, died at Redruth on 5 January, aged six months. [Born 5 July 1885]

Weather has been hot. Monday was 100°F and reached 110°F in some shops, but Tuesday’s cool change saw temperatures drop to <60°F.

Catholic Presbytery. [In 1885] the Catholics let a tender to Mr Cotter of Gladstone for the masonry and plastering of a new presbytery. I.W. Goss won the carpentry work. The cost overall exceeded £800 and the building stood the wet Christmas very well.

Burra Town Council. The Mayor, Mr Packard, with Cr Ridgway & Mr Holder waited upon several ministers in Adelaide.

A problem of the Council having to repay a Government subsidy of £144 was clarified, but was resolved in the government’s favour.

There were several problems relating to the purchase of the Waterworks. The Council believed they were to pay not a price fixed by the Government, but the actual cost price. The Government considered their cost to be the cost of establishment of the old or original works plus their losses in the seven years they had managed the works. The Council also objected to paying for the works, which were constructed for the Railways Department and were still used by them. They also considered that the Government was double dipping by collecting the fees for pumping in the transitional period and then also charging the Council for that period. The Commissioner, Mr Spence agreed only to consider the matters raised.

They visited C. Bray, Chief Secretary, complaining that Burra paid more than other towns for police. They wanted only one foot constable in addition to the troopers instead of two.

He agreed to look into police needs and how Burra compared with others.

Offences. Richard Owens was fined 10/- for driving around the corner of Market Square ‘at more than a walking pace’ and so was H.T.H. Morris for a similar offence.

Dr Sangster was fined 5/- for allowing a cow to stray.

Alex Harris won the tender for the Kooringa railway mail cart for the next three years.

VII. 508. 12 Jan. 1886, page 2

Advt. The Burra Co. RVF. [This paper like many others carried orders for the drills etc. for the Rifle Volunteer Force, commanded locally by Captain W.F. Holder.]

Advt. August Wittber, Headmaster, advises that the Burra Public School will resume on 18 January 1886.

Advt. Mrs McLagan & assistant Miss Builder will reopen their school/kindergarten on 18 January 1886.

Advt. Wesleyan Foreign Missions present a public meeting at the Kooringa church on Thursday. Rev. J. Leggoe, a missionary in Fiji, will speak. A Fijian, Ratu Bua, will be present. The meeting will be repeated Friday at Redruth.

Editorial on Hon. G.W. Cotton & Homestead Leases.

Burra Volunteer Band. There is a reference to this band, which was the band of the Burra Co. RVF and was often referred to as the Burra Military Band.

Bicycle Ride. The 14-year-old son of Mr Eyes, a locomotive engine driver of Terowie, who is a student at Prince Alfred’s College, rode his bicycle home last Friday. He left Adelaide at 5 a.m., got to Gawler at 7.05 a.m., Tarlee at 10.40 a.m., Riverton at 1.00 p.m. and reached Burra at 8.30 p.m., having taken about 12 hours actual riding time. He completed the ride to Terowie the following morning.

Burra Institute annual meeting of subscribers was held on 8 January with Mr Holder in the chair. There were then 5932 volumes in the library and 92 members with some 40 using the reading room each day. Receipts for the year were £341-1-9 and expenditure £226-2-2 which allowed the bank debt of £102-6-1 to be paid resulting in a credit balance of £12-13-6 which was the first credit balance ever.

Offences. Matthew McKeon was fined £6 or two months (and got the latter) for unlawful possession of two £1 notes, the property of Thomas Warnes. Mr Warnes had lost the notes out of his pocket at the Burra Hotel.

Cricket. On Brewery Flat last Saturday, Young Australians 79 & 9 defeated Tradesmen 20 & 66.

Burra Town Council. There is a move to sue the Council for unpaid wages when they dropped the wages to 5/6 after taking the men on. [Cr Ridgway had warned them of a possible breach of contract and suggested it would likely cost them more at court than they would have saved in wages.]

VII. 509. 15 Jan. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Burra Hospital. This has been a great success since its inception, though there has been insufficient effort to involve the public and an undue reliance upon the Government subsidy. There have been relatively few subscribers. Much is due to the Honorary Medical Officers: Drs Nesbitt, Cave, Stephens and Sangster. The doctors see no reason why they should not be paid for their services and the Board has now voted £100 p.a. to the two surgeons from 1 January 1886.

2nd Leader on the recent Brutish election.

Legal fees. The ratepayers of North Ward call for a public meeting on the legal cost and ramifications of the caveat on the Aberdeen Reserve. The Mayor has called a meeting in the German Schoolroom at Redruth on 16 January at 8 p.m.

Captain Killicoat has been ill in the recent very hot weather.

Unemployment. The SA Government last month opened a Labour Bureau to find work for the unemployed and to provide sustenance. From 11 December to 11 January 722 names were placed on the roll and 623 accepted offers of work. 388 were sent to Hergott [i.e. Marree, where work on the Central Australian Railway was under way.] 1 went to Beetaloo [where a reservoir was under construction.] 5 to Orroroo, 37 to Thebarton, 14 to Glen Osmond, 52 to Dry Creek, 20 to Maylands, 64 to North Adelaide, 42 to Port Adelaide. Almost all jobs were labouring and most were stone breaking.

Porter’s Lagoon. On 30 December 1885 four young men went shooting on the lagoon and when two waded in to shoot ducks and swans one got so entangled in weed that he almost drowned.

W.H. Hardy writes condemning J. Dunstan JP for fining a man who admitted being in possession of two £1 notes, the property of Mr Warnes. [£6 or two months] Hardy goes on to criticise the policeman - ‘or should I say boy’, who allows all kinds of larrikinism to take place before his eyes. Something, he says, needs to be done. He also complains that the hotels are not closed on Sunday when they should be.

Court.

G. Maip sued Ah Looey and the case took some time due to the Chinese having difficulty in making themselves understood. Apparently the plaintiff claimed he had lent some money and also sold some goods to the defendant amounting in all to c. £13.

The defendant in counter claim had a demand for the rent of a shop and much depended on whether this had been taken by the week or for a year. If it were by the year the plaintiff would have been indebted to the defendant. The bench decided it had been by the week and the rent of the shop set off against the money lent reduced the claim to 30/- for which the verdict was given.

VII. 509. 15 Jan. 1886, page 3

World’s End Silver, prospecting continues.

Burra trees planted in the streets are watered and growing fast.

VII. 510. 19 Jan. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Waterworks. Summary of the position. The Mayor waxed hot on the way the deputation was met by the Hon. J.B. Spence, Chief Secretary.

The Requests of the deputation:

As promised by a former Minister they get a statement of the items of cost in the construction of the extension to the Waterworks for the town as the statement received is merely a summary of totals and quite insufficient to prove the correctness of the total which the Council disputes.

Instead of the portion of the old works not used by the railways and now connected with the new works being charged to the Council at more than the annual statements of the Public Works report show the whole to have cost, and more than double their estimated value, a fair price should be fixed for them.

Mr Spence seems to have made up his mind before the deputation came and treated them most unbecomingly. He told them they would have to take or leave the price set by the Hydraulic Engineer. The agreement is that the Government shall construct the works and the Council shall have use of them at the cost price. This attitude is untenable.

The Commissioner also believes that the cost price includes the losses the government made in working the old scheme for the last seven years. This is too absurd to argue against. It is dishonest to charge the Council for work done and pipes laid in the railway yard and now used by them apart from the town supply. We agree the Mayor should not let the matter rest.

Also the Council should consider reducing the rates to encourage higher consumption. The editor suggests a sliding scale with the 1st 1,000 gallons at 6/-, the 2nd at 5/-, the 3rd at 4/-, the 4th at 3/- with subsequent 1,000-gallon increments at 2/6 each.

2nd Leader on The Aberdeen Reserve. The move to bring the Aberdeen Reserve under the Real Property Act is most likely an attempt to establish title when the Council has a stronger one. It is likely an attempt to bluff the Council. A public meeting has endorsed the Council’s entering a caveat on the title.

If a caveat is not lodged the Council is just giving away the £70-£80 it cost to fence it. Mr Pinch thought they were throwing good money after bad and opposed the move. Cr Tiver said his experience of going to the Supreme Court over land he had bought from the same proprietors suggested there was no sufficient title to any of their land.

The Town and Country Bank has closed its Kooringa branch.

Cricket. Last Saturday Aberdeen 108 defeated Young Australians 57.

Burra Co. RVF. The compulsory drill for 1886 is on 20 January when the band will also parade.

John Fay’s Millerton property will be sold today and not on the 16 February as previously advised.

Burra Town Council met on 18 January and reappointed J.D. Cave as Town Clerk at £70 p.a. Mr Dow was appointed Inspector at £100 p.a. One dayman was appointed to each ward at 6/6 a day. Jeffrey Pearce will do dray work as required at 9/9 a day.

Silverton Mines report high yields of lead and silver.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions Meeting in Kooringa last Thursday was addressed by Rev. Leggoe, well known here from 18 years ago. He spoke on Methodism in Fiji and was attended by a young Fijian student for the ministry, Ratu Bua.

‘Any Other Man’ challenges the validity of W.H. Hardy’s attack on the police and larrikinism.

VII. 510. 19 Jan. 1886, page 3

Obituary. Captain Killicoat died on Monday 18 January, aged 76. Biographical detail will follow in next issue.

Burra Town Council. The Mayor reported on the deputation re the Waterworks. [Along the lines covered in the editorial.]

Much of the rest of the meeting was taken up with the appointment of Council officers as above page 2.

VII. 511. 22 Jan. 1886, page 2

Birth to the wife of R. Horace Steele at Kooringa on 21 January, a daughter. [Amy Turnbull Steele]

Editorial on SA Government retrenchments.

2nd Leader on Irrigation near Morgan.

Weather. A severe thunderstorm hit Mongolata and part of Baldina last Tuesday. Mr Reid lost about 120 sheep drowned before they could get out of a creek bed. At Llwchwr Mr McBride’s house was struck by lightning and a chimney damaged. A chimney of Mr Tobin’s house in Kangaroo Street was also struck. There was little rain in Kooringa.

Obituary. Isaac Killicoat was buried yesterday. He was born in Perranwell, a village in Cornwall 5 miles south of Truro on 3 December 1809. As a youth he went into mining and attended night classes for an education. At 19 he became a superintendent of operations employing 500 hands. For 19 years before migrating to SA he was Surface Captain to the Tresavean Copper Mine, Gwennays, Cornwall, one of the oldest and largest copper mines in England and the second in the world to introduce a ‘man engine’: i.e. a lift to lower miners into the depths of the mine. This whole time he walked 5 miles ‘back and forth’ as the Cornish say, or 10 miles a day.

In 1848 he was engaged by John Schneider & Co., later the Patent Copper Co., to come to Burra and superintend the purchase of ore from the SAMA and others on behalf of the Smelting Co. This he did till the mine closed. He also bought land and grew wheat and hay. More recently he bought Abberton Park, named after the vessel he came in, and devoted himself to sheep. He also used irrigation there to grow fruit trees, especially oranges and lemons.

He was active in public life and greatly encouraged the completion of the Burra railway. He stood for the Legislative Council once when the whole colony was a single constituency, but was not elected. He was appointed a member of the first Burra District Council and elected chairman thereof. He was also elected a member of the Midland Road Board: an office he held until his death.

He did much to establish the district’s roads and bridges. On mining matters he was a consultant, making two trips to New Caledonia to confer on the Ballade Copper Mine and also to Cobar Mines in NSW as well as to mines in New Zealand and was consulted by the owners of the mines on Yorke’s Peninsula.

He was a member of the Church of England and a trustee of St Mary’s, Burra. Thrice married, his third wife survives him. His eldest son has been dead for some years, but he is survived by two sons, three daughters and 22 grandchildren.

Advt. George Bishop apologises for having caused an annoyance outside the Salvation Army Barracks on 17 January.

World’s End Silver Claims. Some 100 are now said to be at work there.

Offences. W. Young, Charles Barrett and Mary Mowatt were each fined £1-1-0 + £2-4-4 costs for exhibiting for sale spirits 25% under proof.

Letter from W.H. Hardy complaining that the objector to his outburst was one of the larrikin supporters of larrikinism. As for his letter harming the town: on the contrary, since it was published there had been police action and improvement.

Letter from ‘A Ratepayer’ saying that J.D. Cave’s appointment as Town Clerk was irregular and under the proper process of tendering it should have gone to Mr Davey.

VII. 512. 26 Jan. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the depression and how bad times can turn people to try new and potentially productive ventures, such as new ways to make money in mineral searches etc. But last year’s Mining Act allows land to be held by speculators without development so new fields may be kept idle or not proved. New provisions are needed under the act to see that claims remain active, or are surrendered.

Weather. There was a severe electrical storm last Tuesday at Baldina.

W.R. Ridgway is a candidate for the late Captain Isaac Killicoat’s position on the Midland Road Board. Council has to nominate the candidate and the road Board will then vote on candidates nominated by various councils.

Federation. The Federal Council meets in Hobart on 25 January to advance Federation of the colonies. There will be representatives from Victoria, Queensland Tasmania, Western Australia and Fiji, but not from South Australia or New South Wales.

Gold. There has been a promising discovery near Petersburg.

Whyte-Yarcowie. A flourmill has opened.

A Whooping Cough epidemic in Adelaide raised the death rate appreciably in the last quarter.

Silver. The ‘Silverton Junior’ at World’s End-Robertstown shows promise with some shafts down 20’-30’.

Cricket. Clare 133 defeated Aberdeen 95

Midland Road Board expresses regret at the death of Captain Killicoat who died on 18 January.

This year the Government has made no provision for new constructions. £1,000 remains from the last allocation. Recent floods have washed much metal from the Baldina Ford and another ford on the same road. Repairs have been ordered. £100 has been allocated to the Kooringa-Diprose Creek Road.

VII. 513. 29 Jan. 1886, page 2

Advt. Entertainment. The Flower Queen Cantata will be performed at the Burra Institute on 16 & 17 February. Chorus of all the Flowers. [There is a list of the performers.]

Chairs 2/-, seats 1/-. No children in arms admitted. MOONLIGHT

Editorial on the Federal Council: the first official conference/convention under an Act of the Imperial Parliament. The Editor thought that SA should have been represented.

2nd Leader on the defeat of the Government in London.

Fire. There was a small fire on Tuesday at Forder’s farm, Nelson, but it was extinguished without much damage.

W. Bentley, local photographer, has a cabinet portrait of Rev. J. Leggoe with Ratu Bua, the Fijian student who visited recently: it makes an interesting souvenir.

Silver continues to be produced in encouraging amounts at World’s End-Robertstown fields. The Black Hills claim of Dunstan & Co. is said to be particularly worthwhile.

Burra Public School. The school board has called for more teachers. Miss L. Stephens has been appointed to the Stony Gap School. Applications for free education were reviewed and 94 free and 16 half-fee applications were allowed. The board comprised: P. Lane, J. Dunstan Jun., D.S. Packard & F.W. Holder.

VII. 513. 29 Jan. 1886, page 3

Gold. About 40 men are working on a gold discovery at Manna Hill.

Lapford. There is a report from the local correspondent.

VII. 514. 2 Feb. 1886, page 2

Advt. Burra Co. RVF, Grand Military Entertainment on 5 February in aid of the Uniform Fund. 2/- & 1/-.

Burra Town Council. The Government has agreed to have only one foot constable in Burra, which will save the Council its moiety of £70 p.a.

World’s End-Robertstown silver Claims. There are some 260 claims in two main groups: one nearer Robertstown on the south of the Burra Creek and the other only 16-20 miles south of Burra on the north-west of the creek. The latter includes the more favoured claims of Mr Dunstan and party. We are surprised the Government Geologist has not yet visited. Mr W.B. Rounsevell has visited the claims.

Ulooloo Goldfields. Several men are presently working there.

Melbourne Mail will go by rail from 1 April 1886.

‘The Burra’. Why write ‘the Burra’ any more than ‘the Clare’ or ‘the Adelaide’? Burra people are giving up the prefix, but outsiders constantly foist it on us.

VII. 515. 5 Feb. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Baldina Creek being investigated for the possibility of an irrigation scheme.

Entertainment. The proposed Military Entertainment for this evening has been postponed due to the absence from town of some of the vocalists. ‘Never before has there been such a dearth of vocal talent in Burra as now.’

Accident. Mr J.M. McBride’s horse bolted last Tuesday. He missed the reins and the wheels caught him, throwing him violently to the ground, dislocating his right arm at the shoulder and bruising him. The horses were stopped after 11⁄2 miles.

Silver. Activity at World’s End-Robertstown continues.

Bible Christian Connexion held a Burra District meeting on 2 & 3 February at Auburn. Amid a lengthy report it states that the new Kooringa Manse cost £745, of which £393 has been raised.

VII. 515. 5 Feb. 1886, page 4

Advt. ‘The Proprietor commends this paper to Artisdveers [sic] as a means of extending their business.’ This error continued in large print in each issue till 6 June!

VII. 516. 9 Feb. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Mr Gladstone’s new Government in England.

2nd Leader on Silver Mines in World’s End Area. World’s End mining continues, but assay results are slow in coming in so most work is in the dark. Whether the lodey stuff is worth the labour is becoming doubtful. There is confusion over claims at the field as claim-holders have three months to get a survey and in the meantime many claims seem to overlap and clash, and speculators hold too many claims. There are now over 300 claims in the area.

W. Pearce Jun. has received one ore assay report of 4 oz silver per ton of ore. Sampson & Barrett are said to have found a silver lode at Apoinga yielding over 7 oz silver per ton of ore. Black Hills Silver Mines continue to develop various shafts in the area down to 20’ with some to 80’. Here too there have been few assay reports and no surveys yet.

‘The Burra’. An article from the Northern Argus reports on the use of the term ‘The Burra’ and says that the local people are giving up the use of the definite article.

Entertainment. There is an outline of the Flower Queen Cantata. The scenery has been painted by William Bentley.

The footbridge in Bridge St East wants attention.

Salvation Army. Stones, potatoes and eggs have been thrown at the Army. An anonymous letter and one from W.H. Hardy protest against these attacks and the lack of police action against the larrikins.

Bible Christians and Primitive Methodists are discussing amalgamation.

Cricket. The South End of Town 88 defeated the North End of Town 75.

VII. 517. 12 Feb. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Socialism and Gladstone’s Ministry.

2nd Leader on Riots in London.

3rd Leader on the SA Government’s lack of policy on unemployment, their lack of public works and an attitude the editor sees as penny-wise and pound-foolish. People are leaving SA in droves.

Tennis. Ladies and gentlemen from Clare will play Burra tomorrow on the courts opposite the Burra Hospital.

Burra Co. RVF. The target is now complete and ammunition has arrived. Practice firings will be on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Mail Run. J.N. Way now has the contract for the Quondong mail at £240 p.a. (The first contract was in 1885) The contract included Thistlebeds.

Baldina. A party is to investigate further the possibility of irrigation at Baldina Creek with a view to getting Government sponsorship as has been done at Morgan.

Butcher Shop. The shop and premises at Aberdeen lately held by H.M. Goodridge, butcher, is for sale or let by C. Gebhardt.

Salvation Army. There was a shameful attack on Tuesday against Mrs Upton, the wife of the Salvation Army Captain, when a rotten egg was thrown into her front room through the partly open front door to their house in Market Square.

Quarry Accident. On Thursday afternoon a rock fall in the quarry opposite the Burra Hospital buried J.H. Chynoweth of Kooringa and his 14-year-old son. Chynoweth was buried to the waist, but was soon dug out. The boy was completely covered, but was eventually extricated alive with a very badly shattered left leg.

Unemployment. Disgust was expressed that some of the men sent to Hergott could get neither work nor food when they arrived.

VII. 517. 12 Feb. 1886, page 3

Unemployment. There have been unemployment riots in London.

Salvation Army. A letter to the editor claims that W.H. Hardy’s condemnation of the police inaction is unwarranted as in Clare, where the Salvationists were similarly attacked, there were four plain-clothes police who were unable to call a halt to the trouble. What could one man do confronted by a crowd of 100 or more?

Letter. A second letter finds W.H. Hardy rather fatuous. The police were unable to find the culprits for good reasons.

Cricket. The Young Australians 112 defeated Burra Juniors 24 & 38.

VII. 518. 16 Feb. 1886, page 2

Birth: on 14 February at Kooringa to the wife of C.J. Pearce two premature daughters. [Annie Coles Pearce and Leah Donaldson Pearce]

Editorial on the Baldina irrigation proposal.

Bible Christian Church anniversary will be on 21 & 22 February.

Burra Institute monthly committee meeting announces that the Chrysanthemum Show will be held at the end of April.

St Mary’s held a choral service for Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday. The preacher was Rev. J. Stuart Wayland.

Burra District Council nominated P. Lane as their candidate for the Midland Road Board.

Baldina. Last Friday the Mayor and several councillors went out to Baldina and travelled some two miles down the creek from the ford to inspect the water and the gorge for a site for a dam to supply water for irrigation. The flow was estimated at 40,000 gallons an hour. They will now ask the Government to survey the site to ascertain the feasibility of an irrigation scheme.

Larrikinism. A letter to the editor defends W.H. Hardy as a necessary part of society: to be preserved as the court jester.

Hardy responds by asserting that his main point remains valid: the larrikinism is unacceptable and the authorities have a duty to react appropriately.

Typhoid. There has been an outbreak at Hindmarsh. [This was one of several for the year: it was a frequent problem at the rather unhygienic sites of mineral exploration as well as in several towns.]

Silver fever seems to be abating somewhat, though many were still at work at the Ulooloo goldfield and some were even said to be making wages.

VII. 518. 16 Feb. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council also nominated P. Lane as candidate for the Midland Road Board.

VII. 519. 19 Feb. 1886, page 2

Burra Co. RVF annual meeting will be held in the Institute on 25 February, Captain F.W. Holder commanding.

A Foresters’ Demonstration is announced for St Patrick’s Day on 17 March. The Foresters’ Handicap over 150 yards carries prizes of £10, £4 & £2.

The Handicap Hurdles over 150 yards and 200 yards carry prizes of £2-10-0 & £1.

Editorial on the need to reform mining legislation. There was a concern about mining on private land and the need for claims to be actively worked.

Entertainment. The Flower Queen Cantata given by Mr Forder and His Co. was very successful. Singers were principally from Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School.

Baldina. Mr Quintrell of the Office of the Conservation of Water went out to Baldina Creek on Tuesday to make a survey on the practicability of irrigation.

Obituary. Mr Richard Ward, a resident and businessman died in Redruth on Wednesday. [Died 18 February, aged 59.]

Silverton Railway. There was agitation for strengthening the railway to Silverton, now under construction, and it will now be made capable of traffic at 20 m.p.h. with heavier trains. It will now be graded and ballasted throughout.

Tennis. Clare defeated Burra at the recent match.

Letters to the Editor. Another letter attacks W.H. Hardy.

One says Mr G.A. Gebhardt of Mackerode had c. 50 of his pigs stray onto land held by Messrs Bowman Bros. of Wandillah, whereupon Mr E. Brown, manager, shot as many as possible. Thirty were seen dead with others running about wounded. The writer protests at the wanton cruelty when they should have been put in the pound. This is uncivilised behaviour.

VII. 520. 23 Feb. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the new colonial ministries in NSW and Victoria.

2nd Leader on the new Liberal Government in London and state aided migration.

Silver. In the World’s End area the Black Hills Mines have now been surveyed and disputes over boundaries settled. Dunstan & Co. have all they claimed. Silver claims continue to be made.

Bible Christian Church anniversary at Kooringa. The preachers were G.H. Paynter of Silverton and G.E. Rowe.

Offence. Michael Collins was charged with being drunk in a public place and resisting police when he was arrested in Market Square on Friday afternoon. When being led off by Constable Murray he assaulted him, knocking him into the gutter. He was restrained by passers-by, including Mr McDonald, the keeper of the Redruth Gaol. Fined £5-5-0

VII. 520. 23 Feb. 1886, page 3

Letter. There is a very irate letter from a North Ward ratepayer complaining that more money was being spent on the road to Mr Dunstan’s house, which was not even in North Ward, yet he feared that North Ward would be footing the bill. There were also complaints about other roads in the North Ward. [Much of the letter is somewhat incoherent, but Mr Dunstan appears to have lived in a house on the south side of St Just Street, which would place the street in North Ward, but his house in East Ward. The Council assessment book gives his location as Swansea Vale, which was apparently an unofficial designation for houses located on either side of Welsh Creek on land leased by the English & Australian Copper Co.]

Lapford. Another long report from the World’s End area, but saying little of consequence.

VII. 521. 26 Feb. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the failure of the Commercial Bank. There was an attempt to amalgamate with the Commercial Bank of Australasia, but its losses were too great. (There was fortunately no branch of the bank in Burra.) Indications at this stage were that customers and depositors would get 20/- in the £ and shareholders 10/- per share. The £4 shares were valued at £3-12-6 on Tuesday.

Cricket. Aberdeen will play Burra Co. RVF tomorrow on the ground near Drew & Co.’s store at Aberdeen.

VII. 521. 26 Feb. 1886, page 3

Letter from Ben. Franklin Longford, the author of a serial in the paper, called City of Big-Big, who is complaining of plagiarism by the author of another series In the Twentieth Century’ said to be by ‘B.F.L.’. The latter is certainly as unreadable as Longford’s work and in such a similar style that it might be him.

Burra Co. RVF. Report from F.W. Holder, Captain Commanding.

Since the first enrolment on 6 May 1885 there have been 74 names on the list of whom 8 have withdrawn, (Mainly because they have left the district.) leaving 66. Attendance could be better, but still 63 men attended at least 15 recruit and 10 other drills. Few had fired at a target before so results there are not so good. The band of 16 players is setting a fine example.

Finances are satisfactory. Uniform costs have been £230-12-11. The public has subscribed £76-3-9. Many thanks are due to P. Lane JP who collected much of that, and to Rev. G.E. Rowe and to Ex-Mayor J. Dunstan Jun. JP, and to Mr W. West for getting £5-5-0 from SAMA. Several members of the company subscribed a total of £47-13-0. There was £91-10-0 from the Government for a total of £215-6-9. Some £24 has been spent on instruments so the current debt is £34-5-10.

There is hope of a drill instructor within a month.

Cricket. Burra Juniors 56 & 58 defeated Burra Model School 58 & 29.

VII. 522. 2 Mar. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Local Option.

Burra Co. RVF. Numbers presently 73. Subscriptions 5/- p.a.

The Military Band played almost two hours in front of J.A. Watt’s new store in Commercial St last Saturday. When complete the band numbers 16.

Silver has now been discovered on Mt Mullen on the Kapunda Prospecting Co. claim, close to the Burra Creek.

Silverton Railway. 50 miles of earthwork have now been completed from Petersburg and this week plate laying will begin at the expected rate of 4 miles a week.

Bible Christian Church conference has given permission for the sale of the old Bible Christian parsonage and school in Kooringa.

Working Men’s Blocks. A letter to the Editor from G.W. Cotton. The Act empowers the Government to grant blocks of not more than 20 acres. A clause requires residence on the land, but this is fulfilled if the wife and family are living there. Under a similar Act in Victoria of 1865 over 17,000 blocks have been taken up in less than 5 years. People can become self-supporting.

Postcards. A letter queries why you can buy postcards at the post office in bundles of 1/- worth, but not singly. [Were they 1d cards?]

VII. 522. 2 Mar. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. There was considerable debate over the cost of the Waterworks to be charged to the Council by the Government.

Cricket. Burra Co. RVF 78 defeated Aberdeen 20 & 154, on the first innings.

VII. 523. 8 Mar. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the depression. This world-wide phenomenon is made worse in SA by a miserably bad harvest in the summer of 1885-6, the failure of the Commercial Bank and emigration from the colony of, not the poorest, but those with something to take with them. He feels that only a doubling of the land tax can bring in more money, and it would fall on those most able to pay. City land had actually fallen in value. [It had been inflated before the depression by speculation.]

Mr W. Pearce Sen. was given a farewell from the Kooringa Wesleyan Church after connection with it for over 38 years. Next Monday he travels to England for a visit.

The Primitive Methodist Church. Rev. S. Gray replaces J.J. Salmon, who goes to Gawler.

Burra Public School now has an average attendance of 380. Steps are being taken to form a Burra Teachers’ Association on 13 March.

Methodism. There is a suggestion that the Bible Christians and the Primitive Methodists might merge.

Silver. There is half a column on the silver claims in the Robertstown-Burra Creek-Black Hills area with an outline of the work done, but there are few results as yet.

VII. 524. 9 Mar. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Gold in SA and Government attitudes to its discovery and exploitation.

Bank of Australasia. The Aberdeen branch is to be closed at the end of this month. The branch has been open for a number of years.

Silver. The work on the silver claims at World’s End-Robertstown goes on to prove their worth. There is promise, but it is not definite yet.

Burglary. Mr T. Edwards’ drapery shop was robbed on the night of last Saturday-Sunday, 6-7 March. About £150 of drapery was stolen. Police so far have been unable to trace the goods.

VII. 525. 12 Mar. 1886, page 2

Editorial on banking and banks especially relating to the failure of the Commercial Bank and the issuing of bank notes.

Bank of Australasia. The Aberdeen branch will close on 12 April 1886.

Poison. R.D. Pascoe lost a valuable kangaroo dog by poison bait on Wednesday evening while it was on the chain.

Robbery. Police have still had no success with respect to the theft from Mr T. Edwards.

Obituary. Mrs McNeil, wife of Rev. T. McNeil, former Bible Christian minister at Burra, and now at Moonta, died on Tuesday leaving six young children. [Registered as Annie Clap McNiel, died 10 March, aged 34.]

Obituary. Mrs D. Packard, widow of the late Daniel Packard and mother of the Mayor, died at her son’s home on Tuesday morning. She had arrived in SA in 1857. [nee Sarah Devereux?]

Horse Race. A race for £5 a side took place at Copperhouse on Tuesday afternoon. Mr W. Jones’s Kangaroo easily beat Mr Pearce’s Beeswing.

Silver. The Black Hills Mines of Dunstan & Co. claim has yielded at the rate of 661 oz

13 dwt 6 gr per ton. This is a very good and encouraging result. Another sample gave

702 oz 6 dwt 16 gr per ton.

[In troy weight there were 24 grains in 1 penny-weight and 20 penny-weights in an ounce and 12 ounces in a pound (5760 grains)]

VII. 525. 12 Mar. 1886, page 3

Migration. Many are leaving SA - often to go to WA.

St Patrick’s Day. Burra businesses are to close at 11 a.m.

Intercolonial Railway. The SA part of the line to Melbourne will open in April.

Wages & Unemployment. 40 men who are dam sinking at Minburra [East of Carrieton] have struck because the Government has reduced wages to 4/6 a day.

VII. 526. 16 Mar. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Thomas Parks, father of Thomas Parks of Kooringa, died at Maidstone Kent on 31 January, aged 86.

Obituary. Sarah Packard, widow of the late Rev. Daniel Packard, died 9 March at Kooringa, aged 72.

Editorial on the Farmers’ Association and Free Trade.

2nd Leader on the Land Nationalisation Society.

Burra Teachers’ Association met at Burra School on 13 March. Nine schools were represented: Baldina, Burra, Copperhouse, Daviestown [i.e. Hanson], Leighton, Mintaro, Mt Bryan, Hallett and Hanson [i.e. Farrell’s Flat]. It was decided to form an association to meet quarterly to discuss educational matters, read papers and see model lessons taught by inspectors and teachers.

Commercial Bank. A meeting of shareholders resolved that attempts should be made to carry on, even though there will be no prospect of returns to shareholders for a long time.

Cricket. In an intercolonial game SA 172 & 274 defeated Victoria 182 & 219.

Aberdeen 79 defeated Young Australians 45.

VII. 526. 16 Mar. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. The work at the Waterworks has been completed and the water will be cut off from 4 p.m. on 16 March to 6 a.m. 17 March to allow for pipe flushing and the reservoir to be cleaned.

Cr Anderson thought it was time that some use was made of the Recreation Ground and moved that tenders be called for a concrete cricket pitch, but the motion failed.

VII. 527. 19 Mar. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Sarah Watson, mother of Mrs Simons and of Mrs C.C. Williams, died at Macclesfield on 13 March, aged 68.

Editorial on the Commercial Bank failure.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary 21 & 24 March.

Midland Road Board. Mr H. Richardson of Saddleworth was elected to Captain Killicoat’s vacancy, outscoring P. Lane by 17 votes to 11. The Burra end of the district was then without a representative on the board.

St Patrick’s Day is usually not much noticed in Burra, but this year the Foresters’ Picnic drew attention. The members were led by the Burra Military Band from the Institute to the grounds of R. Austin about half a mile from the Bon Accord Hotel. The course was well prepared and it was an alcohol-free day. Linkson Bros. of Redruth catered and over 600 attended. The main event was the Foresters’ Handicap with £10, £4 & £2 prizes. It was won by W.M. Mardon, 2nd F. Symons, and 3rd G. Parks. W.J. Foote won the Handicap Hurdles and £2-10-0.

The evening performance in the Institute found the hall 2⁄3 full. It was a good program, if a little uneven.

The Salvation Army turned out the same evening in Market Square to a larger than usual crowd.

Intercolonial Railway. The line is now complete to Bordertown and the trip to Melbourne is expected to take about 18 hours when the Victorian section is completed.

Typhoid has broken out at the Kapunda School.

C.C. Kingston appears as a co-respondent in a divorce case in Adelaide and scandalises a large section of the population.

VII. 527. 19 Mar. 1886, page 3

Letter urging the Council to gravel the footpath in Commercial St as far as the Bank of Australasia. It points to other areas of neglect too.

VII. 528. 23 Mar. 1886, page 2

Advt. Entertainment. The Juvenile Operatic Co. (8 little girls from Yarcowie) will present the Fairie Operatic ‘Songs and Dances from Fairy Voices’ by A.G. Crowe, at the Institute on 26 March. Proceeds will aid Mrs Morton and family. [Robin Morton born 5 October 1850 at McLaren Vale: died 13 March 1886 at Aberdeen aged 35. Husband of Maria Morton.]

Mr Morton of Aberdeen recently died after a very short illness, leaving his widow unprovided for and seven children to raise. He was a plasterer who worked often for Sara & Dunstan, but was of late unable to get much work. Sara & Dunstan’s employees have set up a fund for the family and £30 has already come in from Terowie. Mr J. Roach has arranged an entertainment at the Institute next Friday to aid the cause.

Editorial on the Waterworks for 1885. The report shows revenue of £519-18-0 and disbursements of £518-0-8, but some of the payments were unusual and will not recur. It is also clear that in the December quarter payments for water were only £9-19-0, meaning that at least £100 must be outstanding. From this the Editor concludes that a reduction in the price of water should certainly be possible and in all fairness should be made. He believes that a reduction to 3/- per 1,000 gallons could be made without any loss to the Town Council.

Gold. Some 25 men are reportedly looking for gold at Apoinga, where there were previously some silver claims.

Baldina Creek. The Conservator of Water has visited Baldina Creek.

The Population of Adelaide is estimated at 127,013 on 31 December 1885. Melbourne then had 345,379; Sydney, 282,845; Brisbane, 48,150 and Hobart 29,999.

Typhoid at Kapunda is blamed on the school cesspits.

Waterworks. A correspondent thinks that the Town Council is behaving childishly over the Waterworks issue and is in danger not only of losing the Government subsidy for the year, but also of losing the Waterworks themselves.

Nostrodamus predicted the end of the world when Good Friday falls on St George’s Day (23 April), Easter on St Mark’s Day, (25 April) and Corpus Christi on St John’s Day (24 June). So 1886 is the end of the world. But don’t worry; Dame Shrimpton predicted the world would end in 1881.

Wages. Workers at Dry Creek were already on only 4/6 a day when the government decided to put them on piecework instead to save further money!

Burra Public School. There is a long article on the school. Mr Wittber, the Headmaster encourages visitors. The school is well run and the teaching efficient and effective. The staff use maps, diagrams, charts, pictures, and other educational appliances and practical aids. Besides Mr Wittber, and Miss Snell in the infant department, there are only three assistants with two pupil teachers and monitors.

Street Trees. A letter to the editor says the new street trees are growing, but are not being watered and so are under threat. Many he says are pepper trees.

VII. 529. 26 Mar. 1886, page 2

Fire. W.L.H. Bruse thanks all those who helped put out the fire on Tuesday in his furnishing premises in Queen St, saving considerable loss. (Damage was estimated at £15.)

Advt. Concert and Operetta tonight in the Institute in aid of Mrs Morton. The Military Band will play in front of the hall before the show.

Editorial on the weak and leaderless SA Government.

2nd Leader on our defence. Discussion on the possible merger of the RVF and the VMF.

[The RVF was an unpaid volunteer force while the VMF was a paid force.]

3rd Leader on the disgrace of C.C. Kingston MP and his immorality.

Advt. The Burra Football Club AGM will be held in the Commercial Hotel, 29 March.

The Burra Hotel is transferred from Mr W. Young to Mr John Pearce, late of the Kingston Hotel, Mt Bryan. Effective from 24 March.

Commercial Bank. A committee of seven has been appointed to decide whether the bank can re-open, be absorbed or amalgamated, or must go into liquidation.

Accidents. Jacob Jansen was driving in from Baldina and when his companion got out near Abberton Park apparently couldn’t control the horse alone. He ended up in a creek near Mr Cave’s house. The trap was smashed and Jansen broke several ribs and has punctured a lung. He has since rallied slightly, but remains in a critical condition.

On Wednesday two men employed by Hill & Co. collided while riding at Paratoo, both fell heavily, one was injured slightly, the other was taken to Terowie and thence by train to Burra Hospital, having been rendered insensible. His position is regarded as hopeless.

Strange events in Thames St. On Tuesday at midnight in Thames St someone entered Mr T. Halls’ yard and poisoned his dog, but having decided the poison wasn’t working, he decided to shoot it. The shot missed the dog and hit the door and window of the house. (The poison killed the dog soon after.) Mr Halls then awoke and got up to see what was going on. He harnessed two horses to his buggy and was about to start when a second shot was heard.

Two young girls just coming from the Post Office saw something on an old well, which they thought, was a ghost. They aroused Mr Blight who got his gun, put a charge of powder in it and ‘shot’ the ghost, which shuffled rapidly off. Halls then arrived, but the ghost vanished before it could be captured. A young man then appeared on the scene with guns and sticks and was bailed up as a suspect. He later appeared to be innocent.

By now a small crowd had been roused and several young men headed off in pursuit in the direction of Redruth. Though they could not find the offender or offenders, they did find another innocent party whom they chased and managed to bail up one or two more before getting home about 2 a.m.

Offences. As usual there were a couple of straying animal cases. Stephen Hill was fined 5/- for driving a cab without lights and Alfred Schutz was fined 10/- for a similar offence.

Burra Show Society. The editor complains that in Kapunda the tradespeople have rallied around the Kapunda Agricultural Society, but in Burra the tradespeople leave their society severely alone.

VII. 529. 26 Mar. 1886, page 3

Defence. There is more on the reorganisation of the forces in SA.

VII. 530. 30 Mar. 1886, page 2

Advt. August Wittber offers German classes.

Advt. Bath & Pearce offer thanks for the help in extinguishing a fire in the harness room at their stables last Friday night. (Dated by mistake 29 March 1884.)

Advt. J.R. Roach announces a Grand Complimentary Benefit to mark his own farewell from the Burra Stage in the Institute on 2 April 1886. It will be an elocution recital. Chairs 1/- and Forms 6d. Proceeds to go to ‘a few needy folks whose names will not be made public.’

Obituary & Inquest. William Martin died at the Burra Hospital 25 March [aged 21]. He had been brought in from Paratoo unconscious. The inquest on 26 March was before P. Lane JP and J. Snell was foreman of the jury. Matron Cameron said deceased had been sent down by Dr Ambramowski of Terowie.

Dr Brummitt said he saw no indication of external injury and deceased appeared to be suffering from concussion of the brain. He had no information about the cause of the accident. He was reported to have been unconscious for 16-17 hours. Adjourned.

Editorial on the lack of Government policies.

2nd Leader on proposals for dealing with the depression.

The Morton fund received £1-1-0 from the foresters’ Demonstration, and the benefit concert was very popular, raising £15 for the fund.

Silver. The geologist, Mr Bell, is believed to have reported favourably on the possibilities of developing the Black Hills silver claims, but the owners are not publishing his report. It is also reported that good assays have been received from claims in the Hundred of Tomkinson near Ketchowla.

Ulooloo. It is reported that 40-50 men are at work looking for gold at Ulooloo where alluvial deposits have been found. Two quartz reef claims have also been pegged, but it is too early to speak of success.

Inquest into the death of William Martin at the Burra Hospital. He died as a result of the riding accident reported in issue 529 page 2. Inquest adjourned.

A correspondent disagrees with proposals to make the RVF more professional and inveighs against accepting C.C. Kingston into decent society:

‘such scum ought to be held up as a specimen to the world’

‘The Government is rotten and not worth the place they occupy.’

He supports the idea of work locally for the unemployed as would flow from a reservoir at Baldina for irrigation.

Population of SA is cited as 313,423.

The Town and Country Bank declines to absorb the Commercial Bank.

Wages. The salaries of Government Ministers are to be cut to £800 p.a., but the writer notes that the present ministers will be out of office before the move becomes effective!

There is also the delightfully ironic report that the men at Dry Creek, who were put on piecework to save money when they were paid 4/6 a day, are now earning up to 6/- a day, and some of them more.

VII. 530. 30 Mar. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. Cr W.R. Ridgway moved there be no reduction in water rates this year, as a whole year’s operations were needed to ascertain the true position before making such a decision. This was eventually carried 4-2.

The Mayor called attention to the need for a crossing of the creek near the new school.

This was referred to the Public Works Committee for a report.

The Morton Fund. There was a letter of thanks from Robert Morton’s father for the setting up of the fund for the family.

Typhoid. A letter pointed out the danger of dead dogs and cats in the town, which could lead to a typhoid outbreak.

Straying Animals. Another letter complains of the continuing problem of straying cows and horses in Redruth and Aberdeen.

VII. 531. 2 Apr. 1886, page 1

Advt. D. Spencer Packard solicitor etc., Market Square.

VII. 531. 2 Apr. 1886, page 2

Advt. A good second hand 50” BICYCLE for sale cheap £6 cash. Apply to J. Cooksley, Machinist, Farrell’s Flat.

J. Roach’s Recital

1. Shamus O’Brien by Le Fanu.

2. In the Children’s Hospital by Tennyson.

Alliana March for piano & violin, played by Miss Both & Mr Wittber.

3. The Battle of Fontenoy by Davis.

4. How Sockery Set a Hen by Poultry Monthly.

5. Billy’s Rose by Sims.

6. Paudeen O’Rafferty’s Say Voyage.

Interval

7. The Two Little City Arabs by Simms.

8. I Remember, I Remember from the Ingoldsby Legends.

9. The Raven by E.A. Poe.

10. Jud Brownin’s Account of Rubenstein’s Piano Playing by Adams.

11. The Gambler’s Wife by Coates.

12. How We Beat the Favourite by A.L. Gordon.

The National Anthem

Editorial on the railway gauge problem - suggesting that all the lines north from Adelaide be made narrow gauge and all the southern lines be made broad gauge to connect with Victoria.

Wages. The Government proposes that all civil servants getting over £150 p.a. will get a 20% cut in pay for 15 months.

SA Revenue has fallen sharply.

SA Government. The unemployed have called on the Premier to recall Parliament - he declined on the grounds that there was work for all applicants at Dry Creek or on the Murray Flats reclamation project.

Commercial Bank. All amalgamation or merger chances have been excluded and without a substantial injection of new capital the only option left is liquidation.

Gold. The Cabinet has decided that Government assistance will be extended to three gold mines under the terms of the Gold Mining Act of 1885.

The Bird in the Hand Mining Co. will get £1,000.

The New Alma & Victoria Gold Mining Co. will get £1,000.

The Gumeracha Gold Mining Syndicate will get £50.

These sums are to be repaid when dividends would be payable to shareholders.

Burra Football Club. The general meeting last Monday night at the Commercial Hotel was chaired by W. Batchelor. The colours will change from red & black to all blues with red caps. The first match will be on 10 April on the Recreation Ground when a picked team of 20 will play a combines team of 25. The club patron id Dr J.A. Cockburn [Local MP] and the President is D.S. Packard. A list of others involved is provided.

There are at present 48 members. There is a challenge from Hotham Club (in Adelaide) for 24 May, to be played in Burra.

Letter saying it is time the provision of gutters and spouts was enforced for roofs overhanging footpaths.

Rifle Match between B Troop Mounted Rifles and Burra Co. RVF last Wednesday over 200, 400 & 500 yards with 7 shots at each distance. The locals were beaten 670 to 574. The Mayor later presided at a dinner at the Burra Hotel.

VII. 531. 2 Apr. 1886, page 3

Inquest into the death of William Martin was resumed.

Mr Sanders of Hill & Co. Terowie knew the deceased as an employee of the company and believed him to be aged 18-19. [He had brought the deceased to Burra.]

Michael Kelly, boundary rider of Paratoo, described how Martin and a black boy named Jimmy had been larking about on horses and then described a collision between his own horse and that of the deceased. Both horses fell and rolled on the riders. After attempting unsuccessfully to rouse Martin he was brought into Terowie.

There is other evidence of events the same day that seem to have no effect on the death and the jury found death by colliding with one Michael Kelly whilst on horseback at Paratoo which was purely accidental and not otherwise.

Obituary & Inquest into the death of Mr Jansen who was thrown from his trap while driving into Burra on 22 March.

The inquest on Jacob Jansen was chaired by P. Lane JP with T. Edwards as foreman of the jury.

Matron Cameron said that when admitted the deceased was unconscious and appeared to be suffering from drink. When he awoke on 23 March he said he had come from Messrs Cudmore’s property on the Darling and had called at Mr Midwinter’s Hotel on Saturday. He had died about 3 p.m. on the 30 March.

Dr Robert Brummitt said he had been called to the man found in the creek near the smelting works. He had several broken ribs and was obviously severely injured. The lung had been lacerated and this led to inflammation and ultimately to his death.

A.C. Fryer said he saw the decease driving the trap towards Mr Killicoat’s in an uncontrolled way. He had unsuccessfully tried to stop the horse. The trap and horse went over the bridge and then a little girl said that the trap and horse were in the creek. He had stayed with the deceased, who was insensible, while Mr Oppermann went to the police. After a minute or so the deceased came round.

A. Oppermann said he saw the deceased coming in from Baldina: he let a man out of his trap at the top of the hill near Killicoat’s and then drove on past Mr Cave’s and across the bridge. He turned off into the creek on crossing the bridge. [His other evidence confirms that of Fryer.]

Police evidence from M-C Williams adds details of the accident scene. Williams believed the deceased to be a Swede aged c. 60, unmarried and a heavy drinker.

William Midwinter gave evidence that Jacob Jansen had stayed at his hotel from 19 to 22 March and had left with a quiet horse in the company of a German who was sober. Jansen had had no more than a few glasses before he left. [Registration of death gives the date as 30 March and his age as 60.]

The jury found that death was due to the horse bolting while going down hill and no blame attaches to anyone.

VII. 532. 6 Apr. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Government action at last to boost mineral discovery and development.

2nd Leader on the question of recalling Parliament, which the Government was refusing to do.

RVF Council asks the Government to appoint a commission to enquire into the condition of the defence forces. They protested against the comments made of the RVF by General Owen.

Entertainment. The editor reported on Mr Roach’s recital, which was well done. In particular he was impressed by the novelty of placing the chairs [i.e. the dearer seats] at the back, where it was cooler and acoustically better, while the benches were at the front. This had the added benefit of bringing the larrikins to the front in full view of both the stage and the audience members, and the result was greater decorum for the evening. The performance received a very favourable review.

A second review by a ‘critic’ was less favourable, though generally approving and regretted that the small audience, estimated at about 70, did not cover costs.

Rifle Match between 5 men of Burra Co. RVF and 5 civilians last Saturday, in very windy weather and dusty conditions resulted in a victory to the RVF 179 to 148.

The ‘Erratic’ Correspondent of the paper writes of the SA Governor [Sir William C.F. Robinson] that a man who can say the things he has said to the unemployed while ‘at the same time pocketing £5,000 per year for doing nothing, ought to be tarred and feathered and set fire to.’

[W.H. Hardy!]

VII. 533. 9 Apr. 1886, page 2

Advt. The Aberdeen Agency of the Bank of Australasia will close 12 April and ‘all outstandings at that date will be transferred to Kooringa Bank. E.S. Parks, Superintendent.’

Advt. A MASS MEETING of unemployed will be held in MARKET SQUARE TONIGHT, FRIDAY, at 7.30 p.m. A large attendance of unemployed and sympathisers is requested.

Editorial on Socialism in this time of depression. The editor strongly favours the payment of Members of Parliament. He is against socialism, but for a more just reform of our laws.

Accident. On Wednesday C. Drew, J. Lewis and R. Patterson (a visitor) were going out to the Black Hills when the horse became unmanageable on a steep hill and the party was thrown out. The driver sustained a fractured collarbone, but the others escaped with bruises.

Football. The season opens tomorrow when the 1st Twenty play the 2nd Twenty-six. W. Linkson is field umpire.

Commercial Bank. No options now remain but liquidation. The directors claim to have been kept in the dark by management about facts relating to the debts of extensive squatting properties.

Rifle Match. A return match between Burra co. RVF and Civilians saw the RVF again victorious: 198 to 180.

Silver. A letter urges the sale of Black Hills claims to enable their development and hence jobs.

Letter from W.H. Hardy disputing the benefits of the sale of Crown Lands as advocated by W.R. Ridgway.

VII. 533. 9 Apr. 1886, page 3

Silver. Reports that there is little real activity now on the World’s End-Robertstown silver claims.

Cricket. A temporary pitch is being formed at the Recreation Ground.

Eaglehawks. It is said to be a great mistake to destroy these birds as they eat rabbits.

Baldina. The editor asks whether the authorities have forgotten the Baldina irrigation scheme.

W.R. Ridgway advocates the sale of £1,000,000 of Crown Lands to invest in water conservation schemes.

Burra Town Council is asked to urge the Government to move on Baldina irrigation scheme proposal and on gold prospecting at Ulooloo.

General Owen, having received the RVF Council resolutions, has refused to forward them to the Government, considering them insubordination.

VII. 534. 13 Apr. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Gladstone’s Irish policy.

Political Association. A committee was formed last Friday to arrange for the foundation of a Political Association for Burra.

Burra Co. RVF. Firing on Wednesday and Saturday. Drills Wednesday and Friday. An instructor will be present on Wednesday. The company now numbers 81.

Burra Town Council. The Council received a deputation of the unemployed and it resolved to employ ten married men in each ward for two weeks at 5/- a day.

Ulooloo Gold. Some nice alluvial finds are reported, but the reefs and further alluvial areas are on private land. An Act legalising mining on private land is needed.

It is reported that 4 nuggets from the field weighed 2 oz.

Burra Institute Chrysanthemum Show will be on 28 April.

Unemployment. 250-300 attended the Market Square demonstration on Friday last. P. Lane presided from a wagon and said things have never been like this before.

Mr Holder then spoke, saying he hoped that this meeting marked a new interest in public affairs and questions. The unemployed now however, want practical solutions and not theory, and real work, not charity and not merely stone breaking. He felt that the Baldina scheme held real hope. And that the district had missed out on proper help and assessment with respect to mineral development, both to the south at World’s End and to the north at Ulooloo.

Rev. G.E. Rowe supported both schemes [Baldina & Ulooloo] and hoped that the present troubles would not be socially divisive, setting the poor against the rich.

T. Pedler then moved that the Town Council urge the Government to carry out a water conservation scheme at Baldina or one at World’s End and also promote the prospecting for gold at Ulooloo. He was 2nd by G. Mayger. W.H. Hardy then moved that a committee be formed to arrange the formation of a political association for the district. F.W. Holder was chosen convener. Committee: Revs W.F. James & S.F. Prior, Messrs J. Phillips, J. Roach, E. Hosking, G. Anderson, W. Geake, T. Edwards, P. Carmody, J. Snell, W.F. Coglin, J. Dunstan, Dr Brummitt, Dr Sangster, J. McBride and C. Barrett.

Migration. In the last quarter at Port Adelaide 7,261 departed and 3.396 arrived, but many also departed by overland routes.

Wages. 80 civil servants in SA drew over £70,000 a year between them.

VII. 534. 13 Apr. 1886, page 3

Silver. The paper asks: if the Black Hills claim is as rich as it is being represented why is it not being worked?

Burra Town Council. A temporary asphalt cricket pitch has been prepared at the Recreation Ground.

There is a more detailed report on the deputation of the unemployed.

Steppingstones have been placed across the Burra Creek opposite the Public School.

In view of the report from the Hydraulic Engineer on the dispute between the Council and the Commissioner of Crown Lands, that the previous Council had accepted the old as well as the new works, the Mayor thought that they would have to accept the situation and pay £912 for what was really worth £300. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee, which was given the power to act.

VII. 535. 16 Apr. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Two brothers [Samuel Arnold (19) and Alfred Arnold (27)] were killed when an unexploded charge of dynamite went off in a well they were sinking at Terowie on 13 April. [Ages in the paper were given as c. 20 & 24.]

Editorial on two or three proposals for employment. The report on the Baldina water conservation scheme has finally appeared and reveals that it must fail because of the unsuitability of the water. The editor believes that this has failed to take into account the water available in the flush of seasonal floodwaters. It reports merely on the mineral content of the spring water. And what about evaluating the possibilities of a scheme based on the creek at World’s End? Why has the Conservator of Water not investigated there as well?

Cricket on Good Friday at the Recreation Ground: Aberdeen v. Northern Areas, and tomorrow Aberdeen v. 15 Allcomers.

Unemployment. The Town Clerk received a telegram to say that Warden Hack will proceed to Kooringa Monday to employ 20 men gold prospecting [at Ulooloo]. The Conservator of Water arrives at Kooringa on Tuesday to confer with the Mayor. The Baldina water having been found unfavourable for irrigation.

Ulooloo Gold. Many at Ulooloo are in good spirits though few are making wages and water for washing gold is scarce. Butchers and bakers call regularly. John Pearce, who visited the area this week says any man who can get two days work a week should not go to Ulooloo at least until rain provides some water to wash dirt. There is no feed for prospectors’ horses.

John Roach was given a number of volumes of elegantly bound books by the Mayor at the Institute on Thursday in recognition of his help in many public movements and in getting up various entertainments. Mr Roach responded. (Present were Revs Father O’Dowling, W.F. James, J.S. Wayland, S.F. Prior and G.E. Rowe and Dr Sangster.

Typhoid has broken out at St Peter’s College in Adelaide.

Depression woes. The air in Adelaide is thick with rumours of financial problems. A run on the Savings Bank was halted when it was shown to be groundless, but it resulted in the interest it can expect to pay this year dropping from 5% to 4%.

Larrikins are proving a nuisance when the Burra Co. RVF is drilling.

Migration. At Port Adelaide last week 261 more left than arrived.

Transcontinental Railway. The Northern Territory Times suggests ending the depression by borrowing £8,000,000 to complete the transcontinental railway.

Offence. The Redruth Magistrate’s Court heard the case of the Police v. Midwinter. Midwinter, the licensee of the Baldina Hotel, was charged with supplying liquor to a drunken man, one Jacob Jansen, who subsequently died as a result of a road accident. The case was dismissed for want of sufficient evidence.

Unemployment. A letter to the editor complains that single men got some of the relief work when married men with families missed out.

Another letter questions the appropriateness of the Council paying £8 a week to the overseer of works. [Though this is what the paper says, the figure is absurdly high and must be an error, unless the writer is being sarcastic.]

VII. 536. 20 Apr. 1886, page 2

Birth: on14 April at Kooringa to the wife of F.W. Holder, a daughter. [Winifred Breakspeare Holder]

Editorial. A day of prayer has been called for 18 April for the current crisis facing the colony: a ‘day of humiliation and prayer’. Despite his religious beliefs the editor is not very sympathetic, seeing the real problem as a mal-distribution of wealth in a society in which the rich were assisted by a gross inequality of taxation demands which let them off far too lightly. The real solution was not in prayer, but in remedial action.

J.D. Cave has a grand display of chrysanthemums.

Burra Teachers’ Association met last Saturday. 15 members attended.

Ulooloo Gold. The Government pay was 12/- a week with the men providing tents and tools and arranging cartage of washdirt to water. The men are to have all the gold found, but if payable amounts are struck then they have to take out a miner’s right and the 12/- a week would cease. The project was to last 3 months. 21 married and 4 single men selected by lot were chosen.

Burra Burra Mines. SAMA’s 41st Annual Report showed debits of £834-11-9, which was larger than usual for repairs to building plus land and income tax for the first time. Credits for the half-year were £1,310-13-7 from rents and interest, leaving a credit balance of £69,636-17-3. Six lots totalling two acres have been sold in Kooringa for £340, but no country land has been sold in the last six months. The assets of SAMA were shown as £132,205-11-9.

VII. 537. 23 Apr. 1886, page 2

Advt. Chrysanthemum Show at the Institute with Promenade Concert, Wednesday 28 April.

Editorial on the Baldina Water Scheme. The report of J.W. Jones, the Conservator of Water is finally available. The perennial supply at Baldina is too highly mineralised. To store the floodwaters would cost £35,000, which is prohibitive. Mr Jones is however, prepared to recommend a scheme costing £8,000 for a smaller reservoir with distribution pipes which would provide stock water. At 5% this would represent £400 p.a. If landowners in the area can raise this sum then Mr Jones would recommend the scheme to the Government. It would impound 100,000,000 gallons and serve an area about 12 miles by 14 miles. It would not employ many labourers however. For this latter purpose he is going to fund a large new reservoir at Mongolata on the stock reserve. This will take 40-50 men at 4/6 a day from next Tuesday and also 10-12 horses and carts. All in all this is a prompt and useful reply to Burra’s appeal for help.

2nd Leader on the proposal to dam the Burra Creek in the town. If the town was willing to pay the annual interest at 4% or 5% on £600 the Government will build a weir to that sum across the Burra creek opposite the Institute. This would not be expected to generate income, but would beautify the town and provide immediate work. SAMA would need to approve such a move.

RVF Council has bypassed General Owen and sent their resolutions direct to the Government. It is expected the government will remind them of their duty.

Easter Entertainment.

Friday: Church services and Aberdeen v. Northern Areas cricket match.

Sunday & Monday: Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary.

Monday: Rifle Matches at the Burra Range.

Bible Christian Church at Mt Bryan East will hold its anniversary on 18 & 19 April. The preacher will be Rev. W.F. James of Kooringa.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Band of Hope was reopened after a recess last Tuesday with a tea meeting. (The meeting featured songs, music and recitations.)

Weather. There has at last been some rain. It is hoped it will aid those at Ulooloo.

Intercolonial Railway. A special train will open the line to Bordertown on 1 May, though the line to Melbourne is not expected to be open till 1 January 1887.

VII. 538. 27 Apr. 1886, page 2

Ulooloo Gold. The men at Ulooloo are reported to be doing fairly well.

Mr Burton, teller at the National Bank at Kooringa, has been promoted to manager of the Caltowie branch, to be replaced by Mr Moore from North Adelaide.

A Railway Accident north of Hergott Springs killed five men when a ballast train ran into cattle and several trucks, including the one carrying workers, went down a steep embankment.

Burra Political Association committee are making arrangements for the preparation of a ticket [i.e. a political platform] and a plan for the working of the association.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary was successfully celebrated on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School had special sermons for Easter.

The SA Depression. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the depression in SA, saying that the reports reaching Sydney were much exaggerated, though the truth was serious enough. The volume of trade has decreased by one fourth and real estate has decreased in value. There are hundreds of unemployed and there is an outflow of population that greatly exceeds the inflow. Bur it is nothing like as bad as in parts of Britain, with no signs of poverty in the streets, like shoeless children etc. It has been coming for five years with a coincidence of failing wheat crops, low prices for wool and copper, and land speculation. The failure of the wheat crop in newly settled areas has caused a collapse in Adelaide land values where speculation was rife.

Ulooloo Gold. Reports say that the men of the Government group have been busy sinking shafts, but have not found significant gold yet. W.H. Hardy has sprained his ankle and been unable to work for a week.

Hares have become a problem around Hallett.

VII. 538. 27 Apr. 1886, page 3

Cricket. Aberdeen played Petersburg-Terowie Combined: not Northern Areas as previously advised. The pitch was soft and sticky and altogether the worst ever played upon and an asphalt pitch is urgently needed. There were about 70 spectators.

Petersburg-Terowie 40 & 23 for the loss of 3 wickets defeated Aberdeen 39 & 23.

VII. 539. 30 Apr. 1886, page 2

Editorial advocating a Land Tax, and against a progressive tax. Discusses also land nationalisation.

The Chrysanthemum Show was a great success at the Institute.

Mongolata Dam. 38 names were given to the Town Clerk for the work. Workers are to leave 1 May for the site. 19 further names have now been given, but it is not known how many will be taken on. 14 drays have been engaged at 11/- a day. The tools arrive on the train tonight and proceed with the swags etc. tomorrow.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School celebrated its 28th anniversary successfully.

A Methodist Ministers’ Association for Burra has been formed by the ministers of the three Methodist connexions in the district.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Teachers’ annual meeting was held and W. Geake was given a presentation on his retirement after 20 years as Superintendent (with a slight interval).

St Mary’s vestry meeting gave D.S. Packard some pieces of silver service in recognition of his services as choirmaster.

Vandalism has occurred at a well owned by SAMA and known variously as Gilbert’s, Ford’s or Ellery’s. Boards have been torn from the shed and thrown down etc. The four lads responsible were fined 2/6 each.

VII. 539. 30 Apr. 1886, page 3

Chrysanthemum Show detailed results are printed.

Cricket. Burra Juniors 87 & 65 defeated Farrell’s Flat 103 & 38.

Burra Juniors 89 defeated Shop Assistants 67

VII. 540. 4 May 1886, page 2

Birth: on 19 April to the wife of John Riggs at Mullaby, a daughter. [Adelaide May Riggs]

Mr Houston, the blind singing evangelist, preached to large congregations at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Sunday 2 May and every evening this week. His singing is esteemed a great treat.

Intercolonial Railway. The Chief Secretary declared open the railway to Bordertown on 1 May. A special train departed Adelaide at 6.15 a.m. and breakfast was taken at Murray Bridge. Arrival at Bordertown was at c. 1.00 p.m. after which there was a banquet in the Town Hall. The return trip began at 3.30 p.m. and after stopping for tea at Murray Bridge, reached Adelaide at 11.25 p.m. Speeds of 41 m.p.h. were reached across the [Ninety Mile] Desert.

Ulooloo Gold. The miners from Burra are seeing a little colour, but no real gold. Some others are reportedly doing a little better.

Others are flocking to the area from Orroroo, Saddleworth and Yongala etc. Grocers, butchers and bakers visit daily from Hallett. It has been very cold at night. Religious services are conducted on Sunday by Rev. Isaacs of Hallett. The rain so far has not done much here.

Silver has gone quiet in the whole World’s End-Robertstown area. What ever happened to the Black Hills Mine?

Cockburn is the town to be laid out at the SA-NSW border on the Silverton railway.

Football. The No. 2 Team 1.5 defeated the No. 1 Team 1.1

Entertainment. Mr J. Roach is getting up a grand entertainment on 20 June to aid the RVF Uniform Fund.

VII. 540. 4 May 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council is to discuss the damming of the Burra Creek in the town at the next meeting.

The Waterworks Committee has settled the disputed account with the Government. The Government has advanced £300 in subsidy and deducted it from the amount of debt owed to the Hydraulic Engineers Department.

VII. 541. 7 May 1886, page 2

Advt. Entertainment at the Institute 21 May 1886.

The Ragamuffins

A Ragamuffin Band directed by A. Wittber.

Editorial on the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London.

2nd Leader on morality in Parliament and on C.C. Kingston specifically.

Football. A report on the first football match for the season says it was a good game ‘though there were not more than fifteen a side.’

Rifle Match. The return match between Burra Co. RVF and B Troop Mounted Rifles was held in Adelaide. Burra won over 200 yards and 400 yards, but lost at the 500 yards. Overall B Troop 727 defeated Burra 696.

Advt. Someone lost a ‘Mat Ration Sugar’ that has been found.

[A mat of sugar was a bag made of matting, used to hold sugar. Mats were also used to hold other materials like coffee.]

Silver. A lengthy extract from a report on the Silver Claims is reprinted from the Register. It reports very mixed results with some claims like Poole’s now idle, but others continue at some depth with Broad’s Claim for instance having two shafts down 96’ with connecting levels. Another site with workers at 45’ is described as encouraging, but Dunstan’s [of which much had been heard earlier] ‘is quiet’.

[The overall impression is that little of real substance has been found anywhere in the World’s End-Robertstown area.]

VII. 542. 11 May 1886, page 2

Editorial on The Eastern Question: i.e. the Turkish problem.

2nd Leader on the resumption of the SA Parliament, but without the confidence of the electors.

Ulooloo. The Government men are not getting gold yet, but some others are doing better, though overall fortunes are not being made.

Savings Bank of SA. The run did not have a very dramatic effect overall. For April deposits were £84,030-11-5 and withdrawals were £101,066-0-1. The decrease in deposits being thus £17,035-8-8.

Mr Houston ended eight days of mission work in Burra with a huge congregation on Last Sunday, the 9 May, with representatives of almost every denomination. He is expected to return to SA in about a year.

W.H. Hardy writes to protest against another white elephant: the damming of the Burra Creek. He also opposes the Recreation Ground, Park Lands and ‘officers’.

Silver. A report of a shaft at Black Hills says it is through 16’ of white clay to ‘likely looking stuff’.

VII. 543. 14 May 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London.

St Joseph’s Day, May 16, a special Solemn High Mass will be preached by Rev. Father Kreissl SJ.

Government Geologist, Mr Brown, is looking at mineral country around Burra-Robertstown area. The editor says this should have been done months ago.

Weather. The year so far is just so-so: it is not too late for the crops yet, but lambing has been spoilt by the lack of new feed.

Entertainment. The Ragamuffins Concert on 21 May will raise money for boots for the needy children in the district.

Silverton Railway. There is a move to get it completed to the border by December 1886 instead of June 1887.

Ulooloo. There is a report that the Government party is about to give up as no real discoveries have been made in their areas.

VII. 543. 14 May 1886, page 3

Silver. The Government Geologist doesn’t think much of the silver prospects in the World’s End-Robertstown area.

Rifle Match. Burra Co. RVF 224 defeated Civilians 183.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) The colour change for Burra was a good move as red and black were also used by Mintaro and Sevenhills to the great confusion of all. The new 5-yard rule before a mark can be awarded is good as it ends scrimmage marks.

Cricket. The Aberdeen Club annual meeting was held at the Royal Exchange Hotel 10 May with G. Parks (Capt.) in the chair. Secretary H.E. West said the books showed a credit balance of £1-4-5. [The following week this was corrected as it overstated the balance by 10/- to leave a credit of 14/5.] Of the 8 matches last season there were 6 wins and 2 losses. The best batting for the year was by A.E. Preece who has since left the district. Best all-round player was G. Parks.

The Wesleyan Denomination is to celebrate its SA Jubilee and begins fundraising for it with a celebration this year. The first church was founded in SA on 11 May 1837.

VII. 544. 18 May 1886, page 2

Editorial on tasks for the new SA Parliament.

2nd Leader on the need for decentralisation of Government.

Obituary. Elizabeth Jane Pearce née Treglohan, wife of Joseph Pearce, aged 51, a colonist of 32 years has died. [10 May.]

Burra Town Council. Discussion of a dam on the Burra Creek was deferred until advice had been obtained from SAMA.

Kerbing of streets was being continued in 1886, for instance in May it was ordered for the east side of Thames St as far as Bridge St.

Ulooloo Gold. Three of the Burra men have left the Government group, but the others carry on with virtually no gold yet, but the tent flies have now arrived. The men are said to be not very happy.

Cockburn is to be offered for sale this week.

VII. 544. 18 May 1886, page 2-3

Obituary & Inquest. The inquest was held at the Burra Hospital on 16 May into the death of James Hogan (aged 17) on 15 May, with P. Lane JP as coroner and John Snell as foreman of the jury.

Michael Hogan, father of the deceased described how his wife and he with James were going to Davis’s at Booborowie. James was riding and his parents were in a cart. James suddenly developed a pain in his head and he and his father changed places. After a while James said he felt better, but a bit further on he collapsed and was speechless. They took him home and sent for the doctor and priest, but he died about half an hour later.

Mrs Hogan gave evidence similar to her husband’s.

Dr J.I. Sangster gave evidence of finding a deceased bone in the skull that had produced an injury to the vessels of the brain and the immediate cause of death was bleeding on the brain surface.

The verdict was death by natural causes. [Born 7 March 1869]

VII. 545. 21 May 1886, page 2

Editorial on the need for thrift.

2nd Leader on Home Rule for Ireland.

Silver. It is said that Dunstan and party intend soon to float a company to develop the Black Hills Silver Mine.

Ulooloo Gold. There are 20 men from Burra and about 50 others on the field. So far the Government party has collectively found 11 dwt! Some remain hopeful.

Wesleyan Church. On Tuesday evening Rev. C.P. Hard, a missionary from India, lectured on mission work. A fascinating lecture, but poorly attended on account of poor weather.

VII. 546. 25 May 1886, page 2

Editorial in support of the monarchy.

Cockburn was sold on Thursday with 80 blocks fetching £537-15-0.

Prices ranged from £2-15-0 to £25-10-0.

Defence. There was a review of the local military forces in Adelaide on the Queen’s Birthday. Present were a large body of the VMF who would receive pay for attendance, and a strong force of the RVF, including 65 of Burra Co., who would not. The cheapness of the RVF means it would not be surprising if it becomes the defence force of the future.

Entertainment: Ragamuffins. A large audience on Friday attended this performance to raise money for the town’s needy children at the Public School. There was good acting and singing from the boys who played London Street Arabs. Some of the ladies had not the voice for so large a hall, but others were most successful. The Saturday afternoon performance also went well.

Silver. Further work at the Black Hills Silver Claim is said to make the Dunstan party’s prospects look good.

E.F. Opie was charged with embezzling funds from the Hallett District Council. [This charge was later dropped: see VII. 553. 18 June 1886, page 2.]

Races. The Burra races were held on 24 May in R. Austin’s Paddock. Only about 200 attended. There are no good horses around now and the racing was only mediocre. Only local horses were represented. Results are given in detail. The richest races were the District Plate over 11⁄2 miles and The Hurdles over 11⁄4 miles, both for £4-7-6.

Master Dow of the Burra School has passed as a pupil teacher.

Larrikins are becoming a perfect nuisance in Kooringa. Where are the police?

VII. 547. 28 May 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Silver Claims. The report of the Government Geologist is that World’s End-Robertstown fields will not yield payable silver. Unless some discovery contradicts this there seems no hope of developments there. This should all have been ascertained four months ago! What a waste of effort and money.

Temperance. Next Wednesday in the Institute Revs D. O’Donnell and Mr E.H. Derrington will deliver addresses for the South Australian Alliance Executive: an organisation advocating total abstinence.

Band of Hope of Kooringa Wesleyan Church met Thursday.

Burra Co. RVF. Mr A. McCulloch has contributed £22-1-0 to meet the cost of seven uniforms for the RVF Co. [i.e. 21 guineas.]

Show Society. At the annual meeting of the Burra and North Eastern Agricultural Society on 27 May only the secretary and three of the retiring committee turned up. This would seem to ensure the collapse and extinction of the society unless some of the tradespeople take an interest and rally to the cause. [No one did rally to the cause and the next show was not held till 1894.]

The Silverton Railway will be open to Paratoo from 1 June.

Larrikins took possession of the Salvation Army meeting in Market Square on Wednesday evening in the singing of the chorus of Fire Away. The police were present, but did nothing. What are they paid for?

Ulooloo by one who has been there.

The lode claimed to show 673 oz per ton was more than a fudge and those responsible ought to be charged. As for the Government Party, I don’t think in five weeks the gross takings would be half an ounce. As for the rest doing fairly well - they might perhaps be making 8/- a week and after paying expenses their income doesn’t amount to wages. The fact is that gold isn’t there in payable quantities.

Silver Claims. The Government Geologist’s report is then printed in full.

VII. 548. 1 June 1886, page 2

Birth: to the wife of Henry Roach at Aberdeen on 30 May, a daughter. [Dorothy Roach]

Editorial on the SA Parliament and the Governor’s opening speech.

‘We are at a grave crisis in our national history and yet never had weaker men at the helm.’

The Totalizator. Ebenezer Ward MP is campaigning for the re-establishment of the legality of the totalizator to boost prosperity. [A gambling led recovery!]

Wesleyan Lecture. Rev. C.P. Hard will lecture tonight in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on ‘Women in India’. The collection will aid the building fund of the Mission to India.

Temperance. A temperance meeting will be held Wednesday evening in the Institute at which the SA Alliance will advocate Total Abstinence and the Local Option. Rev. D. O’Donnell & Mr E.H. Derrington will speak and there will be singing at intervals.

St Mary’s held a memorial service for the late Dean Russell of Adelaide.

VII. 548. 1 June 1886, page 3

Gold discoveries in the Barossa valley are now producing.

Burra Co. RVF. Major Roberts wants to arrange a battalion drill at Hamley Bridge for 21 June.

Steam Locomotive. A new 70-ton Yankee engine at Islington Workshops last Saturday started on its own, travelling backwards and forwards, damaging other engines and the paint shop and causing £1,200 damage.

VII. 549. 4 June 1886, page 2

Editorial on the no confidence debate in the SA Parliament.

A Legislative Council election has been called for 24 June.

SA Alliance meeting in the Institute on Wednesday attracted 200 people. Their plan is to organise for political purposes. The aims are:

To call forth a direct and enlightened public opinion on the drink question.

To procure the closing of public houses during the whole of Sunday.

To restrict and regulate the trade in intoxicating liquors by every legitimate means.

To secure the passage of a Local Option Act.

To educate the public with a view to their demanding the total abolition of liquor traffic.

F.W. Holder presided: he said he was and had always been a total abstainer.

The choir then sang a temperance melody after which the Rev. O’Donnell spoke.

A long and detailed explanation of the objects of the Alliance and why they were needed was followed by another musical selection and a collection to defray expenses.

E.H. Derrington, General Secretary of the alliance, was to have spoken, but he felt it had all been said and he called for members to submit their names. 72 did so. A local committee was formed to carry on the work.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) A good game was played last Saturday.

Allcomers 2.1 defeated the Colours 0.13, though they did have 22 players to the latter’s 10.

There was some confusion over marks. The required distance had been changed to 5 yards, but now it has been reduced again to 2 yards. Quiz preferred the 5-yard version. The remarks imply that the game ran from 3 p.m. to dusk and the first half of it was played without an umpire.

Bread is now 31⁄2d a loaf.

Migration. At Port Adelaide last week 388 departed and 225 arrived.

Bon Accord Mine: the pumping engine and pumps are to be moved from the Bon Accord to the Bird in Hand Mine.

VII. 549. 4 June 1886, page 3

Cricket. There is a letter on cricket averages for the 1885-86 season from Horace E. West, Secretary of the Aberdeen Cricket Club.

VII. 550. 8 June 1886, page 2

Advt. A Grand Entertainment for only 6d in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Thursday 10 June, in aid of the Kooringa Band of Hope. Songs, Readings and Recitations.

Advt. A meeting will be held in the Institute on 10 June to form a Poultry Society.

Advt. A Military Concert will be held in the Institute on Friday 25 June. A good program will include the laughable farce The Vegetable King.

Advt. Cut Wood, 13/- a ton and 12/- for long wood.

A. Harris, Wood and Chaff Works. Kingston St. Half ton lots at 13/- & 14/- a ton.

Editorial on the SA Government [of J.W. Downer] surviving a vote of no confidence due to the weakness of the opposition.

2nd Leader on the SA Agent-Generalship in London.

Legislative Council Elections. The candidates Messrs Bosworth & Cotton will address electors at the Institute tomorrow evening at 7.30 p.m.

Burra Teachers’ Association have held their third meeting at the Burra School with 30 present.

Weather. This year has so far been the driest since 1839.

Railways. The SAR is currently running 23 different types of locomotive.

Ulooloo Goldfield. Some of the Government men are getting a little gold now. The Government has agreed to supply a horse and cart and several water casks, which will help much. Other prospectors are however, doing much better.

Inquest at Baldina into the death of Hermann Rooke who fell under the wheels of a wagon on Saturday.

Coroner, J. Dunstan jun. JP and H. Pinch, foreman of the jury.

Gottlieb Rooke identified the body as that of his son Herman Rooke aged 22.

John August Arnold said he identified the body. They left Midwinter’s Hotel with wagon drawn by eight horses and the deceased and I walked behind the wagon which contained Carl Obst and his boys and the deceased’s brothers. When we caught up I climbed up behind and the deceased sat on the shafts and urged the horses on. They began to trot and then he got down and tried to hold them back. He had hold of the near-side shafter and appeared to fall. I saw the deceased behind the wagon. Got down and lifted him up. He walked with me some distance and then lay down. Obst asked where it passed over him and he pointed to his abdomen. Deceased was not drunk: he had four glasses of beer while I was with him.

Carl Obst substantiated the above, saying the deceased had three glasses of beer before Arnold came and was not tipsy when we left Midwinter’s.

William Midwinter jun. son of William Midwinter who keeps the Woodcutter’s Arms* Baldina, agreed that the deceased was not the worse for liquor.

The verdict was death by a wagon passing over his body and was accidental and not otherwise.

[* I have not found this name used for the hotel anywhere else and it is not designated thus in Hoad.]

VII. 550. 8 June 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council.

The stationmen in the Chapel St Reserve and Welsh Place are to grow forest trees for transplanting around the town.

Burra Creek Weir. No reply yet from the Government about the proposed weir in the Burra Creek.

Rate defaulters. ‘Town Clerk said he had not proceeded against defaulting ratepayers as instructed because there were four members of the Council who had not paid their rates.’ The order to be obeyed.

Aberdeen Reserve. A title has now been issued for the Aberdeen Reserve. Messrs McLaren, White & Co. offered it to the Council for £224. Consideration deferred.

The unemployed men working on the Mongolata Dam would finish this week. Cr Coglin thought the Government might be asked to have them clean out Barker’s Dam. Resolved to put it to them.

VII. 551. 11 June 1886, page 2

Obituary. John Schutz died on 10 June, aged 24, after a long and painful illness. He was the son of C. & B. Schutz. [Born 30 May 1862]

Editorial on The reconstructed SA Ministry.

2nd Leader on the need for local involvement in politics and some of the current issues.

Legislative Council Elections. Only about 50-60 people attended the meeting in the Institute on Wednesday.

Burra Co. RVF. There will be two drills of about an hour or an hour and a half each at Hamley Bridge on 21 June. Volunteers attending will travel free down and back that day in uniform. It is hoped there will be a fair representation from Burra Co., which is the largest in the battalion.

Football. At a meeting at the Commercial Hotel of the Burra Football Club, Captain J. Blott resigned for lack of time and was replaced by Mr W. Fitzgerald. A team was picked to play the Hothams [an Adelaide team] on 21 June.

18 were picked to play against a team of Allcomers tomorrow afternoon, after which a final 20 will be selected.

Testimonial to D. Wells at the Institute today at 3 p.m.

The Railways are using great quantities of water from the Waterworks with pumping every day.

Mining on Private Property Bill. A Bill was introduced to allow mining for ‘royal metals’ on private property.

Population. In 1885 the population of SA increased by 6,988 to 319,769.

VII. 551. 11 June 1886, page 3

Legislative Council Elections. The meeting at the Institute is reported in detail.

Football (by ‘Quiz’). The best game yet of the season was played last Saturday at the Recreation Ground, between the Blues and Whites (or non-colours) with a majority of about 8 Whites over Blues. Blues 2.6 defeated Whites 1.1. There was much added by the presence of a good umpire in Mr W. Hele.

‘The bad language used on the ground on Saturday was something frightful.’

VII. 552. 15 June 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Irish Question.

2nd Leader on the great volcanic eruption in New Zealand last Thursday when Mt Tarawera erupted destroying the village of Wairoa and the famous Rotomahana Terraces.

Obituary. Mr Jeffrey Pearce, an old resident and road contractor, has died from inflammation of the lungs. [Died 12 June 1886 aged 56, registered as Jeffery]

Obituary. Mr John Dow, the Council Inspector, has died from cancer in the neck. [Died 14 June, aged 59.]

A Poultry Society was formed on Thursday to hold a show of poultry, birds and dogs.

Kooringa Band of Hope held a concert on 10 June in aid of the piano fund, but the attendance was as poor as the weather and the takings were only £1-8-0.

Burra Institute held its monthly meeting. F.W. Holder gave notice of a motion to effect the erection of two rooms at the back of the hall and at the same time carrying the back of the hall ten feet further, the whole to be completed outside in uniform with the present building. For consideration next month.

Presentation to David Wells, last Friday at the Institute. Mr Wells leaves on 17 June with Mr T. Bath for a trip to England. Mr P. Lane was in the chair and thanked Mr Wells who has been a resident for 38 years. His efforts, together with Lane, Bartholomæus and Bath had led to the erection of the Institute. Mr West then read the illuminated address, thanking him for his work with respect to the Burra Miners’ and Mechanics’ Institute, the Kooringa Cemetery and other institutions. There were sixty signatures. He also had a long connection with the Burra Lodge.

A Petition to the House of Assembly has been signed by 12,042 persons desiring that the public houses be open from 8-10 p.m. on Sundays.

Ulooloo Goldfields. The Government men are getting a little, but others continue to do much better. Sunday services are being conducted by the Hallett Bible Christian minister.

VII. 552. 15 June 1886, page 3

The New Zealand Eruption is reported in much more detail.

Burra Co. RVF. The Rifle Volunteer Force Council meeting discussed defaulting members.

VII. 553. 18 June 1886, page 2

Editorial. The editor takes issue with Cr Sampson at the last meeting of the Town Council when he complained about the unnecessary nature of much of the work done. The editor thought the money well spent this year: roads and footpaths had been well and cheaply made and in doing so unemployment relief had been given to many a family. It is true that much work is strictly unnecessary and that the Council is therefore collecting more than it needs and the rates could well be cut now. A 20% cut is called for and indeed 30% if it were not that in the future all main roads in the boundaries will have to be maintained by the Council.

John Dow’s Funeral. There were 20 vehicles and most of the leading townspeople at the funeral on Tuesday afternoon.

Obituary. Mrs T. Moody Sen., relict of the late T. Moody, for many years a respected resident, has died at an advanced age and the body will be returned to Burra by train for burial. [Aged 77: Mary]

Local Industry. Mr C.J. Pearce is making superior furniture.

Football. Burra will play Hothams, the premier club in the Adelaide Junior Association, on Monday 21 June. The visitors will number about 30 and will sleep at the Burra Hotel. The match is to start at 10 a.m. with Mr Linkson to umpire. Last year’s match was a draw.

E.F. Opie. The embezzlement case against E.F. Opie [reported in issue 546 of 25 May 1886, page 2] has been dropped.

Intercolonial Railway. The rails have now been laid right through from Adelaide to Melbourne.

Mining on Private Property Bill. It has been decided that this first requires the repeal of the Crown rights to gold and silver.

Burra Co. RVF. The annual inspection will be on Wednesday 4 august at 2 p.m. Absentees are subject to a fine not exceeding £5.

Rowland Rees MP has total liabilities over £6,000 with £5,000 secured and £1,300 unsecured. Assets nil.

Larrikinism. Joseph Kilmartin was charged with ‘disturbing a congregation of persons assembled for religious worship by using profane discourse’ at the Salvation Army Barracks on 13 June. Also with assaulting Alfred George Head at the same time and place. He was fined £5 for the former (or 1 month in gaol) and £2 for the latter (or another 14 days).

Ezekiel Henty, John Carpenter and Lewis Hersh were each fined 5/- for loitering near the Barracks last Sunday.

VII. 553. 18 June 1886, page 3

Ulooloo Goldfield. Letter from W.H. Hardy against the waste of money in the present system and advocating instead payment to the men for a systematic prospecting of the colony to find payable deposits of minerals throughout SA.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) On Saturday 14 Blues turned up to face the Allcomers who mustered an average of 24 throughout. Colours 11.3 defeated Allcomers 1.4.

VII. 554. 22 June 1886, page 2

Advt. for the forthcoming Military Entertainment

Overture

Song: Tit for Tat

Duet: I Know a Bank

Shakespearean Recital from Macbeth

Duet, piano and violin from Norma

Song: The Roll Call

Bayonet Exercise

Musical Selection: Quodlibet

Trio: Little Jack Horner

Song: Riding on a Load of Hay

Interval

Piano Selection: La Puerie de la Perles

Song: A Dream Within a Dream

Shakespearean Recital from Act III, Sc. III of Much Ado About Nothing

Song: Sing Sweet Bird

Song: Anchored

The Laughable Cansmata: The Vegetable King [Is this a misprint for Cantata?]

Editorial on Water Conservation.

2nd Leader on The New Insolvency Bill.

3rd Leader on The Women’s Suffrage Bill.

The Poultry Society was constituted formally last Thursday [17 June] and the committee is to arrange a show for the first week in August. [‘Last Thursday’ may refer to 10 June since the paper reported its formation on that date in issue 552 of 15 June, page 2, unless the word ‘formally’ indicates a second meeting.] A meeting of all those interested in joining (membership 10/6) is called for next Thursday at 8 p.m. to prepare a prize list.

Legislative Council Elections will be held next Thursday. Only Mr G.W. Cotton (Lib.) and Mr J. Bosworth (Cons.) nominated for No. 3 District.

Bible Christian Sunday School anniversary services were held Whit Sunday and Monday.

VII. 554. 22 June 1886, page 3

Burra Co. RVF was poorly represented at the Hamley Bridge drill. Another battalion drill will be held there on 1 September.

Football. The Military Band greeted the Hothams at the railway station: the train was half an hour late. 11.30 lunch was provided at the Burra Hotel by John Pearce. The teams were then photographed in costume by W. Bentley. Details of the game follow. Hothams 6.7 defeated Burras 2.3. There was a crowd of c. 250 of which ‘not a few’ were ladies.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Ridgway moved that the offer of the Reserve in Aberdeen be not accepted. [After discussion the outcome of this is not clear.]

Unemployment. A memorial signed by 60 ratepayers asked the Council for work. The Government has agreed to clean out Barker’s Dam if the settlers will guarantee to raise £30. There was no resolution to this issue at this time.

Town Council asked the Midland Road Board to construct a footbridge near the Mine Bridge and to improve the ford at the Bon Accord Hotel to get to Drew’s Store.

[Note that through this period there was a drive to get vacant lots at Redruth and Aberdeen fenced, though none of the discussion reported in 1886 says why. If owners who did not comply the Council did the work and charged them for it. Kerbing was gradually being extended along with footpath formation.]

VII. 555. 25 June 1886, page 2

The Editorial expresses dissatisfaction with the Local Option aspects of the Licensed Victuallers Bill

2nd Leader on deficiencies in the Bill to allow gold and silver mining on private property.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church anniversary last Sunday.

Mr Robert Brown Jun. is leaving for Sturt Meadows. He was the manager for Messrs E. & C.W. Bowman of Hillside and Mt Bryan and was active in the district Council and the Agricultural society etc.

Mr D.S. Packard has been in Adelaide trying to get some Government work in the district and the Commissioner of Public Works has agreed to Barker’s Dam being cleaned out on 50% of the cost being guaranteed. Persons interested are to meet at the Burra Hotel at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Rev. Thorne is preaching at local Bible Christian churches to raise money to establish Way College in Adelaide, to train candidates for the ministry. Mr Torr is to be the headmaster and he is going to England for 3-4 years to get a degree.

Legislative Council Elections. Counting is incomplete, but so far Bosworth leads Cotton by 101 to 89.

The Totalizator Bill is to be introduced by Mr Rounsevell.

Beetaloo Reservoir work is now mainly done, releasing more unemployed onto the job market.

Migration. Last week at Port Adelaide 326 more departed than arrived. Worse and worse!

Railways. The first spike was driven on the Mt Gambier-Naracoorte line on Wednesday.

Jubilee Exhibition. The foundation stone of the Adelaide Exhibition Building has been laid.

Depression. A letter to the editor complains that butchers as a group have withdrawn credit from the poor so now instead of all the shopkeepers getting paid a bit off their bills, just the butchers get paid!

VII. 556. 29 June 1886, page 2

Editorial on Dr Custance and the Agricultural College.

Entertainment. On 28 June at the Institute Mr C.E. Robins BA of Adelaide gave an excellent lecture to a select audience, on Shakespeare’s Wit and Humorists. It was illustrated by numerous quotations and several ladies and gentlemen contributed music and recitations.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues to meet fortnightly.

Ulooloo Goldfields. Some men continue to send in some nice specimens of up to 2 oz. Mr T. Wright has found £25 worth in 14 weeks, of which only about 10 weeks were actually spent in digging. [This represents about 8/4 a day for 60 days’ labour if we suppose a six-day working week. This would have been good wages if nett, but little enough if gross, which is what it sounds like.]

Stone throwing in Kooringa almost cost a child called Rogers an eye last week.

Road Accident. Last Monday at Terowie a man named Cameron was knocked down by his team and a wheel apparently ran over his head. Despite a serious scalp wound, he would seem to be recovering in the Burra Hospital.

Unemployment Relief. Landowners in the Hundreds of King and Rees [East of Baldina and Mongolata] are to be asked to guarantee the interest of not more than £30 p.a. on the Government outlay not to exceed £600 and the interest to be charged pro rata and at not more than 2/- per 100 acres p.a. The work can now proceed at once. Water will be available for stock at a nominal fee, the proceeds being appropriated by the landowners for their advance of the necessary interest. Credit goes to Mr P.L. Killicoat for his action in securing this work for the unemployed.

Military Entertainment. This was a great success. Mr Roach in particular is entitled to the credit for writing the libretto of The Vegetable King, which is a parody of The Flower Queen. Proceeds were good and the only fly in the ointment was the behaviour of certain larrikins who should be made an example of.

Ulooloo Goldfields continue to attract workers, but while some independent diggers are making some finds, the Government men are getting very little gold.

Railways. A locomotive has used the line to Melbourne as far as Dimboola and on the Silverton line operations should reach Manna Hill by the end of July.

Population. By the end of June it was estimated the SA population had dropped from 318,816 on 1 January to 316, 699.

Burra Co. RVF. Rifle match competition was won by Pt Adelaide.

Pt Adelaide Laura Gladstone Williamstown Burra

670* 661* 615 542 501

*Note these figures are from the next issue: 557 of 2 July 1886, page 3.

Legislative Council Elections. Bosworth 1455 & Cotton 706.

In the Burra District with 1329 registered to vote, 367 actually did.

Letter. Mr W.H. Hardy wrote in to claim that the appointment of Mr Fordham as Inspector to replace Mr Dow (deceased) is illegal. Tenders, or at least applications should have been called.

A letter from an ‘Ex-Councillor’ makes the same point.

A Letter complains about the larrikins at the back of the Institute Hall.

Letter from W.H. Hardy on the poor behaviour in Parliament about the prospecting policy.

VII. 557. 2 July 1886, page 2

Obituary. Kate, youngest daughter of Richard and M. Edwards died at Kooringa 24 June, aged 16.

[Born Catherine Edwards 24 April 1870]

Editorial on the English General Election.

2nd Leader on SA Government finances.

Unemployment. The Government reveals its employment projects.

Cutting sleepers in the Mt Remarkable Forest - 507 men for 12 months.

The railways to use wood instead of coal where possible.

Reservoir at Lochiel in the Hundred of Cameron.

Barker’s Dam in the Hundred of King.

A reservoir in the Hundred of Maitland.

A dam in the Hundred of Baldina.

A number of minor works.

From item 4 onwards it was expected to employ only some 30 men for 4 months.

300 men could be employed at draining the Murray Flats.

Intercolonial Railway. The line between Adelaide and Melbourne is open for passengers.

Midland Road Board was finally allowed by the Government to anticipate the year’s allocation of £1,000 to spread road metal.

Salvation Army. W.F. Coglin writes condemning them and their ‘so-called religious worship’, but he advises the youths of the town to refrain from visiting them so that shortly we may ‘be relieved from having their unearthly noise in our streets on the Sabbath with their drum and tambourine.’

On 30 June, Henry Higginbotham, J. Rosewall, T. Rosewall & J. Glasson were charged with loitering in the vicinity of a place of worship, being the Salvation Army Barracks, and were fined £1-2-6 each including costs.

Thomas Nicholls was charged with disturbing a congregation assembled . . . by firing a cracker on the steps. He was fined £2.

Football. {by ‘Quiz’) The depression is having an effect on both numbers and spirit. Last Saturday the game was not so good, though the weather was excellent. Only 9 Colours turned out to play 16 Allcomers. Colours 4.0 defeated Allcomers 0.0. Mr A. Lott was umpire. The Allcomers completely lacked discipline or organisation.

VII. 558. 6 July 1886, page 2

Editorial on the larrikins and the Salvation Army. He condemns the larrikin behaviour at the Barracks, but fears that sometimes, and all too often recently at the public meetings, the Salvationists are guilty of provocation: ‘the antagonism of the crowd is distinctly challenged and opposition is courted and invited.’

Notice. The continuing drought has forced the Surveyor-General, Mr G.W. Goyder, to suspend licences for commonage and to return fees paid for the 1886-87 year and to allow farmers and stockowners to travel with stock anywhere on unleased Crown land or reserves until further notice.

Advt. Entertainment. In the Institute on Thursday night, 8 July, the Rev. S. Knight will lecture on Gladstone. [The English Prime Minister.]

Weather. Rain has been general in SA on Monday and by 6 p.m. we had received 40 points. Sunday had been a day of prayer for rain in the Wesleyan Churches and the special Monday services held in the Wesleyan Church by the united ministry of the three Methodist groups turned instead into a thanksgiving service held in the rain.

Bank of Adelaide. Stock manipulators are believed responsible for a run on the Bank of Adelaide, which remains quite sound.

Ulooloo Goldfields. Gold continues to be found, but the Government prospectors are too concentrated in one spot and seem to be getting little.

Several members of the Government party are on the point of leaving, as they are not being shifted from the notorious ‘Pinch Gut’.

W.H. Hardy writes again from the field, suggesting that news from there is often misleading and overstates the success. Returns, even from the private prospectors are small after allowing for reasonable costs and wages. For the Government party the results are even worse.

St Mary’s. Rev. J. Stuart Wayland has begun a series of Trinitytide lectures after the usual service on Sundays. The first: The Miracles in Relation to Modern Scripture.

Burra Young Men’s Union. About 60 youths have banded together to offer a counter attraction to the Salvation Army, or to those reacting to it. They met last Friday in the square before the Army arrived and continued through the Army meeting and after wards. Recitations, stump speeches and songs etc. were given and 17.6 raised for the Burra Hospital. Absence from Salvation Army meetings is a requirement of membership.

A Grand Open Air Concert is to be held this evening at 7.15 p.m. with proceeds going to the Burra Hospital.

Unemployment. 40 from 70 applicants have been chosen to work on Barker’s Dam.

Burra Town Council. There was debate on the appointment of the Council Inspector. It was eventually decided to call tenders and to leave Mr Fordham acting until one is appointed from applicants.

Tenders are also called for further kerbing - 4 chains near Linkson’s.

VII. 558. 6 July 1886, page 3

Stamp Duties proposed by the Government are listed.

The New Zealand Eruption. Yet more detail is given.

VII. 559. 9 July 1886, page 2

Editorial on W.B. Rounsevell’s speech on the sale of Crown Lands.

2nd Leader on the no-confidence fiasco in SA Parliament this week.

Advt. Burra Young Men’s Union. There will be a concert on 10 July at the rear of the Commercial Hotel. Collection to aid the Burra Band.

Burra Town Council. By-law No. 14. ‘Any person who shall cause any disturbance, stand, or loiter in the vicinity of any place of worship within the said town during Divine Service, or annoy any congregation during Divine Service, shall forfeit the sum of not less than ten shillings and not exceeding ten pounds.’

The Council in the previous issue had decided to buy the SAMA coal, which had stood for years in the old Mine Yard, for use in the Waterworks. The editor found this strange as the money would go out of the town and potential work [in wood getting] would also be lost.

Dr Sangster offers to give a series of free lectures to monthly nurses: designed to impart ‘a more intelligent knowledge in the management of accouchement cases.’

Burra Co. RVF. A rifle match between Burra and Riverton companies in Riverton last Wednesday was won by Burra 485 to Riverton 444.

Migration. Last week at Port Adelaide 56 more departed than arrived.

Larrikinism. A writer holds that both the Burra Young Men’s Union and the Salvation Army are a public nuisance and a disgrace to the town after their meetings on Wednesday night last.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) Interest seems to be fading, especially in the practice matches on Saturday. Last time only 9 Colours turned out against 14 Allcomers. Allcomers 1.3 defeated Colours 0.4. Allcomers had a strong wind at their back all afternoon and several who should have played colours were on the other side. F.A. Bruse was a most satisfactory umpire. Colours have lost a most worthy vice-captain as C.A. Lott has gone to Terowie. [Why didn’t they change ends during the game?]

Letter urges the Council to ask the Midland Road Board to use local labour when spreading road metal in the district.

New Zealand Eruption. A further article.

VII. 560. 13 July 1886, page 2

Advt. Announcing the first in a series of Popular Evening Entertainments:

Music, Readings and Recitations. ‘Abend Unterhaltung’ on Saturday, 7.30 p.m.

At the Institute. Chaired by the Mayor, Mr D.S. Packard. Chairs 3d, Forms 2d and 1d.

Organised by A. Wittber & J. Roach. [These were subsequently referred to as The Penny Readings Series.]

[Abend Unterhaltung = An Evening Entertainment]

Birth: on 8 July to the wife of Isaac Haskard at the residence of her mother, Mrs Goss, a stillborn son.

Editorial on the British elections and Gladstone’s defeat.

The Bible Christian Minister, Rev. W.F. James will depart next April. He has seen the erection of a new manse and created a wonderful garden for it with many trees: if all had done as well ‘Burra would not now look as cheerless as it does.’

Entertainment. There is a generally favourable review of the Gladstone lecture of the Rev. S. Knight, though the editor seems to be careful not to personally endorse the views offered.

Burra Institute. The monthly meeting decided not to undertake any new building program at the rear of the hall in the present circumstances. The committee also decided to seek police advice on what can be done to control larrikinism at functions.

The half-yearly meeting of subscribers followed. The number of volumes was 2882, a fall of 50 due to that number having worn out in the circulating library.

Financially the year began with £12-13-6 and receipts brought it up to £172-4-10. Expenditure has been £196-1-8, which included £39-3-6 on excavation for new rooms, leaving a deficit of £22-16-10.

Burra young Men’s Union. Their open-air concert passed off successfully.

VII. 561. 16 July 1886, page 2

Advt. Entertainment. There will be a performance tomorrow at 3 p.m. and another in the evening of The Vegetable King. Cost 3d. [It was in the Institute and was repeated at night as part of the Penny Readings Series.]

Editorial on E. Ward MP on the condition of SA.

Ulooloo Goldfields. The mining area has been extended, but with no finds of any importance lately. The Government party is a farce with all the men concentrated on a section about 50 yards square near ‘Pinch Gut’. The Advertiser correspondent says c. 100 men are on the field and nuggets of from 5 dwt to 2 oz are daily coming to hand. Gold is fetching £3-10-0 per oz. This is a low price as banks won’t buy it and jewellers are giving only a low price.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) Interest seems to be failing. Last Saturday 3 in Colours and 5 in plain clothes gathered with about 15 Allcomers, but it was about 4 p.m. before there were enough for a game. The wind strongly favoured the Allcomers and Scarborough’s team of Allcomers 2.4 defeated Fitzgerald’s team of Colours 1.3.

VII. 561. 16 July 1886, page 3

W.H. Hardy contributes a long letter of just less than 1 column on the Christian Conference in Adelaide last Thursday and its social considerations.

VII. 562. 20 July 1886, page 2

Obituary. Walter Thomas Hunt, aged 19 days, died 16 July of convulsions. Son of A.J. & R. Hunt.

[Born 27 July 1886]

Editorial on the results of the UK election.

Entertainment. There was only a small crowd last Saturday night at the Institute for the Penny Readings, due in part to rain.

Larrikinism. Last Saturday the competition between the larrikins and the Salvation Army became absurd. The larrikins began with a lot of noise before the Army arrived and then both parties made abysmal noise with ‘the utmost disregard of music’.

Burra Town Council. The owners of the Aberdeen Reserve are not prepared to pay for the fencing done, but would not refuse to pay rates.

There was a long debate on the need for an inspector when the Council is not carrying out significant work, meaning there was little for him to do in the next six months. Votes were even and the Mayor used his casting vote to defeat the motion to rescind the inspector’s salary. Applications for the office will therefore go ahead.

Cornish Pasty. There is a considerable debate over what truly constitutes a Cornish pasty. [Which shows the long history of this dispute, which is still being debated.]

‘Wanderer’: What with the Salvation Army and the Larrikins the place is becoming a pandemonium. Saturday evening began with a hideous shrieking and vulgar bawlings by young fellows quite big enough to know how to behave themselves. After which the Salvation Army appeared with drum and cymbals to see who could make the most noise. A party said to me, so bad was the noise, that ‘had the composer been present he would have committed suicide.’ People should not have to put up with this uproar.

‘Wanderer’ then salutes the enterprise of J. Roach in starting the ‘Penny Reading’ series, which will keep many boys and girls from roaming the streets. There was a disappointingly small attendance on Saturday night last, perhaps due to the rain.

The New Paper, Our Commonwealth, is still raving at anyone who will buy it. The editor is a believer in free thought and socialism and aims, it appears, to set class against class. For a man to call another a loafer because he has been saving and accumulated a little wealth is mean. I do not approve of land speculators, but a man who has been careful and made money from the proceeds of land is not to be called a loafer.

Mr Caldwell wishes the House of Assembly to open with prayers. Now there are prayerful men in the House, but for many it would be casting pearls before swine. Fancy a prayer to a Kingston, a Rees, or a Rounsevell? Why it is absurd.

S.E. Holder BA of Adelaide University has gained honour at London University College, winning several medals and other prizes.

VII. 563. 23 July 1886, page 2

Editorial. The editor supports Cr Sampson’s wish to dispense with the position of inspector for six months. The position was ‘Ranger, Inspector of Weighs etc., Collector of Rates, Overseer of Works under the Town Council and Inspector under the Board of Health.’ The salary was £110 p.a.

2nd Leader on the depression and the sale of Crown Lands.

3rd Leader on The SA Government’s Supply Bill.

Burra Floricultural Society annual meeting was on the 21 July. T. Drew continues as President with F.W. Holder as Vice-President, Dr Brummitt as Treasurer and W. Davey as Secretary. W. Lasscock and T.W. Pearce were also on the committee. The show will be held late in October or in early November.

Burra Co. RVF. The return rifle match between Riverton and Burra RVF Companies resulted in a win for Burra 457 to 313.

Football. There was no game on Saturday on account of bad weather, but there is some talk of a match with Clare.

Rev. H. Howitt, formerly at St Mary’s, Burra, has resigned his charge at Semaphore on account of bad health.

VII. 563. 23 July 1886, page 3

Letter from W.H. Hardy attacking the hypocrisy of Cr Ridgway over the matter of the Council inspector. He claimed Ridgway was quite willing to take on the extra role of inspector when the work being done was by way of improvements around his own property at Aberdeen, but not when it might benefit others.

[W.R. Ridgway owned lot 23 in Aberdeen, which is the whole block surrounded by Best Place, Morehead St and Helen Terrace. Among other developments was the site of the Aberdeen Hotel and later its replacement Royal Exchange Hotel. A ratepayer’s meeting in November 1885 had censured him for getting work done to benefit his own property. He had tendered his resignation, but was persuaded to withdraw it. See VII. 493. 17 Nov. 1885, page 3; VII. 494 20 Nov. 1885, page 3 and VII. 496. 27 Nov. 1885, page 2.]

Burra Young Men’s Union responds via ‘A Member’ denying the charges levelled by ‘A Wanderer’ in last Friday’s issue over the Union’s activities on competing with the Salvation Army.

VII. 564. 27 July 1886, page 2

Editorial on the need for educated public debate and public opinion.

Entertainment. The Penny Readings were better attended last Saturday despite the wet weather.

Weather. The wet weather seems to have caused the fall of several thousand tons of stone in Bewley’s Quarry on Sunday afternoon. The rain has fallen since last Thursday and Burra has had at least 1.75”. All creeks are flowing heavily.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues to meet regularly each fortnight.

Unemployment. The men are back from Barker’s Dam because the rain has stopped work.

Burra Young Men’s Union will have a dinner at their Hall on Wednesday after the Burra Co. RVF inspection (4 August).

[The location was given as Thames St, but what hall was there? Could they have been using the old Baptist Chapel? This occupied the space, now a car park, immediately south of the Bowling Club.]

Midland Road Board reports it has no funds to do the work requested by the Town Council: to widen the Mine Bridge and repair the ford at the Bon Accord Hotel.

The Board has asked the Government for £2,000 to spread road metal.

Ulooloo Goldfields. Only four men from Burra now remain with the Government party.

Larrikinism. ‘A Wanderer’ defends his views on the larrikin element in Market Square.

Burra Political Association. The paper asks what has become of it, but it seems to have been stillborn.

Migration. In the last 12 months emigration from SA has exceeded immigration by some 11,000.

VII. 565. 30 July 1886, page 2

Advt. Commercial Hotel. Under distraint for rent, J. Sampson Jun. is instructed to sell the whole of the stock-in-trade, comprising household furniture and effects of the Commercial Hotel, Kooringa, at 11 o’clock 30 & 31 July 1886.

Editorial on the lack of any real progress in the SA Parliament.

Road Accident. For the fourth or fifth time Mrs Chivell was thrown out of her milk cart when it capsized. As on the other occasions, she was not seriously hurt.

Silverton Railway. The extension of the railway to the Barrier Ranges [It was then operating to Manna Hill] will prejudicially affect the Burra District. Wool etc. from the north-east will now travel north to this line. Teamsters will be deprived of their living and many small farmers will find a portion of their income ended. Those maintaining teams will also suffer with fewer hands needed in machinists’ establishment.

Weather. There has been 3” of rain at Mongolata this month.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide 362 departed and 193 arrived.

The Mining on Private Property Bill has been rejected.

The Government Dam at Manna Hill has been placed so that most water will bypass it.

Midland Road Board. The Government has agreed to advance £2,000 so the Board can spread road metal.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church. There was a cake fair on Wednesday evening in the Lecture Hall with 90 exhibits competing for prizes. There was much debate over what constituted a ‘true’ Cornish pasty. The prize list is printed and perhaps most significant is the value, given that a labourer’s wage was 5/- to 6/6 a day. Here one first prize was a pair of ladies boots, valued at 10/6, and another was a hat for the same amount.

Burra Co. RVF. There was a rifle match between officers and privates in which the privates 304 defeated the officers 262.

Football. There was no play on Saturday due to the wet weather. Burra is to visit Clare on 1 September. The selection of the Burra team will follow a match on the Recreation Ground on 7 august, when 15 selected players will take on a combined 20.

VIII. 566. 3 Aug 1886, page 2

Advt. J.A. Watt Cash Shop - Cheap Hats, has moved from his previous shop and house in Commercial St to a shop opposite Drew & Co.

[This was the only new ‘regular’ advertisement that was not in VII. 505. 1 Jan. 1886.]

Advt. Walhalla’s Royal Circus will visit on Wednesday 4 August. ‘Everything new, nothing old.’

Entertainment. The Penny Readings on Saturday nights at the Institute continue to attract good audiences despite the bad weather.

Editorial. The Government Geologist has found no silver around Eurelia.

Ulooloo Goldfields report is unchanged.

The Season. The rain has promoted good crop growth.

Disappearance & Obituary. E.M. Bagot has disappeared and has not been found despite a strenuous search. There is a rumour that he was seen at Burra Railway Station midday last Tuesday. Mr G. Bagot and Detective Hampton visited Burra yesterday, but found no clues. [Edward Meade Bagot was a well-known stock salesman according to the paper of 30 July 1886.]

The latest news is a report that his body has been found at Dry Creek on Monday 2 August.

Burra Young Men’s Union had a full house for their Saturday evening ‘free and easy’ at their rooms in Thames St. Entertainment comprising songs, recitations, stump speeches, step dancing, musical selections and Negro sketches. On other evenings the room is open for draughts and reading and they plan to have a debate one night a week. It seems to be well on the way to transforming itself from being merely an opposition to the Salvation Army into a useful institution in its own right.

Letter pointing out that the football match planned for 1 September at Clare clashes with the battalion drill due either at Hamley Bridge or Caltowie. The writer fears that ‘Quiz’ is a volunteer who fails to practice what he preaches, i.e. that success only comes by regular attendance and practice.

Payment for Members. A Bill to pay backbenchers £200 p.a. is to be introduced.

Entertainment. A Grand Christy Minstrel entertainment is to be offered at Union Hall 4 August.

VIII. 566. 3 Aug 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council.

The rates for the Aberdeen Reserve have been calculated at £13-6-9. Resolved they be applied for.

Cr Ridgway suggested that the Police Paddock be turned into a forest reserve. About 10 acres of it was attached to the gaol and he thought the sheriff was about to plant olive trees there. At present it was growing some wattles, which could be valuable, and if proclaimed a forest reserve it could become the nursery for the district.

There was a further debate on the inspectorship. Cr Sampson moved to rescind the notice of salary for the inspector of £110 p.a. in favour of one for £50 p.a. as an overseer would not be wanted for the rest of the year and the rates are in. They had an overdraft of £186-8-2 and they had to save money in all judicious ways. They could save five months salary at £110 p.a.

Cr Ridgway contended that if all the work for which the salary had been offered at the beginning of the year had been done, then the whole £110 had been earned and was due. The arrangements as made were legally and morally binding. He did not like to offer anyone £25 for six months’ work. £2 a week was little enough. He believed there was c. £100 of rates to collect.

Cr Tiver also opposed the motion.

Cr Anderson thought the savings would only be £16 and moved an amendment to make the new salary £80 p.a. The amendment was carried on the Mayor’s casting vote, but the motion as amended when put was then lost, so it stays at £110 p.a.

VIII. 567. 6 Aug 1886, page 2

Editorial on aspects of the Adelaide Exhibition.

2nd Leader on, and opposed to, the prayers to be used at the start of the Parliamentary Day.

Bible Christian Church. The President of the Conference visited this week.

Burra Co. RVF. A very satisfactory annual inspection took place on Wednesday. 84 officers and men are enrolled and only two who are out of the colony were absent. They paraded on the Recreation Ground and then marched to the railway station to salute General Owen as he left. They were accompanied by the band.

Burra Young Men’s Union. The opening dinner of the Union was held on Wednesday evening followed by a concert and ball. It was a somewhat cold and showery evening and dinner started at 5.30 p.m. Mr Hardy welcomed those present on behalf of the Union. The concert, which began at 8.00 p.m., was a Christy Minstrel performance. By then the place was packed with scores denied access. The paper reports the songs performed. After that the hall was cleared for a ball. The Burra Band played several selections in the evening. Proceeds were satisfactory.

Letter from a member of Burra Co. RVF saying that the RVF activity that could clash with the planned football match with Clare was as yet uncertain. He accused the writer of the complaint about it of wanting to hurt the football club.

The Totalizator Bill has passed the House of Assembly, but faces an uncertain fate in the Legislative Council.

Advt. The items from the Burra Young Men’s Union Concert will be repeated after the Penny Readings on Saturday night.

VIII. 567. 6 Aug 1886, page 3

Obituary & Inquest. T. Ward, the City Coroner, held an inquest on 3 August on the body of E. M. Bagot. [Edward Bagot, died 24 July, aged 63.]

Ernest August Topperwein, guard at Yatala Labour Prison, said he was on duty on Saturday 24 July and on 2 August, when at c. 10 to 5 he went from his beat on No. 3 Quarry South and passed about eight feet from the end the better to see men breaking rocks. Glancing up he saw a pair of boots projecting from a stone ledge. Upon investigation he could also see trousers and a coat. Superintendent Scott came and recognised the body as that of Mr Bagot. He thought that such a fall would result in death - the body would probably not strike the sides, but fall straight to the ledge. No similar accident had occurred at this place in his time there, but a prisoner named Symons fell over the edge and was killed in No. 2 Quarry.

It is surprising that the body was not noticed sooner, but the ledge slopes inwards and at first only the boots were visible and they were some 18” higher than the body. He had not previously stood at that spot.

Dr B. Poulton gave evidence of the injuries and state of decomposition. The injuries included a fracture of the skull, which must have produced instant unconsciousness if not death. The appearance of the body was consistent with death on the night of the 24 June. The fall was 31” 6”.

VIII. 568. 10 Aug 1886, page 2

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church anniversary service on Sunday 15 August with tea meeting on Tuesday 17 August.

Obituary. Martha Breakspeare Holder, wife of J.M. Holder, died at Collegetown on 9 August, aged 59.

Obituary. Mrs Barnett, wife of Mr C. Barnett, who has just vacated the Commercial Hotel, died suddenly of heart disease, leaving a family of eleven children.

Advt. John Sampson and others call for a public meeting to consider ‘the Inspectorship & Other Important Matters’. D. Spencer Packard, Mayor, consequently calls a meeting for Thursday 12 August at 7.30 p.m. in the Institute.

Editorial on the railway gauge issue. The editor favoured the 3’6” gauge for lines north of Adelaide and 5’3” for those going south, where there would be connections with Victoria.

Ulooloo Goldfields. A further discovery of gold has been made 8 miles north of Ulooloo.

Burra Teachers’ Association held their fourth meeting.

Burra Cemetery. The cemetery is still a place of recourse on weekends, especially on Sundays when it is a ‘common place of rendezvous for all sorts of people, including nurse girls and their charges, and children of all ages. Too often, besides other unpleasant incidents, the crowd almost prevent the mourners and relatives attending the funerals from coming right up to the grave, and the crying babies and talkative children very seriously interfere with the service. Dogs, too, often find their way into the cemetery with the people . . . the sight of boys running almost over graves must be most painful to friends’. The writer felt that some regulation was needed and perhaps a police presence.

Entertainment. There was a complaint that John Roach did not go through more than a fifth of the program that had been performed at the Burra young Men’s Union show, when he purported to do so after the Penny Readings on Saturday. [They expected a lot for their penny!]

Football. Last Saturday Colours 3.4 defeated Allcomers 0.5

‘A Wanderer’ attacks Cr Ridgway and Cr Anderson over the inspectorship issue.

Cr Ridgway says the Council’s agreements with the Inspector are legally and morally binding, but as an illegal transaction was entered into with his assistance he seems to ignore all principle.

Cr Anderson repudiates a move he would say saved only £16, but then moved an amendment that would save only £8.

‘Wanderer’ trusts that voters will remember the lack of principle when it comes to an election.

Obituary & Inquest at the Burra Burra Mines on the sudden death of Lucy Barnett, who lived near Mr West and died suddenly of heart disease. [Died 7 August, aged 44, wife of Charles, born Lucy Susan Humphries on 22 March 1842.]

Letter in a pseudo uneducated ‘dialect’ on the Penny Readings. It is generally favourable, but ultimately tedious, and the writer prefers Mr Roach ‘without the cork’. [A reference to his black-face appearances in the Christy Minstrel elements of the last concert.]

VIII. 569. 13 Aug 1886, page 2

Editorial on Municipal Matters

Writing before the Ratepayers’ Meeting begins, we cannot predict the outcome of a meeting to consider appointing an Inspector for the rest of the year at £110 p.a. We do not believe this is a time for appointing more men or paying more money than is absolutely necessary. If by appointing the curator of the cemetery or the dayman as Acting-Inspectors for the rest of the year and money can be saved, then save it. There is no doubt this could be done. The present Acting-Inspector, against whom we have nothing to say, is appointed pending a permanent appointment and so all delay in deciding reduces the money to be saved. Surely the Mayor will see that on the death of the late Inspector the Council was freed from any legal or moral obligation and is still free. There are only three operative minutes on this topic.

That applications be invited for an Inspector at £110 p.a.

On 18 January the application of Mr Dow was accepted.

July 1886 New applications to be sought to fill the vacancy.

None of these need to be rescinded. No application has to be accepted and the last of the minutes ceased to have further effect on the applications coming in. There is no now no minute that sets the salary for the year 1886 at £110. The situation allows the Council to work for the rest of 1886 with one officer less and a small sum of not more than £1 a week will suffice for the Inspector’s work.

A New Local Government Bill was introduced which would have divided the settled areas into 42 relatively large shires, while leaving the Incorporated Towns outside of them. Shire 26 would have been made from the merging of the Districts of Apoinga, Burra, Hallett, Mt Bryan, Baldina (comprising the Hundreds of Baldina, Bright, Bundey & King), and Mongolata (comprising the Hundreds of Mongolata, Rees, Tomkinson & that part of the Hundred of Hallett then outside of the District Council of Hallett). The various District Councils then in existence would have become something like wards in the new shires. The shires would control all main and district roads, be Boards of Health, Drainage Boards, and have the power to initiate gas and waterworks, to create industrial areas and exercise rabbit control. [Needless to say such a wide, sweeping reform was beyond the power of an unstable Government with a hostile upper house.]

Burra Co. RVF. General Owen authorised that a second lieutenant be appointed to the Burra Co. and Col. Sergeant Butterworth was unanimously elected to the position. Captain Holder promoted Sergeant Hinde to Colour Sergeant and Private Hosking to Sergeant.

Cricket. The annual meeting of the Aberdeen Cricket Club was held at the Court House Hotel on Tuesday 10 August. Dr Cockburn was confirmed as Patron and D.S. Packard as President. A.H. Jennings was elected Captain for the coming year, E. Mügge is Vice-Captain and H.E. West is Treasurer. It was decided to change the club’s colours to Red & Blue and the name to the Burra Cricket Club. They also voted that a deputation go to the Town Council to have a pitch installed at the Recreation Ground.

Burra Young Men’s Union.

The meeting on Monday debated a series of topics that were introduced by various speakers: Mr J. Nevin on Socialism, Mr Hardy on Gambling, Mr Henderson on Home Rule and Mr Young on The Depression.

Monday evenings will be for debating - open to the public.

Tuesdays will be devoted to activities ‘for general improvement’ for members only.

Thursdays will be used for amusement.

Friday will be devoted to singing, readings and practice for Saturdays.

Saturdays will see an entertainment in the form of 3d concerts.

This will pay for the expenses for the rest of the week. Membership is 1/-.

The Totalizator Bill. Petitions against this Bill were popular in Burra.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide in the last week 303 departed and 211 arrived.

Burra Show. It seems that the Burra Show will be the only one around that will not be held this year.

Railways. Petersburg people are urging that the break of gauge be at their town. Those in Terowie are obviously opposed.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) There was a good practice match on Saturday when the selected 15 played 20 picked by Messrs Herbert & Scarborough. The match started with only 8 Colours present and their opposition was down on numbers too, but both sides gained players as the game proceeded. Colours 3.4 defeated Allcomers 0.5, but bad tempers marred the game.

VIII. 569. 13 Aug 1886, page 3

The Inspectorship Meeting at the Institute on Thursday 12 August was called by the Mayor in response to ratepayer demand, but when it assembled he promptly condemned the meeting. He said such meetings should not be held after a decision had been made and certainly not at the instigation of a councillor who had lost his argument in Council. He declined to take the chair at a meeting called to condemn his Council and then left the room. Cr Coglin was then elected chairman. The old arguments already noted were put forward concerning the Inspectorship and then there was a call by Cr Sampson to reduce the rates by 30%. Some ratepayers, he said were getting only 4/6 a day, but their rates went to Council Officers doing less for 7/- a day. F.W. Holder spoke favouring no Inspectorship in the current circumstances. The meeting supported this 39 to 1 with a few abstentions.

The meeting went on to condemn delays in relief work which deprived the unemployed of the meagre sums offered in theory: there sometimes being delays of up to 16 days due to red tape. A motion was passed asking the Mayor to telegraph to Adelaide urging more immediate action. Also a motion was passed urging the Council to look at the assessment with a view to reducing the rates.

VIII. 570. 17 Aug 1886, page 2

Obituary. William Dow of Halifax, 2nd son of the late Andrew Dow of Ellend Hall, Normanton and nephew of the late John Dow of Kooringa, died 30 June at the residence of his brother, A. Munro Dow, in Keighley. He was 28.

Editorial in favour of the Local Government Bill.

Advt. Burra Young Men’s Union will hold a Grand Christy Minstrel and Variety Entertainment on Friday 20 August. 6d & 3d.

Advt. The Penny Readings Series will feature the special guest Miss Jennie Nye, from the principal theatres of Australia and New Zealand who will do a comedy scene from the celebrated play by Sheridan & Knowles: Hunchback.

J.D. Cave has done very well at the Adelaide Poultry Show.

Entertainment. Despite much rain last Saturday’s Penny Readings Show was crowded. Proceeds go to the Institute’s building program.

Unemployment. The plans to work on a reservoir in the hundred of Rees have been abandoned and in Burra there are still some 30 men out of work and the Government has nothing to offer. (A letter to the editor on page 3 of this issue suggests that there are more like 60 out of work in Burra.)

Burra Young Men’s Union concert was well patronised and a good program throughout.

A Chess Club has been formed which has non-exclusive use of the Institute amusement room on Tuesday evening.

Burra Co. RVF has been offered a cup to be fired for quarterly, with the person who wins thrice getting to keep the cup.

‘The Wanderer’ questions whether the Mayor has the right to speak for the Council in declaring that it will ignore whatever the public meeting resolves on the Inspectorship.

He also claims that the sale of alcoholic liquor to children under 12 is common in Kooringa and that children 6-12 are often sent to the hotel with bottles and jugs at all hours of the day and night.

Another complaint is that men from Adelaide have been sent plate-laying on the Hallett railway, rather than employing local men.

VIII. 570. 17 Aug 1886, page 3

Burra Co. RVF. Sergeant Hoskings resigns his stripes.

The Government has halved expenditure on the VMF and almost doubled that for the RVF.

Silverton Railway. The line is now open to Manna Hill. Terowie has reported a loss of trade to the new railhead. [The railhead was soon to move on to Cockburn for a time, but ultimately, of course, to Broken Hill.]

Burra Town Council. The rates for the Aberdeen Reserve have been paid.

A petition from 67 unemployed men was received, but the Mayor says he has done all he can and suggests it be forwarded to the district’s MPs.

A deputation reported the resolutions of the public meeting on the Inspectorship and other issues. The Mayor said the issue of the Inspectorship and of lower rates would be considered, but that the latter question was hard to see being enacted considering the overdraft.

A deputation from the Cricket Club asked for a concrete pitch at the Recreation Ground. It was resolved that the Cricket Club be allowed to install a pitch at its own expense as the Council lacked funds.

VIII. 571. 20 Aug 1886, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church anniversary is tomorrow. In the evening at the Institute the Rev. John Watson will lecture on Reminiscences of His Life in South Africa. Dr Sangster will preside.

Editorial on a public meeting on 26 August to consider the establishment of a State Bank, the Payment of Members Bill, and the motion of Hon. J. Bosworth re the sale of Crown Lands for Cash, and other matters.

2nd Leader opposed to the construction of a Transcontinental Railway [to Darwin] on the Land Grant Scheme.

Weather. Rain in August has been good with 1.08” in the last three days.

Unemployment. The Government promises some work ‘at an early date’. In the South-East drainage works are to employ 400-500.

Box and Cox tonight. [Just this and nothing more appears in the ‘Items’ column.] Box and Cox is a farce by Maddison Morton and was the basis for the comic opera by Sullivan: Cox and Box.]

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide arrivals were 198 and departures 281.

Bank Closure. The paper cryptically reported that the other Aberdeen branch bank was about to close. [The Bank of Australasia was the first to close and this reference was to the Aberdeen Branch of the National Bank.]

Rates. Though the value of property in Burra had gone down steadily for the last three years people had been paying ever more in rates.

Letter from W.H. Hardy calling on the Mayor and Crs Tiver and Anderson to resign and urging a public petition to urge the same. Following the deputation of ratepayers from the recent meeting the Mayor promised that the council would consider the request made by ratepayers, but though Cr Sampson asked them to do so before opening applications they ignored the deputation and tried to settle the matter of the Inspectorship without referring to the ratepayers’ request.

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) There was no practice match because of the rain. Terowie issues a challenge for a match on 1 September at Burra and calls for a return one in Terowie this season or a forfeit of £5. ‘Quiz’ thought this rather silly impudence. A trip to Clare had already been arranged for that date.

VIII. 571. 20 Aug 1886, page 3

Railways. There was an article on using wood in locos, as the Government wanted it tried. It worked only for locos with a deep flat firebox and of the timber available, logs 1’3” long worked best. Sparks were a major problem and so without special chimneys it was out of the question in summer. Apart from crops etc. several railway wagons were set alight from sparks.

On the 5’3” gauge the cost was: for coal 2.868d per train mile

for wood 5.926d per train mile

On the 3’6” gauge the cost was: for coal 3.181d per train mile

for wood 6.11d per train mile

(In the last case 9.25% coal had to be used to maintain sufficient steam.)

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church anniversary was successfully celebrated on 15 August with tea meeting on 17 August. Rev. S. Gray preached to fairly good congregations and the public meeting presided over by Mr Birt was interesting. The proceeds of £10 will be spent to improve the building. There is no debt on the property.

Unemployment. No work yet for the unemployed, but more men have arrived from Adelaide to work on the Hallett railway.

Defence. General Owen says that if there is further need for cost cutting he would rather do without the RVF than the VMF, as an unpaid force would not be sufficiently reliable in case of need. A VMF name change to the Militia was desirable. Defence costs for 1885-6 were £49,031.

Defence costs for the year 1886-7: Administration £2,964

Permanent Force £5,842

VMF £11,104

RVF £5,144

Navy £12,612

Total £37,666

VIII. 572. 24 Aug 1886, page 2

Editorial on the New English Government and the Irish Question.

Entertainment. There was an immense house at the Penny Readings on Saturday. The public are getting spoiled with 2/- worth for 3d, 2d, and 1d. The proceeds exceeded £4.

Burra Young Men’s Union. There was a good concert on Friday night. The entertainment began with a Christy Minstrel performance and concluded with the farce Box and Cox. The second half was comic songs and tableaux with the laughable farce The Virginian Mummy.

Postal Service. A parcel post to England has been established with parcels not to exceed 11 lb at 6d per lb.

The Totalizator Bill is much discussed in Adelaide papers.

Letter on larrikinism pointing out that now that the police are keeping good order at the Penny Readings on Saturdays, the larrikins have moved to the BYMU concerts on Fridays, with much noise from the boys and young men at the back of the hall. Why no police there?

The editor replied that the police can only act if asked to do so by the organisers. Those for the Penny Readings did ask: the BYMU did not. Why not?

Letter complaining about the employment of Adelaide men on the Hallett railway work.

Midland Road Board. The Burra Town Council sought permission to improve the grade of the main road between the Redruth Bridge and Bartholomæus’ Store. Approved.

They also complained that the roads in town were being blinded when it was not necessary and roads were being injured thereby. Referred to the surveyor.

VIII. 573. 27 Aug 1886, page 2

Editorial on the SA Budget Speech.

Mr Torr, late of Burra and more recently of Moonta, arrived in England to study at Oxford to prepare for the headmastership of the proposed Way College in Adelaide.

Unemployment. At last some work. The mayor advises that Mr Yeates of the Water Conservation Department will engage about 30 married men and a few teams to proceed with work at Baldina.

Burra Co. RVF. There will be no special train to Terowie for the RVF drill next Wednesday at Caltowie so it is unlikely any from Burra will attend as normal services would mean going north on Tuesday and back on Thursday.

Football. There was a good game on Saturday between 10-12 Colour and 18-20 Allcomers. Colours 3.6 defeated Allcomers 1.5.

The Terowie game is now expected to be on 4 September with 15 men to a team.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week departures were 278 and arrivals 191.

Burra Co. RVF. Annual rifle matches at Smithfield.

In the 16 teams of 8 competitors Burra came 12th. Pt Adelaide 618, Redhill 608, Laura 599, Gladstone 595, Pt Augusta 582, Mt Gambier 581, Blyth 568, City 552, Caltowie 551, Quorn 550, Eastern Suburbs 536, Burra 514, Wallaroo 503, Williamstown 453, Mt Barker 438, Willunga 417.

In the 21 teams of 5 competitors, Burra came 18th.

Straying Animals remain a problem, particularly in Aberdeen and Redruth.

VIII. 573. 27 Aug 1886, page 3

Political Meeting. On 26 August a public meeting was called at the Institute which was a rare example of local interest in wider political issues. It attracted 150 people. Mr Venning spoke of the need for a State Bank. Mr Holder spoke of the need to pay Members of Parliament, lest only the wealthy be represented. C. Drew opposed this, as did Mr Lockyer. There was general support and when Mr Drew moved that the meeting did not support payment of members the result is confused in the report.

Dr Brummitt spoke against the sale of Crown Lands at a low price to pay the national debt. He moved the meeting be not in favour of it. P. Lane moved that the sale of Crown Lands be suspended (regardless of the terms) and that was carried.

C. Drew moved that the meeting express its disappointment at moves to legalise the Totalizator. Carried.

Mr Venning was thanked, but there was no motion on the State Bank question as it was felt that more information was needed.

VIII. 574. 31 Aug 1886, page 2

Editorial on the political meeting in Burra last week.

Burra Co. RVF. The Caltowie drill has been postponed due to the likely low attendance.

Wool. The wool clip from Oulnina, the first of the season, has been despatched via Manna Hill, indicating the reorientation of the transport routes as the railway heads towards Broken Hill.

Obituary. Enoch Stephens, an old resident of Redruth has died. [Died 29 August, aged 56.]

Intercolonial Railway. The advent of rail traffic to Melbourne has seen the laying up of three steamers by the Adelaide Steamship Co. and 83 men have been put out of work.

Burra Show Society. There was a call for The Burra and North-Eastern Agricultural Society to be revitalised. [The call fell on deaf ears.]

Ulooloo Goldfields. The Government group of prospectors is to be disbanded at the end of next week.

Letter asking what the Government expects the single men to do for work if only the married unemployed are to get relief work. Are they to be supported by their fathers?

VIII. 574. 31 Aug 1886, page 3

Ulooloo Goldfields. The Government Geologist gives a lengthy report on the diggings.

The fields are situated in the Hd of Hallett and were discovered in 1870 or 1877. The first workings were on Section 650 on the ‘white lead’ and afterwards work was on Noltenius Ck, Section 673 and later along Coglin’s Ck. Work has been intermittent and at present 80-100 men are employed there. The amount of gold won is unknown, but £18,000 worth has been sent in via Hallett P.O. All won so far has come from alluvial works. The only permanent water supply is Ulooloo Ck and all sluicing is now done near the junction of Ulooloo and Coglin’s Creeks. Many small gullies could store water for sluicing. Gold exists in Old Tertiary drifts, in ancient creek beds (newer gold drifts), and in existing creek beds. [The report then goes into more detail of where these deposits are located.]

The principal work is now carried on between Scrubber’s Ck and the White Lead, sinking some 30-40’. Payable amounts are being retrieved. The Government party is at work on deep ground near the junction of Coglin’s and Ulooloo Creeks and have prospected across an old channel of Coglin’s. They have obtained a small quantity.

Further down Ulooloo Ck attempts to sink some 40’ have been frustrated by water inflow, which could readily be overcome by pumping. Systematic prospecting is limited by most of the area being private land and by lack of water. The quart and ironstone reefs should be prospected. [Figures of gold obtained are then cited.]

The field has been worked for 15 years continuously, but with sometimes only a few men, now there are about 100.

Burra Town Council. Cr Sampson moved the suspension of Standing orders with a view to appointing a permanent inspector at £50 p.a. Carried.

Cr Anderson moved that the present acting inspector be appointed. Carried.

Cr Anderson moved that 250 trees be purchased.

VIII. 575. 3 Sep. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the SA Budget Debate.

2nd Leader on the new Local Government Bill. [Shire Councils Bill.]

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide there were 181 arrivals and 241 departures.

Offences. Various animals continue to stray, incurring 5/- fines for their owners.

J.W. Harris was charged with being drunk on the railway platform and was cautioned.

Ulooloo Goldfields. W.H. Hardy writes re the Government Geologist’s report, which he says, is grossly misleading with respect to the actual yields obtained by specific parties. While some nice individual finds were made, Hardy contends that no one found enough gold to keep him for six months without other work. [or support]

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) Last Saturday the match between two selected teams was very good.

The No. 2 team (Lott’s) 5.15 defeated the No.1 Team (Fitzgerald’s) 2.5

The Burra v. Clare match was played at Clare on 1 September on a very poor ground with the left wing a mud hole and with piles of dirt in the centre. Play was fast and rough and ended in a draw. Burra 0.9 and Clare 0.5

VIII. 576. 7 Sep. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Trades Union Congress in Adelaide.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist anniversary, Sunday 5 September with tea meeting on Wednesday.

Entertainment. The Penny Readings continue to draw good crowds.

Football. Burra and Terowie played a 16 a side match and Burra 9.15 defeated Terowie 0.2 before a small crowd.

Lawn Tennis. 1 September in Clare: Clare 102 games defeated Burra 34 games.

VIII. 577. 10 Sep. 1886, page 2

Advt. SAMA will prosecute anyone removing stone, soil, sand or any other material from the estate of SAMA or otherwise trespassing thereon. W. West (Agent)

Advt. Burra Races will be on 1 November 1886.

Burra Cricket Club calls tenders for laying an asphalt pitch at the Recreation Ground. Horace E. West, Hon. Sec.

Obituary: ‘Departed this life September 1st 1886, a faithful servant for the last twenty-four years, my favourite grey mare NELLY. Regretted by her owner.

W.F. COGLIN’

Editorial on the Bulgarian coup d’etat.

2nd Leader against Government handouts and the ‘Grandmotherly Legislation’.

‘We fear that the mental fibre of the coming generation will be seriously weakened if this goes on.’ The immediate cause of this outburst of concern was the call for technical education to be part of general education.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week there were 227 arrivals and 324 departures.

Entertainment. Miss Carry Nelson is about to make a provincial tour and will visit Burra. Her singing and acting have been highly commended.

The Penny Readings this week will feature the bagpipes played by Mr A.G. MacDonald, late of the 79th Highlanders. Dr Nesbitt will preside at the above. He is back in Burra on a visit after being away six years from the end of his term as Mayor.

VIII. 577. 10 Sep. 1886, page 3

Football. (by ‘Quiz’) The return match against Terowie was played on Wednesday 8 September at Terowie before a crowd of c. 200. Players went by the midday train and play started at 3.15 p.m. Burra 2.13 defeated Terowie 1.5

Letter claiming that ‘Quiz’ badly represented the match with Clare and that the roughness of play was rather on the Burra side, not the reverse as had been suggested and that the umpire in the second half was very biased towards Burra.

VIII. 578. 14 Sep. 1886, page 2

Advt. Public Meeting called for 16 September on the Local Government Bill.

Advt. Auction at the National Bank, Aberdeen, in consequence of the closing of the branch. Morris, Sandland & Barritt will auction all the furniture, both office and household.

In Memoriam

OLD NELLY

Beneath the sod she lightly trod,

Obedient, slow or fast,

Relieved from care, my trusty mare

Old Nelly rests at last.

Ah, many’s the day, o’er hill and dale,

For twenty years and more,

She, true as steel, obeyed my will,

Without the whip or spur.

As old friends share their sympathy

We sympathetic grew,

Her glance would say “you’re kind to me

And I’ll be kind to you.”

Yet, as best of friends must part -

With regret I say farewell;

Her equal I shall ne’er again possess,

My old and faithful Nell.

W.F. COGLIN

Editorial on the Local Government Bill.

Entertainment. Burra Young Men’s Union had a good house in Thames St on Friday.

The Penny Readings with bagpipes also had a crowded house on Saturday.

Burra School Board met with P. Lane in the chair and Messrs Dunstan, Bartholomæus, Packard and Holder.

Leighton School is now in credit.

Daviestown School is to have a holiday on 15 September when the schoolroom is needed for a meeting.

There is a small Class V at Burra. Present attendance at Burra is 380.

Kooringa Wesleyan anniversary last Sunday and tea meeting on Monday presided over by T.W. Wilkinson. The financial statement by F.W. Holder, Treasurer of the Trust, showed that the debt on all premises has been reduced to £505. The old parsonage is valued at £500 and is let for £40 p.a.

District Councils of Burra, Hanson and Booborowie met last Friday in the Burra Institute to consider the Local Government Bill now before Parliament. Thomas Fairchild presided.

The meeting:

Approves the general principle.

Believes the suggested shires to be too large and unwieldy.

Held that in the country from 4-8 of the divisions would be quite large enough in extent to form a shire.

Thought that more care was needed to group those with a community of interest.

Burra Town Council.

A letter from Fred Martin, surveyor for Fire Insurance Companies, suggested the need for a Fire Brigade as at present the town possesses none despite there being a high pressure water service laid along the main streets. The only fire hose in the town belongs to the Mines and that is not in the town. It would cut town insurance premiums by £150 p.a.

Cr Sampson moved that a committee interview leading townspeople and the insurance companies with a view to forming a volunteer Fire Brigade. Carried.

The Cricket Club is to be allowed to retain all gate money until the pitch is paid for.

Football. ‘Quiz’ writes a letter replying to his Clare critic.

Police. There are too many in the town if they can all attend the same concert!

The Council Inspector should stroll around Burra on Sunday mornings and see the dozens of horses and cattle, which monopolise the streets on those days. It ‘wants putting a stop to.’

Rev. R.M. Hunter (Kooringa Wesleyan) will lecture tonight on General Gordon.

St Mary’s. The Bishop of Adelaide, Dr Kennion, visits next Saturday and Sunday for confirmations.

The Farmers’ Association wants credit for farm purchases extended from 6 to 10 years.

VIII. 579. 17 Sep. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Eliza Stephens, wife of John Riccardo Stephens, died at her residence, Glenavon, Parkside, on 15 September, aged 61. [Nee Sims.]

Editorial on the Bill to Reorganise Defence Forces in SA.

Cricket. Tomorrow the Burra 11 takes on 15 Allcomers.

Vandalism. Several times lately the old church building on Limestone Hill has been broken into.

Burra School Board. The Board has been visiting country schools under its care. Miss Snell and the 16 children under her care were seen at Daviestown [Hanson]. At Leighton there were 32 children under Mr Angove in a wooden classroom that was all too small to accommodate them. Repairs etc. are badly needed. Miss Willow had 37 children at Copperhouse.

Postage rates between England and Australia are to be materially reduced.

Railways. A Bill has been introduced to allow the railway to be carried the last ten miles to the NSW border.

VIII. 579. 17 Sep. 1886, page 3

Football. Another not very edifying letter from Clare to counter the version of the match told by ‘Quiz’.

Public Meeting. Only a few attended the public meeting chaired by the Mayor on 16 September in the Institute re the Local Government Bill. F.W. Holder spoke up for the Bill and moved it be supported albeit with some boundary changes and other minor variations. J. Hoskings 2nd. Others opposed the move because the main roads would fall to the Town Council under the Bill. The motion was passed.

Holder considered that the work the Council had done and which was paid for by the ratepayer raised the value of SAMA property infinitely more than they had paid in rates ever since the Council was established, while the tenants who helped pay got no advantage. He favoured assessments based on unimproved values, which would encourage development.

Football. ‘Quiz’ sums up the year’s football and lists the main players with some brief notes on their abilities. The major players for the year were:

W. Fitzgerald (Captain) A. Lott (Vice-Captain)

J. Blott G. Parks

J. Herbert G. Herbert

Wade Davey

Richardson Symons

O’Neill W. Bruse

Young Fordham

Joyce Phillips

Kellaway (Kelloway in the paper) Jenkins

Henderson Linkson

VIII. 580. 21 Sep. 1886, page 2

Advt. St Mary’s Sunday School festival on 26 September and Wednesday 29 September, Michaelmas Day. There will be a short service for scholars at 9.30 a.m. and then a picnic at Princess Royal.

Editorial deploring the lack of policy in the SA Government and Opposition alike and the need for more local political organisations.

Weather. Much dust on Monday 20 September then a thunderstorm and over 1” of rain by 7 a.m. the next morning.

St Mary’s. There were big congregations from all protestant denominations at Bishop Kennion’s services.

Burra Co. RVF. A firing match for Cr Sampson’s Cup will be held on 22 September.

Entertainment. The Penny Readings were again a great success, especially the Maypole Dance.

‘A Lady’ writes in to say that the Penny Reading have turned out a much greater success than ever thought of and many have seen full houses. All praises to Messrs Roach and Wittber. They are due to end after 12, so there are two to go. Many will regret it. She hopes that the final fling might be a composite of the best acts from the previous 11 weeks, rather than pay for Adelaide talent to visit.

Cricket results from 18 September: 15 Allcomers 114 defeated the Burra Eleven, 36.

VIII. 581. 24 Sep. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the State Bank question.

2nd Leader on the present session of the SA Parliament.

Advt. A Burra Wesleyan Conversazione and Art Exhibition will be held in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall from 29 September to 1 October.

Burra Town Council. A new assessment is being undertaken which is expected to reflect the depreciation in the values of properties. Vacant lots, previously undervalued, will generally remain the same.

Weather. There were good rains Monday and Tuesday.

St Mary’s. The Bishop of Adelaide, Dr Kennion, confirmed 12 males and 19 females on 19 September.

Burra Co. RVF. The first firing match for Cr Sampson’s Cup was won by Private Roach.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide 471 departed and 150 arrived.

VIII. 582. 28 Sep. 1886, page 2

Advt. Burra Wesleyan Conversazione and Art Exhibition.

‘Telephones will be connected with Clare, when singing &c will be given.’

[This must have been somewhat experimental since Australia’s first trunk line for telephones was the 16-mile link between Adelaide and Pt Adelaide, which only opened in 1886.]

Advt. The Final Penny Reading performance. Reserved chairs 6d. Others at 3d, 2d, & 1d.

D.S. Packard has been gazetted as a JP.

Entertainment. The second last Penny Readings evening was again well patronised.

[The title of ‘Readings’ is perhaps misleading, as most of the items were songs, duets, trios and recitations.

But perhaps the word was to be understood in its meaning of ‘interpretations’.]

VIII. 582. 28 Sep. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. Cr Sampson has priced fire reels and will report next meeting.

Sparrows are now a pest and poisoned wheat is to be laid at the cemetery.

VIII. 583. 1 Oct. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the present SA Parliament and land monopolies.

The Burra Wesleyan Conversazione features pictures, needlework, curios, scientific and other apparatus etc. In the evenings competitions are held in music and elocution. The prize-winning essays and poems will be read.

An Earthquake was felt in Burra on Wednesday 29 September at 4.00 a.m. There was moderate shaking, but no mention of damage.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week there were 284 arrivals and 422 departures.

Mineral rights will not in future be included in the sale of Crown Lands in SA.

VIII. 583. 1 Oct. 1886, page 3

The Burra Wesleyan Conversazione is reported at length.

St Mary’s Sunday School annual picnic at Princess Royal was a great success.

VIII. 584. 5 Oct. 1886, page 2

Editorial on SA Government’s financial policy.

Burra Young Men’s Union. The fortnightly entertainment on Friday nights continues to draw a crowd.

Ulooloo Goldfield. Work continues, but now without the Government party.

Burra Co. RVF. The competition for Cr Sampson’s Cup is to be monthly rather than quarterly.

The Burra Wesleyan Conversazione was so successful that it continues this week as well. The small fee of 6d covers admission to all features except the art gallery.

Entertainment. The last Penny Reading was very popular and featured a rapier demonstration that was much admired. The series of 12 shows earned about £30 towards the Institute building fund.

VIII. 585. 8 Oct. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Land Bill.

Advt. St Mary’s Cake Fair will be held at the Institute 13 October. Promenade Concert. FULL MOON. E. McBride, Hon. Sec.

Burra Floricultural Society met on 6 October and resolved that the flower show be on 3 November.

Road Accident. Last Tuesday Mr W.H. Hardy was driving a horse and trap belonging to Mr J. Sampson in front of the Royal Exchange Hotel when the horse suddenly shied into the right of way between the hotel and Mr Cox’s shop, colliding with a post on the footpath and breaking the shafts and crossbar and some of the harness. Mr C. McDonald helped to secure the horse without further damage.

Bees. Mr C. Drew, some 8 months ago, secured a hive of pure Ligurian bees. It has yielded 70 lb of honey and in the last 20 days, 4 swarms.

Bible Christian Church. Rev. W.F. James of Kooringa is gathering material for a volume entitled Memorials of Burra and the Story of the Bible Christian Church There. He will be glad to receive any striking facts and incidents respecting the Burra Burra Mine, the creek huts and social life1845-60. Part of the book will be devoted to the rise and progress of other churches in the neighbourhood.

Obituary. Mr David Mackay, an old resident who formerly carried on a business as a tinsmith and ironmonger in the premises now occupied by Mr Kitchen, died from syncope on 23 September, aged 60. The death occurred in Portland, Victoria, where he had lived after returning to Australia from a visit to Scotland. [Syncope is heart failure.]

The Burra Wesleyan Conversazione raised in excess of £20.

The Silverton Railway is open as far as O’Leary. [Presumably Olary. The town was not proclaimed till 1 December 1887.]

Parliament. The Payment of Members Bill has passed the House of Assembly.

VIII. 586. 12 Oct. 1886, page 2

Obituary. From a notice calling for claims against the estate, George Jelbert, late of Paratoo, died on 13 November 1885.

Editorial on the needs of 300-400 teamsters as the rail terminus moves to Cockburn.

2nd Leader on the need to diversify SA’s economy.

Advt. Entertainment. Walhalla’s Circus makes a farewell visit to Burra for one night only on 17 October at the rear of the Commercial Hotel.

Unemployment. The completion of the Silverton Railway is expected to throw 300-400 teamsters out of work.

VIII. 586. 12 Oct. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council has had no response to a call for public subscriptions towards getting the town a fire reel.

Baldina Trip reported by the Roach Brothers.

The Hundred of Baldina is divided into the inner and outer plains, which have been under cultivation for about 12 years. The inner plain sloped east, terminating in a low range called the Black Hills. This is excellent agricultural country with fair rainfall, though lower than in Burra. This inner plain has 3,000 to 4,000 acres under wheat. The outer plain is saltbush country and is good for wheat, only the rainfall is quite unreliable. In the 12 years of settlement it has had only one really good crop - in the first year. A large proportion of settlers here have either sold out or deserted their holdings. The remainder, principally Germans, have about 3,000 acres under wheat in this outer plain. As a rule wheat here is up by 1 May, but this year there was no rain till near the end of July and the wheat broke through by the 1 August. The crops look healthy and green, but at the same time rather lacking in strength and vigour. They average only 6” high and yet with as many as 6 joints in the straw. Yields are hard to estimate as the next few weeks will be vital, but 5-6 bushels per acres might eventuate.

VIII. 587. 15 Oct. 1886, page 2

Advt. Jubilee of Wesleyan Methodism in SA. There will be celebrations in Kooringa on Sunday 24 October. On Wednesday 27 October a UNITED LOVE FEAST will be presided over by Rev. T. Lloyd, Chairman of the District. This will take the form of a banquet at the Lecture Hall at 4.30 p.m. with a public meeting at 7.30 p.m. with a series of addresses and supper to follow.

Editorial on Rejection in the Legislative Council of the Payment of Members Bill.

2nd Leader on the parlous state of the SA economy.

Burra Public School sent exhibits to the First Exhibition of the Northern Public Schools Floral and Industrial Society at the Gladstone Institute, last Friday. The 63 exhibits earned 3 first prizes, 5 seconds and 3 thirds.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church anniversary on 10 & 11 October at which concern was expressed that the debt of £700 needed to be reduced.

St Mary’s Cake Fair was successful, raising about £15.

VIII. 587. 15 Oct. 1886, page 3

The Totalizator Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Assembly.

VIII. 588. 19 Oct. 1886, page 2

Advt. Next Thursday Evening there will be an Entertainment at the Institute in aid of the St Joseph’s School Funds. 1/- & 6d.

Editorial on Teetulpa Goldfield. This new goldfield has already attracted about 40 would-be miners.

A report from there on 15 October (18-20 miles or c. 30 km NW of Manna Hill) says that some 150 men are now on the fields and the prospects of gold there are said to be promising. [Note that Manning in Place Names of SA appears to have confused the station property and the mine, placing the latter near Yunta.]

Many other men were going to the Waukaringa Goldfield.

Burra Burra Mine. Six-monthly report. Repairs to buildings have cost £211-0-5, and other expenses £627-11-2. Income has been £1,092-14-8. The balance in the account is £70,102-0-9. In this period some leases have been granted and about 0.75 acres of land in Kooringa have been sold. A surface pitch has been let to two tributers with them to receive 2⁄3 and SAMA 1⁄3 of the ore obtained. They have been working for two months for a fairly good return.

SA Parliament. The Select Committee on Defence Forces has reported to the House of Assembly.

Baldina School will reopen next Monday under Mr Annear.

VIII. 588. 19 Oct. 1886, page 3

Teetulpa Goldfield was visited by T. Warnes and G.W. Sudholz of the Alma Mine and they reported good alluvial fonds, but no surface water. Water lies at 25’ They estimated over 200 men were there. No lode gold has yet been discovered to say 6’. Stores come from Waukaringa and Manna Hill.

VIII. 589. 22 Oct. 1886, page 2

Obituary. Ann Wilkinson, relict of the late W.H. Wilkinson JP of Gawler, died at her sons residence in Kooringa on 18 October, aged 74. [On SA Deaths CD this death is registered as Helen Wilkinson.]

St Joseph’s. The Right Reverend C.A. Reynolds, Bishop of Adelaide, will visit on 24 October for confirmations.

Editorial on the Teetulpa Gold Rush and hoping that the new gold discoveries might indicate real prospects for the sake of jobs and the colony’s finances.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Reports indicate that a party from Redruth, including Lewis Jones had got over £35 worth of gold in a couple of days. There are now said to be over 500 there with more coming all the time. The dam for domestic water won’t last more than six weeks. Firewood is scarce, but feed is plentiful. There is an opening at the field for a butcher, baker and blacksmith. The writer feels that the gully of the initial discovery will be worked out in a week. 150 more men arrived while he was writing the report.

Towns from Petersburg to Broken Hill are being depopulated [This would not seem to have required much effort! What towns?] Coaches are now running from Manna Hill to Teetulpa and over 300 miners rights have been issued in a week. It is reported that the train fare to Manna Hill has been cut by 10/-. [Presumably from Petersburg as the line was still being run by the contractors building the line to Cockburn.]

Burra Co. RVF. The second competition firing for Cr Sampson’s Cup was won by Captain Holder.

VIII. 589. 22 Oct. 1886, page 2-3

Teetulpa Goldfield. There is a long report from the Government Geologist.

Cricket. Practice match. Burra 157 drew with Allcomers 8 for 78.

VIII. 590. 26 Oct. 1886, page 1

Advt. G. & W. Shierlaw of 11 & 13 Hindley St Adelaide have a nice advertisement for clothes etc. for the goldfields.

VIII. 590. 26 Oct. 1886, page 2

Entertainment. The Hallett Institute Sports meeting has been postponed from 1 November due to the gold rush. It will now be held in the Christmas holiday period.

Editorial on The Eastern Question. [Meaning Turkey.]

The Wesleyan Methodist Jubilee celebrations were well attended last Sunday. The Revs C.T. Newman and S. Knight were the preachers. The collection amounted to £28-10-7.

Burra Teachers’ Association held its 5th meeting. The schools represented were Baldina, Burra, Daviestown [Hanson], Hallett, Hanson [Farrell Flat], Leighton, Mintaro Station [Merilden], Riverton, Saddleworth and Stony Gap.

Teetulpa has been shown to be an absurd rush. Only one gully has been known to produce gold and that was fully pegged long ago. Of the 2,000 now there, most are idle and many totally unprepared and unfit for the work. Some are already leaving, but genuine prospectors are looking over the district and may yet find payable gold, but it is too soon for a rush such as has occurred.

Provisions were very scarce, but some firms have now opened stores.

A second writer suggests that perhaps 10% of those there are getting payable amounts of gold. A 200-gallon tank of bread sold this morning for 2/- a loaf. [The price in Burra had recently been 31⁄2d a loaf.] Four stores, a butcher shop and two blacksmiths have now started, and by next week two bakers. Most men will probably go in a week or two. Teamsters have been charging 10/- for the ride from Manna Hill, [often written Mannahill] and 2/6 for swags, and they will do equally well from taking them back again!

Mutton has been selling for 1/- lb, compared with 4d lb in Burra. But until recently tinned fish has been about all that was available.

The gold rush has now halted work on the Silverton railway.

‘Dot’, the Adelaide correspondent for the Record says that gold fever has people selling their furniture and taking out mortgages to get to an unproven field.

Ulooloo Goldfield still has some men at work.

Cricket. A letter to the editor says that the week before last the Allcomers defeated Burra two innings to one. [i.e. by an innings] Wasn’t that worth reporting?

Railways. The fare from Petersburg to Manna Hill is usually 20/- and though it was announced by the Commissioner of Public Works that it would be reduced to 10/- no one told the railways who continued to charge the old fare.

VIII. 591. 29 Oct. 1886, page 2

Advt. Rev. Father O’Dowling will give a lecture at the Institute, Friday 5 November on Irish History with musical selections in aid of the Burra Hospital. 8 p.m. 1/-.

Editorial on continuing financial uncertainty in SA.

British and Foreign Bible Society public meeting at the Institute on Monday 1 November with P. Lane in the chair. There will be the annual report and addresses by the deputation from Adelaide, Rev. A. Stubbs, and others.

St Joseph’s. Report on the confirmation visit by the Rt Rev. C.A. Reynolds, Bishop of Adelaide and the blessing of the [new] residence. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Donald Mackillop SJ coram episcopo. [In the presence of the Bishop] Over £20 was collected. The evening sermon was preached by the bishop who spoke for an hour on ‘The Place of Mary etc.’

Teetulpa Goldfield. Hundreds are now leaving, but many are still arriving. With about 3,000 there, departures about balance new arrivals.

J.B.R. Sampson, labourer of Redruth, declared insolvent.

Burra Co. RVF. The full band of the company is going to the sham fight at Largs Bay on 9 November.

The Totalizator Bill has been thrown out of the Legislative Council by 11 votes to 7.

Wesleyan Jubilee Celebrations. The church was formally organised on 11 May 1837. [So why is the celebration not being held in 1887?] There are in the colony 74 ministers, 8,295 members, 396 local preachers, 401 class leaders, 2,350 Sunday school teachers, 18,232 Sunday school scholars and 372 churches, schoolrooms etc. with 46,576 people who attend public worship, including the Sunday school scholars. There were hopes that the Jubilee Fund might pay off the church debt of £62,000, but the poor times have halved this hope. Apart from crowded services on Sunday the main celebration was the banquet on Wednesday. There were places for 140 and many non-Wesleyans were present as well. Over 380 people paid for admission and there was a meeting later with supper for which some 200 remained. Burra has raised £1,750 for the Wesleyan Jubilee Fund. Included in this are the promises of Mr C. Drew of £1,000 to the Methodist Ladies College, of Messrs C. & T. Drew of £500 to the general fund and other promises amounting to £185. The remainder was the sum collected on Sunday.

Intercolonial Railway. New Boudoir Cars are in use on the Melbourne railway. [i.e. sleeping cars.]

Cricket. The Young Australians 41 & 3 for 180 drew with Burra Juniors 43. A result called in the paper ‘a draw in favour of the Young Australians’.

VIII. 591. 29 Oct. 1886, page 3

Teetulpa Goldfield. Another long article on the field is reprinted from the Adelaide Register.

Railways. There is a detailed report on the sleeping carriages used on the Melbourne Express.

VIII. 592. 2 Nov. 1886, page 2

Goldfields. ‘A Wanderer’ believes that both Ulooloo and Teetulpa would be paying goldfields id adequately financed and properly developed. He blames laziness for their failure along with the lack of a systematic and organised exploration program and development plan.

Burra Cemetery. ‘Our cemetery is still the botanic gardens of Burra.’

Burra Town Council. There is still no candidate for Mayor for 1887.

Teetulpa Goldfield. There is a report from Rev. W.F. James. There are c. 100 within 200 yards of Brady’s Gully doing fairly well. Scarcely anything else has been got and not one in ten has earned a cent. There are holes everywhere, upwards of a thousand and not a particle in 900. No Burra men have been successful. Yesterday of 17 samples, 12 had nothing, 2 averaged 2 oz per ton, 2 averaged 15 dwt, and 1 averaged 1⁄2 oz per ton, [1 dwt = 1 pennyweight or 1/20 oz.] but that included two small nuggets that should have been removed before washing. The warder advises men not to come. The hundreds arriving are balanced by the hundreds leaving.

[There then follows an account of the field’s discovery.]

VIII. 593. 5 Nov. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the SA Parliament’s continued indecisiveness.

Burra Co. RVF. Next Tuesday there will be a field day for the SA defence forces at Fort Largs. A special train will leave Burra at 5.10 a.m. to Port Adelaide and thence a march to the fort. The return train will depart Port Adelaide at 6.30 p.m. and Adelaide at 7.50 p.m. [But see the report in issue 595 of 12 Nov. - the men had to march from Adelaide to Port Adelaide.]

Teetulpa Goldfield. The excitement is slowly abating, though it is widely thought that more gold has been got than has been revealed.

Weather. Floods have created washaways on the railways east, west and north of Petersburg and flooded Teetulpa. There was wind and hail damage at Quorn and at the work-site of the Beetaloo Dam the temporary dam was destroyed at a cost of £300 and one man was drowned. In Laura the floods were 4’ deep in places. Falls varied from 0.5” to 2” over a wide area of the north, but Burra had only a few light showers.

Burra Public School. The annual examinations are under way.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide 328 arrived, but 495 departed.

Poison. Someone is poisoning dogs in Burra again.

Burra Flower Show. The flower show at the Institute was successful and raised about £10. The prizes were distributed among a relatively small group of residents.

For pots prizes went to: T.W. Pearce, F.W. Holder, Mrs McBride, T. Drew, Miss E. Pearce, Dr Brummitt, Miss McBride, W. Davey, G. Mayger.

Prizes for cut flowers went to: P.L. Killicoat, J. Rawling, J. Lewis, T. Drew, J.R. Gray, F.W. Holder, D.S. Packard, C. Oppermann, Mrs J.D. Cave, J.D. Cave, T.W. Pearce, Miss J. Pearce, Dr Brummitt, W. Davey, T.W. Wilkinson, W. Lasscock.

Prizes for bouquets went to: C. Oppermann, Miss Stevens, Mrs Holder, Mrs C. Oppermann, Mrs Killicoat, Miss O. Cave, Mrs Thomas, Miss McBride, Miss Lott, Mrs Packard and Miss Anderson.

The children’s prizes went to: Master H. Drew, Master T. Drew and Miss E. Drew.

VIII. 593. 5 Nov. 1886, page 3

Weather. The storms reported on page 2 got as close to Burra as Hallett, which had large hail and rain.

Cricket. Young Australians 129 defeated Allcomers 64 last Saturday.

On Wednesday the Allcomers 115 defeated Burra Juniors 33 & 89

[The report says this is a win ‘by 79 runs’, but the figures printed suggest a win by 88 on the first innings.]

VIII. 594. 9 Nov. 1886, page 2

Birth: to Mrs G. Anderson on 7 November, a daughter. [Marjorie Myrtle Anderson]

Editorial on the SA Loan Bill.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Excitement is dying, but arrivals continue to almost equal departures.

Burra Young Men’s Union. Friday entertainment of songs, recitations and farces followed by a dance till midnight.

Burra Public School. The names of those getting full marks in the junior and first grades are published.

Parnaroo Goldfield. Another field is said to have been discovered. [Some 30 km east of Petersburg/Peterborough.]

Burra Co. RVF. A good force went from Burra to the sham fight at Fort Largs today. (A public holiday for the Prince of Wales’ birthday.)

VIII. 594. 9 Nov. 1886, page 3

Entertainment. A report on Father O’Dowling’s address on Irish history spreads across 41⁄3 columns.

VIII. 595. 12 Nov. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Bulgarian Crisis.

2nd Leader on the Bible in State Schools and the need for State Aid for Church Schools.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School 30th Anniversary. Congregations ‘were anything but crowded.’

Schools. The roll numbers at the largest schools in SA at 30 June 1886 were:

Pt Adelaide 1212, Norwood 1187, North Adelaide 1157, Sturt St1038, Hindmarsh 1037, Flinders St 1008, Moonta Mines 776, Moonta 558, Burra 533.

Burra Co. RVF & SA Defence.

The men and the band went by special train to Adelaide, assembled on the Parade Ground and then marched to Port Adelaide with just two short halts along the way. Then over Jervois Bridge to Peterhead and Fort Largs. In all a march of 12 miles. Dinner was then eaten and than an attack was staged upon Fort Largs. After the exercise they formed up and marched through Semaphore to Glanville, adding a couple of extra miles, and then to the Port Adelaide Station for a train to the city. Not a few men fell out through exhaustion. Of the 48 from Burra only 5 or 6 had to fall out. All told the march was over 20 miles and too far for unaccustomed men. Over 1,000 in all took part. The Burra train left Adelaide at 8.00 p.m. and reached Burra just after midnight.

Burra Town Council. There has still been no nomination for Mayor for 1887.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Some good finds continue to be produced. The paper prints some further reports from the field.

Parliamentary Elections. Despite announcing his retirement Mr Rounsevell is said to be standing for another district after all.

Cricket. At Clare last Tuesday. Burra 65 & 66 lost to Clare Juniors 114 & 1 for 18.

VIII. 595(2). 9 Nov. 1886, page 2 [Second use of No. 595]

Advt. Tenders are invited by the Wardens, John I. Sangster and George B. Hill, for the purchase of seats, fittings etc. at the Church Building on Limestone Hill. [Old St Mary’s.]

Editorial on the stopping of Socialist Demonstrations in London.

Primitive Methodist Camp Meeting. ‘A well attended camp meeting’, the first of a planned series, was held last Sunday afternoon on the Brewery Flat.

Silverton Railway. The railway to the NSW border should be in running order by Christmas. A rush of visitors to Broken Hill is expected, especially of Adelaide shareholders in the company there.

Burra Public School. A list of pupils gaining full marks in the higher levels is given and Compulsory Certificates were awarded to:

Joseph Phillips Thomas Ford Theodore Fordham

Charles Edwards Philip Lane Eddy Symons

Robert McDonald Harry Barnett Herbert Schutz

James Pearce John Kelly James Johnson

Mary Clode Elizabeth Bullen Gertrude Pearce

Frances Fordham Kerry Leighton Harriet Lockyer

Johanne Wittber Lillian Gray

Yesterday the program for next year’s study began. Children should attend at once who are to take part in the work of the new year. In the classes as now constituted the numbers are: 5th Class 50, 4th Class 60, 3rd Class 80, 2nd Class 70, 1st Class 90 and Junior Class 50.

Stamp Duties. New stamp duties apply from Monday 6 December 1886. [They are listed as proposed to Parliament in the issue of 1 October 1886 and appear as implemented on page 3 of the issue of 23 November 1886.]

Population of SA on 30 September 1885 was estimated at 320,451 and on 30 September 1886 it is estimated at 316,960.

Cricket. Who left their heel print on the new asphalt pitch?

VIII. 595(2). 9 Nov. 1886, page 3 [Second use of No. 595]

Burra Cemetery. ‘The cemetery is still the recognised recreation ground on Sundays. The taste of some people is strange.’

A Kangaroo Hunt was held on the holiday of 9 November. [Using kangaroo dogs to run down the roo.]

Burra Town Council. Cr Sampson tendered his resignation as he intends to leave the district, but he was prevailed upon to stay a while, as it is too late to replace him at the annual elections.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Another column on the field. Some good finds are reported and many are said to be making wages. There are occasional good finds: one young man getting £500-£600 worth only two feet under the surface in a day’s work. In general a more systematic and steadier approach seems to be paying at least moderate dividends.

VIII. 596. 19 Nov. 1886, page 2

Advt. George Maip is selling his market garden in Aberdeen comprising 70 fruit trees, 72 grape vines, 2 wells, a windmill, house, cart and young horse, for £300 as he is leaving the colony. [This is probably the garden on allotments 105 & 106 referred to in the rate assessment book as a ‘Chinaman’s garden without naming the owner or occupier.]

Editorial on State Finances and Teetulpa Gold.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 447 arrived and 413 departed.

Land Bill. The Crown Lands Consolidation Bill of 1886 has passed both houses.

Burra Town Council. There is not likely to be council elections this year as only one nomination has been received so far for each vacancy. Unless things change at the last minute [and they didn’t] the results will be:

Mayor Frederick William Holder

West Ward William Pearce Sen.

North Ward Philip Landor Killicoat [replacing W.R. Ridgway]

East Ward Alexander Harris

Teetulpa Goldfield. Messrs Pascoe, A. Sampson and Mayger are all Burra men reporting to be doing well on the field. A bank has opened.

Silverton Railway. This will be open to Mingary from 1 December: about 16 miles from the NSW border.

VIII. 596. 19 Nov. 1886, page 3

Burra Co. RVF. At the third rifle match for the Cr Sampson Cup Private Roach won for the second time.

Teetulpa Goldfield. There is a further report on the field.

VIII. 597. 23 Nov. 1886, page 2

Editorial on the Stamp Tax Act.

Burra Co. RVF. A rifle match was fired last Saturday between Burra, Riverton and Wallaroo RVF Companies, each on their home ranges. Burra 601, Wallaroo 548 and Riverton not reported.

Burra Town Council. There was a ratepayers’ meeting at which candidates spoke, but it was thinly attended. There was much debate over the coming year’s rate: whether it should be 9d or 1/- in the pound. 1886 had seen £1,200 spent to find work for the unemployed. F.W. Holder said he opposed reducing the rate as there was a debt and 1/- would bring in £800 and 9d only £600 with a £100 loss in Government subsidy too. The savings for poor ratepayers would be very little and only the better off would benefit significantly. W.H. Hardy asked about the plans, if any, for the Recreation Ground. W. H. Linkson wanted to know if it were planned to lay water on to it. Holder said that would cost £42, which the Council did not have at present.

A Public Banquet is proposed for the retiring MP, Mr Rounsevell, at the Institute on 9 December.

VIII. 597. 23 Nov. 1886, page 3

‘A Wanderer’ complains of the younger generation:

‘the more we see of the present generation the more apparent is their degeneration, for minds seldom go beneath the surface for instruction.’

Few care to attend a lecture or a debate, or even an election meeting. Places of worship are rarely filled ‘except by some special attraction.’

‘often are the congregation so small that it must be a punishment to the minister to deliver a sermon. But let a circus come to town or a Christy minstrel entertainment and crowds attend.’

‘A Wanderer’ finds that if Rounsevell was a good servant earlier, of late he has been found severely wanting and self-serving - ‘of late he has been seeking to employ the public force in the service of his individual ideas and desires.’ He disapproves of the banquet proposal and considers it is ‘the destiny of such great men to be merely a burden and a useless wonder to mankind.’

Stamp Duties. The schedule of stamp duties effective from 6 December is printed.

VIII. 598. 26 Nov. 1886, page 2

Editorial on The System of Examining Education in SA.

Burra School is part of an excellent system of State Education in SA. It is remarkably uniform in the colony despite variations in teachers’ abilities and temperament and training. Despite this there is sufficient freedom for the teachers to exercise individual preferences and affinities. True teaching is not aimed at the acquisition of unassimilated knowledge, but rather the teaching of understanding and taking in knowledge that may be used as the basis for future enquiry and deduction. The training of the state teachers has made the work of the schools thorough and effective. The children of today are infinitely better off than their parents. When a child leaves school it can hardly be said to have begun its education, but if rightly and wisely taught it is ready to commence it.

Silverton Tramway Co. Consent to build in NSW was granted 14 October. It is to run from the SA border, via Silverton to Broken Hill. The director, Jenkin Collier is in Adelaide arranging the supply of sleepers and other material.

Teetulpa Goldfield. A trip to the goldfield is described. The ride from Petersburg to Manna Hill was in an open truck (80 miles). The line is still in the hands of the contractors and the trip took 41⁄2 hours. Then one of James Terry’s coaches drawn by two horses took them the two miles to the hotel. (The coachmen were really coining money.)

The next morning, marshalled by Hill & Co.’s wild servants nearly 60 people were crowded onto the two coaches, along with the luggage: ‘being drawn by horses (so-called) - a few months at a haystack might have made them such - during our ride to the notorious gullys one man fell from the top of one of the coaches through overloading which wants, badly, putting a stop to. After a run of nearly five hours the new Eldorado came into view.’ Only to be greeted by shouts of ‘Return’.

Out of 4,000 people about 50 might be making wages. Saw several of our townsmen: Messrs Launder, Harris, Williams, Saunders and others, and they all assured the writer that they had not yet made a find. There are 100s upon 100s that have done nothing.

A small (1 gallon) bag of water cost 1d. Other provisions are now cheap enough. The whole concern is promoted by storekeepers, railway contractors and other interested parties. There are fully 2,000 tents on the field. More money is being taken in than taken out, but hundreds still come and now diggers from Victoria are arriving.

A P.O. is to be built.

Banquet. The other member for the district, Mr Rees, has also been invited to the banquet on 9 December.

Postal Services. It has been pointed out that it is possible to send a 2 lb parcel from Victoria to England and then back to NSW for 8d less than it costs to send it direct to NSW. It could also be sent from England to Bathurst, NSW for 5/-, but from Sydney to Bathurst the cost was 10/6.

Stench. A letter complains that the town’s butchers operate boiling down works in the town creating a great stench.

VIII. 599. 30 Nov. 1886, page 2

Advt. Linkson Bros are about to dissolve their partnership and are determined to sell their entire stock of drapery, grocery, crockery, tinware etc. at less than cost. Near the Court House Hotel, Redruth.

Advt. Messrs Halls & Bromley, Cabs. Fares from any street to the railway station or to Aberdeen or Redruth, 6d. Fares from stand to stand are 3d.

Editorial. [This is a good example of parochialism.] The editor condemns the through running of trains to and from Broken Hill. Cockburn should, he says, remain the terminus and thus become the trading centre for the northeast.

He also reports that the Town Council debt increased through the year from £201 on 1 January 1886 to an anticipated £380 by 31 December 1886.

The appearance of the town has been much improved over the last few years due to the formation of streets and footpaths and the planting of trees. The benefit of trees is only now beginning to be felt.

Obituary. Mrs Blight died suddenly from syncope while visiting her husband in hospital. [Born Elizabeth Brofey died 29 Nov. aged 44. Her husband Emanuel died 30 Nov. aged 43: they had married 4 Sep. 1886]

Ulooloo Goldfield. Some work continues.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Buyers are offering only £3-15-0 for an ounce of Teetulpa gold and many miners are refusing to sell at such a price.

A correspondent reports some nice bits of gold are being found, but only by a few. Estimates are that there are 5,000 to 6,000 on the field with more being made by the bakers than by the diggers. There is less than 2’ of water in the dam and 5,000 gallons a day are being used.

Burra Town Council. The total liabilities of the Council on 1 January 1886 was £346-4-2, including a sum of £144-17-6 which the Government claimed as having been overpaid to the Corporation in 1884. The total liability at the end of the year is expected to be £380, or an increase of £35. The actual overdraft is £254-18-9 with c. £125 allowed for contingencies to the end of the year. This seems a very reasonable result seeing that the year has been so hard. (There are bonded debts to £2,400 repayable mostly between 1890 and 1897, but with £100 due in 1887 and £200 in 1888.

A list of the year’s works is given. Most of the work was on road forming and metalling of 264.5 chains and the making of 187.25 chains of footpath. There were also 39.25 chains of kerbing and 40.75 chains of water tabling.

VIII. 600. 3 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. J. Varley will lecture next Wednesday at the Institute on Climate and Drought.

Advt. The Public School Pupils’ Concert will be held at the Institute 10 December at 7.30 p.m., featuring Songs, Recitations, Dialogues and Music.

Editorial on the recognition due to public men and the legitimate demands placed upon them. [With special reference to Cr Ridgway.]

2nd Leader. ‘The continued product of gold at the Teetulpa Field is extremely satisfactory, and only the expectation that the finds will extend and the fields develop enables us to regard with complacency the tremendous rush that has set in from Victoria.’

Poison. Another kangaroo dog has been poisoned in the town.

Obituary. Mr Thomas Harvey, son of the late Mr O. Harvey of Burra, died in Broken Hill where he was the proprietor of a hotel. [Appears to be Thomas Patrick Harvey, son of Owen Harvey, born in Kooringa 3 December 1857.]

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week arrivals exceeded departures by 405.

[Does this largely reflect the effect of Teetulpa?]

Teetulpa Goldfield. ‘A Digger’ writes at length from Teetulpa. 1,000 have come in recent days, faster than they go. Quite a lot of gold has been found in some gullies, but development is hampered by lack of water. During the week ‘several of the almond eyed individuals have arrived on the field’ causing a large meeting of miners. 1,000 petitioned the Government to prohibit Chinese on the field. Some wells are now going in. Many are still leaving. Sanitary conditions are deteriorating. The Teetulpa News is due to publish its first issue this week. Of Burra men only Pascoe and his mates seem to be doing well. The others are hardly making tucker at best. If no water comes soon the exodus will be a rush.

VIII. 601. 7 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. A Billiards Match of 300 up for £10 will be played at the new Billiard Room of the Royal Exchange Hotel, Wednesday 8 December, between Mr G. Williams and a Queensland player.

Obituary. Susan Jane Skewes, second daughter of Mr Henry Skews of Booborowie, died at the Burra Hospital on 1 December, aged 14 years 11 months.

Editorial on the Teetulpa Goldfields.

St Joseph’s School held its annual picnic at Princess Royal.

Unemployment is easing in Sydney.

Teetulpa Goldfield. ‘A Digger’ writes again that about 2,000 people at a meeting with the Commissioner of Crown Lands expressed their concerns about the lack of a water supply and poor sanitation. The Commissioner said he believed the richness of the place was not overstated. But people are again leaving faster than they are arriving: mainly due to the water supply. Dysentery and cholera are present and people are beginning to die. A cemetery has been selected at the foot of Brady’s Gully towards Mt Victor. Horses are dying all around. Though there is gold it costs perhaps £5 to get £1 worth. The writer believes that (a) the gold-bearing area has long ago all been taken up, and (b) it has largely been worked out.

VIII. 601. 7 Dec. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. The new Council met. Mr Holder, Mayor, and Mr Cave, Town Clerk. Details are given of the wages of employees for the coming year which resulted in a savings overall of £115 compared with 1886. The new members, Messrs Holder, Killicoat, Harris and W. Pearce were welcomed. Committees were appointed.

The mayor lay on the table suggested salaries.

Moved Cr Sampson and 2nd Cr Tiver that the Town Clerk’s be £75. Carried.

Mr Cave appointed town Clerk.

Cr Sampson moved that the daymen be rangers and Corporation Inspectors. Carried.

Mayor suggested combining offices of Health Inspector and Curator of the Cemetery.

Cr Tiver moved Inspector be paid £30 and the Sexton and Curator of Cemetery get £80 plus fees. Cr Sampson 2nd. Carried.

Applications to be called for the combined office.

Cr Sampson moved the salary of the Waterworks engineer be reduced to £2-8-0 per week. Position to be offered to Mr Bartle and if he refused applications to be called at that price. Carried. Mr Bartle refused and applications will be called.

Present scavenger to be re-appointed at the same wage.

The total for salaries is £115 less than for last year.

Sheep are to be removed from the Recreation Ground where they are destroying young trees.

Local Board of Health.

Hire of the night cart to be reduced from 5/- to 1/-.

Cr Sampson called on the Salvation Army to be prevented from parading the streets on Sundays, especially near places of worship.

The Mayor ruled this was not a public health issue.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Among other information it is revealed that the costs of travel were: Adelaide to Teetulpa, £1-15-0. From Burra it cost 5/8 in 2nd class to Petersburg + 10/- for the open railway truck to Yunta, and then 10/- from Yunta to the diggings, arriving about midnight. Otherwise the news was familiar.

Cricket. Last Saturday Burra 31 & 3 for 40 defeated the Young Australians 29. A win for Burra on the first innings.

VIII. 602. 10 Dec. 1886, page 2

Editorial on Mr Varley’s lecture on SA as being always either in drought or drought threatened.

Burra Town Council. Applications are called for the Health Inspector at £30 p.a.

And the Curator of the Cemetery and Sexton at £80 p.a., either together or separately.

The Waterworks Engineer had his wages cut from 9/- to 8/- a day.

Tenders were called for lighting the lamps for 12 months:

1. The lamp in Market Square.

2. The lamp opposite Tiver’s.

‘Good kerosine to be used and the lamps well trimmed and cleaned, so as to throw a brilliant light, approved by the Inspector.’

The Council made its ‘Inspection of Nuisances’.

The Waterworks were in good order.

The boiling down works is a nuisance that should not be allowed to continue.

The trees at the Recreation Ground have lately been damaged by sheep.

The cricket pitch there is crumbly and not a good surface.

Entertainment. The attendance at Mr Varley’s lecture was poor, but the lecture was interesting and well illustrated. His conclusion ‘seasons may come and seasons may go but drought goes on forever’. [His speech is reported at length on pages 2-3.]

Departure. Mr & Mrs E.H. Benney were farewelled by members of the Kooringa Wesleyan Church as they plan to go to Cockburn.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide 783 departed and 1193 arrived.

Cricket. Burra 63 & 46 defeated Burra Juniors 77 & 31.

VIII. 603. 14 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. Entertainment. Miss Carry Nelson, famous Actress and Vocalist and a Comic Co. will appear in three musical comedies at the Institute, 17 December: Married Bliss, Cinderella, and The Soldier’s Daughter. 1/-, with reserved seats 2/-.

Advt. Pasty Dinner and Entertainment 15 December at the Bible Christian Schoolroom. 5 p.m. for dinner, then at the Institute at 7.30 p.m. The Burra Band will play outside the hall. Dinner and entertainment 1/6.

Burra Teachers’ Association meeting on 11 December at Saddleworth School. Schools represented: Black Springs, Burra, Hamilton, Hanson [Farrell Flat], Rice’s Creek, Saddleworth, Tothill’s Creek, Undalya, Waterloo.

Burra School Entertainment was an unqualified success last Friday at the Institute. Mr T. Nevin, who has completed his four-year course as a pupil teacher was presented with three handsome volumes from the boys of his class. He goes to Training College.

Banquet for W.B. Rounsevell at the Institute, 9 December, in recognition of his 12 years Parliamentary service. About 70 sat down to dine. The Mayor, W.F. Holder presided assisted by J. Coles MP, Sir Henry Ayers KCMG (President of the Legislative Council), Hon. Dr Cockburn, Minister of Education. J.C. Bleechmore of Terowie was Vice-Chairman, supported by Mr E. Ward MP, and the Hon. H.E. Bright MLC. There were many apologies including R. Rees MP.

Sir Henry Ayers ‘had not seen much better times than the present’. [!!] The usual toasts were proposed and given the range of political views present, some had a political edge. C.C. Kingston proposed ‘The Mineral Interest’ to which T. Warnes responded. Catering was by J. Pearce of the Burra Hotel.

VIII. 603. 14 Dec. 1886, page 3

E.A. Moore writes re larrikinism. Young men congregate at Ford’s Corner on a Sabbath and during their stay all kinds of tricks are played on the premises I rent. I want to warn then I intend to take proceedings against the first one found out after this.

VIII. 604. 17 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. Hallett Institute Sports on 28 December 1886.

Advt. Cricket: Burra v. Terowie on the Recreation Ground.

Advt. Entertainment. Miss Carry Nelson, famous Actress and Vocalist and a Comic Co. will appear in three musical comedies at the Institute, 17 December: Married Bliss, Cinderella, and The Soldier’s Daughter and also the famous Tam O’Shanter.

1/-, with reserved seats 2/-.

Teetulpa Goldfield. The news is not cheering. Departures are now numerous and none of the new rushes has proved payable and all the gold being got comes from the old places.

Salvation Army Home for Rescued Fallen Girls. Special services and a tea meeting were held for this institution on 15 December at the Barracks. The matron of the home, Mrs Webber, arrived by train on Wednesday with Mrs Major Lindsay and one of the rescued girls. Afternoon open-air meeting was followed by 4 o’clock tea at the Barracks and the evening open-air meeting adjourned to the Barracks. The home in William St Norwood opened on 14 September 1885.

Burra Co. RVF. The fourth match for the Cr Sampson Cup was fired on Wednesday last and was won by Private Parks.

Christmas Tree at the Public School today.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide arrivals exceeded departures by only 2.

The Silverton Railway has almost reached the border.

The Jubilee Exhibition. A railway siding is to be laid from the Adelaide Station to the rear of the Exhibition Buildings.

Letter to the Editor from W.H. Hardy: half a column of invective along the lines of:

‘IN RE THE COMING ELECTIONS . . .not allow the snobocratic rule to be reiterated, where blood sucking capitalist can by law grind the life out of you and yours to fill the coffers of themselves and their clique,’

VIII. 605. 21 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. Wanted, two or three girls about 17 or 18 years of age, to serve at the Railway Refreshment Rooms, Burra Station.

Advt. Grand Cricket match. Burra v. Hackney at the Recreation Ground 27 December 1886.

Advt. A Grand Entertainment in aid of the Burra Cricket Club will be held at the Institute 27 December. The Original Court Minstrels (From Adelaide) will perform at 8 p.m. 2/- and 1/-. After which there will be a Grand Ball. Double Tickets 2/6, Single Gentlemen 2/-, Single Ladies 1/-.

SAMA. Mr John Vivian, who has been SAMA rent collector for the last 15 years, has vacated the post. SAMA has given him his house rent-free for the rest of his life. [This seems to be an unusual case of generosity for SAMA]

Roach Bros. The Burra Mill has begun work after a long period of inaction as the new season’s wheat has begun to arrive.

Obituary. Joseph Barry was found dead in his Redruth house.

Obituary. Raymond Lasscock, aged 1, son of William & Sarah Lasscock, died at Kooringa on 15 December.

A Christmas Tree was organised for the junior class at Burra School on 17 December. About 160 children attended.

The Bible Christian Pasty Dinner was poorly attended, due largely to the counter-attraction offered by a Salvation Army dinner. This unneighbourly action was announced after the Bible Christian enterprise had been settled.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Some of the local men have returned from the fields. The gold fields have grown more comfortable with the erection of more substantial premises. T. Kitchen got very little, But Messrs J. Edwards, Harvey and Hill have had splendid luck, getting 75 oz of gold and earning about £25 per man per week.

Mrs McLagan’s School (Kindergarten) held its prize giving and Christmas Entertainment on 17 December. The latter included a recitation of ‘The Little Orator’ by Essie Lewis. [Essington Lewis] The prize in the first class for Arithmetic went to Essington Lewis and Robbie Brummitt. Essington Lewis also got a prize for recitation.

VIII. 605. 21 Dec. 1886, page 3

Burra Town Council. W. Morton won the tender for lighting the lamp at Aberdeen, at £8 p.a. J. Harris & Sons tender for £9-7-6 was accepted for lighting the Market Square lamp.

Cricket. The Burra team was over an hour late and the pitch at the Recreation Ground was soundly condemned by all. Terowie 73 defeated Burra 50 & 2 for 63. A win on the first innings.

‘A Wanderer’ writes: ‘It is a well known fact that what is wanted is the removal of the barrier which prevents labour having access to the land, and the only thing which would in any way benefit the industrious poor.’

Following a death from typhoid in Burra he says ‘a stricter supervision is required, as dead fowls are constantly thrown into the small creek near the bridge in Thames-street, along with heaps of other refuse, some of which has been covered over with a little dirt, but the wind and rain again exposes the corrupt matter to view and at times the stench is sickening. We know that typhoid is dangerous.’

Teetulpa Goldfield. Another column from the goldfields. More is being got than is being revealed, but as yet the field is still being proved and if water can be got, then better things might be expected.

VIII. 606. 24 Dec. 1886, page 2

Advt. Kooringa & Redruth Wesleyan Methodist Sunday Schools’ annual picnic will be held at Princess Royal on 3 January 1887, with Brass Band, sports, refreshments, games, etc.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary will be held on 26 & 27 December.

Advt. John Vivian desires to publicly thank the directors of SAMA for allowing him a rent-free home for life in Thames St, Kooringa.

Editorial on Christmastide.

Burra Town Council. Mr Lott has been appointed Inspector of Health.

Mr R. Thomas has been appointed curator and sexton of the cemetery.

Vandalism. Mr Killicoat’s garden on Flagstaff Hill has been attacked and one lemon tree destroyed. A £10 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction.

Cockburn. Owners of allotments in the town are angry that the line will be worked through to Broken Hill, devaluing their properties.

Offence. James Lavan was charged with being unlawfully in the garden of Dougald McNeil of Baldina to steal fruit. Sentenced to one month in Redruth Gaol.

Migration. The tide has turned again and last week at Pt Adelaide 171 more departed than arrived.

Salvation Army. E.A. Ward, Secretary of the Burra Corps, replies denying that there was any intent to injure the Bible Christian special effort. The Salvationists’ tea was called at short notice because of the schedule of the visiting officers who were to take part.

VIII. 607. 31 Dec. 1886, page 2

Editorial. 1886 Remembered.

A time of ‘not merely financial, but moral panic.’

The failure of the Commercial Bank.

Troubles also with various Building Societies and the Town & Country Bank.

The year ended with two banks in liquidation and a number of wealthy men insolvent or nearly so.

A year of deepening commercial depression.

The crops, which looked so good, suffered much from late drought in most areas - at best it was a marking-time crop.

Gold at Teetulpa has been encouraging, even if so far it has cost more to get that it was worth.

Wool prices are up a bit.

‘The Kaleidoscopic Ministry’ has changed much throughout the year, but is nominally the same Government - weak and indecisive.

Adelaide has been linked by rail to Victoria.

The Silverton Railway has about reached the NSW border.

There was hope of silver at World’s End, but it was to come to nothing.

Internationally the year started with a scare of war with Russia and ended with ongoing tension in the Balkans and the continuing saga of the Irish Question.

The outlook for 1887:

For SA the year ahead looks a little brighter.

For Burra the railway to Silverton will cut off a great deal of trade that used to come through the town from the NE and reduces jobs for teamsters and for the farmers and others who supported and maintained them.

The traders in the town survived the closure of the mine in 1877 better than expected: the test may come with this later loss of trade.

Entertainment. The concert on 27 December at the Institute by the Court Minstrels was well done and had a good house.

Obituary. Rev. R.W. Campbell has died in Perth. He was a Wesleyan minister in Burra for two years.

The Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary on 26 & 27 December drew large congregations.

Christmas in Burra.

Stores were decorated and window displays a feature.

Streets were packed Christmas Eve after tea.

The Burra Band played.

The Salvation Army had a long meeting in Market Square.

Shops closed at 9.00 p.m. and by midnight the streets were deserted.

Christmas Day was very hot.

The Carol Service at Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Christmas morning was pleasing and profitable and was successfully repeated last Sunday evening in Market Square.

There was a rifle match in the afternoon at the local range for a prize of 20 packets of cartridges, which was won by Lieutenant Butterworth.

The cricket match at the Recreation Ground saw Clare Juniors defeat Burra Juniors by 4 wickets.

Burra Young Men’s Union proposed a dance in the evening, but religious sentiments caused a postponement and consequently a crowd of supporters and opponents gathered at the Salvation Army meeting.

Hotels were open.

The 26th was quiet except for the Primitive Methodist anniversary celebrations.

Monday 27th (Boxing Day Holiday) was lively with sports.

There was cricket in the morning on Brewery Flat, where the Clare Early Closing

Association played Burra Young Australians. Burra won by an innings and 6 runs.

In the cricket match Boxing Day afternoon Burra 40 & 2 for 37 defeated Hackney 37 & 42 on the first innings.

28 December was very quiet as all the sportsmen went to Hallett for the Institute Sports Meeting.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide departures exceeded arrivals by 137.

Old Colonists Demonstration. The Old Colonists’ Association President, Sir Henry Ayers, opened the demonstration in celebration of Adelaide’s Jubilee year 1887. His speech is reported at length.

Literature in the 1886 paper.

Apart from some poetry the main literary material for the year was the serialised novel on page 4.

Young Mr Nightingale, by the Author of Hobson’s Choice etc. was at Chapter XLII in the issue of 1 January and ran through till 26 March when it concluded at Chapter LXXII.

Fallen Fortunes by James Payn then began on 26 March and ran till 14 September when it concluded at Chapter LII.

Phillip Leigh began 14 September and ran till concluding with Chapter XVII on 5 November.

An Old Man’s Darling by A.W. Dubourg began on 5 November and had reached Chapter XIII by the end of the year.

Characteristics of the 1886 paper.

Page 1.

A mixture of large and small advertisements: mostly local, but some from Adelaide or general. Larger items dominated, notably those of F.H. Faulding (Patent Medicines), Cross’s Indigestion Drops and G. & W. Shierlaw of Glascow [sic] House Hindley St Adelaide.

Page 2.

Some small advertisements and many for sales of stock, property and of furnishings and equipment. Public notices relating to Council and Government matters, churches and entertainment. Market reports. Editorials and/or leading articles. Short items of local news with a few more extended ones. A column headed ‘Items’ sometimes contains very brief items, which can be quite cryptic. This is sometimes on page 3.

Page 3.

Overflow from page 2. Some small advertisements. Mostly the news here is not local and sometimes the items are non-news articles of more general interest and jokes. Some longer local items and letters including lengthy effusions from favoured contributors.

Page 4.

Larger non-local advertisements dominated by patent medicines, except for the large one for the Burra Record & General Printing Office. There is usually some poetry and a novel in serial form.

The editorial must often have been on matters of little interest to the general reader.

Numbering of the issues of the paper in 1886.

1886 begins with Volume VII, Number 505 on 1 January 1886

and runs to

Volume VII, Number 565 on 30 July 1886 and then

Volume VIII, Number 566 on 3 August 1886

and runs to

Volume VIII, Number 607 on 31 December 1886.

Note that Number 595 is used twice.

VIII. 608, 4 Jan. 1887, page 1

Advertisements

Liston, Shakes & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa

F. Gebhardt` Butcher, Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

A.H. Forder Agent for AMP & Australian Insurance Co.

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

Agents for Imperial Fire Insurance Co.

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

William Pearce Agent for National Building Society, Commercial St

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker & Tinsmith,

Gas Fitting, Bell Hanging, Sewing Machines, Firearms &

Ammunition, Commercial St.

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Christmas Cards, Crewel Work Material, Work Boxes,

Portrait Albums, Jewellery, Ice Wool, Berlin Wool, Canvas,

Musical Instruments, Books, Stationery, Vases, China,

Toys, Dolls, Paperhangings, Paints & Window Glass

[ice wool = eis wool: a very glossy fine worsted yarn of two

threads used in shawl-making etc. Berlin wool: a fairly fine

wool used in glove-making etc.]

Wilkinson’s Books, Cards, Seeds, Aerated Drinks

W.H. Pearce Ovens, Stoves, Coppers, Wringers, Ironmongery,

Galvanised Iron Tanks, Pumps, Tinware, Bell Hanging,

Commercial St

F.W. Holder Organs & Pianos, see the Record Office.

VIII. 608, 4 Jan. 1887, page 2

Advertisements

H.T.H. Morris, W.E. Sandland

& E. Barritt Auctioneers, Stock Salesmen & Commission Agents

G. Anderson (Late with James Couch, Aberdeen.) Wheelwright and

Coachbuilder on the premises of Messrs Harry & Burns,

Commercial St

J.T. Walker’s Ladies Bonnets

T. Edwards Millinery, Drapery, Clothing & Fancy Goods

Alex Harris Wood & Chaff Yards, Kingston St

VIII. 608, 4 Jan. 1887, page 3

Advertisements

T. Kitchen Grocer, Tea-dealer, Crockery, China, Glassware,

Adjoining the Bank of Australasia, Commercial St

D. Jones Sign-writer, Decorator & Paper-hanger, Queen St

Harry & Burns Windmills - John Harry; also Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths,

Horses Shod, next to the Commercial Hotel.

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen,

Near Sara & Dunstan’s

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, almost opposite the

Commercial Hotel

James Couch Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen, begs to inform he

Has moved to the shop opposite Roach Bros Mill & will

Carry on as before

M. Symons Butcher, Wholesale & Retail, Market Square

Henry Eustace Carpenter, Fitting & Cleaning Clocks & Sewing Machines

etc. Midway between the Gaol and PO Redruth

VIII. 608, 4 Jan. 1887, page 2

Entertainment. With nothing else offering, Mr J. Roach got up a program for last Monday to finish off the holiday season at the Institute: in aid of Institute funds.

Teetulpa Goldfield. Some thousands of ounces have now been won and the Teetulpa Bank alone bought 3,605 oz in the 28 days to Christmas.

New Year saw much less mischief than usual, even though many young men were up till dawn. There were the usual services at the Methodist Church and a vigil service at St Mary’s. The Jubilee of SA was celebrated on 28 December 1886.

Letter from W.H. Hardy claiming that SA has three times the number of police it needs - after all in Burra they can be seen ‘doing the block’ in plain clothes or one in particular is often seen in a public bar.

Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic at Princess Royal was a success with 15 wagons of children.

‘A Wanderer’ rails against the hypocrisy of the town where society is to be kept up by compromise and the suggestion of free speech. Be what you like, but keep up appearances and pay respect to Mrs Grundy.

As usual he complains of the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few and feels that ultimately the poor will rebel against that.

The hypocrisy of allowing hotels to be open till 3 a.m. and then employing almost a dozen special constables to keep the larrikins in check is another issue he raises.

VIII. 608, 4 Jan. 1887, page 3

Cricket. Boxing Day at Burra. Young Australians 97 defeated Clare 25 & 66 by an innings and 6 runs.

On 28 December at Hallett Burra 139 defeated Hallett 48

On New Year’s Day Young Australians 174 & 1 for 31 defeated Clare Early Closing Association 93 & 103

Midland Road Board. When the ford at Baldina Creek was built it was 9 feet above the level of the bed on the upstream side and it is now silted up above the level of the ford and will thus always be a problem after a flood.

VIII. 609, 7 Jan. 1887, page 2

Advt. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH DOUGLAS

A GRAND TEA will be provided by the BACHELORS on WEDNESDAY NEXT January 12. Tea on the tables at 4 o’clock, after which a public meeting will be held, the chair will be taken by F.W. Holder Esq., Mayor of Burra.

COME ONE! COME ALL! OLD FRIENDS AND NEW! MOONLIGHT.

Editorial against the death penalty about to be inflicted on 6 young men guilty of rape.

Petty thefts are reported from back yards in Burra. Washboards are being stolen!

Accident. An 11-year-old son of Mr J.T. Walker was sitting on the horse works driving the horse at Mr Birt’s cordial manufacture when a board moved and his foot slipped into the cogs almost to the ankle. Amazingly he escaped with needing only five stitches and is recovering.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Anniversary was celebrated on 2 & 3 January. The congregation was large and profitable and with the tea meeting enabled the debt to be reduced by £20.

Burra Town Council has moved to cut the price of water. A sliding scale was proposed, but after discussion it was decided to charge 5/- per 1,000 gallons.

The chain required along the Commercial St footpath is to be fixed in place immediately.

The stench from the boiling down works in Aberdeen was offensive and must be stopped. The Inspector is to take action: it was quite ‘atrocious on Christmas Day.’

Firewood. Fear has been expressed by Mr F. Duldig of World’s End PO that the Government is about to lease a wood reserve in the Hundred of Bright that now supplies Burra.

Migration. In the last week at Pt Adelaide 502 departed and 416 arrived.

Water Supply. The railways get their water at Burra for 1/6 per 1,000 gallons.

Broken Hill Railway. A petition has been presented to the Commissioner of Public Works by E. Ward MP protesting the plans to operate trains through to Broken Hill. The real problem was the tariffs at the border, which would allow NSW goods from Sydney to travel under bond through SA and back into NSW while SA goods on the same train would be subject to tariffs. The Commissioner did not believe that the move would be to the detriment of the whole of SA.

VIII. 610, 11 Jan. 1887, page 2

Weather. The summer since Christmas has been very hot.

Obituary. Rev. Arthur Clarke died at Quorn on Saturday [8 January] of typhoid, aged 27. He had been a public school teacher at Copperhouse, then a probationer for the Wesleyan ministry and later a minister for the Quorn Bible Christian Church. He was also known as a poet with a small published volume.

[Possibly born 5 March 1859]

Larrikinism has surfaced again against the Salvation Army.

‘A Wanderer’ asks why the boiling down works is not a nuisance at law.

Boiling Down Stench. W. Rabbich & Sons write to say ‘on the day mentioned [Christmas Day] our coppers were not lighted’.

Teetulpa Goldfield is reported to be as busy as ever- with barefaced grog selling.

The Executions of the rapists in Sydney was carried out on Friday at Darlinghurst Gaol. Two were reprieved and four hanged with about 120 witnesses, but it was reported to have been a botched job. [There was a detailed report of the executions on page 3.]

VIII. 611, 14 Jan. 1887, page 2

Accident. Mr A.B. Fordham is recovering after accidentally mistaking carbolic acid for medicine and almost dying.

Obituary. F.W. Coglin JP died on 11 January aged 68. He was a widower and one of the citizens of longest residence. For a long time he was the Crown Lands Ranger and on retiring he left briefly, but on returning became Councillor for West Ward and was on the Burra Hospital Board and the Committee of the Burra Institute. His brother, P.B. Coglin MP, is Mayor of Hindmarsh. [William Francis]

Burra Co. RVF. The fifth firing match for Cr Sampson’s Cup was won by Private Cooksley.

Teetulpa Goldfield had a temperature of 120°F on Monday and five people have been fined £10 each for sly grog dealing.

Letter from James Tiver reasserting his claim about the boiling down stench.

VIII. 612, 18 Jan. 1887, page 2

Burra Institute Committee met and appointed sub-committees. (F.W. Holder was on the Hall Sub-committee and the Sub-committee to prepare a form of rules and by-laws for the Institute.)

Teetulpa Goldfield. Good water has been found, but more are now leaving than arriving. Great dust storms bother the place.

SAMA has fitted spouting [guttering] to its cottages in Kooringa, but the downpipes empty onto the footpaths.

‘The Wanderer’ accuses the Advertiser of publishing obscene details of divorce cases.

The Salvation Army holds open-air meetings an hour each night, but is accused of spending over half that time begging for pennies.

VIII. 612, 18 Jan. 1887, page 3

Offences. Stray cattle and horses are still common on Burra streets despite the efforts of the Inspector.

Burra Institute Subscribers’ Meeting. Mr Anderson took the chair and there were 12 present. Books now number 2830, down 52, which were worn out. The reading room averages 40 users a day. The year began with a credit of £12-13-6 and there was £322-18-4 income, including the Government grant-in-aid of £54-12-0. Expenditure was £288-0-1, leaving a credit balance of £34-18-3.

Income from the Roach and Wittber concerts was £36-18-3.

For the year 1887 elections: J. Hosking, President; C.C. Williams, Vice-President; Dr Brummitt, Treasurer; T.W. Wilkinson, Hon. Sec. [F.W. Holder was naturally on the committee.]

Poem. Elegy. There was a poem by W.H. Hardy on the death of William Francis Coglin.

VIII. 613, 21 Jan. 1887, page 2

Burra Public School will have 30-40 new students this year.

Teetulpa Goldfield. The news is now discouraging unless reef mining is taken up. The population is falling fast.

Typhoid. There was a typhoid outbreak across Australia with many in the Burra Hospital. [Which of course drew patients from as far away as the Barrier Ranges.]

Migration. At Port Adelaide last week there were 640 departures and 467 arrivals.

Intercolonial Railway. The line to Melbourne is in full working order, but so far has few passengers.

The Broken Hill Co. is to decide between Port Pirie and Port Adelaide for its smelters.

VIII. 614, 25 Jan. 1887, page 2

Offence. A young child, Esther Laity, was arrested yesterday for stealing parasols on the day before.

Wesleyan Conference. Revs D. O’Donnell & G. Hall are destined for Burra.

[But see: VIII. 616, 1 Feb. 1887, page 2.]

Teetulpa Goldfield. The alluvial gold seems largely worked out and men are leaving, though there are occasional good finds notwithstanding.

Fire. At 4 a.m. on 24 January Mr W. Harris, general dealer of Chapel St awoke to find his store on fire and as the ceiling was zinc the smoke was moving into his attached house. He got his wife and children out, but the building is a total loss. The building and stock were insured for £200 and £500 respectively.

It is thought that a pan of milk taken off the fire and set to cool on a box may have had a cinder on its bottom. The same premises were burnt down some years ago when occupied by Mr Dunstan. This shows the importance of the town’s getting a fire reel, which it is still waiting for.

Cricket. The asphalt pitch at Burra is seen to be a failure.

Time. The time difference between Adelaide and Melbourne is 25’ 33.84” and between Adelaide and Sydney is 49’ 89.24”

Salvation Army. A letter to the editor called for an end to the Salvation Army Band ‘ambulating the town on Sunday Mornings, disturbing the quiet of the place and the rest of the inhabitants’. Apparently they had begun at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday morning after a hot night, when sleeping time was at its best.

VIII. 615, 28 Jan. 1887, page 2

Burra School Board met on Wednesday with P. Lane in the chair and D.S. Packard and F.W. Holder in attendance. Applications for free education were assessed.

Teetulpa Goldfield has been visited by Mr Mattinson MP, who has great hopes for the field.

Offence. Esther Laity, aged 10, was charged with stealing 2 parasols from the cart of Mr Elliott Camp in the Primitive Methodist Chapel yard and was sentences to the industrial school till aged 18. (Before W.R. Ridgway & F.W. Holder JPs.)

There were also a number of stray animal cases, which mostly earned a fine of 5/-.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 537 arrived and 567 departed.

Leighton School. Mr Robert Anderson replaces Mr J.T. Angove.

Inquest. Mr F.W. Holder held an inquest on Tuesday at the Burra Hotel on the fire at W. Harris’s on Monday. The verdict was: accidental, but cause unknown.

VIII. 616, 1 Feb. 1887, page 2

Wesleyan Ministers for the coming year in Burra will be H.T. Burgess and J.H. Hadley. [Notwithstanding the announcement on VIII. 614, 25 Jan. 1887, page 2.]

Unemployment Relief. The Government is issuing passes for unemployed to travel to Hergott Springs to work on the railway for 8/- to 9/- a day piecework. Due to the short notice the six passes arriving on Friday could not be taken up and it is hoped this does not endanger future offers.

Burra Hospital. A contract has been concluded with Mr Fuss [Probably Charles Fuss of C & A Fuss] for converting the former bar of the old Burra Hotel and the adjoining rooms into a new ward. The tender was for £60, but with ongoing alterations the final cost is expected to be c. £100. Increasing arrivals from the north are causing the need for more room.

Offence. A man calling himself Charles Hope and posing as a solicitor has been convicted several times for false pretences and has been seen in the Burra area. He is facing at least two further charges. He has passed himself off as a solicitor in the Burra area.

Local board of Health has been invited to inspect a new form of earth closet invented by Mr Matthews of this town and patented.

‘A Wanderer’ considers Mr Rounsevell will again ‘misrepresent’ Burra in the new Parliament.

VIII. 617, 4 Feb. 1887, page 2

Mrs McLagan has moved to Aberdeen and will open a school on 7 February in the house lately occupied by Mr Wittber, opposite Roach Bros Mill. [Bleak House.]

Offence. The confidence man, John Newcomb a.k.a. Charles Hope, who has been tried in Adelaide, has been sentenced to six months hard labour.

Ulooloo is still giving a bit of gold and some believe that the Teetulpa reefs are promising. Typhoid fever is occurring on the fields.

Burra Co. VF is depleted by resignations [due to removals] and there are few replacements yet.

Bible Christian District Meeting in Adelaide has resolved in favour of union with the minor Methodist Churches.

Unemployment Relief. A letter from one who is out of work in response to criticisms that men failed to take passes to Hergott Springs. There was, he said, too little time for preparation, and the men did not know the conditions and if it was as they feared for 4/6 a day in back-breaking labour in 120°F heat, then 4/6 a day would not support their families so why should they go? And if the Govt. can guarantee piecework for 8/- a day then they should say so and many would go. We need a new Govt.

VIII, 618, 8 Feb. 1887, page 2

Obituary/Accident. Benjamin Hill was working yesterday morning repairing a pump in a well belonging to O’Leary Bros about two miles south of Kooringa. He was overcome by bad air and fell. Despite all attempts at rescue he died. A candle would not burn more than 11 ft down the 70 foot well. [Died 7 February, aged 55.]

Burra Institute fears that the Govt is about to withdraw the subsidies, which allow for free reading rooms at Institutes. The Burra Committee urges the Committee of Country Institutes to make this an election issue and to extract promises from all candidates for election.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. held its 1st meeting for the year last Saturday in the Burra School.

Burra Town Council. A list of intended works for 1887 is published. Mostly they are the metalling of various roads with some kerbing.

There are ongoing complaints about the many stray cattle in North Ward on Sundays. The Daymen are to receive 2/6 for each conviction for straying cattle and horses on Sundays.

Teetulpa is declining steadily.

VIII, 618, 8 Feb. 1887, page 3

Rifle Match. The sixth competition for Cr Sampson’s Cup was fired on last Saturday and won by Lt. Butterworth.

Burra Hospital. A letter from a patient complains that there are no visits there from preachers or Samaritans: even the Salvos didn’t go and play there!

VIII, 619, 11 Feb. 1887, page 2

Unemployment is again being felt both in Burra and Adelaide.

P.L. Killicoat has produced some fine peaches at Abberton Park, up to 5 oz.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church anniversary will be celebrated on 13 & 14 Feb. Miss Green of Adelaide will preach each morning and evening with Rev. G.E. Rowe assisting in the afternoon.

Disease. There has been an outbreak of contagious equine typhoid fever in the north beyond the agricultural districts and sick horses are banned from entering the agricultural districts.

Trees. Both trees and flowers are now growing quite well in many Burra homes. Mr Snell in ‘The Paddock’ has some hundreds of fruit trees and Mr Packard has grown over a hundred dozen peaches this year with many approaching 4 oz.

Rifle Match. The VF Companies of Riverton, Wallaroo and Burra recently competed and the results were: Riverton 542, Burra 469 and Wallaroo 466.

W.H. Hardy writes to deny he is responsible for the column ‘Burra Jottings’ which was a series of short quips poking fun at locals, particularly the young about town, while identifying them only by oblique references and nicknames which must have been transparent at the time, but at this distance makes them unidentifiable. Many would have been rendered quite irate by the exposure of their foibles and less creditable escapades.

Letter to the editor complaining that bodies are being kept too long before being buried ‘until it becomes a matter of life and death to follow them to the cemetery.’

VIII, 620, 15 Feb. 1887, page 2

G.W. Goodhart a former long time manager of the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa and later manager at Pt Lincoln is retiring through ill health.

W.L.H. Bruse a long-standing businessman in Kooringa is forced to meet his creditors next Friday.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church was well attended for its anniversary services and collections were the largest for some years. At the public meeting the chairman, Mr F.W. Holder, spoke of the Christian Effort in the town throughout the year at the eight places of worship. Miss Green almost emptied the other chapels.

[Catholic, Anglican, Salvation Army, Bible Christian, two Wesleyan and two Primitive Methodist - the Lutheran presence being only occasional.]

‘A Wanderer’ preaches for the rights of the workers and the unemployed against the rich, ‘the nabob, big bug, snobocracy’. Against those who accuse the unemployed of being lazy and shiftless because they sometimes won’t take jobs on the slavery terms offered. He makes a cry for:

Equal opportunity for all [men, of course]

Payment for Members of Parliament

An end to indirect taxation

An end to the sale of Crown Lands

Free and compulsory education

Adult suffrage

A simplified civil law and lower court fees so we may

‘not be sat on by the almighty dollar, nor got at by these scheming humbugs the lawyers. Why should a poor man be got at because he cannot afford to pay the fees demanded.’

VIII, 620, 15 Feb. 1887, page 3

Obituary & Inquest. An inquest was held on 11 February at the Terowie Institute on the body of Edward Sydney Carlton Grey, with E. Stephens as coroner and E.F. Brady as foreman of the jury. [Death registered as Gray, 10 February, aged 20.]

William Mardon, railway clerk, who had shared a room with the deceased at Opie’s Hotel Terowie, described returning to the room about 6 p.m. when finding the door locked and believing he had heard a shot he had gone around to the window and looking in saw the deceased dead, apparently shot.

Joseph Reed Opie, proprietor of the hotel had known the deceased for two years. When informed by Mardon he had gone to the window, seen the deceased and then went to get the police. He did not see the gun, but there were no signs of a struggle.

On questioning he said he had received a letter from the deceased after the event, of a private nature in which he said there was a position for him at Broken Hill.

Dr Otto L.M. Abramowsky described the body and said the deceased had taken chlorodyne and appeared to have been quietly awaiting death when disturbed by the return of Mardon who knocked on the door. He then shot himself. Death would have been instantaneous.

Henry Charles Sims, builder of Terowie, and M-C Peter Phillip Brown gave evidence that added little to the account.

A letter addressed ‘To Whom it May Concern’ and dated 1 February was read which said he was taking his life because he was tired of it and had committed a wrong and would sooner die than go to gaol. He asks that his people and brother at Broken Hill be notified and that the rings on his little finger be sent to Miss Kate ____ of Adelaide.

The jury decided he came to his death by his own act while suffering under a state of despondency.

Letter from ‘Lynx’ who finds it amusing when W.H. Hardy poses as a moral censor. ‘Coming from such a source, who can help being amused?’

VIII, 621, 18 Feb. 1887, page 2

Advt. Harfield & White, fruiterers and greengrocers of Young St, Aberdeen.

Customers waited upon at their own residences.

Public Meeting called for 25 Feb. by the Mayor in answer to a requisition, to consider the policies needed at the forthcoming election.

Obituary. G.W. Goodhart died at Pt Lincoln on 12 Feb. aged 55: a former manager of the Kooringa branch of the Bank of Australasia. [Registered as George William Goodhart, aged 52.]

Unemployment Relief. 45 local men have petitioned the Mayor to obtain work. The Govt. was approached and replied that the Conservator of Water expected to be able to take on 20-30 early next week.

Bridge St Footbridge is being repaired, and none too soon as seemingly good timber was found to be thoroughly decayed.

W.H. Hardy writes expressing disgust at being attacked by an anonymous writer.

VIII, 621, 18 Feb. 1887, page 3

Valentines. Only 2-300 valentines passed through the Adelaide P.O. this year.

The Mt Gambier Railway should be open in a few weeks. At present it is open to Naracoorte.

VIII, 622, 22 Feb. 1887, page 2

Editorial deploring the maldistribution of wealth and especially the concentration of disproportionate amounts in the hands of those ‘who toil not, neither do they spin, and yet the other classes pay taxes for the maintenance of their Government and for the improvement of their property.’

There are some good signs of change; one is the gradual emergence of a change from wheat only to the use of summer fodder crops, ensilage, and some diversity of farming activity - a testimony to the work of Professor Custance.

Unemployment Relief. The Mayor, Mr Holder, reports that on 23 Feb. the Conservator of Water will be able to employ 20 men.

W.L.H. Bruse’s meeting of creditors directed that his estate be assigned to Messrs J. Lewis & C. Drew for 5% commission. The meeting not to be deemed an act of insolvency.

Burra Young Men’s Union. As it settles into a more permanent existence after almost twelve months it has drafted a new code of rules and a slight increase in membership. The Union owns a piano (nearly). An entertainment on Friday of songs, recitations and farces went well - performed by D. Herbert, F. Wilson, W.H. Hardy, & G. Herbert with Mrs Hocking at the piano.

Burra Town Council. Various small works were ordered done and kerbing continued to be laid gradually. Cr Harris moved that SAMA be asked to carry the water from their dwellings across the footpaths.

There were reports of dirty water in the mains. The Waterworks Engineer said there were 23 dead end mains.

The mayor presented 14 carobs to be planted at the Recreation Ground.

‘A Wanderer’ complains that the Salvation Army is obstructing a public place, Market Square, where they are ‘shying pennies at each other and howling a lot of blasphemy, to the tune of a comic song, namely Fire Away. It is time for reform.

Lynx No. 2 writes fulminating against those who would get something for nothing in the form of Government handouts, but the letter gets increasingly incoherent as it continues.

W.T. Rabbich writes praising the public meeting on Government policy and calling for no new railways to new areas, but rather the completion of infrastructure in areas now available for occupation, including the 1888 leases which will need water conservation work.

VIII, 623, 25 Feb. 1887, page 2

Advt. An entertainment of 6d readings ‘Little Abe’ read by John Roach with a selection of songs etc. At the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall soon - in aid of the Circuit Funds.

Unemployment Relief. On Tuesday the Mayor got notice from the Conservator of Water that 50 married men would be employed on a Government Reservoir in the Hundred of Bundey, section 68 at 4/6 a day with the Government finding tents and tools. [The 50 seems to be an error for 20 in light of what follows.]

20 jobs were offered to 50 men needing work and they had to walk 30 miles to camp carrying provisions, blankets etc. with them. Only the first 20 would be employed, any others having to walk the 30 miles back! Still, the required number has gone.

Public Meeting on Government policy was attended by about 150.

Burra Co. VF. A recruit drill again tonight.

Offences. Stray animals continue to earn fines for several people.

Report on the Public Meeting.

Motion: that Burra district support members in favour of payment of members. (Carried)

A motion then got the Mayor, Mr Holder, replaced in the chair by Dr Brummitt, so he could participate in the meeting.

Holder then moved that the meeting be in favour of increasing the land tax. Carried.

Also that the meeting was against Crown Lands being sold to pay ordinary current expenses of Government or to reduce the deficit from such. There was discussion, but no report of this motion being voted on.

Mr Cade (Cave?) moved that the meeting support that the franchise for the Legislative Council be the same as for the House of Assembly. Carried.

W. Anderson moved that the meeting approve the agreement between the Government and the Chaffey Bros.

There was a motion favouring protection, which was amended to favour a gradual reduction in the taxation through customs, which was carried.

There was a motion favouring the legalisation of mining on private property.

VIII, 624, 1 Mar. 1887, page 2

Advt. W.B. Rounsevell will address an electoral meeting at the Institute on 4 March.

Advt. Burra Co. VF Annual Meeting is called by F.W. Holder, Commanding Officer.

Advt. The Burra Cricket Club GM this evening at the Burra Hotel. Horace West, Hon. Sec.

Advt. Entertainment. Members of the St Joseph’s School and Lady and Gentlemen Amateurs will perform an entertainment at the Institute on 17 March with proceed to aid the school funds. It will conclude with the farce Betsy Baker. 1/- & 6d

Editorial in praise of Mr Matthew’s new earth closet.

Burra Hospital currently holds 39 and numbers have long been unduly high due to men from the Teetulpa diggings and the typhoid outbreak.

The new ward in the north-west corner is just finished and will be occupied in a few days. Mr Fuss has virtually made a new room under the contract except for the bare walls and roof. The plaster, ceiling and floor are all new. The new staff are of good character and the hospital is a credit to the town and a boon to the whole of the North-East.

Johann G. Mann of Baldina has been declared insolvent. Details are given. The cause was total crop failure and the death of stock.

The Silverton (Broken Hill) Railway has been operational for some weeks as far as Cockburn, but the contractors (Millar Bros) have not handed it over to the Government. They are also building the line on the NSW side of the border and so are carrying their supplies there free of charge, as well as netting £4,000 a week from other traffic. Why is this not going to the SA Government?

Burra Mine. Two men are making wages working a pitch as tributers.

Mineral Leases. Almost all mineral leases in the hundreds of Baldina and Bright have been forfeited - the year for which they have been paid having expired.

Unemployment. 300 men marched through Adelaide on Thursday behind an empty coffin with the banner: ‘The burial of local industries killed by the present Government’.

‘Loafer’ writes in reply to ‘Lynx’.

‘We the hardy sons of toil (ahem!!) are not going to be put down by ‘Lynx’ or any of your furious snobocracy, for that he is a ‘snobocrat’ who can doubt? Look at the style of writing and quoting Latin too and Italian; what do we want with Latin? Good plain English (if I could only write it) is quite good enough for me.’

‘was it my fault that Ulooloo was a failure? Why, we had to work (!!!) where we were told, when I could have spotted dozens of more likely places . . .’

[This has all the signs of being W.H. Hardy.]

‘A Wanderer’ also comes in with a sarcastic evaluation of loafers suggesting that a definition of such would send us looking to absentee landowners, modern gentlemen, and various other of like types.

With reference to the recent political meeting:

‘I heard it remarked outside that if His worship the Mayor had not been about the thing would have fallen through, but I scarcely think Burra is as bad as that . . . and if there was only a few practical expounders of politics, there was a good representative number of electors.’

[Also W.H. Hardy]

VIII, 625, 4 Mar. 1887, page 2

Advt. Baldina Wesleyan Chapel anniversary 6 & 9 March.

Advt. Insolvency Court causing the sale of Lease No. 1528 section 53 H. of Baldina. Comprising 639 acres subdivided into 3 paddocks with large two-roomed stone house, iron roof. Several outhouses and shed, several dams and one well. 21-year lease from 29 July 1885 at rental of £7-19-9 p.a. with right of renewal. Conditions: 20% on purchase, money to be paid on the fall of the hammer, balance on completion of transfer within one month of the day of sale.

Advt. W.B. Rounsevell & Dr Cockburn will address a meeting of electors at the Institute 4 March.

Advt. E.A. Moore opens a private Labour & Registry Office at Ford’s Corner, Kooringa.

Advt. 6d Readings ‘Little Abe’ read by Mr John Roach. Also songs etc. in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall soon.

Advt. Halls & Bromley, Aberdeen & Kooringa. Livery & Bait Stables, Horses & Traps bought, sold & exchanged. Buggies to let. Lowest contract prices for picnics.

Offence. A complaint warns of stone throwing by young boys.

F.W. Holder is urged by a deputation to stand for the House of Assembly. He will reply tonight.

SA Farmers Mutual Assoc. annual meeting on Tuesday saw about 20 branch delegates, but more are expected today. They gave unanimous support to the idea of payment for members of Parliament.

Firing Match. The 7th competition for Cr Sampson’s Cup was fired and won by Sgt Watt.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week there were 418 departures and 277 arrivals.

Teetulpa reefs now look promising, but alluvial results are poor.

VIII, 626, 8 Mar. 1887, page 2

Burra Co. VF. Report of the annual meeting from Captain Holder. The year 1886 began with c. 66. (The previous year had 61 efficient.) In the year 27 were enrolled, 9 resigned and 81 were efficient. Since the end of 1886 12 have resigned and 5 enrolled for a present strength of 77. Attendance has been very good by some, fair by many, and bad by about 20. Class firing was not good. We regret the loss of Col. Sergeant Hinde through ill health. New regulations make the capitation grant much harder to get. (Details given.) Credit balance £10-12-6.

F.W. Holder has agreed to stand for the District of Burra for the house of Assembly.

Election Meeting. This was attended by about 350 people. The three candidates, Mr Rounsevell, Dr Cockburn and Mr Holder, speak at Jamestown tonight, Yarcowie tomorrow at 2 p.m., Terowie at 7.30 p.m., Mt Bryan on Thursday at 2 p.m., Hallett at 7.30 p.m., Friday they are at Waterloo at 2 p.m. and Manoora at 7.30 p.m. and Monday at Saddleworth at 7.30 p.m.

Railways. There was an attempt to wreck the Melbourne Express near Stawell.

Burra Town Council. The Mayor, Mr Holder, reported that attention had been drawn to the fact that the circus which had been in town for a day or two had carried their things through the streets in wagons to the railway station on Sunday, and he had asked the constable to take action in the matter.

The tender from T. & W. Harris for kerbing was accepted for 18/- per chain.

Works in hand: North Ward, road near the gaol; East Ward, kerbing; West Ward, repairs to the small bridge near Mr Lewis’s.

‘A Wanderer’ writes on the election. He favours candidates who support the payment of members, is against the bribery rife at election time, would tax unearned increments on land values - ‘Let us have a good stiff tax on the unearned increment on land values.’

VIII, 626, 8 Mar. 1887, page 3

Report on election meeting, which was a very orderly affair lasting c. 3.5 hours.

P. Lane took the chair and the candidates were Dr. Cockburn, W.B. Rounsevell & F.W. Holder.

Dr Cockburn said the deficit was now just under £1,000,000 due to a decrease in land sales, poor seasons and falling income from customs and the falling SA population. Sale of lands should decrease the deficit or go on works that would save money from being borrowed. He had opened 30 more schools and 1,000 more students were enrolled. He favoured a mixture of income and property tax, but a property tax was better than an income tax. The Govt. favoured water conservation and in the future when land was sold the mineral rights would remain with the Crown. Land to be surrendered under the 1888 leases was being cut up to allow men to combine farming with raising livestock. He supported the payment of members, which he had introduced into the House, but it was rejected by the Council. Mr Kingston & Mr Catt had both tried again, but again it was rejected. He thought it would pass next time.

He had introduced a parcel post to England and would like soon to have one within SA. He intended to stop subsidies to Institutes, which had ceased to be educational places and become mere circulating libraries. He would support subsidised free reading rooms £ for £. During the last 20 years one of the members for Burra had always been in the Govt.

Mr Rounsevell believed the ministry had been found wanting. He was a free trader. The deficit was due to extravagance, world depression and low returns from land sales. Treasury notes should be issued. The Savings Bank should be nationalised and it should take up the Treasury notes with the £345,000 they had in the Bank of NSW, thus returning it to SA. Treasury Bills would fall due in 2, 3, 4, & 5 years and would be paid by the sale of lands. Expenditure should be on developmental works such as railways, ports and water conservation. There should be a 10% cut in civil service salaries, but not for those earning <£150, 5th class should be cut by 10%, 4th class (earning £270) by 15% and above that the cut should be 20%.

The expenditure on education should be cut. State schools were giving more than a primary education. The rich were having their children educated along with the poor. The standard would have to be reduced. If a man wants a better education for his children let him pay for it. The Education Department should pay for itself.

A property tax was iniquitous and inquisitional and should never be tolerated - the present exemptions should be removed and the minimal taxable amount be reduced to £150.

Mr Holder held that the present deficit could not be reduced by selling Crown Land, but as long as there was a policy of selling Crown Land the income should be used for works of a permanent nature. This had not always been done, but to use it to reduce the deficit would perpetuate the problem. It could be handled with the use of Treasury Bills over 10-12 years, redeemable in annual instalments. This had to be combined with retrenchments and economy. A property tax was a tax on all a man owned and was a tax on frugality and a punishment for saving. A land tax was more equitable and a new assessment would be a third lower than the old one. The income tax minimum should be lowered to £200. He favoured irrigation schemes like the Chaffey Bros. and was a free trader. He favoured payment for members and gold mining on private properties. (With compensation to owners for damages done etc.) He favoured the education system and wanted all classes of society taught together by the same teachers. The solution to Rounsevell’s problem was to tax the wealthier more and then educate all the children together. School fees should be abolished. For the sake of a mere £10,000 the rich were pauperising the poor. The cost of educating children in state schools should be paid per capita to the Catholic and Lutheran system as they had conscientious objections to sending their children to state schools.

Questions:

Rounsevell would support the Totalizator Bill and though personally opposed to payment of members he would act on that issue as a delegate of his electors. All candidates favoured a railway board to improve railway revenue and all would abolish the abuse of free passes. All favoured land tax.

VIII, 627, 11 Mar. 1887, page 2

Advt. A grand Entertainment by the children of St Joseph’s School assisted by Ladies and Gentlemen amateurs with proceeds to the school funds will be staged at the Institute on 17 March. Comprising a dozen or so songs, with a stump speech and piano solo and concluding with the laughable farce Betsy Baker. 1/- & 6d

Mr Jonathon Hosking has left Burra to establish a branch of his business at Broken Hill. He will be missed as a tireless worker of the Wesleyan Church and Sunday School and other community activities. Church members presented him with a three volume Life of Gladstone. He was a supporter of the Institute and for two years the secretary and this year was President. He was also secretary of the British & Foreign Bible Society.

VIII, 627, 11 Mar. 1887, page 3

Teetulpa. There has been a new rush to ‘King’s Bluff’ where 25 dishes yielded 10 dwt 15 grs, which was considered good.

A silver smelter is to be erected at Pt Pirie by Victorian capitalists interested in the mines near Silverton.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 468 departed (408 for Melbourne) and 219 arrived (218 from Melbourne).

VIII, 628, 15 Mar. 1887, page 2

Editorial against the use of cheap Chinese and Indian labour, especially on the northern Australian Railway.

‘Out of the wind of present need and greed, will be reaped the whirlwind of social disorder, and the degeneration which must result in the confluence of mixed races, to one or both of them.’

Election. Dr Smyth of Waterloo has also come forth as an election candidate for the Burra District, making four contenders.

Burra Institute. The monthly meeting was chaired by C.C. Williams with Dr Brummitt & Messrs Anderson, Lasscock, Wilkinson & Wittber. The resignation of J. Hosking, who is leaving the district, was accepted. The chrysanthemum show is to be held at the end of April.

VIII, 629, 18 Mar. 1887, page 2

Advt. There are large advertisements for F.W. Holder and in red for Dr Cockburn.

Official Election Nominations for the house of Assembly, Burra District.

Cockburn, John Alexander, Physician of Jamestown, nominated by 237 electors.

Holder, Frederick William, journalist of Kooringa, nominated by 328 electors.

Rounsevell, William Benjamin, Wine & Spirit Merchant of Glenelg, nominated by 219 electors.

Smyth, Thomas Ekin, Physician of Waterloo, nominated by 8 electors.

Editorial on the forthcoming election, which the editor thought ‘The most exciting election for years.’

Burra Hospital. Recent deaths.

George Perkins, admitted 28 Feb. from Teetulpa, died 7 Mar. from typhoid.

William Elder, admitted 5 Mar. from Teetulpa, died 13 Mar. from typhoid & pneumonia.

Bridget McSweeney, admitted 21 Feb. from Adelaide, died 11 Mar. from typhoid.

There are 13 typhoid cases at present in the hospital.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week there were 450 departures and 255 arrivals.

Sport. The first 6 beat the second 9 on Wed. by 21 points. [But at what? Could this be a rifle match?]

Election Meeting. At the Burra Institute on Wednesday c. 500 attended a meeting with John Dunstan Jun. in the chair.

Dr Cockburn spoke first in favour of payment of members and a property tax. The wealthy were opposed. It would tax unused assets as much as used: jewellery and other idle wealth would be taxed. He believed in decentralisation of education. The Government proposed a capitation grant for students who passed the compulsory standard in private schools in return for inspection rights and an Arbor Day with trees supplied by the Government.

Rounsevell was against a property tax. He favoured free trade in principle, but thought it unwise to alter the tariff at the present time. Property tax would be extremely complex and costly and tend to discourage improvement and industry. He was not in favour of payment of members personally, but would support it in Parliament if his electors so indicated.

VIII, 629, 18 Mar. 1887, page 2-3

Holder did not favour expenditure on railways etc. to develop outlying areas at the expense of the more closely settled districts now lacking services as the best country in SA was still only partly utilised. The burden of taxation should fall on city lands which are the best able to pay. He favoured the sale of leases becoming due in 1888 and irrigation works. He favoured single member electorates as multiple ones as now had members voting against each other in Parliament, which had the effect of disenfranchising the electorate.

VIII, 629, 18 Mar. 1887, page 3

Dr Smyth was received noisily and had difficulty in being heard. He said he was standing because the others nominated would not undertake to vote according to the wishes of the electorate once elected. ‘It would be a great thing if the members would vote as desired by the electors.’ Uproar followed. Having said very little to the point when his time expired, he tried to continue speaking, but the chairman ruled they had wasted enough time and asked him to sit down. He then left the room.

To test the feeling of the meeting T.W. Wilkinson then moved ‘That this meeting is in favour of payment of members’. This was passed by a large majority.

Questions then revealed that:

Cockburn & Holder favoured the Pharmacy Act; Rounsevell saw no need.

All favoured an Outer Harbour for Adelaide, though Cockburn had some reservations.

All favoured the abolition of free railway passes for MPs except on public duties.

All favoured Government support for gold prospecting.

All favoured exempting mutual benefit societies from taxation.

All opposed assisted migration.

All favoured allowing bona fide shepherds one dog tax-free.

VIII, 630, 22 Mar. 1887, page 2

St Patrick’s Day was marked by the St Joseph’s School Concert. The farce Betsy Baker proved a great hit. John Harry’s step dancing was much applauded. Larrikin elements were prominent, but no police were to be found. The proceeds were c. £8 and the concert was followed by a ball.

Rifle Match. The eighth rifle match for Cr Sampson’s Cup was won by Corporal Lucas.

Unemployment Relief. 400 men are employed on drainage at Kingston.

Election. The Kapunda Herald predicts the election results will be Rounsevell with a majority of 100, then Holder narrowly from Cockburn.

‘A Wanderer’ advocates a vote for Holder.

A letter to the editor objects to kangaroo parties leaving Burra at midnight on Saturday and returning midnight on Sunday. They should show greater respect for the Sabbath.

VIII, 630, 22 Mar. 1887, page 3

Election Advertisements

For Cockburn c. 25cm by 7 columns (1⁄2 page).

For Rounsevell in blue, c. 18cm by 3 columns.

For Holder c. 18cm by 2 columns.

VIII, 631, 25 Mar. 1887, page 2

Election. The Minister of Education, Dr Cockburn, having lost in the Burra District, has decided to contest Mt Barker. [This was possible in 1888 as different electoral districts held their elections on different dates.]

Kooringa Bible Christian Church held farewell services for Rev. W.F. James on Sunday 27 March. He had been the incumbent since October 1884. In his time £502 has been raised towards the new manse and altogether £1412 or £11 per week has been raised. He has travelled 3,000 miles to hold special services in 44 other places. He transfers to Adelaide.

Election.

A.H. Forder was the returning officer for the poll in Burra. F.W. Holder was brought to the Institute Hall in a buggy decorated with flowers and greenery and drawn by about 30 rejoicing electors and preceded by a drag containing the Burra Brass Band playing lively airs. He was cheered through the streets. At the hall Holder thanked all for their support and was very pleased to say that the election, though fought hard, ‘had passed without an unkind or personal thing done or said, but the utmost goodwill had been shown’.

Mr Rounsevell echoed this sentiment. [Though it seems doubtful if Dr Smyth would have.]

Results: Holder 749

Rounsevell 682

Cockburn 678

Smyth 82

Informal 26

[There was much discussion in the paper about ‘plumpers’. These were people who voted for only one candidate, although two were to be elected. The effect was similar to modern day preference deals. The battle for second place after Holder could have easily gone either way depending on how many plumpers there were.]

VIII, 631, 25 Mar. 1887, page 3

Obituary & Inquest. Robert Gurney, through an incautious use of a firearm shot dead his niece, Isabella Hall, aged 12, at Mt Gipps on Sunday afternoon. Gurney had been going to go wallaby shooting, but on getting the gun had played around pretending to shoot two little girls. He did not know the gun was loaded and it went off. The gun belonged to Sam Hall, uncle of the deceased.

Thomas Hall, father of the deceased, said he had tried the gun himself and found that both barrels would go off at half cock. He believed the shooting to be accidental.

Weather. Rain is badly needed.

Teetulpa. Still about 2,000 working the field.

VIII, 632, 29 Mar. 1887, page 2

Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Monday was the scene of a farewell tea for Revs S.F. Prior and G.E. Rowe who move on to Adelaide and Port Adelaide. They will be succeeded by the Revs H.T. Burgess and J.H. Hadley.

Bathurst burr has broken out just beyond Deep Creek and near Baldina Creek on the Eastern Road.

Burra Co. VF. The militia is to have an Easter Encampment.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter predicting the rising of the working class, spurred on by the education of their children, which is now occurring, though there are forces that would limit their education to make this less likely. [This and much more of extreme left wing ideas.]

Cockburn on the NSW border has a street of fine powder dust, which is chokingly mobile. There is no hotel, but there is one just across the border. The buildings are of iron, wood and canvas: the last being widely used.

VIII, 633, 1 Apr. 1887, page 2

Advt. The Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School will hold its anniversary on 3 & 6 April. The preacher will be F.W. Holder and the public tea will feature recitations, singing and addresses. MOONLIGHT.

Advt. Football concert on Easter Monday.

Advt. Mayger’s Dining Room, next to G. Webber.

Obituary. A child aged 13 months died at the Burra Railway Station on Tuesday morning 29 April while the mother, Mrs White, was bringing it in for medical advice.

[From the registration of death he was Hugh Bismark White, the son of Edward White, a schoolteacher of Hallett. The cause of death was given as teething. Born 19 February 1886]

Alma & Victoria Gold mine at Waukaringa. After the investment of much effort and a great deal of money for little result it has finally produced 371 oz in four weeks and it appears that profits are about to flow.

[The adventures of this mine were reported consistently week after week because Burra people owned much of the stock, but I have not charted its ups and downs in this summary.]

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 222 arrived and 357 departed.

VIII, 634, 5 Apr. 1887, page 2

Advt. The Primitive Methodist Sunday School Picnic will go to Sod Hut on Good Friday. Rides 1/- return: children 6d.

Advt. Football Concert, Easter Monday.

Program: piano overture, four songs, sword dance, the farce Borrowed Plumes, Interval, piano solo, two songs, stump speech, song, clog dance, the farce The Mischievous Nigger.

1/- & 6d.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope held a children’s social on Thursday. Over 100 attended and the games, fruit and lollies were enjoyed by all.

Burra Public School board of Advice met with P. Lane in the chair and Messrs F.W. Holder MP, J. Dunstan Jun. JP, A. Bartholomæus. Mr Holder declined reappointment for a further year and recommended C. Drew as his successor.

Weather. Last Saturday a terrible dust storm raged from early morning till 3 p.m. when the wind changed and thunder and lightning was followed by a short heavy shower. The creeks were already running from rain further north on Friday. They were cleared of the accumulated rubbish. Much further north heavy rain caused floodwaters to sweep away a mile of the railway near Mernmerna in the Flinders Ranges.

Burra Institute. C.C. Williams took the chair with Dr Brummitt & Messrs Anderson, Butterworth, Cave, Holder, Lasscock & Wilkinson. C.C. Williams was elected President to replace Mr Hosking who has left the town. G. Butterworth is Vice-President. T. Edwards joined the committee. The chrysanthemum show was fixed for the 27 April.

Burra Town Council. There was some debate whether kerbing was done better by tender or the daymen. Cr Sampson said the daymen had done 3ch 2ft in 8 days, which made them cheaper than the tender. After discussion no tender was accepted and the work in Welsh Place was left to the daymen.

A footpath is to be formed near the German Chapel.

About 3ch of footpath is to be formed on Mitchell’s Flat leading to George St.

Minor works to the wings of bridges to improve safety were approved: near the Police Station and near Mr Lewis’s.

There was concern about the wood reserve in the Hundred of Bright as it has been surveyed and its sale would seriously inconvenience the town. A letter will be sent to the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking that it be neither sold nor leased.

The mayor believed that SAMA was liable for the interest on the construction of the main from the main road to the company’s houses in the Mine and a good sum must be due the Corporation. The Town Clerk is to ascertain the cost of construction and collect the interest due.

A letter from W.T. Rabbich predicted a worsening employment situation. Already there were 300 unemployed on the Barrier and Millar Bros work on constructing the Broken Hill railway was drawing to a close.

Cricket. The annual meeting of the Young Australians Cricket Club was held on 25 Mar. at the Kooringa Hotel with Mr A. Wade in the chair. The balance on the books is 3/8. There was a vote of thanks to T. Nicholls, Hon. Sec. and to G. Herbert, Captain. Six matches were played last season for 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

VIII, 635, 8 Apr. 1887, page 2

Editorial on the prospects of protectionism now that over half the new Parliament favours that policy.

Easter this year holds no promise of special entertainments.

Advt. A Complimentary Social will be given to our member F.W. Holder Esq. MP, Mayor of Burra, at the Institute on 25 April. 2/6

Arrivals. Rev. M. Ashton, the new Bible Christian minister, came last week and Revs H.T. Burgess and J.H. Hadley, the Wesleyan ministers, this week.

Burra Public School. Mrs Kennedy has been the first assistant for over seven years, but she has resigned and will be replaced by Miss Boundy.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School celebrated its anniversary on Sunday very successfully with proceeds beyond expectations.

St Joseph’s School prize-giving night was on 5 April. The list of winners is published.

Firing Match. Cr Sampson’s Cup was finally won by Private Roach. The person winning it three times was finally to get to keep it. The winners have been:

1. Private Roach 2. Captain Holder 3. Private Roach

2. Private Parks 5. Lieut. Butterworth 6. Private Cooksley

3. Sergeant Watt 8. Corporal Lewis 9. Private Roach

Private Dixon had the highest average score over the series without ever winning, but being consistently in the top four.

VIII, 635, 8 Apr. 1887, page 3

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 301 left and 249 arrived.

Fraud. John Newcomb, a.k.a. Charles Hope, (35) has been found guilty of obtaining by false pretences jewellery to the value of £10 from Mr J.M. Wendt at Adelaide on 13 Jan.

On 6 Jan. Wendt got a letter on letterhead of Charles Hope, Solicitor, Kooringa, and signed Chas. Hope, requesting him to forward items of jewellery. Hope replied saying he had not returned the rejected goods, as he would soon be in Adelaide. On 13 Jan. he called on Wendt and ordered more jewellery saying he would pay next day. He did not and it was subsequently found his name was not on the roll of solicitors for the colony. Is defence was that he was well known in Kooringa as a solicitor, had actually practised there, and therefore there was no false pretence in regard to his name. The judge allowed the matter to go to jury, but the Full Court will have to decide whether he was right to do so as the Full Court will rule on whether there was a fraudulent misrepresentation.

Election. Dr Cockburn has been returned for Mt Barker.

VIII, 636, 12 Apr. 1887, page 2

Firing Match last Monday, 11 April. Winners:

Short Range Private Dixon

Mid Range Private Parks

Long Range Private Bentley

1,000 yds Sergeant Watt

Weather. The break of the season has been most auspicious with the best start for many years. On Saturday in Burra we received 1.86”, which washed out creeks and damaged roads.

Copperhouse Wesleyan Church Anniversary was celebrated Sunday and Friday last.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School celebrated its anniversary last Sunday.

The Premier is Knighted. Sir J.W. Downer will wear his honour well, but he got there almost by default. By Accident of Mr Bray’s absence he became Premier and retained office due to a disunited opposition. He was self-appointed to the London Conference after only two years of leadership and a short and perfunctory service as a private member of the Assembly.

Defence. Almost 700 troops were under canvas at Belair encampment on Saturday and Sunday. It was a great success despite the wet weather.

Cricket. Clare Early Closing Assoc. 227 defeated the Burra Mixed team 38, at Clare on Good Friday.

Teetulpa. Some interesting gold specimens are being found in the Victoria Reef at Teetulpa, at a depth of 25’.

Broken Hill Railway. The rails are now laid across the border and the plate laying to Silverton should take only about 6 weeks once the rails arrive.

VIII, 637, 15 Apr. 1887, page 2

Editorial on the use of the totalizator. It is outrageous that the totalizator be used at the Onkaparinga Races [Oakbank] last Monday when it is still illegal. The operators will likely get a small fine and yet make about £300 in profits! But then the operators here are ‘highly respectable men’.

SA Politics. The absence of parties in the SA Parliament makes it difficult to evolve proper policies, but some party interest seems likely to emerge before another election.

Weather. Rainfall so far this year is 3.465” and to this time last year was 0.795”.

Petersburg Railway. Some ballasting is due on the line north of Burra. We hope local unemployed will get the work, not men from Adelaide.

Primitive Methodism is to start mission work at Broken Hill and Silverton. Mr J. Burrows of Burra has been selected as the first missionary.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary was celebrated successfully on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Entertainment. The Football Concert on Easter Monday saw the Burra Band playing in front of the Institute. The following ball went on until early morning. They raised about £6 for the football club.

Obituary. John Snell’s brother, aged 40, has died of blood poisoning in Swansea, Wales.

St Mary’s was particularly well decorated with flowers for Easter this year.

VIII, 637, 15 Apr. 1887, page 3

W.T. Rabbich writes calling for some action to get money for the families of the Bulli Colliery disaster.

Teetulpa diggings are six months old last Thursday and about 300 men are making a living reefing there.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week departures exceeded arrivals by 64.

Alex. Harris is to open a branch at Broken Hill.

W.B. Rounsevell refused to act as a steward or judge at Onkaparinga on account of the use of the totalizator.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter on taxation, pointing out that indirect taxation falls disproportionately on the poor. He argues against both property and income tax in favour of a land tax. He says that 3d in the £ on unimproved value of land exempting the price first paid to the Crown would stop speculation and choke monopoly [as well as yielding the required revenue].

VIII, 638, 19 Apr. 1887, page 2

Notice. The partnership of William Henderson, Hugh McCallum & August Miller, trading as W. Henderson & Co. has been dissolved from 7 April 1887. The business will continue as William Henderson alone. (Machinists, Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights)

Mr A. von Doussa is to appear in the Police Court, Woodside on Wednesday next on a charge of breaching the Gaming Act by investing money in a totalizator at Onkaparinga Races. Maximum fine £100 or up to 6 months.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues to meet fortnightly.

An Earthquake was felt in Burra last Saturday night at 10.30 p.m. [Strangely enough other reports in the area placed it about 10 p.m. except for Black Springs which reported it as occurring at 9.25 p.m.]

St Mary’s annual vestry meeting gave special thanks to Mrs Lewis for a handsome altar cloth.

Burra Wesleyans have supported services at World’s End for about 12 months, first in Mr Duell’s house, and when that proved too small after about six months, at a large room in the vacant house of Mr Duldig’s. On Easter Monday a tea meeting presided over by Mr Thomas McWaters attracted over 100 and it was resolved that if the present season proved propitious a chapel would be built at World’s End, during the year.

Football. The season opened with Colours 6 defeating Non-Colours 0.

Teetulpa. A company has been formed to erect a £3,000 battery.

Letters.

One asked why more men have not taken up the homestead blocks. [Also known as working men’s blocks.] They are available at Hallett and would provide the necessities of life.

Two writers refer to the call to aid the victims of the major colliery disaster at Bulli in NSW. They suggest that there is equally great need for charity at home and it is a form of hypocrisy to give only when your generosity will be publicly noted as in the Bulli case.

‘ A Wanderer’ joins in condemning the way in which the ‘aristocratic gang of snobs’ looks like getting away with their contempt for the law over the use of the totalizator.

Trees. The Mayor, Mr Holder, has investigated where tree planting is needed and drawn up a list and planting will go ahead as soon as trees arrive.

The Burra Hotel Footbridge has received minor repairs.

VIII, 638, 19 Apr. 1887, page 3

Burra Football Club AGM with W. Fitzgerald in the chair. G. Parks resigned as secretary on account of ill health and J. Blott became Secretary pro tem. Terowie wished to play 5 matches, 3 at Burra and 2 at Terowie with the first on 30 April, but this was deemed too soon and a reply was deferred. The Patron was confirmed as F.W. Holder and the President as D.S. Packard. Colours remained red and blue.

At the first match at the Recreation Ground last Saturday, 12 Colours took on 20 Allcomers. The Allcomers had the wind for the first half and at half time each side had scored 0.2. There was no break because it was so cool and the final score was Colours 6.3 defeated Allcomers 0.2. Pushing behind ought to be abolished as it has been in Adelaide.

VIII, 639, 22 Apr. 1887, page 2

Editorial. The editor favours the development of flexible leases for farmland where development could be encouraged by low start-up costs, but the Government could get reasonable returns as prosperity of the property increased and with it the value and therefore the charge for the lease.

Chrysanthemums look like being very good for the show next Wednesday. J.D. Cave has a magnificent display of over 150 varieties. He will also show 90 varieties at the Adelaide Show two days later.

Burra Cricket Club AGM at the Burra Hotel. The year ended with a credit balance of 1/4. No trophies were offered this year for best averages and very little interest was manifested by the players - a fairly dull season.

Mrs Kennedy leaves today to make a six-month tour of NSW. He has been in charge of St Joseph’s Choir and made it one of the best in Burra. Also she will be missed as a prominent member of the Philharmonic Society.

In the Totalizator Case A. von Doussa claimed that when the Totalizator Act of 1883 was repealed the provisions of the Lottery Act had not been revived as far as they affected the machine and he contended that therefore by Clause 7 of the Language of Acts Act there was no legislative restriction on the use of the totalizator. Mr S. Bedows PM disagreed and fined him £10 with £7-5-0 costs, allowing one month for an appeal to a higher court.

Teetulpa has been visited by Captain Bryant, representing Victorian capital, and he believes that there is great potential of their developing into a significant field, but the claims are too small, giving only 200’ on either side of the shaft, where 1,000’ is needed.

Mr Holder’s complimentary social on Wednesday was well attended and passed off very well. About 65 attended including a few ladies. An excellent spread was provided by Mr Geake. After the usual eatables the usual toasts were proposed with Mr Geake in the chair with Mr Holder to his right and Rev. S. Gray to his left. Vice-Chair was Dr Brummitt JP. The toasts were to:

The Queen and Royal Family (followed by the National Anthem)

The health of F.W. Holder Esq. MP (supported by various speakers)

The Parliament

The Bones & Sinews of SA

The Town and Trade of Burra

The Ladies

The Press

The chairman (followed by the National Anthem)

W.T. Rabbich writes a letter in response to ‘Hypocrisy’ re the charity for the Bulli families where 83 men and boys died in a firedamp explosion. He points out that at least here families have able-bodied men who can work when work becomes available - the Bulli families have lost their breadwinners.

W.H. Hardy addresses the same concerns. His solution is to support both. He suggests that there be a series of entertainments to benefit locals in need and a subscription list and a Jubilee Dinner for say 200 of our poor residents.

Weather. Very cold and frosty.

Defence. Several companies of mounted infantry are being formed.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 19 more left than arrived.

VIII, 639, 22 Apr. 1887, page 3

Ulooloo Goldfields. The Government Geologist reports on the field and is given over a column of detail. In 1870 or 1871 gold was discovered on section 650 (The White Lead) then on Noltenius Creek section 673 and down Coglin’s Creek. At present 80-100 men are working. All gold so far has been alluvial and some good finds have been recorded. Much of the most likely country is unavailable, being on private land. The field has been continuously worked for the last 15 years, sometimes with a mere handful of men.

St Joseph’s held a solemn requiem mass last Wednesday for the Very Rev. Father Beckx [sic] 1795-1887, General of the Society of Jesus who had died in Rome. [He gets a column of detail.]

VIII, 640, 26 Apr. 1887, page 2

Advt. W. Pearce Jun. has presented a silver cup for a series of firing matches.

Advt. A Grand Entertainment is being prepared to benefit the poor of Burra - details later.

Birth: to the wife of Robert Brummitt at Kooringa on 19 April, a son. [Wilfred Brummitt]

Obituary. [Wilfred Brummitt] infant son of Robert Brummitt [ born 19 April 1887] died 24 April.

Burra Co. VF. There will be a military review in Adelaide on 24 May. Volunteers will travel by special trains to enable a one-day excursion.

Trees continue to be planted in Burra streets.

‘A Wanderer’ considers von Doussa’s £10 fine ‘paltry’.

He also comments on the Government Geologist’s Ulooloo Report of which he considers ‘the portion of the report referring to results and prospects of the field, is one of the most glaring misrepresentations imaginable’.

Midland Road Board. The surveyor reports ‘roads generally were lapsing into disrepair’. The Board would gladly remedy it ‘but for want of funds’.

Football. On Saturday the Captain and several premier players were attending drill so the match was about 9 Colours versus 24 Allcomers who played a match of about 11⁄2 hrs. Allcomers 0.4 defeated Colours 0.2. There is talk of a match with Sevenhills for 24 May.

Burra at present has:

A chess club

A lawn tennis club

A boxing club

A cricket club

[and a football club]

Burra Cricket Club report on the 1886-7 season.

Seven matches played for six wins and a loss. Best batting averages were:

A. Wade, 49 (but from only one innings)

W. Jenkins, 16 (over 3 innings + 2 not outs)

G. Parks, 13.1 (over 5 innings)

G. Parks took 33 wickets and J. Blott 22.

VIII, 641, 29 Apr. 1887, page 2

Advt. F.J. Carey has taken over his father’s business: Kooringa Chaff & Wood Store.

Advt. A Grand Entertainment, at the Institute, 4 May, in aid of the poor of Burra. Under the patronage of the Mayor, the A.O. of Foresters, the I.O. of Rechabites and Leading Residents of the Town. The VF Military Band have also offered their services. The first half will end with the farce, Up a Tree and the second half with the farce, The Mischievous Nigger’. 2/- & 1/-

Advt. St Joseph’s, 1 May, Rev. Father Kreissl SJ is in town to celebrate the Feast of the Patronage of St Joseph. During the week he will give a course of instruction and establish the Guild of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Burra Co. VF. Captain De Burgh drilled the company last Saturday & examined Captain Holder & Lieut. Butterworth. Both passed their examinations for Captaincy. Privates Mayger & Jennings have been promoted to Corporal.

A Silver Smelter is to be built at Dry Creek by the Australian Smelting and refining Co. on 7 acres of land. Two water jacket furnaces each with a capacity of 50 tons a day will give a capacity of 600 tons per week.

Volunteer Uniforms were discussed in Adelaide. Gen. Owen at the last meeting of the RVF Council had indicated a change to scarlet as desirable. Eventually it was decided on a scarlet tunic with blue facings, relieved with white cord and braid. Blue trousers with scarlet piping. Capt. Drysdale suggested an inexpensive khaki tunic might also be adopted for general wear. It has been now referred to a meeting of delegates from companies.

Migration. Last week at Pt Adelaide there were 351 departures and 246 arrivals.

Chrysanthemum Show. This year it took £7 in 6d tickets [i.e. 280 visitors]. Last year it took £8-15-0 in 1/- tickets [i.e. 175 visitors]. As expected J.D. Cave won most prizes, Dr Brummitt did well and Mr Lasscock was a good third.

VIII, 642, 3 May 1887, page 2

Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show. J.D. Cave did very well again. Only the exhibits from the Botanic Gardens and Mr E.T. Smith were superior. Despite Mr Cave’s blooms being shown first in Burra and them travelling 100 miles, he won 5 firsts and 1 second prize. He has decided to give slips to anyone seriously interested in improving the plants.

Disaster in WA. A pearling fleet off the NW coast has been struck by a cyclone and it is feared over 550 lives have been lost. [The Macquarie Book of Events, 1983, says this event occurred on 22 April 1887, when 22 vessels sank and 140 people were drowned.

Weather. There have been good rains.

Tree Planting is proceeding vigorously in Burra.

The totalizator case is being taken to appeal, (A. von Doussa)

The Salvation Army is being hotly persecuted in Adelaide.

VF Uniforms. The VF uniforms are presently grey and the move to change them is rapidly becoming hilarious and they ‘promise to rival Joseph’s coat’. One company wants scarlet, another green, another blue.

Burra Town Council. The Government advises that as the subsidy to councils was being withdrawn they would no longer have to pay the police moiety.

J.D. Cave writes in to explain his offer to those willing to undertake to improve the chrysanthemum stocks in the town.

VIII, 642, 3 May 1887, page 3

Football. Last Saturday 15 Colours played 25 Allcomers.

Allcomers 2.5 defeated Colours 0.7

There was a meeting of the club at the Commercial Hotel on Friday to set the program for the year. A. Lott, Capt. in the chair. There was an invitation to play Sevenhills in Burra on 14 May and a challenge to Terowie to play Burra in Burra on 7 May. Clare asked for a match in Burra on the queen’s Birthday. The club adopted the new rules of the Adelaide Football Assoc.

VIII, 643, 6 May 1887, page 2

Firing Match for Pearce’s silver cup. Privates Parks and Cooksley and Captain Holder go through to the finals.

Football tomorrow. 17 Colours v. 25 Allcomers.

Baldina Hotel was totally destroyed by fire on 5 May. At about 10.30 a.m. the owner, Mr W. Midwinter, was about two miles away with his son, burning Bathurst burr, when they saw smoke coming from the premises. On arriving they were unable to save anything. The fire started in the cellar, but the cause is not known.

The Entertainment for the poor on Wednesday filled the Institute. The Mayor introduced the program and the local Friendly Societies attended in full regalia. The Volunteer Band played in front of the Institute and c. £16 was raised to be distributed by Drs Brummitt and Sangster and Mr Lockyer and the Mayor.

Father Kreissl preached two sermons at St Joseph’s on 1 May and gave a series of instructions during the week. There was no service on Wednesday as there was no wish to clash with the entertainment at the Institute.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter expressing his dismay at the larrikinism at Wednesday’s concert, which he fears will deter people from attending worthy causes and also from donating to them. He hopes to see such people utterly banned from entry in the future.

Mr Richard Snell is to build public baths in Kooringa.

Migration. At Port Adelaide last week 247 departed and 236 arrived.

Teetulpa. £1,000 has been paid to Brady & Smith for discovering the diggings.

Excursion Tickets to Adelaide will be available after 13 June at the cost of a single fare on account of the Jubilee Exhibition there. [The exhibition was held in a then new building on North Terrace, just east of where Bonython Hall is today, and in adjacent structures. A railway line was run to it from Adelaide Station, under King William St, passing along the south side of the Parade Ground and across the present University grounds. The exhibition celebrated the joint jubilees of Queen Victoria’s reign and the founding of SA and Adelaide.]

Hanson D.C. had also expressed dismay at the possible sale of the wood reserve in the Hundred of Bright. The Crown Lands Office replied to them that it would be preserved. Reported at the meeting of 30 April.

VIII, 643, 6 May 1887, page 3

Teetulpa had a serious outbreak of typhoid with 40 cases in their hospital.

MPs ages given in the Register.

Rounsevell 45

Cockburn 37

Holder 37

Kingston 37

It also stated that 25% of the Assembly were Australian born.

11 were natives of SA, including Rounsevell and Holder

2 were born in NSW

20 in England (including the 2 Hebrew members, Solomon & Cohen)

8 in Scotland

4 in Germany

1 in Ireland

1 in Wales

1 in the USA

1 in Gibraltar

1 in St Vincent

VIII, 644, 10 May 1887, page 2

Obituary. Helen Cave, wife of J.D. Cave, aged 52, died at Victoria Place, Redruth. [nee Helen James]

Editorial. There are fears that Victoria, which had escaped the worst of the depression, is heading for trouble. There is some unemployment and manufacturers have large stocks and no orders for sales. Victoria could be about to go down while the prospects of a good season in SA hold some hope here.

Weather. A good season with well spaced showers so far.

Entertainment. The concert for the poor grossed £18 and netted £15 and the committee has issued 30 orders for wood, clothing, groceries etc. to as many needy persons.

VF Uniforms. A meeting in Adelaide with delegates from companies met under Lieut. -Col. Lovely to decide the uniform question. It was eventually decided a change was needed and would be blue with scarlet facings. The glengarry should be blue with a silver bugle on scarlet ground and a silver helmet badge. Present uniforms will be dyed and new facings applies at a cost not >12/6. The cost of new glengarrys etc. will be 5/-, for a total changeover of 17/6. The Government will advance 2⁄3 of the capitation grant for the purpose. This cannot be done in time for the Queen’s Birthday Review, but hopefully for the Jubilee Exhibition. [Glengarry - a type of cap, higher in the front than the back, of highland origin.]

Dr Cockburn was honoured with a social at Jamestown last Tuesday. The Mayor of Jamestown took the chair and over 100 people attended with Dr Brummitt as Vice-Chair. Dr Cockburn had been thrice Mayor of Jamestown and Commissioner of Main Roads, an honorary surgeon and MP for the district for three years. He received an illuminated address.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. met Saturday 7 May at Saddleworth. Schools represented were Burra, Davieston, Manoora, Mintaro Station [Merildin], Saddleworth and Waterloo.

Baldina Hotel of Mr Midwinter’s was fully insured with Colonial Mutual.

The Alma & Victoria Mine at Waukaringa reported on 6 May they produced 386 oz of gold in April; March had yielded 371 oz.

W.T. Rabbich writes commenting that though some men have been employed in Burra ballasting, they are now out of work. But surely they could be employed longer as ballast metal is surely needed and employment till the start of the shearing season is sorely needed.

Football. The match with Terowie could not be arranged so 17 Colours played 25 Allcomers. To start the ‘Umpire W.H. Hardy, handed the ball to the captain of the Allcomers, who took the kick towards the north goal’. After 70 minutes the result was Allcomers 0.2, Colours 0.1.

The ‘Umpire was very partial’. A later paragraph says 19 Allcomers played 12 Colours, ending in a draw.

‘A Wanderer’ condemns the pastoralists for sitting on the best agricultural land so preventing its development and for taking large loans from banks - never to be repaid.

‘Multum in Parvo’ [Much in little] fears the falling number of workers in Burra will soon impact on businessmen to their detriment, so the latter had better urge employment schemes.

VIII, 645, 13 May 1887, page 2

Advt. August Miller, late of W. Henderson & Co. announces he is setting up business as a shoeing and general smith in premises lately occupied by J. Hutson.

Advt. Edith O’Gorman, known as the Escaped Nun is coming to the Institute.

For six years a Nun in St Joseph’s Convent, New Jersey, will deliver her STARTLING AND INSTRUCTIVE LECTURE

Thursday Afternoon 19 May - For Ladies only

The Secret Mysteries of the Confessional

The Inner Life of Convents

Thursday Evening, 19 May, For Ladies and Gents

Life in a Convent

The Romish School System

The Romish Priesthood

How and Why She Escaped

How She was Converted

2/- & 1/-

The Inquest into the fire at the Baldina Hotel is reported at some length, but the details add little to what had already been reported. The fire started in the cellar, but how remained unclear and the verdict was ‘accidental’.

Valedictory Meeting for Mr G. Anderson, who is leaving the district for Broken Hill. He was thanked for his work with the Bible Christian Church and Sunday School and was given a copy of Farror’s Life and Work of St Paul.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor, Mr Holder, proposed a plan to aid the unemployed which is really work that is required and not charity.

He proposed to create a Jubilee Avenue by employing a number of men for a few days each over a period of 2-3 months to plant the east side of the road from the Mine Bridge to Kooringa at 5/- a day.

What is first needed is for the Midland Road Board to define the western edge of the road so that the eastern edge can be measured off. Secondly the present cutting of the western side has to be carried back to its true place from one to four feet behind where it is now. A footpath then has to be cut ten feet from the boundary line. This will provide enough filling for the eastern side embankment.

A double line of post and wire fence will be needed to enclose the footway on the eastern side. On each side of the footway there will be a row of trees - say sugar gums on the creek side and white cedars on the roadside. Ultimately the fence on the roadside can be removed and only the creek side one left. The distance is 26 chains from the Mine Bridge to Mr Lockyer’s house. Mr Holder estimated the cost as follows:

Cutting 25

Levelling 5

Fencing 35

Planting 5

Total £70

Trees can be had from the Forest Board. The money to be raised by Public Subscription and Entertainments.

This was published in the form of a memorandum so the Council could be aware of it before the Council meeting next Monday.

Migration. More Burra people will be in Broken Hill than in Burra if the current trends continue.

Broken Hill & Mt Gambier Railways are both to be handed over to the Government by the contractors on 1 June.

Jubilee Exhibition. Express trains will run each way between Adelaide and Terowie as well as ordinary trains, during the exhibition.

Floods. It is estimated that 12,000 square miles of SA is under water south of Birdsville.

A letter calls for work, not charity, as the latter often does not get to those that need it most.

VIII, 646, 17 May 1887, page 2

Advt. Edith O’Gorman, the Escaped Nun, at the Institute, 19 May.

Advt. Salvation Army, Big Tea, 24 May, 1/- in the Barracks. Big Marches. Black and White men to the front. Lieut. Roberts C.O.

Advt. St Mary’s Church is holding a Jubilee Tea and Concert in the Institute on 24 May. Tea 4.30 p.m. and Concert 7.30 for 8.00 p.m.

Tea & Concert 1/6, separately 1/- [each]. Children half price.

Burra Town Council has endorsed the Mayor’s plan as announced. The subscription list for the Mayor’s Fund is opened.

Mr Cave distributes his chrysanthemum slips this afternoon from the Institute and those seeking roots will be able to get them from his garden this morning.

Mr Wittber offers his services to give instruction free to young men and the Institute has offered the use of a room rent free for the evening class beginning 3 June.

Tree Planting. About 250 new plantings have been made in the streets of Burra. The ratepayers are asked to care for those near their premises while they are young. Those cared for are five to six times the size of those neglected in the areas previously planted.

Methodist Union. The Primitive Methodist, the Bible Christian and Methodist New Connexion Church have agreed upon a union to be known as The Methodist Church of SA. A joint committee has recommended it and the union has been agreed to unanimously. [But no timing for the actual merging is reported.]

Burra Institute monthly meeting of the committee took place and agreed to grant Mr Wittber the use of a room so he can offer a night class once a week gratis. Starting 1st Friday in June 8-9.30 p.m.

Mr Holder sought the use of the hall free, for three concerts in aid of the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund. This was considered and it was feared it would set a precedent, but was ultimately granted in the hope that such circumstances would never occur again.

The Women’s Queen Victoria Jubilee Fund seeks signatures from women on an address, which will be presented to the Queen. Also they will be raising money, the object of which funds is yet to be decided.

J. Stuart Wayland, the Anglican incumbent, writes a letter expressing disappointment that the Institute is being used by Miss O’Gorman ‘whose mission is calculated to introduce religious discord and to fan the embers of religious hatred in this town’. The committee has a by-law, which does not allow the hall to be used for religious purposes. This has been enforced so why not in this case. Is it a case of needing money, if so, ‘the depression has brought us very low indeed’.

Exhibition Expresses are to call at Burra, Riverton, Hamley Bridge & Gawler.

Burra Town Council has been invited to attend a Queen’s Jubilee Service in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on 19 June.

Football. On Saturday last 11 Colours played about 13 Non-Colours, but soon the Non-Colours split and the match had to be abandoned. A game then took place between a side chosen by the Captain and one chosen by the Vice-Captain. Lott’s Side 1.3 defeated Symon’s Side 0.1. Sides were not yet following the new rules.

VIII, 646, 17 May 1887, page 3

Burra Town Council. The Council agreed to the Mayor’s proposal for work for the unemployed.

A letter from the Crown Lands Department confirmed that the wood reserve in the Hundred of Bright would remain. The land is to be offered for grazing only with rights to wood retained by licensed persons.

A letter from the Post Master General warning that trees planted under or near telegraph lines may eventually have to be cut where necessary.

A decision on attending the Wesleyan Jubilee Service was deferred.

Baldina Hotel Fire. There follows a much more detailed account of the inquest into the fire. All the house, furniture and stock were insured with the Colonial Mutual for £1,400. The stock was estimated at £130-14-0. The farm on which the hotel stood was encumbered.

VIII, 647, 20 May 1887, page 2

Advt. Football. Clare v. Burra at the Recreation Ground, Burra, 1.30 p.m. Queen’s Birthday, 24 May, 6d.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church anniversary, Queen’s Birthday 24 May.

‘The Escaped Nun’ gave two lectures to fair audiences on Thursday.

Mayor’s Fund. £70 is needed and so far £-11-0.

The Burra Institute replies to Rev. Stuart Wayland’s letter re the ‘Escaped Nun’ at the hall. The committee points out that its rules do not prohibit churches from using the Institute and indeed various churches, including Rev. Wayland’s, make use of it for bazaars, concerts etc. What is banned is the letting of the hall to any denomination for services on a Sunday, except in the event of a disaster. Miss O’Gorman’s lecture could not be termed a religious service.

Local Industry. W.H. Pearce has devised a durable and cheap plant label.

VF Military Review. The special train will leave Burra at 4.56 a.m. and arrive at Adelaide at 8.50 a.m. with fall-in on the Parade Ground at 9,15 a.m.

Samuel Gray of the Primitive Methodist manse, Kooringa writes a letter defending the Escaped Nun’s right to be heard and judged on her own merits. Allow the public to form their own opinions: the Institute committee having no basis on which to refuse her the use of the hall.

There was another letter along the same lines and two others were received, but not published.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 211 departed and 182 arrived.

Mr Cave has given away over 600 chrysanthemum roots.

VIII, 647, 20 May 1887, page 2-3

Obituary & Inquest. The inquest was held at the Riverton Court House on 17 May on the body of Hermann Lummer who had been thrown from his trap on the 16 May.

Dr Frank Alwork said he found the deceased to be dead when summoned to the site of the accident. At the hospital later he found the neck to be broken, but no suggestion of foul play.

Leo Lummer, son of the deceased, said he came home and found the horse and trap at the pannels [sic?] with reins hanging loose. He drove back and found his father lying on his back on the road by Mr Browning’s house. His father was aged 48.

George Purdy gave evidence of seeing the deceased in Riverton about 8 p.m. and that he was then under the influence of liquor.

M-C Henry Bushell said he had known the deceased to be drunk on other occasions and that he believed the deceased had fallen out of the vehicle and broken his neck. The jury agreed with him and gave their fees to the widow who is left with five children in poor circumstances. A subscription list has been started in Riverton.

VIII, 648, 24 May 1887, page 2

Public Baths. Mr Richard Snell, who has already shown his enterprising spirit by planting fruit trees and establishing a fruit and vegetable garden in the ‘Paddock’ from which, by means of water raised by windmill, he has already reaped a good reward, has shown his faith in the place by having public baths constructed. They are 40’ x 16’ x 3’ to 6’ deep and are to be completed before next summer.

Mayor’s Fund is now at £8-2-0.

The Queen’s Jubilee will be celebrated with three public teas on 24 May at:

Redruth Wesleyan Church

St Mary’s Tea at the Institute

The Salvation Army Tea at the Barracks

Teetulpa still has c. 2,000 people.

A. von Doussa has lost his appeal in the totalizator case.

Firing Match. The third competition for Mr Pearce’s silver cup saw success for Privates Roach and Dixon and Mr W.T. Rabbich. Final next week.

Football. At the practice match on Saturday, for the match with Clare today, the colours 6.0 defeated Allcomers1.0.

Midland Road Board has agreed to define the western edge of the road between the Mine Bridge and Kooringa.

VIII, 649, 27 May 1887, page 2

Birth: to the wife of B.P. James at Baldina on 9 May, a son. [Timothy James]

Entertainment. Mrs Edith O’Rorman will deliver a lecturette On Husbands at the entertainment at the Institute on 2 June in aid of the Mayor’s Fund. [Obviously making fun of Edith O’Gorman: see the report in VIII, 651, 3 June 1887, page 2]

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary was celebrated last Sunday & Tuesday. Though the church debt is still £412 it has been reduced in the last year by £11 despite the hard times.

Military Review. 45 Burra men went to Adelaide by the special train. Most returned by the ordinary train.

The Three Jubilee Teas were all well attended.

Salvation Army. At 11.30 soldiers and officers met at the Barracks and marched to the railway station to welcome S.O. Paert & Lieut. Gough, who arrived by train. At 3.00 there was an open-air meeting at the town pump in Market Square, followed by tea at the Barracks provided by Mr Parks. Then there was a torchlight procession of nearly 50 officers and soldiers in the main street and an open-air meeting attended by hundreds of people. Good order prevailed. Then they marched back to the Barracks in Kingston St to the Jubilee Meeting, which was led by S.O. Paert. (Lieut. Gough is a coloured man.) The meeting was followed by supper and the crowd dispersed about 11 p.m.

St Mary’s tea at the Institute attracted about 150 and the evening assembly about 200. The highlight of the musical entertainment was generally judged to be the dumb charades - several tableaux - ‘Sir Walter Raleigh & Queen Elizabeth’, ‘Old Mother Hubbard’, ‘Othello Smothering Desdemona’, Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosamond’, ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, ‘William Tell and his Son’.

Football. On 24 May at Burra, Burra 6.13 defeated Clare 1.0.

The visitors came and went by train. [Probably having made arrangements for a road connection from Farrell’s Flat, since there was no rail to Clare.]

On 26 May Mr A. Lott (Captain of the Burra Football Club) was farewelled at a social at the Commercial Hotel. He is leaving at once for WA.

Foot Races. These were held on 24 May at Watervale, Terowie and Kapunda, but Burra men did not distinguish themselves except at Kapunda where Mr Watt won £2 and Mr Cooksley 10/6.

Military. There will be a grand march of troops through the city on 21 June.

Coinage. Will the new 4/- piece be called a dollar?

Mr Roach and his Ragamuffins had a big success at Watervale last Tuesday.

Adelaide Football. On 24 May over 7,000 saw Adelaides, 3.8 defeat Norwoods, 3.7.

‘A Wanderer’ complains that some of the so-called poor have bought items from a cheap travelling bazaar and were even seen gambling in the shilling packet business. [These he clearly feels to be the undeserving poor.]

Stray Animals. Goats and the occasional horse continue to be a problem in the Kooringa streets. This week four persons were each fined 5/- for such offences.

[This is a regular feature of the court reports and some names recur quite often.]

VIII, 650, 31 May 1887, page 2

Railways. Though the railways are about to take over the line to Silverton, the branch line to Mt Gambier and to make special arrangements for trains to the Jubilee Exhibition, no information has been made available to the public about any of this. The Government has announced only that the excursion fares to the Adelaide Exhibition will be for 6 weeks only.

The Mayor’s Fund has now reached £9-18-0 of the £70 required.

Migration. For the first quarter of 1887 SA gained 4,945 people and lost 6,978 by sea. There were 5,700 departures for Victoria and 3,736 arrivals from there. [Note that these figures do not take into consideration the significant loss to NSW in the Broken Hill area.]

Weather. Crops are looking good due to the good early rain, but with recent frosts we will need heavy falls soon.

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary on Sunday last week with the tea meeting on Monday, 30 May. The children had their annual treat at the Recreation Ground whither they marched headed by the Burra Band.

Firing March. The final competition for the W. Pearce Jun. silver cup was fired on Saturday last and was won by Private Cooksley.

Football. Colours 4.0 defeated Allcomers 0.0 last Saturday. There has been some talk of Manoora coming to Burra next Saturday, but no confirmation.

Town & Country Bank. Nearly all the capital has melted away.

Teetulpa. A new lode has been discovered at King’s Bluff which assays 50 oz per ton. Melbourne money is to be used to get crushing machinery at the field.

VIII, 651, 3 June 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s Fund has reached £32, largely as a consequence of £20 from SAMA.

C.A.G. Kroncke, who has been unable to work for years and has consequently had to rely on public and private charity for sustenance has now received £800 from the estate of his sister in Germany. On the advice of Dr Brummitt it has been invested to keep him and his wife for the rest of their lives.

Mayor’s Fund Concert. The first of the series was very successful on 2 June. Mr J. Roach appeared as Mrs O’Rorman to create ‘some merriment’ while the school children conducted by Mr Wittber were another highlight.

Unemployment Relief. Mr Holder has arranged with the Conservator of Water for 15 men to be employed at dam sinking immediately.

Burra Co. VF. There was a rifle match for the Government grant last Wednesday.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 514 came and 508 left!

Mr Wittber’s free night classes begin tonight in the Institute.

Jubilee Avenue. The road between the Mine Bridge and Kooringa is now defined.

Town & Country Bank shareholders are to get 5/- in the £.

The Governor’s Speech to the opening of the 1st session of the 12th Parliament of SA is printed.

Railway Timetable.

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.38 a.m. 7.44 a.m.

4.50 p.m. 4.56 p.m.

From Adelaide 12.23 p.m. 12.29 p.m.

9.39 p.m. 9.45 p.m.

VIII, 652, 7 June 1887, page 2

Birth: to the wife of J. Roach at Aberdeen on 5 June, a daughter. [Eva May Roach]

Mayor’s Fund. This has reached £42-14-0, but the target has been revised to £100. The first entertainment raised £6-10-0. The target has had to be raised, as the Avenue is now to extend to the Mill. [The plan was first extended to Roach’s Mill and eventually to Aberdeen.] It is reported that Sir Henry Ayers is behind the £20 from SAMA. [This would not be a surprise as for many years he had virtually been SAMA as far as decisions were concerned.]

Mr Wittber’s Class attracted about 36 young men from 14 to 33 and a lesson in mental arithmetic began the series.

Burra Town Council. Names are being taken for work on Jubilee Avenue at 5/- a day. Tenders have been called for 500 posts and also for the purchase of the old fence between the Mine Bridge and Mr Bentley’s photo rooms. The purchaser is to remove same.

Council has accepted the invitation to the Wesleyan Church Jubilee Service.

The Council has approved the construction of a footbridge over the creek opposite the Courthouse.

It has also adopted the Mayor’s planting scheme as a public Jubilee Memorial to be named Jubilee Avenue.

A Council committee is to investigate the practicability of getting all the town’s children aged 7-14 to the Jubilee Exhibition in September.

VIII, 652, 7 June 1887, page 3

Football. A good practice game was held on Saturday.

Symon’s side 2.6 defeated Park’s side 0.5.

A game with Manoora is scheduled for next Saturday at Burra and Burra goes to Auburn tomorrow.

VIII, 653, 10 June 1887, page 2

Train Timetable. The afternoon train to Adelaide will run 10 minutes earlier, arriving in Burra at 4.40 p.m. and leaving at 4.46 p.m.

The timetable book just published is a great improvement, with a map, times and fares for 1d.

Government of SA. The Downer Ministry has fallen.

The new Premier is expected to be the Hon. T. Playford.

The no-confidence debate that toppled the Government is reported. The vote was 16 for, 29 against, with 4 abstentions.

Obituary. J. Varley SM, former Stipendiary Magistrate of this district has died in Victoria on Wednesday last after a long illness.

The Mayor’s Fund is now £45-6-0.

Fraud. The police at Craddock [South of Hawker.] will charge members of the Hamdorf family under clause 63 of the Police Act for attempting to impose on Mounted Constables Thomas and Shegog and others, the belief that there was a ghost at their property, the purpose being to devalue the leasehold from the Crown which had become liable to forfeiture.

Offence. Both v. Gully at Redruth Court. Claim for storekeeper’s goods supplied to value of £1-6-11 + costs £1. The defendant is a labourer on the permanent way who said he would not appear unless his expenses were paid and a buggy sent to fetch him. Ordered 14 days imprisonment.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter suggesting it is amazing that the once scarce item ‘butter’ has, since the recent invention of ‘butterine’ suddenly become common. He hopes all the storekeepers are being honest and selling the same by its correct name!

Tree Planting. There has been unprecedented interest in planting trees this year.

F.W. Holder. The Register says of Holder:

‘A fluent, fast speaker, though prone to use involved sentences and prolonged parenthesis, but withal decidedly increasing the oratorical strength of the House and especially good for his clearness of enunciation.’

Football. On 8 May only 16 men turned up at the Burra Station for the trip to Saddleworth. From Saddleworth the trip of 7 miles in an express wagon to Auburn took 11⁄4 hours due to the state of the roads. The landlord of the Rising Sun Hotel provided lunch at 12 noon and they moved to the grounds at 2.30 p.m. The ground was heavy with a pool of water in the centre. The match started at 3.00 p.m. with Auburn fielding 20. After 4 x 25 minute quarters with a change of ends each quarter, Burra 2.4 defeated Auburn 1.3. The Burra players were most dissatisfied with the umpire whom they felt was very partial and ‘showed little knowledge of the game’. Dinner was at the Rising Sun Hotel and departure was at 6 p.m. to reach home about 10.00 p.m.

VIII, 654, 14 June 1887, page 2

New Railway Timetable

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.38 a.m. 7.44 a.m.

4.44 p.m. 4.50 p.m.

From Adelaide 12.23 p.m. 12.29 p.m.

9.31 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

The Mayor’s Fund reaches £50-1-6.

Burra Co. VF and the Mayor and the Councillors will attend the Wesleyan Jubilee Service on Sunday Morning.

Tree Planting. 33 People have applied for 2,693 trees and an order has been sent to the Forest Department and we expect the same within c 10 days. A trifle for cartage and 1d for any in pots will be the only charge.

Football. Tomorrow Burra 16 v. Aberdeen 20.

Advt. T. Parks in Commercial St has bread at 3d a loaf or 2d to storekeepers and hotels.

Weather. Splendid rains last week: 1.37”.

Jubilee Avenue. 12 men are now at work. Almost 400 trees will be required.

Mr Wittber’s night class now has about 50 present.

VIII, 654, 14 June 1887, page 3

Obituary. A long obituary notice for Mr J. Varley SM is reprinted from the Kapunda Herald.

VIII, 655, 17 June 1887, page 2

Editorial on the Queen’s Jubilee & complaints about the train timetable for the Jubilee Exhibition expresses. The excursion fares were half the normal price, but applied only to the period 13 June to 20 July. ‘This period will be extended if this arrangement proves to be a public convenience’.

Burra Co. VF. A special train will take VF members to Adelaide at 4.56 a.m. next Tuesday.

Charity Move. There is a move to embrace all religious denominations in a Local Benevolent Society.

Mayor’s Fund now £53-0-6.

Terowie. There are moves to incorporate Terowie.

Offences. Samuel Sleep, Philip Lane, Thomas Edwards, William Lasscock and Charles Schutz were each fined 5/- for allowing cattle to stray in Kooringa streets.

Rifle Match between Burra Co. VF and the Militia Cavalry on Wednesday was won by Burra co. 577 to 516.

The Silverton & Mt Gambier railway lines have now been handed over to the Government and open to heavy traffic in both goods and passengers on the Silverton line.

Migration. At Pt Adelaide last week 276 arrived and 167 left.

The Jubilee Exhibition promoters will have to take in £20,000 to break even.

VIII, 655, 17 June 1887, page 3

John W. O’Brien writes to draw attention to the dangerous creek where it crosses the Copperhouse road between Nevin’s and German Fred’s Corner. For Example, ‘last Saturday as Mrs Saunders [actually Sanders] was returning from Aberdeen to Copperhouse with the mail, and when attempting to cross at the place referred to the horse, trap, herself and a heavyweight in the person of Mrs Coombes got washed off the crossing and taken down with the current for a considerable distance, and it’s almost a miracle how some of them were not drowned, and were it not for timely assistance the result must have been very serious’. He suggests a culvert is needed. [J. W. O’Brien was Mrs Sanders’ brother-in-law.]

Football. Aberdeen has at last got a football club together. They challenged the Burras second 20, but because of work commitments Burra could only offer a team of 16 of their players on Wednesday last. Burra 4.several defeated Aberdeen 0.1.

VIII, 656, 21 June 1887, page 2

Jubilee Service. The Wesleyan Jubilee Service is fully reported, including Rev. Burgess’s sermon (pages 2-3). This was deemed so important that a special edition on better quality paper was printed and made available for 2d.

Jubilee Exhibition. So many Burra people, including all the VF Company, will be in Adelaide for the opening of the Jubilee Exhibition that both today and tomorrow are being observed in Burra as business holidays.

Football. The match on Monday 20 June at the Burra Oval saw Burra 1.20 defeat Manoora 0.5.

Unemployment Relief. Mr Holder, having arranged for 30 men to be employed by the Conservator of Water, railway passes to Eudunda and Morgan arrived Friday and the list was filled Saturday. The men left Monday, but 4 failed to appear.

Mayor’s Fund was boosted £8 from the Jubilee Service collection and with other donations now stands at £64-14-3.

Burra Town Council. The Mayor reports that 23 fathers have so far earned 30/- each on Jubilee Avenue and 12 of the most needy have another two weeks work.

Steps to remove the goats in the town will be taken. Where owners can be identified they will be prosecuted and all other goats will be killed. This is a necessary step to preserve the trees now planted around the town.

Trees. Due to the holidays applicants for forest trees will be unable to get them until 1 July.

Unemployment. There are not many unemployed left in Burra at present.

Accident. Last Monday afternoon C. & T. Drew were violently thrown from their vehicle when the horse shied and bolted near the Anglican Church. They were fortunately only shaken and bruised.

VIII, 657, 24 June 1887, page 2

Mayor’s Fund has now reached £65-6-9.

Mr Wittber’s Class, having got too large for the room is transferred to the Lodge Room, necessitating a move from Friday to Monday.

Weather. Rain continues to promote the best season for many years.

VIII, 657, 24 June 1887, page 2-3

Jubilee Exhibition. The opening of the Exhibition, which was designed to simultaneously celebrate the 50th anniversary of SA and of the Queen’s reign, is reported in over two columns. About 4,000 visitors a day have been attending.

VIII, 658, 28 June 1887, page 2

Advt. An Entertainment for the Mayor’s Fund will be held at the Institute on 1 July. The usual musical event concluded with the laughable farce Two Heads are Better Than One. Res. 2/- others 1/-.

New Railway Timetable

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.38 a.m. 7.44 a.m.

4.44 p.m. 4.50 p.m.

Special 11.51 a.m. 12.00 noon

4.00 p.m. 4.07 p.m.

From Adelaide 12.23 p.m. 12.29 p.m.

9.31 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

Weather. Rainfall last year was 14.38” and so far this year has been 9.585”

Women’s Jubilee Address to the Queen has been exquisitely illuminated by the Dominican Nuns of North Adelaide and signed by thousands of SA women and girls - including 600 from Burra. It is displayed at the Exhibition before being forwarded to the Queen. The address has been handsomely bound in vellum by E.S. Wigg & Son.

Unemployment Relief. The men who went to Morgan last week had to walk 10 miles in the rain and dark to reach their destination, arriving with their blankets soaked.

District Council of Burra. 27 June nominations for councillors.

North Ward: P.L. Killicoat & R. Austin. Declared elected.

South Ward: J.C. Sandland. Declared elected.

VIII, 658, 28 June 1887, page 3

Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition is described in a 1 column-length article.

Sculling Match between Gaudaur & Hanlan on the Ottawa River is described in detail over 2⁄3 column. Such matches were keenly followed at the time and this one was for £500 a side.

IX, 659, 1 July 1887, page 2

Rainfall this year so far 19.005” and to this date last year 2.735”. [Note that this information is incorrect and the 1887 total should have been cited as 10.085”.]

The Mayor’s Fund stands at £67-18-3.

Railways. The extra express train on the Northern Line ceased as from 30 June.

Fraud. The appeal of John Newcomb a.k.a. Charles Hope, who falsely presented himself as a solicitor of Kooringa has been rejected by the Supreme Court and he has been jailed till about the end of next year.

Rifle Match. A match was fired on Wednesday last for a series of prizes donated by ladies and gentlemen of the town. The winner on Wed. was Private Dixon.

New Railway Timetable

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.38 a.m. 7.44 a.m.

4.10 p.m. 4.16 p.m.

From Adelaide 12.23 p.m. 12.29 p.m.

9.31 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

IX, 660, 5 July 1887, page 2

An SA Bradshaw (A Guide to SA) has been published on the lines of the well-known Bradshaw by Messrs C.W. Stuart & Co.

The Mayor’s Fund got £5 from the entertainment on Friday and now stands at £76-0-3.

The Shearers’ Union held a meeting at the Burra Hotel last Friday, but only four joined when an old shearer Mr Schnelzkopf argued it was city-based and would be detrimental to country-based shearers as the city hands would get first chance of jobs.

Bible. 460 copies of the New Testament have arrived for children at the Burra Public School and other State Schools in the district.

Rainfall. The rainfall figure cited last issue is corrected to 10.485”.

The Mayor’s Fund has paid £60 in wages so far.

Butterine. There is so much bad butter being sold in Burra and so much talk of butterine that it would pay our shopkeepers to assure customers that they do, or do not deal in this substitute.

Football. Many were away from the town on Saturday, but the small number that turned out was divided into two teams and a good game followed ending in 1 goal each side.

IX, 661, 8 July 1887, page 2

Advt. Wanted: A good general servant, must be able to cook and wash well. Mrs Hall, Bank of Australasia.

The Mayor’s Fund reaches £77-6-3.

Subdivision. A memorial to the Commissioner of Crown Lands has asked for a further subdivision of the blocks in the Hundreds of Baldina and Bright.

Teetulpa. A company is being formed in Adelaide to exploit the Teetulpa gold fields with a capital of £6,000, of which £1,530 goes to present claim-holders and cash.

Offences.

The Corporation Inspector Herschausen [sic] charged the following for allowing animals to stray in Burra Streets.

Charles Schutz 2 cows & s calves 10/-

Joseph Turner 1 goat 5/-

Joseph Williams 3 horses 10/-

William A. Rabbich 6 horses 15/-

Charles Rawlings 2 horses 5/-

Thomas Woollacott 1 cow 5/-

Charles Löwe 1 horse 5/-

IX, 662, 12 July 1887, page 2

Advt. Wanted: a Girl about sixteen, to make herself generally useful. Mrs R. Rosman, Aberdeen.

Poison. On Saturday Mr. R.D. Pascoe had a valuable kangaroo slut poisoned in Commercial St. This is the sixth dog he has lost by this means.

Trees. The forest trees arrived on Friday and have mostly been collected.

The Mayor’s Fund now stands at £80-6-9.

D.C. of Burra has elected Cr Sandland Chairman for the next year.

Unemployment Relief. The work at Morgan seems to have been bungled and several workmen are back, disgusted.

Burra Institute. The half-yearly meeting of subscribers. There are 2,830 books, which is the same as last year. The financial position is sound and the Building Fund is in credit to £50-17-3.

IX, 662, 12 July 1887, page 3

‘Multum in Parvo’ writes a letter asking ‘Which of our butchers go in for dog poisoning’.

IX, 663, 15 July 1887, page 2

Notice. The partnership of William Liston, James Shakes & John Lewis, trading as Liston, Shakes and Co., Auctioneers, General Commission Agents and Stock Salesmen, is dissolved. The business will continue as Shakes & Lewis.

Birth: to Mrs H.T. Burgess at Kooringa Wesleyan Parsonage on 13 July, a son. [Leonard Harris Burgess]

Teetulpa. A Roman Catholic Church has been opened.

Migration. In the last week at Pt Adelaide 118 more came than departed.

Broken Hill. A 21⁄2-column report on the Broken Hill mine is reprinted from The Advertiser.

IX, 664, 19 July 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s Fund stands at £113-9-9.

Another £23 would enable the work to be completed to Aberdeen.

Railways. Plate laying from Cockburn to Silverton has begun.

Migration. The population outflow seems to have been reversed.

Burra Show Society shows no signs of resurrection.

Australia Day. 26 January to be an Australasian Holiday to commemorate the first settlement of Europeans on the continent of Australia.

Payment of Members Bill passes the House of Assembly.

Football. Last Saturday about 30 turned out for a scratch match. 4 twenty-minute quarters were played, but neither side scored a goal.

Burra Town Council. The Commissioner of Public Works has revealed that the cost of pumping water to the railways at Burra is <1/- per 1,000 gallons. The lowest price the Corporation has offered to supply the Government was 1/6 per 1,000 gallons. The Engineer-in-Chief alleged that the Corporation water was inferior to the other, but it is well known that the water from the Bon Accord was used by the Railway Department for years.

The Jubilee Avenue. The Mayor has decided to extend Jubilee Avenue to Aberdeen, which would increase the cost to about £135 all told.

Burra Waterworks. The committee recommends that the guarantees for 1886 be called up at once and that the Government be charged 1/0 per 1,000 gallons and that the Council only renew the lease if the railway gets its water from the town works.

IX, 665, 22 July 1887, page 2

Accident. A 9-year-old son of W. Bentley was running behind a trolley and on the driver whipping him off he ran aside and was run down by a horse and dray, breaking an arm and badly bruising a leg. The practice is common and dangerous. [James Bentley born 1879.]

Accident. On Tuesday morning Mr Penrose, a drover, and two other men were driving a trap into town along Kingston St when a wheel came off. The horses bolted along Commercial St and the two passengers were thrown out, but the driver held on and managed to halt the horses in front of the hospital. The men were not hurt. On the way home in the afternoon the horses bolted at about the same place and the driver was thrown out at the bridge at Diprose’s Ck and was unconscious a short time. He could not find the horses and trap till the next morning when he found the trap capsized about five miles from the bridge. The horses had returned to the camp where one of them died.

Further Offences with Stray Animals

P. Lane 1 goat 5/-

T. Parks 1 horse 5/- + 2/6 costs

T. Parks 1 horse 5/- + 2/6 costs

W. Lasscock 1 cow 5/-

G. Mayger 1 horse 5/- + 2/6 costs

[The two Parks items may be separate occasions or perhaps one is a misprint for a different animal.]

IX, 666, 26 July 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s Fund now stands at £114-9-9.

Subdivision of Land. The Commissioner of Crown Lands has refused to offer smaller blocks by lease in the Hundreds of Bright and Baldina.

Weather continues excellent for crops with frequent showers.

Burra Waterworks.

Messrs Holder and Rounsevell waited on the Commissioner of Public Works on Thursday last to ask that the Railways Dept. take water from the Burra Waterworks at 1/6 per 1,000 gallons instead of maintaining separate works. He has promised an early reply.

Mr W.H. Rosman is leaving the district.

IX, 667, 29 July 1887, page 2

Advt. F.W. Holder places an advertisement to form a Rifle Club.

Advt. Ironmine Primitive Methodist Church anniversary will be celebrated 31 July and 1 August. Sermons by F.W. Holder.

W.H. Rosman was farewelled at the Institute on Tuesday when 40-50 gentlemen assembled to present him with an address. He has been a resident for nearly 22 years and is moving to Adelaide. Mr Lane was in the chair for Mr Holder whose Parliamentary duties had taken him to Adelaide. Mr Rosman was thanked for his efforts almost 18 years earlier to get the railway extended to Burra and also for his services as manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia for 13 years. He was also prominent as treasurer and secretary of the Burra Mechanics and Miners Institute and had been a churchwarden and sat on various church committees over the years as well as playing a major role in the construction of the new St Mary’s church. He had been a strong promoter of the Burra Hospital. Many people spoke in warm support of his actions.

IX, 668, 2 Aug. 1887, page 2

Excursion Fares to the Adelaide Exhibition have been extended to 30 September.

The Mayor’s Fund is now at £116-12-3 and the amount required is c. £135.

Burra Town Council is to repeat its request that the Redruth Police Paddock be surveyed into workingmen’s blocks.

British & Foreign Bible Society annual committee meeting was held and decided to send a £17-10-0 donation to the parent society. P. Lane retired as President and was succeeded by Dr Sangster, with W. Davey as Secretary and P. Lane as Vice-President and Treasurer.

Burra Co. VF has had its annual inspection. Chiefly through removals the company has reduced from 86 to 61 of whom Gen. Owen inspected 53 on Saturday (including 3 from Terowie).

Jubilee Avenue work is proceeding as fast as posts arrive.

Chess. The Burra club played Saddleworth last Thursday by telegraph, six men a side. Burra won 4 to 2.

IX, 669, 5 Aug. 1887, page 2

Snow fell at Hallett on 4 August.

Poison has been laid in the streets to kill dogs by a person or persons unknown. This is against by-laws and is dangerous to children.

Robbery. Mrs Thomas of Paxton Square was robbed of £11 from her unlocked house while attending the Salvation Army service on Tuesday evening. A dog belonging to Mr R. Kenley, a near neighbour, was poisoned at the same time.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist special annual services were held last Sunday 31 July and on 3 August the usual annual dinner was followed by a concert at the Institute. Total proceeds were £37-5-9.

The Penny Bank began operation at the Burra Public School today. Interest to be 1⁄4d p.a. for every complete shilling. [c. 2.1%] When the balance reaches £1 the depositor will be assisted to open an account in his or her own name at the Savings Bank.

Machine Shearing is being demonstrated at the Exhibition: as patented by Mr Wolseley of NSW.

Unemployment is common in Burra again.

IX, 670, 9 Aug. 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s Fund has reached £117-12-3.

Jubilee Exhibition. A committee has been established to raise money to send all of the town’s children to the exhibition.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. met on Saturday 6 August. School represented were: Acklin’s Corner, Burra, Copperhouse, Daviestown, Hallett, Hanson [Farrell’s Flat], Manoora, Mintaro Station [Merildin], Saddleworth, Spalding and Tothill’s Belt.

Flood. A big flood is coming down the River Murray.

Parliament. There is a proposal to move to single member electorates.

Railways. The Serviceton Railway Station on the SA Border has cost £30,000.

Offences. Straying animals continue to cause trouble.

William Prosser 2 horses each 5/-

Mrs Jeffrey Pearce 2 cows 5/-

Mrs Turner 1 goat 2/6

Charles Schutz 2 horses 10/- +5/- costs

George Mayger 1 horse 5/-

J.W. O’Brien 1 cow & calf 5/-

Football. Last Saturday two sides were chosen from those that turned out. W. Phillips’ side 7.0 defeated G. Herbert’s side 1.0.

IX, 671, 12 Aug. 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s fund has reached £118-3-3.

Children’ Jubilee Committee. A meeting was held last Monday at the Institute to arrange to take the Burra children to the Exhibition. Special admission charges of 3d each and 6d for accompanying adults are available. Other costs will be 2/6 for travel and 6d for a meal. The number of children is estimated at 400-500.

John Lewis JP moved that it was desirable to take all the children that wanted to go to the Jubilee Exhibition in the month of October and that the ages be between 7 & 15. Rev. S. Gray moved an amendment that there be a local demonstration as he thought very small children should be able to participate. P. Lane seconded and said he thought the original idea was too large an undertaking, which could not be carried out in safety. The amendment was lost and the motion carried.

Dr Brummitt said the first step was to get correct numbers involved and find out how many were prepared to pay their own way. Mr Lewis proposed a subscription list, which he would head with a donation of £5-5-0. A strong committee headed by the Mayor and Councillors was appointed.

IX, 671, 12 Aug. 1887, page 3

The Payment of Members Bill has passed its second reading in the Legislative Council.

Railways. Holder spoke in the Parliament against moving the break of gauge from Terowie to Petersburg: mainly because of the large capital already invested in infrastructure at Terowie.

IX, 672, 16 Aug. 1887, page 2

The Mayor’s Fund has now reached £127-4-6, but the sum required has also been revised up to £150. [The target at the start had been £70!] The recent entertainment had raised £9-1-3.

Advt. The household effects of George Mayger will be auctioned tomorrow as he has removed to Broken Hill.

Weather. From Gawler to Pt Augusta is experiencing the best season ever.

Accident. Last Saturday, Walter James, son of Mr S. James of Burra got his right hand caught in a chaff cutter at Baldina and has lost the first three fingers and the top of his thumb.

Entertainment. On Friday 12 August the Terowie Amateur Dramatic Club staged Byron’s Weak Woman. It was well done and the costumes were very good. The lack of a proscenium and dressing rooms however, placed the performers at a disadvantage. Over £9 was raised for the Mayor’s Fund. There is a review, which extends c. 1 column.

Jubilee Avenue planting has started.

The Penny Bank now has 164 accounts.

IX, 672, 16 Aug. 1887, page 3

Football. Sides were chosen on Saturday for a scratch game. Wade’s team 2.4 defeated Fordham’s side 1.8.

Charles Todd, the Government Astronomer writes at length on the season’s rainfall and gives data for the past years in Adelaide.

IX, 673, 19 Aug. 1887, page 2

James Harry writes a letter suggesting that aged people on Government relief deserve the same treat as children with respect to the exhibition.

Advt. W.H. Hardy: Chimneys swept on the shortest notice.

Letter to the editor in working class or ‘lower horders’ dialect, satirising their propensity to throw money at cheapjacks.

Street Trees. The new plantings are doing well.

Railways. The railway is expected to reach Silverton in two weeks and Broken Hill in ten.

IX, 674, 23 Aug. 1887, page 2

Advt. Sale of household effects of John Kennedy who is moving to Teetulpa.

The Mayor’s Fund has reached £127-14-6.

Mr Albert Butterworth is leaving Burra. The choir of St Mary’s and other members of the church thanked him for his services as choirmaster over the last 18 months and some 30 subscribers presented him with a gold albert chain and locket. [The article gives an incorrect date for these events, saying they happened on Sunday 27 Aug. when the paper was the 23 Aug. In any case the 27th was Saturday.]

Burra Town Council. The Mayor reported that the final cost of Jubilee Avenue, which was about double the original length that was proposed, would be £177-18-2. This leaves about £50 to be raised.

Mr Thow still objects to using Corporation water at the railways, claiming that firstly it was unsuitable for the engines and secondly they already employed an engine cleaner who attended to the pumping without extra cost.

A sample of both waters will be sent for analysis.

With reference to reserves let in Aberdeen. They were let to Mr Dunstan, Mr Bentley and the Lawn Tennis Club. Cr Killicoat moved they each be charged 1/- p.a. Cr Sampson moved an amendment that they be charged 5/-, but the original motion was carried.

The Payment of Members Bill has passed the Legislative Council, but with the unacceptable amendment that it take effect after the next election.

Advt. The Bishop of Adelaide, Dr Kennion, will preach tonight, 23 August, at a confirmation service at St Mary’s.

Football. There is not much action now as many players are away and most are looking toward the cricket season. The scratch match on Saturday was described as uninteresting. [To the extent that no results are given.]

IX, 675, 26 Aug. 1887, page 2

Advt. Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary next Sunday 28 August with Grand Tea & Public Meeting on the Public Holiday, Thursday 1 September. MOONLIGHT

Advt. Special Services for Kooringa Bible Christian Church next Sunday with Tea & Entertainment on Wednesday.

Mayor’s Fund at £127-19-6.

Workingmen’s Blocks. The Crown Lands Dept. advises that 20 acres of the Police Paddock will be preserved for police purposes and the rest offered in blocks of 5 acres each.

Sara & Dunstan have secured the contract to build the Silverton Courthouse.

Mr G.B. Hall, the secretary of the Burra Chess Club, has been playing in the International Chess Congress now taking place in Adelaide and despite a cold he is doing well.

W.H. Hardy writes protesting against the new protectionist measures of the SA Government and citing statistics from NSW & Victoria to back his views.

IX, 676, 30 Aug. 1887, page 2

The SANRA Firing Matches

Sergeant Watts won 3rd place in the Championship Match (£8)

Private Dixon won the gold medal and £5 in the Match for Efficients.

Private Cooksley & Private Rabbich won £1 each in the Nursery Match.

Weather continues to be excellent for the crops.

Battalion Drill at Balaklava next Thursday.

Jubilee Avenue. Mr C.W. Newman of Water Gully, Houghton, has donated 25 sugar gums for the avenue in recognition of business done in the district this year. Planting of the avenue will be finished this week when c. 700 trees will have been planted. (And several hundred elsewhere in the town.)

Mrs Kennedy is leaving the town for Teetulpa and the Catholic choir met to wish her well on Thursday evening last with an excellent tea and a presentation of 4 volumes of Crown of Jesus’ Music Book in appreciation for her work with the choir of St Joseph’s. A social evening followed.

Railways. Traffic is expected to be through to Silverton on or about 5 September.

IX, 676, 30 Aug. 1887, page 3

The International Chess Congress has been won by Mr H. Charlich of SA with 71⁄2 games. He gets £50 and the Championship of Australasia.

Messrs Tullidge of Victoria and Hall of SA tied for 5th place with 4 games each and divided the £5.

IX, 677, 2 Sep. 1887, page 2

Advt. SAR will issue return tickets at the cost of single fares for Adelaide only, from all stations having resident staff, from 13 June to 30 September inclusive on account of the Jubilee Exhibition. Children under 14 at quarter price. Return any day within two months of day of issue. Break of journey not allowed except when necessitated by train arrangements.

Advt. FIRE, FIRE, FIRE

CHIMNEYS SWEPT

On the shortest notice

by W.H. Hardy. Kooringa

Advt. Foresters’ Dinner and Entertainment,

Wednesday 7 September at Commercial Hotel 3.30 p.m.

Grand Entertainment at the Burra Institute.

1st half includes the farce Make Your Wills.

2nd half concludes with the farce Pulling Teeth by Steam’.

Editorial on Mr Rees and the affair of the connection of the Engineer-in-Chief with the Silverton Tramway co. and other matters. Mr Rees has tried to affix on the Engineer-in-Chief the stigma of having received bribes, without any proof. So far his efforts have rebounded upon himself. A select committee has been appointed.

2nd Leader on the Situation in Europe: specifically on the issues in the Balkans.

Bible Christian Church held special services on Sunday taken by Rev. Hancock and Rev. H.T. Burgess. Wednesday dinner and concert in the Institute were very poorly attended, no doubt due to poor weather. Proceeds £30.

Mining mania continues with much speculation in shares. From Burra many have gone and more are going to Broken Hill.

IX, 678, 6 Sep. 1887, page 2

Jubilee Avenue. H. Sewell of Payneham Nursery has donated 25 Tooart Gums. The work so far has cost £180 and 800 trees have now been planted at 4/6 each. There is still £50 to raise.

Adelaide Exhibition. The plan for taking the children to the Adelaide Exhibition is progressing. The 7 October is to be the day.

Volunteer Forces. As no agreement has been reached on the uniform for the Battalion the General has been asked to decide. It is expected he will choose scarlet tunics with buff facings.

The Broken Hill Railway will be opened on 16 September.

T. Bentley has refused to pay rent on the reserve looked after by him.

Burra Cricket Club met on Tuesday, but little was achieved: a further meeting is called for tonight.

IX, 679, 9 Sep. 1887, page 2

Advt. Mr David Sterne will lecture at the Institute on 12 Sep. on The Objects and Working of the Industrial School for the Blind. The Mayor will take the chair. (Mr Sterne is himself blind and there will be a collection for the school.)

Burra Bicycle Club was formed at Aberdeen on 8 Sep. 1887. President, H. Roach; Captain, H.J. Beames; Bugler, D.J. Harfield; Secretary, C.J. Tiver. There are 8 members.

Mr Frank Latter, who shot himself at Terowie some time ago, has partially recovered. The bullet is in his skull somewhere and the right lobe of his brain is severely wounded, portions of it have exuded. He is paralysed on the left side and his right eye has had to be removed. He is conscious, able to converse, and remembers the shooting.

Larrikinism broke out in town last Tuesday night and carts were removed from premises and scattered around the main street, posing a danger to travellers. Signboards were removed and other articles scattered about.

An inquest was held on 6 Sep. into a fire, which destroyed the Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Broken Hill, killing Thomas Francis Herrara and John Dawson. Thomas Herrara, 31 and unmarried, was born in Burra. He was a blacksmith, though not employed as such. He left SA some 8 years ago. Dawson was a navvy from the Silverton Railway Works, aged 45. His wife and 4 or 5 children live at or near Tarlee.

The Foresters’ Dinner and Entertainment was well attended despite the very muddy streets. A ball followed the entertainment.

IX, 680, 13 Sep. 1887, page 2

A Grand Cake Fair has been arranged in the Institute for 5 Oct. with the aim of aiding the Mayor’s Fund.

Burra Institute. Mr Wittber’s class for young men opened on 3 June and ran on ten evenings till 8 August. Lessons were given on mental arithmetic, reading and spelling. 60 different young men attended at one time or another. Attendance varied from 51 to 9 with an average of 21.5. About half a dozen seem to have benefited significantly, but the class eventually died of indifference.

The mining boom continues.

Miles Moorhouse, once of Burra, has been ordained a missionary to New Guinea for the London Missionary Society.

Mr Sterne’s lecture last night drew about 400 and the collection raised £3-10-2.

IX, 680, 13 Sep. 1887, page 3

The District Council of Burra has nominated Mr P. Lane for the Midland Road Board, if he will consent.

IX, 681, 16 Sep. 1887, page 2

Notice. The partnership of Halls & Bromley of Kooringa, Cabdrivers, (F.E. Bromley and Thomas P. Halls) has been dissolved and T.P. Halls will continue alone.

Burra Bicycle Club has organised a procession for tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Aberdeen. The cyclists intend a run as far as Sod Hut to leave from the Royal Exchange Hotel.

Broken Hill Railway. The rails reached Silverton last Saturday.

Mining boom. SA is suffering from ‘scrip mania’.

W.H. Hardy inveighs against Queen Victoria’s refusal to lay a foundation stone for a hospital in Aberdeen (Scotland) because she wanted the funds to go to the Imperial Institute.

IX, 682, 20 Sep. 1887, page 2

Advt. For Sale: the stock-in-trade, household effects etc. of the White Hart Hotel, as Mrs Mowat is removing to Adelaide.

Editorial on the opening of the railway to Silverton last Friday. This and the connection soon to Broken Hill effectively annexes the Barrier mineral district to SA.

‘Of course the fact is patent to all that the opening of this new line means a death blow to the prosperity of Burra, whose chief trade for years has been with the north-east of South Australia and with the west of New South Wales and south-west of Queensland . . .’

But the development of the mineral interests could never have been done by teams. A population of nearly 10,000 in the area comes mostly from SA.

Not only has the Barrier district afforded employment for otherwise unemployed people in the colony, but tradespeople almost everywhere have benefited from the circulation of the cash derived from these. Bad as times have been, they would have been much worse, but for the Barrier.

Messrs E & W. Hackett have given the Mayor a dozen cork elms for planting in Burra.

A Bolt. On Saturday a pair of ponies and a trap belonging to Messrs Drew & Co. were left briefly outside Mr Charles Drew’s gate on Limestone Hill. Something startled them and they bolted down the hill and at the bottom were unable to turn the corner and ran into Dr Sangster’s garden opposite. The horses cleared the fence and dragged the trap after them before stopping. Though smashing the fence neither horses nor trap were injured.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary was celebrated Sunday and yesterday, Monday 19 Sep. Rev. A.E. Telfer from England preached and was much appreciated. He also spoke at Redruth on ‘The Boys of Derry’ and tomorrow at Kooringa will speak on ‘London, the City of Contrasts’.

The Barrier. Last Friday the Ministerial Party reached Silverton about 10.30 a.m. but there was no one to meet them. They then drove to Broken Hill, inspected the mine and returned to Silverton. In the evening a banquet was held at Tantram’s Hotel with 60 gentlemen sitting down. The proceedings closed at a late hour when the Adelaide party left by special train. The trip from Silverton to Adelaide took 14 hours.

Samuel Drew & Co. of Kooringa are having a galvanised iron store erected at Eurowie NSW by John Pearce of Burra. It will be the largest and most substantial building on the field.

Burra Town Council. The Mayor reports that the water analysis is incomplete and another quart from each source is needed.

Burra Bicycle Club. Six took part in the outing on Saturday afternoon last and Sod Hut was reached about 4.00 p.m. after a 3.00 p.m. start. No refreshments except water were available. They left for Burra about 4.10 and arrived about 5.00 p.m. at Kooringa.

IX, 683, 23 Sep. 1887, page 2

Advt. Tenders are called to cart wool from Caroona to Burra Railway Station, at per ton, distance 30 miles. Contractor to cart not less than 120 bales per week. The number of sheep to be shorn is about 40,000. Shearing will commence 1 Oct. 1887.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary services Sunday and Monday next. Mrs Tassell. A lady from Adelaide will preach.

Weather. A severe dust storm was followed by half an inch of rain on Wednesday.

Kooringa Wesleyan Anniversary was celebrated very successfully. All congregations were large. The loss of population was affecting all of the churches, but Kooringa Wesleyan income had matched expenditure. Financial proceeds including subscriptions were c. £100.

IX, 684, 27 Sep. 1887, page 2

Advt. St Mary’s Sunday School annual picnic will be held at Princess Royal on 28 Sep.

Ironmine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 2 & 3 October.

Adelaide Exhibition. The committee overseeing the children’s excursion has changed the date to 14 Oct. Those issuing tickets will close their lists on 3 Oct. All sales and all donations are to be finalised by 3 Oct. At least 500 children and caretakers will go. Donations are over £30, which includes £10-10-0 each from Mr J. Lewis JP and Mr J.M. McBride JP.

Employment. Miners are wanted in Broken Hill.

Depopulation of Burra threatens to proceed steadily.

IX, 685, 30 Sep. 1887, page 2

Railway Timetable from 1 October 1887

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.09 a.m. 7.16 a.m.

3.47 p.m. 3.52 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.50 a.m. 11.57 a.m.

9.29 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

Advt. At Pearce’s Hotel, Kooringa

Friday Oct. 7 Shakes and Lewis will sell by auction

“The MATERIAL in the old ENGINE HOUSE

and BOILER ROOM at the Bon Accord Mine.

Mr W.H. Pearce, Ironmonger of Commercial St, has a large consignment of brushware of all descriptions from the school for the blind.

St Mary’s. The Anglican Sunday School picnic at Princess Royal on 28 Sep. was a great success. The weather was delightful and the sports were enjoyed.

IX, 686, 4 Oct. 1887, page 2

Advt. In aid of the Jubilee Avenue Fund Mr Glynn MP will deliver his popular lecture on ‘Woman’ at the Institute on Friday 21 Oct. Music by Mr H.R. Holder of the Adelaide Liedertafel.

Revision of the voting rolls.

Legislative Council Roll goes from 1398 to 1368

House of Assembly Roll goes from 2536 to 2434

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church anniversary on 25 & 26 Sep. was the occasion of some impressive preaching by Mrs Tassel. The public tea was not largely patronised, but the following meeting was.

Offence. On Friday last a man arrived at the Burra Hotel on a grey pony, which he then sold for £4 along with the saddle and bridle for another £1. It was subsequently found to have been stolen from the manager of the Bank of Australasia at Gawler. The thief is believed to have gone to the Barrier.

Cake Fair tomorrow is aid of the Mayor’s Fund, for which £50 is still needed.

‘Wanderer’ echoes others who have expressed some dismay at the way Adelaide accumulates the wealth of the colony - especially apparent in the Jubilee Year with all and sundry flocking to the Exhibition and spending up while there.

Advt. W. Anderson. Shoe Shop of Commercial St. Clearing out sale as he is leaving the district.

IX, 686, 4 Oct. 1887, page 3

Football. [Quote apparently from Melbourne]

‘One of the daily papers is actually publishing portraits of some youths who have been conspicuous in playing football. This is making a perfect farce of journalism’.

Burra Town Council. There is no news yet on the water analysis question.

IX, 687, 7 Oct. 1887, page 2

Advt. J. &. E. Hosking, Having decided to relinquish Business in Burra and devote the Whole of their attention to the Broken Hill branch, will offer the whole of their well assorted STOCK at Cost Price for CASH. Oct. 6 1887.

Advt. Burra Children’s Jubilee Demonstration Excursion to Adelaide Exhibition on Friday Oct. 14. Kooringa children assemble in Market Square at 5.30 a.m. to be conveyed to the station. Aberdeen and Redruth children meet at the station. Special train leaves at 6 a.m. and leaves Adelaide to return 5 p.m.

Birth: to Mrs W.H. Pearce on 3 October, a daughter. [Registered for 2 October as Mildred Pearce]

Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The Mayor has supplied a medal commemorating the Queen’s Jubilee to each child in the town and there was a large distribution at the public school yesterday by Mr Wittber.

Rabbits are doing immense damage to crops in the Hundred of Nackara and are spreading rapidly. Sparrows are also a problem.

The Cake Fair exhibits were very good with a very large variety of all manner of desserts as well as cakes. Vocal and instrumental items accompanied the display. At 9 o’clock the items were auctioned. The door takings amounted to £5. Mrs Both won ten first prizes and the bracelet that was offered for that distinction.

IX, 688, 11 Oct. 1887, page 2

The Cake Fair ended up producing £12. The mayor’s Fund has reached £147-12-0 and about £180 has been expended, leaving £32-8-0 to be raised.

Burra Town Council met on Saturday and again on Monday 10 Oct. and revised the assessment. Reductions have been made varying from 10 to 30%. Due notice will of course be given.

Burra Teachers’ Association 10th meeting was held on Saturday 8 Oct. at Manoora School. Schools represented: Black Springs, Burra, Manoora, Mintaro Station, Saddleworth, Spalding and Waterloo. It was unanimously resolved to join the Teachers’ Union.

The Children’s Jubilee Exhibition Excursion will involve about 200 teachers and other adults and 500 children. No children under the age of 7 will be allowed on any account, including babes in arms. The detailed instructions provide for two adults to every eight children in a compartment. Children’s names will be recorded on a card to be given to the headmaster at the Riverton stop. The train will run right into the Exhibition Grounds - arriving at 10.00 a.m. The extra adults will not be required to keep with the children, but must re-enter the train in the Exhibition Grounds. At noon on the lawns the children will receive a paper-bag containing a roll, a saveloy, a bun, an orange, and will get a cup of tea. Adults are to make their own arrangements. The children will assemble again before 4 and be addressed by the Mayor of Adelaide and the district MP before boarding the train, which must leave at 4.25 to arrive at 8.30. The train must not be late or it will have to run behind the regular train, which would delay it till 10.00. Parents should provide all children with food to eat on the journey in both directions and warm wraps for chill air at either end of the day.

A Public Meeting was convened by the Mayor at the Institute last Friday, 7 Oct., in response to a requisition. About 70 attended to discuss the issue of protection.

Cr Anderson was voted into the chair.

T.W. Wilkinson said they had assembled to protest the proposed tariff. The inconsistencies and unfairnesses were much discussed and the fact that it was not really protection to tax items that could never be made in SA - merely a way of extracting money - often, or generally, from those least able to afford it.

The motion against the proposed tariff is long and detailed and was passed without dissent.

Depopulation. Burra people are still leaving.

Obituary. Mr F. Hinde, late Colour-Sergeant to the Burra Co. VF has died. [Frederick Hinde, born 12 August 1864; died 9 October, aged 23.]

Midland Road Board has elected S. Dawson from Waterloo as the new member.

Adelaide property values are beginning to rise again. A block opposite Parliament House that went begging a few months ago at £4,000 was sold this week for £13,000 and a large coffee palace will be built on it by Victorian capital.

IX, 689, 14 Oct. 1887, page 2

Advt. Burra Burra Mines. Several houses and fences in Kooringa, the property of SAMA, having been wilfully damaged and portions of same stolen, I hereby notify a reward of £5 will be paid for information leading to a conviction.

William West, Agent. Oct. 12 1887.

Burra Floricultural Society met on 11 Oct. with Dr Brummitt in the chair. It resolved that the flower show be on 11 Nov.

Gold was discovered at Wonna near Terowie and 30 claims have already been pegged. Silver near Euriowie looks very promising. (In the Barrier area of NSW)

Strike action has been taken on the Pt Adelaide wharves.

Letter from ‘Well-Wisher’ re Sabbath breaking by young men - especially those who wander through town on Sundays with kangaroo tails as evidence of their activity, surrounded by kangaroo dogs - as a lesson to their younger townsfolk.

IX, 690, 18 Oct. 1887, page 2

Ulooloo. Mr Price claims to have found the reef. [Previous gold found there had been alluvial.]

Port Adelaide. The labour dispute at the wharves is moving towards a resolution.

Children’s Jubilee Exhibition Excursion.

Cr Sampson has offered a £1-1-0 prize for the best account written by a child of last Friday’s trip to the Exhibition. Mr J. Lewis JP has offered 10/6 as a second prize and Hugh McCallum a third prize of 5/-. The papers must not bear the writer’s name, simply a word or motto and be in to the Mayor by 1 Nov.

The excursion passed of on Friday without a single hitch. The whole town was astir early on Friday with lights in windows and bells ringing and whistles blowing. Cr Sampson arranged for a fleet of vehicles to take children to the station. The train of seven carriages and a brake-van was one carriage shorter than expected. Forms were placed in the brake-van to make room for all. The engine was decorated with wreaths of flowers. The crowds of onlookers made loading a little more confused than was planned, but all was ready for departure at 6.05 a.m. with 455 children and 175 teachers and other adults. A contingent of 43 joined at Farrell’s Flat. Adelaide was reached only a few minutes late and the train then moved to the Exhibition Grounds, being the first passenger train to do so, arriving just after 10.00 a.m. Entrance money of £9-12-6 was paid by Mr W.B. Rounsevell. The children were identified by ribbon badges bearing the inscription ‘Burra Children’s Jubilee Demonstration, October 14, 1887’. Lunch was taken at noon. At 4 they were addressed by Mr Holder who announced the competition cited above. The Adelaide Mayor was unfortunately otherwise engaged. The trip home was pleasant reaching Burra shortly before 9.00 p.m.

IX, 690, 18 Oct. 1887, page 2-3

Letter from J. Cooksley of Farrell’s Flat, complaining that the Farrell’s Flat contingent were hurried into the brake-van with little air or light until Riverton, when one door was opened, but near Adelaide it was again closed and they endured the heat till the Exhibition Grounds, ‘w[h]ere one poor woman fainted’.

The return was equally miserable except for two women who managed with bad grace to be accommodated in a carriage. The lack of the extra carriage should have been attended to Thursday night. Despite suggestions to discomfort was not shared around.

[The editor comments that telegrams were sent about the extra carriage, but to no avail, and several of the committee and Burra children also went down and back in the ‘break’. The little crowding, which might have been expected, was part of the fun to many.]

There were 670 persons in the train overall. [Actually 673 according to the figures cited.]

IX, 690, 18 Oct. 1887, page 3

Burra Town Council. At last the Mayor has the water analysis.

Railway Well Waterworks Well

Solids 6.49 grains per gallon Solids 9.21 grains per gallon

Temporary Hardness 13 degrees Temporary Hardness 13 degrees

Permanent Hardness 18.5 degrees Permanent Hardness 32 degrees

Total 31.5 degrees Total 45 degrees

These waters are not harmful to boilers, but will form hard scale, which can be partly avoided by adding small amounts of carbonate of soda.

Cricket. No signs yet of the Burra Cricket Club.

Burra Bicycle Club rode to Mt Bryan last Saturday.

IX, 691, 21 Oct. 1887, Page 2

Advt. At Burra Institute, Thursday 27 October.

Entertainment in aid of the Burra Brass Band. Instrumental Music by W.S. Harvey and the Burra Brass Band.

Editorial on Australasian Progress.

Though 1886 was about as bad a year as possible there is some hope it was the worst of the depression. The editor goes on with some economic analysis of debts, income, imports, exports etc.

Mayor’s Fund at £148-2-0, leaving £42-18-0 to find.

Frank Latter, who attempted to commit suicide at Terowie on 14 August, has been discharged from the Burra Hospital, having been bound over to keep the peace beforehand.

James Bennetts was farewelled from the Bible Christian Church on 19 October. He is going to Broken Hill. He has been a local preacher and Sunday school teacher. He has been a member of the church in Kooringa for 32 years.

Silverton Tramway plate laying is proceeding at 3 miles per week.

W.H. Hardy writes against the Government’s tariff proposals.

IX, 692, 25 Oct. 1887, page 2

D. Ross the American auctioneer will give a varied entertainment in the Institute tonight. Half the proceeds go to the hospital.

Mr Killicoat is being asked to stand for Mayor.

Mayor’s Fund now at £150-17-6, leaving £39-2-6 to be found.

Mr Glynn’s lecture on Woman, was only fairly attended. It went well, but of the takings of £3-13-6, £3 went in expenses.

Burra Children’s Jubilee Demonstration Committee met on Friday.

Expenses £87-19-0

Ticket sales raised £57-18-0

Donations £61-13-0

Total costs £119-11-0

Credit balance £31-12-0

Several suggestions were made for using the balance, but a decision was deferred.

Competition in step dancing, singing and apple dumpling eating tonight.

‘Wanderer’ [Hardy] writes against re-legalising the Totalizator: saying it will not reduce the number of bookmakers and will get more people into [financial] trouble and gaol than it is possible to estimate, as an authority in Adelaide has recently observed.

IX, 693, 28 Oct. 1887, page 2

Birth: to the wife of James Kelly at Pleasant Valley, Watervale on 25 October, a daughter. [Mary Ella Kelly]

Broken Hill. Reports from the new manager of Broken Hill Mines, imported from America, suggest a very bright future for the mine with at least 700,000 tons averaging 32 oz of silver plus deposits of lead and other minerals.

Burra Public School. The pupil teachers’ examination results are out and all the young teachers from Burra passed. Masters Archibald Wade, William A. Dow, William A. Bentley, Misses Charlotte A. Clode and Annie A. Phillips appear in the lists.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 23 & 24 Oct. Rev. J. Goodwin of Moonta preached to good congregations. 120 sat down to tea on Monday afternoon, which was followed by the public meeting. Both the church and Sunday school were suffering severely from the removals to Broken Hill and elsewhere. Collections, tea and donations raised almost £33-10-0. The debt on the property of £725 will be reduced by about £50 this year.

Copper. The market is looking up.

IX, 694, 1 Nov. 1887, page 2

Advt. Grand Bazaar in aid of the Residence Building Fund of St Joseph’s, Kooringa.

Thursday 3 Nov. to Monday 7 Nov. at the Burra Institute, to be opened by His Grace the Archbishop of Adelaide the most Reverend C.A. Reynolds. 1/- returnable in goods.

Municipal Elections are only a month away and so far no candidates have come forth. Retiring are the Mayor, Cr Tiver, Cr Anderson, and Cr Sampson.

Will Cr Killicoat consent to run for Mayor?

British and Foreign Bible Soc. Annual meeting was held in the Institute 28 Oct. Rev. S. Gray presided in place of Dr Sangster, the President. The meeting was addressed by Mr Chester, the deputation, from the Adelaide branch.

Letter from William Dowling SJ of St Joseph’s complaining that a person or persons are taking wood from the Sisters’ convent. Their income is so small that this is a dastardly act.

IX, 695, 4 Nov. 1887, page 2

Municipal Election. P.L. Killicoat and John Sampson are to run for Mayor.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services will be held next Sunday and the tea meeting is on Wednesday 9 Nov. (The Prince of Wales’ Birthday)

Accident. On Tuesday morning Willie Bush (10) of the Redruth Gaol and other boys were playing in the ruins of the Smelting works when he fell 12-14ft from a gallery and broke both arms above the wrists. He is progressing favourably.

Cricket. There was a match last Wednesday afternoon on Brewery Flat. The Burra Club had some difficulty in getting a team together and Young Australians had to provide some fielders for them. Young Australians scored 71 and 2 for 112

Burra scored 35 with its 9 men. The match will be concluded later.

Burra Band. A concert was held last Friday night to aid the Burra Band. Attendance was good, but could have been better. An excellent program was put together by W.S. Harvey of Salisbury.

The Great Northern Railway is to be extended from The Peake to Angle Pole.

[The Peake Station is west of Lake Eyre and Angle Pole is near Oodnadatta]

Obituary. Mr J.M. Holder, father of F.W. Holder MP, died on Tuesday after a long illness. [James Morecott Holder, aged 63.]

IX, 696, 8 Nov. 1887, page 2

Rabbits. The invasion of rabbits from the north-eastern fringe country is very serious.

Tennis. A lawn tennis match between Burra and Clare will be played tomorrow at Mr Packard’s residence.

Mr P.M. Glynn MP will give a lecture on Thursday evening at the Institute in aid of the St Joseph’s Residence Fund on ‘Ireland - A Retrospect and Prospect’.

The Mayor’s Fund. The amount expended is £183-6-4 and the total raised to date is £166-13-6 after receiving half the balance from the Children’s Demonstration Committee, of £15-16-0.

Burra Floricultural Society, annual flower show next Friday.

Weather. Some more general rain has damaged some hay and delayed reaping, but in our area the crops will benefit and feed is very abundant, but there are complaints along the eastern lands of an invading army of rabbits. There was spectacular lightning last Friday to the south, but too distant to hear the thunder.

The Roman Catholic Bazaar offers the range of stalls of a country fair and has been very well got up. It continues tomorrow.

‘Wanderer’ calls for a careful approach to the Mayoralty. Voters should get to know the candidates and perhaps propose another and realise that the future will be difficult with, among other problems, the white elephant of the Waterworks to contend with.

IX, 696, 8 Nov. 1887, page 3

The Mayoralty. Burra, it seems will have a contested Mayoralty for the 1st time in seven years.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor reports that the commissioner of Public Works has decided not to use water from the Burra Waterworks for the railway engines. He advises that the Council should continue the lease for three months from 31 December to give the Council an opportunity of reducing the present debit balance. The final decision will be left to the new Council.

Of the Mayor’s Fund he said the Town Clerk said the actual expenditure had been £183-6-4, leaving £16-12-10. The list would remain open till 19 Nov. when the Mayor would make up any deficit.

He felt disappointed that despite some support many of whom it was anticipated had not donated.

Mr Glynn’s lecture was poorly patronised and appeared likely to have created a debit. The £15-16-0 from the Children’s Jubilee Demonstration was for a drinking fountain to be placed in the Avenue. [Permission for this was granted.]

The next meeting of Council would be the last of the present Council.

Necessary repairs to the pump in Market Square were ordered.

The Council has inspected the reserve in Aberdeen where Mr Ridgway has used 9,000 gallons of water for which he has not paid. There was also the question of a hose, and piping used on the fence, both of which were paid for by Council.

No decision was reached on any of these issues.

Ratepayers’ Meeting. A meeting of North Ward ratepayers was convened by Cr Tiver in response to a requisition. It met at the German Chapel last Saturday and c.16 attended. A. Bartholomæus took the chair.

Mr Rayner proposed Mr W.T. Rabbich to replace Cr Killicoat who is to contest the Mayoralty. Cr Tiver 2nd. Carried.

Cr Tiver proposed Mr T. Davis as W.T. Rabbich’s colleague. Mr Rabbich 2nd. Carried.

Mr Rabbich will stand, but Mr Davis is considering the matter.

Cr Sampson was present, though not a ratepayer of the ward. He said he had always been opposed to the Waterworks and said Mr Brown and Mr Rayner had been instrumental in getting them.

‘Mr Rayner had been almost individually responsible for them and a greater wrong was never perpetrated in the town of Burra that those waterworks’.

Mr Rayner asked the chairman to make a note of those words. The chairman:

‘No I will take no note of anything.’

Cr Sampson was sure he would be elected Mayor and The Avenue, waterworks and tree watering would be dealt with at a general meeting of ratepayers.

IX, 697, 11 Nov. 1887, page 2

Advt. The Service of Song, Samuel, will be repeated by special request in the Redruth Wesleyan Church next Sunday at 3.00 p.m. A flower service will be held in the morning.

D.J. O’Leary will stand as councillor for West Ward.

Burra Prospecting Co. will hold a meeting in the Commercial Hotel on 11 Nov. at 4.00 p.m.

Railways. The Government estimates allow for:

‘Platform and lamp, Daveystown, £110.’

‘Passenger station Hallett, £366.’

Children’s Excursion Essays. The works submitted were judged by Revs J.S. Wayland, W. O’Dowling and H.T. Burgess. First prize went to ‘Happiness’ by Mary Clode, second to ‘Advance South Australia’ by Robin Dunville Morton and the third to ‘Full Bloom Rose’ By Ada Gray. R.D. Morton is above school age: the others go to the Burra Public School.

IX, 697, 11 Nov. 1887, page 3

Hallett Institute Annual Sports were held on 9 Nov. Only about 250 attended this year. The running track was good; the bicycle track wretched and full of ruts, but the bicycle race was the most exciting of the day. The race over three miles was won by P. Gleeson from scratch. (£2-10-0)

Lawn Tennis. The Burra v. Clare match on the Burra Club Court near the Smelting Works was held on 9 Nov. and Burra 11 sets 77 games defeated Clare 3 sets 46 games.

IX, 698, 15 Nov. 1887, page 2

Municipal Elections. As requested the Mayor, F.W. Holder, called a meeting of council contenders for Monday 21 Nov. at the Institute.

Elders Wool & Produce Co. Ltd. opens a branch in Burra, run by Mr Bagot lately of Messrs Liston, Shakes & Co. of Kooringa.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services on 6 Nov. were very successful and so was the tea meeting. The Service of Song was repeated last Sunday to a good congregation.

Rabbits. Professor Watson’s report on rabbit destruction by disease before the House of Assembly on Thursday considered experiments with the parasite Sarcoptes cuniculi: rabbit scabs. This does not affect sheep, humans, dogs, horses or cattle. The effects on marsupials are not yet known.

Mr Glynn’s lecture on Ireland is reported. It drew a ‘fair house’.

Jubilee Avenue Fountain is expected this week.

The Wheat Harvest looks very good for this year.

‘A Wanderer’ says that most Mayors and Councillors have got their positions in order to improve their own properties and with one or two exceptions the bulk of the rates have been spent within a stone’s throw of ex-Mayors’ or ex-Councillors’ holdings. The town has had foisted on it a waterworks which will not pay the interest on its cost of construction, though it was to have been a great success. Either all the ratepayers will have to subscribe to it (when they have unsurpassed wells of water of their own) or it will be given to the Government who will declare this a water district and force all to pay.

Another white elephant is the Recreation Ground, which can never pay for itself and serves the interests of only a few.

He also believes the proposed expenditure at Hallett and Daveystown is a waste of money.

Burra Floricultural Society. The Flower Show was a great success and as well as wonderful flowers there were good examples of lemons, strawberries, currants and raspberries. Roses were also better this year.

[Personal interest. Prizes included the following for W. Fuss - i.e. H.C.W. Fuss

12 Antirrhinums 1st & 2nd 6 Double Petunias 3rd

3 Antirrhinums 1st 12 Annuals 3rd

3 Gladioli 1st, 2nd & 3rd 6 Annuals 1st

3 Carnations 1st & 2nd 3 annuals 1st

1 Carnation 1st 12 Flowers any kind (outdoors) 2nd

1 Picotees 2nd 6 Bulbous or tuberous 1st & 2nd

3 Everlasting Flowers 1st & 2nd 1 Bulbous or tuberous 1st & 2nd

1 Everlasting Flower 1st & 2nd 1 Climber 1st & 2nd

1 Pelargonium 3rd 3 Delphiniums 3rd

3 Single Zonales 3rd Cactus 3rd

6 Double Zonales 1st & 2nd 6 Single Petunias 1st & 2nd

3 Double Zonales 2nd 3 Single Petunias 2nd

3 Phlox Drummondii 3rd 1 Single Petunia 1st

12 Verbenas 3rd

3 Verbenas 2nd

And Mrs W. Fuss 1st for Bouquet for Table, 2nd for Bouquet for Hand and 2nd for Bridal Bouquet.]

IX, 699, 18 Nov. 1887, page 2

Advt. Temperance Hotel Aberdeen, late White Hart Hotel

Board and Lodging 15/- a week

Advt. Three advertisements for Sampson as Mayor

‘Against Killicoat and Cave.’

‘Have no humbugs, and don’t allow Office Bearers to have the ruling for Dummy Leaders.’

Editorial expressing concern for the consequences for Europe and the world over the discovery that the German Crown Prince had throat cancer. He was known to have strong British sympathies, but his heir is young and said to have a bias towards Russia. The present Emperor is over 90.

The totalizator. Attempts to legalise the totalizator have been abandoned for this session.

IX, 699, 18 Nov. 1887, page 3

Mt Bryan East Bible Christian Sunday School anniversary was celebrated 6 & 7 Nov. with fair congregation on Sunday and fair patronage on the Monday.

Stoats and weasels are being sent from England to tackle the rabbits.

IX, 700, 22 Nov. 1887, page 2

Advt. Whyte-Yarcowie Annual Athletic Sports January 2nd 1887. [Error for 1888]

Advt.

Richard Snell begs to intimate that his BATHS

In Quarry-street, Kooringa are open from 6 a.m.

To 9 p.m. daily except Sundays. Admission -

Adults 6d; children 3d; or fortnightly

tickets - Adults 2s. children 1s.

N.B. Thursdays are reserved for ladies only.

Mr Snell has been getting excellent results in his large garden in The ‘Paddock’, Kooringa, by means of irrigation with upwards of 300 fruit trees and he also cultivates vegetables, raising water with a windmill. He saw that the irrigation water would be no less valuable if it were first passed through a bath and he has consequently built one 15’ deep by 42’ by 3 to 6’ deep. Fresh water runs in constantly with the overflow used for irrigation. The baths are roofed and have two dressing rooms.

Snakes are numerous this year and easily lost in the abundant feed. Mr J.G. Lehman lost a cow on Saturday to snakebite in the Brewery Paddock.

Accident. Charles Cherry (16) was caught in a mowing machine at Mt Bryan and will probably lose his left leg, though the right one is doing well.

The hay crop is nearly all cut and the grain is ‘topping off’ grandly. Reaping is still a few weeks away.

The Jubilee Avenue Fund is now closed and Mr Holder has paid over to the Town Clerk the balance of £16-12-10 that was unsubscribed plus his pledged £1-1-0 (£17-13-10 in all)

Street Trees. People are asked to give a bucket of water a week to the young street trees in front of their houses.

Burra Public School.

Compulsory certificates were awarded to:

Annie Bush Arthur Forder William Harris

Rowland Wilkinson Murray Scott Alfred Turley

Albert Jordan Hedley Drew Thomas Drew

Copper. The price is still rising. Is there hope for the old mine?

IX, 700, 22 Nov. 1887, page 3

The Midland Road Board held its last meeting on 15 Nov.

Burra Town Council: The Mayor’s Report for 1887

The year 1887 was one of severe depression throughout the colony. The completion of the railway from Petersburg to the Barrier Ranges has heightened the depression locally. Burra must expect further loss of population and business. Some money has been saved by making the stationmen inspectors: saving a salary. Town revenues are falling and Government subsidies are on the point of ceasing. Next year we will receive all local licence monies and other fees in return for getting the responsibility of maintaining all roads in our boundary. We shall receive from the Government an annual allowance, which will probably allow three stationmen to be paid to maintain the main roads and other thoroughfares.

This year started with a debt of £382-11-2 on the general account and ends with one £182 less as estimated to 31 December.

The depreciating value of properties in Burra means that the old assessment was

£14,431-4-0 and the new assessment £12,034-10-0.

£100 of bonded debt was repaid this year. [£200 bond falls due on 1 April 1888]

The subsidy for public works was £513.

North Ward has seen road forming in Sancreed St and Gaol Rd and near the railway station. There has been kerbing in Morehead St etc.

East Ward work has been mainly kerbing in Chapel St, Bridge Tce, Quarry St, George St and Welsh Place.

West Ward also saw kerbing in Chapel St, Kangaroo St etc.

Tree guards have been moved to the newer plantings.

Jubilee Avenue

[Note: this is a detailed account of this enterprise and the best account of it I have found anywhere.]

Jubilee Avenue was designed as the town’s memorial to the Jubilee of both the colony and of H.M. the Queen. The Mayor felt any such memorial in Burra should include work for the unemployed. Charity often does not relieve the most deserving and work was what was needed.

Some time ago it was planned to complete the formation of the eastern side of the road from the Mine Bridge to Kooringa. The formation of a footpath with a row of trees on either side would be an immense improvement, but beyond the means of the rates. The proposal was to do it without using the rates by employing men at 5/- a day over 2-3 months. [The money to be raised by subscription etc.] First though it was necessary to define the western side of the road. The Road Board was requested to do so and it agreed and it was done. The western side then had to be cut back to its correct place, which varied from 1 to 4 feet from the existing alignment. The soil etc. from this formed the filling on the east side which then only required the removal of an old fence and levelling. A double line of post and wire fence was needed to enclose the new footway. The Mayor suggested a row of sugar gums on the creek side and of white cedars along the road.

The distance was 26 chains with an estimated cost of £70 with trees coming from the Forest Board. The Mayor did not suggest this be dignified by the name of a Jubilee Memorial, but thought ‘it would be memorable as having been carried out during the jubilee year’. When it was adopted on 6 June it became known as Jubilee Avenue on the motion of Captain Killicoat. The Council began spending the money and the Mayor set about raising it. He got 81 subscribers and several entertainments were got up by ‘public spirited gentlemen’ to aid the cause. Ultimately the work was extended to more than double the length originally proposed. SAME gave £20 and Mr McCulloch £10, Mr C. Furniss £5 and the Children’s Demonstration Committee gave £15-16-0 for the erection of a drinking fountain. £166-13-6 has been raised and the Mayor has made up the balance to the £183-6-4 actually expended. Some small work and supervision by the daymen has been paid from ordinary funds. The North Ward dayman was paid for eleven days out of the Ward Funds. Future control will lie with East Ward.

Waterworks

These have been under the Town Council control for nearly three years on a lease from the Government and they have this year made a considerable loss due to:

Decreased consumption due to falling population

Decreased consumption due to a wet year

The Railways Department reverting to using its own well for engine water

Costs have been reduced somewhat, but the Government interest could not be reduced and it is presently 5%.

Railway consumption would turn the deficit into a credit, but the Mayor has been unable to achieve that and an analysis of the two sources of water supports the Railway Department’s choice.

Mr Holder saw no alternative but to ‘throw up the lease’, though that will be a decision for the newly elected council.

‘I would advise that the lease should be renewed for three months to enable the Council to make up the deficit of £142-12-9 which now exists, and then finally surrendered.’

‘A sum of £249 is due to the Government, but the current water account assets and outstandings balance this.

Scavenging

This year scavenging has been done to the satisfaction of ratepayers. No serious epidemic has been present and the sanitary condition of the town is good.

Cemetery.

Necessary repairs have increased the cemetery debt from £19-17-7 to £29-5-6.

The Recreation Ground

This is not being much used, but it will become more attractive as the trees grow.

Finance.

The present Council leaves office with a debit balance of £141-9-10, which is an improvement of £241-1-4 on last year. [These figures accord with the opening debit, of £382-11-2, but seem at odds with the £182 improvement mentioned at the start of the report, though that was estimated for the end of the year.]

The Mayor thanked Councillors, and the Town Clerk, Mr J.D. Cave.

Cr Sampson, in moving the adoption of the Mayor’s report had a few minor reservations.

IX, 701, 25 Nov. 1887, page 2

Advt. The Whyte-Yarcowie Athletic Sports meeting advertisement is amended to 2 Jan. 1888.

Municipal Elections

Despite all the previous campaigning when nominations had to be lodged at the Corporation Office last Thursday the only nomination for Mayor was that of Philip Landor Killicoat.

For East Ward Councillor Henry T.H. Morris

For West Ward Councillor Daniel J. O’Leary

For North Ward Councillor Henry Pinch

Thomas Davis

William T. Rabbich

Only North Ward will thus require an election.

IX, 701, 25 Nov. 1887, page 2-3

Letter. E. White of Hallett Public School writes at great length [11⁄2 columns] on agricultural practices of the day. He is against burning stubble, but has an incredible theory about the power of the moon in drawing particles of vapour into the air from dead sheep, cattle and horses, causing a low pressure and the consequent inflow of air causes rain. So gases from dead animals caused the rain that broke the drought. Once wet the land becomes richer and retains more moisture and can ‘powerfully rarify the atmosphere’.

It is not the rainfall that makes the districts rich, but the other way round. Sacrificing animals by sending gases into the air was thus an actual benefit (as cited in the Bible). Stocking the land increases its fertility.

[This and other wonderful processes are described in some detail.]

IX, 701, 25 Nov. 1887, page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting, at the Institute, 21 Nov.

F.W. Holder in the chair. On the platform: P.L. Killicoat & John Sampson, candidates for Mayor with T. Davis, H. Pinch, W.T. Rabbich, H.T.H. Morris, D.J. O’Leary & retiring Cr Anderson.

The Mayor read the main items of his report.

J. Sampson agreed with the report, but for the Jubilee Avenue, which he said was incomplete and whose trees would not grow in the made soil.

He was against the Waterworks and always had been - there had never been a greater waste of money. They were not necessary and handing them over to the Government was not a solution. The water was unfit to drink and killed plants. The Waterworks should ‘be got rid of’. The deficit should be met from the guarantors.

Ct Tiver supported Sampson on the Mayor’s actions, but thought if they gave over the Waterworks they would be taxed more by the Government. He was concerned over the £200 bond due next year. He thought a 1⁄4d levy per head of cattle sold might raise the money.

The mayor replied that he had not said that Cr Sampson had promised anything for the Avenue - he was one of only four who had refused a donation.

P.L. Killicoat agreed with holding the Waterworks till next March. The Government had dealt unfairly by ceasing to use the water for the railways. They would receive a grant of 5/- in the £ for every £ spent on main roads before the 1 June. As for the Avenue he felt they should have either let all wards contribute to its upkeep, or increased the Park Lands rate.

Cr Sampson said it was nonsense to say they could keep the Waterworks till March. The Hydraulic Engineer, Mr Mestayer, said if he took them over he could make them pay. Cr Anderson had been to the fore in reducing water rates and now the deficit was the result. He had been told the Government could only rate those where the mains passed by and could only do so when it was declared a water district. The sooner they got rid of the Waterworks the better. If elected he would see the salaries of officers employed lowered. The Town Clerk’s would fall from £80 to £50. He would have Jubilee Avenue left to the whole town, not just to East Ward and would not spend money watering trees. The eastern row of trees would simply fall over in the unconsolidated earth.

W.T. Rabbich had some ideas on reducing expenditure and supported the idea of a levy on animals sold in the town.

IX, 702, 29 Nov. 1887, page 2

Editorial on the Corporation. The Town Council had now been in operation for 111⁄2 years and each year had seen an advance. After some early scandalous waste of money the income has on the whole been well spent and not just in a few favoured localities. We have a bonded debt, but for every £ borrowed £2 has been spent and with the ceasing of Government subsidy it is now seen that this was the right thing to do at the right time. The only disputes this year had been a minor one over Jubilee Avenue and the Waterworks. In the Jubilee Avenue there are four rows totalling 800 trees and only a few trees in the second row are in dispute. [About being on unconsolidated ground.] These trees, taking into account all associated works cost about 4/7 each to plant, which is less than half the cost of those in streets with tree guards. We see no reason to worry about future costs - they will need only a little water as those in other streets get and for that there is enough money.

2nd leader on the naval defence of the colony, clearly setting out the alternatives of supporting an Australian Fleet as worked out at the recent Imperial Conference in London, or of maintaining the Protector and a torpedo boat. The writer favours the latter option, but the house of Assembly favours the former and the matter is now with the Legislative Council.

Star Thistle has broken out in the local area, especially along the Burra Creek and grasshoppers are a problem particularly in the Hallett area, but the ichneumon fly, which lays its eggs in grasshoppers, is plentiful and small birds are also doing their job.

Polo. The opening match of the Burra Polo Club was played on 26 Nov. near the Bon Accord Hotel. [One team is referred to as Burra, but the other is not named.]

Players Bowman (Captain) scored 6 Murray (Captain)

Lewis scored 2 Shakes

Sandland Ford

Lockyer

Mr Lewis showed the best form of the Burra players.

The play of Bowman & Murray was far superior to that of the Burra players and their side won 8 to nil

[This last sentence doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the description.]

Burra Public School. Official visit of the Town Council last week.

Copper is up to £62 per ton.

The Foresters’ Sports will be held on 28 December.

W.H. Hardy writes about technical education. He was against teaching specific trade skills, which might have threatened those in apprenticeships, but was in favour of a more general scientific education as in agriculture, chemistry and the like.

IX, 703, 2 Dec. 1887, page 2

Redruth Court, 30 November.

Thomas Kitchen fined 5/- for each offence for twice allowing cows to stray in Kooringa.

Jane Clode fined 2/6 for allowing a cow and calf to stray in Redruth.

Ralph Bartle was charged on 21 November with embezzling £2-4-0 from the Corporation of Burra.

The Town Clerk, John Darby Cave, said that Bartle was then engineer of the Burra Waterworks and on 21 November failed to hand over £2-4-0 paid to him by W.H. Batchelor and did not report the receipt of the same. He left Burra on Saturday without leave. There may be, as he claims, £7 due to him in wages, but this does not give him the right to deduct any money he collects because wages are due.

W.H. Batchelor produced the receipt for the money.

Henry Thomas Eaton [Policeman] said when the defendant was arrested at Burra Station on 29 November he said he had not embezzled anything: all the money collected was in a drawer at his house. He said he believed it to be £2-13-9. But the money was not there. He said he had been down to pay it over, but could not as Mr Tiver was talking to the Town Clerk. Bartle said he was hardly likely to abscond with £2-4-0 when the Council owed him £7. He did not apply for leave of absence as the matter was very urgent and arose after office hours.

The Bench dismissed the information. [But see the Town Council report for 5 December in the paper of 6 December 1887.]

Obituary. John Ridley, inventor of the reaping machine, has died. [1806-87]

IX, 704, 6 Dec. 1887, page 2

Birth: to the wife of P.L. Killicoat at Abberton Park on 29 November, a son. [Arthur Lander Killicoat]

Editorial on those who leases fall in 1888 and the Government over the meaning of value of improvements, for which they were due compensation. The Government argued for the valued of the actual improvement less depreciation, while the lessees argued for the improved value of the land due to the improvements. This was no small difference as a £500 well might in some places increase the value of the property by £5000. A Bill based on the Government’s very narrow interpretation was introduced, but in the end a compromise by Mr Rounsevell saved the day. This does however, only deal with water improvements which does not resolve other issues.

2nd Leader on the anti-Chinese legislation passed in the Assembly last week. The editor believes the whole issue needs much more and much deeper investigation than it has been accustomed to receive.

The Dry Creek Smelting Works will be formally opened this week. They are intended to give great impetus to smaller mines in the Barrier are of NSW or elsewhere in SA.

Rain last week extended well to the northeast and filled dams and waterholes.

‘Tribune’ writes condemning the waste of money by the Council in litigation in the Bartle case when there was no evidence.

Burra Town Council, 5 December.

Results of the election:

Mayor P.L. Killicoat

North Ward Davies

Pinch

West Ward D.J. O’Leary

East Ward W.T.H. Morris

North Ward councillors took no active part in proceedings, their election not having been gazetted yet.

The Waterworks

The Town Clerk reported that the engineer had left on Saturday and they had taken proceedings against him as decided at the special meeting of Council.

On Tuesday the Town Clerk, Mr J.D. Cave, had taken over the Waterworks and placed Mr Simpson in charge temporarily. It had been found on examining the books that £36-8-0 was owing to the Council by the engineer and he was given notice to pay that amount.

He had paid some on Saturday and the balance that morning.

Cr Pearce considered that Mr Bartle had placed himself in a very suspicious position by going away and by offering to pay back £2 when he must have known he had a large sum in his possession.

Cr Davis thought he could easily mislead ratepayers by giving false receipts.

The books, receipts and meters will be inspected.

The Mayor suggested testing water from Mother Gilbert’s Well and the Market Square Well because the Waterworks lease was coming up for renewal soon.

Mr Simpson said tests some time ago showed Mother Gilbert’s Well was not strong enough and Cr Pearce said he did not think the Market Square Well had sufficient water for the town either.

The mayor assured Mr Pinch that the Government had said it would take the water if it were suitable.

Cr Pearce said a special meeting of Council had suspended Mr Bartle and he moved that Mr Simpson continue in charge until an officer is appointed. Carried.

The meeting was deemed ‘special’.

IX, 704, 6 Dec. 1887, page 3

‘Wanderer’ [Hardy] writes on several topics and among them the anti-Chinese movement. He says some want to blame the Chinese for all the country’s woes, but reminds them that the Chinese work for what they get whereas the SA Land Company does nothing and yet draws over £60,000 annually from the colony. He believes the present land ownership system has a far greater pernicious effect than all the Chinamen, Jews and Germans in the colony.

IX, 705, 9 Dec. 1887, page 2

Advt. Yarcowie Annual Sports will be held 2 January 1888.

Editorial. The three strings of the SA economy, wool, wheat and copper, have all been depressed, but now wool and wheat have improved and copper maintains the position, which has seen share prices rise. This better position in all three will infuse new life into SA enterprise. Crop prospects look good.

2nd Leader on the Madame Limousin scandal then afflicting French political life.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Circuit. The quarterly meeting noted falling membership due to removals. The circuit had a debit balance of £18-15-0. Rev. S. Gray accepted an invitation to remain for the third year.

‘Anti-noxious Weed’ writes to urge destruction of the star thistle before it seeds.

‘L.W.H.’ writes urging church amalgamation in view of Burra’s declining population.

‘A Voice from Hallett’ writes protesting against the editor’s encouragement of Chinese migration. The writer would [even] prefer to see more Aboriginals because the Chinese:

Are idolaters

Contribute only £3 p.a. to general revenue compared to the average of £16.

Will cause, through their increased presence, a need to double police numbers.

They will be welcome, he says, when they are Christianised.

[The editor protests it is not fair to interpret his plea for common justice to Chinamen as encouraging further Chinese settlement.]

Redruth Court, 7 December.

Information against Thomas Edwards for a stray cow was dismissed.

William Prosser was fined 5/- for allowing 2 horses to stray.

Thomas Woollacott was fined 5/- for a similar offence.

Martha McInnes was fined 5/- for 2 stray goats in Paxton Tce.

IX, 706, 13 Dec. 1887, page 2

Advt. Yarcowie Annual Athletic Sports, 2 Jan. 1888.

Sheffield Handicap 135 yards, 1st £8, 2nd £3, 3rd £1-10-0 and 4th 10/-. Nominations 3/6, acceptance 2/6.

Other main events were the 220 yards handicap hurdles (1st £2-2-0) and the mile handicap (1st £2-10-0).

[Note that Whyte-Yarcowie was the name of the railway station at the town of Yarcowie. The town became Whyte-Yarcowie in Sep. 1929.]

Cricket. The planned match between Young Australians and Burra on Saturday last had to be cancelled when Burra was unable to field a side. The Burra Cricket club seems to be almost defunct.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. held its 11th meeting at Burra School on Saturday 10 Dec. with representatives from Acklin’s Corner, Burra, Copperhouse, Davieston [i.e. Hanson], Hallett, Hanson [i.e. Farrell’s Flat], Manoora, Mt Bryan and Saddleworth.

Burra Sales are growing in size.

Foresters’ Sports have attracted 31 nominations for the Burra Sheffield Handicap and 14 for the Xmas Handicap, with 15 for the Bicycle Race.

The Broken Hill Railway is to be handed over from the contractor this week.

Star Thistles. The Town Council has ordered thistles cut and destroyed on its property.

Burra Town Council. The Council has to consider what to do about the Waterworks. There was a great waste of money in laying mains - sometimes at 31⁄2” when a gas pipe would have sufficed. The Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, thought the interest on capital was too large and if the Commissioner was truly informed a reduction might be made. There was also a need to reduce expenditure and possibly to return the price of water to 6/- from 5/-. He also thought the Government might need water this summer for the Broken Hill area.

Cr Pinch moved that the Waterworks be handed to the Government when the lease expired.

The Mayor said if it were made fit to drink they would pay. A special meeting needs to consider the matter carefully.

Cr Pearce thought ratepayers should be consulted.

Cr O’Leary thought every other angle needed consideration before surrender of the lease.

Cr Pearce moved that the Town Clerk write to the Commissioner to see if the Government would grant an extension of the lease for three months. Carried.

IX, 707, 16 Dec. 1887, page 2

Excursion Fares

Adelaide to Melbourne & return:

1st class £4-2-6, 2nd class £2-12-6

Adelaide to Sydney & return:

1st class £7-6-3, 2nd class £4-19-0

Cheaper excursion fares were available from Melbourne to Adelaide and return for December 2 & 9, returning by 5 Jan. 1888. These were to encourage Victorian visitors to the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition.

Christmas Holidays.

Shops will close Monday 26 Dec. to Wed. 28 Dec. and on Monday 2 Jan. 1888.

Entertainment. The Flower Queen will be performed at the Institute on Boxing Day, 26 December.

Advt. Worley’s Combination of Japanese and European Artists, 17 &19 Dec. at Burra Institute. Front seats 3/-, back seats 2/-.

Editorial on the rabbit scourge, which has swept in and in places seen the land stripped bare. Terowie has been very badly hit.

Burra Burra Polo Club will play a match tomorrow on the ground near Messrs Drew & Co.’s store Aberdeen.

Rifle Match. A handicap match, open to allcomers, will be fired at the Burra range next Wednesday, 21 Dec. Entries close at noon on Monday.

The return rifle match between five civilians and five members of the Burra Co. VF was fired on the range on Wed. afternoon: Volunteers 234 defeated Civilians 144.

Burra Cricket club met at the Burra Hotel on 12 Dec. to reorganise and reinvigorate the club. Captain, W. Fox; Vice-Captain, A.H. Jennings; Practice Captain, W.H. Linkson; Honorary Secretary & Treasurer, W.E. Frith.

Letter from [Dr] R. Brummitt about the allegation that the Bon Accord water is unfit to drink. Compared with rainwater it has a slightly brackish taste, but it is perfectly safe and useful for drinking purposes. Of course there are some branches of the main pipe from which little water is used and these blind ends must be opened often to allow stagnant water to escape.

IX, 708, 20 Dec. 1887, page 2

Advt. Splendid assortment of Christmas presents and Christmas cards available at J.A. Watts, Commercial St.

Advt. The Flower Queen December 26 & 27

Admission 2s & 1s (ON ACCGUNT [sic] OF BAD TIMES)

The Jubilee Exhibition closes on 7 Jan. 1888.

Copper prices are up. A few tributers want to go on at the old mine.

IX, 708, 20 Dec. 1887, page 3

Burra Town Council. There has been as yet no definite ruling from the Commissioner of Public Works on the Waterworks, either with respect to the request to extend the lease for three months or on anything else. It was decided to appoint the Town Clerk at £65 p.a. One dayman was appointed at 6/- a day. The cemetery curator was appointed at £80 p.a. and a scavenger at 10/- a day.

Mr Ridgway is to be charged 3/- per 1,000 gallons for water used on the Aberdeen reserve.

Cr Pearce said the two reserves used one meter and he asked how the quantity was to be divided. There seemed to be no answer to this.

Cr Harris moved that the street lamps be dispensed with. The one erected in Market Square to prevent accidents was now unnecessary and Redruth only had one because Kooringa did. Carried and the lamps to be placed in safekeeping.

[The ‘Redruth’ lamp may have been in Aberdeen at the Royal Exchange Hotel Corner.]

There was a petition to open up Mill St to the mill, which would need about one chain of road making, but eliminate the need to keep in repair a longer and less convenient road.

Cr Harris moved that the Government be asked to grant the Council the piece of land in question. Carried.

IX, 709, 23 Dec. 1887, page 2

Advt. The Foresters’ Demonstration Wednesday 28 Dec.

Pic-Nic and Sports at Aberdeen

Paddocks of Messrs Morris, Sandland & Barritt

On the Main North Road

& Grand Entertainment Institute Hall in Evening

under the patronage of P.L. Killicoat, Mayor.

Music by Doble’s String Band

Concludes with the Sparkling Comedy ‘Dying for Love’

2/- & 1/-

MOONLIGHT

Christmas Cheer. To be distributed among the residents of Burra on Christmas Eve:

1,500 lb of beef, mutton and lamb and 13 cwt of potatoes.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary will be celebrated next Sunday and Monday.

Rifle Match on Wednesday was fired in bad light and uncertain wind, which produced poor scores. 1st was Lieut. Butterworth, 2nd Pte C. Parks and 3rd Mr W.E. Sandland.

Accident. As Rev. J.S. & Mrs Wayland were nearing the mill on their return from Kooringa on Tuesday they were in the act of stopping when their buggy was run into by Mr Kemble’s trap which was following. The buggy was overturned and Mr & Mrs Wayland precipitated into the street, though fortunately without serious hurt. The trap did not come off so well with broken shafts and bent ironwork.

Burra Wesleyan Circuit.

The quarterly meeting of the circuit was held in Kooringa on Tuesday last. F.W. Holder was elected representative to the ensuing conference. Dr Brummitt and J. Dunstan were appointed circuit stewards. The deficit is over £40 a quarter and can’t continue. The debit balance is now at £223. The circuit is to be divided: Kooringa, Baldina and World’s End will form one circuit and Redruth, Leighton and Copperhouse will combine with Davieston and Stony Gap from the present Hanson Circuit to form another. As Redruth has no parsonage, Kooringa will assume responsibility for the circuit debt at the time of division.

Burra Hospital. An entertainment of carols, readings and musical selections was held at Burra Hospital on Tuesday evening. St Mary’s Choir attended and the Mayor provided a string band. Mr Packard chose two humorous readings, which were appreciated.

The Broken Hill Railway will open officially on 12 January 1888.

The Avenue. When will the fountain be erected in The Avenue?

IX, 710, 30 Dec. 1887, page 2

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, Sunday & Monday.

Mr Holder to preach 2.30 & 5.30 Sunday. Monday public tea 5 p.m. and meeting 7 p.m.

Kooringa & Redruth Wesleyan Churches Watchnight Services, 31 December, 11 p.m.

Mr Crewes is selling his household effects as he is leaving the colony.

Editorial Review of 1887.

1887 was not as disastrous as its predecessor: 1886 had been marked by financial, commercial and moral panic.

The year saw the South Australian International Exhibition of Arts, Industries and Sciences, which though not a Government enterprise, was favoured by it. It was the responsibility of, and managed by, the private sector, though the buildings will remain mostly as Government property. There were c. 700,000 admissions.

Economic recovery has been slow, but perceptible and on a sounder basis.

The season is propitious.

The Alma and Victoria Mine (Waukaringa) promises finally to deliver real dividends.

The riches of the Barrier will contribute to SA’s prosperity through the new rail connection.

Politics saw the introduction of a new tariff, which increased protection.

The payment of members of Parliament was passed for next year.

With some difficulty the Upper House was induced to pass a tax bill based on the old higher land values and decreased the untaxed amount from £300 to £200.

[The editor then discusses the political situation elsewhere in Australia, in the Empire, and finally in Europe.]

Locally there were no special events in 1887.

The loss of trade through the depression has been exacerbated by the construction of the Broken Hill railway, which has taken away the north-east trade.

Rising copper prices might have offered some hope, but it is now widely believed that the old mine will never work again unless under new owners.

At the election F.W. Holder and W.B. Rounsevell were elected and our late representative, Dr Cockburn, found a constituency at Mt Barker.

Mr Holder has given way to Mr P.L. Killicoat as Mayor at the end of the year.

The present demand for labour has given some hope that the unemployment trouble is past.

We have lost many local identities who have moved on to other places, most perhaps to Broken Hill.

Burra Town Council. The Government has agreed to extend the lease on the Waterworks for three months.

The Primitive Methodist Tea was well patronised and their Sunday school anniversary also went well.

The Flower Queen performances were well patronised and successful.

IX, 710, 30 Dec. 1887, page 2-3

Foresters’ Demonstration & Annual Pic-Nic was held about 1⁄2 mile north of the station on 28 December. The morning was warm and it looked like a disagreeable day was to follow. The crowd must have been over 1,000 and the gate was over £18. The running track was good, but the cycle track was cramped. The hop, step and jump was a gift for A. Lott and the forced handicap over 150 yards was a present for H. Dawson. Other events were well contested. H. Lewis won the Sheffield Handicap and the £10, while W.S. Smith carried off the 1st prize in the bicycle race (£4). This race over 3 miles had eleven starters, which were too many for the cramped track, and a number of falls resulted.

IX, 710, 30 Dec. 1887, page 3

‘Wanderer’ on Christmas in Burra.

Christmas began on 24 Dec. with a distribution of food to the needy by the Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, Dr Brummitt, Mr W. Pearce Jun., Mr W. Killicoat and the Benevolent, Soc. Of the Wesleyan Church.

The shops were well stocked and busy and bright with extra lamps, candles and Chinese lanterns. Christmas tunes could be heard from Mr Wheatley’s able musicians and the can-can ‘Fire Away’ of the Salvation Army grated in the ears of all visitors to Market Square. Crowds began to disperse about 10 p.m.

Christmas Day was marked by services and the real holiday began on Boxing Day. The morning saw little activity except children letting off Chinese crackers. In the afternoon there was the Primitive Methodist annual tea with the Burra Brass Band. In the evening at the Institute there was the Primitive Methodist meeting and entertainment and the Salvation Army meeting in Market Square, which were, all well attended. Later some were still carousing and hotel trade was apparent.

The 27 Dec. was very quiet except for some action at the bars, but at noon it was announced that Professor Hyland, the wild bullock rider and horse tamer would show off his skill at the Bon Accord Yards at 4 o’clock, but this turned out to be a tame fizzer.

The 28 Dec. was the great athletics day with the Foresters’ Picnic and Athletics.

Copper is still rising in price: £88 a ton at Wallaroo.

The Town & Country Bank. Nearly all the capital has gone.

The Broken Hill Times waxes sarcastic over the speed on the new narrow gauge railway.

It ‘believes that goods often perish by the way during the long transit by locomotive funerals between Terowie and the Barrier.’

Broken Hill Mines require 200,000 feet of sawn timber per month from Wirrabara.

Literary material 1887.

An Old Man’s Darling continued from 1886 and ran from 4 January to 11 January.

Miss Angel began 11 January and ran till 15 March.

The Whithered Apple [sic] by Justin McCarthy was printed on 18 March and there was no literary material on 22 March.

The Last of the Haddons by Mrs Newman began on 25 March and ran till 8 July.

The Storm of Life by Hesba Strutton began 8 July and ran till 2 August.

What She Came Through began 5 August and was unfinished at the end of the year.

Characteristics of the 1887 Paper.

Page 1

As usual there were large advertisements mixed with some smaller ones. Some were local and others not.

Page 2.

Small advertisements, especially of stock sales and auctions, with public notices and market reports.

Editorials of considerable scope are regular features.

Short local news items follow with a column headed ‘Items’ which carried very brief reports which were sometimes quite cryptic, though less so to the locals of the day, of course.

There were also regional reports and sports results.

Page 3.

Small advertisements. The news here was usually general and not local and was mixed with non-fiction articles of general interest.

Page 4.

The literary page, which was mostly a serial, but sometimes, had a short story, poem etc. There were also patent medicine advertisements and a very large self-advertisement for the paper and printery.

In general a reasonable cover of local news, but not more than a weekly paper used to supply.

Numbering of issues of the paper in 1887.

1887 began with Volume VIII, Number 608 on 4 January 1887

and ran to

Volume VIII, Number 658, Number 658 on 28 June 1887 and then

Volume IX, Number 659 on 1 July 1887

and ran to

Volume IX, Number 710 on 30 December 1887.

IX. 710 (2), 3 January 1888, Page 1 [Second use of No. 710]

Advertisements: [Those marked * also appear in the issue of 2 November 1888.]

*Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers, Kooringa

[But in November as Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd.]

F. Gebhardt Baker, Kooringa

*W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

*S. Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

*Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

*D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

*H.T.H. Morris Salesman & Commission Agent, Burra

*W.E. Sandland Salesman & Commission Agent, Burra

*E. Barritt Salesman & Commission Agent, Burra

*Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith, Gasfitter, Bell-hanger,

Commercial St

*W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder & Undertaker, Commercial St

*W.H. Batchelor New Christmas Cards for 1887 [sic!] Musical

Instruments, Brushes, Paints, Paperhangings, Borders,

Colours etc. opposite the Commercial Hotel

*W.H. Pearce Tinsmith, Galvanised Iron Worker, Tank-maker,

Commercial St

*F.W. Holder Pianos and American Organs, Record Office

*Thomas Kitchen Groceries, Crockery, Glass & Tinware, Fruit,

Adjoining the Bank of Australasia

*T.W. Wilkinson Aerated Drinks, Seeds, Books, Cards [Dispensary]

E.A. Moore Organs, Kooringa

IX. 710 (2), 3 January 1888, Page 2 [Second use of No. 710]

Advertisements:

J. Both Agent for W.R. Cave & Co., Grain & General Merchants

*Richard Snell Public Baths, Quarry St

Temperance Hotel Late The White Hart Hotel, Aberdeen

Board & Lodging 15/- per week

Alex Harris Wood & Chaff Yard [Kingston St]

J. & E. Hosking Closing Down Sale [From early October 1887]

Due to removing to Broken Hill

IX. 710 (2), 3 January 1888, Page 3 [Second use of No. 710]

Advertisements

*T. Edwards Draper & Clothier, Kooringa

*August Miller (Late of W. Henderson & Co.) Shoeing & General Smith

(In the premises lately occupied by J. Hutson)

*D. Jones Coach-painter, Sign-writer, Decorator; Quarry St

*Harry & Burns Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths,

next to the Commercial Hotel

*James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Aberdeen

near Sara & Dunstan

*Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

*J. Snell Agent for Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Co.

*F.W. Holder Organs and Pianos, Record Office

*Thomas Nicholls Watchmaker, Clockmaker, Jeweller

nearly opposite the Commercial Hotel

Dempsey, Wilkinson &

Sandland Auctioneers

W.H. Linkson Agent for Westmoreland’s Boots & Shoes, Redruth

Elder Smith & Co. Ltd. Auctioneers

E.A. Moore Labour Office

Martin Pederson Boot Shop, opposite the Commercial Hotel

IX. 710. 3 January 1888, Page 2 [Second use of No. 710]

Train Timetable:

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.09 a.m. 7.16 a.m.

To Adelaide 3.47 p.m. 3.52 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.50 p.m. 11.57 p.m. [sic]

From Adelaide 9.29 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

[The first train from Adelaide must be a misprint for 11.50 a.m. etc.]

Editorial on the hopes generated by a good harvest.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday and Monday. The premises have been lately renovated and the anniversary collection will more than halve the small debt.

Fire Danger. People are warned of the dangers of throwing crackers around in this hot weather.

Weather. It has been hot, but a thunderstorm on Friday last dumped 2” rain on parts of the Hundreds of Reece and King and on Saturday heavy rain with hail fell at Copperhouse and Spring Bank, but only a couple of drops fell in Kooringa.

New Year’s Eve was busy and shops traded well. Boys let off crackers everywhere, fortunately without damage.

‘The incoming of the New Year was marked by the discharge of guns and the usual hideous noises and stupid folly.’

‘An old verandah in front of Messrs Shakes & Lewis’ Office was pulled down, and a good deal of smaller mischief done.’

New Year’s Day was very quiet and very hot. The heat yesterday was also oppressive.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held on Sunday & Monday last. The children’s treat and sports was held on Monday, but the public tea was very poorly attended in the oppressive heat. In the evening there was a magic lantern show in the church of views of the Holy Land.

Cricket. Burra defeated Saddleworth by 35. [Details next issue.]

The railway will link Sydney and Brisbane on 13 January.

Burra Town Council debated the water charges for the Aberdeen Reserves. Two reserves have water meters and W.R. Ridgway must have used some of the water. The question was should he be charged for half of the 8,000 gallons? Because he looks after the reserve at some trouble and gets use from it for a garden in the end it was decided to charge him for 4,000 gallons.

The Government has agreed to extend the Waterworks lease [for 3 months?] on the condition that the amount of £249-0-9, now owed, be paid. This was agreed to.

Mr Simpson’s tender to be the Waterworks Engineer for £2-8-0 a week was accepted. (J. Harvey had tendered the same amount and W.H. Hardy £2-10-0.)

A reward of £5-5-0 was offered for information leading to convictions for the damage done on New Year’s Eve to Corporation property. Among other things the bridge near the Primitive Methodist Church had been overturned and left in a dangerous state.

[It doesn’t state whether in Kooringa or Redruth]

IX. 710. 3 January 1888, Page 3 [Second use of No. 710]

Long article on Free Trade by Edward Pulsford, Secretary of the Free Trade Association.

IX. 712. 6 January 1888, Page2 [The number 711 is omitted]

Editorial on the Centenary of Australia celebrations.

Polo will be played tomorrow on the grounds near Messrs Drew & Co.’s store at Aberdeen.

Burra Joker Mining Syndicate Meeting at the Commercial Hotel this evening at 7.30 p.m.

London distress with men and women dying in the streets from starvation.

The Jubilee Exhibition in Adelaide closes tomorrow.

General Owen leaves SA in March.

Cricket. Burra travelled to Saddleworth on 2 January and on a very hot day with no shelter of any kind, Burra 84 & 70 (154) defeated Saddleworth 55 & 64 (119)

Burra Mine. [Reprint of a letter to the Advertiser.]

The writer assures us there must be a good lode there and with the present prices the mine ought to be worked. The surrounding area has been poorly explored. The company should have sold the mine at a reasonable price and then recouped through the rising value of their assets in the town.

SA Parliament select committee urges SA to produce more grapes for wine as well as for drying. Also promotes the growth of fodder crops like clover and saltbush and thinks silk, apricots, bees and ostriches should also be looked at as possibilities.

School starts again on 16 January.

IX. 713. 10 January 1888, Page 2

Railways. From 9 January trains will run through to Silverton and Broken Hill. Trains will depart Broken Hill at 12.25 a.m. and 6.22 a.m. daily, Monday to Friday. Passengers on the 6.22 a.m. train will have to break their journey at Terowie.

Forester’s Juvenile Sports tomorrow afternoon at the Recreation Ground.

Advt. Annual Institute Meeting 13 January.

Mr McDonald, keeper at the Redruth Gaol has been promoted to take charge of the Gladstone Gaol.

The Adelaide Exhibition attracted 378,558 cash admissions, 372,818 season tickets, 12,034 school visits, and 3,470 free tickets for a total of 766,880.

Blinman Copper Mine has started on the strength of copper prices.

IX. 714. 13 January 1888, Page 2

Advt. Burra & N-E Agricultural Soc. [i.e. Burra Show Society] A meeting of subscribers is called to wind up the society. Burra Institute 17 January 1888.

John D. Cave, Secretary.

Editorial on the Broken Hill Railway.

The Foresters’ Sports on the 11 January were a great success with 200 to 300 children present. In several foot races upwards of 40 started.

‘In Evening a social was given by the committee to the gentleman [sic] who had so kindly assisted on the 28th and that day,’ at Mr J. Vivian’s Opie’s Hotel Aberdeen. £20 was raised and will go towards a major sports meeting in one year.

[Note that the 28 December was the adult meeting with a day for children on 11 January.]

Silver Stock is rising.

Trees in Burra are dying from want of water.

The Jubilee Avenue Fountain has not yet been erected.

IX. 714. 13 January 1888, Page 3

SA Farming. Article of some 23⁄4 columns by F. Wurm of Stansbury urging the diversification of Australian farming by the growing of olives, silk, grapes, fruits, maize, carob, sugar, and the production of cheese.

IX. 715. 17 January 1888, Page 2

Mrs McLagan’s pupils resume on 24 January.

Weather. Last Sunday was terribly hot and dusty with a cool change in the evening.

Burra Public School. Mr O’Connell goes to Myponga as head. Mr N. Opie & Miss E.A. Davey have been appointed from college. Miss Boundy goes to Moonta Mines.

Rose of Sharon Tent IOR had an income for 1887 of £342-7-5 and an expenditure of £277-13-3. Details of expenditure are printed.

Burra Institute Annual Meeting of Subscribers.

The library now holds 2883 volumes: an increase of 53.

The number of subscribers has fallen from 81 to 73.

On 1 January 1887 the balance was in credit £5-7-3 and at the end of the year it stood at £36-8-11 plus £52-2-7 in the building fund account.

Elected were: President C.C. Williams

Vice-President A. Wittber

Treasurer Dr Brummitt

Hon. Sec. T. Edwards

Committee Messrs Anderson, Butterworth, Cave, Furniss, Holder,

Lasscock & Wilkinson

‘Wanderer’ [W.H. Hardy] writes a column. General Owen’s term is coming to an end. Brigadier-General Owen was appointed Commandant of the SA forces 26 March 1885 at £1,000 per annum and took up the post on 11 May 1885. He was promoted regimentally to Lieutenant Colonel on half-pay in the Royal Artillery 2 October 1884.

26 January has been proclaimed a public holiday in celebration of Australian settlement.

Obituary. John A. McDougal aged 47 died 13 January 1888 and was the subject of an elegiac poem written by W.H. Hardy.

Burra Town Council. Inspector A. Lott served W.R. Ridgway with an account for half the water used on the Aberdeen Reserve and Mr Ridgway tore it up in his face. This led to a long, but apparently fruitless discussion.

The cricket club asks for the asphalt pitch to be put in order. The club was authorised to do the job at their own expense and to retain the gate money until they are recompensed.

The Phonograph. There is an article on Mr Edison’s speaking machine, but no mention of its uses other than as a dictating machine or in place of a written letter.

IX. 716. 20 January 1888, Page 2

Editorial on another fire in the town, which might have been put out by a fire reel, which was not available. The fire was fortunately extinguished before much damage was done. The editor also recommends that the Council build sale yards to increase their income.

Burra Show Soc. (Burra & N-E Ag. Soc.) met last Tuesday to wind itself up, but as only three attended they lacked the authority to do so. Authority was given to sell so much of the assets as would pay off the society’s debt of c. £5.

Burra District Council appointed as members: W.P. Barker, John Kellock and

R. Klaebe.

F.W. Holder appointed a member of the Land Commission.

Fire. Fire broke out in the cellar of Vivian’s Hotel in Aberdeen at about 4.40 a.m. on Wednesday. Those fighting it sought the hose used to water the trees in Jubilee Avenue, but they couldn’t find the fireplug. Eventually with the combination of a hose attached to a tap in the Avenue and buckets the fire was extinguished.

Advt. Burra Institute 25 January. ‘One Grand Concert’ by the Australian Payne Family: Mr Payne, tenor; Miss Lizzie, soprano, violiniste, & pianiste; Miss Nellie, soprano, violiniste & pianiste; Mr W.J. Payne, baritone & flautist.

2/- & 1/-, children half price.

[A good review of them from the Advertiser is cited.]

Redruth Court

5 men charged with allowing their cows to stray in Kooringa streets, were each fined 5/-

John Alexander Watt was fined 10/- for a stray goat (the minimum fine)

Charles Woodruffe was fined 5/- for each of two charges of allowing his pigs to stray.

Deaths. There have been nine deaths in one day at Broken Hill from heat and fever.

Letter from W.H. Hardy who asserts that Mr Ridgway’s tearing up of the water account is ‘proof’ that he owes it. It is well known that he uses water to grow produce for which he receives payment. Ridgway must be compelled to pay.

The Editor asks simply: ‘Can our correspondent suggest any method by which the quantity of water used as stated can be ascertained?’

IX. 717. 24 January 1888, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are invited on behalf of William Killicoat for taking down all the buildings on the Bon Accord mining property in accordance with specifications.

George McLagan, Architect, opposite Roach’s Mill.

Advt. There will be a juvenile German Class for boys and girls, Sat. 9.30-11.00.

The Centennial Celebration will see the Governors of NSW, Victoria, SA, Queensland, WA, Tasmania and New Zealand in Sydney along with representatives of all the colonies’ governments.

Copper. The richest copper mine in SA is the old Burra smelting works slagheap.

Migration. In 1886 the population loss to SA was 8,041 and in 1887 it was 2,503.

Rifle Matches. 75 riflemen from SA will compete in the Sydney Centennial Matches, including Sergeant Watt from Burra.

IX. 717. 24 January 1888, Page 3

Inquest into the fire at Opie’s Hotel. F.W. Holder JP as coroner and William Bentley as foreman of the jury.

Francis John Hooper Vivian:

Returned form Adelaide on the evening train on 18 January to be told there had been a fire in the hotel cellar causing c. £15 damage. Cannot give any explanation for the origin of the fire. Fire seems to have started in the S-E corner, though a quantity of burnt paper is also in the N-W corner.

Sara Jane Vivian, wife of above:

c. 4.00 a.m. Agnes Kenane was roused by smoke in her room. Roused Joseph Shore lodging in Room 4. Tried to enter the bar, but couldn’t due to smoke. Shore roused the police. Thought I smelled smoke c. 2.30 a.m., but went back to bed. (Three doors separated the bedroom from the bar.)

Agnes Kenane:

Was aroused c. 4.15 a.m. by the smell of smoke. Checked the kitchen first and then roused Mrs Vivian.

Joseph Shore:

Was roused about 4.30 a.m. by Agnes Kenane. Saw smoke coming from the cellar grating and went to rouse the police.

Charles George Spencley, ostler:

Slept in Room 6: the top room in the passage. My duty was to trim the lamps and keep the kerosene, which was left in the chimney of the long room opposite the bar. There was a bottle of kerosene on the floor of the bar the next morning, but it was not in an unusual position. I helped carry the water to douse the fire. Have not been down in the cellar lately and rarely have jobs in the cellar.

William John Woolacott [Woollacott]:

Assisted by M-C Eaton put out the fire. The principal part of the fire was in the S-E corner in cases and bottles of grog and straw. There were also papers burning in the N-W corner. No smell of kerosene or other cause of fire was evident. One case burning was almost under the grating to the outside. A fire from the grating could have run into the S-E corner. When the floor was opened with a crowbar a case of brandy was on fire and a great blaze came up. Lodgers and others often sit smoking and cleaning their pipes on a form directly above the cellar grating.

M-C Thomas Henry Williams:

I am in charge of the Redruth Police Station and was roused at c. 4 a.m. I couldn’t find the fireplug. Roused Mr Simpson, the Waterworks Engineer and learnt the equipment of hose and necessary appliances was in Kooringa. I went and got them from Richard Andrews, the scavenger. In the meantime others had got the fire under control. I also saw the source as being in the S-E corner and burnt papers in the N-W. No cause could be detected. I thought the papers could have been ignited when the wooden case exploded. It took a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes between the alarm and my arrival with the canvas hose to fit the hydrant.

M-C Henry Thomas Eaton, stationed at Redruth:

On arrival I broke the panels of the door and opened it and then opened the trapdoor, but couldn’t get to the fire that way. Had to pull up the floor over the fire after which a few buckets of water seemed to put the fire out in the S-E corner. Mr Woollacott and I then went down the steps behind the bar and put out the remainder of the fire. Noticed the burnt paper. The brandy case had been almost under the grating.

The jury saw no evidence to show the origin of the fire, but no evidence to suggest it was other than accidental, but they regretted the absence of any provisions for utilising the waterworks water for extinguishing fires.

IX. 718. 27 January 1888, Page 2

Notice. From 1 February the Great Northern Line will be open to Coward Springs.

Editorial on the fears of European war again and its implications for Australia. Russian and French warships are a possibility in our area.

Polo practice as usual on Saturday afternoon.

Working Men’s Blocks. Part of the Police Paddock at Redruth has been subdivided into working men’s blocks. A small piece is left for the gaol and another for public use.

Obituary. Mr Addicoat, an old resident of Burra went to the Barrier silver field and was employed in the Broken Hill Mine, but he soon met with an accident underground, sustaining internal injuries from a fall of timber. He suffered for nearly two years before succumbing on Wednesday morning.

[William Addicoat died at Kooringa 25 January 1888 aged 56.]

Centennial Celebrations. In Sydney on Tuesday 40,000 gathered for the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria in the presence of seven governors etc. In Adelaide the public holiday for the 26th was only partly observed. Burra kept the holiday.

Entertainment. There was a full house on Wednesday last for the Payne Family concert. An encore was demanded after each item. So successful were they that they put on an extra farewell concert on Thursday night, which was also well attended.

Gold. There have been large gold finds in WA.

Letter. T. Kitchen writes boosting the prospects of the Burra Joker claim on the Barrier and suggests this is a good prospect for speculators in mines, which are prevalent at the moment.

Burra Joker Claim. There is a report on the claim. After the initial discovery 60 Burra gentlemen subscribed 10/- each. Two men then worked for six weeks and the results were encouraging enough for another call and now two men will be despatched to open the claim further.

IX. 719. 31 January 1888, Page 2

Advt. Burra Burra Roller Mills. Norman & Co. of Salisbury are now working the mills of their predecessors, Messrs Roach Bros.

Entertainment. There is a brief, but very favourable review of the second Payne Family concert.

Schools. Elementary drawing is to be made compulsory in state schools.

Wesleyan Circuit. Revs H.T. Burgess and W.H. Hodge have been appointed to the Burra circuit for the next year.

Copper is finding buyers at c. £80 per ton.

District Councils. There is a column devoted to changed regulations for district councils.

IX. 720. 3 February 1888

Page 2

Obituary. William Penrose, aged 72 and a colonist of 40 years died at the Burra hospital after much suffering. [Died 29 January, aged 73.]

Birth. To the wife of F.W. Holder, a son, on 2 February. [Evan Morecott]

Advt. Wanted: a Chapel Keeper for the Wesleyan Church, Kooringa. £6-10-0 per quarter.

T. Warnes of Koomooloo wins the Championship Gold Medal for 6 ewes’ fleeces at the Sydney Centennial Show.

Rev. J.S. Wayland has been offered the combined parishes of St Paul’s, Pt Pirie; At Silas’s, Crystal Brook and St Clement’s, Pt Germein.

IX. 720. 3 February 1888, Page 2

Redruth Court.

The following were each fined 5/- for having stray cows in Burra streets.

Morris Rayner, John Sampson, Thomas Richards, John W. O’Brien.

The following were each fined 5/- for driving around the corner of More[head] Street and Best Place, Aberdeen, at more than a walking pace:

Gottlieb Rooke, Lee Wah, William H. Vivian.

Messrs Shakes & Lewis are to build new offices in Burra.

Rabbits. Nackara farmers have petitioned the Government for seed wheat as rabbits have eaten all their crops.

Letter from W.H. Hardy who inveighs against the glowing reports of Australia as the workingman’s paradise as pronounced by Dr Dale on his return to England.

‘Working men here are quite as much in the toils of the capitalist as they are in England.’

‘It is known that the best land in Australia is in the hands of a few selfish capitalists who have made big fortunes by exporting wool and skins, but who have stifled agriculture and strangled commerce.’

IX. 720. 3 February 1888, Page 3

Lawn Tennis. Burra 26 January.

Burra 67 games defeated Petersburg-Terowie Combined 43 games.

IX. 721. 7 February 1888, Page 2

Advt. For Sale: a Kangaroo Safety Bicycle. Apply W. Davey at the Burra Institute.

Advt. For Sale: a 54” ‘Matchless’ Bicycle. Apply this office.

Advt. I wish to state that the report, which has been circulated that I am leaving for Broken Hill, is not correct. John I. Sangster, 6 Feb. 1888.

Editorial on the rise in silver stock. Many stocks have risen sharply. Broken Hill shares have doubled in two months to £400 with just 16,000 shares. Alma Gold shares are also up from 6/3 a year ago to £5. The editor favours investment and is confident many mines will repay handsomely, but warns: ‘No man can go in for development or speculation unless he is prepared to lose all he puts in, and must face the probability of having to do so.

Accident. James French got his clothes caught in the machinery at Butterworth’s Mill, but miraculously he escaped injury, though every stitch of clothing was torn off down to his boots.

Trees. The street trees in Burra are doing quite well with relatively few dying and the Jubilee Avenue is making good progress due to regular watering.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Davies moved the Council form itself into a committee to draw up a law for the general regulation of markets and sale of stock and to provide for tolls, dues and fees to be received thereat.

Cr Morris, who was absent, asked by letter that the matter be stood over until he was present. He opposed the move on several grounds:

It would be taxing one business to its injury.

Present salesmen pay a licence individually of £10 p.a., which will soon come to Council.

The response could well be to sell stock by sample, or to move the sales beyond the town boundary and so evade the tax.

It is in the interest of the town that the motion not be carried.

It is outside our province.

There was some discussion on the matter and on whether the Council should own saleyards itself, before the matter was adjourned.

IX. 722. 10 February 1888, Page 2

Birth: to Mrs Robert Wyett on 30 January, a premature son. [Robert Lionel Quentin Wyett]

Editorial on the approaching Legislative Council elections and the powers of the Legislative Council.

2nd Leader is a discussion of the town’s waterworks. The editor favours the Council retaining control, but doubts whether they can be made economic under present circumstances. Further information is needed before a decision.

Silver Claims. A prospectus for a syndicate to take over the Black Hills Silver Claims has been issued. If successful this venture would mean prosperity for Burra.

Mining Shares continue to attract investment: Beltana Broken Hill recently got £50,000 in 48 hours and many are doing similarly well.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church held its anniversary services successfully on 5 & 8 February.

St Mary’s Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held on 5 February and again the beauty of the decorations amazed all and puzzled the uninitiated about how they were done. [c. 1 column of detail.]

Military Matters. Major-General Downes is to succeed General Owen.

Rev. J.S. Wayland has decided not to go to Pt Pirie.

Railways. There will now be a daily through passenger train each way between Adelaide and Broken Hill.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich re the proposed stock tax. He considers the Council could do well out of building their own stockyards, but opposes any extra 1/- rate as an alternative. He estimates that for an initial outlay of £1,000 they could earn c. £500 p.a. at a charge of 1⁄4d a head. No one would buy by sample and nor would shifting the saleyards out of town be so easy: what would the District Council’s reaction be to that?

IX. 722. 10 February 1888, Page 3

Bible Christian Church, annual district meeting was held at Kooringa. The report on finance and membership is given and the meeting approved of an organic union between the minor Methodist churches of the colony.

IX. 723. 14 February 1888, Page 2

Marriage. On 7 February, at the residence of the bride’s mother at Yelta, John W. Duthie married Catherine (Kittie) Beal of Burra.

Editorial on rabbits and the problems of destroying and containing them. On leases falling due this year there is no covenant for the destruction of vermin and they are a great breading ground for vermin. Both rabbit and dog destruction should be a requirement of lease renewal. This should see a reduction in the plague without the dangers of some recent suggestions such as the release of chicken cholera among them, resulting in the death of all native birds and poultry.

2nd Leader discusses the British Parliamentary session with respect to the Irish Question and to the Tithe System.

Baldina Plains School. Settlers there have petitioned for a school and the request has been granted. Mr F. Budrian has been appointed. The settlers are mostly Germans who are gladly availing themselves of the opportunity offered.

Rev. H.T. burgess has won a £50 prize for the Centennial Essay on The future position of Australia among the nations. This is the fourth essay prize he has won.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. 12th Meeting: 11 February. Schools represented were:

Baldina Plains, Burra, Davieston (i.e. Hanson), Hallett, Hanson (i.e. Farrell’s Flat), Manoora, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth, Spalding, Waterloo.

Burra District Council: 1st meeting of the new Council.

Councillors: Austin, Bagg, Baker, Kellick [sic], Killicoat, Klaebe, Sandland. Mr Sandland was elected Chairman.

Jubilee Fountain still sits in the Burra Station with summer nearly over!

Redruth Police Paddock Working Men’s Blocks will be offered on 15 March.

Burra Town Council will have to do public works before 30 June if they wish to get subsidy for it, as it ceases at that date.

IX. 724. 17 February 1888, Page 2

Notice. Douglas Primitive Methodist Church, Grand Tea Meeting next Wednesday.

MOONLIGHT.

Advt. Fish and Oysters: John Harris & Sons of Market Square are now prepared to supply the inhabitants of Burra with FRESH FISH and OYSTERS at reasonable prices.

Advt. Sale of gifts at the Mt Bryan East chapel, Wednesday & Thursday 22 & 22 Feb.

Birth: to the wife of David Anderson at Mt Bryan on 15 February a daughter. [Ruby Campbell Anderson]

Iron Mine Band of Hope public dinner and sports will be held on Wednesday 22 February with a public tea in the chapel. MOONLIGHT

J. Martin & Co. have been awarded a contract worth £167,000 for 52 locomotives to be made at Gawler.

The Black Hills Syndicate has been floated and work will start at once.

Silver has been found at Armagh near Clare.

Kapunda Marble Quarry. A bad accident has killed two men.

Workingmen’s Blocks in the Redruth Police Paddock will be offered for sale on 15 March.

Major-General Downes has been appointed to command SA military forces.

IX. 725. 21 February 1888, Page 2

Burra Co. VF. First drills for the year will be held on 23 & 27 February.

Roads. The government has allocated £450 to the Burra District Council for main road work in the next six months and £50 to the Town Council, which is absurd: it pays for one man’s wages, but leaves nothing for metal etc.

The Mineral Rush. In January 358 mineral claims were registered at the Government Land Office. The first 15 days of February saw 563 claims registered and 116 were registered on last Monday. Most of them are in the N & NE in areas around Beltana, Leigh’s Creek and Mt Plantagenet.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues to meet monthly.

Dr Brummitt has been appointed to the School Board of Advice.

Rifle Matches. SA came second to NSW at the Centennial Rifle Matches.

Burra Town Council

A resolution to the Waterworks problem is needed urgently. Cr O’Leary moved it be considered at a special meeting on Tuesday next at 7.30 p.m.

It was also resolved to proceed against all unpaid accounts and to cut off the water at empty houses.

The deferred discussion on a stock tax was resumed and after some preliminaries Cr O’Leary moved an amendment: ‘That in the opinion of this Council it would be against the best interest of the trade of Burra to tax the stock sold in the town.’

Cr Pearce pointed out that a move by the Mount Gambier Corporation to impose a stock tax had failed in the courts with costs against the Corporation. Eventually after much discussion the votes were even and the Mayor cast his vote in favour of the amendment.

IX. 725. 21 February 1888, Page 2-3

‘Wanderer’ inveighs against the awarding of the locomotive contract to Martin’s for more than £40,000 in excess of overseas suppliers. This, he said, was merely another example of the wastefulness of protection.

IX. 726. 24 February 1888, Page 2

Hanson Races will be held on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March. [Presumably Hanson here means Farrell’s Flat.]

Wonna Bible Christian Church public tea meeting 17 February was attended by 60-70.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School anniversary was held last Wednesday.

Burra Mine. The Advertiser reports a cable from London that says a rumour there says that the Copper Syndicate has bought the Burra Mine.

Redruth Court.

Caroline Gay, Andrew Gay and Elizabeth Agincourt Gay, children of Henry and Margaret Gay were charged with being neglected children and committed to the Industrial School till the age of 16. Their father has been four years without work.

Editorial on the political situation in Germany where the 90-year-old Emperor William I was probably dying and the Crown Prince Frederick was perilously ill. The next in line was Prince William [the Kaiser Wilhelm of WWI fame] whose accession it was feared would make a European war more likely.

Obituary. James Walker of Terowie and late of Burra has died. [Died 22 February, aged 28.]

Mineral Claims. New regulations will see that blocks sought by more than one person will be auctioned.

W.H. Hardy writes supporting a heavy land tax because:

It would strike at absentee landowners and those keeping large areas of land merely for sport.

It would stop speculation and gambling in land.

Unused land would be forced into production.

He then goes on into a more hysterical diatribe against the exploitation of the masses.

IX. 725 [2]. 28 February 1888, Page 2 [Should be numbered 727]

Railway Timetable Changes.

From 1 March the 4.45 p.m. train from Adelaide will continue to Broken Hill except on Saturday.

On Weekdays a train for Adelaide will leave Broken Hill at 5 p.m.

The 5.30 a.m. Terowie to Broken Hill train is discontinued as is the 6.22 a.m. Broken Hill to Terowie.

Advt. At the Institute the Grand Farewell Concert of the Payne Family: Vocalists, Violinists and Pianists. 2/- & 1/-

Editorial in favour of banning Chinese immigration completely, though he was not in favour of unjust or discriminatory treatment of Chinese once they were admitted to the country.

Wesleyan Circuit Harvest Thanksgiving services were held last Sunday.

W. Pearce Jun. who has been in partnership with Mr T. Bath and trading as Bath & Pearce has purchased the general storekeeping business and will continue as the sole proprietor. Mr Bath leaves for England shortly.

Mt Bryan Gold & Silver Find. This find of Mr Collins’s is right opposite the Bible Christian Chapel where road metal has been taken for years.

SA Brewing Founded. A company has been formed with a capital of £400,000 in £2 shares to take over the brewing business of Sir E.T. Smith and the Hon. W.K. Simms and the wine & spirit business of Messrs Rounsevell & Simms, to be called the SA Brewing, Malting, and Wine and Spirit Co. Managing directors will be W.B. Rounsevell MP, R.A. Stock and A. Simms.

Black Hills Prop. Silver Mine Syndicate held its first meeting of shareholders at the Institute 24 February. Elected as directors were: W.R. Ridgway (Chairman), J. Dunstan Jun. JP, J. Poole, W. Rabbich, J. Dunstan Sen. JP. Operations will begin immediately.

Burra Mines. The rumoured sale has been neither confirmed nor denied.

‘Wanderer’ writes on the distribution of the nation’s wealth.

‘no labouring man under the sun receives what he earns.’

He continues on railing against ‘class rule’ and snobbery in England.

Broken Hill. There are reports of unrest due to Government mismanagement, which includes a post office without stamps, money orders, money, promissory notes, or telegraph forms.

IX. 728. 2 March 1888, Page 2

Waterworks. We understand that the Town Council has decided to ask the Government to reduce the interest on the Waterworks capital account from 5% to 3% as without the Railway Department account it cannot be made to pay.

The Commercial Hotel is rumoured to be for sale.

IX. 729. 6 March 1888, Page 2

Entertainment. The Payne Family visited Burra for the 2nd time on 1 March and played to a crowded house. They were well received and several pieces had to be repeated.

Burra Town Council. Arrangements have been made to wait on the Commissioner of Public Works on Wednesday next.

Crown Lands have agreed to a road opposite Butterworth’s Mill on the condition that the Government have the power to revoke the same if the land is required for railway purposes.

Obituary. George Day, a driver on the northern line, died in his engine last Saturday. [In IX. 730. 9 March 1888, page 2 it is reported he died about two miles from Manoora on the down train and was taken off the train at Manoora, but the only death near Manoora 3 March was of George Lomas aged 38 and born 22 May 1850.]

‘Wanderer’ again writes on the subject of wage earners being no better than slaves in a capitalist society. He then continues against the Farmers’ Association as being unrepresentative, before writing further on taxation.

Major-General Downes will review SA Military Forces on 2 April in Adelaide.

IX. 729. 6 March 1888, Page 2-3

11⁄3 columns on the Eulcaby Silver Mines, which were some 60 miles N-E of Orroroo and 50 miles N-W of Yunta.

IX. 730. 9 March 1888, Page 2

Notice. Burra Co VF will hold its annual meeting to consider the position of the company, to adopt the balance sheet, arrange for new uniforms and fix subscriptions for 1888.

Advt. Tenders called for a shaft to be sunk at the Black Hills Prop. Silver Mine. The shaft to be 61⁄2’ x 31⁄2’ x 150’.

Cricket. Wednesday 14 March 2,30 p.m. Burra will play the Muffs in the sensational event of the season. 6d. N.B. Egg merchants are advised to quit present stocks at once.

The Wheal Francis Tin Mining Syndicate met in the Burra Institute on 8 March. W. West presided. Mr A.S. Seymour discovered the find, which adjoins the Mount Lake south Claim at Waukaroo NSW.

Black Hills Prop. Silver Mining Syndicate have carried out costeening and decided to sink a 150’ shaft at the most likely place.

Rev. J.H. Ashton returns to Burra.

Cricket. With the season almost over a new pitch has been laid.

Asbestos has been discovered in SA near Silverton.

Mt Bryan Silver claim is about 1 mile north of the railway station.

Burra Waterworks. On Wednesday Messrs Holder and Rounsevell introduced the Mayor and town Clerk to the Treasurer, Hon. T. Playford, who was acting for the Commissioner of Public Works. They were asking for the interest on the Waterworks capital account of c. £8,000 to be cut from 5% to 3%. There were two waterworks schemes in Burra: one belonging to the Corporation and one to the Government. On the Government scheme the Corporation paid 5% or over £400 p.a. and as the population has decreased this concession is asked. For the first year they had paid 3% and received £82-15-0 from the Railways and the Waterworks had paid their way at 6/- per 1,000 gallons. In the second year the Railways had paid £50-5-0 and with interest at 4% there had been a deficiency of £30, even though in addition to charging 6/- per 1,000 gallons they had called up 2⁄3 of the guarantee. In the third year the interest was 5% and there was no Railway payment. They had called up all the guarantee, but still had a loss of £100, bringing the deficit to £130. That year the charge for water had been 5/- per 1,000 gallons. Population decrease had meant less water was consumed. If the Government took over they could only make a profit by charging property not using water. On the old Waterworks, which they had taken over at a cost of £1,000, they were getting only £10-£12 p.a. Why could not the Corporation have the use of the Railway Waterworks and supply both the town and Railways?

They also asked that Burra be directly connected by telegraph with Broken Hill: at present messages go through Adelaide. The treasurer asked that this request be put in writing as the line was being duplicated and the Government would favourably consider the request.

Kangaroo Island is written up in a 11⁄3 column report.

IX. 731. 13 March 1888, Page 2

Advt. Prices are given for excursion tickets to Melbourne and Victorian stations on the line for the Easter Holidays. The return to be used within two months.

Adelaide to Melbourne 1st Class £4-2-6 and 2nd Class £2-12-6.

Advt. The Anniversary of the Leighton Wesleyan Sunday School will be held next Sunday. Rev. J.H. Hadley will preach his farewell sermon. Tea meeting Wednesday.

Editorial on the death of the German Emperor at the age of 91. The new Emperor, Frederick III, is in precarious health and his long-term survival would seem to need a miracle.

Burra Institute. The monthly meeting approved the rental of a room to the directors of the Black Hills Proprietary Silver Mining Syndicate for use as an office.

Port Pirie is to have smelters erected.

The Mining Boom. Adelaide daily papers are almost filled with mining prospectuses.

Redruth Police Paddock. The twelve workingmen’s blocks will be auctioned next Thursday.

‘Wanderer’ again takes up the issues of land tax and the redistribution of wealth and related matters.

IX. 732. 16 March 1888, Page 2

Advt. Salvation Army. A Halleluyah Concert and Coffee Supper will take place in the Barracks next Wednesday 21 March. Major Dean & Captain Bull, leading.

Come one, come all, everybody come. Captain Perry, C.O.

Editorial on the proposal of the Emperor Frederick III for a more democratic German constitution and on democratic governments generally.

‘Wanderer’ castigates the low tastes of the Prince of Wales, of whom he says:

‘the facts already made public go to show the depraved taste of our coming king.’

Wanderer disapproved of how he divides his time between gambling on the turf and prizefighters.

Letter from L. Scammell of Adelaide on the need for a School of Mines in Adelaide.

IX. 732. 16 March 1888, Page 3

Cricket. The weather last Monday was against a big crowd for the Burra v. Muffs match at the Recreation Ground. The Burra Band played and the game was on matting over the new asphalt pitch, which played well.

Burra 5 for 156 defeated 18 Muffs 45.

IX. 733. 20 March 1888, Page 2

Advt. Barnard’s Circus will appear in Burra on 21 & 22 March.

Editorial on the way in which SA has already got a Government which ‘does infinitely more for the people than is done in the old world. It controls education, the railways, telegraphs, wharfs, charitable institutions, and forests besides the post-office.’ Perhaps we have come to rely upon it too much.

Advt. A public meeting is called for 22 March to consider the advisability or otherwise of renewing the lease on the Waterworks.

Burra Co. VF. The annual meeting was held in the Institute last Thursday. Captain Holder presented the report showing that the strength had dropped to 42 due to removals from Burra. The balance in cash was £1-14-10 and £75 had been earned as a capitation grant towards new uniforms. As the new uniforms would cost £126 the current year’s subscriptions would be 21/- of which £1 would be returned when the member became ‘an efficient’, so earning the capitation grant.

Broken Hill Railway. Already there are complaints that the line is inadequate and will be even more so when the Port Pirie Smelters begin taking ore from the Broken Hill and other mines in the area. The editor considers the broad gauge should be extended alongside the narrow, but avoiding the detour into Petersburg.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues monthly meetings.

Broken Hill. Article on dust storms in the area.

Redruth Police Paddock workingmen’s blocks were not sold.

Telegraph. Burra will get a direct telegraph link with Broken Hill.

‘Wanderer’ again fulminates against the division between rich and poor along lines now overly familiar.

Letter from ‘Progress’ answering in some detail ‘Wanderer’s’ advocacy of a high land tax.

Burra Town Council, 19 March.

The Mayor reported on the deputation re the Waterworks, to which there has so far been no reply. A ratepayers’ meeting is called for 22 March. The engineer has been instructed to have water laid on to the Avenue Fountain site before the fountain is erected.

IX. 734. 23 March 1888, Page 2

Advt. Prospectus for the Burra Burra Manganese and Silver Mining Syndicate.

Capital of £3,400 on 340 shares of £10 each. Situated 6 miles from Burra railway station. [At Iron Mine]

The mine has already provided 10,000 tons of rich manganese ore used as a flux in the Burra Smelting Works. [The hope of the syndicate was that the manganese was a cap to a silver deposit.]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary will be celebrated Easter Sunday and Monday.

Editorial on the irony that good harvests coincide with low wheat prices.

Leighton Wesleyan Church celebrated its anniversary last Sunday when Rev. J.H. Hadley officiated. Congregations far exceeded the capacity, as they did also at the tea meeting on the following Wednesday. The Redruth Wesleyan Choir gave a service of song in the evening.

Baldina Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held last Sunday when the Rev. H.T. Burgess officiated. The tea meeting was on Monday. On both occasions the church was very overcrowded.

Black Hills Proprietary Silver Mining Co. held a board meeting in the Burra Institute 21 March. The chairman was W.R. Ridgway. Other members: J. Dunstan Sen., J. Dunstan Jun., W.A. Rabbich and J. Poole. The company was registered and incorporated on 21 March.

Burra Waterworks. A ratepayers’ meeting last Thursday debated the issue of the waterworks. The last time they met it was thought advisable to extend the lease to the end of March 1888. This was done. As this is now drawing near the Mayor and Town Clerk waited on the Government and asked that interest on the capital be reduced from 5% to 3%, as 5% would be impossible to sustain. The Government reply has not been received. 50 ratepayers attended. P.L. Killicoat, the Mayor presided and reported the above action. J.D. Cave, Town Clerk, gave a financial statement. The meeting resolved ‘That unless the Government grant the concession in interest asked for by the Corporation, this meeting is reluctantly compelled to advise the surrender of the lease.’

This was moved by Dr Brummitt, 2nd Rev. S. Gray and passed unanimously.

Redruth Court: Seven people were each fined 5/- for owning cattle that had strayed in the town.

Weather. Rainwater is at a premium.

Obituary. Lieut. Mutton of the Salvation Army is dead. [William Mutton, perhaps born 5 April 1857; died 20 March aged 30.]

IX. 734. 23 March 1888, Page 3

Cricket. Last Wednesday Burra played one man short.

Burra 124 defeated Terowie 55.

IX. 735. 27 March 1888, Page 2

Burra Co. VF is to get new uniforms. Mr Cornish of Bertram Cornish of Adelaide will attend today to measure the company.

Weather. There has been heavy rain around the area, but little in the town. Farmers still need general rain.

Mount Bryan Ranges Mining Assoc., operating about 6 miles NE of Hallett has found silver in an assay at the rate of 96 oz 10 dwt 14 gr to the ton. The local correspondent fears it may yet prove to be in a thin vein or in material from which extraction would be too difficult.

Letter from ‘Not An Employer’ complaining that the working classes are grossly overpaid. The depression has halved the cost of living, but they still want 12/- a week for servants and you can’t get them. People are not going into service. They are so well dressed now that you can’t tell who is the working class from their clothes etc.

IX. 735. 27 March 1888, Page 3

The Ratepayers’ Meeting on the waterworks reported last issue is here reported at length.

On 1 March the deputation of Mayor, Town Clerk and the two members for the district waited on the Premier, in the absence of the Commissioner of Public Works, and asked for a reduction in interest rates. If not they would give up the works to the Government. The alternative they had was to shift the pump to the Government well and then supply the Government. The deputation was led to believe that the Government would take water from them if this were done. Since the deputation other places like Gawler and Tea Tree Gully have also asked for a reduction in the rate of interest. As yet there has been no reply from the Government.

The debt stood at £393-8-1

The income was £257-3-0

Leaving a probable deficiency of £136-5-1 as of 31 March

The Corporation would have to pay, if they retained the waterworks at 5% p.a., about £640 interest a year.

For 1886 the income had been £577-7-0

For 1887 income was £439-9-4

Plus sum owed by guarantors £70-0-0

Total £509-9-4

Plus income to 31 March 1888 125-0-0

Total £625-9-4

In future there would be no call on guarantors, only a charge on water.

Kapunda did not pay working expenses.

Port Pirie and Port Augusta paid 1% interest.

Hawker paid no interest.

If the Government shifted the pump to their well a person would have to be appointed to read meters and keep accounts and the Railway Department would probably not allow anyone to pump their water.

T.W. Rabbich felt if they gave the works to the Government or if the works were amalgamated then the Government would lay down mains and levy a water rate to the detriment of those not needing water and to the poor.

The Mayor said in Mount Gambier, where the mains were laid, there was a rate on vacant land. The Town Clerk thought it unlikely the Government would add more mains.

The Mayor said if the rate of interest comes down the Council had almost decided to continue with the waterworks and if it did not to hand them to the Government.

The concession was worth c. £169 p.a. and that would enable them to make the works pay. The meeting resolved as previously reported to advise the surrender of the lease if the concession was not granted.

Legislative Council Elections.

For the North-Eastern District III in April the declared candidates are:

Hon. Sir H. Ayers, Dr Stephens, J. Warren, G. Sutherland, W. Lewis, J. White and J. Kelly. [By the issue for 3 April J. Kelly on the list had been replaced by J. Harvey.]

IX. 736. 30 March 1888, Page 2

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church. Rev. J.H. Hadley will preach his farewell sermon ‘Last Words’ on 1 April.

Obituary. Leonard Harris Burgess, infant son of H.T. & E. Burgess, died 25 March at Kooringa. [Aged 8 months, of atrophy. Born 13 July 1887.]

Westbury Wesleyan Church will celebrate its anniversary with a tea meeting on Good Friday afternoon.

Editorial on the South-Eastern Land Board and the nature of contracts between the state and private persons: asking the question is the state expected to make concessions that in other contracts would not be tolerated.

Rev. J.H. Hadley will soon move to Kadina.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School will celebrate its anniversary Easter Sunday and Monday. On Sunday afternoon a ‘Song Service’ will be celebrated. The children’s tea will be on Monday with a public tea and meeting to follow.

Fire. A fire in the children’s room at Mr Lasscock’s house in Kooringa was extinguished before it got hold. Damage c. £7.

Cricket. Burra will play Saddleworth at Burra on Good Friday, but the match with Terowie on Easter Monday has been cancelled, as Terowie is unable to field a team.

Advt. There will be a rifle match on Easter Monday with good money prizes and trophies.

Advt. Races will be held on 30 March, Good Friday, in R. Austin’s Paddock.

Wanderer [W.H. Hardy] replies to ‘Not an Employer’ briefly. He insults the daughters of wealth producers.

IX. 736. 30 March 1888, Page 2-3

Article on the S-E of South Australia.

IX. 736. 30 March 1888, Page 3

Article on the New Alma & Victoria Gold Mine and on the future of Australia.

IX. 736 [2]. 3 April 1888, Page 2 [Note second use of number 736]

Editorial on the propriety of the Government restraining spending in times of abundance. With increasing incomes and more jobs in the private sector the government should continue to ‘stay its hand and decrease its expenditure.’

Smelting Works. It is reported on good authority that the old Burra Smelting Co. [The English & Australian Copper Co.?] are about to erect a small furnace on their property for smelting purposes. The object is to first treat the slag on their premises and then contract to smelt ore that may become available. About 60 tons of slag is to be sent to Adelaide for testing.

Trees. Can the hills around Burra be planted with trees? We are glad to see that Dr Brummitt and Messrs Lewis and T. Drew are preparing to plant clumps of trees in their small paddock on Buttler’s Hill.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School held its anniversary last Sunday. Rev. W.H. Hodge preached in the morning and evening with a service of song in the afternoon for which Rev. H.T. Burgess did the connective readings. At the public meeting on Monday Captain Paull, who is in town on a visit, took the chair. He is a former superintendent of the Sunday school. There has been a decrease in numbers through removals. Rev. Hodge was welcomed to the circuit and Rev. Burgess gave an address on the ‘Relation of Children to the Church’.

Typhoid is prevalent at Broken Hill and there are fears it will spread from there.

Railways. There will now be an express train daily from Adelaide to Broken Hill, passing through Burra about 7 p.m. Sleeping cars are needed.

Cricket. ‘Sheffielder’ writes on the match with Saddleworth on Good Friday. The visitors came by Thursday night’s train. The Burra team was late on Friday and the start was delayed from 9.30 to 10.00. Saddleworth 119 defeated Burra 114.

Burra Young Australians went to Clare on Good Friday, but only nine made the trip and two substitutes had to be arranged on arrival. The team departed at 5.45 a.m. and got to Clare about 9 a.m. They left for home c. 5.30 and arrived back at 9 p.m.

Clare 179 defeated Burra Young Australians 77

IX. 736 [2]. 3 April 1888, Page 3 [Note second use of number 736]

SAVF. This week the defence force went through some really practical work at the encampment. Even though it is expensive to maintain a defence force it is essential. England cannot supply soldiers to guard all the colonies.

‘Wanderer’. The editor finally announced the end of contributions by ‘Wanderer’. [This was probably for a variety of reasons. ‘Wanderer’ was politically very radical and his views would have differed dramatically from those of the editor. He was also doubtlessly offensive to many readers, both in substance and in manner. As well there was the real likelihood that he would overstep the mark and land himself and the paper in court for libel. In the opening paragraph of his last column he said in answer to a question concerning the origin of the Emperor of Germany’s wealth, he said ‘out of the toiling starved slaves of Germany . . . stolen from the ones that produced it.’

His views on Queen Victoria were no less extreme. Royalty he felt was symptomatic of ‘all that is base and dishonest in our corrupt and rotten civilization.

It was clear from the style and content that ‘Wanderer’ was in fact W.H. Hardy and he writes confirming that in IX. 739. 10 April 1888, page 3.]

IX. 738. 6 April 1888, Page 2

St Mary’s annual vestry meeting was presided over by Rev. J. Stuart Wayland last Tuesday, 3 April. The overdraft is £81-18-6 with outstanding debts on seat rents of £62-15-0, which still leaves a debt of £19-3-6. There is a building fund debt of £224.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on 1 & 2 April was well patronised. The Sunday school suffered much from removals, but good work has been done.

St Mary’s. Of the three Easter services on Good Friday there was a good attendance only at 11 a.m. The services on Easter Sunday were chorally rendered.

Rev. J.H. Hadley was farewelled at the Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom on Wednesday evening when about 100 attended. A bound address was presented to the minister who is going to Kadina.

The Joker Silver Mining Syndicate has a shaft now at 61’ and a drive 22’ to within 6’ of the big blow.

The Mt Bryan Ranges Silver Mining Association also continues with its No. 2 shaft now at 34’6”.

Trees. More trees have been planted on the Burra Hills.

Female Suffrage. There has been agitation for female suffrage in SA.

Burra Waterworks. No reply yet to the deputation.

The New Broken Hill Expresses ‘are most convenient and are being largely patronised.’

IX. 739. 10 April 1888, Page 2

Train Timetable.

Arrive Depart

From the North to Adelaide 7.09 a.m. 7.16 a.m.

9.16 a.m. 9.21 a.m.

3.47 p.m. 3.52 p.m.

From Adelaide to the North 11.50 a.m. 11.57 a.m.

6.23 p.m. 6.29 p.m.

9.29 p.m. 9.38 p.m.

Editorial on the importance of Broken Hill to SA, especially in trade in a time of depression, but also in providing jobs for the SA unemployed. A large proportion of the 10,000 in the area are of SA origin. He argues for a better rail connection: eventually eliminating the break of gauge and also for better tariff arrangements.

Mt Bryan Picnic. Some friends from Kooringa joined in the picnic at Mt Bryan last Wednesday when c. 100 farewelled Rev. J.H. & Mrs Ashton of the Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church. It was held at the Razorback Hills. At about 1.30 lunch was served after which most made a start for the top of Mt Razorback. The party returned about 4.30 when a few games followed.

Burra Institute Committee Meeting. There was a Public Library notice seeking support for the nomination of F.W. Holder as Governor of the Public Library. There was also a letter from Pt Adelaide Institute advising that F.W. Holder was supported for a seat on the Board of Governors of the Public Library. It was resolved that the Chrysanthemum Show be on 24 April and entrance be 6d.

Broken Hill Trade is ten times what it was a year ago.

Mineral Licences. 3,142 have been issued in SA since 1 January.

Burra Public School reopened yesterday with fewer staff due to the falling population.

Burra Town Council. It was resolved to leave the question of the changes needed to the fencing when the Avenue Fountain is completed, in the hands of the Mayor, Town Clerk and Cr Pinch. [This rather suggests that the fountain was finally being erected.]

The Government had taken over the Waterworks on 1 April, when the lease ran out and apparently they intend to charge 5/- per 1,000 gallons.

It was resolved to see how many trees were needed to replace the dead ones.

Cricket. Saturday at the Kooringa Oval. Takings at the gate were 13/8.

Terowie 84 defeated Burra 37

For Terowie Harrison bowled 45 balls including 2 maiden overs and took 5 wickets for 5 runs. The top scorer in the Burra innings was sundries at 16! Burra’s top scoring batsmen were J. Sangster and W. Fox who each got 4.

IX. 739. 10 April 1888, Page 3

‘Wanderer’s Farewell’ W.H. Hardy writes to complain that he is being excluded from the paper ‘by party motives’ and ‘on account of my fearless and otherwise hot references to the hypocrisy of certain money-bag would-be leaders of the people, whom it is to your interest not to offend, free speech is being stifled.’

‘I am sick of the cant which runs through society today. Hence my plainness’

‘I know . . . some of our respectable persons . . . have stamped me as low and gutterish.’

[He signs himself W.H. Hardy and so removes his disguise: though both style and content must have made it very clear who he was all along.]

IX. 740. 13 April 1888, Page 2

Bible Christians met on Wednesday to farewell Rev. J.H. Ashton who is to visit Great Britain and welcomed Rev. J. Hancock who will take his place during his absence.

IX. 741. 17 April 1888, Page 2

Wheal Motley. Samples of a rich discovery of copper may be seen at the Burra Institute on application to Mr Davey. They come from NE of Burra near the Broken Hill railway line. There is a proposal to form a local company to develop the property.

P.L. Killicoat, Hon. Sec. The find has been christened the Wheal Motley.

‘Wanderer’ has been circulating a libel upon the community and while we would usually ignore such a handbill we consider its abuse of the community makes it worthy to note, as it will recoil upon its writer.

The handbill accuses the editor of the Record of stopping his column ‘through nothing but party motives.’

He implies that Holder is ‘so cringing and cowardly as to vilify any honest outspoken person who was prepared to fight the battle of right against might.’ He inveighs against the suppression of all honest speech. He intends to continue the battle, if one avenue is closed then by other means.

Editorial comment on ‘Wanderer’.

He was given ample time to voice his opinions and develop his ‘democratic, not to say socialistic’ views. But instead of using argument and fact he ‘descended into personal abuse and wandered further from fairness so much as to do damage to the cause he represented.’ To charge ‘people in this “outlandish place” of being afraid of each other’ is absurd.

Polo. Gawler last Saturday, 14 April.

Burra 8 defeated Mt Crawford 2

Kooringa Band of Hope (Wesleyan) is now meeting monthly and met last Thursday evening.

Burra Races will now be held on Thursday 24 May (a public holiday).

IX. 741. 17 April 1888, Page 2-3

North-Eastern Hundreds.

Some 12 years ago, when land selection was in full swing and farmers could be denied nothing, large areas were resumed from pastoralists, including areas that never yielded an adequate return for the labour expended. Those areas included the hundreds commencing near the South Rhine [Marne since 1918] on the Murray almost due east of Adelaide and running in a 20-mile band north to Morgan, then northwest along the line of the range and then west of north for 250 miles. As one goes north the width of the area to the east of the ranges that gets sufficient rain for cropping diminishes. This was noted by Goyder who observed its effect on the quantity of annual grasses compared with bushes, which predominated in the drier regions. The eastern belts are noted for the intensity and length of their summer and the coldness and dryness of winter, when most frequently southeast winds prevail. Surprise is often expressed at the Government surveying such lands for farming when they are so eminently suitable for pastoralism, but at the time had they not done so they would have lost office and their successors would have done so. Very serious, if not irreparable damage was done to pastoral interests as a consequence.

Farmers were warned often that the land was unsuitable. They disbelieved the warnings partly because similar statements in the past in areas like Booyoolie and Belalie had proved incorrect. As a consequence thousands took up blocks, many of up to 1,000 acres, and set about fencing, clearing and building dams etc. For a while all seemed to be going well, but harvests failed and despite numerous concessions being made to them time after time, the whole settlement failed. Those who had paid high prices were allowed to surrender land and take it back at a lower rate, but those who had paid £1 per acre for the least desirable land were not offered reductions. In the northeast concessions would not keep farmers on the land unless the value was to be far below £1 per acre. This the Government would not countenance. As well as lack of rain the farmers were also afflicted with locusts and rabbits.

It was not uncommon in the Hundreds of Wonna, Parnaroo, Coglin, Erskine, Oladdie, Yanyarrie, Moockra, Boolcunda, Yarrah and others north and east of them for crops to average 104 bushels per acre. With an average price of 3/- per bushel this meant nothing but a loss, allowing even the minimal production cost of 10/- per acre for seed and labour. Settlers had either to hang on to their land in hope, or leave it without a penny to start again with only the life of an agricultural labourer before them. Some took offers to exchange freehold purchase for leases at 3d and later at 2d per acre per year, but even these costs could not be met if the land produced nothing.

At present in about 50 hundreds totalling some 5,000 square miles the rougher land is lying waste, especially along the hills and is an excellent breeding ground for foxes and rabbits. The assets of buildings etc. are of no value except for farmers and the land cannot now even support much stock, as having been ploughed it no longer yields the stock feed of the old bush. Wheat returns are very low and the remaining farmers have lost all their capital and are in debt to tradespeople who have given long lines of credit and to the Government. There are men who last year reaped 45 bags from 900 acres into which 225 bags had been sown and who yet hope for a miracle.

Surely this is a waste of power and industry misapplied. The few who are doing fairly well are those who have ceased to fight against nature and have given up cultivation for grazing and have restricted crops to a small area that might in a good season provided a bonus.

IX. 742. 20 April 1888, Page 2

Advt. J.R. Stephens, a candidate for the Legislative Council, will address electors at Burra on Monday 23 April at 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Chrysanthemum Show and Promenade Concert, Tuesday 24 April at the Institute.

Public Notice. Thomas W. Pearce published a letter from W.L. H. Bruse of 3 April in which the latter advises that he will not in future let his hearse at all and gives notice of this in time to allow Mr Pearce to buy one of his own.

Mr Pearce publishes this letter in order that ‘the public will see the jealousy therein’. He then says that he will continue to offer his services as an undertaker etc.

Editorial calling for the construction of a loop railway line from Terowie to Thyer’s Corner to bring the Barrier trade a dozen miles closer to Adelaide. With only one mine in full swing the traffic is constantly blocked. All is held up at Terowie with the break of gauge. The solution is either a broad gauge line to Broken Hill or a third raid to Adelaide to allow narrow gauge trains to run to the city. BHP will not start the smelters again until new arrangements at Pt Pirie enable coke etc. to go that way. The bullion too will no longer go to Adelaide, but to Pt Pirie. At the very least new sidings are needed at Terowie to ease the congestion. The line to Broken Hill should be doubled.

Silver Mines in the Burra District are showing signs of revival. A party is offering to buy Bevan & Sons property 15 miles from Burra. It is well worth a visit as shafts and costeen pits have been put down costing £1,250.

Jubilee Fountain is at last being erected, having been at the Burra Station since November 1887. Council gave permission for its erection in line with the row of trees nearest the road, but stupidly it is being erected in the middle of the avenue blocking the way.

Football. The AGM was held at the Commercial Hotel Friday last. The club has a credit balance of £3-16-0. Elected were: F.W. Holder MP, Patron; P.L. Killicoat JP, President; E. Lockyer, Captain; G. Herbert, Vice-Captain; J. Blott, Secretary.

Black George Mining Co. held a meeting at the Institute on Wednesday. It seeks to mine a copper lode at the Black George Well, Redruth. 100 shares of £1 each are to be offered: paid to 5/- on allotment.

Black Hills Pty Silver Mine held a meeting at the company’s office in the Institute on 18 April. Chairman was W.R. Ridgway and other directors: J. Dunstan Sen., J. Dunstan Jun., J. Pole & W.A. Rabbich. They report the shaft at 80’ and proceeding satisfactorily. A second shaft is to be sunk.

Mt Bryan Ranges Silver Mine Assoc. The manager reports No. 2 shaft to 46’6” and expects to cut the lode next week. In the underlie shaft they have started to open out the lode at 35’. [Further work reported.]

Kooringa Court, 17 April.

John Hynes fined 5/- or 3 days for drunkenness. (He went to jail.)

Hoare fined 5/- for a stray goat

W.A. Rabbich fined 2/6 for a stray goat.

J. Tobin fined 5/- for a stray cow.

Insolvency. There is a report of the insolvency of W. Midwinter, farmer and hotelkeeper of Baldina. The details of his income and expenditure are printed.

IX. 743. 24 April 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the coming Legislative Council election and the mining boom, which some believe to have passed its peak now, and its implications for the Burra Mine, the rumoured purchase of which has still not been confirmed.

Burra Town Council was to have met yesterday, but lacked a quorum.

Obituary. Henry Topperwein, one of Redruth’s earliest settlers, died last week and was buried yesterday. [Heinrich Philip Topperwein, died 20 April, aged 71.]

Burra Institute. A special meeting of subscribers was held on 20 April for the election of a Governor for the Public Library etc., filling a vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. D. Murray MLC. F.W. Holder MP was nominated.

Ralph Bartle, lately in charge of the Burra Waterworks, was yesterday charged with embezzling moneys belonging to the Burra Corporation. He has been wanted for some time and was brought in custody on Saturday night from Woodside.

Mr Richard Snell has grown a pumpkin weighing 95 lb: proof of what the judicious application of water will produce in our climate. It is on show in Mr Geake’s window yesterday and will be at the [chrysanthemum] show today.

Mr Snell has grown a large quantity of produce and has now leased his garden to the Chinamen.

Catholic Church. Burra is now part of the new Catholic Diocese of Port Augusta.

Redruth Court.

Ralph Bartle was accused of embezzling £2 given to him by Messrs Roach Bros. on account of the Burra Corporation, on or about 14 October 1887 and also the sum of £3.

He ceased employment about the end of 1887. He was sentenced to six months in Redruth Gaol.

Larrikin pranks were played last Saturday night.

New JP. W.C. Brown of Aberdeen has been gazetted a JP.

Football. Colours 2.6 defeated Allcomers 0.1

IX. 744. 27 April 1888, Page 2

Burra Chrysanthemum Show was held last Tuesday. It was good, but not as good as last year. Messrs Cave and Lewis reserved some of their best blooms for the Adelaide Show on Thursday. In Adelaide Mr Cave got 9 firsts and 2 seconds and Mr Lewis got 1 first and 2 seconds. The Burra show was largely attended.

First prizes went to:

T. Drew 10 Dr Brummitt 9

J. Lewis 7 Pearce & Rawling 3

J.D. Cave 3 W. Lasscock 2

Mrs Oppermann 2 T.W. Wilkinson 1

Miss B. Young 1 F.W. Holder 1

Mrs McLagan 1 Laura Pearce 1

Miss Builder 1

Rabbits. Experiments are being made on the introduction of chicken cholera to control rabbit populations.

The Mining Boom. Mining continues to excite interest all over SA with exploration near Burra in the Mt Bryan Ranges and even in the town the Black George Mining Syndicate is cleaning out the well known as Black George’s at Redruth.

IX. 744. 27 April 1888, Page 3

Election Meeting at the Burra Institute. The candidates: Sir Henry Ayers, Dr J.R. Stephens, J. Harvey, W. Lewis, J. Warren, & J. White, were each given 20 minutes. Since the last election the SA Constitution has been altered to create four Legislative Council Districts.

Sir Henry Ayers:

He has represented the colony for 32 years. He did not favour a property tax in place of the present land and income taxes. He seems to have had little to offer by way of general policy. He urged people to respect the Chinese already here, but favoured stopping further arrivals.

Dr Stephens:

He blamed the depression on bad land laws and favoured a land tax to break up very large holdings. On the Chinese question he agreed with Sir Henry Ayers. Other than that he had little to saw on new policies.

J. Warren:

He thought land resumption a great evil. Taxing land too severely was unjust and the £1 duty on signing a lease was wrong. He did not favour last session’s tariff. He was in favour of Chinese settlement in the NT on condition they came with wives and did not return to China with all the money they made. He did not think a new Parliament House was necessary.

J. White:

He thought the central issue was the amount of land lying idle. If elected he would advocate a system to settle the land. He favoured leasing land at 1d per acre and was against protection. He accused SAMA of being a dog-in-the-manger with respect to the Burra Mine. He was for the female franchise.

J. Harvey:

He favoured the abolition of land auctions. The Chinese who had been here for 40 years were quiet and useful ‘if they were kept in their place’, but he would not like to see the land overrun. They were needed to develop the NT

W. Lewis:

He favoured a smaller House of Parliament, simpler land laws, thought land should be sold by tender, that large estates were a curse to the country and that land should be let on lease. A man should not be allowed to own 10,000 acres and leave it idle. Mining ought to be encouraged. He would tax all single Chinamen £10.

IX. 745. 1 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. Prospectus for Ulooloo Gold Mining and Crushing Co. Ltd. The lease is held by H. Collins and F. Simpson at present and this represents the first attempt in the area to develop reef mining rather than merely alluvial deposits. Aim to raise £5,500 in 220 x £25 shares.

Advt. Leases in 22,000 square miles of pastoral land will be offered at auction in Adelaide on 27 June.

Editorial on the leases of pastoral land to be auctioned. The editor feared this was too much to be offered at one time and with the leases all being 21 years; the problem would recur in 21 years’ time. Rabbits and other vermin will have to be destroyed as a condition of the lease, which was not in old leases and may make many areas unattractive to bidders. The lack of any limit on the area a new lessee may hold is another mistake.

W.H. Pearce last week sent two large tanks to Mt Cultaga Gold Mine near Olary in the N-E. This is one indication of a benefit to come from the interest in mining.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. held their 13th meeting at Burra last Saturday. Schools represented were Baldina Plains, Black Springs, Burra, Copperhouse, Hallett, Hanson, Manoora, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth and Terowie.

The Black Hills Prop. Silver Mining Co. reports successive bands of ore that are most encouraging.

Burra Musical Union. Interested parties met on the 27th April at the Institute to consider forming a society. It was convened by G. Butterworth with the Rev. J.S. Wayland in the chair. The Burra Musical Union resulted. Elected to office were:

Hon. Conductor A. Wittber Hon. Librarian G. Butterworth

Hon. Pianist Mrs G. Butterworth Hon. Pianist Miss Both

Hon. Sec. & Treasurer J.M. Harkness

In return for a free practice room the Union offers one or more concerts in aid of Institute funds.

Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show. Of the 11 first prizes for cut flowers, 10 went to Burra competitors: 9 to Mr Cave and 1 to Mr Lewis, while Mr Greenshields of Kapunda won the remaining prize.

IX. 745. 1 May 1888, Page 3

Mr Sutherland, a candidate for the N-E District of the Legislative Council, addressed a small gathering of voters at the Institute last Thursday evening.

He said he was opposed by a strong coalition of squatters and landed proprietors. One inequality of the election was the use of free travel passes by old members. He was strongly opposed to the tariff bill. He felt SA was seeing the rise of a landed aristocracy as holdings became consolidated. A man like Jay Gould could buy the land around a town like Burra and turn it over to grazing and so ruin the town. A French copper syndicate could buy the Burra Mine just to keep it closed. He favoured a land tax, but not a property tax. He disliked the private ownership of railways and water conservation schemes and ‘objected to the introduction of inferior races to the colony’.

Like the other candidates, he favoured federation, but this would not come till tariffs in all colonies were equal.

IX. 746. 4 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. Believed stolen from my yard early on the morning of 28 April: two liver and white cocker spaniels. Reward for information. John Rumball, Burra Railway Station.

Obituary. William Escott, aged 64 and a colonist of 38 years, died at his residence at Koonoona on 28 April of heart disease.

Editorial on the Rabbit Congress in Sydney. There was a proposal to use chicken cholera. Experiments were to be on an island and an isolated inland area. The editor believes ‘there is so much risk involved that the utmost care should be taken in the whole matter.’ Results to date suggest that M. Pasteur’s microbes do not seem to have survived.

[There seems to be little dismay that on the release ‘probably all native and other birds that might come into contact with the germs would be destroyed.’]

Many rabbits have been killed by the long drought.

F.W. Holder has been elected to the board of Governors of the Public Library when all 30 Institutes supported his candidacy.

Grace Everett was charged on 22 April at Kooringa with feloniously breaking and entering the shop of Martin Pederson to steal and take away nineteen pairs of boots to the value of £6-11-0 of the goods and chattels of the said Martin Pederson. On the reading of the charge the accused was seized with a fit and remained in that state for the rest of the hearing.

IX. 747. 8 May 1888, Page 2

Editorial on improving trade with Broken Hill by laying a third rail to Adelaide for through trains and building a loop from Terowie to Thyer’s Corner, cutting off 12 useless miles and Petersburg and two heavy grades.

Football. The match next Wednesday, 9 May will be between 17 Burra players and 25 Allcomers, captained by W. Bath.

Polo. Last Friday Burra 6 goals 14 behinds defeated Adelaide 3 goals 2 behinds.

Burra Mine. On 4 May the Advertiser reported talk of the Burra Mine being reopened by an English company and how the locals were looking forward to it. There is the prospect that deep sinking will reveal a gigantic lode. Burra people have interested themselves in several silver mines in the district: the one at Black Hills being the best known. It has not been successful yet and the geologists report was not favourable. To the north the Razorback and Mt Bryan Station are being searched. Two other syndicates are interested in an area near the junction of the Mt Bryan Ranges and the Ulooloo Hills and a little to the north are good indications of copper. At Ulooloo scores of reef claims are pegged, but no one as yet has developed any properly.

Grace Everett was committed for trial at the Supreme Court next criminal session.

Rifle Match. Last Wednesday Aberdeen 257 defeated Kooringa 215

Burra School Bank has 241 different accounts and over £30.

The Salvation Army collected over £3 on the drum on Saturday night.

IX. 747. 8 May 1888, Page 3

Burra Town Council.

It is reported that Mr Bartle, late Waterworks Engineer was sentenced to six months for embezzlement.

The mayor reported that the erection of the fountain in the Avenue was going on, but not in a workmanlike way and it needed attention.

Burra Football Club was granted use of the Recreation Ground for 1⁄3 of the gate.

IX. 748. 11 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. Burra Waterworks calls tenders for 20 tons of short firewood and 20 tons of chopped mallee roots.

Advt. A.E. Moore still retains his labour office where all business is transacted on reasonable terms. Market Square, Kooringa.

Advt. Burra Races will be held on 24 May (Queen’s Birthday) in Austin’s Paddock. The richest race is the Burra Handicap over 11⁄2 miles for £10. Admission 6d for pedestrians, 1/- for horsemen and 2/6 for any private vehicle with all occupants.

An inquest was held at the Bon Accord Hotel on John McKeown who had been run over by the ballast train a mile north of Manoora on Wednesday. W.R. Ridgway JP was coroner and the verdict was that the death was purely accidental.

Anti-Chinese Movement. There has been a great anti-Chinese meeting in the Adelaide Town Hall.

IX. 749. 15 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. The Prospectus of the Wheal Motley Copper Mining Syndicate is published. The mine is 20 miles east of Paratoo railway station. The aim is to raise £900 in 180 shares of £5 each.

[The office note scrawled on the paper reveals that the 31 cm x 17 cm advertisement cost £8-6-0.]

Advt. The Prospectus for Wheelbarrow Hills Silver and Lead Mining Syndicate is published. This aims to raise £500 in 100 shares of £5. The claim covers 90 acres three miles north of Farrell’s Flat railway station.

Editorial on the Chinese question. Six months ago it was simply proposed across Australia to regulate the inflow of Chinese by use of a poll tax, now it is determined by all the colonies to absolutely prohibit it. Nor is it to be wondered at when there were signs of the opening of the floodgates. Under such circumstances ‘reason and political economy must stand aside and the general sentiment expressed in the words “No Chinese” must rule.’

‘A resolute and united front must be presented and England will secure for us the protection we need.’

Weather. Splendid soaking rains have given hope for a good season.

Obituary. Mrs Jeffery Pearse [aged 53] died in Adelaide on Sunday. She and her late husband were old Burra residents. She will be buried today in Kooringa. [Born Mary Jane Coombs.]

IX. 749. 15 May 1888, Page 2-3

Obituary. Mr Robert Kewley, an old Burra identity died last Sunday. He arrived in SA on the Lady Lilford in 1839. [Died 13 May, aged 70.]

IX. 749. 15 May 1888, Page 3

Burra Institute has granted rehearsal space once a week to the Burra Musical Union in return for two concerts during the coming winter, to benefit Institute funds.

Entertainment. The Faust Family will give an entertainment at the Institute next Thursday and Friday. The company embraces music, athletic and tumbling acts, comic character singing clowns, dancing and musical pantomime. Herr Von Der Mehden is a cornet soloist and Daisy Faust is an infant prodigy with serio-comic songs.

The Legislative Council Election. Incomplete results:

Ayers 1241

Harvey 437

Lewis 693

Stephens 255

Sutherland 309

Warren 1273

White 539

Counting continues with the Gawler, Williamstown and Lyndoch boxes to come, but they cannot affect the result.

IX. 750. 18 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday 20 May with the tea meeting Monday. Rev. J. Collings will deliver an address.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 20 May with a flower service in the afternoon. The tea meeting is on 24 May.

Entertainment. The Faust Family entertainment was a success.

Football. Tomorrow: a Colours v. Allcomers match.

[For 1888 the results of these local practice matches were not reported.]

On Thursday Riverton will play Burra at Burra.

Weather. There was a severe hailstorm last Wednesday with hail up to the size of marbles. There was much thunder and lightning and a total of 72 points of rain.

Emu Flat plantation is providing work for more men.

Obituary. Mr Lamb, an old Burra resident and early colonist has died. [James Gilbert Lamb died 13 May aged 67.]

IX. 751. 22 May 1888, Page 2

Editorial on Queen Victoria’s 70th birthday and in praise of the constitutional monarchy over which she reigned.

Mining. Reports on the various mining syndicates continue to be published.

Railways. There is a report on an invention by a Mr Scott to allow vehicles to transfer from one railway gauge to another. [This was in effect an automated bogy-exchange system.]

W.H.H. [W.H. Hardy] contributes a poem as ‘A Tribute to a Friend: the late Robert Kewley.

Typhoid has broken out in Melbourne with 1303 cases this year.

The Australasian Wesleyan Conference favours more co-operation among Methodist Churches in Australia.

IX. 752. 25 May 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the first meeting of an SA Parliament with paid MPs. They were getting £200 p.a.

Agricultural Bureau. Appointment of a local branch comprising Dr Brummitt JP & Messrs J. Lewis, W. Barker, T. Fairchild, A.H. Forder.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church next Sunday the Rev. S. Gray will present the 2,000th sermon of the celebrated Baptist minister Rev. C.H. Spurgeon, which is a strong defence of evangelical teaching.

The Share Market continues to fall.

The Hon. C.C. Kingston has been made a Q.C.

Football. 24 May at Burra. Burra 2.11 defeated Riverton 0.5. [W.H. Hardy umpired.]

Letter complaining that there has been a dead calf in the creek off Chapel St for two days and it is high time it was removed.

Burra Races. Strangely the Burra Races of 24th May seem only to be reported in the ‘Item’ column with the enigmatic ‘Races’ as the entire article!

IX. 752. 25 May 1888, Page 3

There is a 21⁄2-column report on a trip to ‘The Western Coast’.

IX. 753. 29 May 1888, Page 2

Advt. The return of the Faust Family and Herr Von Der Mehden, the great cornet soloist. For one night only: 29 May.

Trees. Trees for this season need to be planted now and tree guards removed from those trees that have outgrown them.

Mining Boom. Reports on about four mining ventures continue to dominate the ‘local’ news, although some are as distant as the Barrier Ranges. [Examples are Wheal Frances Tin Mine, Eaglehawk Silver Mine, New Alma & Victoria Gold Mine, Black Hills Silver Mine and the Ulooloo Gold Mine.

Burra Co. VF. The first scarlet uniforms for the company have arrived.

Copper Syndicate. It is rumoured that the [international] copper syndicate has failed.

Chinese. An anti-Chinese meeting in Adelaide last Saturday called for a £100 poll tax and a £25 p.a. special tax.

Tennis. 24 May at Clare.

Clare 126 games defeated Burra 94 games, by 34 games. [sic] [At least one of the numbers must be in error.]

IX. 753. 29 May 1888, Page 3

There is a short article on the invented language Volapuk. [Cf. Esperanto]

IX. 754. 1 June 1888, Page 2

Sir Henry Ayers has been reappointed President of the Legislative Council.

The Copper Market faces complete collapse imminently. The share market is depressed, but good reports continue from mining experts.

O’Lary [Olary] gold reefs have been favourably reported on by the SA Government Geologist.

Colonel Owen, late Brigadier-General of the SA forces, has been appointed to the defences at Portsmouth.

‘Electric lighting not a rival to gas.’

Ostrich feathers are at a discount. Tripoli in Africa has for years exported £200,000 per annum, but in the past year managed only £15,000.

SA Parliament. The Governor’s speech opening the third session of the 12th SA Parliament is printed.

IX. 754. 1 June 1888, Page 3

Rifle Match held on Wednesday. Kooringa 207 defeated Aberdeen 206

21⁄2-column report on ‘The Western Coast.’

IX. 755. 5 June 1888, Page 2

Burra Chess Club begins a tournament tonight at the Institute.

Railways. Sleeping cars are being built for the Silverton railway line.

Education. Nearly 1⁄4 of children attending state schools are on the free list.

Burra Town Council.

The Corporation has asked the Government to take over the large amount of tools etc. at the Waterworks, at cost price.

Local board of Health. Mr R. Austin & Mr W.A. Rabbich have both refused to construct proper covers to boiling down furnises. [sic] The matter has been referred to the Central Board of Health.

IX. 755. 5 June 1888, Page 3

Obituary & Inquest. Robert T. Allaway died at the Burra Hospital on 24 May. An inquest was held by F.W. Holder JP on 25 May. [Aged 57.]

Dr Brummitt:

The deceased died from alcoholic poisoning. He had been staying at Worby’s Hotel in Farrell’s Flat from 10 March to 15 May at £1 a week board. He had spent about 9/- to 10/- per day. [In the bar.]

The jury concluded that the deceased died of alcoholic poisoning and that Arthur Worby ‘is quite unfit to hold a licence and should be most severely censured for his conduct in permitting deceased to spend all his money and also for sending him to the hospital in the neglected state in which he was.’

IX. 756. 8 June 1888, Page 2

Advt. W. Baxter’s Sea on Land

Open every evening weather permitting at the rear of the Commercial Hotel. Open 3-5 Saturday afternoon for school children at 1d. On Monday evening half the proceeds will go to the Burra Hospital.

Adelaide Criminal Sittings

Grace Everett pleaded guilty to the larceny of 19 pairs of boots from the shop of Martin Pederson of Kooringa on 22 April. She was sentenced to six months.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich favouring a new railway to the Barrier Ranges across the Eastern Country. [Presumably he had in mind Burra as a starting point, though Morgan was another possible place.]

Letter from W.H. Hardy, who considered that R.T. Allaway’s death could better be described as murder than manslaughter and should be treated as such.

IX. 757. 12 June 1888, Page 2

Advt. A. Bartholomæus is selling by tender section 2070 of the Hundred of Kooringa, with the bone mill in good working order erected thereon with all necessary appliances.

Advt. IOR Grand Public Tea & Temperance Meeting on Wednesday 27 June in the Institute.

Obituary - Typhoid. There have been a large number of typhoid cases in the Burra Hospital this year, though all have come from the Barrier. Another death last Monday is added to the list. It was J.R. Edwards, formerly of Burra in the employ of Drew & Co. and latterly of Broken Hill for the same firm. He leaves a wife and five children. [John Rowland Edwards died 11 June, aged 34.]

Rabbits. NSW is investigating the use of Tintinallogy disease in combating the rabbit plague. It is said to be very effective.

Railways. Tenders are called by 27 June for the erection of a platform at Davieston station and for rooms at Hallett station.

IX. 758. 15 June 1888, Page 2

Notice. Drs Brummitt and Sangster will give free vaccinations for the next few weeks on Friday afternoons.

Advt. Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Anniversary will be held on 17 & 18 June. Revs H.T. Burgess & S. Gray will officiate. Moonlight.

Advt. Mr Alexander, the Australian Blondin, will give two grand open-air performances on the high wire and trapeze on Tuesday and Wednesday, 19 & 20 June. Collection on the ground.

Editorial on the constitutional monarchy and the Chinese question.

Burra Co. VF. The first parade of the company in new uniforms was generally admired. It is hoped a large muster will attend the review on 20 June.

The Chinese Question.

Mr Playford at the Sydney Conference submitted:

Chinese immigration to the colonies be further restricted.

The Imperial Government be asked to interfere diplomatically with China with a view to settle the question in accordance with Australian views.

A committee be set up to draft a Bill to obtain uniform laws in the colonies.

His ideas were not extreme enough for others at the gathering.

Unemployment. There are 300 unemployed in Adelaide.

IX. 759. 19 June 1888, Page 2

Obituary. Henry Thomas Eaton, second son of H.T. Eaton, mounted trooper, died on 17 June at Redruth after a brief illness, aged 5 months. [Registered as Harry Thomas Eaton born 16 January 1888.]

Editorial on Land Legislation.

The writer is particularly critical of Acts, which have not achieved the main aim: that of seeing land settled and developed, not merely sold to raise revenue. This applies especially to land sold in the 1870s. The advice of the Surveyor-General (Goyder) and the Commission of 1867 was ignored. The result has been to depopulate old areas, and injure pastoral areas that were not suitable for agriculture, but were subdivided for such. ‘Many of them go so far as to declare that they could not make a living on their present holdings if they had them for nothing, and scores of families have left us for the other colonies.’

What has been done cannot now be undone, or easily mended. ‘The holdings taken up for cultivation are far too small for grazing, and in many districts four families must leave and four homesteads be deserted to enable the fifth settler to get enough land to make a living.’ But what is to be done with the four? The concessions so far have been applied very unevenly and unfairly.

He then proposes a system of perpetual lease.

[This 21⁄4-column leading article is a good example of Holder’s clear and sensible prose as well as of his handling of ideas.]

Burra Co. VF. ‘Members of the Burra Band VF are required to return to the Captain as soon as possible their instruments, music, and all other property of the company.’

Volunteers attending the review tomorrow must obtain passes and go down either tonight or tomorrow morning. Parade at Staff Office at 1.30. Return the same day will be possible.

Elders. Elders Wool & Produce Co. has merged with Elder Smith & Co. Ltd. Mr Bagot who managed Elders Wool & Produce in Burra moves to take charge in Broken Hill & Mr McLaren, once of McLaren, White & Co. takes over in Burra.

Rifle Matches. A fine cruet is the prize for a series of five stages of firing matches. They will run weekly on Wednesdays beginning 27 June. Entry fee 1/6 per match and there will be handicaps. The first two of each of the first four matches will play off in the fifth match.

IX. 759. 19 June 1888, Page 3

Burra Town Council.

Cr Pearce called attention to the unsafe state of the fountain in the Avenue.

There is a complaint that several young ladies are very fond of plucking branches from pepper trees in the Redruth Reserve. The Inspector has been instructed to look out and enforce the penalty for the destruction of trees.

Local Board of Health.

The Central Board of Health wrote to say the Local Board has power to enforce covers for boiling down works. Rabbich & Sons are to be advised to comply or face the loss of their licence when it comes up for renewal for the year beginning 1 June.

German Emperor. Emperor Frederick III has died after a reign of only 14 weeks. The new Emperor is William II.

Mr Bartholomæus has resigned from the Burra School Board of Advice.

The Chinese Question. The resolutions from the Sydney Conference on the Chinese Question are printed.

IX. 760. 22 June 1888, Page 2

Burra Co. VF. A good number of members of the company attended the review in Adelaide. It turned out to be a tame affair due to poor weather and low attendance. The planned sham fight was cancelled.

The company will be inspected by Gen. Downes on Tuesday 26 June at 3 p.m. Attendance is necessary to qualify for efficiency for the year.

District Council of Burra.

Nominations for election.

Kooringa Ward J. Bagg Jun.

P.L. Killicoat

J.C. Sandland

King Ward W.P. Barker

J. Kellock

Baldina Ward F. Duldig

R. Klaebe

J. Rogers

Ballot required for Baldina Ward and will be on 2 July (Two to be elected.)

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will hold a grand exhibition of dissolving views tonight.

IX. 761. 26 June 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the British Government, the 1888 sale of pastoral leases and the establishment of a local Agricultural Bureau.

IOR Grand Public Tea tomorrow night and temperance meeting. Dr Brummitt will preside and Mr E. Semmens PDCR and the town ministers will speak.

Railways. The Railways have cancelled excursion fares from 1 July, but return fares will fall to 11⁄2 the single fare and will be good for 7 days for up to 50 miles and for 1 month for over 50 miles.

Entertainment. Mr Baxter’s ‘Sea on Land’ benefit night for the Burra Hospital took 27/6 and instead of half Mr Baxter donated £1 to the hospital.

Messrs Drew & Co. are offering their business for sale.

IX. 761. 26 June 1888, Page 3

Burra Agricultural Bureau. A preliminary meeting was held on 1 June at Shakes & Lewis’s office with Dr. Brummitt in the chair. Others were W. Barker, T. Fairchild & A.H. Forder. J. Lewis JP was elected chairman and Mr Forder, the Hon. Sec. Meeting will be held the evening of the Tuesday before full moon each month. The first such meeting was last Tuesday, but bad weather saw only Messrs Lewis & Forder & Dr Brummitt turn up for it. The discussion was on wattle growing which is a good possibility on stony ground. [For use in tanning.]

Also carob bean production for use as cattle fodder.

Gums, especially sugar gums are recommended for watercourses. Olives and lucerne were recommended. Star thistle needs eradication along with stinkwort.

Ensilage is also recommended.

IX. 762. 29 June 1888, Page 2

Notice. I Charles Brooks, roughrider to Professor St Leger, (horse tamer) challenge any person in the Burra district to bring any horse that can throw me fair bucking; and I will furthermore pay the owner of any horse that does three guineas. Horse to be saddled by anyone in the crowd.

Editorial on Technical Education following a proposal to set up a School of Mines and Industries.

‘There are many reasons why the State should not attempt to undertake secondary education in any form, and against its doing so insuperable objections would be raised.’

Rifle Matches. The first rifle match for the cruet was fired on Wednesday and Lieut. Butterworth won from Trooper Eaton.

Horse Training. Professor St Leger has been giving very successful exhibitions of horse-taming at Pearce’s Yards.

Burra Co. VF was inspected Tuesday afternoon by General Downes. Captain Holder was absent due to Parliamentary duties.

The removal of young men from the town is shown in the rollcall where the number of names has run down from 84 to 36, of whom 31 were present.

The General was complimentary. The absence of the band was notable.

IOR in Burra has three lodges: male, female and juvenile with a total membership of c. 300. The public tea of the 27 June was held in the Institute, where five large tables in the big hall were filled at 4.30 p.m. for two hours. At 7.30 there was a Monster Temperance Meeting with Dr Brummitt in the chair. The meeting was addressed by Mr Semmens PDCR and Revs H.T. Burgess & W.H. Hodge (Wesleyan), S. Gray (Primitive Methodist), J. Hancock (Bible Christian) and other temperance enthusiasts.

Letter from W.H. Hardy opposing technical education. In it he sees education as having been used merely to keep down the crime rates. Now it is to become a moneymaking thing. The technical education will contain neither refinement nor discrimination, but will merely train the children of the poor to make money for the rich without giving them the sort of education that would allow them to rise in society. It is merely an instrument for the financial gain of their masters.

IX. 763. 3 July 1888, Page 2

Notice. Messrs Morris, Sandland and Barritt will auction at the Institute on Wednesday 4 July at 12.30 over 300 lots from the Directors of the Museum of Art and Manufactures Kobe-Hiogo of Japan. 17 cases of Japanese Manufactures and Art Productions. Embroidered Silks, Screens, Porcelain, Bronzes, Enamels, Lacquered Ware, toys, Curios etc.

Birth: to Mrs Henry Roach at Hackney on 1 July, a son. [Harry Keith Roach]

Editorial on the 1888 land leases which the editor regrets has largely gone into the same hands as before, much of it in large areas. The average price of £1-18-0 per mile per annum is too high under present circumstances and represents a degree of speculation. [A list of the largest purchases appears on page 3.]

The Report of the Land Commission has been laid before Parliament. It recommends that the present very complex legislation be swept away. The auction system should go. Land Boards should classify and value the land. There should be only two forms of tenure: deferred payment for the fee simple, or perpetual lease with rentals revised after seven years. The proposal was to be limited to land within the counties.

[The actual recommendations are printed on page 3.]

Friedrichswalde. A school has been opened under the teacher Mr O. Bernhard Riegert who has trained in East Prussia. The school comes under the Kapunda School Board of Advice. [Since 1918 Friedrichswalde, 6 km east of Marrabel, has been known as Tarnma.]

International Cables. The two cables from Darwin to Europe are broken: one 100 miles out and the other 600 miles out. This has provoked fears of a military cause for the disruption. Victoria has responded by sending a gunboat to patrol outside the heads [of Pt Philip] and by getting its fighting forces into trim.

SA’s Revenue. The colony’s customs revenue is £127,871 up on last year. Railway revenue is £280,000 more than last year, clearing 4% on their cost for the year.

Overall SA revenue is up £483,268 over last year.

Unemployment. Adelaide’s unemployed are being sent to Beetaloo.

Electric Trams are a success in Sydney and Ballarat.

Iron Mine. Operations are to commence soon on the Manganese Co.’s property.

IX. 764. 6 July 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the SA Taxation Policy.

Rifle Match. The second match for the cruet was fired last Wednesday and G. Parks and T. Rabbich go forward to the final.

Burra Manganese and Silver Mining Co. Ltd. On Saturday 30 June the mine was visited by Mr J. Jackman Jun. of Adelaide, P. Lane, P. Oates of Kooringa who are the directors and by Captain Rosewall and the Secretary, J.H. Schiekel. They intend to call tenders for the sinking of a 100’ shaft.

The Redruth Band of Hope held its quarterly entertainment with the Rev. W.H. Hodge presiding. It was very successful.

International Cables. The breaks have now been found not to be far apart after all.

Railways. There is agitation for a railway from Blyth to Gladstone.

Letter from W.H. Hardy once more railing against modern education.

Letter decrying the call for a school at Ulooloo as there are too few students. Look at Mt Bryan East, he says, where a fine school was built for £1,000 or more, but soon had to close for want of pupils. He suggests a wooden structure and a single female provisional teacher for Ulooloo.

Burra DC Election.

Results for Baldina Ward: John Rogers & B.R. Klaebe were elected.

William Davey and Thomas T. Shortridge were elected auditors.

IX. 765. 10 July 1888, Page 2

Davieston School was inspected on 22 June and 6 of the 10 children presented for examination were promoted.

International Cables. A repair ship has reached the breaks. The opinion is growing that the cause was a volcanic disturbance.

Accident. Henry Broad of Baldina has been accidentally shot in the thigh by G. Parks. He is progressing favourably under the care of Dr Brummitt.

Weather. It remains dry locally, but the crops are not yet suffering, but to the N and NE things are bad. There is every sign that the coming season will be bad again.

Mr Hoare, a local artist, has carved a horse and rider from a single piece of wood. The horse is leaping a gate and the whole is accurate in every detail and painted in suitable colours. He has previously gained a reputation for carving on horns.

The Chinese Question. China has ordered its subjects in the colonies to wind up their businesses and return to China within three years: preparatory to the colonies being punished for their attitudes.

Burra Teachers’ Association held its 14th meeting on Saturday 7 July in the Burra School. Teachers came from schools at Burra, Baldina Plains, Copperhouse, Davieston [now Hanson], Hacklin’s Corner, Hallett, Hanson [now Farrell’s Flat], Leighton, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth, Spalding, Terowie, and World’s End Creek.

Port Pirie trade is rising rapidly.

Wheal Motley Copper Mine is set to begin work.

The Protector continues to patrol the Gulf.

Railways. A railway from Port Augusta to Perth would be a useless affair.

The Broken Hill Co. has distributed £140-19-0 per share already.

Hunting. A local sportsman has killed no less than 21 wild turkeys last week.

The Savings Bank has increasing deposits and increasing numbers of depositors.

Unemployment. The Victorian Railways had 615 vacancies and attracted 5,930 applicants.

Dr O’Reilly has arrived in Adelaide to go to Pt Augusta as the new Roman catholic Bishop of that diocese.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor gave his opinion that the well at the Waterworks was owned by the Government, not the Corporation or a private party.

The Corporation decided to sell allotment 16 Aberdeen, now held by them.

The Government has paid for the tools at the Waterworks.

The bridge over the creek near Chivell’s was in need of repair and about £10 expenditure was approved.

Trees about the town are to be pruned where needed.

5 chains of road near the Goods Station are to be metalled.

Local Board of Health

T. Richardson is complaining about the nuisance of C. Schutz carting manure near his dwelling.

A complaint has been lodged about the dirty state of the Burra Hotel premises: two cases of typhoid fever undoubtedly originated on these premises.

Messrs Rabbich & Sons objected to the manner in which they have been singled out for committing a nuisance. [Presumably a reference to the lid required for their boiling down operation.]

‘Our Interior’ 3⁄4 column on Central Australia.

IX. 766. 13 July 1888, Page 2

Obituary. John Kitson Sen. died on 4 July at his son’s residence at Orroroo, aged 76. A colonist of 33 years.

Editorial on the Chinese migration bill before Parliament.

Weather. ‘We experienced a beautiful fall of snow this morning which clad everything in whiteness. Such a sight is rarely, if ever before, seen here.’ [sic]

There was some nice rain yesterday, but it was not general.

Rifle Match for the cruet: over 500 and 600 yards. Best were privates Nicholls and Bentley.

Glenelg Fort guns have cost £29,000 and the fort will cost £30,000 more.

Burra Chess Club has been playing a handicap tournament for some weeks.

International Cables are still down.

Mining. 3⁄4 column on the Eaglehawk Mine some 9 miles north of Broken Hill.

IX. 767. 17 July 1888, Page 2

Wanted: A Good General Servant. Apply to Mrs Holder, Kangaroo St Kooringa.

Editorial on fears that while SA squabbles over whether the deep port should be at Pt Pirie or Pt Germein, or whether the railway should be extended from Wallaroo via Snowtown to Crystal Brook to use the Wallaroo smelters etc. etc. Sydney or Melbourne could step in and appropriate the Barrier trade.

2nd Leader considers the need for further street trees in Burra and care of those already planted.

Weather. There has been more splendid rain in this district and to the south and west and even some in the drier areas. Last Friday’s snow extended for some distance around the town.

War Scare. Captain Holder has arranged an alarm signal by means of which the VF can be called together at any hour in the event of a telegram from Adelaide with orders. The signal will be six cannon fired at intervals of one minute. The VF will then assemble opposite the Institute in full uniform with haversack etc. They will move to the railway station 15 minutes from the first cannon and will be dismissed after 30 minutes if there are no further orders.

Burra Institute Committee accepted the offer of a free copy of The Record for use in the reading room.

International Cable to the UK is still down, but a mail vessel has arrived with telegrams. There has been no change in the political situation in Europe. The ends of the broken cable were eight miles apart.

The Star of Greece was wrecked at Port Willunga last Friday morning. It was carrying 16,000 bags of wheat. The captain and 16 others drowned, while 10 managed somehow to get ashore. Effective help was delayed which has provoked much adverse comment.

Eaglehawk Mine. Burra investors hold a large proportion of the shares, which promise to be valuable.

The Chinese Bill. The Legislative Council refuses to pass the Chinese Bill.

John Roach has been giving an entertainment in Kapunda.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church collection last Sunday raised £20-12-4 for Home Missions.

Female Suffrage. Mr Caldwell has introduced his Bill to give the franchise to all women aged 25 or more.

Burra Institute. The half-yearly meeting was adjourned for lack of a quorum last Friday due to the bad weather. The library now contains 2883 volumes and there are 73 subscribers. Income for the half year was £156-2-4 and expenditure £102-14-1.

The building fund stands at £52-2-7.

IX. 767. 17 July 1888, Page 3

The New Catholic Bishop, Dr O’Reilly, arrived at 6.30 p.m. last Thursday, 12 July, by the Broken Hill express with his chaplain, Rev. Father Hayes of Sydney and Dean Nevin of Port Augusta. He was met by Rev. Father O’Dowling SJ, pastor of Burra and the Very Rev. T. O’Brien SJ, Superior of the Jesuit Missions in SA and Rev. J. Lee of Marrabel. The laity was represented by Messrs John O’Leary, James O’Connell and P. Dowd JP of Farrell’s Flat. A triumphal arch and church bell greeted the Bishop in Kooringa. There was a service at 7.00 p.m. at which he was presented with an address on white satin in a gilt frame. His Lordship then addressed the congregation. There was a Bishop’s Mass at 8 a.m. Friday, which was well attended despite the cold, wet and boisterous weather. The Bishop was formally received in Port Augusta last Sunday.

Payment for MPs. W.H. Hardy submits a one-column essay from Mr Black of NSW strongly supporting the payment of Members of Parliament. It is argued with far less hyperbole than is usual for Hardy’s own writings.

Sensationalism. There is an article arguing against the current appetite for sensationalism. Instances cited include the young woman who ascended to 3,000 metres suspended by her teeth from a trapeze under the car of a balloon at the crystal Palace, London. Other instances are people going over Niagara Falls in casks, jumping from various bridges, placing hands and/or head in a lion’s mouth and tightrope walking across vast elevations. (Article from Sydney Morning Herald.)

‘Adult’ replies to ‘Common Sense’ that children cannot, as a rule, tell adults anything they do not know. They should be seen and not heard. He further complains that Bands of Hope are too frequently places of amusement ‘and not places where the drink curse is cried down’.

[I missed and cannot now easily find the start of this dispute.]

IX. 768. 20 July 1888, Page 2

Elder, Smith & Co. announce their first sale since the reorganisation of Elder’s Wool & Produce etc. to form the new company with capital of £1,000,000. On 27 July they will offer 3,000 fat and store sheep and 15 fat and store cattle at the Bon Accord Yards.

Notice. Tenders are called by the District Council of Booborowie for the erection of a Council Chamber near the Booborowie Eating House. To be in by 3 August.

Editorial on the Star of Greece disaster.

Rifle Match. The final match for the handsome cruet given by Colour Sergeant Watt was fired last Wednesday over 400 yards, 1st class target, Wimbledon scoring and 10 shots per man. Private Cooksley came 1st, Private G. Parks 2nd (6/-), T. Nicholls was 3rd (4/-) and W.T. Rabbich 4th (2/-).

The International Cable has been restored.

Broken Hill is in serious trouble over the lack of water.

Burra Chess Club handicap tournament was won by M.H.G. Gibson.

Obituary. Miss Willcox formerly of Burra has died at Terowie.

[Elizabeth Jane Ellen Wilcox, daughter of Edward Wilcox, died at Terowie on 17 July, aged 15, of rheumatism syncope. But born Elizabeth Jane Willcocks 8 October 1872.]

Obituary. Sir [William] W. Cairns, a former SA Governor has died. [Actually a Lieutenant-Governor for 54 days in 1877]

Football. The Terowie club has challenged Burra.

Letter to the editor continues a discussion of the role of the Bands of Hope.

[See also previous issues.]

The Eastern Selectors. The local MPs Holder and Rounsevell presented a petition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on Wednesday from 37 selectors in the Hundreds of Baldina, King and Rees, setting out their difficulties. When they selected their holdings it was expected they could be successfully cultivated, but this has proved impossible and in the whole district more seed wheat has been sown than wheat has been harvested. The majority of selectors have now expended all their capital and cannot even migrate to other parts of the colony. The proposed District Council Act will bring further costs they cannot meet. They ask for a reduction of rent to 2d an acre. The Commissioner has refused the request because such a move will fall within the powers of the new Lands Boards which are due to be initiated ‘at an early date’.

A similar petition from occupiers of educational and miscellaneous leases was also denied. The Commissioner said he had no power to reduce such rentals and could only suggest surrender on payment of three months rent in advance.

Common Sense’ writes in reply to ‘Adult’ pointing out that Bands of Hope are in fact aimed at the instruction and amusement of children, to bring before them the many evils of intemperance. If ‘Adult’ is not satisfied perhaps he should start monthly temperance meetings for adults. His proposals for meetings would not meet the needs of children.

IX. 769. 24 July 1888, Page 2

Advt. Professor A.E. Rice will come to the Institute on 27 & 28 July.

The Great Mind Reader, Physiognomist, Humorist, Hindoo Magician and Mesmerist, with his domestic drama entitled ‘Babes in the Wood’

The Charm of the Household

‘Red Riding Hood’

Let the little ones see the Wolf

‘Blue Beard’

3/-, 2/-, 1/-

Obituary. Betsy Harvey died at her son’s residence at Aberdeen on 22 July, aged 80. She was mother of Thomas Harvey and relict of the late William Harvey.

Editorial on the need to reform the laws relating to liquor sales.

Female Franchise. Mr Robert Caldwell MP has moved in the Assembly for the extension of the franchise to women. The editor says he thought that when Dr Stirling introduced such a measure on a former occasion:

‘women best adorned private life, and that in their own homes they found their happiest sphere’

‘We are now, however, inclined to think that the experiment is worth the making.’

‘We imagine that it is chiefly in respect of social questions that women would make their power felt in the ballot box, and it is exactly here that some further power needs to be exercised. Perhaps our greatest weakness is a want of due regard in public matter to questions of social and moral weight.’

He favoured the age of 25 rather than 21.

Wheal Motley Copper Mine. The mine is to commence operations with the capital as presently subscribed.

Burra Town Council. His Worship the Mayor has seen Mr Jones, the Conservator of Water, who suggested the Council take back the Waterworks and that the Government would allow a considerable reduction in the interest. He undertook to report on the question and would forward a request officially to the Council.

R. Snell requests permission to run wastewater from the swimming baths via a culvert across Quarry St and into the creek.

Trees are to be planted where previous ones have died and those in need of support are to be staked.

Burra District Council

The new council will comprise Crs Barker, Bagg, Kellock, Killicoat, Klaebe and Sandland. Cr Sandland was elected Chairman.

F.W. Holder advises that surveyed blocks in Baldina and King will be gazetted next week.

Joseph Williams has been blacklisted for labour for six months.

IX. 770. 27 July 1888, Page 2

Entertainment. Professor Rice has been postponed till 28 July.

Editorial on defence problems in light of broken undersea cables, though it is now believed that enemy action was not involved. Such a break may well be our first intimation that war has broken out.

Typhoid has broken out in Burra with three cases in one house.

Rifle Matches. Private Cooksley has presented a single barrel breech-loading shotgun to be won with the top three in this round to go through to the final. They were Privates Cooksley and Rabbich and Lieut. Butterworth.

Salvation Army. There was tea and supper and ‘a big go’ 22 & 23 July. Major Dean, in charge of the Northern Division, and Divisional Accountant Capt. Bull visited. Despite rain there was an afternoon open-air service and then a meeting at the barracks. Monday was more conducive to open-air meetings after which there was tea at the barracks. £18 profit resulted.

Glenelg Fort’s guns have been landed.

International Cable. The break in one of the cables has yet to be located: neither end having yet been found.

The Chinese Bill has been deferred till next week.

Burra Institute. The Government has offered to grant a £ for £ subsidy to Institutes which have educational classes. What about the maintenance of a public reading room asks the Burra Committee.

Burra Chess Club. The result of the chess tournament final that was played on 19 July is printed. H.G. Gibson came first with 10 wins from 12 games. G.B. Hall and A.H. Jennings tied for 2nd and W. Lasscock and W. Anderson tied for 3rd. [But see also the announcement in IX. 772. 3 August 1888.]

IX. 770. 27 July 1888, Page 3

Letter to the editor about the apparent lack of concern of the Board of Health re typhoid in Burra. There was a case a few weeks ago at the Burra Hotel, but nothing was done. Now three more cases are in town and a walk down many of the rights of way, even in the centre of town reveals ‘festering swamps caused by the constant soakage of impure liquids.’

Letter from an ‘Ex-councillor’ condemning the purchase of trees when Burra could either grow its own or get them free from the Bundaleer forest plantation.

IX. 771. 31 July 1888, Page 2

Notice: New Train Times as from 1 August 1888

Arrive Depart

From the North to Adelaide - 7.16 a.m.

9.16 a.m. 9.21 a.m.

3.47 p.m. 3.52 p.m.

From Adelaide to the North 11.50 a.m. 11.57 a.m.

6.23 p.m. 6.29 p.m.

9.29 p.m. -

Advt. Professor A.E. Rice Tonight.

Five Complete Entertainments in One

Transformation Scene

Mind-Reading

Physiognomy

Magic

Marionettes

Ventriloquism

And the Domestic Drama ‘The Babes in the Wood’:

A Marionette Drama featuring mechanical figures 24” high who walk, talk, sing and dance like living beings.

Burra School Penny Bank. The first year’s business: £32-7-6 in the bank and

£22-5-4 withdrawn. There are 252 depositors.

Obituary. Mrs Delano, who died of typhoid, was buried on Saturday. [Mercy Delano, who died 26 July, was aged 36 and was the widow of William Bland Delano, a draper’s assistant of New Zealand.]

Typhoid. So far the outbreak has caused the death of Mrs Delano.

W.H.T. Pearce is critically ill and Miss Annie Pearce is also very ill.

The source has not been discovered.

Mr Andrew Anderson came home from Broken Hill and has developed the fever, though not in a virulent form.

Obituary. The Burra Hotel [typhoid] case resulted in the death of Mr Owens.

[Francis Owens died 26 July at the Burra Hospital, aged 32.]

Burra Co. VF staged a practice alarm drill on Friday, but as Captain Holder had been away on Parliamentary duties the cannon when required was found to be full of mud and water and could not be fired. Rifle fire was substituted and roused 20 of the 30 members of the company in the town.

Letter complaining of the use of cabs to transfer typhoid patients to the hospital, especially from the train as is often required.

Letter from W.H. Hardy in favour of a tax based on unimproved land values.

Broken Hill has at last received some rain and some has fallen around Burra too.

International Cable. The ends of the second cable have now been located and recovered.

Burra Chess Club has lost one of its best players as H.G. Gibson is moving to Broken Hill.

Burra Agricultural Bureau meeting is reported in 1 column of detail.

IX. 771. 31 July 1888, Page 3

Rifle Match. The second round for the gun was fired on Saturday and the highest scorers were Privates A. Davey, T. Bentley & Nicholls.

Land Tax. There is a report from the Register on taxing land values following a meeting on the matter in the Adelaide Town Hall last Thursday evening at which the two main motions were moved by Mr P. Glynn and F.W. Holder.

IX. 772. 3 August 1888, Page 2

Advt. Special Services and Annual Dinner of the Kooringa Methodist Church will be held next Sunday and Wednesday. Mrs Tassell of Adelaide will preach and the meeting will be addressed by Mrs Tassell and the Ministers of the Town. Dinner 1/-.

Typhoid. It has been suggested that the two recent deaths ascribed to typhoid were after all a result of the consumption of meat from pleuro-pneumonia infected animals, and it is known that it was pleuro-pneumonia that actually killed the animals.

IOR. The female, Lily of the Valley Tent, is making good progress in Kooringa with 55 members and £56-2-0 in funds on the 30 June. Since then 12 more have been initiated and 5 proposed.

Entertainment. Professor Rice’s performance was very well done and entertaining, but the audience was small.

Obituary. W.H.T. Pearce died on Tuesday evening and Miss Annie Pearce is still critical. The results of a post mortem are awaited. [William Henry Thomas Pearce, born 9 March 1854; died 31 July, aged 34.]

Rev. J.M. Donaldson, Anglican minister at Kapunda, is charged before an ecclesiastical court with having married again while his wife is still alive. He claims he had good reason to believe his wife to be dead.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd. is to be formed from the amalgamation of Messrs Shakes & Lewis and Messrs Bagot & Co. The new firm will have capital of £65,000.

Melbourne Exhibition. Adelaide is without ‘notabilities’ as they have all gone to see the Melbourne Exhibition. 36,00 people attended the opening, with 311 travelling from Adelaide on the first excursion train.

Burra Chess Club. Despite the results announced on 27 July, the club tournament continued with play-offs and the results are now announced as: H.G. Gibson 1st, G.B. Hall 2nd, A. Jennings 3rd, and R. Fordham 4th. [Given the earlier results, R. Fordham’s name is a surprise.]

IX. 773. 7 August 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the recent outbreak of disease with the patients actually dying of pneumonia, but with typhoid-like symptoms as well. It is strongly suggested that diseased animals were sold, slaughtered and eaten, with those who contracted the disease preferring their meat underdone. The connection, though not definitely proved, seems highly likely. Steps need to be taken to protect the public and the current laws seem inadequate. The surviving sufferer remains critical.

Rifle Match. On Saturday, Terowie 415 defeated Burra 381. Each team fired on their home range.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church annual special effort Sunday and Monday next, 12 & 13 August. Miss Green, the City Missionary from Adelaide, will preach in the evening.

IX. 773. 7 August 1888, Page 3

Burra Town Council. A row of trees is to be planted in Quarry St.

IX. 774. 10 August 1888, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will be closed on 12 August in favour of the Bible Christian special effort.

Editorial on rabbits and on an amendment to the Education Act. He asks whether the Government will do anything about abolishing fees, or about payment by results in non-government schools.

Rifle Match. The final match for the single barrel shotgun was held on Wednesday when 8 of the 9 qualified shot it out over 200, 500 and 600 yards. Private C. Parks won the gun with 62. Private Nicholls came second with 54 and Private Hardy 3rd with 50.

Obituary. Miss Annie Pearce, the youngest daughter of Mr W. Pearce Sen. died of the mysterious disease last Tuesday. [Born 2 August 1862; died 7 August 1888 aged 26.]

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Special Services last Sunday and Wednesday attracted a good congregation and raised £35.

Mystery Disease. Inspector Farrell of the Central Board of Health has visited Burra to look into the mystery disease outbreak. Two of the deaths were typhoid, one from Broken Hill and the boots from one of the hotels. For the other three cases there was no definite conclusion.

W.H. Hardy writes a poem in memory of Annie Pearce, who died on 7 August aged 25.

Sara & Dunstan have been awarded the contract for the Booborowie Council Chamber near the Booborowie Eating House.

Rabbits are in plague proportions near Terowie. In the Hundred of Wonna they are threatening to destroy all the crops. [i.e. east of Terowie around Mallett and to its north.]

IX. 775. 14 August 1888, Page 2

Editorial. The Central Board of Health have decided the recent outbreak of illness was not typhoid and it is also not likely to have resulted from the consumption of cattle with pleuro-pneumonia. They can only suggest a form of pneumonia, but as there is some argument even against that it seems destined to remain a mystery.

Burra Co. VF. A battalion drill is being organised for Hamley Bridge or Balaklava for three days. (Over a public holiday.)

A Bolt. The horse in Drew & Co.’s trolley bolted from near the post office to the right of way next to Mr Parks’ shop where contact with the wall broke the shafts.

A Stray Goat was seen ringbarking a street tree on Monday.

The Bible Christian Special Services were well attended.

Letter calling for trees to be planted at the entrances to the town: from Mr W. Davey’s to the Salvation Army Barracks and from Mr Lasscock’s house to the hospital.

Letter from W. T. Rabbich denying the buying of diseased animals and complaining that the town’s butchers have been impugned without evidence in the paper.

[The editor makes rather a weak defence, saying:

‘We certainly made no charge against the butchers.’

But on 7 August he had said in a long article on the matter:

‘Immediately before the appearance of the disease, cattle suffering from pleuro in an advanced stage were sold to a butcher or butchers in this town, some dying before they could be brought in, and the rest, for all the evidence to the contrary, being disposed of in the usual way. Beef was purchased and eaten by persons affected who, it is affirmed preferred their meat underdone. The suggestions of cause and effect appear complete.’

This sounds as though it might be interpreted as a ‘charge against the butchers’!]

Obituary & Inquest. The body of John Shepherdson aged 65 was found dead in a paddock at Hillside c. 21⁄2 miles north of Burra by Messrs Charles and August Fuss while on a sporting excursion on 9 August. The inquest was held at the Redruth Court House 10 August with W.R. Ridgway JP as coroner.

C. Fuss:

Came across the body about 4 o’clock. From appearances the body might have been there about a week. Lying on stomach with left arm underneath. No signs of a struggle. Did not know deceased. There was a crutch about two feet from the body. Informed police as soon as possible. We were out hunting when we found the body about half a mile from the main road.

Miss Birkett, Matron of the Burra Hospital:

Could say the deceased was John Shepherdson, a patient from 28 May to 16 July. When leaving hospital he probably had c. 20/- in his pocket and said he had a job on a station as a cook. Sometimes complained of pains in the head. I did not believe the job story. He was a cripple without friends in SA. In hospital he had a bottle 3⁄4 full of laudanum, which he said had been advised by a doctor.

William Brown, in the employ of Mr Austin, butcher of Aberdeen:

Had seen the man on Wednesday 1 August. He was walking with a crutch up the road towards Hallett.

Dr Brummitt:

Identified the deceased as a patient from the hospital. He had had violent headaches for some months. Probably suffered from some brain disease. Expect that death was from that cause. He had been a sensitive person who hated to be thought a loafer.

Trooper Williams:

The death was reported yesterday by Mr August Fuss. Went to the place accompanied by the Fuss Brothers and Trooper Eaton. [He gave the same description of the body as C. Fuss above.] Deceased had stayed at Bromley’s Eating House for one night after leaving hospital.

The Jury: Deceased came to his death from brain disease and exposure.

The Black George Mining Syndicate has been wound up.

International Cables were broken by a volcanic eruption.

Fort Largs. One of the big guns has been disabled by a shell bursting in it during practice.

Local Board of Health has visited various places. It found nothing too shocking, but the Burra Hotel’s old closet should be done away with and the yards cleaned more often. The Commercial Hotel disused pit contained liquid manure for which disposal is into the creek. There is a mud hole with putrid water to be filled in. Opie’s Hotel had a dirty pigsty, a filthy closet and outside manure was putrid.

IX. 775. 14 August 1888, Page 3

Prospectus for Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd.

IX. 776. 17 August 1888, Page 2

Obituary. William Jacka, aged 58, died at Hammond on 15 August. He was the father of W.J. Jacka of Kooringa.

Notice. P. Killicoat has called a public meeting at the Institute 8 p.m. 21 August, at ratepayers’ request, to discuss the water rates.

Bible Christian Church. The special effort service etc. on 12 & 13 August was quite successful. On the Monday the weather was poor, but attendance exceeded expectations. Mr Coombe from Brompton was unable to take the chair at the public meeting so F. W. Holder stood in for him. Overall proceeds were c. £40.

Offence. Thomas Rosewall was charged with assaulting a Chinaman, Hoo Fie, on Sunday 12 August. He pleaded guilty. Hoo Fie said through an interpreter that the accused had entered his shop in Kooringa and without provocation had first beat a dog and then struck him blows on eyes, chest and stomach. Rosewall was fines £2 + £3 costs, or 14 days. The fine was paid.

Letter from W.H. Hardy outraged at the imposition of water rates on the totally unnecessary water supply.

The Chinese Bill. Debate continues with 34 speakers so far.

New Land Assessment. This is expected to be at least 25% below the old assessment.

Coal strikes threatened in NSW and so threaten the SA Railways.

Selectors in Trouble. Many leases are being forfeited for being in arrears.

IX. 776. 17 August 1888, Page 3

Report of the Select Committee in to the Star of Greece disaster is printed.

IX. 777. 21 August 1888, Page 2

Advt. Captain Jackson Barry will visit shortly to give two of his popular lectures on early days in the colonies.

Advt. Next Thursday, August 3rd [sic: actually 23rd] in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall the Rev. H.T. Burgess will deliver a lecture for which he recently received a £50 prize: The Future Position of Australia Among Nations, with music by the Redruth Choir. Entrance is free, but there will be a collection to aid the Circuit Funds.

Editorial on the Budget Speech in the SA Parliament.

Population of Adelaide is reported to be 43, 527.

Colliery Strike begins Monday.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis held their first sale yesterday.

The Chinese Bill passed its second reading by three votes.

Shearers’ Strike at a NSW station.

Burra Town Council. Trees are to be planted in Queen St from McBride’s to the Wesleyan Chapel.

IX. 777. 21 August 1888, Page 3

Letter from W.R. Ridgway re the Waterworks. He recommends that the Council take over the works again, under certain conditions. He makes the following points:

The Waterworks were intended to meet the wants of the south end of the town in particular.

It has collapsed because (a) a free well was supplied in Market Square; (b) the Government charged what it liked rather than the true cost of construction.

The works prospered for two years because they were economically managed and the interest rates were 3% and 4% and the charges for water were 6/- per 1,000 gallons when the Corporation was paying 3/- per 1,000 gallons.

The failure in the third year was due to bad management coupled with a reduction in charges for water, a higher interest rate, the expenses of the Avenue, and public consumption for which there was no revenue produced.

We can go on with the Government, or the Council can resume control.

The Council should take the Waterworks back as the Government has indicated it will cut the interest rate (and since they charged 25% more than cost they can certainly afford to).

The Council should do its duty.

IX. 778. 24 August 1888, Page 2

Advt. Captain Barry, a pioneer of 59 years, will lecture on Port Phillip in 1835 and Adelaide in 1839, on or about 3 November.

Captain Barry arrived in Sydney in 1829 and was one of the founders of Port Phillip in 1835. He was an overlander in 1839 from NSW. He will also have a quantity of his books at the lecture. He has lectured at 121 platforms in England.

Advt. Tonight at the Institute. The last appearance of the Grand Sciopticon Panorama Co. and the Grand Gift Presentation Festival. It features the Zulu and Egyptian Wars. 3/-, 2/- & 1/-.

[A sciopticon was a type of magic lantern specifically designed for the projection of photographed objects.]

Editorial on the Waterworks and Water Rates. [The material is covered in the notes on the report of the ratepayers’ meeting on page 3.]

Shearing has started with the despatch of the first of the season’s shearers to Mr T. Warnes’ Koomooloo on Wednesday when 16 travelled by Mt T. Hall’s coach and four.

Fire. A small fire occurred yesterday at Mr J. Sampson’s in Kooringa. He was smoking hams and bacon in a shed when it was consumed by fire. Damage was estimated at £5.

Offences.

For allowing Goats to stray in the streets the following were each fined 5/-:

Michael Hoare Henry Miles J.G. Ker

For the same offence the following were fines 2/6:

Mrs Foster Mrs Addicote

For allowing his cow to stray [not for the first time]

J.W. O’Brien was fined 5/-

Letter from W.H. Hardy, taking issue with W.R. Ridgway over the Waterworks. When Ridgway says ‘one reason for the aforesaid failure is that water has been consumed for public purposes for which no payment has been made’

‘Surely Mr Ridgway has a brassy front to make such an assertion knowing as he does that he has used water in the reserve near his property in growing tomatoes, pumpkins, melons, &c. which has been sold in Mr Rayner’s store, and for which he personally has reaped a benefit, and when he was presented with the account for such water he objected to pay for it. I take it, if every other ratepayer had been as honest as Mr R - - the waterworks would have been much more in debt today than it is.’

[Following this Ridgway threatened a libel case. While no doubt the law was on Ridgway’s side in not paying the water account because there was no individual meter for the reserve concerned, the facts were essentially as Hardy stated and were public knowledge, having been previously reported in the paper. The aspersion on Ridgway’s honesty is, of course, another matter and no doubt would have been the crux of any case brought.]

Coal Strike. SA will import Queensland coal to keep the railways going.

Railways. The Government estimates include a sum for a station and signals at Davieston. [Now Hanson]

The Barrier railway is to get a large quantity of additional rolling stock.

World’s End. The Sheriff proposes to close World’s End as a polling place.

Weather. Good crops seem possible this year inside Goyder’s Line, but total failure is likely outside.

Primitive Methodism. The first Australasian Conference of Primitive Methodism is planned for Adelaide in 1890.

Melbourne Exhibition. Numbers attending are disappointing: probably because it is so unfinished.

Sara & Dunstan have agreed to the conditions re the Booborowie Council Chamber at Leighton.

IX. 778. 24 August 1888, Page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting re the Waterworks and Water Rates.

The principal subject for discussion was the water rate published in the Government Gazette of 2 August 1888. The Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, presided.

The town Council had not come to the meeting with a scheme, as the requisition for the meeting had not asked for one. A telegram to the Hydraulic Department had got the reply that the income expected from the rate declared was £930. The Conservator of Water had visited Burra an in conversation with him the Mayor had got the impression that the Government was prepared to again hand the Waterworks to the Corporation as it was thought they could manage them more efficiently and so more cheaply than the Government. He believed this was true and after careful investigation the Government was likely to make an offer beneficial to both parties.

T.W. Wilkinson asked for the yearly costs when the Council ran the Waterworks.

The town Clerk, J.D. Cave, said that the information was not available from memory and he had not been warned or a prepared statement could have been prepared.

P. Lane said he was sorry to see the meeting take the tone it had.

T.W. Wilkinson asked if the figure were about £600.

W.T. Rabbich said £650 was the figure given at the time of the last municipal election.

J.D. Cave then said that as far as possible he would answer.

The total cost of works construction was £8,283

Interest on this to the Government was £232 in 1885, £318 in 1886 and £419 in 1887

The working expenses for the three years had been £672 or an average of £223 p.a. [sic, but actually £224]

The Government had paid £113 for water used by the railways.

W.R. Ridgway’s letter in the Record was misleading in that it totally overlooked the fact that £113 was lost to the Council through the Government not taking water in the last year.

The debt due to the Council by the Waterworks was £112-16-7. They had paid this year £83-16-0 although receipts were down £113.

J.D. Cave then outlined what the gazetted rates would actually mean as they were not clear to most as published.

For properties with annual values up to £40 the charge was 121⁄2% or 1⁄8

The next £60 attracted 5% and values over £100 attracted 21⁄2%

For example, take a property of annual value of £220: it would pay

On the first £40 5

5% on the next £60 3

21⁄2% on the remaining £120 3

Total £11

P. Lane felt the Waterworks could be worked more cheaply by the corporation than by the Government and he therefore moved:

‘That the Town Council be empowered to make arrangements with the Government respecting the whole matter and that the Mayor should endeavour to get the original cost of construction and how it was made.’ Carried.

He hoped the Mayor could elicit from the Government how costs got to £8,500 although guaranteed not to be [more] than £3,500.

W.H. Vivian asked who had to pay, as he did not need it having a good well and pump. The mayor replied that all would have to pay if the main passed his door.

W.T. Rabbich moved as an amendment that a committee be set up to go into the matter, but the amendment was lost.

John Jenkins said the promotion of the original scheme has said that the Waterworks would not become a burden to the community and those who did not use it would not have to pay. Now one man in his street uses it and pays 25/- for the privilege and yet he, who does not use it, has to pay 37/6 just for having the main pass his door.

P. Lane said if the Government had kept their promise to take the water the Council would not have been placed in the present position.

J. Snell thought the scheme’s promoters deserved a leather medal.

W.T. Rabbich moved: ‘That the Government be informed that the ratepayers are not satisfied with the high rate as gazetted.’ Passed

IX. 779. 28 August 1888, Page 2

Notice. ‘To W.R. Ridgway Esqu. JP

I hereby apologise to YOU for having written the LETTER published in the Burra Record of the 24th August last, containing defamatory and libellous matter, and I thank you for accepting this APOLOGY instead of commencing proceedings for libel and I agree to pay all costs you have incurred and publish this apology. (Signed) W.H. Hardy

August 24th 1888’

Editorial on what the writer regards as an absurd request from the building trade that the Government goes on with public buildings in Adelaide regardless of the need for them in order to give employment to men otherwise unemployed. He believes that calling for reproductive works is one thing, but this type of demand is absurd.

A Bolt. On Monday near Sod Hut, Rev. A.P. Burgess’s horses bolted and Mr Burgess, his mother, and two other ladies were all thrown out. All were bruised and Mrs Burgess received a nasty wound on the forehead.

Rev. H.T. Burgess’s lecture on The Future Position of Australia Among Nations was well attended and much appreciated last Thursday. The Redruth Choir provided musical interludes.

Crops beyond Goyder’s Line are hopelessly lost.

Burra Volunteers are called on to attend the drill at Balaklava on Monday next.

Burra Town council, 27 August.

Mr Holder was invited to attend and was asked to communicate with the conservator of Water to endeavour to find the Department view on arranging a further lease of the Waterworks and failing that the endeavour to obtain a reduction in the rate for water.

IX. 779. 28 August 1888, Supplement

The supplement was c. A4 in size. On one side was an advertisement for the Fisk Jubilee singers, containing information about concert dates etc. On the other is the story of the singers who began as a company of emancipated slaves in 1871 and aimed to sing to raise $US20,000 for the school in which they were students: The Fisk Jubilee University for freed people. The group initially had extreme difficulties, but their cause was helped by the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Their first trip through Connecticut raised $US3,900 and the second $US20,000. Their third was a visit to Great Britain, which yielded £10,000. A second UK campaign in 1875 was also a success and was followed by a continental trip.

IX. 780. 31 August 1888, Page 2

Advt. The Law of Libel

I HEREBY publicly thank the FRIEND HONESTY for having paid all expenses in re my apology to W.R. RIDGWAY for the purpose of staying the hand of a ROTTEN LAW, which apparently won’t allow a man to call A SPADE, A SPADE.

W.H. HARDY

Editorial on the need for political parties.

And on the First Progress Report of the Civil Service Commission.

Shearers. Another lot have passed through on their way to Quondong Station.

Obituary. Mr John McCulloch died in England on 18 August. He was the second son of Mr A. McCulloch of Princess Royal. He was SA born and with his brother, Alexander, was a squatter at Blackrock Station under the name McCulloch Bros., of which firm he was manager for some time. Due to ill health he went to England about eight years ago. He leaves a wife and three young children. [Born 8 May 1849.]

Obituary. Rev. Father A. Kriessl died last Wednesday at Seven Hills College. He had a stroke some three weeks ago. He was pastor of St Joseph’s in Burra for seven years, during which time he saw the completion of the new St Joseph’s church, the schoolroom and the residence of the Sisters of St Joseph. He won the respect of other denominations by his genial and courteous manners and the interest he took in good and charitable work. [Details in the issue of 7 September.]

Court Unity AOF. The half-yearly meeting was held at the Burra Institute. CR C.A. Lott presided. The financial details are printed. J.C. French was elected CR, A.H. Jennings SCR, W.J. Rule SW, H.C. Lockyer JW and C.A. Barrett SB. The PCR degree was conferred on C.A. Lott.

The Season. The Terowie News says that crops north and east of there are next to hopeless, but those south and west are looking well.

Redruth Gaol is to be closed.

Waterworks. The Government has decided to carry out their plan for the Waterworks for one year only, unaltered. It is now unwilling to give up control of the Waterworks to the Council.

The Commercial Hotel has had ham and bacon stolen from the kitchen.

Letter from W.H. Hardy complaining that the laws of libel need to be changed.

Burra Cricket Club AGM at the Burra Hotel 25 August.

Captain W. Fox presided. W.E. Frith five games played last season of which 3 were won and 2 were lost. Jos. Blott had the highest batting average of 28 run from three innings and also had the highest score with 51 not out. J.D. Cave advanced the sum of £10 for the pitch of which £5 had been repaid. P.L. Killicoat supplied the matting. F.W. Holder was re-elected Patron and P.L. Killicoat was re-elected President. Captain will be Mr Fox. The next season will open on 1st week of September.

IX. 781. 4 September 1888, Page 2

Advt. The Fisk Jubilee Singers will give a concert at the Institute on 13 September. One night only, reserved seated 4/-, family ticket (for six) 20/-, unreserved 3/-, back seats 2/-

Burra Co. VF attended the drill at Balaklava yesterday, returning by the last train.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope continues to meet monthly.

Captain Barry gave his lecture on Monday evening to an appreciative audience.

Burra Town Council.

Mr Holder MP attended the Council by invitation and reported his discussion with the Government and the Conservator of Water. The question of the capital cost and the rate of interest might be evaded by the offer to the government of £300 p.a. for the complete works. This was £120 less than the old rental and equivalent to 5% on £6,000, which the Corporation hold to be the fair value of the Waterworks, rather than the £8,420 hitherto reckoned by the Government. The railways were currently being charged the same as other customers. The Attorney General was not sure whether the Corporation had the same power for rating as the Government, but that would be placed beyond doubt by the Waterworks Bill now before Parliament. The Conservator thought they should be able to carry on the Waterworks for £400 less than the £930 the Government rates were aimed to raise.

Cr Pearce moved that an application be made to lease the Waterworks from the Government for £300 p.a., providing the rating powers vested in the Government be transferred to the Corporation. Passed.

There was a letter to Council from W.H. Hardy, seeking information concerning the use of water on reserves. The key question was ‘Do the Corporation know of any Ratepayer, having used water in any reserve for private purposes, who objects to pay for same?’

The Council prevaricated, claiming they ‘could not agree as to facts asked for’.

Stock Sales. One of the biggest sales ever held in Burra took place last Friday.

Weather. A dust storm last Thursday was followed by a fall of 0.75”.

Letter from the Secretary of the Young Australians Cricket Club challenging some of the figures cited at the Burra Cricket Club AGM.

The Burra Club lost a match to each of Terowie, Saddleworth and the Young Australians, making three not two losses and the runs scored against them were in error too.

Broken Hill. The mine is reported in a little over one column.

IX. 782. 7 September 1888, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary Sermons will be preached next Sunday by Rev. S. Knight (Previously of Burra). The public meeting on 10 September will be chaired by T. Drew. Rev. S. Knight will then speak on Twenty-one Years in SA and what I Think About It.

Advt. The Fisk Singers at the Institute, 13 September.

‘Eleven coloured vocalists from U.S.A.’

‘Their songs all belong to real, not imitation negro minstrelsy.’

‘Their wonderful skill was put to the severest test when they attempted Home Sweet Home, before auditors who had heard the same household words from the lips of Jenny Lind and Parepa; yet these emancipated bondswomen rendered that dear old song with a power and pathos never surpassed.’

Smelting Flux. It has been suggested that the stone on the west side of the Burra Creek could be used as a flux at Broken Hill. 300 tons a week are required and the company intends getting it from the Kapunda Marble Quarries. Burra could use the £37-10-0 a week that could be earned.

The Season. Agricultural prospects in the Burra area seem better than for much of SA, but to the east of the town the sight is of ‘Egyptian deserts’.

Black Hills Prop. Silver Mine Co. Ltd. First half-yearly general meeting.

Dunstan’s Shaft is down 150’ in orey stuff, but not in well-defined lode yet. Ridgway’s Shaft is at 102’ with no lode. Another shaft between these two is at 50’.

The directors are still hopeful. W.R. Ridgway, Chairman.

Lawn Tennis. At Burra 3 September. Burra 67 games defeated Clare 49 games.

IX. 782. 7 September 1888, Page 3

Obituary of Rev. Father Aloysius Kreissl SJ who died on 29 August 1888.

The article extends for 11⁄4 columns, beginning with a description of the funeral followed by biographical details.

Deceased was born 19 June 1831 at Zwittan in Moravia. He was educated at a Jesuit Gymnasium at Mariaschein in Bohemia and in 1856 entered the Noviciate of the Society of Jesus at Baumgartenburg in Austria. He studied philosophy at Pressburg in Hungary and later at Innsbruck in Tyrol where he was ordained a priest on 29 March 1863. On 3 December 1869 he, with Rev. Father Rogalski SJ and Br Waldmann SJ, went to England, embarking at Liverpool on 20 December for Melbourne. They arrived on 23 March 1870 and reached Seven Hills on 5 April 1870.

He taught at the College as well as attending a variety of the Jesuit mission stations in SA. His efforts raising funds saw the start of the building of St Joseph’s at Kooringa on 11 May 1873 when the foundation stone was laid by the Very Rev. C.A. Reynolds, Administrator of the Diocese of Adelaide. The church was opened on 8 November 1874 by the Rt. Rev. C.A. Reynolds, then the Bishop of Adelaide. The old chapel, as the Catholics called their former place of worship on Commercial St, was then devoted to school purposes. A few small rooms at the back housed the Sisters of St Joseph for the many years they taught there.

Fr Kreissl like progress and began the fine new school and convent behind the Church on the hill. The new buildings were blessed by Rt Rev. Dr Reynolds on 19 March 1882. The old chapel then passed into the hands of John Lewis.

In collecting money for these buildings Father Kreissl travelled far, going to the Barrier Ranges for example. Around Burra he was tireless, working at bazaars and art unions as well as at pastoral care.

On 12 March 1884 he left Manoora where he had resided while attending the Burra Mission and took up residence in Jamestown, which along with Caltowie was in his charge up to his last illness. In 1885 he began the new Church of St Kilian, which was opened by the Rt Rev. Dr Reynolds on 22 March 1886. While pastor of Kooringa he was given a buggy and harness and when leaving for Jamestown a purse of sovereigns which he donated to St Joseph’s. His last mass at Jamestown was on 29 July 1888 and in poor health he left on 15 August, passing through Kooringa on his way to Seven Hills where he died on 29 August. On 5 September a Solemn Requiem Mass for him was celebrated at St Joseph’s, Kooringa.

IX. 783. 11 September 1888, Page 2

Lord Carrington, Governor of NSW has visited Broken Hill and passes through Burra this morning on the express to Adelaide.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. The fifteenth meeting was held at Burra on 8 September when Baldina, Baldina Plains, Burra, Copperhouse, Davieston [Hanson], Leighton, Manoora and Saddleworth, were represented.

Jubilee Fountain. The condition of the fountain is very discreditable to someone. Those managing it spent so much on an unnecessarily large and unsightly foundation that there seems there was insufficient left to fix it securely. As a consequence the water has been shut off for some time, one of the cups has been broken, and it is so insecure it might easily be overturned and seriously damaged. The Town Council do not seem to accept any responsibility for it.

Copper is over £95 a ton in London - surely the Burra Mine would pay at this price?

Institutes are to be subsidised £ for £ on members subscriptions.

Whitechapel Murders. Four women have been murdered; it is believed to be a maniac. [The Jack-the-Ripper murders.]

IX. 784. 14 September 1888, Page 2

Leighton Wesleyan Church Anniversary was celebrated 9 September. There were two sermons by Rev. H.T. Burgess. The tea meeting was largely attended. The Redruth Choir provided music. The church being entirely free from debt and proceeds in advance of last year, they will probably be used towards the purchase of a new organ.

At Kooringa Methodist Church Anniversary public meeting last Monday Rev. S. Knight gave an address 21 Years in SA and What I Think of It. He is soon to leave the colony for Melbourne. He finds SA a little too conservative and Victoria perhaps a little too full of go-aheadism. He spoke against the Oaths Act, the Education Bill, the Totalizator Bill and the proposed Divorce Bill. SA was too much given to amusements. South Australians were hospitable. The proceeds from the Anniversary were £100-1-0.

The Government Geologist is not impressed by the Joker and Pulpara claims.

IX. 785. 18 September 1888, Page 2

Advt. Hallett Institute Annual Sports, 9 November.

Editorial on the Beetaloo Waterworks, which are to cost in all c. £600,000.

Entertainment. The Fisk Jubilee Singers lived up to their rave reviews. It was standing room only at the Institute and the takings were over £50 which are the best one night takings ever known here. Having heard them before we think this performance was not up to their earlier style due to the loss of Miss M. Lawrence, their leading lady, and Mr Loudon, their leading bass voice was suffering from a very bad cold. Nevertheless there were many encores and the night’s performance was very good. If possible they may give a return performance on the way back from Broken Hill.

Burra Musical Union has been practising for months and intends to give three concerts annually at intervals of 3-4 months. The first will aid the Burra Institute, the second the Burra Hospital and the third will help the Union itself to pay for music etc. The first is announced for 26 September.

Rain is needed now. Emus are coming in from the east, driven by drought.

Jubilee Fountain has been taken down.

Broken Hill water supplies are so low that SA may soon have to send water in by rail.

The coal strike has caused wood to be used in SA locomotives, but the many sparks are causing fires, including some in chaff being carried on the trains. Wood will not be able to be used once the grass dries off.

IX. 785. 18 September 1888, Page 3

Burra Town Council

There has been no reply yet from the Government on the Waterworks request.

The cricket club wants sheep to be let in to ‘mow’ the oval. The Mayor is concerned that last time they damaged the trees. It was left to the Town Clerk and Cr Harris to see to the mowing.

The Mayor said Jubilee Fountain has been taken down for safety.

The committee has no further funds to re-erect it.

The Council will apply for a reduction in the rent of their room at the Institute, which is currently £20 p.a.

Burra limestone has been found to be an excellent flux at Broken Hill, but carriage on the railways is uneconomic. The stuff could be supplied if carriage was £6 per truck or lower. The matter will be referred to the district MPs for action.

Chinese. 2⁄3 column on Chinese in the NT.

Letter of 2⁄3 column on State Socialism.

IX. 786. 21 September 1888, Page 2

Advt. Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 23 & 24 September. Sermons by Rev. S. Gray.

Editorial on SAMA.

It is not impertinent to consider the way SAMA neglect their property. The town for so long depended on the mine for its life, but when the mine stopped the town’s prosperity continued due to the development of agricultural interests and the north-east trade. But the north-eastern agricultural settlement failed and the railway to Broken Hill has taken the trade, causing the prosperity to wane. Eyes then turned to the mine as a possible source of better days. Several men are now working there on tribute and making wages even though the water confines them to upper workings and they have only themselves to carry the ore and dress it. When the mine was prosperous money was not invested in prospecting where the lodes were, which helped to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

Since then SAMA has been content to collect its property rents and have not done a thing at the mine and have a dog-in-the-manger attitude of not allowing anyone else to work it either. It is believed offers have been made to work it on tribute or otherwise, but either greed or sloth has prevented any arrangement. Surely this is overdone as falling town prosperity means lower rents and fewer renters and the value of the freehold falls too. With copper now at c. £100 per ton we are not reaping any advantage. We hope some arrangements allowing the marble deposits to be worked at least may be managed.

Burra Waterworks. F.W. Holder inserted a clause into the Waterworks Bill in the Assembly providing that local bodies leasing waterworks from the Government should have the rating powers of the Government. This will facilitate profitable working of the undertakings by Burra and other Councils.

The Chinese Bill has been amended and at present it looks like there will be a combination of controls: a limit of one per 250 tons of ship weight and a poll tax as well.

The Season. September has been hot and dry after a dry winter. Crops from Hallett to Adelaide are OK, but north and east of the railway they are terrible. The North-East Pastoral District is particularly bad.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was celebrated on 16 & 19 September with two sermons by Rev. S. Gray. Congregations were large and there was a large attendance at the tea. Proceeds were £10, which will be spent on improvements, as there is no debt on the property.

Mount Bryan East Bible Christian Church Anniversary 17 & 17 September drew large congregations when Rev. J. Collings preached.

Newcastle: the strike continues.

The Joker & Pulpara Claims. The report of the Government geologist is printed. With the Joker Claim, some 20 miles east of Ketchowla Station, he is unimpressed. Pulpara, 5 miles south-east of Ketchowla, is showing nothing.

Advt. Burra Musical Union Concert, 26 September. The program is printed. 2/- & 1/-

The Totalizator Act has received Royal Assent.

Broken Hill water supplies are fast failing.

IX. 786. 21 September 1888, Page 3

The Joker Mine. There is a report by Captain J.H. Hocking, which is just slightly more promising than that of the government geologist.

IX. 787. 25 September 1888, Page 2

Weather. Some useful rain has fallen with 3⁄4” at Burra and almost 11⁄2” at Petersburg. Broken Hill received just over 1⁄2”.

Davieston [Hanson]. Last Wednesday Rev. W.H. Hodge (Wesleyan) presided over a meeting in the District Hall to establish a Band of Hope.

White Burra Marble has been judged suitable for Broken Hill if it can be carried for 12/- per ton from Burra to Cockburn. The Commissioner of Public Works is favourable to this and will consult the Railways Board. If it can be done we understand SAMA will do the work themselves.

It is expected 40 men would be employed getting the marble flux if it can be arranged.

Broken Hill Water. There was an elaborate ‘funeral’ for an effigy of the NSW Minister of Mines, Francis Abigail, ending in the hanging and burning of the effigy before a crowd of some 6,000 at Broken Hill in protest at the water crisis.

The Joker Claim. There is over a column of a humorous response to the geologist’s report on The Joker, and 1⁄2 column in a letter from W. H. Hardy on the same topic in a typically harsher vein where he must again come close to slander.

IX. 787. 25 September 1888, Page 3

Letter from W.R. Ridgway supporting the line of the previous editorial on the reopening of the mine, pointing out how much cheaper both timber and transport costs are now. He urges the Council to take the matter up with SAMA. It is time to try again.

IX. 788. 28 September 1888, Page 2

Editorial on the value of the Broken Hill mines to SA and on the Newcastle strike.

Burra Waterworks. The Town Clerk has received advice that the Commissioner of Public Works is unable to accept £300 p.a. rental for the Waterworks and the Government will therefore continue to carry on with them.

Advt. Richard Snell’s Public Baths are open daily in Quarry St.

Accident. Between 4 & 5 o’clock yesterday local colt breaker Mr James Nelson was riding a spirited horse down Morehead St to the Royal Exchange Hotel and came into collision with a pony and trap driven by a lad named Murphy. He was thrown and broke a right kneecap and sustained other injuries.

He was taken to the Burra Hotel [sic?] where he was attended by Drs Brummitt and Sangster.

Marble Flux. The railways will carry marble flux to Cockburn for 12/6 a ton, removing the obstacle to quarrying it in Burra and employing about 40 men.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 23 & 24 September was well attended. The tea meeting speech by Mr Gray was on his recent trip to Melbourne. Proceeds were over £8.

The Chinese Bill has been changed again and sent to the Legislative Council. It now agrees with the restrictions agreed to with the other colonies at the conference, plus moving from one colony to another invokes a fine of £5-£20 only.

Burra Musical Union debut musical concert last Wednesday. The leader was Mr Wittber. The ever-willing John Roach accompanied by Miss Rita Cater came from Adelaide to assist and their help was much appreciated. Each item is reviewed. The entertainment raised £10 for the Institute.

Letter from Samuel Gray urging a public meeting be convened with the district MPs and Mayor present to discuss ways to get the mine going again.

Letter from W.H. Hardy praising Mr Ridgway’s letter and condemning SAMA’s dog-in-the-manger attitudes. He considers that those who will not work minerals on their land should be compelled to allow others to do so.

IX. 788. 28 September 1888, Page 2-3

Obituary and Inquest. Catherine Terney drowned in a dam near her house at Firewood Creek on the morning of 25 September. The same afternoon an inquest was held at the Court House, Redruth with W.R. Ridgway JP as coroner.

[Registered as Catherine Tierney, died 25 September, aged 42.]

Michael Terney, railway labourer:

Live two miles north of Burra at the railway camp near Firewood Creek. My wife got up at 4 a.m. to go to the W.C. When she did not return I went to find her and could not do so near the house, nor at the bridge across Firewood Creek, nor at a well in the paddock. I saw something floating in the dam 100 yards away in the paddock to the north-east. I eventually managed to get the object out and found it to be my wife.

My mate next door, Mr Harvey, helped me carry her back to the house. She had not been behaving unusually, nor had she complained about anything. We had not had an argument and she was not subject to fits.

Others gave supporting evidence.

The conclusion was that the deceased ‘met her death by drowning in a dam . . . but there was no evidence as to the state of her mind at the time.’

IX. 789. 2 October 1888, Page 2

Constitutional Change. A New electoral roll has been prepared creating 54 one-member electorates.

Advt. Another new auctioneering company is being launched: Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland. This will take over the business of Messrs Morris, Sandland & Barritt.

Whitechapel Murders. There have been two more horrible murders in London.

Newcastle. Some more of the Newcastle collieries are resuming work.

Burra Floricultural Society meeting called for next Monday in the Institute to set a date for the annual show.

Public Notice

Notice is hereby given that I will not in future be responsible for any DEBT contracted by my wife or any other person acting without my written authority.

his

FREDERICK X HERCHAUSEN

mark

IX. 789. 2 October 1888, Page 3

Letter from W.R. Ridgway re the Burra Mine. SAMA’s apathy is unaccountable. If the tributers are making wages it must be viable: at the very least setting the stamps to work would allow the tributers to dress their ore.

He also draws attention to the pack-hawkers who are so prevalent in town and yet who do not pay the due licence fees.

Letter from W.H. Hardy re the Burra Mine and the Penny Wise Pound Foolish Directors. He quotes the mining reporter in the Advertiser who expressed surprise that with copper prices so high nothing has been done to reopen the Burra Mine. Ore is known to be there in large quantities and no great expense is involved in starting work. Costs of transport are now cheaper than when it was operating. There is a lack of enterprise on the part of SAMA directors. There were recent rumours of a sale, but they asked too high a price. They would make a handsome profit if they gave it away, owning so much of the town’s property, which would immediately increase in value. At present a few tributers are allowed to work on the basis of 25% of gross proceeds and make a fair living.

Bishop of Pt Augusta. There is a 1⁄2 column report on the visit of the Catholic Bishop to Yarcowie and Jamestown.

IX. 790. 5 October 1888, Page 2

Advt. The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. On 14 October three sermons will be preached by Rev. George Warner from England.

Advt. Vocal and Instrumental Concert at the Institute on 11 October.

Blind performers only from the Industrial School for the Blind. 2/-

Papal Encyclical. On the last Sunday in September at St Joseph’s, Kooringa, and all around the world a Solemn Requiem Mass was said in accordance with a Papal Encyclical of Leo XIII, for souls in purgatory. The Pope is celebrating the golden jubilee of his priesthood and offered this to the Church Suffering.

Redruth Band of Hope held its second quarterly entertainment in the German Chapel on Wednesday. Attendance, the program and the collection were all far below the previous entertainment, but that was due to the particularly dark and boisterous weather.

The Month’s Mind for Father Kreissl was kept at Jamestown: Rt Rev. O’Reilly, Bishop of Pt Augusta presiding.

Letter from W.H. Hodge saying that SA could benefit from establishing a School of Mines, prospecting boards and a Department of Mines, as in Victoria.

Letter from W.H. Hardy decrying the Government’s refusal to hand over the Waterworks and insisting on the exorbitant rates declared.

‘It is well known that the Hon. Commissioner of Public Works is the only person who opposes this.’

He calls for another public meeting on the matter.

Railways. Adelaide is to get a new railway station.

SAMA will let the right to raise marble flux on a royalty.

Whitechapel Murders. Another woman’s body has been found on the Thames embankment.

IX. 791. 9 October 1888, Page 2

Advt. Davieston Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary 14 & 15 October.

Two sermons will be preached by F.W. Holder MP.

Advt. Preliminary notice is given of the Salvation Army Boxing Day Tea.

Marble Flux. SAMA are asking the high royalty of 1/- per ton on the flux. A trial lot is going to Broken Hill this week.

St Mary’s Sunday School Picnic and Festival was held Wednesday 3 October with a special service on Sunday. The picnic was at Koonoona, courtesy of Mr Sandland. There was dinner of ham sandwiches, sausage rolls, jam tarts and gallons of tea and milk, before sports. Afterwards there was more tea and cakes, which were disposed of rather hurriedly as a storm threatened, but all reached home before it broke.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich on the water rates. The Government insists on ratepayers paying £1,000 or £350 in excess of what the Council could run the works for. This is not reasonable. Mr Catt will not always be Commissioner of Public Works and we hope his replacement will be more understanding. No other waterworks is being asked to pay 3% and we are offering 4%. Another meeting should be called.

Letter from J.A. Watt asking why the Council have not called a public meeting to report back on the proposal they took to Government. Is the Council to let the matter rest and if so, it is a shame. If a meeting is not called soon I will get up a requisition for one.

Redruth Gaol. The Sheriff has reported against the closing of Redruth Gaol.

IX. 791. 9 October 1888, Page 3

Offences. Jones was charged by the Corporation Inspector Jenkin with hawking in the town without a licence and fined 10/- + costs.

Frederick Gebhardt was fined 10/- for having untrue weights.

IX. 792. 12 October 1888, Page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. 14 October, Rev. George Warner, English Evangelist.

F.W. Holder will chair the tea meeting on 15 October.

Advt. Doctors offer free vaccinations for the next month.

Advt. In response to a requisition a public meeting is called for 12 October at the Institute on the issue of the Waterworks.

Burra Floricultural Society met on 8 October at the Institute with President, F.W. Holder in the chair. Elected were:

President F.W. Holder

Vice-President Dr Brummitt

Treasurer T.W. Wilkinson

Secretary W. Davey

The show will be held on 7 November. 6d admission. No money prizes.

The Wesleyan Quarterly Meeting showed that departures have affected church membership and attendance. The district held 243 members and 368 scholars in Kooringa and Redruth with 150 elsewhere.

The meeting agreed to seek the division of the circuit:

Kooringa, Baldina and World’s End to be one circuit and Redruth, Westbury, Leighton, Davieston [Hanson], and Stony Gap to be the other.

A special effort was called for in the March quarter, to reduce the circuit debt of £250 and any balance left was to be made the responsibility of the Kooringa circuit. The Glebe was to go with the Redruth circuit.

Obituary. Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Queensland and former Governor of SA died suddenly. [Governor 9 June 1873-29 January 1877]

Letter of thanks from J.E. Hansen, Evangelical Lutheran Minister of Emu Downs on behalf of Bernhard Wilhelm Albrecht, deceased, who had died at the Burra Hospital on 2 October after being there seven months. He praises the staff and service received, especially from Dr Sangster and Miss Birkett, the Matron.

Letter from T. Kitchen, protesting that non-users have to pay for water.

IX. 792. 12 October 1888, Page 3

Offences. Burra Town Council sued W.R. Ridgway successfully for unpaid rates of £1-1-2 (Without costs.)

Adam Kahu was fined 10/- for erecting a tent without permission.

IX. 793. 16 October 1888, Page 2

Advt. Wanted: Three Good SHEPHERDS with logs [sic, presumably dogs]

Good Cook to travel with sheep

Burra Labour Office.

Editorial against the water rates announced by the Government.

Mr Holder noted that the Burra Town Council has only been credited with 56 chains of main road, when the actual length is 5 miles 41 chains. The error has been communicated to the Premier so the forthcoming distribution may be made right.

SAMA half-yearly report ending 29 September.

Costs £643-3-10.

Income from rents and sale of ore etc. £1,137-1-9

Account in credit £14,645-6-2

10 tributers are raising ore at the mine, working at water level in the main excavation.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church anniversary was celebrated successfully with Rev. George Warner preaching to large congregations. Mr Holder was unable to preside at the tea meeting and was replaced by Mr Cheynoweth.

Burra Mine. A meeting of gentlemen at the Council Chamber yesterday considered the possibility of getting the mine going again. It was thought that 700 acres of freehold including the mine and machinery could be got for a reasonable price. The matter was left in the hands of Messrs C. Drew, J. Dunstan Jun., E.C. Lockyer, W.R. Ridgway, J. Lewis, & F.W. Holder to negotiate with SAMA.

Burra Institute Committee calls a special general meeting of subscribers to vote on three governors of the Public Library for the coming year.

Entertainment. A concert by the blind performers last Thursday was well attended and there was a good performance. The Burra Band played outside before the show.

Ulooloo. Mr Milner of the Hills Gates Mine has struck a rich lode of copper ore.

Waterworks Meeting. There was a very large attendance at the meeting at the Institute on Friday 12 October to consider the Government and the Waterworks. The Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, presided.

Proposal. A deputation consisting of three members of Council and three ratepayers will wait on the Commissioner of Public Works (Hon. A. Catt) and urge that the Burra Waterworks be leased to the Council at a rental of £300 p.a. Should the requisition be refused, the members for the district are to be requested to bring the matter before the House of Assembly. Moved by J. Watt and 2nd by W. Geake.

£900 p.a. was an excessive amount to raise. The stated £8,500 capital cost claimed by the Government was enormous and the works were never worth it. £8,500 at 4% is £220. Allow £150 for wages, £60 for fuel and £20 for the collector and you get £450. To meet that the Government seek £1,000 in rates.

W.R. Ridgway pointed out the loss of railway purchase of water. Why should Burra pay interest at 5% when Adelaide paid 4% and no other country waterworks paid over 21⁄2%? Astonishingly Parliament passed £500 as the working expenses when £250 was ample.

Dr Brummitt supported the motion. He also said the charge of £960 for the Aberdeen Waterworks (i.e. the old works) was absurd and it should never have been more than £200-£250 even when new, and they were nine years old.

The motion was passed unanimously.

It was resolved that the district members be asked to move in Parliament for a return in detail of the cost of the Burra Waterworks to be laid on the table in the event of the deputation being unsuccessful.

It was also resolved that in the event that the deputation was unsuccessful the Hon. The Commissioner be asked to reduce the rate.

Burra Town Council. The Institute Committee advises that a reduction in the rental charge for the Council Chamber could not be made.

The International Cables to London are now both mended.

Broken Hill water supply is down to three weeks.

Burra Co. VF. There will be a battalion drill on Wednesday 24 October. Travel there and back will be by express.

IX. 794. 19 October 1888, Page 2

Editorial on The Land Bill

The Bill was to allow land within Hundreds to be held either on a lease with right of purchase, or a lease in perpetuity with revision of rents every seven years. The writer thought that Working Men’s Leases, which it was proposed to exempt, should have been included. The person with a perpetual lease will own all improvements and pay an annual fee of c. 21⁄2% of the market value with no land tax. A right of purchase lease would attract a heavier rent and land tax and if the land were not purchased at the end of the lease the improvements would be lost.

Cricket. The season will open on Wednesday next when a Burra Cricket Club 13 will play 22 Muffs.

Redruth Court.

Watts fined £5 + costs to a total of £7-17-0 for failing to move his 4,000 sheep the required 5 miles a day in the Hanson DC Council area.

W.T. Ford fined 10/- for stray cows in Kooringa.

Richard Austin fined 5/- for a stray pig in Aberdeen.

Robert Leman sentenced to 1 month in Redruth Gaol for finding a dog and selling it for £1, knowing the owner was looking for it.

Burra Waterworks.

A deputation of the Mayor, Councillors and leading ratepayers met the Commissioner of Public Works on Wednesday to request that the Burra Waterworks be placed under the control of the Town Council. The Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, said the offer was to lease the Waterworks for £300 p.a. Under the old system of rating, which was adopted in Burra, people not connected were not rated. In 1885 the Government collected £509-19-0 and in 1886 £597-7-0, including £113 from the Locomotive Dept. The cost of working machinery and measuring the water was £223 p.a. The Government collected on a large area of vacant land not considered accesible [sic] [assessable?] by the Corporation and they thought they could run the works cheaper than the Government.

Mr Ridgway thought it was hard they had to pay 5% when other parts of the colony paid 21⁄2% and also the present rating system fell unfairly most heavily on the non-consumer and the small consumer. The Corporation would only charge 1/6 per 1,000 gallons.

Mr Lockyer said the works were initiated by a number of gentlemen who guaranteed the interest on the understanding that the SAR would take water, which it did for a number of years. (The Commissioner said the water did not suit.) Well, said Lockyer, they were using it now for locomotive purposes. When the Government handed the works over they made an excessive valuation of the old works at Aberdeen for which they had been receiving £10 p.a. The Corporation could work them more cheaply than the Government.

Mr Rounsevell said Burra people felt they had not been treated fairly. The Locomotive Dept. had not taken the water Mr Lumley of the Public Works Dept had indicated in 1883. The Government had not kept its contract. The estimated cost of the works was far in excess of reality. The price of £420 was far more than the Government need ask for. The SAR used the water in the past and then suddenly found it unsuitable and yet were now using it again. It seemed that it was only suitable when the Government ran the Waterworks!

Hon. H.E. Bright supported Mr Rounsevell.

Mr Holder said the old works in Aberdeen had cost about £250, but were put down by the Government at £960. It was wrong to ask the Corporation to pay interest on losses accrued through bad management. The extensions had cost no more than £5,000, but were put down at £8,000. They were prepared to pay 5% on the real cost, but not on £8,000. The railway claim of unsuitability of water was nonsense; they had drawn water from the same source for years.

The Commissioner of Public Works, Hon. A. Catt, agreed that the Council could run the works more cheaply: ‘The excessive cost of the works had been brought about by their own neglect in allowing the meters and mains to get into disrepair.’

[‘Their’ in this sentence presumably refers to the Council when they were running the works.]

The Commissioner said the late Hydraulic Engineer, Mr Mestayer, was not clear on where the costs were incurred and the Commissioner would go through the lines with officers of the Dept. He was most concerned about the precedence that would be set by any concessions granted.

IX. 794. 19 October 1888, Page 3

The Burra Mine. [Reprint of an article from The Advertiser.]

The Advertiser has received a number of complaints against the proprietors of the Burra Mine for allowing such a valuable asset to be idle when its working would benefit the district, colony and the owners. It is a matter of public interest. If it is true that a rich deposit of ore lies there and the mine would pay well in the present copper market, then an important asset is being neglected. There may be no legal obligation to work the mine, but there is a moral responsibility. Thus SAMA should either re-open the mine themselves, or make liberal terms with anyone who is prepared to do so - or show cause why either choice is impracticable.

Every practical Burra miner seems to firmly believe the mine is far from exhausted. From 1845-1877, 234,648 tons of ore were raised. The early mining was not on lode, but on bunches of ore. Exploration for the lode was comparatively limited. At deeper levels lodes ran north-south, but the deepest levels explored are shallow by comparison with other mines. No exploration has gone below 70 fathoms, which is 1/6 the depth of gold exploration in Victoria. One shaft [Morphett’s] went 30 fathoms lower, but without levels or crosscuts. High % ore was found, but not explored.

Rapidly advancing science could also make viable the 1⁄4 million tons of waste heap estimated to average 4% copper. It is time, with copper at its present price, for something to be done. Presently tributers are earning fair wages and even their crude and laborious methods suggest what might be done with proper methods. Disposal of the property to another entity would boost the value of the company’s assets in the town. Raising capital may be made difficult by recent failures of speculations, but here the ore body is proved. Remember that the original capital invested was a mere £12,300 and the dividends were £800,000.

IX. 795. 23 October 1888, Page 2

Advt. St Leon’s Grand IXL Circus, One Night Only, 23 October.

The Institutes have elected David Bower, John Medway and F.W. Holder as governors of the Public Library.

Street Trees. There is a plea for persons with young street trees outside their properties to give them a bucket or two of water a week through the summer.

SAMA has offered to sell the 700 acres of the mine freehold and all its machinery and mineral rights over the whole of the Special Survey. Also 200,000 tons of 4% ore at grass, which therefore contains 8,000 tons of copper worth, at £75 per ton, £60,000. The price is £25,000. For £70,000 the purchaser could also get all of SAMA’s properties in the township, both land and premises. The committee is considering the offer.

Advt. Tributers are wanted for the Wheal Motley Mine. Apply to W. Davey, Secretary.

International Cables to London have again been cut.

Newcastle Strike. There are hopes of settling the strike.

Alice Springs. A new town at Alice Springs is to be named Stuart after the explorer.

Burra Co. VF. Every man who attends tomorrow’s drill at Riverton will be credited with two battalion drills.

IX. 795. 23 October 1888, Page 2-3

Ratepayers’ Meeting at Davieston, [i.e. Hanson] 17 October.

There was a large meeting of District of Hanson ratepayers complaining about the increasing of the rate to 1/- and of Council extravagance like tree planting at Davieston. The explanation was that last year’s wet season had incurred great road costs and it was also the last year of a subsidy from the Government. Works had to be done this year and there was a £100 overdraft. The £20 spent on tree planting was on instructions from the previous Council. Next year the hope was to have a rate of 9d again.

‘Mr Peter Smith thought it wrong that the Council Room should be used as a schoolroom and a chapel. If he built a pig-stye, he did not use it as a stable or a barn.’

‘Mr J. Rogers said it was very narrow minded to introduce such a matter.’

Cr Worby thought the Wesleyans ought to pay for the accommodation seeing money was needed, but this did not get general support.

All in all it was quite a stormy meeting.

IX. 795. 23 October 1888, Page 3

Burra Agricultural Society meeting is reported.

IX. 796. 26 October 1888, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of W.T. Rabbich at Aberdeen on 22 October, a daughter. [Lilian Maud Rabbich]

Birth: to Mrs W.H. Hardy on 19 October, a daughter. [Johnara [sic] (perhaps Johanna?) Hardy]

Editorial urging greater Government economy in this time of depression. Three steps are suggested:

Reduction of Civil Service salaries

Reduction in the number of officers and the amalgamation of offices

Compulsory retirement at a certain age

[A form of superannuation is suggested.]

St Leon’s Palace Circus visited on Tuesday and performed to a full tent. Worn out horse acts and acrobatic feats predominated. The horses were jaded and the band weak.

Burra Co. VF. Last week c. 12 went to Riverton under Lieut. G. Butterworth and joined with those from Riverton, Hamley Bridge and Auburn to form a Battalion of c. 65 for two Battalion Drills.

The Season. To the east the situation is dire. Hardly any vegetation is to be seen. Many paddocks are as bare as the road. Hundreds of sheep can be seen starving.

The Chinamen with their two windmills have enough to do to obtain the needed dampness for their gardens. If the Floricultural Society decides to hold a show it will be a sorry affair.

Cables to Europe are still down.

The Burra Mine. Over 570 bags of ore were sent away this week by tributers.

IX. 796. 26 October 1888, Page 2-3

Cricket. 12 Burra Cricket Club Combination 134 defeated c. 17 Muffs on the new pitch at the Recreation Ground. About 100 attended, but the gate yielded only 9/- from a charge of 6d admission!

IX. 796. 26 October 1888, Page 3

Burra Mine. There is another article from The Advertiser, but it is a general argument about modern mining developments and has little directly to say about Burra. There is some speculation about developments for treating low-grade ores, which would be of relevance, but it is not very specific.

IX. 797. 30 October 1888, Page 2

The Season. The weather continues dry. In many districts there has been a total failure of crops. Around Burra rain is needed, but so far crops are safe.

A Bolt. On Saturday James Henderson harnessed a strange horse to a gig and as it was unaccustomed to that it bolted. It dashed out of their yard and across the road, scattered a couple of tree guards and collided with the corner post of the Kooringa Hotel where James was thrown out, sustaining facial lacerations that required stitches. The horse continued on to the creek scattering about a dozen tree guards and finally losing a wheel of the gig in the creek. The horse sustained only a few scratches.

A Spate of Thefts.

John McGrath was sentenced to 6 months in Redruth Gaol for theft last Friday of a saddle belonging to J. McLaren of Kooringa. On Monday at Petersburg he had stolen a bridle from the Junction Hotel stables and sold it. He then stole the reins from Mr Wilson’s wagon in the hotel yard. He will serve a further 6 months in Gladstone Gaol for those offences.

William Banks was sentenced to 3 months for stealing a watch from Mr Henry Skewes.

A coloured man, James Ahange got 6 months for stealing £2-10-0 in silver from the pocket of a lodger at the Kooringa Hotel. [He appears in Gaol records as the Chinese Ah Hang.]

Redruth Gaol is to remain open.

Waterworks. No news yet.

International Cable news is still unavailable.

Street Trees in Burra are dying from a combination of drought and frost.

Burra Floricultural Society has cancelled this year’s flower show on account of the weather.

Burra Mine. Nothing can be done about the Burra Mine till after the 30 November as it is under offer in London.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ asking whether the Recreation Ground belongs to the ratepayers or to the Cricket Club. He objects to paying for entry to cricket matches, especially since with near 100 present and only 9/- taken at the gate, it is clear that most were admitted without charge!

Cricket. At the opening match for the season last Wednesday 11 of the Burra Club 134 defeated 19 Muffs 68.

IX. 797. 30 October 1888, Page 3

There is a column on the Broken Hill Mine.

X. 798. 2 November 1888, Page 2

Melbourne Exhibition. SAR offers cheap excursions to Melbourne on specified dates only. 1st Class returns for £2 and 2nd Class for £1-5-0, with children under 12, half price. There will be no sleeping accommodation on these trains. Passengers north of Adelaide can book the return section from their station to Adelaide for a single ticket price provided they pay for the Melbourne ticket when booking the single special.

Rev. W. Jenkin the brother of Mr John Jenkin of Burra is dangerously ill of consumption at Glenelg and is not expected to recover.

The season. The continuing dry weather is making the season poor and in many areas disastrous.

Electoral Changes. The new single member electoral districts have been announced. Burra District comprises the Corporation of Burra, District Councils of Burra, Apoinga, Hanson, and Mt Bryan, together with the parts of the County of Burra outside the Districts.

Letter from another person objecting to paying to see cricket at the Recreation Ground.

International Cables to London are functioning again.

X. 798. 2 November 1888, Page 3

There is a 1-column report on The Select Committee on The Barrier Trade.

F.W. Holder was Chairman of the Committee.

X. 799. 6 November 1888, Page 2

Vandalism. Bath & Pearce offer a reward for information on anyone writing on or defacing the front of their store.

Advt. At the Institute 9 November, an Entertainment in aid of St Mary’s Building Fund. Music, Readings, Nursery Rhymes, Brilliant Tableaux Vivants. 1/6 & 1/-.

Newcastle coal strike is practically over.

Mr Killicoat will stand again for the Mayoralty.

Burra Waterworks: still no answer from the Government.

Port Pirie’s large coke works have begun.

Hallett. The porch at the Institute is nearly finished. It has been erected to protect the door from severe weather and to support the front wall, which had begun to crack.

Hallett Correspondent reports that farmers with families, implements, stock and household furniture are now frequently passing through from the north where there are neither crops, nor feed, nor water.

X. 799. 6 November 1888, Page 3

Broken Hill. A large fire has destroyed five shops.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary services last Sunday. Rev. J.H. Hadley preached. The afternoon service of song was The Little Pilgrim. The public meeting was last night and the picnic and sports will be held near Sod Hut next Friday, the Prince of Wales’ Birthday.

Burra Town Council.

Mr Henderson will be billed £1-12-9 for the tree guards destroyed when his horse bolted in Kingston St recently.

Letter from W.H. Hardy asking whether Council has given the Cricket Club authority to charge ratepayers 6d admission and also asking whether Council can legally do so while the ratepayers pay for maintenance etc.

Cr Davies objected to the ratepayers being charged. Cr O’Leary would rather the Council paid for the pitch etc. and make no charge to allcomers.

The Town Clerk said he had given the Cricket Club authority to charge 6d until the pitch was paid for.

There has been no response from the government re the Waterworks.

Two accounts were sent in from the Deputation to the Commissioner and after some discussion they were passed for payment.

Council has refused to take over responsibility for the Jubilee Fountain from the Committee of the Jubilee Fountain Fund.

Retiring Councillors.

Cr Davies was balloted to retire from North Ward.

Cr Harris retires from East Ward.

Cr Pearce retires from West Ward.

Cr Morris also retires from East Ward as he is leaving the district.

X. 800. 9 November 1888, Page 2

Advt. ‘Novel Entertainment’ organised by John Roach at the Institute. 1/6 & 1/-.

Notice. Meeting of the Burra and Young Australians Cricket Clubs at Pearce’s Hotel next Monday.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. Burra Branch annual services will be held next Sunday and Monday, with the annual meeting on Monday at 7.30.

Public Holiday. Today’s activities.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School picnic four miles south on the Adelaide Road.

Hallett Picnic and Sports.

Grand Concert at the Institute by St Mary’s Church.

Volunteers go to Adelaide for a sham fight.

Offences.

Four men were charged with travelling sheep on a stock road without giving due notice.

Fines of £2 + £1-15-0, £2 + £2-1-0, £2 + 17/6, £2 + £1-18-0 were imposed.

Thomas Bath has arrived in England.

The New Land Bill reduced 13 or 14 systems to 3.

Cricket. The Burra and the young Australians Cricket Clubs have amalgamated.

Letter from a ‘Ratepayer’ complaining that the Board of Health fails to take action to prevent the stench which each summer brings to the people of Burra.

Letter calling for a definite answer to the question of an admission charge to the Recreation Ground.

Letter from W.H. Hardy who writes [not surprisingly] complaining of W.R. Ridgway’s account for £2-10-0 for expenses incurred as part of the deputation re the Waterworks.

Letter objecting to Mr Ridgway’s claim for expenses. The writer volunteers to go to Adelaide three times a week at 30/- a trip and promising to make money out of the deal.

X. 801. 13 November 1888, Page 2

Advt. Entertainment for two nights: 16 & 17 November.

Professor Baldwin’s Butterfly Company

‘The Funniest Show on Earth’

Professor S.S. Baldwin, American Humorist and Miss Kate Russell, England’s Greatest Musical Sketch Artiste and Great Impersonator.

Also Baby Nick Russell: the smallest Automatic Performer in the World. 3/- & 2/-.

Editorial on the Land Bill, the provisions of which are outlined in brief.

Institute Committee met and resolved to transfer £50 from the general account to the building fund account.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic on 9 November was held in dull and boisterous weather at the start, but it soon cleared. The weather probably caused the reduced numbers. The party started for home before 6 p.m. Total receipts for this year’s anniversary were £28-11-10.

Hallett Sports on 9 November. The threatening weather gave the day a poor start, but only a little rain fell to settle the dust and dust and wind came later. By about 4 o’clock the weather was unbearable. Terowie easily beat Hallett at cricket. In the evening there was a grand entertainment in the Institute, followed by dancing at 10.30.

W.J. Worrell won the handicap.

Whitechapel Murders. There has been another killing.

Port Pirie. The coke works and silver refinery has started.

The Volunteers. Only 706 troops took part in the evolutions last Friday in Adelaide.

Assessments. A new system based on unimproved land value will be available immediately.

Letter from W.H. Hardy suggesting Burra should be supplying the firebricks for Port Pirie.

X. 802. 16 November 1888, Page 2

Burra Mine. A little work is going on with about 34 men and boys on tribute, all of whom are securing fair quantities of ore and are making wages.

Jack-the-Ripper Murders. The Adelaide press have been supplying the most disgusting details of the murders over the last few days.

Entertainment. Professor Baldwin and his Butterfly Company will give ‘an astounding exhibition of spirit exposure, clairvoyancy, and sensational sketches, including musical selections.’

Fraud. Beware of John McDonald who is pretending to be blind and is soliciting alms in the area.

Burra Municipal Elections: It is suggested that to date those standing will be:

Mayor P.L. Killicoat

East Ward Cr Harris

W.H. Hardy

North Ward Cr Davis [Should be Davies]

W.T. Rabbich

Cricket. On Monday the amalgamation of the Burra and Young Australian Cricket Clubs resulted in the election of W. Fox as Captain and George Herbert as Vice-Captain, with W.E. Frith as secretary and treasurer. The new club is to be known as the Burra Cricket Club. Its first match will be against Terowie next Wednesday at Terowie.

George Strachan is an old resident of Burra who went to Broken Hill where he met with heavy losses as a result of speculation and tried to kill himself by throwing himself down a well. He recovered from a broken leg and other injuries in the Burra Hospital. Upon release he went to live with friends at Mt Bryan, but again attempted suicide and has been sent to the Adelaide Asylum.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. The meeting last Monday was poorly attended. For the coming year those elected were:

President Dr Sangster

Vice-President P. Lane

Treasurer P. Lane

Secretary W. Davey

Committee F.W. Holder, C. Drew, M. Birt, A. Bartholomæus, Dr Brummitt,

J. Dunstan Jun., T. Edwards, H. Hutchins, W.H. Turner,

T.W. Wilkinson, and the Ministers of the Town.

The deputation this year was Rev. D. Davidson from England.

Burra Mine. The number of tributers is still increasing.

Woman’s Suffrage League formed in Adelaide.

Assessment. The new mode of assessment for Corporations has been made voluntary.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ objecting to the Town Council’s general inaction on the Waterworks and other issues.

X. 803. 20 November 1888, Page 2

Advt. A meeting is called for 23 November at the Kooringa Hotel to organise a race meeting for 1 January 1889.

Obituary. The Rev. W. Jenkin, Primitive Methodist minister, has died. He went from Burra into the ministry and was stationed in Burra a few years ago. He leaves a wife and eight children. His brothers John and Thomas Jenkin are well known here. [Registered as William Jenkins, died 18 November, aged 50.]

Entertainment. The Baldwin Butterfly Company was quite well attended and a most wonderful company. A lengthy program with each item ‘capitally rendered’ was presented. There were songs, comedy, magic, clairvoyance and mesmerism.

Burra Town Council

It was decided the Cricket Club could charge admission to the oval until the pitch was paid for.

Burra Waterworks. There has still been no reply from the Government.

Whitechapel Murders. There have now been eight murders and still no murderer has been discovered.

Letter from W.H. Hardy outlining the virtues of the unimproved land value system of assessment for council rates.

X. 803. 20 November 1888, Page 3

North Ward Ratepayers’ Meeting.

This was due for 15 November at the German Chapel in Redruth, but the Mayor forgot to book the room. The ratepayers who had assembled adjourned to the Court House Hotel where Cr Harris was voted into the chair.

Crs Pinch and Davis [sic, should be Davies] spoke on the past year and generally regretted that so much money had been spent and the debt had to be carried over. They wished it was otherwise and they had voted against all extravagance.

[The 11⁄2 column report contains little that is new.]

W.T. Rabbich spoke as a candidate for 1889.

X. 804. 23 November 1888, Page 2

Railway Accident. A special train has run down a railway tricycle at Yarcowie and cut two men to pieces. One was single, but the other left a wife and nine children.

[See further in the Railway Commissioners’ Report in the paper for 14 December 1888, p.3]

Cricket. At Terowie last Wednesday, Terowie won the toss and sent Burra in. Burra scored 15 and then Terowie scored 76. In their second innings Burra was all out for 64, giving a total of 79.

[The paper said this left Terowie 7 to win, which they did for the loss of one wicket. This doesn’t appear to make sense, but if they ended up with 7 runs, perhaps they got three to tie and then a 4 off the last scoring shot to win.]

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting.

The Mayor’s Report:

The year started with an overdraft of £237-3-3. A £200 bond was due and redeemed on 1 April. A police moiety of £45-9-1 was demanded.

Interest on bonds amounted to £108 plus £58 costs from the Waterworks.

This meant that £648-12-4 was accounted for before any ordinary expenditure.

A Government subsidy was available only until 30 June at 25% of outlay to that date.

The police charges will cease at the end of this year and the Council will get licence fees. [This apparently meant the licensed victuallers’ fees and the Mayor expected some of the auctioneers’ licence fees too, but he seemed unclear about those.]

For 1889-93 bonds worth £300 fall due each year and should be redeemed.

The Mayor then outlines again the Waterworks debacle and says that no response to the latest deputation has yet been received.

The good health record of the town in the past two years was marred this year by a mystery disease [which claimed several lives].

Tree planting continued to fill in the gaps.

The cemetery debt had been reduced to £9 from £30-9-9 at the start of the year. This was possible by using the curator for public works when not required at the cemetery and it should allow the debt to be eliminated next year.

X. 804. 23 November 1888, Page 3

W.R. Ridgway asked what the year’s income was. The Town Clerk said it was not possible to answer that without the books to hand, but the deficit at the end of the year was expected to be about £270. Income was about £550 from rates £70 from Dog Licences and about £20 from fines.

P. Lane asked how the money was spent.

The Town Clerk gave the figures for each ward, but did not otherwise break the spending down into items.

Crs Pinch and O’Leary both said their object would be to minimise expenditure.

The expected receipts for next year would be about £700.

[Which would allow minimal for spending considering the £300 in bonds due and the £270 overdraft.]

P. Killicoat said he was in favour of continuing to assess by annual rental values instead of unimproved land values.

W.T. Rabbich thought the Council had bungled a great deal and in particular in accepting £50 subsidy for main roads due to an error in the length of them recorded by the Government. They got £50 for 5 miles when Unley got £500 for 9 miles!

Mr Davies had not prepared a speech.

W.H. Hardy [who was in general remarkably conciliatory] ‘thought that a change of personnel of the Council necessary’ and he favoured careful economy. He was for unimproved land value as the basis of the assessment. The main loser in the change would be SAMA who ‘receive money and return nothing for it.’

A. Miller came forward as a candidate for East Ward.

J.A. Watt came forward for West Ward.

All candidates for Council favoured unimproved land value for the assessment, except for Cr Pinch.

X. 805. 27 November 1888, Page 2

Advt. A Juvenile Branch of Burra Burra Lodge of Oddfellows MU will be opened at the Institute on Thursday 6 December 1888.

Editorial on the possibilities for the Burra Mine.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. 16th meeting on 24 November was held at Burra at which the schools represented were: Burra, Davieston [Hanson], Hallett, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth, Terowie and Waterloo.

Burra Town Council. Formal nominations for 1889.

Mayor P.L. Killicoat, sheep farmer of Abberton Park

North Ward William T. Rabbich, butcher of Aberdeen

Thomas Davies, chaffcutter of Aberdeen

West Ward John A. Watt, draper of Kooringa

East Ward

Ordinary Vacancy William H. Hardy, agent, Kooringa

Alexander Harris, chaffcutter, Kooringa

John Pearce, licensed victualler, Kooringa

(Nominations of John Sampson & August Miller were

declared invalid)

East Ward

Extraordinary Vacancy William H. Hardy

John Pearce

John Sampson, agent, Kooringa

Burra Brass Band. A meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel last Monday for the re-formation of the Burra Brass Band. Mr A. Wheatley was reappointed bandmaster.

Interested parties please contact John Harry, Secretary.

Newcastle. The coal strike is finally over.

Burra Public School. 70 children got full marks at the recent examinations.

X. 805. 27 November 1888, Page 3

Burra Mayors. There is a 3⁄4 column article in the form of a humorous mock Biblical text outlining the ‘reigns’ and times of the Mayors of Burra to date, by ‘Aquarius’. The following summary can only give a bit of a taste of the original. The article is headed ‘Copperopolis’.

In the days when copper mining ended came one Lockyeri of the tribe of Breweryites. He was elected Chief of the Great Council. [His achievements are listed.] He paid the men of the Psaraan for making bridges and ‘commanded the men of the Psaraan to build a great wall round a plot of ground for the tribe of the Recreationists which ground is known to this day as the White Elephant.’

In his second year he sent out spies to seek water, but before they could report he was replaced by Brummitti, son of White Chokeri of the tribe of Sawbones. He commanded Jobson the chief of the tribe of Aquaites to make water channels and cause it to flow from tent to tent. He caused trees to be planted. In turn he was replaced by Dunstani son of Wapstrau of the ironheads and timbersides. He was the first native born to be made Chief of the Great Council. He summoned Jobson and said make more water channels so that the children of the hilltops may no longer cry out for water. He called Bismarki the strong and commanded him to plant trees in the street. Then came Packardi, son of Parsoni, of the tribe of Lawyerites, to be replaced in turn by Holderi a scribe, son of Inkslinger of the tribe of Printerites, who declared ‘I will make trees grow in the rocky ground and will call the place Jubilee Avenue. Then did come Killicoati the squatter, son of the great Chief Copperitus and had flocks and herds, but he forgot the doings of the kings who had reigned before him and the wise men of the Great Council said we will no longer gather the taxes from the people, but send our servants to the Great King called mighty Catt, who doth rule over the tribes of the north and south and east and west and ask him to collect the taxes from the people. An Mighty Catt did so and increased the taxes fourfold which made the people wroth and they sent three wise men from them to the King and one of them from among the people, Ridgwayi by name, a great speaker, ‘bowed down to the King and said people no longer want thee O King to gather the water taxes, but command that the shekels may be made less in number and we will do it in thy stead.’

Burra School.

At the Inspector’s exam 266 were presented and 194 have been promoted to higher classes.

Compulsory Certificates went to:

James Peak* Arthur Davey Adolph Hirschausen*

John Chapman George Brandt Arthur Lasscock*

Alex Bruse Frank Pearce* Edward Pearce

Christian Grow Brook Lewis Lottie Tiver

Lucy Dow* Maude Rawling Nellie Wilkinson

Ada Gray* Amy Burgess Henry West*

Frank Ewine Philip Giles* Joseph Edwards*

August Wittber* Percy Giles Ludwig Gebhardt

William Thomas* Charles Mitchell Samuel Williams

Thomas Builder Eva Sampson* Ruth Wilson*

Laura Pearce* Alice West Mary Henderson

Mabel Burgess* Lottie Richardson Alice Luck

Those marked * achieved full marks.

Full marks were also awarded to Lydia Bampton and Amy Burgess in the 5th Class.

X. 806. 30 November 1888, Page 2

Notice. The PUBLIC are cautioned against giving subscriptions in aid of the original Burra Burra Town Brass Band; as no person or persons have been authorised to collect for the above, which is carried on under the leadership of Mr J. Davey. All communications to be addressed to S.J. Davey, Sec. BBB Band.

Also, that A. Wheatley or John Harry have no connection with the above whatever.

Editorial deploring the lack of interest in Municipal matters, which results in the unwillingness of persons to stand for Council. If those in office are not the best suited it can only be because those outside are so absorbed in feathering their own nests or so wanting in self-confidence they cannot run the gauntlet of election. If the public would respect their representatives a little more perhaps we would find the best men more willing to offer themselves.

Redruth Court, 5 November.

H. Price, alias Stonier, was committed for trial in Adelaide for obtaining £7-10-0 on a valueless cheque from W. Henderson of the Kooringa Hotel and on Wednesday was committed on a further charge of obtaining £2-10-0 from Stephen Hill of the Royal Exchange Hotel by means of a valueless cheque.

Burra Corporation sitting as a Court of Appeal. Reductions in assessments for rates amounting to £136-10-0 were approved. The names of those appealing and the figures involved are printed.

W.H. Hardy writes recalling that last year Burra was allowed £50 for the maintenance of 66 chains of main road, when there are about 5 miles of main road in the Corporation. Unley was allowed £500 for their 9 miles of main road. He urges Council to bestir themselves lest they find the Government again using incorrect figures of the length of main roads in their calculations.

X. 807. 4 December 1888, Page 2

Burra Brass Band will give an open-air concert on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. on the flat by the German Chapel.

Burra Municipal Elections.

Mayor P.L. Killicoat (elected unopposed)

Auditor T.T. Shortridge (elected unopposed)

West Ward John A. Watt (elected unopposed)

North Ward W.T. Rabbich 34 (elected)

Thomas Davies 25

East Ward

Ordinary Vacancy W.H. Hardy 34 (elected)

John Pearce 21

Alex Harris 16

East Ward

Extraordinary Vacancy John Sampson 29 (elected)

W.H. Hardy 25

John Pearce 15

Burra Mine. The mine has not been sold in England and will now be placed under offer to the local committee this week.

X. 808. 7 December 1888, Page 2

Advt. Concert by the Burra Musical Union next Wednesday, 12 December in aid of the Burra Hospital. 1/- & 6d.

The Mayor. The Mayor, P.L. Killicoat, has tendered his resignation.

Advt. The Foresters Annual Demonstration will be held on Boxing Day, 26 December 1888 at Princess Royal.

Burra Handicap over 135 yards: 1st £12, 2nd £3 and 3rd £1.

Bicycle Handicap over 1 mile: 1st £10, 2nd £3 and 3rd £2.

Letter from ‘WO MAN’ about the generally unsatisfactory nature of the Council and the oddness of the Mayor’s resigning because of who were elected as councillors.

The Fort at Glenelg is to be commenced and the guns housed.

Waterworks. There is still no news.

X. 809. 11 December 1888, Page 2

Editorial on Municipal Affairs.

The Mayor’s report for 1888 is a meagre affair. It does not have the usual statement of finances and does not give a very clear idea of the year’s work. The public attacks have been on three fronts:

Payment of the police moiety to December 31

The acceptance of a very small main roads grant

The surrender and subsequent acts relating to the Waterworks.

As to the first we are surprised that all the work intended to be done was not done before 30 June to make the most of the last grant-in-aid. This would at least have paid the police moiety. At least an attempt to resist the claim should have been made. [Because it was supposed to be tied to the grant-in-aid and could therefore have reasonably have been expected to cease when that ceased.]

As for the road grant, the Council got a lump sum and had no means of checking its correctness. The critics didn’t discover the underpayment and the error has been corrected for the future.

The Waterworks were handed back as a result of the concurrence of the ratepayers.

Much of the difficulty came as a result of the unforseen depression and the non-supply of water to the Railways Department, neither of which could have been provided against. The present monstrous assessment must be got rid of.

If the constitution of the new Council does not suit, it is the fault of those who did not stand, not of those who did. For the Mayor to resign seems very curious because if he deems the new Council to be not in the town’s best interests then he should stay there to counter the ill effects as far as possible - leaving, from his point of view, leaves the other side in possession!

Burra Co. VF. Last drills for the year are called for tonight and Thursday night. Captain Holder will be in command himself and a large attendance is hoped for.

Burra Town Council met yesterday to consider the Mayor’s resignation. It is believed W.R. Ridgway will be a candidate for the position.

Rev. J.H. Ashton, the Bible Christian minister, who has been visiting England, has returned to Adelaide and will shortly be back at his Burra duties, allowing Rev. J.R. Bradbury to return to Adelaide.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions. The Rev. J. Leggoe, late of Fiji preached on Sunday and lectured on Mission work in Redruth yesterday. Next Sunday and Monday Rev. J.R. Bradbury will render similar services in Kooringa. He has spent three years in the Northern Territory.

Obituary. Mr Sampson James, a well-known and respected resident employed by Drew & Co., died on Saturday after ten days of illness. He was a local Wesleyan preacher and member of the Rechabites. They attended the funeral in large numbers on Sunday. He leaves a widow and two children. He was the son-in-law of W. Pearce Sen. who only a few months ago lost a son and two daughters by the same disease: pneumonia. Pneumonia is very prevalent at present. [Died 8 December, aged 39.]

Burra Lodge (IOOFMU) held its annual financial meeting on Wednesday at the Institute. In the last year it has paid £540 in sick pay, £195-13-3 to surgeons, and currently holds £6,311-18-5 of which £5,860 is lent on mortgages. £400 is in the bank on fixed deposit. Members number 300: six died in the year and three dropped out, being over £2-1-8 in arrears. Seven new members joined. The opening of the juvenile branch took place on 6 December and 14 were initiated on the first night. Seven more await this next meeting, 20 December. Nine past officers of the parent lodge form the management committee.

Hanson Council Chambers. Messrs Fuss’s tender for work on the building has been accepted, leaving out the painting of the walls.

Electoral Changes. The Bill for single-member districts has been shelved.

The Melbourne Exhibition is acknowledged to have been a failure and a loss of £20,000 is expected.

The English & Australian Copper Co. is talking of erecting smelters in Burra, if the mine goes to work again.

X. 809. 11 December 1888, Page 3

Burra Town Council, 10 December 1888.

‘Gentlemen - Circumstances have arisen since I accepted the position of Mayor of the town which have caused me to determine on resigning the same. Therefore I beg to place my resignation in your hands.

I am faithfully yours,

P.L. Killicoat’

Cr Rabbich moved acceptance subject to Clause 54 of the Act.

It was well known that the resignation was due to a personal feeling against one of the councillors newly elected. That person [Cr Sampson] had several years under ex-Mayors and been elected at the head of the poll for the extraordinary vacancy and under these circumstances the resignation was an insult to the ratepayers. Under the Act the Mayor was subject to a fine and he felt they should let the law take its course.

The Town Clerk said the Mayor was anxious not to put the town to any expense and would pay the cost of a new election.

Cr Hardy 2nd the motion and felt the action contempt of Council and of the ratepayers.

Cr O’Leary moved an amendment that acceptance depend on the Mayor paying the cost of the election, but he did not feel a further penalty should be applied.

Cr Sampson said such an undertaking had not been given in writing.

The Town Clerk said he would personally guarantee the cost of the election.

Cr Sampson then said the action showed the ignorance of the Mayor and proved that the affairs of the Council had been bungled as alleged at the ratepayers’ meeting. The full penalty allowed by law should be imposed.

Cr O’Leary wanted to know on what authority Cr Rabbich relied for stating that Cr Sampson was the cause of the resignation.

Cr Rabbich referred to a conversation he had had with the Town Clerk, but was not very specific in his answer. He felt the question of penalty must be left till afterwards.

The chairman ruled the amendment out of order as the fine could only be remitted on subsequent application. The amendment was withdrawn. Motion carried.

Nominations for the position of Mayor will close 24 December.

The election, if required, will be on 31 December.

Cr Sampson moved that the Town Clerk inform the Mayor of the condition of acceptance and that he might apply for remission of all or part of the fine if he thought fit.

The Town Clerk estimated the income for the year at c. £820.

There was a debt of £270, bonds of £200 and interest of £120 plus salaries and office expenses. The health account had a debt of £80 and the parklands a credit of £50.

X. 810. 14 December 1888, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of I. Haskard of Jamestown at her mother’s residence (Mrs Goss Senior) Redruth on 6 December, a son. [Thomas Emanuel Haskard]

Editorial on Municipal Matters.

The Council’s decision to inflict the full £50 penalty on accepting the Mayor’s resignation is, we believe, without a parallel. In almost every such case the penalty has been limited to the cost of the election, or remitted altogether. It was a nonsense to say the fine must first be imposed as the Act gives the Council power to do as it pleases.

Town Assessments

On 26 November the Council sat to hear appeals against assessments and made considerable reductions in most cases. 14 cases were later taken to the Local Court where further reductions were asked for - as is the right of ratepayers. The Council then did the extraordinary act of agreeing to the reductions rather than arguing the cases on merit - and it incurred £7 costs on the whole. The costs swallow half the rates from these properties for the year. We must conclude that, as the assessment of these properties was on the same basis as others, that either the present assessment is too high by 30% or these properties are now too low.

Those reduced were:

From To

James Tiver 65 40

John Dunstan Jun. 30 17

W. Dunstan 10 8

Sara & Dunstan 10 6

Sara & Dunstan 80 60

Sara & Dunstan 35 20

Sara & Dunstan 10 6

W.R. Ridgway 16 10

W.R. Ridgway 14 8

W.R. Ridgway 16 10

W.R. Ridgway 16 10

W.R. Ridgway 14 10

Morris Rayner 52 30

Morris Rayner 9 3

Polo. A new season will open tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. and a good match is anticipated.

The Mayoralty. W.R. Ridgway is unwilling to stand under the circumstances. F.W. Holder has been approached. He has asked time to consider, but will consent if no other person with experience of municipal work can be prevailed upon to stand.

Five of the six Councillors have asked Mr Holder to stand.

Burra Musical Union gave a concert on Wednesday when oppressive weather saw a smaller audience. Burra Brass Band played several selections outside the hall.

Burra Co. VF cannot now make a presentable muster.

Christmas falls on Tuesday so the Government holidays this year will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

X. 810. 14 December 1888, Page 3

Railway Accident. The report of the Railway Commissioners on the accident near Yarcowie on 20 November in which two railway workers were killed, found that they met their death through disobeying established rules.

Obituary. George Brown, aged 38, left a wife and six children and had entered service on 31 May 1681 [sic] [1861?]

Obituary. John Ryan, aged 25, was unmarried and had entered the service on 2 August 1888.

The pair were employed as packers and the report says their deaths were brought about by ignoring working rules, specifically that they had not enquired about the running of a special train and did not show a red light in either direction on their tricycle, despite being pressed to do so by Edward Gardiner in charge of No. 12 gang.

X. 811. 18 December 1888, Page 2

Birth: to the wife of C.B. Thomas at Kapunda on 14 December, a son. [Reginald Leonard Thomas]

Editorial on the Government response to the Waterworks question.

The reply is along the same lines as before with a charge of 5% of the total cost. Some say the delay was just to prevent it being aired in Parliament. No allowance has been made even for the old works, which were constructed for the railways and not the town at all. At least the Government should have removed the cost of the old works. But it is beyond appeal at present and we must now decide whether to accept the works at the old price and then battle on to get the rent reduced.

Since the works were surrendered the law now gives the Council the same rating rights as the Government.

Secondly the possibility of the sale of the Burra Mine gives the town prospects it has not had for years.

Against this, as soon as the mine is pumped dry the probability is the town water supply will be cut off as the water table falls. The new lease must provide against such a contingency. A large tank excavated near the Chinaman’s garden for the catchment of a sufficient supply of rainwater would be the best possible arrangement, but this must not be at the cost of Council. We think it best if the Council do again lease the Waterworks, but with a clause that if the supply fails the Government will provide a new supply at their cost. If this happens the present cost of rates must stand for one year as rent in advance will be paid.

Obituary. Mr William Richards of Moonta and late of Burra, son of John Richards of Burra, died on Monday leaving a wife and three children. He was a son-in-law of W. Pearce Sen. [Died 17 December, aged 47.]

The Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition had receipts of £68,701-13-8 and a credit balance of £264-17-2.

Fire. At Sod Hut on Thursday Mr Fradd lost 10 tons of hay, 20 bags of wheat, a chaffcutter, harnesses, a stable and a woolshed. The fire started on top of the haystack from an unknown cause. The loss amounts to c. £100.

Burra Mine. On Friday Sir Henry Ayers wired Mr Holder as the representative of the local committee interested in the mine, that it had been sold in London. This is regarded as good news as it is anticipated that it will be followed by energetic work and renewed prosperity for Burra.

The Mayoralty. W.R. Ridgway has agreed to stand.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich dissenting from the editor’s view on the legal possibilities of the Mayor’s penalty, but agreeing with him on the extraordinary action of the (old) Council in relation to the appeals for reductions in assessments.

Letter from W.H. Hardy also expressing amazement at the action in relations to assessment appeals and placing the whole responsibility for it on the Town Clerk, [J.D. Cave] who acted without Council knowledge.

X. 811. 18 December 1888, Page 3

Panama Canal. The work under Baron de Lesseps has been abandoned.

Public Meeting called for tomorrow night re the Mayoralty and the Waterworks question.

The Institute Committee has received a letter from the Masonic Lodge advising they will not require the Lodge Room from now until further notice.

[In fact the Masonic Lodge went into an 11 year recess and did not meet again until 1899.]

Burra Town Council

There was discussion of the reply from the government on the Waterworks.

Cr Hardy moved it be considered at the next meeting.

Cr Rabbich thought they would have to take over the works as the Government otherwise got too much out of the town.

Cr Sampson thought the delay in consideration gave time to get the ratepayers’ feelings.

Cr Rabbich moved an amendment that a ratepayers’ meeting be held on Saturday night to consider the question. Not 2nd. Motion carried.

The Finance Committee reported that the total income for the year was expected to be c. £860.

The expected expenditure exclusive of salaries and office expenses £629

Parkland income £139-5-5 and expenditure £124

Health income £125 and expenditure £186

Salaries £50 for the Town Clerk and £50 for the Inspector & Ranger.

[An advertisement shows that the offices were combined as follows:

Town Clerk, Collector of Rates, Registrar of Dogs & Secretary of the Board of Health.

Inspector under the Board of Health & of Weights and Measures and Ranger.]

The dayman was reappointed at 6/6 a day.

The curator of the cemetery was reappointed at the old salary.

The scavenger also received the same terms as before.

There was discussion on the action of the Town Clerk re the reduced assessments, but after some heated exchanges the matter was allowed to drop pending a new mayoral appointment.

X. 812. 21 December 1888, Page 2

Cricket. Burra will play Terowie on Christmas Day at the Recreation Ground beginning at 10 a.m.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School will celebrate its anniversary on Sunday 23 December. The children’s treat will be on Christmas Day at 3 p.m. with the tea at 4.30 p.m. and the public meeting at 7.30 p.m.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church will hold its Christmas and Hospital Service on Christmas Day at 11 a.m. with the Burra Musical Union Orchestra and the Redruth Choir.

Burra Public School ends the year today. On Wednesday Pupil Teacher Wade received two volumes of Beeton’s Encyclopaedia and a set of mathematical instruments from the scholars and teachers as he now goes on to the Training College.

Notice. Dr Brummitt and John Lewis will in future destroy any goats trespassing on their property north of Commercial St and south of Mt Pleasant. Goats have been eating the trees planted there at their expense and they have been admitted by persons wilfully twisting the fence wires.

St Joseph’s School held its examination and prize-giving day last Tuesday. Mr Holder addressed the children and distributed the prizes. The list of winners is printed.

Adelaide University awarded a BA to a lady graduate on Wednesday.

X. 812. 21 December 1888, Page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting at the Institute on Wednesday 20 December with Dr Brummitt in the chair. It was a rather noisy meeting.

Mr Holder and W.R. Ridgway took seats as candidates for Mayor.

The Waterworks question was addressed first.

F.W. Holder:

He said as a result of a previous meeting a deputation they had waited on the Commissioner and had got the impression that some considerable concessions were possible. Mr Holder had subsequent conversation with Mr Catt and at last the matter had gone to Cabinet. Cabinet simply reasserted the old terms and there can be no appeal until Parliament reassembles in June next year. The issue is what to do in the meantime. He was much disappointed, especially with respect to the cost of the old works, which were not even in existence now. Holder did not think accepting them now would prejudice any appeal, but he also did not have great hopes about the appeal, though he and Mr Rounsevell would work hard.

The Chairman thought if they took over they would have to pay the Government 5%, but if they did not the ratepayers would have to pay more than that to the Government.

P. Lane wanted to leave the matter to the Council, which would be better informed.

Cr Rabbich believed the cost of running the Waterworks would be c. £670 and the Government assessment [for water rates] was £1,000. It would therefore save the town £300 or so a year by taking over.

W. Anderson 2nd Mr Lane’s proposal.

Cr Sampson expressed concern about the possible reopening of the mine and urged a deferral of any decision.

W. Geake moved an amendment to set up a committee including ratepayers and Councillors. 2nd by Mr Rayner.

The Chairman felt the Council should have a chance before such a committee or it would look like a want of confidence in them.

Mr Lane’s motion was carried.

The meeting then turned to consider the Mayoralty.

Holder said he had no ambitions of being Mayor and had signed a requisition calling on W.R. Ridgway to stand. When he was approached to stand he had understood that Mr Ridgway was not coming out and so agreed to stand in the absence of any experienced candidate. When he heard that Mr Ridgway was coming out he asked his proposers to allow him to withdraw, but they declined. The one thing that had persuaded him to remain in the running was the extraordinary proceedings with the assessment appeals.

He felt that ‘it was not expedient at this crisis that one who had been associated in the matter should be placed at the head of municipal affairs, and that Mr Ridgway had thus forfeited his claim.’ (Cheers)

Cr Ridgway said that he was there as the result of a requisition signed by 81 ratepayers. ‘He had seen many hanky-panky tricks, but this was the first time he had been opposed by a man who had signed his requisition. (Uproar) It was quite unique’

Had Holder agreed to stand before Monday last he (Ridgway) would not be on the platform. But he wanted now conciliation and construction ‘If elected he would get the business of the town done instead of indulging in outside twaddle.’

With respect to the assessments: ‘nothing could have been fairer. (Hisses and uproar)’. The council had plenty of time to defend themselves and it was wise for them to have done as they did. (Cries of no and uproar)

Mr Lane asked if Mr Ridgway were aware the assessment was illegal before he appealed to the Local Court.

He said he was not. He thought a reduction was necessary all round. Mr Holder did not think so, but only that some alteration should be made.

Ridgway said he had never made any threat with reference to the assessment.

‘Mr Lane proposed that Mr Holder was a fit and proper person to be Mayor of the town. He had served the town well, he had never been a party to any clique, nor had he ever entered into any round robbinism or put the town to any expense . . . he remembered a time when a few ratepayers had joined together and put the town to a lot of expense through the same thing, he would ask any commonsense ratepayer was it fair. He held that no other man had attempted to put the town to such expense as the man aspiring at present to the position of Mayor.’

Ridgway objected to Mr Lane going on in such a way.

Mr T. Edward 2nd Mr Lane’s proposal.

Mr Geake supported it and declared he was sorry to have supported Ridgway’s requisition and ‘after the proceedings which had taken place in the court last week, he would rather be branded a traitor than mix up with or support a man who had been a party to such proceedings. (Loud cheers) And one who had attempted to take such an advantage of the ratepayers. (Cheers)’

Mr Lane’s motion in favour of Mr Holder was carried without dissent.

Cr Rabbich moved that Mr Ridgway was a fit and proper person to represent the town as Mayor. (Dissent)

Mr Packard 2nd.

When the motion was put there were only 4 votes in support.

X. 813. 25 December 1888, Page 2

Advt. Burra versus Riverton cricket match at the Recreation Ground today. 6d.

Advt. Burra Foresters’ Sports on Boxing Day at Princess Royal with a grand concert at the Institute in the evening after which a Select Quadrille Assembly will take place.

Advt. Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 30 December.

2.30 p.m. Rev. S. Gray and 6.30 Mr Holder. Tea and public meeting 1 January.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic at Mr Fradd’s at Sod Hut on 1 January. Bring your own provisions except for tea and aerated waters.

Advt. Salvation Army tea on Boxing Day from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

with supper at 9 p.m.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School treats for children on Christmas Day at 3 p.m. with public tea at 4.30 p.m. and a meeting at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on Christmas and the closeness of people.

‘As time passes, the world is becoming smaller, and places that were many weeks’ distance from each other are now only days apart. Races too are blending, and the great human family is steadily establishing its claims to be considered but one.’

Burra Town Council

On Monday the returning officer, Cr Pinch, declared Mr F.W. Holder duly elected as Mayor in the absence of any other nomination. He was shortly afterwards sworn in.

Special Constables have been sworn in to cope with holiday larrikins.

24 December

One tender was received for the Town Clerk’s position at £60 and W. Davey was appointed from 6 January.

J.R. Gray was appointed Inspector at £50 from six tenders ranging from £44-£50.

Cricket. The cricket match scheduled between Burra and Terowie is cancelled, as Terowie can’t come: instead Burra will meet Riverton.

Vandalism. Early Monday morning two men were discovered breaking down the trees in the reserve at the end of the Kingston St Bridge for Christmas tree use. They were not residents, but had undertaken to get greenery for decoration. As they had no money they were given 21 days. By law they were liable for a fine of up to £5 or three months and to pay damages, which were estimated at £2. Five trees were destroyed.

Letter from H.T. Burgess calling for some restraint in language etc during religious services on 31 December.

Letter from another ratepayer calling for strong policing of larrikins on 31 December.

Letter from ‘Critic’ on the ratepayers’ meeting

He is critical of Holder for going back on his word of support for Ridgway and calling on him to explain what he meant by the extraordinary events at the court, which caused his change of heart.

[This despite the rather clear reasons spelled out by Holder - but perhaps he was hoping for a response that might have been actionable.]

New Governor. Lord Kintore has been appointed next Governor of SA. He is only 36.

Mr J. Dunn Sen. at 87 has retired from the milling firm.

English Postage from 1 January will be 4d for letters and 2d for postcards if mailed via Plymouth.

X. 813. 25 December 1888, Page 3

There is a 1-column report on Roseworthy Agricultural College from an address by Professor Lowrie.

Serialised books for 1888

What She Came Through, (Continued from 1887) 3 January to 7 February.

The Laurel Bush: An Old-Fashioned Love Story by Dinah Maria Craik, 7 February to 9 March.

The Haunted Engine: A Story of the Rail, by Y.H. Addis, 13 March.

Young Mrs Jardine, By Dinah Maria Craik, 16 March to 29 June.

Jasper Deane: Wood-Carver of St Paul’s, by John Saunders, 29 June to 14 August.

Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices, by Anthony Trollope, 17 August to 11 September.

Pauline, 14 September to 25 December. (To be continued 1889.)

Characteristics of the 1888 Paper.

The paper was issued twice a week: on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Page 1.

Large and small advertisements with a mixture of local and others.

Page 2.

Smaller advertisements. Stock sales and market reports. Local entertainments and public notices. Editorials and short items of local news. There is a column headed ‘Items’ which begins with very short items and goes on to slightly longer ones. Some are local, but much of it is not. The shortest items are sometimes enigmatic. Some letters to the editor.

Page 3.

Items of general interest. Sometimes an extended report on a local event. About three columns of smaller advertisements: many not local.

Page 4.

The serialised novel, plus sometimes poetry. Patent medicine advertisements dominate along with a large self-advertisement.

Numbering of the issues of the paper in 1888.

1888 began with Volume IX, Number 710 (2) on 3 January 1888, repeating No. 710 from the last issue of 1887. No. 711 is not used. In the following run 727 is omitted and 725 repeated in its place, 736 is used twice and 737 is not used. The series runs to:

Volume IX, Number 797 on 30 October 1888 and then

Volume X, Number 798 on 2 November 1888

and runs to

Volume X, Number 813 on 25 December 1888.

X, 815, 4 Jan. 1889, page 1

Advertisements

Godchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd Auctioneers, Adelaide, Kapunda, Kooringa, Broken Hill

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Auctioneers, Kapunda & Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

S. Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Etc. Market Square

Shakes & Lewis Stock & Station Salesmen, auctioneers & Valuators, Kooringa & Kapunda

E.A. Moore Labour Office, Kooringa

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker & Tinsmith, Commercial St

W.H. Batchelor Fancy Goods, Brushware, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Paperhangings etc.

Thomas Kitchen Groceries, Crockery, Glass & Tinware, Fruit, Patent Medicines & Poultry, adjoining the Bank of Australasia, Kooringa

T.W. Wilkinson Seeds, Books, Cards, Drinks, Novelties.

D. Jones Coach Painter & Sign Writer

W.H. Pearce Tinsmith & Galvanised Iron Worker, Tanks, Commercial St

W.L. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers

W.H. Linkson Agent for Westmorland’s Boots & Shoes, Redruth

F.W. Holder Organs & Pianos: Record Office, Kooringa

Thomas Nicholls Watch & Clockmaker, Jeweller, nearly opposite the Commercial Hotel, Kooringa

X, 815, 4 Jan. 1889, page 2

Advertisements

J. Roach Sharebroker

Pederson’s Cash Boot Shop, Opposite the Commercial Hotel, Commercial St

I.W. Goss Carpenter, Builder & Undertaker, Aberdeen.

Richard Snell Public Baths, Quarry St (Ladies only on Thursdays)

X, 815, 4 Jan. 1889, page 3

Advertisements

T. Edwards Drapery & Clothing, Kooringa

William Pearce Agent for National Building Society, Commercial St

M. Rayner Agent for Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Co.

August Miller (Late of W. Henderson & Co.) Shoeing & General Smith on the premises lately occupied by J. Hutson

Harry & Burns Wheelwrights & Blacksmiths, next to the Commercial Hotel

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen, near Sara & Dunstan’s

J. Snell Agent for Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Ltd

X, 815, 4 Jan. 1889, page 4

Advertisements

F.W. Holder Printer

X, 814, 1 Jan. 1889, page 2

Obituary. Charles Hamblet, stepfather of W.H. Hardy of Burra and of John Hardy of Sheffield England, died at Sheffield on 19 September 1888, aged 73.

Obituary. Mary Hamblet, mother of W.H. Hardy of Burra and John Hardy of Sheffield England, died at Sheffield on 22 September 1888, aged 69.

Advt. St Joseph’s Hall, Kooringa, 9 January. Drawing of the Prizes for the Art Union to clear the debt of St Joseph’s Residence, 2 p.m. Public Tea at 3.30 p.m. and a Ball in the evening at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial. A Retrospective on 1888.

Locally the year has been most unsuccessful with the prevailing depression. This had prevailed elsewhere in the colony for some time, but became really known here as the railway became finished and drew away carrying business, which had been so important for us.

[A part is missing here from the microfilm version, but appears likely to have said that not only was business affected by the completion of the railway to Broken Hill, but that the dry season had severely affected both the farming and pastoral sectors and hence businesses in the town.]

Business and social affairs have been dull. The year began with a good harvest, but winter was dry and the year closed on one of the worst of seasons. At the start of the year excitement in connection with the Barrier Mines was setting in and it rapidly grew to a climax and the anticlimax has been extreme. At one time it seemed that the colony would find its own Broken Hill as silver discoveries were reported all over SA, but in grasping at shadows many have lost the substance. Locally this was as evident as elsewhere and our own mines have not yet justified all the expectations concerning them.

Sales of new leases in pastoral country to the northeast have done little to stimulate activity due to the drought and little development there has so far resulted. One ray of brightness is the news at the close of the year that the Burra Mine has changed hands. As long as SAMA owned the mine it was clear that it would remain moribund. Now with British capital we may hope it will again become a busy hive of activity. Before the next year has closed we may expect the old activity will be revived. The local committee probably promoted the sale, as we understand they were prepared to take up the mine had the London buyer not been found.

The health of the people has been good and we have not lost any prominent citizens, but sympathy has been widely expressed for W. Pearce Senior who in the last four months has lost two daughters, one son and two sons-in-law. Other public institutions have continued their even course. Mr Rounsevell and Mr Holder have taken their share in the not very profitable Parliamentary sessions of the year. Council affairs have been quiet till the last few weeks, when they bid fair to beat the record for difficulty, but now peace reigns again and we hope matters can be brought to a satisfactory issue. The Hospital Board, School Board of Advice and the Institute have had a satisfactory year. In the clergy the only change has been the substitution of Rev. W.H. Hodge for Rev. J.H. Hadley at Redruth Wesleyan Church. The Friendly Societies have continued to foster thrift, industry and mutual providence.

Across SA there is a feeling that the depression is passing. Most of the Barrier Trade has been done with SA to the benefit of both out trade and labour and very significantly of our railways.

The Alma and Victoria Gold Mine, after an arduous struggle, has finally paid a dividend. A copper mine at Mutooroo has also paid a dividend and those on Yorke Peninsula have never been busier, helped by the high price of copper, which the French Syndicate can evidently control.

Politically the Chinese question has claimed precedence. Stringent measures have been passed by all the Australian Parliaments restricting almost to prohibition the influx of Chinese. SA has adopted the Federation Enabling Act. The new Land Bill sets the law relating to Crown Lands on quite a new basis. The relative authority of the governors and the colonial Governments has been challenged and changed, though not really clearly defined.

Wheal Motley Copper Mining Syndicate.

The directors paid the mine a visit on 28 December and are pleased with prospects. Cockrum’s Shaft is at 91’. At Green’s Shaft tributers have sunk 20’ and driven 10’ on the course of lode, finding a well-defined lode about 4’ wide carrying good stones of ore. Another shaft has been sunk 17’, showing the footwall well defined, though the width of the lode was not ascertained, as the hanging wall had not been cut. This shaft will be continued to 60’. At Fred’s Shaft about one ton of ore has been raised. Directors are confident that with sufficient capital the mine can be very remunerative to shareholders.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School held its anniversary on 23 December and Christmas Day. Rev. S. Gray & Rev. W.H. Hodge preached. Congregations were large. The children’s treat was held on Christmas Day at 3 p.m. followed by a public tea and public meeting.

Thomas Warnes writes wondering why the Burra DC might contemplate assisting the Hanson DC in appealing a decision of the local SM in the Redruth court, relating to a travelling stock reserve case against him. He further wonders if they have the power to spend ratepayers’ funds in such a matter.

C. Drew has been appointed a JP.

Christmas has been the hottest since 1857.

Obituary. Mr Henry Jolly of Mintaro is dead. [Died 26 December 1888 aged 69]

Obituary. Mr Thomas Ward, City Coroner, is dead. [Died 28 December 1888 aged 73]

Burra Mine. Pitches are to be let to tributers on Wednesday.

50 tons of ore are just being sent off by tributers.

A Burra Mine Syndicate with a capital of £50,000 has been registered in London.

Christmas in Burra.

The town was thronged with visitors on Christmas Eve, many of them from Melbourne and Broken Hill. Soon after 7 p.m. the footpaths were clogged and the crowd was thickest between 9 & 10 p.m. Decorations were better than usual with green boughs and Chinese lanterns on every hand. The Burra Brass Band played in divers places and drew large crowds. Shop began to close soon after 11 p.m. and the Burra Band then continued with carols, heralding in the new day.

Christmas Day was hot and unpleasant. Rev. H.T. Burgess preached at Kooringa Wesleyan Church, which was attended by members of the Friendly Societies and the Hospital Board. The collection in aid of the hospital raised £5-15-6.

At St Joseph’s the usual midnight mass was well attended and Rev. Father O’Dowling officiated. There were two services on Christmas Day.

The Salvation Army had the usual meeting in Market Square. Captain Meldrum was assisted by the local officers.

Cricket. On Christmas Day at the Burra Oval: Burra 62 defeated Riverton 56.

X, 814, 1 Jan. 1889, page 3

Foresters’ Demonstration, Boxing Day.

The weather was unfavourably hot with a searing north wind and clouds of dust, but this did not deter crowds of people from making their way to Princess Royal. Two first-class tracks had been laid out for the footmen and the wheelmen.

The main footrace was the Burra Handicap over 130 yds, which was won by R.C. Lock. (£12)

The main bicycle race was the Burra Handicap over 1 mile, which was won by S. Mutton. (£10)

Other results are printed.

The entertainment at the Institute in the evening drew a good audience despite the heat.

Accidents: none very serious.

M. Ryan was run over by a cab in Market Square on Christmas Eve and is progressing favourably.

T. Parks jun. received a nasty cut to his head from a falling case at Bath & Pearce’s store where he works.

Mr O’Connor received a nasty kick from a horse he was watering at the Market Square trough on Christmas morning.

Mr Henderson was returning from the Foresters’ Picnic in a trap with two other gentlemen when the whole thing collapsed in Ayers St, throwing all of them out onto the road. All were badly shaken and the trap smashed.

Fire. On Christmas Day a fire broke out on Mr W. McBride’s paddock at Firewood Creek, two miles north of Burra. It travelled the length of his paddocks and into grass country near the hills and ran towards Mt Bryan. It was fought by many volunteers before being stopped at a road. It is thought to have been started by the midday passenger train.

Rev. H.T. Burgess’s Christmas sermon is printed.

X, 815, 4 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the rain that had just ended a drought and describing the meteorology of travelling depressions.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church has postponed its tea meeting to next Monday on account of the heavy rain on 1 Jan.

Municipal matters. The Mayoral election recently caused some gentlemen to feel that their reputations were reflected upon. A protracted meeting of the denomination to which they belong was held on Wednesday evening and the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

New Year was quiet, but for the firing of an odd gun and the sounding of steam whistles. Some churches held watchnight services. The heavy rain, which set in about noon, caused the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School picnic at Sod Hut to be curtailed and the party arrived home thoroughly drenched. Dams were filled. The Quondong mail carrier reports falls of 3” to the east. Railway traffic has been widely delayed and the Broken Hill line is temporarily closed.

Burra marble has proved to have too much silica content to be of use as a flux, which will now be obtained from Kapunda.

The Terowie Correspondent writes re the Burra elections, saying that the [Mayoral] position nearly went begging. He believes the present Mayor [F.W. Holder] will have his hands full being an MP at the same time. The financial aspect of the Council will also be difficult. The correspondent says ‘the team this year are perhaps not the smartest men in Burra’. He was amused when one candidate [Hardy] described himself as an agent: ‘and knowing him so well I thought it hardly a sootable term; but at the same time he should be capable - that is if he has his plant to hand - to make sweeping reforms.’ [Hardy had previously been a chimneysweep.]

The lagoon east of Terowie has been filled for the first time in 12 years and is c. 7 miles in circumference.

Fire Inquest. Redruth Court House: Thursday.

W.R. Ridgway JP conducted an inquest into a fire, which occurred on the property of W. McBride (Sections 37, 43, 47, & 57) along the railway line on Christmas Day. H. Pinch was foreman of the jury.

William McBride said he lost 140-150 acres of grass in the fire which started very soon after a train passed and he was sure that was the origin of it. He valued his loss at 12/- per acre.

Mr McNeil corroborated.

Richard Austin, owner of section 118 adjoining said the fire extended to his paddock of 50 acres valued at 12/- per acre. He had no idea of its origin.

Elizabeth Mills said she resided on pt section 117 and lost c. 18 acres of grass and lucerne valued at £1 per acre. She believed the train to be the cause as there was no sign of fire immediately before the train.

Josiah Thomas owned section 42 adjoining McBride’s and lost 22 acres of grass worth c. 2/6 per acre and a sheep-proof fence worth £2-10-0.

John Fitzgerald was a drover and a passenger in the train and his evidence supported the above.

Samuel Harvey, ganger for the railways, tried to put out the fire, but failed. He did not know its origin. The fire could not have started on the line as the grass there is burnt off.

Thomas W. Oates, labourer, supported the idea of the train as the probable origin of the fire.

Henry Edwards, engine driver, felt that the engine could not be the origin as the fire had been banked and spark catchers were fitted.

The jury decided the engine had been the origin of the fire.

The New Year: some reflections on the uses of retrospection.

New Year’s Eve passed without larrikinism due to the vigilance of the police and special constables.

On New Year’s Day wagons lent by Messrs McBride, Sandland and Rogers [The paper of 11 Jan. adds C. Schut’s, which should presumably read C. Schutz.] took the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday school to Fradd’s paddock at Sod Hut. The site was excellent with large trees and lunch was partaken of in a large tent, but the storm clouds gathered and about 2 p.m. rain began to fall and the day had to be abandoned with everyone getting a drenching.

Burra Agricultural Bureau meeting reported in 1 column.

Discussion was held on ways to use the copious water to be found in Diprose Creek. Perhaps it could serve some 20-acre homestead blocks. Further north, at Jilbert’s Well, water also goes to waste. ‘For many years this was the principle one from which most of Kooringa was supplied with water.’

The spring at Princess Royal was another source not utilised much. At the workingmen’s blocks at Booborowie water is abundant, in some places at only 5’.

World’s End Creek is another obviously under-used source.

X, 816, 8 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the harvest prospects throughout SA.

Burra and District will have fair average yields, but in the N & N-E are many farmers who have reaped almost nothing. This land should be returned to pasture. In the better areas where the failure has been due to unusual conditions it would be a boon if means could be found to assist them in staying on the land. A privately organised seed fund would be one way, the Government having resolved not to use public money for a seed fund. The seed should be given outright only to those who otherwise could not get seed at all.

Corporation Loans:

1 June 1879 £400 for public works: all repaid

2 April 1882 £500 for Recreation Ground: all repaid

2 April 1882 £1,600 for public works: £200 repaid & £200 p.a. due till 1895

2 April 1882 £400 for town survey, later converted to public works: £200 due in 1896 and £200 due in 1897

3 April 1885 £500 for Park Lands: repayable at £100 p.a. 1889 to 1893

Total borrowed: £3,400 of which £1,100 has been repaid and £2,300 still owed.

Amount due is £300 p.a. 1889 to 1893 and £200 p.a. 1894 to 1897.

Interest on all the bonds is at 6%.

Letter from W.H. Hardy alleging that men of good standing in the town are stealing and eating people’s fowls and geese and then claiming it was just a lark. If the needy did it they would be arrested. He says he could name names, but ‘the law will not allow a man to call a spade a spade’.

The fine on ex-mayor Killicoat has been reduced.

Copper is at more than £100 a ton in London.

Obituary. Elizabeth Blackney, once of Burra, has died in Moonta aged 72. [1 January, registered as 71]

The Recreation Ground trees are growing nicely.

Burra Town Council, 7 Jan.

Mr Packard waited on the Council on behalf of Mr Killicoat and asked for a reduction of the fine of £50 imposed on him for resigning the Mayoralty.

Cr Pinch moved it be reduced to £10 plus costs. Cr Rabbich 2nd.

Cr Sampson spoke at length against the proposal and moved it be not less than £20. The resignation, he said, was an insult to ratepayers.

Cr Hardy 2nd this amendment as no explanation had yet been offered to them.

Crs Sampson, Hardy and Watt supported the amendment, which was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor.

The Mayor reported the conviction of two men on Christmas Eve for injuring trees. Messrs Harris and Kennewell provided the information and declined the £5 reward. Council voted them 7/- each as witness fees.

W. Davey has resigned as auditor and an election has been called for 28 Jan. with nominations to close on 21 Jan.

The general rate was fixed at 1/- in the £ with the health rate at 3d and parklands rate at 2d.

Cr Hardy moved that the Council lease the Burra Waterworks from the Government from I Jan. on the terms demanded which were very unsatisfactory, but which they are compelled to accept. A condition being that the Government be required to provide a new supply if the present one fails and that no interest be payable during any period of insufficient supply. He believed the Council could save £300 p.a. by doing the work themselves. Cr Rabbich 2nd.

Cr Sampson opposed: he did not think there would be a saving and the water was unfit for human consumption.

Passed by Hardy, Watt, Rabbich & O’Leary with Sampson & Pinch opposed.

X, 817, 11 Jan. 1889, page 2

Advt. S.A.R. Cheap excursion fares to the Melbourne Exhibition.

1st Class return £2 and 2nd Class return £1-5-0 on day trains with no sleeping cars.

Depart Adelaide 9.35 a.m. and arrive Melbourne 7.28 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 15 & 22 only

Depart Melbourne 9.50 a.m. and arrive Adelaide 6.35 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 23 & 30 only.

Editorial on The Burra Mine

When the mine opened it saved SA from a severe financial crisis and made many futures. For many years it yielded a rich quantity of copper, but little developmental mining was done and the company merely picked out the ‘eyes’ of the mine. Then came a stoppage, a restart and about 12 years ago a final stoppage. The property is a great freehold covering not only the mine but also the town of Burra and for many years the SAMA would not sell an inch of the town which was held on lease. When some 10-12 years ago they began to sell they always reserved the right to the minerals and always retained the mine itself, which has now been sold to an English company. The workings are singular, comprising mainly a vast excavation of irregular shape surrounded by cliffs of ‘country’. As now seen the chasm is open to 20 fathoms and in places the sides can be descended to that depth at the bottom of which is a lake of green water. Of course when the mine was working the water was forked down to its bottom. North of the cutting is Beck’s shaft - only to water level. East is Tinline’s Shaft of the same depth. Southwest is Bunce’s and south the engine shafts. Copper leaders are found everywhere, but the mine has never been explored beyond shallow depths. Had that been done old hands believe the main lodes lie to the south while others favour the east. Tinline’s shows rich traces, but is also where water flows very strongly. The mine has always been very wet and forking it was costly, though the water was made to work for the mine after being raised.

About 18 months ago an old miner thought that the hard employment situation would make earning a living in the mine a better chance than leaving home to look for work and he got permission to work on tribute. He did very well fossicking for pockets of rich ore that had been overlooked. He and his sons worked on, doing well, and gradually others joined. The rising copper price made it worthwhile. Now close on 40 men and boys are working on tribute and last month about 50 tons of 30% ore were sent away. The proprietors are at no cost; all work is above water level. All around the pool edge are hand jigs and the tributers are turning over the refuse of earlier days. Ore is run to the water’s edge and there hand dressed before being carried up to the floors for sampling. Even lowering the water ten feet would uncover much ore that the tributers have traced down to water level and room would be made for a hundred more workers. A few of the tributers are sinking from the surface, but as yet without finding a definite lode. Since news came a month ago of the sale of the mine to an English company the miners in the town have been waiting for further information. It is believed that the mine will soon be in full swing again, though this will require the input of considerable capital.

2nd Leader on the Balance Sheet of the Burra Town Council.

The Balance sheet of the Council is suggestive of changed times and of why the Council has been inactive of late. There was a time when over £1,000 p.a. was spent on public works and now the total income for the year is a long way under £1,000. We believe few places have as much to show for past spending as Burra. Not only in the mass of trees which add so greatly to the town’s appearance, but also in the streets and footways, which are a vast improvement on the quagmires and dust holes of a dozen years ago. Now conditions are very different and the Council has had to work hard to make ends meet.

In 1886 public works expenditure was £1,227-9-11

In 1887 public works expenditure was £624-3-1

In 1888 public works expenditure was £187-15-9

Income in 1886 from rates was £711-10-5 and the Govt. subsidy was £331-13-3,

in a total of £1,272-8-9

In 1887 these figures were £718-15-8, £146-16-2 and £1,198-15-1 respectively.

In 1888 they were £563-18-7, nil and £716-15-7 respectively.

The assessment has dropped by one-third and total income has almost halved.

[To c. 56%]

The large public works expenditure of 1886 increased the overdraft by over £350. The Council was then bound to be extremely economical, but this makes the job of Councillor barren with little chance of a Councillor leaving any memorial work behind him.

1889 begins with a large overdraft increased by accounts due and coupons due on 1 January to over £300. With bonds of £300 to be redeemed there will be little left to spend on public works.

The Park Lands income has similarly fallen.

1886 £126-15-5

1887 £112-8-5

1888 £89-5-9, with a bond of £100 to be redeemed this year making a 2d rate essential.

The Health Account revenue has been:

1886 £130-12-11

1887 £111-8-5

1888 £89-15-9

In 1886 the debit was £1-18-11 and now it is £82-13-8 and it was thus essential to increase the rate from 2d to 3d as well as to minimise expenditure.

The Art Union in favour of St Joseph’s Building Fund was drawn on Wednesday and the tickets brought in £122.

Burra Waterworks. A letter has been sent by Council to the Commissioner of Public Works objecting to his recommendation to Cabinet that the Council pay interest on a capital cost far in excess of the works’ true value and including a sum for the erection of a scheme solely used by the Railways Department and since removed, and other works substituted for it, and which have also been charged.

The Council feel that in the face of the rate imposed they have no option but to lease the works again to protect themselves even at an excessive rent and therefore desire to enter into a lease on your terms from 1 Jan. 1889 on the conditions included in the old lease and the delegation to them of the Government’s rating powers. Also that should the water supply fail due to the working of the Burra Mine the Government shall be obliged to provide a new supply and the cost of the new supply to be debited to the capital account in substitution for the cost of the superseded works and that no interest be payable while the supply is unavailable.

X, 817, 11 Jan. 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council inspected the town on Wednesday and found it to be generally in good order. Some noxious weeds are to be cut from North Ward. Some cutting of watertables is needed in Taylor St and near Butterworth’s Mill. Some minor watertable work is needed in East Ward and in West Ward the footbridge in Church St needs lifting and strengthening and guardrails need painting generally.

Redruth Court, 9 Jan.

Ralph Bartle was charged by Mrs Knevitt for assaulting her son aged 9-10. Case dismissed.

Letter from W.H. Hardy reflecting on the sate of society in 1889 and on the number of criminals and criminal acts: also on the election of inappropriate lawmakers through ignorance. He is also against capital punishment.

Rooster shooting is becoming a sport in Burra.

X, 818, 15 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the value of work in its differing forms. Work is a duty for all able-bodied and rational people.

Burra Institute AGM, 11 Jan. 1889.

Volumes in the library: 2,883.

Subscribers: 78.

Credit balance £15-16-10 and Building Fund at £104-17-0.

The amusement room is made good use of, especially for chess.

Elected for 1889: President, T. Edwards; Vice-President, Mr Furniss; Treasurer, Dr Brummitt; Hon. Sec. Mr Wilkinson. [Committee included F.W. Holder.]

Letter from W.T. Rabbich in response to W.H. Hardy’s letter and taking issue with the example cited by Hardy in support of his cause: the hanging of the murderer Louisa Collins in NSW. Rabbich thinks she deserved what she got. He thinks that voting by ballot gives the best possible lawmakers and thus the best laws.

Burra Town Council gets £300 this year for main roads.

X, 819, 18 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on colonial taxation and government debt.

The expenditure has largely been on capital works, which in other countries has been done by private individuals, (railways, telegraph lines, harbours, jetties, public buildings etc.) There is ample security for such borrowings. Contrast this with the UK taxpayer, which supports an unproductive army and navy. We should be concerned less with reducing taxes and more with increasing the equity with which they are levied.

Mining Accident at Boolcoomatta, 19 miles northeast of O’Lary [Olary]. George Mast and his mate Hutchison were injured when a charge misfired and were sent to the Burra Hospital. Hutchison’s injuries are minor, but Mast was horribly mutilated in the face and is critically ill.

W.H. Hardy responds in a 1⁄2 column article on ‘State Slaughter’ in reply to W.T. Rabbich. [Hardy contended that capital punishment was both unscientific and unchristian and developed his views here more clearly that he often managed to do.]

E. White writes a fascinating if bizarre letter to account for depressions and their associated rain that can be drought breaking. He invokes the production of ammonia from decaying animal carcases which being light creates a low pressure and drags in the monsoons from the northwest. When the air contains gas the heat intensifies and maintains the thunderstorms till the ground is saturated. Wheat farmers who sell the wheat and burn the stubble deprive the soil of nutrients and the air of ammonia from decomposition.

X, 819, 18 Jan. 1889, page 3

Burra Manganese and Silver Mining Co. Ltd.

Report of the General Meeting in Adelaide 31 Dec. 1888.

The 100’ shaft has been completed and 80’ of crosscutting has been made, of which 30’ passed through the lode east of the 100’ level. J. Jackman Jun. and John Pearce of Kooringa were appointed directors. J.G.O. Tepper F.R.S. reported on the mine.

He considers a considerable amount of marketable manganese is still gettable from the surface blow. But the exploration at depth so far has failed to either prove or disprove the existence of a large deposit. This might be done by further driving at 50’ or the 100’ levels. He thought interesting discoveries might lie east, but exploration there is prevented by the chapel grounds. He makes three suggestions for tracing the possible lode. [This is the mine at Ironmine.]

X, 820, 22 Jan. 1889, page 2

Corporation Auditor

Nominations received 21 Jan.: John Darby Cave, accountant of Burra

Walter John Reid Hilton, accountant of Aberdeen

Voting will be on 28 Jan. at: North Ward: German Chapel, Redruth

West Ward: Council Chamber, Burra Institute

East Ward: Mr Holder’s Cottage in Thames St.

Editorial on the Times Statutory Commission in London. [This concerned allegations raised against Parnell and his friends in the fight for Irish Home Rule.]

Larrikinism. The attention of the authorities is drawn to the conduct of certain parties, especially on Sunday evenings when young men sit on kerbs, doorsteps etc. in such a way as to obstruct the passage for any respectable lady even when attended by a gentleman.

The Waterworks. The Mount Barker District council had similar problems of being overcharged when it took on a scheme like Burra’s - even worse the supply ran out and the Government insisted on payment of six month’s interest when there was no supply.

Obituary. H. Taylor went missing out east about 2 years ago and his body has now been found on 9 Jan. 1889 at Oakvale. Death appears to have been from natural causes as his pocket book containing money was with him and a billycan with his name scratched on it. [The paper actually says a search was conducted 2 years ago for a man missing from 3 Jan. 1886, so one might assume either one or other of these figures is probably wrong.]

Obituary. Mr S.E. Holder B.A. (Brother of F.W. Holder), who had just completed his MD at London University, was lost when the steamer Priam was driven ashore at Finisterre in northwest Spain this month. [Sydney Ernest Holder, aged 26.]

Mr Killicoat has paid his £10 fine for vacating his office.

Burra Town Council, 21 January.

Sympathy was extended to Mr Holder on the death of his brother in a shipwreck.

It was resolved that in future all Corporation cases would be set down to be heard on Mondays and the Mayor undertook to be present to hear such cases.

Mr Killicoat forwarded a cheque for £10 via Mr Packard in payment of the fine for resigning the mayoralty.

It was resolved not to pay Mr Packard a retainer for this year.

Police attention to be drawn to larrikin behaviour in the town.

The Salvation Army is to be asked to locate its open-air meeting so as not to impede access to the water trough in Market Square.

A. Dungey, of Port Pirie has taken up the argument between W.H. Hardy and W.T. Rabbich in a 1⁄2 column letter.

W.H. Hardy writes 3⁄4 column on the report of the local Institute which showed that novels were issued 2,137 times, history 16, biography 18 and science but 7 times. There is too much reading of novels he concludes. In the modern world all is rush with no time for reflection. Authority is becoming the same as journalism. Art is prostituted to a balance sheet.

W.T. Rabbich complains that Hardy was personally insulting in his last letter.

X, 821, 25 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the political role of churches. He agrees that the churches have and ought to have political influence, but not by using pulpits as a vehicle for carrying on political strife or the issuing of ‘tickets’ by various churches with churches converted to political camps. He has the same aim as Rev. J. Haslam, retiring Wesleyan Conference President, but would get there by very different means.

Burra Cycling Club to meet tomorrow.

Burra Town Council visited the Hospital and Miss Josling’s, Miss Sleep’s, the Public, and the Convent Schools and next Thursday will visit Mrs McLagan’s and Miss Rabbich’s in Aberdeen.

Mr Cave has been writing to the Register on the best way to grow chrysanthemums.

W.H. Hardy again takes up the matter of ‘state murder’.

A. Dungey responds to the editorial of the 18 Jan.

He accuses Holder of saying:

National debts are honourable

So long as we can pay the interest and the assets cover the liabilities let posterity take care of itself

If we are as well off as other nations with great prestige be content

The brilliance of English intellect could not lead you astray so follow her

Let the tax-paying fools grin and bear it

Holder replies that all he was seeking to do was to show among other things the excellence of the security we offer.

W.T. Rabbich writs at length [2⁄3 column] taking issue with Dungey’s assertions that men’s industrial efforts have been universally restricted. He considers that all things considered the colony is in a flourishing state and has achieved great things. He argues the common sense of borrowing leading to development of a stronger economy.

X, 821, 25 Jan. 1889, page 3

Redruth Court, 23 Jan.

John Sandland and Richard Berryman both had cases brought by the Burra District Council for not destroying star thistles. Both cases were withdrawn because the work has since been satisfactorily performed.

X, 822, 29 Jan. 1889, page 2

Editorial on agitation for a seed wheat program by the Government. He restates his views that areas of the north and northeast should revert to pasture and the state should not give seed wheat away and should only make loans on security. The most the Government should do he thinks is to make advances to District Councils on the security of their rates to an amount not over 6d in the £ to be repaid in four equal instalments at the end of each of the next four years. The Treasury would lose the interest and this is the most we could approve of.

Burra Corporation Auditorship. In the poll Mr Cave, 54, defeated Mr Hilton, 26.

Burra Waterworks. The Government cannot agree to substitute a new supply if the present one fails, but will allow surrender of the lease on one month’s notice.

Redruth Court, 25 Jan.

John Chamberlain, postmaster at Mt Bryan sent for trial in Adelaide charged with unlawfully tampering with a certain letter posted by James Gray at Terowie P.O. addressed to ‘Hotel keeper at Mount Bryan’.

Burra Mine. The sale of the property is due to be completed on 13 March.

Wesleyan Conference exonerates Rev. A.D. Bennett from wrong motives in those rate letters. [?]

Capital Punishment. There is an article on the various forms of the death penalty and where they are practised.

X, 823, 1 Feb. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the Federal Council sitting in Hobart that looked forward to Federation and he questions the pros and cons of federation with respect to the advent of free trade between the colonies.

Entertainment. In Hosking’s old shoe store there has been as exhibit known as ‘Ariel’: an optical illusion. It is well got up and the deception is well arranged.

Terowie is making the most of its lake with water sports planned for Easter and about £100 worth of boats on the water or about to be launched.

Letter from W.H. Hardy supporting Rev. Haslam’s call for churches to become more politically involved. ‘If the church would give its mind more to the teaching of law making and less to incomprehensible sermons mankind would be far better benefited.’

Burra Wesleyan Circuit has been divided by 51 votes to 8. [To create Kooringa and Redruth Circuits.]

X, 824, 5 Feb. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the Federal Council and the questions posed by the annexation of Pacific Territories by various European powers.

General Downes as a retired officer has been denied the right to command the SA forces by British authorities. The SA Government is trying to induce the authorities to change their minds. He has in the mean time tendered his resignation.

Mr Packard has shown us some splendid peaches grown in Burra. Gardens in the town are now growing almonds, apricots, plums, nectarines, peaches, cherries, grapes and black mulberries and in the Chinamen’s garden in The Paddock the produce of garden stuff is astonishing.

Drowning. A young man named B.W. Cook was drowned in the Terowie lagoon on Saturday.

New Wesleyan Circuits: Rev. H. T. Burgess has been appointed to Kooringa and T.M. Rowe to Redruth.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich on water conservation in favour of smaller schemes in arid areas, such as on the Burra, Newikie and Baldina Creeks rather than one or two large schemes such as the Barossa or Beetaloo dams.

Burra Town Council, 4 Feb.

Cr Rabbich moved the proposal of the Commissioner [re the Waterworks] be accepted. Cr O’Leary 2nd.

Cr Pinch moved it stand over to 30 June to see what was happening with the Mine. Cr Sampson 2nd. He thought the Waterworks a bad bargain. Amendment lost and motion carried.

Mr Packard retained as Council solicitor at a fee not to exceed £10-10-0.

Cr Hardy moved Council secure the carrying out of the agreement between Mr Ridgway and Council re the Aberdeen Reserve in which he was bound to spend £5 a year on it. Motion lost.

Cr Rabbich said they had no right to interfere till the end of year 7 when they could see if £35 had been expended.

X, 825, 8 Feb. 1889, page 2

Advt. Stony Gap Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving next Sunday and Wednesday.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Harvest Thanksgiving next Sunday and Monday.

Editorial on The New Land Act. Details of its provisions and operation.

Burra Mine. Captain Deeble has been in Burra for several days re the transfer of the mine to its new owners. Hopes for an early restart are entertained.

Oddfellows. The three local lodges are planning a united picnic on 17 April.

Redruth Court, 5 Feb.

James Rule fined 2/6 for stray goats

John Kitson fined 2/6 for stray goats

Emanuel Frederick fined 5/- for stray cows

August Miller fined 5/- for stray cows

William Williams fined 5/- for a stray horse

Charles Williams fined 5/- + 10/- costs for using unstamped weights

Sing Fat fined 5/- + 10/- costs for having one unstamped weight

[This last name should probably be Sing & Fat who were a pair of market gardeners in The Paddock and had a shop in Market Square, though the dates of their operations in either place are unclear.]

The Inquest on the lad Benjamin Warner Cook, who drowned in Hiles Lake [Lagoon] near Terowie, is reported in 3⁄4 column.

X, 826, 12 Feb. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the difficulty in floating the latest SA loan.

Obituary. Dugald McNiel, a settler near Douglas, was found dead on the road about three miles from the creek by Mr Carpenter on Monday. [Registered as McNeill, 9 February, aged 54.]

Burra Teachers’ Association held its first meeting for the year at the Burra School on 9 Feb. The schools represented were Baldina Plains, Burra, Davieston, Hallett, Hanson [Farrell Flat], Manoora, Saddleworth, Waterloo, and World’s End Creek.

W.H. Hardy contributes about 11/5 columns on the Education System. He comments on an article by a Mr Stetson who says that modern education has seen a decrease in the more brutal crimes of violence and brutish behaviour, but an increase in crimes using skill, such as fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation etc., because modern education ignores religious and manual training. He comes to the conclusion that ‘Christianity alone is the health of the State’.

X, 827, 15 Feb. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the need for some way of bringing the European powers to arbitration and enforcing the results rather than their drifting into the war that seems so imminent.

Advt. The Jubilee Fountain Fund. Mr Derrington will give a lecture with illustrations on Mesmerism, Clairvoyance and the use of the Divining Rod at the Institute, 19 Feb.

Stock Roads. A large deputation waited on the Government on Wednesday to protest the wholesale closing of stock routes and asking that at the least all trunk routes be kept open for their original purpose.

Corpses. There was an appeal to the Government to make provision for the reception of bodies, often in a state of decomposition, which have to be kept pending an inquest. The present arrangements are dangerous to town health. [This follows from the case of Dugald McNiel.]

An Earth Tremor was felt in Burra on Tuesday evening last at 4.33 p.m. In some places in the town and at Mr Dew’s at Springbank, plaster fell from ceilings. It was widely felt in SA.

Obituary. Mr Joseph Sleep died on Wednesday 13 Feb., aged 65. He arrived in Burra in its earliest days and worked in the mine and later, till the abolition of Road boards, worked on main roads in the district. He was an earnest member of the Wesleyan Church. He leaves a wife, two sons and two daughters.

Entertainment. Mr R. D’Orsay Ogden’s Zip Combination played in Burra on Wednesday last. The baby - only 6 years old - played Little Eva in Uncle Tom’s Cabin and was most affective in the death scene. They ended with a scene from Tempted. The house was only moderate.

Redruth Band of Hope’s quarterly entertainment was held on 12 Feb. in the German Chapel, Redruth.

X, 827, 15 Feb. 1889, page 3

Inquest into the death of Dugald McNiel [sic] was held at the Court House last Tuesday by W.R. Ridgway JP with M. Rayner as foreman of the jury.

Johnson Carpenter, farmer of Baldina told how he found the body on Monday with the team some 30-40 yards from it. He said he believed the wheels had passed over the body and saw no other marks of a struggle etc.

P-C Williams said the body was face down some 19’ inside the gate from Mongolata. The deceased appears to have fallen under the front wheels about 12’ from the gate and been dragged along the ground about 7’ with the left side of the face downwards. From the markings etc. he believed the deceased came into contact with the gatepost.

D.J. McNeil, [sic] son of the deceased, was working on Booborowie Station and identified the clothes, but could not identify the body due to decomposition.

Verdict was accidental death caused by a wagon loaded with wood passing over the body.

X, 828, 19 Feb. 1889, page 2

Advt. Sale of I. Chivell’s farm containing about 507 acres, one mile from Kooringa on the Burra Creek together with 20 head of cattle, 20 farm horses, tools, equipment and improvements etc. associated with a dairy. Also a milk run.

Advt. Bible Christian Church Anniversary next Sunday and Monday. Rev. W. Shapley of Wirrabara will preach.

Editorial on the Seed Wheat Question. The Government is continuing to maintain its policy of non-interference.

The Hon. A. Catt, Commissioner of Public Works will visit Baldina Creek today with reference to its suitability for water conservation works.

W. Hardy continues the theme of the Education System with a little over one column. He calls for Bible reading in State Schools.

Valentines have entirely gone out of fashion now.

Burra Town Council, 18 Feb.

The Mayor reported he had visited the road through the Police Paddock to Hampton. Mr George Ford, who owned the land on part of one side, desired it not be opened yet, but the end near Hampton to be sloped down for light carts.

Messrs Lasscock, Butterworth & Shortridge waited on Council to ask if it would put two men on for a week to prepare a cycle and running track at the Recreation Ground if the Lodge would put on two men for the same time. The coming Oddfellows picnic is to be held there. The Council decided, after deliberation, to agree.

X, 829, 22 Feb. 1889, page 2

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Harvest Thanksgiving received parcels of fruit from Messrs Parks, R. Snell and Fuss [probably H.C.W.]

Mr Wheatley’s Brass Band attended on Monday. Nett proceeds were £25.

Mr Derrington’s Séance was a great success in all respects except attendance. The nett results were only 12/- after allowing £2-10-0 for train fares and the hire of the hall. The Fountain Fund debt is £4-9-0.

Baldina Creek Irrigation. The visit on Tuesday by the Hon. A. Catt, commissioner of Public Works, the Engineer-in-Chief, the Conservator of Water, F.W. Holder MP, and Mr Packard was to the part of the creek just beyond the Douglas crossing. A weir 3’ high is suggested and the annual flow is reckoned at 200 million gallons and 20 x 10 acre blocks could be irrigated. The cost is estimated at £3,000 to £4,000. If successful the flood flow is at least another 200 million gallons and could allow for extension of the scheme.

Redruth Court, Wednesday 20 Feb.

Frederick John Carey, chaffcutter of Kooringa, was charged with indecently assaulting Margaret Jane Laughton, married, of Kooringa. After hearing the evidence the bench decided there was very great doubt about the facts and dismissed the case.

General Downes will not be allowed to retain his position.

Aquarius writes a column ‘Copperopolis’ in mock Biblical style telling of the installation of Holder as Mayor and of the dealings of the Council and of the Councillors:

‘Sampsoni by name, son of Bailiff, of the tribe of Nauctioneers, who worship at the shrine of Bacchus.’

‘Hardyi, by name, son of Mudslinger, of the tribe of Chimneysweeps.’

‘Watti, surnamed Jock - son of Counterjumper, of the tribe of Raggites.’

‘Rabbichi - son of Smithi, of the tribe of Butcherites.’

‘Pinchi by name, son of Milchi, of the tribe of the Gentlemenite.’

‘O’Learyi, son of Tanneri, of the tribe of the Bachelorites.’

The article is concerned mainly with the Waterworks issue.

W.T. Rabbich writes on the Baldina Creek visit. He is in strong support of the irrigation schemes based on Baldina, Burra and Newikie Creeks.

X, 830, 26 Feb. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the new NSW Parliament and on Protection v. Free Trade.

Baldina School. Miss Charlotte Clode of the Burra School has been sent to reopen the Baldina Provisional School from 25 Feb.

Pigeon Shooting Club. A meeting was held at the Bon Accord Hotel on 27 Feb. to form a Pigeon Club.

Mr W.C. Grasby [Was he perhaps the Inspector of mines?] visited Burra and in the afternoon at 3 p.m. he took c. 90 children on a field naturalists’ excursion. They left from the Institute and went over the hill to the mine. With Mr West’s permission the working of Morphett’s Engine was explained and the ores and dressing floors discussed as well as the flora and fauna along the way. The excursion ended at 6 p.m. In the evening Mr Grasby lectured at the Institute on geology and astronomy.

John Chamberlain pleaded not guilty in Adelaide to the charge of opening and tampering with a letter on December 19, and the jury eventually found him not guilty.

W.H. Hardy writes another column on the Education System in which the general theme is ‘secular education means social destruction’.

X, 830, 26 Feb. 1889, page 3

Travelling Stock Roads. A meeting was held at Hanson last Saturday on the cutting up of the TSR’s.

S. Green was for the action - they cost ratepayers money to destroy vermin and weeds - they were better let on terms for agriculture. The roads in the Hanson District had never been used for their intended purpose. They were used for cheap feed for stock awaiting a sale, but not legitimately travelling. Three chain roads would be quite adequate for small squatters if used for their proper purpose of getting stock to market.

J. Cooksley moved the meeting support the cutting up and leasing of the TSR and reserves and endorses the Government’s stand against the deputation of squatters and salesmen. He did not favour the sale, but did favour cutting them up for the relocating of settlers who had failed in the outside country. The people who had the use of the TSR’s had had their day. The deputation to the Commission was guided by selfish motives and they were backed by the salesmen in Burra. It was in their interests to stand in the way of the majority. They could not expect to have their way at the expense of the toiling farmer. Mr S. Green 2nd.

The meeting then became somewhat warm with exchanges between farmers and sheep owners on the adequateness of three chain roads for purposes of travelling sheep. Mr Green said the Government did not intend to cut up all TSR’s: only those near railway lines.

Mr H. Scott moved an amendment that it was very undesirable to cut up the TSR’s and said they contained very little good farming land and three chain roads would contain inadequate feed for travelling sheep, which could not economically be sent by rail. He caused uproar by stating that the country would never be farming country and ‘farmers ought never to come this side of Gawler’. Mr Bailey 2nd the amendment.

Mr A. Worby supported the amendment and Mr Humpries the motion. Eli Goodridge and P. Dowd spoke for the amendment and Mr Cooksley said cutting up the TRS would offer a way out for the Baldina farmers and those from other places up country who could not survive where they were. The original motion was carried.

X, 831, 1 Mar. 1889, Page 2.

Obituary. On Tuesday last near Eudunda a son aged 17 and a daughter aged 13 of William Brook were killed by lightning. In severe weather the son went to assist his sister home from school. The lightning strike killed both the children and their two horses. [Registrations give the details as Elen [sic] aged 11 born Ellen 22 Oct. 1876 and William born 4 Sep. 1871, date of death as 27 February at Brookside.]

Advt. I. Chivell’s farm is for sale at a bargain price of £450. Situated one mile south of Kooringa on the Burra Creek. [Details follow.]

A Storm on Tuesday produced a short sharp fall of rain, which caused creeks and drains to run swiftly for a short time.

Burra Co. VF. Captain Holder presided at the AGM on Tuesday. The company is in credit £15-5-6. Members who were non-financial are to be required to pay their fees and become efficient, or return their uniform. Subscriptions sets at £1-1-0 for new recruits and £1 for present members.

Bible Christian Church Anniversary services last Sunday and Monday. Rev. W.T. Shapley preached. The Mayor, Mr Holder, presided at the public meeting. For the year c. £100 was raised, £25 was paid off the church debt and £10 off the parsonage debt. The anniversary proceeds will be about £36.

Cricket. Clare defeated Burra by 123 runs.

F. Treloar writes to correct reports on what was said at the Hanson meeting on Tuesday concerning travelling stock roads. It was Mr Bailey and not Mr Goodridge who said Mr Cooksley knew more about a wagon than travelling stock. Treloar then expands on an omission in the report of Mr Scott’s speech: essentially saying that the TSRs were alone responsible for being able to get low paying stock to market. If railways had to be used when stock prices were very low (as in bad droughts for instance) the charges would mean the stock would have to be left to die.

Obituary. The late Mr Joseph Sleep was born 4 January 1824 in Cornwall and brought up as Church of England, converting to the Wesleyan Church when 17. He became a tract distributor and exhorter before leaving England when 22 and arriving in Australia in 1846. He spent six months at Kapunda before coming to Burra where he became a local preacher in 1848. He went to preach at the Victoria gold fields when the gold rushes took place along with John Boots, James Jeffery, William Moyle, Thomas Thomas and Henry Jolly, but he soon returned to Burra where with no resident minister north of Kapunda he had much to do visiting the sick, burying the dead and preaching. He led the Tuesday Class and in 1863 was appointed leader of the Sunday Morning Class. He preached far and wide in the north as a local preacher.

[Died 13 February 1889 aged 65]

X, 831, 1 Mar. 1889, Page 2-3

W.H. Hardy writes a lengthy letter on Free Trade, Protection or Co-operation.

X, 832, 5 Mar. 1889, page 2 [Incorrectly called Friday on page 1, but Tuesday elsewhere.]

Editorial on the collapse of the London Times case against Parnell and associates in the Irish cause.

Vandalism. The chain on the cup at the Market Square pump has been broken and had to be replaced.

Obituary. Abraham Goitt died when he fell from the train near Petersburg last Tuesday. The inquest at the Burra Hospital was to be continued today, but is expected to be adjourned as the witness who was alone with him in the carriage at the time, a man named Bathgate, has not been found. [Registered as Giott, died 28 February, aged 45.]

Burra Smelting Works. Several men are making a living picking over the slag. It is clear that re-smelting would have repaid handsomely.

Redruth Court, 4 March.

Robert Scott fined 5/- + 10/- costs for having an illegible name on his wagon

Robert Gire, Mark Gay, & James Dew were each fined 5/- without costs for having an illegible name on their wagons.

Francis John Vivian fined 5/- for a stray horse

Thomas Pritchard fined 5/- + 10/- costs for having the wrong weight painted on his wagon

Charles Morgan was charged by G. Griffen, Salvation Army Lieutenant, with disturbing a religious congregation in the Barracks on 17 Feb. by talking and laughing. He was sentenced to 7 days.

Typhoid is prevalent at the moment.

Letter from J. Cooksley re the TSR meeting. He did not say squatters had had their day, but that the roads had served them up till now and they couldn’t reasonably expect them forever. He stresses that he supports the cutting up of land left within the line of rainfall [i.e Goyder’s Line] to induce the removal of unfortunate farmers [from beyond it]. Between Porter’s Lagoon and Baldry there are surveyed over 100 blocks averaging 100 acres each which will give 60-70 families an opportunity and there are lots of roads elsewhere. He does not believe in retaining TSR’s so squatters holding large areas of the backcountry and areas of farming country can move stock between the two. As for sheep sales: they should be held in the interior country and not require sheep to be brought in for sale. Trains and three chain roads will suffice for genuine stock movement.

[The Editor adds a comment that the reporter of the meeting stands by his report notwithstanding the letter from F. Treloar in the last issue.]

Burra Town Council, 4 March.

The Commissioner of Public works has written that there were arrears on the Waterworks of £210-14-2 and if the Council would pay that sum the new lease would date from 1 January last, otherwise it will date from 1 July next.

The sum represents uncollected rates for the last half of 1888.

The Council resolved to have nothing to do with the arrears.

The Mayor thought it a very cool request. The Department having allowed the arrears to accumulate then expected the Council to advance the moneys that they might never recover. There were strong complaints by the Councillors about the destruction of trees by cows and horses, especially in Welsh Place.

Obituary. Richard Simpson died at his residence in Kooringa on 24 February, aged 74, leaving a wife, one son and two daughters. He had been a colonist of 36 years.

X, 832, 5 Mar. 1889, page 3

Cricket. On Wednesday at Clare: Clare 172 defeated Burra 54.

X, 833, 8 Mar. 1889, page 2

Notice. Charles Schutz has sold his business in licensed cabs to T.P. Halls of Aberdeen.

Editorial on the SA Farmers’ Mutual Association. The editor argues that its narrow interest in improving the terms under which farmers hold land under the Crown leaves room for an organisation to improve agriculture in the colony.

Bible Christian Church. The Rev. J.H. Ashton will take up the position at Wirrabara and Rev. O. Lake will follow him here and also work the Hallett Circuit. Rev. Collings goes to Kadina and Rev. James Pearce to Riverton.

Primitive Methodist Church. The Rev. S. Gray is re-stationed at Burra. Rev. A.J. Birt goes to Broken Hill and Mr Jacob Burrows retires.

Waukaringa Athletic Sports has forwarded £6-7-6 to the Burra Hospital as a result of their Christmas sports. (From the miners at the New Alma & Victoria Gold Mine.)

Inquest into the death of Abraham Goitt, an Assyrian, began on 28 Feb. and almost at once adjourned till the 5 March. In 28 Feb. Dr Sangster said the deceased had been brought to the hospital on the 27 Feb. and died on the 28 Feb. apparently from concussion of the brain, which might have been caused by a fall from a train. He was identified by a cousin, Carlile Goitt. The deceased had a wife and several children in Damascus.

On the 5 March Charles Bathgate said the deceased was looking out of the window and lost his hat. He then moved onto the carriage end-platform and when the witness followed shortly afterwards he was gone. No one else was on the end-platform at the time. The witness saw him along the track. They were near Petersburg and the engine and brake-van were sent back and found the deceased.

The guard, William Henry Smith confirmed the above and said by the time he had got the attention of the driver they were in the Petersburg yard.

M-C Alfred Daniel Lambert gave corroborative evidence and the jury found that death was from accidentally falling from a train while it was in motion, causing concussion of the brain.

Redruth Court, 6 March

Thomas B. Bosence was accused of assaulting Alexander Forsyth, George Forsyth and Elizabeth Forsyth at Copperhouse on 23 Feb.

Dr J.I. Sangster gave evidence of the injuries to Alexander Forsyth and to his children George and Elizabeth. The evidence of Alexander Forsyth revealed that there had been a dispute over the state of the handle of a hoe, which had been returned to the defendant after being borrowed. Bosence had struck him with the hoe handle and when he fell down had then knocked his head on the road. The two children then ran to his aid followed by his wife and John Thomas who tried to get George away after he had been struck. He sent his son to the police and next day had to see the doctor.

He said the defendant denied striking him. Plaintiff did not see him throw the hoe away and did not see Mr Diplock, did not hit the defendant and did not see George hit him. Also did not see the defendant hit his son or daughter. Plaintiff was 56 and the daughter was 21.

George Forsyth gave evidence of being hit and seeing his sister hit. Either one of the Thomas’s or the Sanders pulled me off him. Defendant lives next door to us and Thomas’s six chains to the west.

John Forsyth, who was in the cart when it all started, gave evidence consistent with the previous.

Thomas B. Bosence gave his version, which claimed that Forsyth was the initiator of the conversation and also of the assault. Bosence had struck him only in self-defence. The children had come up and attacked him and if he had struck either it was only in self-defence. It is seven months since the hoe was borrowed and six weeks since it was returned.

Ephraim Diplock gave evidence, which in essence supported the defendant, though he could only hear snatches of the conversation from c. 55 yards away.

John Thomas saw things late in the scuffle so could not say how it started, but saw the girl with the hoe handle and thought the plaintiff was much to blame in the row.

William Thomas’s evidence was also consistent with the plaintiff being the aggressor as was evidence from Susan Bosence, the wife of the defendant.

Bosence was fined £5.

[A snippet in the next paper says this verdict was ‘said to be most unpopular’.]

X, 834, 12 Mar. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the Administration of the new Land Act.

Burra Waterworks. The Commissioner of Public Works has agreed to the terms laid down by the Corporation and the lease will date from 1 January 1889.

Typhoid. Five people from one house in Kooringa are in hospital with typhoid, which is prevalent now, and not just in Burra. There have been over 2,000 cases in Melbourne since December.

Copper is at £55 a ton.

Obituary. W. Williams, an old resident, has died. [William Henry Williams, died 9 March, aged 50.]

Redruth Court, 8 Mar.

Charles Woodruff & John Martin were charged with receiving bran, pollard and chaff stolen from Dempsey, Wilkinson and Sandland, auctioneers. William Sandland gave evidence of losing the goods over eight weeks. A boy named Thomas Highet was looking after it. The total value of lost material was c. £7: the charge relates to a small quantity taken on March 4 and valued at 8d - taken from the stables at the Commercial Hotel.

Thomas Highet (16) said that nothing took place between himself and Woodruff. He gave Jack Martin some bran, chaff and pollard on 4 March. ‘Have given it to him five or six times, about three or four times a week for three or four weeks.’ [This doesn’t seem to make much sense.] ‘Did not promise me anything for it - he has given me drinks.’

Woodruff used to ask me to give him a bit of chaff. The lot on 4 March was c. half a bag.

Woodruff gave evidence on behalf of himself and the boy Martin who was under his charge. He claimed he only got musty stuff that would have been thrown out.

Woodruff was sentenced to three months and Martin was discharged.

X, 834, 12 Mar. 1889, page 2-3

W.H. Hardy contributes another article on the education question. He deals mainly with how bad most sermons are. Preachers use unfamiliar language, speak in abstractions and generalisations, mix in theological controversy and generally fail to engage their listeners. What is needed is a clear and convincing manner in dealing with political and social subjects of the day.

X, 834, 12 Mar. 1889, page 3

W.T. Rabbich writes re Forsyth v. Bosence. He agrees that all the evidence and public opinion together incline him to think that the verdict was wrong, as do most other people. He recounts the evidence in summary. Rabbich can’t for the life of him see why the verdict was so much against the weight of the evidence.

X, 835, 15 Mar. 1889, page 2

Notice. Davieston Wesleyan Church Harvest thanksgiving Sunday and Wednesday next.

Editorial on the collapse of the copper market due to the operation of a syndicate that had been manipulating prices.

2nd Leader on the typhoid outbreak now raging in Melbourne, Broken Hill and Burra. The local outbreak very likely had its origin in a case from Broken Hill. [Broken Hill was sending cases to Burra Hospital for treatment.]

Burra Mine. Nothing more is known of the completion or otherwise of the sale in London. The balance was due to be paid last Wednesday, but the unsettled state of the copper market casts doubt on everything connected with it.

Burra Post Office. Annual returns

Stamp sales £840

Telegraph receipts £366

£1,206 *

Salaries £530

Mail-cart costs £76

Profit £600

(The mail-cart serviced Aberdeen and Redruth.)

There was a letter delivery in Kooringa twice a day and the Post Office also operated the local Savings Bank.

• There was a correction in X. 836, 19 Mar. 1889, p.2 to the receipts to say that the Savings Bank authorities pay £40 p.a. for the work done.

Burra Volunteer Company is trembling in the balance.

Burra Institute is likely to be used as a skating rink.

Railways. A route for 250 miles north of Angle Pole (near Oodnadatta) is to be surveyed.

Redruth Court, 13 March.

John Joseph Freeman claims £95 from Chivell and his wife for wrongful detention of horses, wagon, and harness and for trespass. Evidence runs to over 11⁄3 columns and the verdict was £6 for trespass, reduced to £5 if the set of harness was returned within a week. Freeman was entitled to the chattels on tender of £27-0-6.

X, 835, 15 Mar. 1889, page 3

Joseph Ford won damages of £10 from Rabbich and Sons (W.A. & H.) for the loss of sheep killed by dogs. Details extend for 2⁄3 column.

Black Hills Proprietary Silver Mining Co. Ltd. will be voluntarily wound up. Chairman, W.R. Ridgway, reported that in the last six months there had been 100’ sinking at Dunstan’s Shaft, which was now at 200’. Driving to the east continues and Rabbich’s Shaft has been sunk 59’ to a total of 109’. Ridgway’s Shaft remains at 102’. The directors advise a visit of the Government Inspector of Mines and all work to be suspended for the present. Mr Warnes moved the voluntary liquidation of the company, it having spent £700 and no prospects exist to warrant more. 2nd E. Cox and carried. A meeting on 3 April will appoint a liquidator. The balance sheet is printed.

X, 836, 19 Mar. 1889, page 2

Obituary. Emily Willmer Gebhardt, wife of F. Gebhardt Jun. and third daughter of G.W. Jordan of Kooringa, died 11 March leaving a husband and three children. [Registered as Emily Wilmore Gebhardt, died 11 March 1889, aged 25. A child of the same name also died 28 March 1889, aged 2 weeks.]

Editorial on the decline of muscle power and the rise of intellectual accomplishment in employment with the rise of machinery.

‘Unskilled workmen are less, and trained and educated workmen more and more in demand.’

2nd Leader on St Patrick’s Day, Ireland, and the bane of Balfourism. [Balfour was Chief Secretary for Ireland, and was pursuing repressive policies there.]

Burra Hospital now has 41 patients.

Mr & Mrs Charles Drew have left for twelve months holiday in England by the Austral yesterday.

Obituary. Nurse Thomas, of the Burra hospital, died on Sunday from typhoid contracted in the course of her duties. [Actually the registration of death reveals she was Sarah Thompson, aged 24, who died on 17 March 1889 from typhoid fever.]

The Recreation Ground cycle and racing tracks are complete, but for rolling which will be done after heavy rain. The trees there are growing well.

Obituary. Arthur Motley has died. Many years ago he was sent from England to take charge of the English & Australian Copper Co. Smelting Works after which he retired. He died on Friday 15 March after a short illness, leaving a grown-up family. [Aged 65.]

Chrysanthemum Show to be held in April. Mr Holder presented the Institute with The Picturesque Atlas of Australia.

The late Dr Sydney Ernest Holder. A 1⁄3-column biography of F. W. Holder’s brother who drowned recently in the loss of the Priam near Corunna in Spain.

Burra Mine. More tributers are at work.

X, 836, 19 Mar. 1889, page 3

Burra Town council, 18 March.

The Mayor reported that the Commissioner of Public Works has advised that the Waterworks will be handed over from 1 Jan. 1889 without reference to arrears, but so far the lease has not come to hand.

The Recreation Ground work has been completed, but for the removal of the rubbish.

Tar-paving is to be laid from the Post Office to the National Bank, From Mr Symon’s shop to Drew & Co. and opposite Mr Lasscock’s shop. The cost will be 1/- per yard of frontage of which half will be recovered from the property owners.

[Note that this refers to the footpath, not the road.]

Cr Rabbich said the Fountain Committee was willing to hand it over to the council without reference to the debt on it if Council will erect it.

Council will accept and erect it at a cost of not more than £5.

Council is to consider a new By-law to require hawkers to be licensed.

X, 837, 22 Mar. 1889, page 2

Advt. Professor Melville & Wheatley’s Burra Brass Band will give a Horse Taming and Musical Entertainment in the shed at the Kooringa Sale Yards on 29 March 1889.

Advt. Missionary Meeting tonight in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa. Rev. George Brown, Rev. David Tonga & Mrs Tonga. In aid of the Tonga Relief Fund.

Editorial on the proposed new By-law for hawkers. As a committed free-trader the editor is opposed.

2nd Leader on the fall of the gigantic copper syndicate and with it the hopes of seeing the Burra Mine working again. With copper around £40 a ton we fear even the tributers will not remain at work, but there is some hope it will rise to at least £50 which should still be profitable.

The Tree Planting Fund has reached £3-13-6.

The Fountain. After a long delay the fountain in Jubilee Avenue is at last being re-erected. Much of the masonry work had to be dug up to get at and alter the pipes and the opportunity was taken to align the fountain with one of the rows of trees. The base is being rebuilt in three steps as before.

Burra Co. RVF. Rifle Match: 1st Division shooting.

Aggregate (400 & 500 yds) Lieut. Butterworth 58

Col-Sgt Watt 55

Pte Rabbich 54

Capt. Holder 49

Copper has been as low as £35 a ton.

Cricket. At Clare 20 March. Burra 6 for 98 defeated Clare 94

X, 838, 26 Mar. 1889, page 2

Advt. Wheatley’s Burra Brass Band is open for engagements. John Harry Secretary.

Notice. Applications are called for engineer at the Burra Waterworks. Salary £2-2-0 per week or £2-8-0 per week depending on the services rendered.

Editorial. Discusses speculation that the Government will soon need to impose further taxation on SA as falling land values have decreased income from Land Tax. The debate was on a Land Tax and a General Property Tax.

Larrikinism continues in Market Square on Sundays: last Sunday hobbledehoys were playing with the pump and hanging on branches of trees.

Rev. W.H. Hodge preached a farewell sermon at Redruth Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening. He is leaving for Port Lincoln. The Church was full with people coming in from Kooringa, Baldina, Davieston and Leighton.

World’s End Irrigation. Mr Holder has obtained a promise that the Commissioner of Public Works will inspect World’s End soon to consider a water conservation scheme. Consequently a party of seven Burra gentlemen set out at 6 a.m. this morning to inspect the place and find the most likely spots.

Professor Melville gave a demonstration of horse taming in the Burra Hotel Yards on Saturday evening. He was assisted by local colt breaker John Hocking. Mr Wheatley’s Brass Band attended, along with a large crowd of spectators.

The Missionary Meeting at Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Friday was well attended. Rev. George Brown gave a lengthy address. Rev. David Tonga and Mrs Tonga were enthusiastically received. £45 was promised towards the Tonga Relief Fund, of which £25 was telegraphed by Mr C. Drew from Albany.

Obituary. Grace Diplock was given a funeral service at Westbury Church last Sunday. She was born Grace Kisell at Frogpool, Cornwall on 15 August 1827. In May 1851 she left for Australia under the guardianship of her sister and she reached Adelaide on 6 September. They came to Kooringa and she married Mr Diplock on 31 January 1852. She then accompanied her husband to the Victorian goldfields. In 1862 the family went to Copperhouse. She was taken ill on Sunday 30 December and died on the 3 December. [There is no explanation for this long delayed service.]

Ex-Mayor Killicoat has offered to plant a double row of trees from Redruth towards Mr Cave’s if the Council will find the guards.

Burra Town Council, 25 March.

The lease for the Waterworks has arrived and been checked by Mr Packard. The Railways are not to be charged over 2/6 per 1,000 gallons and the lease can be terminated by either side on one month’s notice. The cost of maintenance of the works from 1 January to 14 March was £47-13-6.

Cr Rabbich moved the lease be approved and signed. Carried.

Applications for the Waterworks Engineer to be called. He is to take charge, maintain and repair the whole Waterworks and keep a sufficient supply of water at all times, to make connections, to regulate and read meters and to service the meters.

All this for £2-2-0 per week without overtime. He will receive £2-8-0 per week if he also collects the rates and revenue and takes charge of the accounts.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich seeking to justify taking a licensing fee from hawkers coming into the town. They get benefits like good roads and water for horses so it is fair they contribute.

Letter from W.H. Hardy disputing recent calculations on the relative profitability of raising gold and copper.

X, 839, 29 Mar. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the need SA has for more population.

An Earthquake was felt at c. 6 a.m. on Tuesday, but it was not severe.

Burra Co. VF. 2nd Squad Rifle Match, Wednesday last. Firing was very poor.

Prizes went to A. Davis 45

G. Herbert 27

C.G. Tiver 24

M. Rabbich 16

J.D. Jordan 5

Tree Planting Fund has reached £4-3-0.

Obituary. Miss Wheatley, daughter of A. Wheatley, died at the Burra Hospital on 27 March. [Annie, aged 18. Born 20 July 1870.]

Water Conservation. Last Tuesday a visit to World’s End was made by Dr. R. Brummitt, Messrs P. Lane JP, E.C. Lockyer JP, D.S. Packard JP, Cr Pinch, Cr Rabbich, Mr Rayner and F.W. Holder, to ascertain the facilities for water conservation. The party departed Market Square at 6 a.m. and had breakfast at the creek before a walk up the gorge. Where the road crosses Baldina Ck [sic] [The creek at World’s End is the Burra Creek.] there is a Government gauge which records 500 million gallons p.a. Within the gorge it is joined by another creek from the southwest. Probably the best place for a weir would be just below the point where the other creek enters. A dam here would impound much water with little fear of silting. After returning to the horses the party continued downstream for about 4 miles to the second range - the Black Hills - passing through the unoccupied town of Lapford. The Black Hills site seems unsuitable for a weir. The Commissioner of Public works will be invited to the first site when he comes up shortly.

Cricket. Last Wednesday Burra 130 defeated Muffs 112.

X, 839, 29 Mar. 1889, page 3

W.H. Hardy writes an article on Land Tax and Property Tax. [Just over 1 column.]

X, 840, 2 Apr. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the difference between Victorians and South Australians: the former are optimists re their colony and the latter are pessimists. South Australians have faith in neither themselves nor their colony.

2nd Leader on the typhoid scare. Actually in Burra each case seems to have had its origin in an outside source. The schools have not been the source of any spread. There has not been a single case in Redruth or Aberdeen and not more than one in the West Ward of Kooringa. It has occurred only where conditions have favoured the spread from cases brought in from Broken Hill or elsewhere.

Burra Hospital has 41 patients. [Not all typhoid of course.]

Burra Literary Society. In response to several notices a meeting was held at Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel on Thursday evening to form the society. They have worked well in Adelaide and the suburbs and there are two in Broken Hill. W.H. Morton is secretary pro tem and the rules and regulations and the election of officers will be decided on the 5 April.

Copper seems likely to remain at about £50 per ton.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter on E.W. Hawker’s criticism of SA and its government made recently in London. [The article is 2⁄3-column of puff, but little of substance and light on argument. It principally decries Hawker as talking down the colony to enlarge himself.]

Burra Town Council, 29 March. Special Meeting.

Two applications were received for the position of Waterworks Engineer. One arrived late and was laid aside.

James Littlejohn of Gladstone was the other applicant. His testimonials told of 20 years experience as an engine driver and fitter and asserted he was trustworthy and reliable.

Cr Hardy moved his appointment at £2-2-0 a week. Cr Sampson 2nd.

The Mayor thought that he lacked experience in waterworks and would need coaching from the present engineer in the laying on of services, flushing mains etc.

The motion was carried with Pinch and Watt opposed.

It was arranged to give the Town Clerk £20 a week [sic] as Secretary and Collector for the Waterworks. [Clearly a misprint for per annum.]

Ordinary Meeting, 1 April.

The Mayor reported the fountain had been re-erected for the £5 allowed.

The Waterworks Committee is to visit and take over the Waterworks on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

The new By-law re hawkers’ licences was amended to cover only fish, fresh fruit and vegetables and then referred to a committee.

X, 840, 2 Apr. 1889, page 3

Redruth Court, 1 April.

The following were each fined 1/- + 10/- costs for having animals that strayed.

T. Williams S. Baker C. Schutz

T.H. Williams M. Rayner W.L.H. Bruse

T. Jones

M. Symons failed to appear for a similar offence and was fined 5/- + 10/-.

W.H. Pearce was fined 5/- + 10/- for not having his name painted on his wagon.

X, 841, 5 Apr. 1889, page 2

Editorial on tree planting in streets and reserves in Burra. Sugar gums are fast growing and suitable in most places. Pepper trees are a last resort in places where nothing else will grow. They are not suitable for street plantings. White cedars are quite suitable for streets giving good shade in summer and clear space below. Cork elms are good, but slow growing. Lagunarias are good for variety, but cattle are fond of them. Pines are good for dense cover to mask an ugly spot, but grow slowly.

Black Hills Proprietary Silver Mine Co. Ltd.

A meeting was held at the Institute on 3 April. The company will be voluntarily wound up under the Companies Act of 1864. William Davey has been appointed liquidator at £15. The resolutions will be confirmed at a meeting on 18 April.

Weather. On Monday and Tuesday the season broke with a fall of almost 2” of rain. Two of Mr J. Lewis’s cows were struck by lightning and killed. Flooding further south delayed trains with over 5” falling at Saddleworth and Kapunda and the River Light flooded extensively. The rains extended well to the east and north, but failed in the northeast.

An Entertainment in the Institute last Wednesday in aid of the Mayor’s Tree Planting Fund was well attended. The Burra Brass Band played in front and the nett proceeds exceeded expectations at £8-10-0. The fund now stands at £13-3-6.

Mongolata Post Office has been closed.

Cricket. At the Burra Oval Burra 169 defeated Spalding-Belalie 35 & 0 for 29.

X, 842, 9 Apr. 1889, page 2

Advt. Charles Schutz, having given up business as a cab proprietor continues his letting and livery stables.

Advt. World’s End Wesleyan Church. The Memorial Stone is to be laid by Mrs T. Drew at 4 p.m. on Wednesday 10 April with tea to follow.

Editorial on the waste of water in the floods recently seen surging down the local creeks, much of which could have been conserved.

Obituary. Mrs J.B. Stephenson, the wife of the Rev. J.B. Stephenson, previously of Burra, died of heart disease on the Orient on the voyage back to SA after a two-year visit to England. Mr Stephenson takes up a post in Moonta.

Burra Waterworks were formally taken over on Saturday and Mr Littlejohn assumed charge for the Corporation.

Burra Mine. The sale that was due to be completed on 13 March by the London Syndicate has fallen through following the failure of the Copper Syndicate and the fall in the copper price.

Weather. On Saturday morning soon after midnight rain fell heavily for several hours. The creek that crosses Commercial St got to within 6” of the bottom of the bridge and the main creek was the highest for a long time. Flooding was bad at Booborowie. The total fall for the week was 4.07”

Booborowie. A new post office has been opened at Booborowie.

Rev. Ashton stays at Burra for another year. Rev. O. Lake goes to Gladstone.

X, 842, 9 Apr. 1889, page 2-3

R. Caldwell MP’s Visit to Burra, as reported in the Mt Barker Courier.

He had a guide who reminded him that in the past many people once lived in the creek banks, that trees were unknown and there did not used to be a good water supply. After floods the copper company supplied lodgings ‘in the form of unsightly rows of attached cottages and a huge five-chain square block of land was built upon, without an intersecting lane on all sides but one. A sadder sight in a country town does not often meet the eye of a person who knows anything about the requirements of humanity. In the meantime not more than 10 per cent of the places in Humanity Square are inhabited.’

Elsewhere however he noticed ‘Genteel residences and artistically-designed villas . . . surrounded by ornamental trees and beds of flowers and shrubs.’

He then mentions the school which he asserts must have cost between £12,000 and £15,000 and to be capable of holding 1,000 children, but attendance has never exceeded 300.* The Institute was imposing though the height of the hall he thought out of proportion and three feet lower than it ought to have been. Though this may be just his eye at fault since it was designed by Mr R. Rees MP CE.

Mr Holder as Mayor showed him over the old mine and gave information on municipal affairs. The population is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 and on a low assessment the Corporation income amounts to about £850. Streets and footpaths are in a very creditable state. The mine he likens to the crater of a volcano with crater walls 120-150’ high and the water depth he says is 60 fathoms. There were two powerful pumps, one of 20” and one of 16”. Thirty men at the time of his visit were said to be making wages working through the upper levels and carelessly examined debris of the old mine.

[* See corrections in next issue.]

X, 843, 12 Apr. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the new Governor of SA: Earl Kintore.

Obituary. John Vivian died on 10 April, aged 80. He was for many years the rent collector for SAMA

Mr Caldwell’s sketch of Burra. Corrections: the school cost was not £12,000 to £13,000, but c. £7,000 and the attendance in 1886 averaged 373 with over 400 on the roll.

World’s End Wesleyan Church. The memorial stone was laid on Wednesday last by Mrs T. Drew with the ceremony conducted by Rev. H.T. Burgess. A tea meeting followed. About 90 crowded into the room where services have been held for some time. In cash and promises some £60 had been obtained. The total outlay will be about £100 irrespective of labour and building is expected to be completed in about two months.

Burra Institute. The Picturesque Atlas of Australia has been bound.

An application to hire the hall as a skating rink has been dealt with and charges for rent fixed. The skating rink should open early in May.

The Chrysanthemum Show will be held on 23 April.

Obituary. Miss Symons, daughter of M. Symons, died on Tuesday morning from typhoid. Her funeral was largely attended by many of the public school students under Mr Wittber and also by teachers and scholars of the Wesleyan Sunday School. She had been a teacher of great ability at Port Pirie and for the last two years at Burra. Mr Hartley, Inspector General of Schools sent condolences.

[Louisa Jane Mutton Symons born 4 May 1864; died 9 April, aged 24, of typhoid fever. Her father was M. Symons, butcher of Kooringa.]

Burra Literary Society met on 5 April and rules were adopted. Elected were:

President John Dunstan

Vice-Presidents A.H. Stephenson & M. Rayner

Secretary W.H. Morton

Treasurer N. Opie

Committee W.T. Rabbich, C. Fuss, O. Bartholomæus, C. Keighley.

The first meeting will be on 18 April in the form of songs, recitations, speeches etc.

Letter from W.H. Hardy on a recent case in which the Supreme Court in Adelaide upheld the right of a hawker holding a colony-wide licence issued by the Treasury to hawk in a Corporation without a local licence. While not arguing with the legal position of the Chief Justice he does feel the law is unfair in depriving Corporations of receiving income from this source.

Pigeon Shooting. A match was held on Wednesday on the Polo Ground. J. Wilkinson of Jamestown came 1st and a shoot-off gave second place to C. W. Bowman from Mr B. Besley. Details are not completely clear, but from this and the ‘Items’ column they would appear to have shot 80 birds though: ‘A good many pigeons got away with their lives.’

Redruth Court, 10 April.

There were several cases for payment of debts.

Peterson sued Ford for £8 damages to a horse which he said Ford had fatally injured by striking it with a horse and vehicle negligently and unskilfully driven in Aberdeen on 23 March about 9.45 p.m. Ford counter-claimed 30/- for damages to his cart.

The collision occurred outside Austin’s. The shaft of the defendant’s cart broke off with a foot-long piece in the shoulder of the plaintiff’s horse. Each claimed to be on the correct side of the road, but independent witnesses placed each near the crown of the road. Deciding factors were that the defendant had but one light instead of two and the broken shaft that did the damage was the left or nearside one. Verdict for Peterson in the sum of £8 + costs.

A counter-claim by Bosence arising from the A. Forsyth v. Bosence case resulted in A. Forsyth being fined 10/- plus £4-10-0 costs.

X, 844, 16 Apr. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the depletion of soil productivity by the removal of grain etc. Weeds like stinkwort should be ploughed in while green to return to earth rather than be burnt and their goodness lost.

Burra Hospital still has 43 patients.

The tree Planting Fund has reached £15-15-0.

The United Oddfellows’ Pic-nic has been postponed from 17 April to 24 April due to inclement weather.

Typhoid is still around.

Copper is at £39-10-0 a ton in London.

Rev. T.M. Rowe has been welcomed.

Burra Co. VF was not represented at the Easter encampment.

Famine in China is said to have claimed 2.7 million lives.

Burra Town Council, 15 April

The necessary rating powers for the Waterworks have been conferred on the Council in the last Gazette.

A new By-law was carried requiring an annual licence for hawkers except for the sale of butter, bacon, eggs, milk and poultry, wood or hay. Corporation ratepayers are exempt.

W.H. Hardy writes c. 1 column on Home Rule for Ireland, which he strongly supported.

X, 845, 19 Apr. 1889, page 2

Advt. United Oddfellows’ Pic-Nic at the opening of the Burra Recreation Ground.

12 o’clock sharp on 24 April 1889. Procession of members in regalia led by Davey’s Burra Brass Band. MOONLIGHT.

Notice. Burra Chrysanthemum Show and Schools Exhibition postponed to 1 May on account of recent weather.

Editorial on meteorology and the local weather phenomena.

Burra Hospital currently has 43 patients.

Tree Planting Fund stands at £15-15-0.

Obituary. Mr Andrew Wade of Kooringa died on 16 April. He was a member of Court Unity Lodge and a trustee. He leaves a wife and several children. [More next issue.]

Missing Man. Otto Oppermann, who was to have been married on Tuesday, is missing. He is c. 22 years old and in the afternoon visited the minister, filled in the forms and paid the fee. It is feared he has been carried away by the creek, which was then in flood.

Sir Thomas Esmonde was to have spoken in support of aid for evicted Irish tenants on Tuesday, but the rains delayed the train for two hours. He was met by Mr Holder, but the talk has been delayed until his return from Broken Hill.

Weather. Last year we had 11.90” and already this year 10.42” has fallen: 8.09” this month! The creeks are all high and the Burra Creek the highest for 12 years. Some footbridges have been damaged. On Tuesday night T. Halls cab was swept off the White Hart ford and he was lucky to survive. The cab was caught by the piles of the footbridge, but the horses were swept away and drowned. Monday night’s train was delayed till midday Tuesday when an embankment near Mintaro was damaged.

SAMA ̧ 45th Annual Report

Since the last meeting the Association’s agents in London entered into an agreement to sell the mine for £70,000 along with the mineral rights in the Burra Survey and a further 1,783 acres elsewhere, but the purchasers are now declining to fulfil the contract. The directors are seeking to compel the completion of the purchase.

Tributers working above water level have raised 114 tons on ore in the last 6 months. 64 tons averaged 241⁄4% and c. 50 tons averaged 26%. In the last half year outgoings were £441-10-7 and income £1,233-4-7 which increased the credit balance to £15,437-0-7.

Redruth Wesleyan Church welcomed Rev. T.M. & Mrs Rowe to the new circuit at the German Chapel on Friday evening. Over 120 sat down to the sumptuous table provided (in two sittings). The following meeting in the church was presided over by John Dunstan Jun., the senior circuit steward. 30 years ago or more the Burra circuit extended from Kapunda to Terowie and Clare. Gradually these centres had broken off and now Redruth was separate from Kooringa. Rev. H.T. Burgess spoke and Rev. Rowe responded.

Chinese Famine Relief meeting called.

X, 845, 19 Apr. 1889, page 3

Letter from W.H. Hardy, accusing some members of the Council of rushing into making new laws without reasonable consideration. Specifically he was concerned about the By-law banning the carrying of produce for sale within the Corporation except for butter, bacon, eggs, milk, poultry, wood and hay, unless they have a licence costing 2/6 for a pack and £1 for a vehicle. The penalty ranges from 10/- to £2, though ratepayers are exempted. [It had been aimed at itinerant hawkers.] Hardy says it is nonsense for two reasons: 1st if interpreted literally it would apply to a farmer bringing in a load of wheat or chaff or a dairyman bringing in a carcase of pork and 2nd it invites retaliation from other District Councils.

Letter from W.H. Hardy protesting that the Kooringa Hotel was allowed a permit to stay open almost all night on Wednesday last for a private party - such provisions were intended to be granted only for public occasions he says.

X, 846, 23 Apr. 1889, page 2

Obituary. Andrew Greville Wade died 16 April at Kooringa, aged 53.

Marriage. 17 April at the residence of the bride’s father. Alexander Harris of Broken Hill, only son of Alexander Harris of Burra and Jane Jessie Henderson, 2nd daughter of William Henderson of Burra.

Editorial on the tour of the Premier to country areas and believing he should have been more seriously attacked for his position on protection and for failing to give seed wheat to needy farmers. It should have been given in those places where success is possible.

Missing man. The missing Mr Oppermann has not been found, but rumours now suggest he is in hiding.

Robbery. A case of jewellery valued at about £30 was stolen from the Kingston Hotel at Mt Bryan on 17 April. The property was found hidden beneath the floor of an old closet and the police have a clue to the culprit.

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary last Friday. The Children’s treat was followed by prize giving and a public tea meeting.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary on Sunday and Monday last. On Monday Wheatley’s Band led the children to the Recreation Ground for sports after which there was tea at the Sunday School followed by a public tea and a meeting presided over by Mr Holder.

Cricket. At Burra Oval on Good Friday: Terowie 85 defeated Burra 30 and 9 for 152. [Decided on 1st innings.]

John Roach has taken his brothers, Henry & Thomas, into partnership.

X, 846, 23 Apr. 1889, page 3

W.H. Hardy writes a one-column article on the Irish Question and Mr Balfour MP. Hardy was convinced of the failure of the whole policy of coercion and in favour of Home Rule for Ireland.

X, 847, 26 Apr. 1889, page 2

Advt. Burra Chrysanthemum Show & Schools Exhibition. Wednesday 1 May.

Hon. A. Catt MP, Commissioner of Public Works, will visit World’s End tomorrow to see the site of the proposed water conservation scheme.

The United Oddfellows’ Picnic, which had been adjourned from the previous week, was completed last Wednesday. The grounds were declared open as the ‘Burra Oval’ by the Mayor, Mr Holder.

Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show, yesterday. Mr Cave did very well:

96 of any sort 2nd 24 Japanese 2nd

48 of any sort 2nd 12 Japanese 2nd

24 large flowering 1st 6 Japanese 1st

12 large flowering 1st 3 Japanese 1st

6 large flowering 2nd 1 Japanese 2nd

3 large flowering 1st

SAR. Mr Lane, the Kooringa postmaster, will endeavour to post notices as soon as possible after the departure of trains from the next station north or south of Burra for this place.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 20 & 21 April. Rev. S. Gray preached. The church was crowded for the public meeting. The school was prosperous. Proceeds were c. £11.

St Mary’s. The elaborate Easter Sunday flower decorations are described in c. 1⁄2 column.

The annual vestry meeting reported the Sunday school had 100 scholars and 11 teachers. There were 88 communicants. This year the communicants were down by 8 and the scholars by 3, but since the Rev. Wayland came four years ago the scholars were up by 24 and communicants up by 20, and that in spite of the removal of 50 scholars and 53 communicants. He estimated adherents at 320-350.

The church debt had been reduced to £168.

A bazaar in preparation will probably realise this amount. Mr Gebhardt of Mackerode has promised to donate the £50 owed to him and Mr P.L. Killicoat the £25 due to him. There is also a rumour of another £25 donation.

Income for the year was £380 and expenditure £388 which brought the overdraft to £90 of which £78 was due in 1885. The stipend of the clergyman was reduced a further £25, having been cut by £50 two years ago.

Salvation Army. Meetings have been held at Hallett.

Ulooloo Silver & Copper Mine has begun working again under Captain Treloar.

W.T. Rabbich writes in reply to W.H. Hardy who had accused the Burra Town Council of being extremists in passing the new by-law and asserted that the members ‘are now bereft of their reasonable faculties.’ In fact, says Rabbich, Cr Hardy was a prime mover in getting copies of similar by-laws as used in other places. He was on the committee that drew up the by-law and principally selected the one which, with certain alterations, the committee unanimously agreed to. But as a weathercock, Cr Hardy swung round at the Council meeting when it was brought forward for consideration. The Council departed from legislation in other towns by making the exceptions that it did. Cr Rabbich goes on to hope that Cr Hardy ‘will have in future some little respect for the decision, not only of a majority of his fellow Councillors, but for gentlemen living in other towns, who have for years tolerated such as the matter in question and that under like circumstances not ascribe unto them foolishness.’

Sir Thomas Gratton Esmonde Bt. MP visited Burra last Wednesday and was met at the station by the Mayor, Mr Holder, Councillors etc. He went to the oval where the Oddfellows’ Sports were being held. They ceded the Institute Hall to him in the evening, in place of their concert. He gave a speech in favour of Irish Home Rule, which is reported in c. 11⁄2 columns.

X, 847, 26 Apr. 1889, page 3

Oddfellows’ Sports. These had been postponed from an earlier date due to rain. At noon the Burra & Aberdeen Juvenile lodges led by Davey’s Band marched around Commercial St and then to the Recreation Ground. Mr Holder MP opened the gates and with the Councillors, Town Clerk and Lodge Surgeon was escorted to the centre of the oval. He spoke of the considerable improvements that have been made to the oval and its surroundings, with trees now beginning to grow and he declared the grounds open as the ‘Burra Oval’. The sports followed and the results are printed.

Notwithstanding the report above about Sir Thomas Gratton Esmonde the paper then says a Grand Concert was held in the Institute Hall and a first class program was gone through and prizes distributed. [Perhaps this was written and set before the event, or perhaps they managed to wrap it around the speech of Sir Thomas, but the two are incompatible as written.]

X, 848, 30 Apr. 1889, page 2

Editorial. The typhoid outbreak, which had appeared in East Ward, has, since the recent rain, broken out in North and West Wards. He writes of the problem of old cesspits, many of them still in use, that are not far from wells. The clay bed under the town is intersected by bands of gravel along which impure matter may be carried, especially after heavy rain. All water from wells should be boiled and all milk boiled before use. 6” of quicklime should cover all cesspits in infected places.

Entertainment. A company of local Christy Minstrels will perform at the Institute in aid of St Joseph’s School on Friday.

The Burra Manganese [Mining] Co. The mine lies some six miles west of Burra Railway Station. Some years ago a large deposit of manganic iron was worked as a flux for copper smelting and the company owns the old quarry. It is claimed an iron lode runs north south for miles, but work at 100’ level suggests this is false: rather there is a series of blows along a north-south line. A 100’ shaft has been sunk north of the southern blow and cross cut 76’ east and 32’ west and this shows no lode connecting the blows. From the east cross cut a drive south found the original blow after 57’. There are traces of manganese and cobalt, but in the absence of any local market for flux no further work is warranted unless below water level when the % of oxides and cobalt associated with manganese oxide might increase sufficiently to justify extraction.

The copper price is down to £36-10-0 a ton.

The Terowie Regatta on 22 April attracted about 1,000 people to the water sports.

Redruth Court.

Samuel Tredinnick, aged 20 was charged over the jewel case theft at Mt Bryan recently. The accused had slept in the bedroom where the jewel case had accidentally been left. He had been seen to go out the back more than once. Albert Thomas Fairchild, blacksmith, of Ironmine, had been shown the case and could identify some of the contents and he gave evidence about the prisoner’s presence and of his being near where the box was later found. The prisoner was found to have a heart-shaped locket from the box in his possession. He claimed another man had entered the room and taken the box and he had found the locket on the floor. He was committed for trial in Adelaide.

X, 848, 30 Apr. 1889, page 2-3

W.H. Hardy replies to W.T. Rabbich accusing the latter of a ‘long conglomeration of misrepresentation and falsehoods’. He denies being the prime mover in getting copies of by-laws or that he was inconsistent. Hardy admits he did say outside of Council that hawkers coming into the town competed with storekeepers and that was unfair, but when the new by-law came up he said he could not support it without the sanction of the ratepayers.

X, 848, 30 Apr. 1889, page 3

Football. A small article from the Baptist denounces football as leading to drinking and gambling.

Cricket. The Cricket Club held its AGM at the Burra Hotel on Thursday. In the last season the club played 9 matches, won 6 and lost 3. Various statistics are printed. The best batting average was J.D. Stuart with 191⁄2 from 5 innings, but the medal went to G. Parks for averaging 162⁄3 from 10 innings. In bowling G. Parks was best with an average of 41⁄4. Financially receipts were £16-3-11 and expenses £13-3-8, leaving £3-0-3 to go towards paying for the pitch meaning that £2 will have to come from the guarantors.

X, 849, 3 May 1889, page 2

Editorial on competition and the usefulness of shows and exhibitions.

Burra Co. VF began annual prize firing on Wednesday.

Typhoid continues in the town.

Burra Literary Soc. Met last Friday. 28 attended the program of readings at sight.

Evicted Irish Tenants. A meeting was held in the Institute last Wednesday chaired by F. W. Holder and a committee was appointed to see the town canvassed on behalf of the cause.

Polo. Burra played Mt Crawford on Wednesday on the Old Adelaide Racecourse. Burra won 3 to 2

On Monday Burra played SA and won 6 to 5

The Burra team comprised E. Bowman, C.W. Bowman, W. Murray, H. Bowman & W. Besley.

Letter from Thomas Best calling for flat stones to be placed in the bed of the creek near the Bon Accord Hotel to facilitate the crossing of sheep to the sale yards.

Letter From J.D. Cave apologising for not being aware that rules had been changed and so inadvertently submitting more exhibits at the Chrysanthemum Show than was allowed.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show & Schools Exhibition is reported. The chief exhibitors were J.D. Cave and J. Lewis. Mr Cave’s exhibit of a ‘Thunberg’ measured 81⁄2” in diameter. Other notable exhibitors were Dr Brummitt, T. Drew, W. Davey, C. Oppermann and Messrs Pearce and Rawling.

More tar-paving of footpaths has been carried out.

Burra Cricket Club social last night.

Mr & Mrs C. Drew arrived in England last Wednesday.

X, 850, 7 May 1889, page 2

The Salvation Army will farewell Captain Robert and Lieutenant Griffin at the Barracks on Tuesday night.

Burra District Council calls tenders for making a footbridge over the creek near Mr Austin’s farm, similar to that near the White Hart Hotel.

Marriage. On 30 April at the residence of the bride’s father, James Linkson, eldest son of the late George Linkson, married Mary A. O’Dea, 3rd daughter of M. O’Dea, farmer of Baroota.

Editorial on the program of the new session of the SA Parliament.

The Christy Minstrel Show in aid of St Joseph’s School was a complete success financially.

Mr G.B. Hall, manager of the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa has been promoted to manage the branch at Latrobe in Tasmania.

Burra Literary Soc. Met on Friday 3 May in Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel and T. Nevin gave a lecturette on ‘The Circulation of the Blood’.

Redruth Court, 6 May

T. Halls was charged with carrying in his cab a person who annoyed other passengers. The case was dismissed.

Stray cattle or horses in the streets earned fines of 1/- + 10/- costs for each of the following: Rabbich & Sons T. Richards

T. Woollacott W. Lasscock

Burra Cricket Club dinner & social. The dinner was followed by an evening of toasts and songs. P.L. Killicoat was in the chair assisted by J.D. Cave. The report extends for 13⁄4 columns.

X, 850, 7 May 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council, 6 May

Dr Brummitt and other members of the School Board of Advice sought to have the bridge at the rear of the Burra Hotel moved further north to save the children from passing ‘such a malodorous place’ and to increase the convenience of the general public.

Crs Hardy & Pinch thought it better to remove the odours and Pinch said the old bridge would have to remain in any case. The outcome was they had no funds at present to do the work.

The lamp in Market Square is to be lit for three months from 1 June.

X, 850 [2], 10 May 1889, page 2 [Second so numbered]

Notice. Chinese Famine Relief. The Mayor calls a meeting for 10 May to form a local committee.

Notice. Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Sunday School Anniversary. 12 May: Dr J.R. Stephens will preach. Tea meeting on Wednesday.

Advt. Wirth’s Colossal Circus will play behind the Commercial hotel on 22 May.

Advt. Provincial Elite Roller Skating Rinks will open a branch in the Institute Hall to operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 15 May 1889.

Birth. To the wife of M. Pederson a daughter, on 5 May. [Elizabeth]

Editorial on the Democratic Age, heralded in by the French Revolution 100 years ago. It marked the rise of individualism in both religion and politics.

Japanese Sale. The sale of Japanese goods has been changed by Dempsey, Wilkinson and Sandland from 16 to 15 May.

W.A. Rabbich was thrown from his horse in Aberdeen on Tuesday and broke his wrist.

Tree planting in Burra has begun.

Letter from E. White of Hallett in response to the editor’s considered and scientific piece on meteorology and is published in 11⁄3 columns. He urges that it should be more widely studied. The writer seems to confuse cause and effect. When the land is poor he says the rainfall is low. If fertile areas were located in central Australia they would attract rain from both the south and monsoons from the northwest. He dissents from the view that rainfall makes the land. He also goes on to some more extraordinary ideas concerning rain increasing the heights of the hills and mountains: since decomposed rock expands and water penetrating the rock causes earthquakes, which cause the mountains to rise.

Truth writes that an article in the Barrier Miner from that journal’s Burra correspondent says that the town is in a panic over typhoid with people leaving and 50 cases under treatment. In fact the outbreak was quickly controlled and spread to few people. The 50 cases involve many brought into the hospital from outside the town: including from the Barrier Ranges area. In Burra 5 out of 507 families have reported cases. In March 3 people died: all of then non-residents and in April 3 residents and 1 outsider died. So far in May there have been no deaths and no typhoid scare in the town.

X, 850 [2], 10 May 1889, page 3

Principle complains that the JP did not uphold the law in the recent case where T.P. Halls was accused of carrying a person in his cab who had behaved in an insulting manner.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich complaining of the waste of public money in the slow delivery and spreading of road metal in Aberdeen.

[This is an unusual letter as W.T. Rabbich was a councillor at the time and could have communicated his concern to fellow councillors and/or raised it at a Council meeting. The editor therefore found his complaint inappropriate.]

X, 852, 14 May 1889, page 2

Advt. Provincial Elite Roller Skating Rinks: A branch of these rinks will open at the Institute Hall in Burra on Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday from 15 May 1889.

Good Order & Decorum are Guaranteed.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Grand Tea Meeting Tomorrow, Wednesday 15 May. Tea at 4 p.m. Public Meeting at 7 p.m. and Supper at 8.30 p.m. Singing - Sankey’s Hymns.

Editorial against the imposition of the fee charged to informants in bringing charges when the charge is laid by the Council or the like, where the fine may be as little as 2/6, but the fee is 10/-. It is, he argues, all right in the case of private individuals bringing cases as it deters frivolous matters, but in the case of Council fines it is something that should be left to the discretion of the presiding Justices.

Burra Mine. With the fall in the copper price almost all work has stopped at the mine and most of the tributers have cleared off for Broken Hill.

Messrs Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland advise of the sale of ornamental and useful Japanese goods in the Institute Hall tomorrow afternoon.

Mr G.B. Hall, Manager of the Bank of Australasia, will not now go to Latrobe in Tasmania, but to Yarrawonga in Victoria. Mr Harvey from Port Augusta succeeds him here.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope resumes after a break of two months.

Burra Literary Soc. 32 members assembled on Friday last for an elocution session.

Cricket. G. Parks was presented with a gold medal at the Burra Hotel on Friday night for the highest batting average for last season with Burra Cricket Club.

A Chinese Famine Fund was established at a meeting at the Institute on Friday afternoon and £8-6-0 was subscribed to get it started.

Burra Teachers’ Association held its 18th meeting on Saturday with 22 schools represented:

Auburn Baldina Burra

Clare Copperhouse Davieston

Farrell’s Flat Kybunga Leighton

Lower Alma Manoora Mintaro Station

Saddleworth Sevenhills East Spalding

Terowie Tothill’s Belt Waterloo

Watervale White Hut Whyte Yarcowie

World’s End Creek

A letter by the Burra Correspondent for the Barrier Miner asserts that typhoid is widespread in Burra. The editor comments that since 1 January there have been 53 houses affected, including those where cases were imported from Broken Hill.

W.T. Rabbich writes to say his recently published letter on the cost of spreading road metal was not intended for publication, but for the Mayor. The editor replies that the letter was sent to the editor by name and not to the Mayor officially and it was thus thought to be for publication. In any event the metal was not costing 90% more than the tender, or anything like that, as will appear at the next Council meeting.

Prize Firing for the Government Grant is reported. The best four shots being:

Col-Sergt. Watt, Cpl. Cooksley, Priv. Rabbich and Lieut. Butterworth.

X, 853, 17 May 1889, page 2

Advt. An Entertainment will be held at the Hallett Institute Hall on 24 May in aid of the Chinese Famine Relief Fund.

Editorial on the improving seasonal prospects, but pointing out the need to provide for bad seasons again and that to the east the rainfall, even when it does come, is more likely to be in December and January rather than between July and December when crops need it.

Accident. A young boy called Lacy was brought to Burra Hospital on Wednesday morning a couple of weeks after being badly burnt when a group of boys were playing with phosphorus.

Trooper Williams is just back from the northeast where he had gone to bury the remains of a man lost three years ago on Buckaloo Run. The country is all water and grass at present.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School celebrated its anniversary last Sunday and Monday. Dr J.R. Stephens preached. The tea meeting was largely attended. Proceeds were £11.

Skating. The Provincial Elite Roller Skating Rink opened at the Institute last night to a fair house, though with more observers than practitioners. Mr J. Davey’s Burra Brass Band added to the occasion.

Letter from Timothy Ward attacking the scientific errors in Mr White’s long letter on meteorology while saying that where he departs from science in his theories the opinions are puerile. (Especially the idea that dead animals produce gas that then causes rain.) The refutation runs for almost a column.

X, 854, 21 May 1889, page 2

Obituary. Edward Ellery, aged 77 and a colonist of 40 years, died on 15 May at Kooringa.

Football. The season opens tomorrow when 25 Muffs will play 15 of the Burra team.

Burra Literary Soc. The first meeting of the season was on Friday at Redruth and was a program by lady associates. It was the society’s largest gathering when 48 attended.

Burra Town Council.

On 1 January the indebtedness was £321-9-0. It is currently £86-5-3.

In addition to which bonds for £300 and coupons for £40 have been paid. The indebtedness has been reduced by over £500.

Burra Agricultural Bureau meeting on Monday last is reported in 12⁄3 columns.

X, 854, 21 May 1889, page 2-3

W.H. Hardy has a one column-long article on hawkers’ licences. He draws attention to a Supreme Court ruling of 9 April 1889 that a licence from the SA Treasury to any part of the Province of SA was sufficient for a person to hawk within any municipality irrespective of any local by-law. This is a blow to the finances of the corporations. The mayor of Adelaide has sought a legislative remedy. The Treasurer said it had been thought the Act of 1863 only applied outside the corporation boundaries. At present the police have been instructed to refer applicants who reside in a district, which has passed a by-law on hawkers’, licences to the council concerned and if there is no by-law a licence will be granted. A licence may be granted if the applicant intends hawking outside the boundaries of the corporation. This is a reasonable outcome for the city, but is of little use for country corporations.

X, 854, 21 May 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council

The footbridge at the Pig and Whistle crossing is to be attended to. The public works committee is satisfied about the metal spreading on Aberdeen roads.

Cr Rabbich said he had been dissatisfied at the start, but the work is now proceeding well.

X, 855, 24 May 1889, page 2

Advt. Chinese Famine Fund Concert in the Institute 29 May concluding with the drama Sang Froid.

Editorial on the proposal for a Progressive Property Tax: the writer was vehemently opposed.

Football. AGM of the Burra Football Club was held at the Commercial Hotel 29 April 1889. Elected were: Patron F.W. Holder MP

President P.L. Killicoat

Captain E.C. Lockyer

Vice Captain W.H. Linkson

At the opening match of the season Muffs 2 defeated Burra 1.

Skating. There is a complaint that skating in the hall interferes with reading in the Institute library.

X, 856, 28 May 1889, page 2

Advt. Chinese Famine Fund Concert at the Burra Institute Wednesday 29 May. 1/- & 6d.

Editorial on Irrigation.

Baseball. There are moves to try to establish a baseball club in Burra.

Football. The local club started the season with a match versus a group of Allcomers and gave a good account of themselves. Burra 3.10 defeated Allcomers 0.0.

The Skating Rink is becoming the chief attraction in Burra and is well patronised by both skaters and on-lookers. Davey’s Brass Band has been engaged to play during different sessions.

Rev. H.T. Burgess began a series of ‘popular services’ in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Sunday last with a sermon on betting and gambling etc.

The weather has been extremely cold.

The typhoid outbreak seems to be nearly over.

The School Board of Advice will place a footbridge over the creek opposite the Church of St Joseph. Members will act in their private capacity. [Another note in ‘Items’ suggests that subscriptions will be solicited.]

The Southern Cross, a monthly paper for Catholics, will begin in Adelaide in July.

X, 857, 31 May 1889, page 2

Editorial on the situation in Ireland.

Burra Literary Soc. At the meeting on 23 May two essays were read and discussed:

Literary Societies: their objects and how best attained.

Water Conservation.

Mr E.W. Hawker MP, Member for Stanley, is visiting England and having decided to stay there for some time has resigned his seat.

Travelling Stock Roads. A meeting on the Government’s policy of cutting up stock roads is called for the District Council Chamber in Davieston on Tuesday next at 3.30 p.m. by those supporting the Government’s actions.

Chinese Famine Fund Concert is reported a success.

E. White writes a 1-column letter on Meteorology. His theory was that stubble burning would impoverish the soil, cause hot summers and cold frosty winters with less rain. This was part of a wider argument supporting his view of more extended cycles of weather.

X, 857, 31 May 1889, page 3

Letter from the proprietor of the skating rink protesting against complaints of bad behaviour at the rink and assuring patrons that care is being taken to control and exclude unruly elements. [The specific person referred to was female.]

[The letter doubles so obviously as unpaid advertising that the editor comments, suggesting it was lucky to be published.]

‘Institute Reform’ writes that it is about time that the Institute had improvements, especially in the area of decent changing rooms and an improved stage. The writer also asks why the skating rink gets the hall for £1 a day when Friendly Societies are charged £3.

X, 858, 4 June 1889, page 2

Chinese Famine Relief Fund in Burra stands at £51-17-6.

Vandalism. The editor reports cases of trees being wantonly damaged or even being completely removed from within the tree guards.

The dog poisoner is about again. On Monday morning 16 dogs were found poisoned in the town from baits laid in the streets.

The Skating Rink in the Institute continues to draw crowds.

Burra Literary Soc. held a debate on Friday at the Temperance Hotel Redruth [Aberdeen] on ‘Should the Government supply seed wheat to distressed farmers?’ The negative side won by two votes.

Editorial on Labor and Capital, suggesting the need for some form of arbitration system.

Railways: new timetable

Arrive Depart

From North to Adelaide 9.33 a.m. 9.38 a.m.

4.16 p.m. 4.21 p.m.

From Adelaide to North 11.20 a.m. 11.25 a.m.

7.43 p.m. 7.48 p.m.

Obituary. William Parkin, aged 88. [Died 31 May, aged 87.] [There is no indication in the text of the local connection, but a William Parkin and Grace Parkin nee Moody had a son, Henry, in Burra in 1858.]

Street Trees. The Town Council has planted 400 this year.

World’s End Wesleyan Church. The new church will be opened next Sunday.

Burra Town Council, 3 June.

The School Board of Advice, which is about to erect a footbridge over the Burra Creek, seeks an opening in the Avenue opposite it.

Waterworks Department seeks payment for 40,000 gallons of water used to water trees.

Mr Ridgway declined to pay for the water, which had been used on the reserve under his care in Aberdeen. The 5/- will be paid by Council and the water cut off.

The deed for the Burra Hospital is missing and a search will be made for it.

Mr Littlejohn, the Waterworks engineer applied for an increase in salary. Debate held over.

Resolved that the Aberdeen water trough be opened.

Council will seek support of other councils to get the law changed to allow councils where hawkers operate to charge licence fees. (At present the council where the hawker lives grants a licence for the whole colony and so the city area gets most money.)

X, 858, 4 June 1889, page 3

Letter from a Committeeman defending the charges made by the Institute for the use of its hall etc.

Letter from Patrick Ward of Ulooloo on three topics:

Compulsory teaching of drawing at schools: he was opposed to it as being unnecessary and in any case the Education Department has little knowledge of it to impart.

Tree planting by schools (Arbor Day): also not favoured.

Technical Education: also opposed because in the first place this is an additional responsibility for which the teacher did not contract when taking on the task of teaching and secondly this represents too much money ‘expended in a superfluity of useless fruitless branches’.

X, 859, 7 June 1889, page 2

Advt. World’s End Wesleyan Church opening services Sunday 9 June at 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Rev. T.M. Rowe will officiate.

Advt. M. Wood Green will talk at the Institute on 7 June on:

The Foe that keeps the People Poor and stops the Country’s Progress.

[Alcohol]

Advt. I.O. Rechabites Annual Festival will be on 20 June with luncheon in the Institute at 4 p.m. and a Grand Entertainment in the evening.

Wirth’s Circus will not come to Burra after all, but will leave the colony at the end of its Broken Hill run.

Football. On Wednesday last Burra 4 defeated Allcomers 2.

Stock Routes. A meeting was held at Davieston on 4 June to consider how best to dispose of stock routes. Mr Peake said the time had come to dispose of them for they had been much abused for years. Mr A. Przibilla 2nd and support came from Mr John Turner, Mr Tohl and Mr J. Cooksley.

The Dog Poisoner has claimed two more victims.

Jack the Ripper has struck again in London.

Institute Reform writes urging the Institute Committee to borrow money needed to carry out improvements. There is a need for rooms at the back and a decent curtain. At present to exit from one side of the stage and enter at the other you have to leave the building and negotiate the rocks behind the building. The writer maintains that the benefit societies are overcharged. His complaints all relate to poor stage facilities.

Letter from L.W.H. suggesting that instead of simply relaying the track from Hallett and Terowie the old rails should be moved in to accommodate 3’6” gauge trains and new rails placed to accommodate the 5’3” gauge.

Letter from ‘Economy’ suggesting rabbit meat should be supplied to the poor and to zoo animals rather than, as someone else has suggested, being frozen and sent to England.

X, 860, 11 June 1889, page 2

Obituary. Ann Pearce, relict of the late James Pearce of Kooringa, died on 9 June aged 75. She was a resident of over 40 years. She was the mother of Messrs W. Pearce Jun., T.W. Pearce, John Pearce, H. Pearce and sister-in-law of W. Pearce Sen. She also left three daughters and grandchildren.

Editorial on the Governor’s speech at the opening of the SA Parliament: ‘more than usually barren and worthless’. The Government shows no ability to construct a policy.

Chinese Famine Relief Fund. The total for Burra can be amended to £65-5-0, though it is to be noted that of this £31-10-0 came from J.M. McBride.

Letter from ‘Anti-Larrikinism’ complaining of the costs of prosecuting larrikins who break into one’s premises. One should not have to pay to prosecute larrikins when one already pays taxes.

Letter from ‘Committeeman’ saying that though the Institute Committee could borrow money they had such a struggle to pay off the old debt that they are reluctant to go into debt again. The proposed changes would cost £400 or more and at 7% interest (which is the likely cost) this would be £28 p.a., which is rather more than the income from concerts and entertainments that would be unlikely to increase in frequency. This does not take into account the repayment of principal. Care is needed: the Glenelg, Hindmarsh and Semaphore Institutes have all had to be sold because of their financial burdens.

X, 860, 11 June 1889, page 3

The Governor’s speech opening the 4th Session of the 12th SA Parliament is printed.

X, 861, 14 June 1889, page 2

Editorial on the going-ons in the SA Parliament.

2nd Leader on the recent death on Mokolai [sic] [Molokai] in Hawaii of Father Damien who worked with the lepers there.

3rd Leader on the Irish National League, and the visit to Australia of Messrs Dillon, Deasy and Esmonde.

Burra Co. VF is to hold a social on May 3 [sic] [Actually July 3]

Copperhouse School was inspected on 31 May and of the 30 pupils presented 21 were promoted and 6 obtained the compulsory certificate.

Burra Oddfellows welcomed District Officers etc. to a social at the Burra Hotel last Wednesday. A lodge of Past grands was held. Membership in Burra is 300 and only one lodge in SA has more members.

Burra Literary Soc. met on 7 June for impromptu speeches.

Burra Institute Committee met on Monday and agreed to change the skating nights to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, but a request for children on Saturday mornings was refused. [Previously Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturdays.]

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary on 9 & 10 June when Rev. T.M. Rowe, Rev. H.T. Burgess & Rev. J.H. Ashton officiated. Mr J. Davey’s Band led the children to the Burra Oval on Monday for sports after which tea was provided in the schoolroom. The usual tea meeting followed.

Vandalism. Several trees have been destroyed by person or persons unknown.

X, 861, 14 June 1889, page 3

Letter from ‘Hong Kong’ complaining that £3-3-0 raised at Hallett was too late for the Chinese Famine Relief Fund and so the committee decided to distribute it among the Hallett poor. The writer believes there are no more than two deserving cases in the town and the sum should have gone to a charitable institution such as The Children’s Hospital.

X, 862, 18 June 1889, page 2

Editorial on the unsettled state of European politics and the likelihood of a Balkan war.

2nd Leader on slums in Adelaide inspected by the Adelaide Board of Health and noticing that: ‘even in Burra there are astounding human rookeries, of which people rolling by in their buggies have not the slightest conception’.

Advt. Miss J.A. Ackermann, World Missionary of the American WCTU will speak at the Rechabite Demonstration Thursday 20 June and Friday 21 June at the Burra Institute. And for Women Only 21 June 3 p.m.

Notice. Applications are invited for Irrigation Lands in the Hundred of Baldina, 2 miles east of Douglas on 21-year leases at 1/- per acre p.a. plus water rate of 17/- per acre p.a. for 543,000 gallons per acre p.a., which is the equivalent of 24” of rainfall - subject to the daily supply flowing in Baldina Creek. Blocks not to exceed 10 acres and limited to 1 block per person. The distribution works for the water will commence once 80 acres of land have been taken up. The first year’s rent is payable in advance and the water rate for 6 months in advance from the date it is available at one point on the frontage. The land is to be used only for the purpose it shall have been demised.

Burra District Council Election

Kooringa Ward P.L. Killicoat & J. Bagg retired

Nominations John Bagg elected

William Killicoat elected

James Dew nomination informal: contract with Council

W.T. Rabbich nomination informal: name not in assessment book

King Ward John Rogers retired

Nominations John Rogers

Thomas McWaters

Election called for 1 July

Baldina Ward J. Kellock retired

Nominations P.L. Killicoat

J. Morgan

Election called for 1 July

Auditor T.T. Shortridge retired and re-elected

[CORRECTION: The paper of 25 June corrected the above by exchanging the nominations for Baldina and King Wards.]

X, 862, 18 June 1889, page 3

Letter from ‘Jubilant’ rejoicing that the Government avoided a no-confidence motion - and explaining why in 1⁄2 column.

Wheatley’s Band is to lead the procession of Rechabites [At their Annual Demonstration on 20 June.]

Burra Town Council

Burra hospital deeds have not been found and Messrs Ayers & Ayers, solicitors of Adelaide, to be retained in this matter.

The General Account is in credit £98 after collection of over £800 in rates.

X, 863, 21 June 1889, page 2

Advt. Provincial Elite Skating Rink at the Institute 26 June

1st Carnival of Races for the Season

1⁄2 mile, 1⁄4 mile sack race

Also 1⁄2 mile for Burra learners only

Wheelbarrow race

Also Harry Cowan in his burlesque ‘How to skate in 5 minutes’.

Advt. Mr Henry Hicks thanks his customers for patronage in the past 11 years.

Tea Merchant of Thames Street.

Obituary. Catherine M. Treweek died on 9 June at Purnamoota NSW, aged 15.

Editorial on Temperance Reform.

Burra Town Council

Having collected over £800 in rates the Council has paid off the bank overdraft of over £300 together with bonds and coupons of about £350 and is still in credit in the general account by £93 and hopes to end the year with a clean sheet.

Burra Hospital. The number of patients has fallen to 32. [Typhoid outbreak over.]

Vandalism. One of the largest cedar trees in Chapel St has been ring-barked.

Mr W. Bentley will offer a drawing class at the Institute beginning on Wednesday 3 July.

Arbor Day was celebrated at schools in SA yesterday and a small amount of tree planting was done in the Burra School grounds supervised by Mr Wittber.

Burra Literary Soc. At the last meeting there was ‘An Evening with Dickens’ with extracts read from several of his works.

The Advertiser in Adelaide has its offices lit by electricity.

X, 864, 25 June 1889, page 2

Editorial on the change in Government with the fall of the Playford administration and the installation of Dr Cockburn as Premier.

Trees destroyed. On Wednesday night no less than six sugar gums about 6’ high were destroyed by cattle and horses turned out to roam the streets.

Temperance Carnival. Last Thursday (Accession Day) was a public holiday and the IO Rechabites held a festival to promote temperance. Miss Jessie A. Ackermann from America gave addresses. There was a procession of about 150 members led by Wheatley’s Brass Band. A ‘Monster Temperance Meeting’ in the Institute followed a late ‘luncheon’ at 4 p.m. With the speaker on the platform were Revs H.P. Burgess (Wesleyan), S. Gray (Primitive Methodist), J.H. Ashton (Bible Christian), T.M. Rowe (Wesleyan), Mr F.W. Holder MP Mayor, T. Kitchen (Secretary of the Lily of the Valley Tent IOR), C.J. Pearce (Secretary of the Rose of Sharon Tent IOR), Mr J. Harry & Mr J. Jones. The hall was packed to capacity. Rev. J.A. Burns (Mt Barker) took the chair.

The Rose of Sharon Tent reported 150 members and 70 juveniles while the Lily of the Valley Tent reported 86 members. Miss Ackermann’s addresses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are reported in 1 column.

X, 864, 25 June 1889, page 3

Miss Ackermann’s Friday meeting for women only resulted in the formation of a local branch of the WCTU. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union]

Her lecture on Saturday evening in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall was on ‘Alaska, Land of the Midnight Sun’. It concerned mission work in that territory.

X, 865, 28 June 1889, page 2

Editorial on the increasing independence of the Australian colonies.

2nd Leader on a new Municipal Corporations Act.

3rd Leader on the new Cockburn Government in which F.W. Holder was Treasurer.

Burra Co. VF is to be inspected on 28 August.

Burra Literary Soc. Last meeting saw the reading of a series of articles on leading topics of the day.

Redruth Court, Monday 28 June. [Sic, but Monday was 24 June.]

The following were fined for owning straying animals:

W.T. Rabbich & Sons, F.J. Vivian, Linkson Bros, J. Baker.

C. Grow was fined for not chaining the wheel of his cab.

X, 865, 28 June 1889, page 3

A New Footbridge is being constructed across the Burra Creek. [Presumably the one near the school by the School board of Advice.]

Letter from ‘Law Breaker’ particularly annoyed that one of the Councillors is among those whose cattle roam the streets at night destroying trees. [See W.T. Rabbich in the Court case on the previous page.]

Letter from John I. Sangster on Temperance Reform. He advocates the power of education in the long term. While he was in favour of abstinence he realised its impracticability and so was a supporter of measures aimed at true temperance. A more liberal view than prohibition he felt was much more likely to be effective.

X, 865 [2], 2 July 1889, page 2 [Consecutive use of number 865, also wrongly dated 28 June on page 1.]

Editorial on the Adjournment of the SA Parliament for two weeks.

2nd Leader on the Burra Town Council and its improved and now sound financial position. The writer commends the Town Clerk for getting the rates in so well and the Inspector for his hard work which no doubt aided greatly in stamping out the typhoid outbreak. He suggests the Mayor ought to consider resigning due to his pressure of work from other duties. [As SA Treasurer.]

3rd Leader on General Boulanger in France.

Letter from W.H. Hardy on Temperance Reform, agreeing with the moderation and gradualism of Dr Sangster’s approach as being the most effective path. He deplores the evil of drink and believes the answer lies in moderation.

Jack the Ripper still busy in London.

New Footbridge in Burra almost finished.

X, 865 [2], 2 July 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council, 1 July.

Meeting days are to be 1st Monday and 3rd Saturday in the month henceforth to allow the Mayor to attend at least on the Saturday. Burra Hospital deeds still cannot be found and their loss is to be advertised.

Following his request the Waterworks Engineer’s salary has been increased to £2-8-0 a week.

Waterworks Committee:

Cr Rabbich, Chairman, read a Waterworks report and moved its adoption. 2nd Cr O’Leary. Cr Sampson moved it not be adopted as the committee had not met and it was therefore not a committee report. 2nd Cr Hardy and carried.

Cr Rabbich announced his intention to resign as chairman.

The deed for the Recreation Ground has been received from SAMA.

All hands except the Dayman are to be discharged to try to keep the account in credit till the end of the year as the main roads work was done and the Dayman could catch up on other work.

Cr Hardy called attention to the problem of straying cattle for which ‘even councillors are guilty’.

X, 866, 5 July 1889, page 2

Editorial on the need for setting up some mechanism for the resolution of disputes leading to strike action.

2nd Leader on the need for water rights on the River Murray to be negotiated and the threat to its flow caused by irrigation in NSW & Victoria.

3rd Leader on the need for scientific advances in agricultural and pastoral matters to become more widely known and implemented.

Skating. Interest has waned a little, but tomorrow evening Mr Cowan, the manager, gives an exhibition of speed skating and Davey’s Brass Band attends.

Burra District Council. The results of the elections on 1 July.

King Ward: John Morgan was returned.

Baldina Ward: T. McWaters was returned*

• Page 3 adds that he had a large, but unspecified majority over the late Cr Rogers.

F.W. Holder has been made Treasurer in the new SA Ministry.

Reprint of an article from the Barrier Miner saying inter alia:

‘[We] do not think he has a personal enemy either here or anywhere else.’

‘Those who have watched Mr Holder while occupying the humble position of editor of a not over-flourishing journal the Burra Record cannot but have marked him almost the ideal of the honest man; philanthropic and public spirited; genuine, yet not a canting humbug; unassuming, yet not trading upon that characteristic.’

‘[The] mere fact that he was at the last election returned at the head of the poll; far in advance of two of the most generally popular men of the colony, proves unmistakeably the high esteem in which he is held by those who best know him.’

X, 866, 5 July 1889, page 2-3

Burra Co. VF held its dinner and social at the Commercial Hotel last Wednesday. Lieut. Butterworth presided in the absence of Captain Holder. Over 30 members and friends attended. P. Lane proposed ‘The Parliament and Our Members’, 2nd by Mr J. Cooksley and supported by W.H. Hardy. Col-Sgt Watt was presented with a gold medal from the company for services since its inauguration. The chairman’s remarks were supported by Sgt Anderson, Private Linkson and Private Cooksley. D.S. Packard proposed Capt. Holder and local volunteers. W.T. Rabbich proposed the Town & Trade of Burra.

Note that in the course of his speech P. Lane said that Capt. Holder was constitutionally weak, but Mr Packard added that ‘it was not always the strongest in health that could lead a regiment to victory, but one strong in pluck. He was sure Mr Holder would do his duty if he died in the attempt. He believed him to be a good man. He had shown his pluck, in fact in everything he had shown himself a man.’

G. Parks responded to Mr Rabbich and Mr Pederson supported. W. Killicoat proposed the Mayor & Councillors and Cr Sampson responded, supported by Cr Watt. J. Jordan proposed The Press. T.T. Shortridge responded on behalf of the Adelaide Advertiser and W.H. Hardy & T. Nicholls on behalf of the Burra Record.

It was resolved that the company carry on.

The new footbridge across the Burra Creek [opposite St Joseph’s] is finished.

X, 867, 9 July 1889, page 2

Advt. Burra Literary Soc. Grand Entertainment 12 July concluding with the screaming farce Done Brown.

Advt. A. Catt, Commissioner of Waterworks, calls for applications until noon on 9 July for leases for irrigation land two mile east of the township of Douglas. Leases of 21 years with right of renewal. 1/- per acre per annum and water at 17/- per acre per annum (subject to availability) for entitlement of 543,000 gallons per acre per annum. The works on Baldina Creek and distribution system to be built when 80 acres have been allotted.

Advt. Musical battle tonight in the Salvation Army Barracks.

Editorial on the way the SA press had greeted the no confidence motion in Parliament that had seen the defeat of the Playford Government. In long and convoluted sentences the writer considers the press has become profoundly partisan and degenerate.

2nd Leader on the role of the state in regulating social behaviour. The writer believes it likely that after debate the state will become increasingly involved. ‘We think . . . it is a melancholy fact, that civilization is mostly attained by complication.’

Obituary. Hon. Charles Mann QC, Crown Solicitor, died in Adelaide on Sunday last [16 May aged 51].

Football. A good scratch match was played on Saturday.

Skating. Harry Cowan gave Messrs Pontifex and Britton 5 laps in 30 and in the end won with Cowan 31 laps to Pontifex & Britton 26.

The Southern Cross has replaced the Catholic Monthly and the first issue is to hand comprising 12 pages in 48 columns.

Burra Literary Soc. On 5 July 55 attended for an evening of songs, recitations and musical selections.

World’s End Church. The opening services of the new building were interfered with last month by the heavy rain and were therefore continued on 30 June when Dr J.R. Stephens of Mongolata preached two sermons. The tea meeting on Wednesday was largely attended. John Lane took the chair and described how services began some years ago in the neighbourhood. The expenditure had been about £100, exclusive of some gifts and a large amount of free labour and cash receipts had totalled about £80.

At the meeting Rev. H.T. Burgess undertook to get £6 if the congregation raised the balance there and then. Subscriptions came in till the amount was raised and the church was free of debt.

Larrikinism. What is called a ‘larrikins ball’ was held on Wednesday evening in an old shanty in Thames St and in the early hours some larrikins completely pulled out several newly planted trees along with their supporting stakes. The names of some who attended are known.

X, 867, 9 July 1889, page 3

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. held its 19th meeting at Burra School on Saturday. School represented were:

Baldina Baldina Plains Burra Copperhouse

Friedrichswalde Hallett Saddleworth Sevenhills East

Tothill’s Belt Whyte Yarcowie World’s End Creek

[Since 1918 Friedrichswalde has been Tarnma.]

The new footbridge’s approaches will be sure to go in the first flood.

X, 868, 12 July 1889, page 2

Notice. William Pearse, General Wheelwright, has commenced business in the shop lately occupied by George Anderson. Buggies made to order.

Editorial on the Durham-Chetwynd Turf dispute in England.

2nd Leader on the lack of principle and the small sectional divisions within the SA Parliament.

Skating. The Rink has reduced its operations from 3 to two days a week: Wednesday and Saturday. [Days given page 3.]

Burra Mine. There are 15 to 20 men at work and c. 80 tons of ore were despatched this week with c. 30 tons on the floor, for which no bags are available.

Notice. A Public Meeting is called for next Monday to discuss the question of The Barrier Trade.

J.R. McCleery, formerly with the Bank of Australasia in Burra, has been managing the branch at Walhalla in Victoria and has now been transferred to one in NZ.

‘Progress’ writes about a rumour that the Homestead Blocks to be created from the Hallett-Mt Bryan Stock Road will be larger than 20 acres which would likely result in their being attractive to large farmers and graziers and lead to dummying which the writer says occurred to some extent north of Hallett.

[The editor comments that he believes the rumour to be incorrect.]

X, 868, 12 July 1889, page 3

The ‘Items’ column cryptically informs that there is again competition in the Burra cab business.

Burra Institute half-yearly meeting was held on 8 July. Books on the shelf number 3,118, but many are in a bad condition. Subscribers have fallen from 78 to 73.

Working Men’s Blocks in the District:

Hundred of Kooringa: half the Police Paddock has been surveyed into five blocks and all taken up. The supply is miserably inadequate.

Hundred of Ayers: the area is suburban to Booborowie with good soil and water (at 3-45’), but timber for fencing and firewood is scarce and there is no on site building material.

Hundreds of Kingston and Hallett: blocks are 2-5 miles north of Mt Bryan and 1-5 miles from Hallett on the TSR with good land and water at c. 30’. Fruit, flowers, vines, and vegetables are being grown.

X, 869, 16 July 1889, page 2

Editorial on The Barrier Traffic.

The argument was about improving access from the Barrier to a port in SA to counter any move to have the Barrier traffic directed towards Sydney. The writer thought public feeling favoured a broad gauge railway from Eudunda, Morgan or Burra. He was also in favour of a sliding scale of charges against distance to mitigate the impediment of the change of gauge - accepting the Railway Commissioners claims that the present line could handle three times the present traffic. Still, a uniform gauge line to Broken Hill was an ultimate necessity, but its route should be based on national rather than the local advantage of Pt Adelaide, Pt Pirie, Kapunda, Terowie or Burra.

2nd Leader on the Sale of Poisons: concerned with the number of suicides (and murders?) through the ready availability of ‘rough on rats’ and of flypapers.

Miss Birkett, formerly matron of the Burra Hospital, some time ago went to the Northern Territory and has now been written of in the Northern Territory Times when Ah Lie, who was attacked by an alligator [sic] and required hospital treatment for some months, thanks her and Dr Wood for their attention.

SAR. A deputation has asked that express trains for the north might stop at Tarlee for passengers to Burra - at present they can only stop for passengers for Terowie or beyond. The change is sought to enable passengers from Kapunda, seeking to go to Burra sales, to join the express, as it is the only train that would enable them to do so conveniently. The change has been agreed to.

Rose of Sharon Tent: half-yearly meeting, 11 July.

Receipts £227-6-2, expenditure £186-12-5. Membership 152 + 70 juveniles.

Elections: PCR John Jones, PCR J.T. Walker, CR Maurice Rabbich, DR Samuel Edwards, Secretary C.J. Pearce, Treasurer George Parks.

Burra Literary Soc. The 1st Entertainment of the Society drew a fair attendance to the Institute on Friday evening last. The review suggests a dullness in presentation and lack of life in some performances, which produced a kind of monotony. The farce was far from as amusing as it should have been - still ‘it was not the worst farce we have witnessed’.

[Personal interest: The Alarm, a recitation by Mr Fuss, was rather monotonous from the absence of life and action necessary in good reciting.]

X, 869, 16 July 1889, page 3

Barrier Traffic Public Meeting Burra Institute 15 July.

Cr Pinch took the chair.

Cr W.T. Rabbich was sorry to see trade going to Sydney merchants - it was a mistake to have built a narrow gauge railway in the first place. Without a break of gauge the bullion would have gone to Pt Adelaide.

Cr John Sampson agreed that the narrow gauge line was a mistake. If a broad gauge line were to be built it must have Burra as its starting point. It was ridiculous to suggest it start from Eudunda when it would go through barren country and scrub. He moved the meeting favour a broad gauge line from Burra.

Thomas Kitchen supported his views.

Cr W.H. Hardy thought they were premature. It was going to be a very long time before the SA Government would build a second line to Broken Hill, though no doubt one was needed. The Railway Commissioners thought they could triple the traffic on the present line. He would move a committee of six be appointed as a vigilance committee to watch developments. Supported by J.D. Cave and carried.

[Other proposals were for a third rail to make a dual gauge track from Terowie to Adelaide. A new broad gauge line would have had the problem of the NSW Government being unlikely to approve its being carried beyond the SA-NSW border.]

X, 870, 19 July 1889, page 2

Editorial on The Policies of the Cockburn Government.

For the Blyth to Gladstone railway.

For a new railway station for Adelaide.

For the conversion of the Moonta-Wallaroo tramway for locomotive traffic.

Will consider how best to improve the Barrier trade.

For more Working Men’s Blocks to be laid out.

For the proposal of free education

For an increase in grants to private schools.

2nd Leader on the operations of the Clan-na-Gael in the USA.

X, 870, 19 July 1889, page 3

Trees. The free distribution of trees by the Forest Dept. has been suspended for the year. About 400 trees have been planted in Burra this year.

The Skating Rink’s fancy dress carnival on Wednesday was a success.

A Petition signed by 409 was presented to the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking that the TSR near Burra be allocated at Working Men’s Blocks. He said some land had already been surveyed and other blocks were being surveyed. Care will be taken to preserve sufficient roadway and reserves for travelling stock.

Goats. Over 20 goats were impounded last Tuesday.

X, 871, 23 July 1889, page 2

Editorial on Local court decision in Penola, which empowered the DC to assess cottages occupied by Government employees for rates. The Government lost an appeal and a number of subsequent appeals, with costs against it.

2nd Leader on the Time Payment System for furniture and other items - recognising the benefits to be delivered, but urging caution against sharp practices.

The Skating Rink continues to operate with the Burra Brass Band in attendance.

A Prize Fight apparently took place in the hills to the east of the town last Sunday, which attracted 30-40 young fellows to witness proceedings. We hope such amusement will be curtailed, especially on Sundays.

The Season. The weather continues splendid and crop prospects are excellent.

Burra Joker Silver mining Syndicate met at the Commercial Hotel on Friday. It was resolved to wind up affairs and to offer the plant and equipment by auction. It is anticipated all will be repurchased with a view to recommencing on a larger scale.

The New Footbridge over the creek near the school has been completed, though some work remains to be done on the approaches to make them safer. The cost was met by private subscription, but for £5-£6. The subscriptions will be helped by a concert to be given jointly by the Burra Literary Soc. and the school children next Tuesday 20 July. [This date is presumably an error as the paper was that of 23 July.]

Copper. An enterprise has been formed in Burra to extract copper from the old slagheap. Mr Ralph Bartle has secured a 21-year lease to crush, wash and treat the whole of the stuff. We visited on Friday to see his operations. Mr Bartle is applying to have water laid on and expects to be employing at least 12 men within three months.

W.H. Linkson & Josh. Blott write on behalf of the committee organising the dances in Thames St, objecting to the paper’s designation of them as a ‘larrikins’ ball’ and asserting that the dances are carried out in a thoroughly respectable and unobjectionable style. They challenge the production of names of those involved and say the tree destruction must have occurred after the dance was over.

Salvation Army. J.A. Dix, Salvation Army Captain, writes to stress that reference to an army captain being at the skating rink must not be taken as an indication that any member of the local corps had attended. He seeks to remove any doubt ‘as to whether I or any other member of the army was at such a place as a skating rink - a place where I venture to say no true Christian would ever go.’

The editor points out that it was a fancy dress carnival and the report objected to did not suggest a Salvation Army Captain as the ‘army’ was characterised by several uniforms of the defence forces.

X, 871, 23 July 1889, page 3

The ‘Items’ column carries several suggestive references to the town’s bands:

‘Opposition Bands.’

‘That last tune on Saturday night savoured very much of lager.’

‘Beer and good music won’t mix.’

‘ I say, “Is that a German Band?” “Oh no, that is the reformed Burra Band!” “Oh, I see.”’

[Each reference was separated by a number of other items.]

Burra Town Council, 20 July.

The Mayor, Mr Holder, thanked Council for agreeing to move the meetings to Saturday to suit him. The Council’s financial position was sound. Though the year had begun in debit £192-16-3 the half -year had them still in credit £125-2-0. The Waterworks account was not so healthy with receipts of £239-10-1 and expenditure of £299-3-6, but about £200 of rates is yet to come in. Ralph Bartle has asked for water to be laid on to his leased property near the smelting works. This request was referred for a report from the Waterworks Committee.

‘Baton’ reports on the Burra bandsmen. [The style suggests this might be W.H. Hardy.]

He reports hearing a somewhat erratic practice session somewhere on his peregrinations.

The writer then says he strolled to the No. 2 band at the Institute where they were about to enter and play for the rink so he cannot say more.

The No. 3 band was one concertina, 1 cornet, 1 drum and several timbrels. [Which sounds like the Salvation Army]

It is, he says, silly for a small place like Burra to have two bands: why not do away with animosity and make one good one.

X, 872, 26 July 1889, page 2

The Prizefight. We have since learned it was not really a prizefight, but the result of a squabble the night before. We are still sorry that such an event should take place on Sunday.

Editorial on The Social Aspect of India Under British Rule.

The Chinese Gardeners have produced a 60 lb vegetable marrow.

Miss Adela Knight, daughter of Rev. S. Knight, late of Burra, has qualified in London to practice medicine and surgery and been admitted as a licentiate of the Apothecaries Hall. She did preparatory training at Adelaide University.

X, 872, 26 July 1889, page 3

The Skating Rink was largely attended on Wednesday with several races and Burra Brass Band in attendance. We believe the manager, Mr Cowan, is to be replaced by Mr Stock from Jamestown.

H.R. Harley writes recommending his treatment for a heart condition at the Burra Hospital under Dr Sangster and encouraging others not to fear the hospital as a place of death, by those who have a great antipathy to enter the same.

Redruth Court.

Fines of 1/- + 10/- court costs were imposed on each of:

J. Foy, J. Lewis, the Linkson Bros., Dr Sangster, & F. Gebhardt, for stray cattle in the town.

J.G. Ker was fined the same for a stray goat.

William Short incurred a fine of 1/- + £1 costs for tethering goats in a street.

A. Allen was fined 1/- + 10/- costs for an unregistered dog.

Burra District Council, 19 July.

Local Board of Health: inspection of slaughterhouses.

Austin’s Slaughterhouse, Firewood Creek. Floor joints to be picked up and cemented. Floor to be continued flush with receptacle to carry away blood and water. Drain to be cleared and manure removed. Paunches not to be emptied in the yard or near thereto.

Ford’s Slaughterhouse, Nankivel’s Gully. Fairly clean and fit for the purpose. Nearby pigsty to be paved.

Symon’s Slaughterhouse, Baldina Road. Changes ordered in receptacle for blood. Gutter and floor to be improved. Hole formerly used to water pigs to be filled in level with earth.

Rabbich’s Slaughterhouse, near the railway west of Kooringa. Floor to be taken up and re-laid and properly drained. Putrid bones and manure to be cleared away and no paunches to be emptied there in future. Blind creek nearby with bones, slime and putrid bones to be filled in. Piggery to be cleared of old bones etc.

X, 873, 30 July 1889, page 2

Editorial against the unwarranted court costs of 10/- for each case. The 10/- charge goes to the Government and in the case of JPs hearing cases brought by the Council inspector it pays for neither the JPs nor the prosecution. There is some justification in private cases where the charge deters frivolous prosecutions.

2nd Leader on The Civil Service Commission.

Petty thieves have of late been taking firewood, hams, bacon and other eatables.

The Skating Rink remains well attended on Saturday night.

X, 873, 30 July 1889, page 3

Jessie Reid, daughter of John Reid of Thames St, has been living for some time with her married sister in Broken Hill. She contracted typhoid fever, which led to mania, and she was transferred to the Burra Hospital and thence to Adelaide. [Presumably to the Asylum.] Sadly John Reid was sent to Adelaide the same morning with cancer and a tumour in the face.

Hanson DC ratepayers have agreed to a 1/- in the £ rate at a public meeting at Davieston on 27 July. The Council began the year £100 in debt and intended to wipe it out, but flood damage has meant they will end £60 in debt.

‘Baton’ writes again on the Bandsmen. In a tediously longwinded piece he eventually makes the point that he has since been informed that what he called Band No. 2 is the Burra Band - comprising 9 bandsmen on Saturday night in the hall. Its performance is fairly favourably reviewed.

XI, 874, 2 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the change in attitudes, which is, directing more attention to the needs of the masses, but there is no agreement about such matters. What one party sees as humane and effective, the other condemns as inefficient and illusory and an outrage to respectable feelings.

[As with other editorials this year the internal evidence of this long left wing article, which extends for c. 11⁄3 columns suggests that W.H. Hardy was writing the editorials and leading articles at this time.]

2nd Leader on the SA Parliament asserting that the real work is at a standstill and argument and plot and counter-plot continues ad nauseam without profit to anyone. All is ‘fruitless talk’.

XI, 874, 2 Aug. 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council has offered £5 reward for information leading to a conviction for the destruction of trees in the town. Several large cedar trees in Chapel and Queen Streets have been attacked.

A Concert in the Institute last Tuesday by the State School children and members of the Literary Society was very successful. It was in aid of the new footbridge across the Burra Creek.

[‘Mr C. Fuss did fairly well in a recitation; but a more natural delivery and less effort would have improved matters considerably. There is an old saying, ‘action speaks louder than words;’ it was too apparent in this case.’]

The Burra Brass Band attended and about £9 was raised.

Skating is going bung. [It was being advertised only for Wednesday and Saturday.]

XI, 875, 6 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the Law of Libel and the Liberty of the Press in the light of a recent case against the Naracoorte Herald.

2nd Leader on the Licensed Victualler’s Bill. Most of the article outlines the provisions intended for local option to change the number of licences in an area.

William McWaters, gored by a bull at Baldina on Friday is progressing favourably in the Burra Hospital.

XI, 875, 6 Aug. 1889, page 3

Skating attendance is still falling off. Burra Brass Band attended on Saturday evening.

Letter from ‘Man in the Moon’ commenting on the erection at Hallett of ‘A fine structure forsooth’: a new blacksmith’s shop, which ‘looks well from the window of a railway carriage, that is if the train is travelling very fast’.

Letter from ‘Betty Pentreath’ in supposed Cornish dialect about one of the less appreciated contributors to the recent concert at the Institute. [Probably Mr Davis: the reviewer at the time having said that he could not ‘under any circumstance commend Mr Davis either on his selection of piece or performance. The matter was dry in the extreme, and most uncomfortably long’.]

Burra Town Council, 5 August.

E. Lipsett wrote saying he had no information concerning the Hospital deeds.

£5 reward is offered for their recovery.

The water trough at the railway gate is to be opened.

The question of a road near the smelting works is to be placed in the hands of the Council’s solicitor.

The water main is to be extended to about the smelting works property.

The Institute Floor is going bung.

Burra 22 Years Ago.

Elegant buildings and useful villas did not exist as all lands belonged to SAMA. Payday was monthly and the trigger for horse-riding, hunting, wrestling and considerable blood flowed. Shop accounts were settled. Clothes were rather plain. Roads and footpaths were in a bad condition. Kooringa was a dust hole in summer and a bog hole in winter. Streets were often ankle deep in mud. Commercial St was often impassable due to floodwaters coursing down it. The railway extended only to Kapunda. People migrated to Moonta and Wallaroo. Furniture on wagons was seen leaving each week. But the coming of the railway opened up the country and farmers began to replace squatters and the old mine temporarily re-opened. Saleyards were established: now the largest sheep market in the colony. Since 1876 the Council has spent £11,000 beautifying the town, making roads and footpaths and planting trees and a school, Institute, library and hospital have been provided. Churches and good accommodation is available and there are prospects of irrigation in the near future.

XI, 876, 9 Aug. 1889, page 2

Notice. Tenders called by August Bartholomæus for the purchase of section 2070, Hundred of Kooringa comprising 68 acres, and a bone mill erected thereon.

Notice. Burra Co. VF Compulsory Drill 13 August.

Handicap Rifle Match 14 August.

1st prize a fat sheep over 80 lb weight. 2nd prize a fat lamb.

Editorial on Principles of Social Progress. The writer comments on some of the points raised by the Rev. Hugh Gilmore at the Institute the previous Wednesday, especially concerning education. ‘Education should be regarded as an end in itself to enable and enrich our nature, not merely as a means of making us more valuable for service’.

This is what state education should be about.

Burra Co. VF. The great enthusiasm, which fired the hearts of our young men some four years ago, has died out and now scarcely a dozen can be mustered at drills. At one time there were almost 100.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary Services 4 & 7 August. Rev. S. Wellington of Norwood officiated on Sunday and Rev. Hugh Gilmore on Wednesday afternoon. The tea was numerously attended. Wheatley’s Brass Band attended. Proceeds were £24-7-6 and subscriptions toward reducing the debt were £37.

Letter from ‘Quiz’ calls on a recent critic of the town’s bandsmen under the name ‘Baton’ to come forth and reveal himself and take up the task of leading the bands and amending their faults.

XI, 876, 9 Aug. 1889, page 3

Rev. Hugh Gilmore’s address on ‘The Principles of Social Progress’ is reported in 11⁄2 columns.

No Skating rink on Wednesday night.

Jubilee Avenue footway is being opened.

XI, 877, 13 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial: ‘Charity Begins at Home’ - aimed mainly at suggesting that it was time Broken Hill looked after its own cases of typhoid instead of sending them to SA (And specifically to Burra), but also cases of lunacy which are sent from Broken Hill to Adelaide

2nd Leader on other aspects of Rev. Hugh Gilmore’s ‘Principles of Social Progress’. The writer takes a position as a socialist, arguing against the sacred rights of property.

The Skating Rink. We understand this will be the last week of the rink at the Institute. There will be an interesting exhibition by Mr Stock the champion fast skater of the colony, tomorrow and the Burra Brass Band will play during the evening.

Fire Bricks. Why is it that someone does not utilise the chalk cliffs east of Burra where it is known excellent fireclay exists?

Rev. William Williams, of the Wesleyan Church, Sandhurst, Victoria, and son of Mr Solomon Williams of Burra, has been elected to the Linnean Society of London. He was a former pupil of Dr J.R. Stephens.

XI, 877, 13 Aug. 1889, page 3

Letter from Will. J. Davey who says he is willing to discuss matters regarding the Burra bands at any time. He continues to believe that having two brass bands in the town is absurd and the petty jealousies between the two should be done away with and the two amalgamate into a single friendly body.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich expressing his pleasure that the Government intends to go on with the Baldina irrigation works according to a recent report in the Record.

Letter from ‘Hallett Correspondent’ disagreeing with the evaluation of the new blacksmith’s shop at Hallett by ‘Man in the Moon’ and taking offence at the same.

Article by C. Fuss in the Literary Star, the journal of the Burra Literary Society. He urges that irrigation schemes should be carried out by private enterprise rather than by the Government because their own interests would be at stake, more economy would be exercised and the management would be better. The pressure from all over the colony for a multiplicity of Government projects could result in scheme after scheme and an overproduction. It will, he says; never pay to irrigate our dry hundreds to produce wheat.

‘Propriety’ writes, also in the Literary Star on the question of whether Christy Minstrel Entertainments are desirable. On the one hand participants do so from pure motives: they would not otherwise adopt such ridiculous costume and outrage modern ideas of propriety. It is desirable to entertain the audience, but the writer deprecates the mode adopted to achieve that end. The writer continues to comment on the bad effects of coarse vulgarisms, slang and the vulgarity of the costume and actions, which cannot have an ennobling influence either on oneself or others.

[It is worth noting that among the objections there is no mention of the racial stereotypes and racial slurs that to a modern critic would presumably be at the forefront of objections.]

The Jubilee Avenue footway is now open.

The Chinamen are growing some fine vegetables: better than those sent from Adelaide.

[Probably ‘the Chinamen’ referred to were Sing & Fat with a garden in The Paddock between Kingston and Quarry Streets. See article XI, 912, 13 Dec. 1889, p.2]

XI, 878, 16 Aug. 1889, page 2

Marriage. 10 Aug. at the residence of F. Gebhardt. William Frederick Gebhardt, eldest son of F. Gebhardt married Mary Wilton, eldest daughter of Mr J.F. Wilton of Thebarton.

Advt. The Skating Rink. Mr H. Cowan is compelled by ill health to resign his management of the Provincial Elite Skating Rink. There will be a farewell benefit Grand Fancy & Evening Dress Carnival, including a Frog Race, Boys’ Race, Beginners’ Race etc. Davey’s Brass Band will attend.

Editorial on Mr Mattinson MP’s introduction of an Eight Hour Bill, aiming to limit work to eight hours a day. The Bill is however a farce. Most men mentioned in the Bill are recognised as having an eight-hour working day and it seems ridiculous to try to limit farm labourers to an eight-hour day. We think the restrictions as to the limit are best left to the workers themselves. In unity is strength. The men have the power in their own hands.

2nd Leader on a correspondent, who has attacked the arguments of the Rev. Hugh Gilmore, but in an abusive fashion, which we cannot therefore publish, but one point raised, we will consider. That is he complains about preaching interfering in politics. We believe a preacher is doing his duty when speaking and working for the people’s good. Jeremiah did it and John the Baptist. Is a preacher to stand silent whilst scoundrels and thieves fall upon his fellow creatures?

Redruth Post Office. During the two years ending on 31 Dec. 1888, 43,566 letters and 2345 packets and 7707 newspapers passed through the Redruth P.O.

Burra Literary Soc. met at the Temperance Hotel on Friday and the evening took the form of a ‘Question Box Lecture’.

Burra Co. VF. A rifle match was fired on the range on Wednesday last. There were 14 entries, but it was too windy for high scores. Col. Sgt Watt 1st, Cpl J. Cooksley 2nd, Pte W.T. Rabbich 3rd.

Burra Mine. There are still c. 20 working on tribute at the mine and we believe they are doing fairly well. The slagheap enterprise is still underway and the lessee believes when all is in order it will pay a good %.

Burra Mine. A reprint of an article from the Mount Barker Courier on the origins of the mine and its success in financial terms.

Letter from H.R. Harley endorsing W.J. Davey’s idea that the two Burra bands should merge.

Letter from Henry Hancock, the new Hallett blacksmith, writing to defend his new premises against any tendency to fall down and protesting against ‘Man in the Moon’s’ attempt to damage his business.

Rev. H.T. Burgess gave the first lecture in a planned series on Tuesday evening: The Land we Live in: Its Romantic Past. There were also musical items. The address concerned itself with the explorers, the convicts, the gold and copper discoveries and then the first selectors.

Court Unity AOF celebrated its 30th anniversary at Vivian’s Commercial Hotel last Wednesday. The toasts and speeches are reported in 1 column.

[Brief note] Goodbye ye skaters. [So presumably the rink has now closed.]

XI, 879, 20 Aug. 1889, page 2

Notice. W. Pearce, General Wheelwright, has commenced business in the shop formerly used by Messrs Harry & Burns in Commercial St. Buggies made to order.

Editorial on Bimetallism.

2nd Leader on the need for all to enrol to vote.

Notice. The Bishop of Adelaide, Dr Kennion, will conduct a Confirmation Service at St Mary’s on Tuesday 27 August.

Apoinga. Land for selection will be gazetted in 2 or 3 weeks.

Burra Joker S[ilver] M[ine] Syndicate was wound up voluntarily a few weeks ago. A meeting of those desirous of carrying on was held at the Commercial Hotel on Friday. The directors appointed were: Messrs Sandland, Watt, O’Leary, Williams, Kitchen, Bagg and Vivian with G. Parks as secretary.

Sara & Dunstan of Argent St Broken Hill have installed gas lighting in the Broken Hill Wesleyan Church. A twenty-light star is in the centre of the building, sides and rear are illuminated by eight-light stars and there are six-light stars in the choir gallery.

Burra Mine. A few men are still working and earning wages. The lessee of the smelting works says he will treat the slag as soon as water is laid on and when stamping and jigging machinery arrives. Within three months he hopes to have a dozen boys at work.

XI, 879, 20 Aug. 1889, page 3

Skating. Last night a fancy dress skating carnival was held as a farewell benefit to Mr Harry Cowan who has managed the rink for the Elite Skating Co. who have decided to close their season here.

Letter from H.R. Harley denying gossip that he was influenced by Mr Davey or one of his band when he wrote to suggest it would be better if the town’s two bands united.

Burra Town Council. 17 August.

Cr Hardy moved the meter be removed from the standpipe in Market Square as it was not used and from the sheep yards, which had not been used since Messrs Goodchild, Duff & Co., left.

Cr Rabbich 2nd: one of the 2” meters could go to the smelting works where it was needed.

Cr O’Leary moved an amendment that the one in the sheep yards be moved and the other remain. Carried.

The Commissioner of Public Works to be urged to commence at once on the Baldina Irrigation Works.

Cr Hardy moved that the new road through the workingmen’s blocks at Redruth be opened and the approach at the east end made good. Carried. [This would seem to refer to the road running east-west to Hampton, just north of the jail.]

XI, 880, 23 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial on ‘the tares of vanity and illicit indulgence are allowed to grow rank and frequent’.

2nd Leader on the budget speech of the Cockburn Government.

Tree Planting has seen over 400 trees added to the streets and reserves in Burra this year.

Rifle Match last Wednesday over 200 & 300 yards.

Pte Bentley 1st, Pte Rabbich 2nd and Pte Cooksley 3rd.

XI, 880, 23 Aug. 1889, page 3

Rev. H.T. Burgess last Tuesday gave the second of his addresses: The Land We Live In: Its Attractive and Wonderful Present. The weather was inclement and the attendance therefore only fair.

The Dog Poisoner is again active. [And judging from a line in the ‘Sparks’ column got one of Cr Rabbich’s dogs]

Mrs Gully fined 2/6 for not sending children to school.

XI, 881, 27 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Assisted Immigration and Female Domestic Servants. Also on the problems with female domestics due principally to:

‘mothers . . . seem quite unable to teach their girls household duties’

‘Parents do not teach their children domestic duties as formerly’

‘so many mistresses are entrusted with servants, who are utterly unfitted and incompetent to manage them.’

2nd Leader on the case in England of Mrs Maybrick who was accused of poisoning her husband.

XI, 881, 27 Aug. 1889, page 3

Workingmen’s Blocks at Davieston and Hanson were gazetted last Thursday.

D.S. Packard has grown a huge cabbage in his garden near the smelting works: 2’11” in diameter (8’9”in circumference)

Obituary. Henry Young, third son of Thomas Young of Kooringa, died on 25 August. He served his apprenticeship with the Burra Record and then went to work in Victoria. When he took ill he returned to Burra some months ago. [Aged 23. Born Henery Hawkins Checcucci Young 9 May 1866.]]

Obituary. W.H. Batchelor [William Henry] has died aged 59. We understand he left Portsmouth, England 35 years ago and came to Burra where he worked at the mine as a painter etc. After some time he began in business in Commercial St.

[He dealt in a wide range of articles: fancy goods, musical instruments, toys, dolls, books, stationery, brushware, paints, varnishes and paperhangings.] He was an active member of the Masonic and Oddfellows Lodges and was for a time a Town Councillor. He leaves a widow, two sons, one married daughter and two single daughters. [Died 25 August, aged 59.]

‘Sparks’ column reports ‘Dog poisoning extraordinary’.

XI, 882, 30 Aug. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Railway Axles.

2nd Leader on bad eyesight and poorly lit schools and suggesting also the testing of the hearing of children who appear backward in schools.

Charles Drew announces his intention of presenting the picture ‘The Pinch of Poverty’, which has been on view at the Royal Academy, to the Adelaide Art Gallery.

XI, 882, 30 Aug. 1889, page 3

SA Government has received advice against building a fort at Glenelg. The guns ordered can be sold or placed in one of the present forts.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday, 23 Aug. 35 members attended.

Grace Everett has been charged with the theft of a large basket of washing from the home of Charles Schutz. The basket and clothes were found in her house.

J.D. Stuart of the Bank of Australasia has been moved to Adelaide. He was given a farewell social at the Commercial Hotel last Monday.

St Mary’s. Dr Kennion, Bishop of Adelaide, held a well-attended confirmation service on 27 August.

Col. Sgt Watt has scored 2nd at a rifle match at Pt Adelaide.

XI, 883, 3 Sep. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the advance of civilization in the nineteenth century and the rise of philanthropy.

2nd Leader on Bimetallism.

XI, 883, 3 Sep. 1889, page 2-3

Mr C. Drew has purchased the ‘Pinch of Poverty’ for the Adelaide Gallery.

XI, 883, 3 Sep. 1889, page 3

Mrs Grace Everett received six months in the Redruth Gaol for the admitted theft of clothes etc. from the residence of Charles Schutz.

Mr H.C.E. Müggee was presented with a watch at a social at the bon Accord Hotel on 31 August on the occasion of his leaving Burra for Adelaide.

Bible Christian special services were held last Sunday and Monday. Mrs O. Lake officiated morning and evening and Rev. T.M. Rowe (Wesleyan) in the afternoon. Proceeds were a little over £40.

Theft. On Friday night last a thief stole 3/6 from the Royal Exchange Hotel and also broke into the Burra Hotel, though nothing was missed from there. An old offender called Maroney has been taken into custody.

WCTU met at the Bible Christian Church on Friday with Mrs Burgess, President, in the chair. Mrs Lake gave an address on the work of the Union in the USA.

Rifle Match on Monday.

200 & 300 yds. Sgt Anderson 1st, Mr Field 2nd, Col. Sgt Watt 3rd.

400 & 500 yds. Lieut. Butterworth 1st, Pte C. Parks 2nd, Pte Hardy 3rd.

1,000 yds. Pte Hardy 1st, Sgt Anderson 2nd, Lieut. Butterworth 3rd.

Football. Norwood came to play a combined northern team, but on the day Burra had to find all but one man from Auburn and one from Pt Pirie. The visitors were entertained at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening and on Monday at 1.30 p.m. F.W. Holder MP welcomed them to the ground.

At half time Norwood 6.7 led Northern/Burra 6.7 and at full time

Norwood 10.13 (73) had defeated Northern/Burra 2.3 (15)

Rev. T.H. Burgess gave his third address on Thursday: The Land We Live In: Its Illustrious Future. There was a small audience at the Institute.

XI, 884, 6 Sep. 1889, page 2

Editorial on The Gospel of Wealth v. Labour.

The writer takes issue with Mr Andrew Carnegie’s argument on the nature of Capitalism in an article running for three columns.

XI, 884, 6 Sep. 1889, page 3

St Mary’s Bazaar and Fancy Fair was opened on Wednesday last by the Mayor, Hon. F.W. Holder MP and it was a great success, raising c. £90 on day one and over £102 on the second day. It is open again today.

Broken Hill Railway. The NSW Government has refused to allow a 5’3” gauge line to be laid to Broken Hill. The SA Government will now consider laying a third rail from Terowie to Port Adelaide. [Which would have allowed narrow gauge traffic an uninterrupted run from Broken Hill to Port Adelaide. It was never constructed.]

Burra Town Council, 3 Sep.

Waterworks Dept. asked for payment of the half-yearly rent on the Burra Waterworks of £212-13-0. Payment approved.

Before a road can be opened near the Smelting Works a survey will be needed. Cr. Hardy moved the matter be delayed six months due to a shortage of funds. Carried.

Cr Sampson moved the removal of the standpipe and meter in Market Square and that they get credit for the same from the Waterworks Dept.

Cr Hardy moved as an amendment that it be left until a report on it was received from the Waterworks Committee. Not 2nd.

Cr Watt moved as an amendment that it stand over until the Waterworks Dept. advise the price, should it be done. Carried.

Cr Hardy moved a turnstile be erected at one of the gateways to the Recreation Ground, which was presently kept locked. Many would prefer to walk there on a Sunday than to go to the cemetery. The turnstile would admit people, but keep out horses and cattle. Cr Watt 2nd.

Cr Sampson moved as an amendment that the gates be locked and the Town Clerk hold the keys because the Park Lands account could not afford the cost. After lengthy discussion, especially from Cr Hardy, the original motion was carried.

Mr Geake’s offer to light the Market Square lamp for 3 months for 15/- was accepted.

Trifle! Somewhat cryptic remarks in the ‘Sparks’ column, extending for several weeks suggest that there was a debate in the town over whether members of the Rechabite Lodge [i.e. Teetotallers] could legitimately consume a trifle for dessert at a dinner.

‘Sparks’ ‘That skating king jewed the printer.’

[This presumably suggests that Mr H. Cowan left town without paying his advertising bill with the newspaper.]

XI, 885, 10 Sep. 1889, page 2

Obituary. David Cameron, aged 29, a journalist of the Kapunda Herald and son of Robert Cameron JP of Kapunda, has died. [Registered as 7 September 1889. Born David McIntosh Cameron 3 August 1860]

Editorial on The Town Assessment.

It has been decided to revise the assessment rather than make a new one and the writer agrees with this as a new one may be necessitated when the new Municipal Corporations Act, now before Parliament, is passed allowing for rates to be based on unimproved land values - a system which the writer saw as much fairer. They have also decided to add to tax paying properties those of the private residences of Government employees - a move endorsed by the writer.

2nd Leader on The London Dock Strike.

Burra Show Soc. The editor calls on men of progress to resuscitate the Burra Show Society.

Rev. H.T. Burgess, who was a competitor in a recent essay competition in England in which there were 203 competitors, came 5th. He should have been 2nd, but the judges abandoned their own rules regarding proper length after awarding the first prize.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary was to be held last Sunday and Monday. Rev. J.Y. Simpson preached on Sunday, but rains caused the postponement of the tea meeting till tomorrow.

XI, 885, 10 Sep. 1889, page 3

Kooringa Band of hope continues to meet monthly.

‘Burra Elector’ writes concerning W.B. Rounsevell’s indecision about whether to stand again for Burra or to move to Port Adelaide. If he finally decides on Burra and other good local candidates come forward he deserves to find the going hard, as in the writer’s view Burra has too often been represented by city men.

St Mary’s Church Fair was opened by Hon. F.W. Holder MP last Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Wayland in introducing Holder explained the object of the fair thus:

Five years ago the church debt was £825. This had been loaned without interest and the principal would fall due at the end of next month. Messrs Gebhardt and W.P. Barker had cancelled debts owed to them of £50 each and P.L. Killicoat had dealt the same way with one of £25. The church now needed £150 to cancel all debt including the bank overdraft. Mr Holder commended the congregation for raising in all the cost of the church over 10 years of £3,300. The total takings over the three days of the fair were £305.

XI, 886, 13 Sep. 1889, page 2

Notice. Tenders are called for construction of a stationmaster’s house, signal office and passenger platform at Davieston.

Notice. Tenders are called for plaining [sic] the floor of the Burra Institute, repairs of windows and for painting, graining and varnishing the front door and windows.

Advt. C. & A. Fuss, Carpenters, Builders etc. have opened their new shop at Aberdeen. All kinds of building materials supplied.

Editorial on Our Farm Crops. Discusses a lecture by Professor Lowrie at Gawler advocating the use of manure.

2nd Leader on a shocking case of an elderly couple living in appallingly filthy circumstances in the town. The man was totally incapacitated by cancer eating away his face and the wife was suffering from dementia. The writer says the Local Board of Health was justified in intervening in the people’s privacy as they were beyond helping themselves. The man has been sent to Adelaide Hospital and the woman to the Destitute Asylum. [The final paragraph makes it seem doubtful that they stayed in Adelaide.]

3rd Leader on the new Church of England Primate: Rev. W.S. Smith.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday and the tea meeting was postponed from Monday to Wednesday on account of heavy rain. F.W. Holder took the chair. The church debt had been reduced by £107 during the year. Mr Davey’s Brass Band rendered service and the anniversary raised some £85.

XI, 886, 13 Sep. 1889, page 3

Fire Bricks. Some months ago we advocated a firebrick industry using fire clay from Chalk Cliffs to the east of Burra. Now a syndicate of a few gentlemen have obtained a lease and intend to set up a business. The land is close to the railway.

[This seems confused unless it suggests a kiln near the railway as distinct from the source of clay which was east of the town and therefore not near the railway.]

Letter from ‘Eye Witness’ complaining that the role of the band at the recent Fancy Fair was not acknowledged in the paper and secondly complaining that the band had been given special admission only tickets in place of tickets that could have been exchanged for goods to the same value.

Letter from C.H. Wilkes defending the Amalgamated Shearers’ Union against a charge that an employer cannot dismiss a shearer. All they ask is that a dismissed man be fully paid for the work he has done and that men be allowed to be engaged without involving an agent.

Local Board of Health. The town was inspected last Wednesday following complaints about unsatisfactory work by the scavenger. Aberdeen, Redruth, Hampton and Kooringa were visited. The town was found to be in good order generally. One house in Hampton was found to be substandard despite repeated notices and the occupant was warned that unless ordinary cleanliness was enforced legal remedy would follow. In Kooringa a man and woman named Reed were found living in sheer corruption and filth. [The matter already noted above.] The Board found the work of the scavenger to be quite satisfactory.

Jack the Ripper has struck again in Whitechapel.

Burra Cricket Club AGM at Burra Hotel last Wednesday.

The club books have gone missing and the previous secretary has left the town. Those present decided on a clean start. Elected:

Hon. Sec. & Treasurer W.H. Linkson

Patrons F.W. Holder MP & W.B. Rounsevell MP

President P.L. Killicoat

Various Vice Presidents

Captain George Parks

Vice Captain Mr Witby [possibly Wittby?]

There are 27 members and the first match will be v. the Muffs next Wednesday.

‘Sparks’ Column reports ‘Look out for your dogs.’

‘Poor Spanker’

‘Dog poisoning extraordinary’

‘People’s dogs are being poisoned on the chain.’

‘If that idiot could only be found out he would poison no more dogs for a few days.’

The Wesleyan Anniversary raised nearly £100.

Tower Bridge is to be erected in London at a cost of nearly £500,000.

XI, 887, 17 Sep. 1889, page 2

Advt. Grand Promenade Concert by Davey’s Brass Band Saturday evening 21 Sep. in Market Square under the patronage of the Mayor and Councillors. Conductor W.J. Davey, Leader J. Davey.

Editorial on the great gambling craze that has attached itself to the sculling championship of the world. Huge sums were being waged on the outcome.

‘evidence that betting and gambling are very largely on the increase, and is, we grieve to say, abundant, disastrous and almost universal.’

2nd Leader on the London Dock Strike, which had just ended with a victory for labour.

3rd Leader accusing the Adelaide press of being indecently interested in such foul stuff as the Anderson divorce case. Beastly actions and corrupt specimens of humanity should be exposed, but we object ‘to chronicle in detail the filthy modus operandi of the beasts in question’.

4th Leader on the immorality of creating and sustaining the working poor and a class of women who ‘live on weak tea and bread and work fifteen hours a day for wages which men will not accept’.

Rabbits are becoming a serious pest to the east and at Paratoo and Nackara. Should they increase they will do much damage when the wheat ripens.

Cricket. Correction re the books of the club. The previous secretary, who has left the town, left everything in a satisfactory state, and it was Mr Parks who has mislaid the books.

XI, 887, 17 Sep. 1889, page 3

Cricket. Tomorrow Davey’s Brass Band will attend the opening of the season when 11 of the Burra Club will play 18 of the Muffs Club.

Promenade Band Concert. W.J. Davey, who has returned recently after an absence of three years, will conduct.

Mr Rounsevell, it is rumoured, is going to contest the seat of Port Adelaide at the next election after being our member for fifteen years. A Terowie writer is urging his retention as a reliable and trustworthy member of great ability and industry.

Letter from G. Parks correcting the impression of carelessness (or worse) on the part of the former cricket club secretary. [As noted above.]

Letter from Morris Rayner explaining that a few gentlemen have been trying for some eight months off and on to get the fire-brick business going and have secured a lease on the clay and are negotiating for premises on which to conduct the new business.

J.I. Sangster wrote clarifying the matter of tickets for the band at St Mary’s Bazaar. He says that the tickets referred to were for the first day only and for that day tickets refundable in goods were not issued. The vote of thanks to all who assisted was certainly intended to include the band and the committee regretted any feeling they may have had of not being acknowledged.

Local Board of Health met last Saturday to consider the case of John Reed and his wife. Mr John Sampson explained the matter was urgent. The couple could not go on living in such a manner, as it was dangerous to neighbours and themselves. His evidence was corroborated by Messrs O’Leary, Watt, Rabbich and W. Hardy. Both Reed and his wife had been sent to Adelaide Hospital, but had found their way back. Notice was given to the property owner to clean it up and steps will be taken at once to get Mr Reed to Adelaide Hospital and Mrs Reed to the Destitute Asylum.

XI, 888, 20 Sep. 1889, page 2

Notice. Thomas Hicks apologises to T.P. Halls, cab proprietor, for having assaulted him without cause on 14 September at the Burra Railway Station. [Signed with a cross]

Editorial on Ireland and the Irish.

2nd Leader on ‘Is Consumption Contagious?’ Explaining how tuberculosis is spread and outlining some precautions to limit its dissemination.

3rd Leader on free trade and protection.

Oodla Wirra Mine. The Inspector of Mines says operations there should be limited to quarrying flux.

Miss Coglin was thrown from her horse near Mr Lewis’s when it bolted yesterday.

Waukaringa. Silver is reported discovered there.

XI, 888, 20 Sep. 1889, page 3

Letter from E.W. of Hallett expounding some interesting theories on meteorology.

XI, 889, 24 Sep. 1889, page 2

Notice. Miss J. McBride intends to open a school for painting and fancy work at Mrs McLagan’s, Aberdeen, Monday & Friday, 3-4 o’clock.

Editorial on Negative and Positive Politics: Liberals and Conservatives.

2nd Leader on the Barrier Railway Question.

A petition of 1000 signatures was presented to Parliament arguing against any moves to direct more of the Barrier traffic away from Port Pirie and to Port Adelaide, which already had preferential freight costs to put it on a parity with Port Pirie. Adelaide already had too great a concentration of the colony’s population. A direct line from Morgan, Eudunda, or Burra to Broken Hill should not be contemplated. If the present line were inadequate a better answer would be a line from Carrieton to Manna Hill or Winnininnie to take advantage of Port Augusta. The writer urged an end to the break of gauge and dismisses Port Augusta as a ridiculous place for a major port.

XI, 889, 24 Sep. 1889, page 3

The Season. Wheat at Baldina and Mongolata is looking very good with many crops over 4’ high.

Burra Co. VF is to have its annual inspection by Major-General Downes tomorrow.

Burra Town Council, 21 Sep.

Burra School Board of Advice has erected a footbridge over Burra Creek for over £30 and wished the Council to assume responsibility for it. Cr Rabbich so moved, but was not 2nd.

Turnstile to be erected at the oval gate. Moved by Cr Watt, but held over on Cr Sampson’s amendment.

Mr Bartle [of the Smelting Works] is to be charged 3/- per 1,000 gallons until the costs of connecting the water be recovered and then 2/-.

Band Concert. On Saturday evening the band appeared for the first time under its new conductor, W.J. Davey, who comes fresh from the Launceston City Band. The band played on a trolly in Market Square. The Mayor opened proceedings. The concert is most favourably reviewed. About 500 attended.

Poison has claimed more dogs.

Burra Hospital deeds have now been found. Burra Corporation is the trustee.

Cricket. The Muff cricketers are about to form a club.

XI, 890, 27 Sep. 1889, page 2

Advt. Institute, 7 Oct. Vocal and Instrumental Concert featuring the Blind Performers from the Industrial School for the Blind.

Advt. Davey’s Burra Band will play at Redruth on Wednesday evening 2 Oct. at 7.25 p.m. in the reserve near the German Chapel. T. Halls will run a cab for 4d return.

Editorial on the moral aspects of the Great Labour Question. [Following strikes in London.]

Mr William Hayes, formerly of Monld, a butcher, is wanted by Messrs W. Tyler & MacKenzie of Liverpool, Solicitors. He sailed to Australia in 1855 in the Kooringa and was heard of from Burra Burra SA in 1856. [Since Mold is not far from Chester and that in turn not so far from Liverpool Monld seems likely to be a misprint.]

Burra Literary Soc. held a musical and elocution meeting on 20 Sep. when over 50 members attended.

Larrikins interfered with Mr Packard’s buggy at the Smelting Works the other day, removing wheels caps etc.

S. Drew & Co. are doing well at Broken Hill.

Burra Smelting Works. Mr Bartle has begun treating the slag. He is busy pounding and washing and has forwarded a fair amount to Adelaide. Many say it will pay, but as many are sceptical. If successful it could employ 20-30 men for a number of years.

XI, 890, 27 Sep. 1889, page 3

Mr Charles Drew has purchased the painting ‘The Pinch of Poverty’ which had a catalogue price of £316 at the Royal Academy in London.

Rev. H.T. Burgess entertained a well-filled Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday last with a question box lecture. Some 70 questions were posed on a wide range of subjects.

St Mary’s Special Vestry Meeting, 23 Sep.

The recent Fancy Fair had raised over £305 and expenses were less than £20. W. Killicoat had donated £25 and W.P. Barker £50. This sum will pay off the church debt and overdraft and general working debt and leave a credit balance. £25 was voted to the incumbent whose salary had to be cut last Easter.

Burra Co. VF. The annual Inspection last Wednesday saw Lieut. Butterworth in command in the absence of Capt. Holder. Only 26 were present showing the reduction in the population. Drilling and action had deteriorated over the year. Maj.-Gen. Downes encouraged the men and regretted the need for Capt. Holder to give up command.

Letter from ‘A Believer in Evolution’ seeking to reconcile belief in creation and evolution.

Letter from ‘Stumbler’ disagreeing with Rev. Burgess that the greater fault lay with the buyer of liquor than with the seller. The tempter surely is worse. He also asks if liquor sellers can hold office in their church.

Broken Hill train now has sleeping cars.

XI, 891, 1 Oct. 1889, page 2

Advt. Salvation Army, 3 Oct. Farewell for Major Dean. A Great Hallelujah Go.

Editorial on the modern labourer and the ostentatious consumption of the rich.

2nd Leader on the signs for a bumper harvest in SA.

3rd Leader on the local dog poisoner and other act of local scoundrelism:

poisoned dogs

destroyed trees

broken gates, locks etc.

removal of caps from buggy wheels

other damage to vehicles

Burra Co. VF. Members are reminded of the battalion drill to be held in Auburn next Monday. Local drills of course continue.

The Mayoralty. Mr Holder cannot recontest the election due to other commitments and Mr Pinch has been approached, but has declined.

Cricket. Burra Cricket Club met at the Commercial Hotel on Friday to arrange the coming season.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. The local auxiliary annual meeting was held on Friday in the Institute. Here was a small attendance with Dr Sangster in the chair. The deputation was Rev. G. Davidson. Dr Sangster was elected President with Dr Brummitt as Vice President, P. Lane is treasurer and W. Davey the Hon. Sec.

Empty Shops are plentiful in Market Square.

The Burra Hills: a half column article urges people to become more appreciative of local scenery.

XI, 892, 4 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial marking six years since the paper began being printed twice a week.

2nd Leader arguing for the unimproved land value as the basis for the rating system.

3rd Leader on strikes and the workers’ demands for fair wages.

Rabbits are in pest proportions to the northeast.

Fire. The Wonna provisional school was destroyed by fire last Tuesday. It was a totally wooden structure.

Davey’s Burra Band concert at Redruth on 21 Sep. was well attended and much appreciated.

Burra Mine. Several men are still working at the old mine and at the smelting works. The floor of the old works is being washed and jigged. All the men say they are making a living.

Burra Literary Soc. held a social in the old German Chapel at Redruth on Thursday evening last. Over 50 members sat down to a spread and there were toasts and speeches to celebrate the six months since the inauguration of the society. Membership is now c. 70.

XI, 892, 4 Oct. 1889, page 3

Letter from H.R. Harley complimenting Davey’s Burra Band on their recent performances and calling for performances in summer at the oval where acoustics are better than in Market Square.

Crops from Hallett to Terowie and out to Wonna have been mown down by frost and farmers there will have to depend on new growth. [Details next issue.]

T. Warnes of Koomooloo got the highest prices for wool at Adelaide sales last week.

[This was corrected the next issue: Elder, Smith & Co. got 93⁄4d to Mr Warnes’s 91⁄8d.]

XI, 893, 8 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the payment of members of the NSW Parliament.

2nd Leader on Protectionism in NSW & Victoria.

Burra Co. VF. Important drills coming up: the only chance to achieve ‘efficient’ members this year.

Obituary. Mr Henry Roach, late Captain of the Burra Mine died at North Adelaide on 6 August, aged 80.

Municipal Elections. So far Mr Lane is being asked to stand for the Mayoralty.

North Ward W.H. Linkson

East Ward George Parks

West Ward Thomas Kitchen

We believe there will be a contest in each ward.

Crops. The report of frost damage to crops in Wonna and near Terowie is denied by locals.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. 20th meeting was held on Saturday 5 Oct. at Burra. Schools represented: Baldina, Baldina Plains, Burra, Copperhouse, Hallett, Hanson, Leighton, Manoora, Saddleworth, Terowie, Tothill’s Belt, Ulooloo, Wonna & World’s End Creek.

John Moroney, who was recently charged with stealing money from the Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen, was tried in Adelaide on Thursday and found guilty by a jury. The judge sentenced him to six years, taking into account five previous convictions.

A Bunyip has been reported in a lagoon on the Murray Flats east of Truro.

A Bolt. The horses in a buggy driven by Mr Philip Oates bolted down Flagstaff Hill on Friday morning and the vehicle was smashed when they tried to turn into the road towards Copperhouse. Mr Oates had his left thigh badly torn and his older daughter dislocated a hip. The younger daughter escaped unhurt. The horses, now with only the pole, were caught at Copperhouse.

Douglas. Land north of Douglas is to be surveyed and leased.

Letter from ‘Believer in Justice’ complaining of the expenses and inconvenience in a recent case that went to appeal when it was plain to all the original judgement was flawed. He wondered at the probity of some JP’s or at least the etiquette of men with sheep to shear sitting on cases involving shearing contracts.

Crops. Article of over one column describing crops from Jamestown to Adelaide via Petersburg. The crops from Petersburg to Burra are very good, but to the east of Terowie rabbits look like making havoc with the crops. Burra is reported to be dull with several businesses at both ends of the town closed up. Mining matters are limited to about 12 tributers just making a living. Though there is a party at work at the old slagheap with a 21-year lease our informant doubted they were making money. To the east the activities at the Black Hills have ceased and the Joker property is being worked, but so far with no result. Nothing is being done yet with the fire clay despite much talk. To Farrell’s Flat it is mostly sheep grazing.

Migration. In August 337 more people left SA than arrived.

The Industrial School for the Blind concert last night was well attended, and is favourably reviewed.

XI, 894, 11 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Farmers and the Single Tax Question.

2nd Leader on the death penalty for a man named Landells, convicted in Victoria of murder.

3rd Leader on the suspension of Mr John Roach, stockbroker, from trading on the Adelaide Stock Exchange, for reasons which the editor says he fails to understand.

A Ball was held in the Institute last Tuesday. Dancing continued till about 3 a.m.

Crops. A Wonna farmer reports his own crops were cut by frost and many others between Wonna and Terowie, but the wheat that escaped had done very well and the affected wheat is also coming on well.

Accident. Fred Snell, son of John Snell of the Burra Labour Office, was taking four shearers to Gum Creek on Tuesday when the pole broke on Shafton and Snell was rendered unconscious. The shearers escaped injury.

XI, 894, 11 Oct. 1889, page 3

Redruth Court, 9 Oct.

James Alfred Glasson sued Nelson for assault. Both were cab drivers and Nelson (Working for T.P. Halls) tried to take a portmanteau from Glasson and so gain a passenger at the Burra Railway Station, then grabbed him by the neck and threw him down. Nelson took 14 days jail rather than pay the £2-9-1 fine and costs.

Letter from ‘Science’ on Evolution and Creation.

Letter from ‘Horse Admirer’ against the cruelty in tying a horse up outside the Burra Hotel from 10 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. on the 13th instant.

Burra Town Council, 7 Oct.

Deputations. The Burra Cricket Club requested an understanding re the use of the oval and the AOF sought terms for its use for a picnic.

The Baldina Irrigation Project: work has not proceeded, as there were too few applicants for blocks.

Cemetery. The curator was against placing a turnstile at the cemetery, but recommended it be open to the public on Wednesday afternoons and a motion to open it from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays was carried.

A motion to cut weeds in Jubilee Avenue was moved by Crs Hardy and Rabbich, but opposed by Crs Sampson, O’Leary and Watt and lost.

The cricket Club was granted free use of the oval until the pitch was paid for and then for 1⁄3 of the gate money when a charge was made.

The Friendly Societies were granted use of the oval for £2-2-0 per day.

XI, 895, 15 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial on a further case when local JPs had their decision overturned. The writer accuses them of failing to give sufficient thought to the matter, which resulted in the accused then suing for malicious prosecution and wrongful imprisonment. [With some success, though he got only £30 of the £400 sought.]

2nd Leader on the Barrier Trade and NSW. Statements that the NSW Government is in favour of a line to Broken Hill [from Sydney] cannot be taken seriously when throughout NSW ‘the permanent way, rolling stock, and traffic system, are individually and collectively rotten’.

3rd Leader on the great wealth of employers like Andrew Carnegie who pays the lowest possible wages and the need to see a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Burra Co. VF apparently failed to appear at the Auburn drill on Monday afternoon.

XI, 895, 15 Oct. 1889, page 3

Letter from ‘Anti Dirt Heap’ complaining that the water tables along the north side of Commercial St and Market Square are foul smelling and need cleaning out.

XI, 896, 18 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Farmers and the current season, which promises to be good so far.

2nd Leader on Land Nationalisation and the Single Tax question.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Rev. A.W. Wellington preached to good congregations. Tea meeting presided over by Dr J.R. Stephens.

The Mayoralty. J.A. Watt has been asked to stand for Mayor by a large deputation and he has undertaken to consider the proposal.

An advertisement in reply to the deputation gives a strongly affirmative answer.

Burra Bands. In the last few days Mr W.J. Davey has been trying to effect the amalgamation of Davey’s Band and Wheatley’s Brass Band, but apparently the opposing band is refusing to discuss the matter.

XI, 897, 22 Oct. 1889, page 2

Notice. John Watt strongly denies the answer to the deputation published last week, which gave the impression he had eagerly accepted the request to stand for Mayor and under the circumstances, will have nothing to do with the position.

Advt. Entertainment. John Roach has organised a Grand Entertainment at the Institute on 30 Oct. 1889 in aid of the Burra Literary Society Piano Fund, featuring Adelaide talent. The program is printed.

Editorial on Women’s Suffrage.

The Congregational Union and the Home Mission of SA had just expressed support with few dissentions and the writer could see no reason to disagree with them.

Accidents. Mr P. Oates and daughter and Mr F. Snell are all progressing well after their recent trap accidents.

The Lynch Family of Bellringers will appear at the Burra Institute 23 October.

Advt. Hugh Gilmore will give his great lecture on Irish Home Rule at the Institute on 25 October. F.W. Holder will chair the meeting.

Burra Smelting Works. Mr Bartle has apparently received a return on work done in the last few weeks that has been far too small to pay wages.

Burra Town Council.

[What exactly had been transpiring within the Council is not apparent from the paper reports, but the following bits of evidence suggest considerable division:

On 11 October the paper reports that at the meeting of 7 Oct. a motion moved by Cr Hardy to have the main road bridges tarred, was carried.

On 18 Oct. the paper reports a special meeting on 15 Oct. where it appears that the Public Works Committee overrode this resolution on the grounds it was informal.

On 22 Oct. the paper reports that at the meeting on 19 Oct. the resignation of the Public Works Committee was accepted and the Council resolved to do without one for the rest of the year. The Overseer of Works was to receive instruction from the Town Clerk as representing the whole Council.]

Unclaimed allotments on which rates are owed will be gazetted for sale.

XI, 897, 22 Oct. 1889, page 3

Letter from Will. J. Davey quoting the reply from J. Harry, Secretary of Wheatley’s Band that they ‘have not the least intention to amalgamate with your band’. Davey accused Wheatley’s Band of playing only simple old tunes and presenting nothing fresh. He undertakes to take on all their members and present something new and fresh.

Lawn Tennis is reviving.

‘Sparks’ column: John Snell tars those bridges.

XI, 898, 25 Oct. 1889, page 2

Editorial on what makes some men seek public office and why they stay there.

2nd Leader on Government grants to private schools.

XI, 898, 25 Oct. 1889, page 3

Rifle Match on Wednesday over 500 and 600 yards. Prizes went to Col. Sgt Watt and Sgt Anderson, but the shooting was below average.

Mr J. Roach has won in an appeal to the Supreme Court against his suspension by the Adelaide Stock Exchange. He is now expected to sue for damages.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich urging the breaking up of the large pastoral estates in areas suited to agriculture. Three freehold estates adjoining Burra: Hallett, Apoinga and Kingston contain 100,000 acres to say nothing of Gum Creek, Hill river, Bungaree, Martindale and others. At least 500 families could be accommodated where now about 50 people are employed throughout the year.

Cricket. The season opened last Wednesday 23 Oct. at Auburn.

Burra 68 defeated Auburn 20.

XI, 899, 29 Oct. 1889, page 2

Obituary. George Chapple, aged c. 21, was drowned at Redhill in a dam of his employer named Ladyman. [Registration says George Chappell, aged 20, died 24 October.]

Editorial on Trade Unions and the Eight Hours System.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Monster Bazaar in the premises lately occupied by J. & E. Hosking.

Municipal Elections. Retiring officers are the Mayor, F.W. Holder and Councillors Sampson, Pinch and O’Leary.

Letter by J. Cooksley at greater length, but on similar lines to that of W.T. Rabbich in the previous issue on the Land Monopoly.

XI, 899, 29 Oct. 1889, page 3

Central Land Board met at Burra last week to consider applicants for 43 blocks in the Hundreds of Hanson, Ayers, Apoinga and Bright. There were 270 applicants. Preference was given to those with large families and those who had no land or only bad land beyond Goyder’s Line - or that was the theory, but the paper’s reporter believed that all too often they ‘gave people land who had many acres already’.

Travelling Stock Roads. The select committee recommended their retention, but that control be placed under the Crown Lands Office rather than local government. Also recommended that 516 acres temporarily withheld from allotment near Booborowie be released and areas for about one mile either side of a Government town be made available in small blocks with a three chain road retained through them.

XI, 900, 1 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial on the Land Question: land grabbers, monopolists and Land Boards. The writer believes the single tax idea would force the large landholders to disgorge and enable people to settles on the land.

2nd Leader on the Burra Mine and Taxing Land Values.

Why has the mine remained idle for so long?

Receipts for the last half-year from rents, interest and ore were £1,022-0-4. Expenditure on wages, charges, rates, taxes and repairs was £611-16-0. The balance in the profit and loss account is £15,847-4-6. They declared a dividend of 5/- per share or 5% on the capital of the Association. Why go into the large expenditure needed for mining when copper prices are low? The Association is not to blame, but the law that allows it is. A tax on land values would force the land to be used.

Theft. Several of Mr P.L. Killicoat’s sheep have been shorn by other than the owner and the fleeces taken. He offers a reward of £100.

Horse Race. On Tuesday at Copperhouse T. Halls’ ‘The Earl’ raced Mr W. Jones’ ‘Quondong’ for £5 a side. ‘The Earl’ was ‘too fly’ for ‘Quondong’.

XI, 900, 1 Nov. 1889, page 2-3

SAMA Half Yearly Report.

As reported above in the 2nd leader, 82 tons of copper was disposed of, having been raised by tributers working above water level in the open cut area and 25 tons are on hand. 15 tributers continue to work.

Legal proceedings have commenced in the Chancery Division of the High Court in England against the purchasers of the mine for specific performance of the contract.

XI, 900, 1 Nov. 1889, page 3

Concert. There was a good audience at Mr Roach’s concert in aid of the Burra Literary Soc. on Wednesday. Proceeds were £23.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Bazaar opened yesterday afternoon. Rev. S. Gray said until last year the debt was £725 and this had been reduced to £675. The aim this year was to lower it by £100. Some £25-15-0 was taken yesterday.

Redruth Court, 30 Oct.

Stray animal cases:

T. Halls horses 7/6 + 10/-

W.L.H. Bruse 1 horse 2/6 + costs

J. Tiver 1 horse 5/- + 10/-

M. Rayner 1 horse dismissed

The Bridges look odd only half tarred.

XI, 901, 5 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial on 1889, a year of good prospects with marvellous returns from wool, mining improving in most places, hay returns promising to be a record, wheat prospects looking excellent with a little sign of rust in places. Some rabbit difficulties in the northeast.

2nd Leader on The Irish.

Accidents. A child of Charles Rawling of Aberdeen is recovering from drinking carbolic acid and a child of Mr Hammer of Bridge St East was rescued unharmed after falling 30’ down a well on premises of Mr Grow.

XI, 901, 5 Nov. 1889, page 2

Burra Co. VF, final drills for the year on 5 & 7 November.

Wesleyan Foreign Mission special services on Sunday and Monday last. Rev. Isaac Rooney and Daniel To Makait, a New Britain native, attended.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Bazaar was well attended over the three days and over £47 was raised. This with other efforts will enable the trustees to reduce the debt by £100.

The Mayoralty. T.W. Wilkinson has been approached to be mayor for 1890 and has agreed to stand.

Burra Town Council, 4 Nov.

Burra Cricket Club allowed to put sheep on the oval to eat the grass provided men are there to see the trees are protected.

Commissioner of Public Works has deducted £324-1-11 from the Waterworks capital account upon receipt of 115 water meters.

Commercial St Bridge to be tarred.

The Avenue has been cleared of grass.

Council unanimously supported a move to have reinserted in the new Municipal Corporations Bill, the part of clause 275 providing that licence fees for public houses come to the corporations. This had been struck out by an amendment of Mr Gilbert MP last week.

Guy Fawkes: fireworks and bonfires tonight.

XI, 902, 8 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial on income and expenditure in the various Australian colonies.

2nd Leader on the World’s Opinion: encouraging discussion with men of all casts and creeds and not favouring the narrowing of thought brought about by particular theologies.

Local Journal. We have received the first issue of the Burra Literary Star, which we believe is to be published quarterly.

St Joseph’s. The Rev. J. Norton will officiate next Sunday at the usual anniversary efforts to reduce the church debt.

Guy Fawkes’ Day was celebrated in the usual fashion with fires, crackers and effigies. No accidents have been reported.

XI, 902, 8 Nov. 1889, page 3

Burra Co. VF, according to ‘Sparks’ column, is ‘Going bung’.

‘Sparks’ says ‘Have you seen the opposition journal?’

XI, 903, 12 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial against the tendency of young women to flock to the cities and become factory girls etc., so feeding the centralisation of population and reducing the availability of good general servants and the number of women generally with a good sound knowledge of domestic skills.

2nd Leader on the growing industry of fruit growing and canning for export in Victoria and the desirability of its being emulated in SA.

Star Thistle is not being eradicated as diligently as it should be by the landowners of the district.

Fire Clay. We understand a syndicate or company has been set up in Burra to work the chalk cliffs for fire clay and that a brick made from the clay has been made and tested and was satisfactory. Evidence from L.T. Watt’s activities at Littlehampton suggests they should get moving. In the last 20 weeks Watt has sent away 400,000 bricks worth £1,700. 250,000 went to the Port Pirie coke ovens and orders continue to flow in.

‘Single Tax’ writes to champion the cause.

XI, 903, 12 Nov. 1889, page 3

Henry Ayers writes on the amalgamation of Moonta & Wallaroo mining properties.

Burra Town Council, 9 November.

Mayor’s Annual Report by F.W. Holder.

Immediately after the Municipal Election P.L. Killicoat JP tendered his resignation of the office of Mayor. It was accepted and I was elected unopposed. The Council has worked harmoniously.

Financially the year has been difficult. Several accounts were largely overdrawn and bonds totalling £300 had to be met. The debit of the balance sheet on 31 December for the general account was £192-16-3.

Expenses for the year: salaries, rent etc. 86- 6- 0

Bonds redeemed 300- 0- 0

Coupons & bank interest 108-12- 9

Legal expenses 22- 7- 0

Public Works 214- 9- 7

Other 73- 1- 5

£897-13-10

Income from rates 629- 5- 4

Other 391- 4- 3

£1020- 9- 7

Credit balance £122-16- 7

This will meet current expenditure to the end of the year and leave a small surplus.

Board of Health, debit at 31 December 82-13- 8

Expenditure to date 109-11- 1

192- 4- 9

Income 155-19- 2

Balance due to bank £36- 5- 7

Which will increase by year’s end to c. £53

Park Lands credit on 31 December 40- 5- 4

Income 164- 4- 9

Bond redeemed 100- 0- 0

Other expenditure 75-10- 4

Current debit £11- 5- 7

Which will decrease by year’s end.

Cemetery debit on 31 December 9-14- 4

Expenditure 15-18- 9

Receipts 53- 3 10

Current credit £37- 5- 1

On the whole account the credit balance is £112-10-6 against a debit on 31 December last of £244-18-11.

Main road Grant £300

Expended so far £283-0-9

Work in hand will absorb the balance.

Bonded Debt at present totals £2,000 with £300 paid off this year. It falls due as follows:

Recreation Ground

£100 due 1 April 1890 issued 1 April 1885

£100 due 1 April 1891 issued 1 April 1885

£100 due 1 April 1892 issued 1 April 1885

£100 due 1 April 1893 issued 1 April 1885

Public Works

£200 due 1 April 1890 issued 1 April 1882

£200 due 1 April 1891 issued 1 April 1882

£200 due 1 April 1892 issued 1 April 1882

£200 due 1 July 1893 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1894 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1895 issued 1 July 1882

Loan for Town Survey: applied to Public works

£200 due 1 July 1896 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1897 issued 1 July 1882

All bonds are at 6%.

Tree Planting.

Tree Planting has not come from general funds this year and I have raised £16-19-6 for tree planting in Kingston, Queens, Commercial, Kangaroo and Mt Pleasant Streets and in several North Ward Streets. Trees in the avenue are doing well and the changes wrought in the town’s appearance are now becoming very apparent.

Health.

A serious outbreak of typhoid at the early part of the year saw patients arrive from Broken Hill and elsewhere as well as some from the town. Fortunately there were few deaths. Mr Gray worked tirelessly to eradicate the disease along with the two resident doctors. The total number of notices given by the Inspector this year was 396.

The Cemetery.

This needs enlarging and will have to be attended to soon. Painting etc. was done as required.

Burra Oval.

Trees continue to grow and the new name was bestowed by vote of Council and became formal on the occasion of the Oddfellows Picnic.

Burra Waterworks.

As wished for by ratepayers the Council resumed control of the Waterworks in March with a three-year lease. Council has to pay interest at 5% amounting to £425-6-0 p.a. Costs to the Corporation including sums owing to the Government in March being £663-7-10. Rates to date are £521-6-8 with more to come and it is expected the year will conclude with a small credit balance after meeting the old debit of £69. 115 spare meters were returned to the Government and earned £324 credit.

The present Council therefore leaves office with a credit balance against a debit at the start of the year of nearly £200. The debit in the Health account has been reduced by c. £40. The Cemetery account debit of £9 has become a credit of £37 and the Park Lands account has a small debit balance of c. £12 after paying off a £100 bond.

Municipal Affairs.

Council members retiring on 1 December due to the effluxion of time:

Mayor: Hon. F.W. Holder

North Ward: Henry Pinch

East Ward: John Sampson

West Ward: Daniel J. O’Leary

Auditor: John D. Cave

Nominations due 25 November 1889.

Elections as required 2 December 1889.

Mr Holder was asked to stand again as Mayor, but regretted that his other duties made it impossible.

Advt. Lynch Family Bellringers will appear at the Institute 18 November.

XI, 904, 15 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Single Tax and the Farmers.

2nd Leader on the Broken Hill Strike.

Obituary. Mrs Pritchard, wife of an employee of Dr J.R. Stephens, died suddenly in her sleep on Monday morning at Mongolata. [Dinah Pritchard, died 11 November, aged 42, wife of Daniel.]

Larrikinism. There have been of late free fights in the streets and ‘yells of drunken savages’.

XI, 904, 15 Nov. 1889, page 3

Letter from Timothy Ward, Ulooloo, in opposition to the Single tax and the farmers.

Redruth Court.

The Burra Town Council lost two cases when they tried to collect rates from the police houses in Redruth and Kooringa.

Burra Town Council. There were many appeals against the assessment, though many of them came from J.R. Stephens (23) and SAMA (10).

As a result the assessment drops from last year by:

£49 in North Ward

£20 in East Ward

£371 in West Ward

The huge fall in West Ward is due to the decrease in the value of one SAMA property from £1,000 to £700.

Cricket. At Clare 11 Nov. A win to Burra on 1st innings.

Clare 58 & 7 for 152, Burra 160.

‘Sparks’ says ‘A loud smell from the creek in the evenings’.

XI, 905, 19 Nov. 1889, page 2

Advt. Burra Races in James Dew’s Paddock at Spring Bank, 20 Jan.

Main Race: Burra Handicap, £8-8-0.

Advt. Wednesday night, 20 Nov. in the Burra Hotel Yards.

Professor Priest, world famous horse tamer will perform. Also see J.P. Gaffey, champion bareback rider. Grand Cyoptical Exhibition.

[Cyoptical does not appear in the complete Oxford Dictionary. It may relate to scioptic: relating to the eye which also gave sciopticon: a magic lantern.]

Editorial on Federation.

The writer felt it was premature and advocated proceeding slowly and carefully. It may be a necessity, but there is no need for haste.

2nd Leader on the settlement of the Broken Hill strike where a policy of might is right applied.

Obituary. Mr James Roach of Terowie died at his residence near the town on 14 Nov. aged 63. He was a former Captain of the Burra Mine and leaves a grown-up family.

The Smelting Works. After all the enterprise entered into by Mr R. Bartle extracting copper from the slag has proved a failure. Hardly enough copper has been gleaned to pay the carriage to Pt Adelaide. We regret this as he entered into the project so confidently.

XI, 905, 19 Nov. 1889, page 2-3

Burra Town Council, 16 November.

Sara & Dunstan are to repair the damage to the Market Square standpipe done by their runaway horses.

A motion to ask the Government for £50 to repair the flood damage to the Kingston St Bridge has been deferred for two weeks.

A motion to grant the Inspector, J.R. Gray, an extra £10 on account of all the extra work he did during the typhoid epidemic early in the year was deferred till next meeting.

A motion from Cr Sampson to have aldermen was held over for the new Council to consider.

XI, 905, 19 Nov. 1889, page 3

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting.

The Mayor presented his report last Friday.

In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor Cr Pinch read the Mayor’s report.

Dr Brummitt was voted into the chair to give Cr Pinch freedom to speak.

The Mayor’s report was adopted.

Cr Rabbich said the achievement of the year was to end in credit instead of in debt as last year. He was also glad that by taking the Waterworks back the Council had been able to return to the general account over £60, which had been absorbed by the works when the Council had previously had charge of them.

The Council had paid several accounts that previous Councils ought to have paid and had done good work in tree planting. The town was a paradise to what it had been a few years ago. Much good work had been done by the Inspector in the difficult period of the typhoid outbreak early in the year. The cemetery was in good order and its account in credit. He was glad the Waterworks had been taken back for three years at 5% and looked like being about £25 in credit at year’s end, despite repaying £69 to the Council and £90 to the Government for stock and material.

Cr Pinch supported the report, but felt it was unnecessary to go through it after what had been said. He was sure Council money had been well spent this year. He was less confident than Cr Rabbich about the Waterworks and thought their cost to the Council was far too high. He believed they would soon be glad to hand them back to the Government.

Cr Watt supported the report and so did Cr O’Leary. The latter added his support to Cr Rabbich’s view of the Waterworks and though disappointed at their price felt they would soon be able to reduce the rates.

Cr Hardy supported the report, but as he was not up for re-election did not think it necessary to go into details.

Mr W. West thought the report most satisfactory and was surprised at the large amount of work done at so small a cost.

T.W. Wilkinson, as Mayoral candidate, had no policy speech, but would answer questions. He felt present legal cesspits a failure and felt that earth closets would be safer. He did not like to see councils receiving liquor licence fees and preferred the old Government subsidy.

George Butterworth, as candidate for North Ward, had little to say.

D.J. O’Leary was standing again for West Ward and promised more of the same and hoped to lower the water rate.

Thomas Kitchen, standing also for West Ward, felt the previous Council had greatly improved the town and he would like to see such improvements carried on. Though he had advocated the Waterworks, as things had turned out he would have opposed it. He thought now they had to make the best of it.

Cr Sampson was absent due to illness, but sent a letter of apology and announced his intention to stand again.

All candidates said they would try to reduce the water rates and the interest charged by the Government for the Waterworks.

All were in favour of free access to the oval except for sports.

The chairman asked if candidates were in favour of the Council taking over the new footbridge near the school.

Wilkinson, Kitchen, Williams and Rabbich were for it and O’Leary, Watt and Hardy were opposed.

A move to gauge ratepayers’ views on this was lost when Mr West moved an amendment leaving it to Council.

The Bellringers were just as good as ever.

XI, 906, 22 Nov. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Dairy Farms, suggesting that more could be established and in favour of dairying factories because then butter and cheese would be of more uniform quality. Locally we have a market at Broken Hill, which is likely to be permanent. Poultry and bacon could be a useful adjunct and a useful way of escaping from the old wheat farming style.

Burra Joker Silver Mine has been sunk to 200’.

Vandalism. In the past few days someone has smashed one of the arms of the fountain in the Avenue. It consisted of solid cast iron over 1” thick.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church anniversary was held on Sunday & Monday 17 & 18 Nov. Mrs Tassell of Adelaide conducted three services on Sunday. Large congregations assembled. Proceeds were £13.

Fire. A fire that was started by the up passenger train near Spring Bank on Wednesday afternoon was fortunately quickly extinguished.

Letter from ‘Single Tax’ of Adelaide extending for 3⁄4 column on this topic.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ objecting to Cr Rabbich’s move towards granting the Inspector, J.R. Gray, a bonus of £10 when his tender was already the highest of six for the job.

XI, 906, 22 Nov. 1889, page 3

Burra Races held on Wednesday last in a paddock of J. Dew’s at Springbank were quite a success. There was a large attendance. There was a slight accident when ‘The Earl’ fell at the first jump in the hurdles and its rider received a nasty cut on his shoulder. Otherwise all went well. Results printed.

XI, 907, 26 Nov. 1889, page 2

Notice. Nominations for Council:

Mayor T.W. Wilkinson

Auditor J.D. Cave

North Ward G. Butterworth

East Ward John Sampson and C.C. Williams

West Ward T. Kitchen and D.J. O’Leary

Polls for east and West Wards will take place on 2 December.

Editorial on troubles with labour on the SAR. John H. Smith, Chairman of the Railway Commissioners has been effecting changes, which reduce wages. In Pt Pirie there have been demonstrations and he has been burnt in effigy. A meeting recently at Port Adelaide indicated that strikes are imminent and on Thursday Mr Smith was hanged in effigy. He has reduced wages to 5/- a day. The editorial is strongly on the side of the workers.

Thieves. Petty thieves have been stealing and destroying plants. R.D. Pascoe has lost valuable plants and others complain of losing sundry articles.

Obituary. Mr L. Urwin of Commercial St died on Sunday 24 November. He was a member of the AOF and had lived in Burra about 12 years. For part of that time he had his own drapery business. [Leonard Urwin, aged 35.]

Obituary. Dr Baker, who formerly practised in Kooringa, died in Brisbane last Thursday. He arrived from England in 1883 and first practised at Terowie and then at Jamestown when Dr Cockburn entered Parliament. He was later at Moonta.

[Details from Dr Brummitt contradict part of the Brisbane report and he also fails to mention any period at Burra.]

XI, 907, 26 Nov. 1889, page 3

The Burra Waterworks cost the Council 5% p.a. The Kapunda works do not return 0.25%, so on the face of it the 5% charge for Burra seems somewhat excessive.

T. Kellaway, a member of Davey’s Burra Band was farewelled at a social at the Burra Hotel on Saturday.

Burra School. The Inspector’s examination results are printed. Compulsory Certificates went to: Ella Batten, Annie Forder, Ethel Holder, Amelia Herberle, Mary Shortridge, Kinso Ewins, Hedley Harris, Edgar Pearce, Edward Jones, Stanley Gray, William Bush, William Pearce, Alfred Pilz, Charles Jacka.

XI, 908, 29 Nov. 1889, page 2

Notice. Municipal Elections Nominations:

Mayor: T.W. Wilkinson

Auditor J.D. Cave

North Ward G. Butterworth

East Ward John Sampson

C.C. Williams

West Ward T. Kitchen

D.J. O’Leary

Elections for East and West Wards on 2 December.

Editorial on Social Life Today.

The writer examines the moral dilemma of spending money and effort to maintain the sick and old and insane while not having compassion for, or expenditure on the hungry and destitute who are able-bodied.

Mr Prior, of the National Bank, we hear has received a promotion and been transferred. Mr L. Carruthers from Kadina will replace him.

Wheat samples from Baldina, Mongolata, Leighton, Black Springs and Stony Gap are plump and promise good yields.

Miss Adela Knight, daughter of Rev. Samuel Knight, formerly of Kooringa and now of Victoria, has completed her Bachelor of Medicine at London and has been appointed residential medical officer of the new hospital for women in London.

XI, 908, 29 Nov. 1889, page 3

Dr Baker. There is a 1⁄3 column article on the details surrounding the death of Dr Baker on the barque Scottish Admiral, reprinted from the Brisbane Courier Mail of 22 November. He died on board in Brisbane as he was about to leave for Adelaide. He was said to be about 36 and had been seen onto the ship in London by his wife and mother. He was said to have been a sufferer from malaria for several years.

Captain Roach.

There is a 11⁄4-column article on the late Captain H. Roach by a Melbourne correspondent. He was born in Cornwall, but spent time in America and British Columbia before coming to Burra in 1847 or 1848. He was a widower without family and was the personification of kindness and good humour. [Several anecdotes are included which are repeated in Ian Auhl’s Burra Reminiscences. They include the story of the sins that lurked in the mine pool after baptisms, the tale of the miner who took time off for a tea meeting, but ate more value than he donated, and the miner who thought the highfaluting word soirée had something to do with sore eye.]

Though not a teetotaller he believed firmly in moderation. He was a Primitive Methodist seat-holder, but not an extreme member.

The writer refers to Mr Philip Santo, who used to conduct services in a small brick chapel a few yards below the Primitive Methodist Chapel. [Was this the Baptist Chapel?] And to the Rev. Mr Davidson, a Presbyterian, who conducted services in a building in or near Paxton Square. [On the site of the Kooringa Hotel.] And that the Catholics had a place of worship in Commercial St, but he believed no resident clergyman. He also thought the Germans held regular services somewhere in Redruth and that the Welsh took charge of Mr Santo’s chapel when he left Burra and when he was last in Burra the unused building was still called the Welsh Chapel. [But he gives no time for that.]

‘Items’ column.

Plenty of cattle on the streets on Sundays.

The train caused a grass fire on Wednesday afternoon.

XI, 909, 3 Dec. 1889, page 2

Obituary. Frederick Leighton, one of the oldest inhabitants of Mintaro, has died. He was a resident for over 40 years and was buried on 22 November. [Registration gives date of death as 20 November and age as 69.]

Editorial on Our Mining Industry: expressing the need for further exploration and arguing against speculation then rife in silver. The success of the tributers at Burra suggest there is work here for at least 100 with but little input from SAMA, but ‘It appears to us payable copper has been neglected for the sake of hunting for unpayable silver. Payment for prospecting is laudable as in the Joker property locally’.

2nd Leader on Land Monopoly and Wages

[Note that the above two articles were jumbled by the compositor: from the bottom of column 3 the leading article continues 23 lines from the top of column 5. The 2nd article goes from line 22 of column 5 to the top of column 4.]

Advt. Children’s Entertainment at the Institute on 6 Dec. 1889 in aid of the Christmas tree and prizes.

A Christmas Festival is planned for the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday 18 Dec. The main feature will be a collection of home industries. Also a Christmas tree, Christmas basket, cake fair, promenade concert and prizes for home industry sections including farm and dairy produce.

XI, 909, 3 Dec. 1889, page 3

Letter from ‘Pro Bono Publico’ urging the enforcement of the Star Thistles Act, which the writer says, is being neglected.

Kingston St Bridge. A deputation comprising the Mayor (T.W. Wilkinson) and Crs Sampson, Hardy, Watt, Rabbich & Pinch waited on the Treasurer, Hon. F.W. Holder MP yesterday urging a special grant of £50 to repair flood damage to the town’s main bridge. The central piers had been undermined by heavy flooding in the last few months. Cr Pinch urged that it be a special grant and not taken from next year’s maintenance fund. Mr Holder said he had seen the damage and would let the Council have the money as soon as possible. He made no promise about deductions from next year’s grant, but promised to do his best.

Burra Town Council, 30 November.

Resolution passed that a deputation wait on the Treasurer, Mr Holder, on Monday morning before he went to Adelaide to ask for a special grant of £50 to repair flood damage to the bridge near Henderson’s. [Kingston St]

The Overseer reported the destruction of most star thistles.

Grass on the oval to be burnt under supervision.

There was a debate over the adjourned motion for a special payment of £10 to Inspector Gray. Crs Pinch & Rabbich spoke in support.

Cr Sampson opposed: Mr Gray had worked hard, but had done only what he had contracted to do and he was totally opposed to the way the Inspector had asked the Mayor outside for a special grant or bonus. He did not like this pulling of strings behind the screens. [The Mayor, Mr Holder, was absent from this meeting.]

Cr O’Leary said he was surprised at the mayor’s absence when he had promised to be there. He (O’Leary) had promised to support the motion, but since then had found the ratepayers were opposed. He would have to vote against.

Cr Hardy was surprised by O’Leary’s change over a few ratepayers’ comments, but he himself had always opposed the motion, believing it would set a poor precedent. He also regretted O’Leary’s reflection on the Mayor who was kept in Adelaide by pressure of business and had sent an apologetic telegram.

Cr Rabbich said he had originally supported the idea, but now having heard of ratepayer opposition would consent to withdrawing the motion if the seconder agreed.

Matters then grew somewhat disorganised and ultimately the Council divided on the matter. When they voted Cr Pinch alone supported the motion and Cr Rabbich abstained.

Cr Sampson moved Cr Rabbich be fined for not voting, but this failed to find a seconder.

Local Board of Health

Typhoid has again appeared in the town.

Municipal Election Result

Mayor T.W. Wilkinson elected unopposed

Auditor J.D. Cave elected unopposed

North Ward George Butterworth elected unopposed

East Ward Thomas Kitchen 12

Daniel J. O’Leary 54 elected

West Ward C.C. Williams 22

John Sampson 36 elected

XI, 910, 6 Dec. 1889, page 2

Advt. Foresters’ Annual Sports, Burra Oval 26 December.

Flat races, hurdles and bicycle races.

Editorial on Municipal Affairs.

In 1889 there was no major issue causing dissension and minor matters were handled well and economically leaving the town finances in a fairly satisfactory state. Mr Holder was unable to stand again due to pressure of business in the city and Mr T.W. Wilkinson has been elected Mayor. Mr G. Butterworth replaced Mr H. Pinch who retired and the former Councillors John Sampson & D.J. O’Leary were re-elected in East and West Wards. In the coming year the Waterworks, now in charge of the Council, is a major item to be dealt with. It is a well-known fact the Council was treated most unfairly by the Government over the construction of the works. We believe the ratepayers are paying much beyond a fair thing. Crystal Brook has a storage capacity of 50,000 gallons and 8 miles 72 chains of mains for £4,511-8-8. Burra has a 31,000-gallon storage and 8 miles 2 chains of mains for £8,517-11-5. Other comparisons also confirm the extortionate price fixed by those who did the work. We are paying 5% on the construction costs plus the running cost while other towns pay prices, which do not return 0.5% on construction alone. The new Council is determined to improve matters. We trust that any contentions between members in the Council will remain in the chamber and not be allowed to cause ill feeling and animosity in outside life.

2nd Leader on the Murray River and water rights for the various colonies. The writer attacks Sir Henry Parks for asserting NSW’s control of the river. The Constitution Act of NSW places the whole of the river in that colony, but as one authority argues ‘whatsoever parchments may proclaim or pretend to grant must vanish before the realities of nature and common sense’.

Burra Hospital. The Shearers’ Union has made a donation of £4-8-4.

The Harvest. Samples from all around the district are good. A little rust is evident in some places to the west.

Rev. H.T. Burgess gave a question box lecture at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday evening before a good audience.

Daniel Harrison of Adelaide has erected a handsome headstone in white marble to the memory of W. H. Batchelor. Mr Harrison was an apprentice painter and paperhanger to Mr Batchelor 21 years ago in the town.

[Corrected in XI, 913, 17 Dec. 1889, to 25 years ago.]

Entertainment. A grand entertainment is being arranged to take place towards the end of the year to raise funds for a New Year’s dinner for those too poor to enjoy the occasion. The Militia Fife and Drum Band of Adelaide will join Davey’s Band and several amateurs new to the local audience. Organised by W.J. Davey and T. Heming of the Burra Hotel.

John McCulloch alias John Munro employed at Princess Royal some months ago was charged with forging a cheque in the name of S. Kidman for £38. The case was finally heard at Silverton last Wednesday. A verdict of guilty of uttering without knowing was returned.

XI, 910, 6 Dec. 1889, page 3

Burra Town Council, 2 Dec. 1889

New members welcomed and committees established.

Fire. ‘Sparks’ column says there was nearly a big fire in Paxton Square the other night.

‘Sparks’ also has the cryptic quotation: ‘Although I moved the motion and am prepared to stand by what I have said, I hope it won’t be carried. (Laughter)’

[This is presumably a reference to Cr Rabbich and the £10 bonus for the Inspector.]

XI, 911, 10 Dec. 1889, page 2

Editorial review of the actions of the SA Parliament in its last session.

2nd Leader on A Modern Fool: Ernest Benzon, who lost £250,000 in two years. ‘The Jubilee Plunger.’ He did it by gambling.

Storm. Last Thursday there was a violent electrical storm for some 10 to 15 minutes. The only damage occurred when lightning struck the Kooringa Post Office in several places, cracking several chimneys and almost destroying one.

XI, 911, 10 Dec. 1889, page 3

Children’s Concert. Last Friday the Public School Children gave their concert in aid of the Christmas tree. Mr Wittber deserves great credit for organising the occasion. It raised about £6 and is reported in about 1⁄2 column.

Letter from ‘Raising the Wind’ noting that several persons have taken a lease on some small hills of fireclay at Chalk Cliffs east of Burra and have a prospectus for 1,000 shares of £1 each to form a firebrick company.

Letter from ‘Not to be got at with Clay’ also responding to the release of a firebrick company prospectus. The writer considers the venture silly. They are leasing the chalk bed for £2 p.a. and some land near the railway station for £14 p.a. They are sending the clay to Adelaide. Had the directors called for 100 shares at £2 each and built a brick-kiln it would look more like the genuine article.

Typhoid has caused another death.

XI, 912, 13 Dec. 1889, page 2

Obituary. The wife of the late John Warwick of Canowie and Holowiliena died at Hallett on 5 December. A colonist of 52 years.

Mrs Janet Warwick, was aged 77. She arrived in Australia on the Fairfield in 1837. Her late husband was well known at Canowie and Holowiliena, having come to SA from Canabie in Scotland in one of the first ships.

Obituary. Mrs Gasmier, aged 89 and a colonist of 43 years, died at Goodworth near Riverton on 5 December, leaving 1 son and 2 daughters. She arrived on the Washington in February 1846 and settled to farming near Hope Valley. The son, John Gasmier, moved to Deep Creek near Riverton in 1853 and brought his mother with him. He was later followed by his three brothers-in-law:

the late Richard Woods JP of Dalkey near Balaklava

the late R.M. Cole JP of Goodworth

Mr Thomas Flavel of Deep Creek

One daughter, Mrs William Potter, is in California. There are 37 grandchildren and 87 great grandchildren with 1 great great-grandchild.

[Registration gives her names as Anna Maria Dorothea.]

Obituary. A return thanks notice reveals the death recently of a daughter of Mr & Mrs Andrews, presumably of Burra since Dr Sangster is thanked.

[Registration gives the name as Mary Ellen Andrews aged 17, child of Richard Andrews, scavenger. The cause was enteric fever (typhoid).]

Editorial on reports in England of the way colonial mining ventures are ‘puffed’. If we want English capital to invest in Australian mines this is a poor way of setting about it.

2nd Leader on the Local board of Health.

Last year typhoid was prevalent and several deaths resulted. The Local Board of Health does good work, but we must all be vigilant. Arrangements have been made to improve scavenging in the town. Each house will be visited twice a month.

Garden. We recently visited the garden in Kingston St occupied by the two Chinamen, Sing and Fat. This was until recently a vacant patch of hard baked clay and is now extremely rich. They have a large number of fruit trees and vegetables of all descriptions.

Wheat. One farmer at Baldina, where perhaps the land yields one year in ten, has this season sown 31⁄2 bags of wheat on 15 acres and reaped 160 bags of the best sample going.

Mr M. Rayner of the BFCC is ready to refute in detail the statements of the detractors of the firebrick proposal as soon as they are prepared to emerge from behind their noms de plume.

XI, 912, 13 Dec. 1889, page 2-3

Burra Town Council, 10 December.

The sum of £50 has been paid into the bank to effect repairs to the main road bridge.

The Town Clerk was offered the same pay for the same duties as in 1889. He declined and Cr Hardy moved the office be put to tender.

Cr Rabbich moved he be offered £55 as Town Clerk and £10 as secretary to the Local Board of Health and £25 as secretary to the Waterworks, for a total of £90 compared with £80 in 1889. Carried and accepted.

The Inspector accepted £50, the same as last year and was re-appointed.

Dayman J. Jenkin reappointed at 7/- a day.

R. Thomas, cemetery curator reappointed at 6/6 a day.

The scavenger, R. Andrews, offered £7 a month for scavenging twice a month including water tables and all day work to be paid at 10/- a day for man, horse and cart.

Mr Geake’s contract for the Market Square lamp is renewed for a quarter at £2-5-0.

XI, 912, 13 Dec. 1889, page 3

Central Board of Health [Mainly re Copperhouse & Nelson]

Inspector Thomas Farrell of the Central Board visited the District Council of Burra, also constituting the Local Board of Health. J.D. Cave is the District Clerk and Inspector. Slaughtering premises have been visited and improved where needed. Copperhouse is the only populous centre in the DC. It contains 30 houses and has a population of c. 130. The privy cesspits are holes sunk into the ground from 24” to 6’. Nightsoil is disposed of in gardens attached to premises. There are 15 wells used for drinking water and domestic purposes. The wells average 40’ deep and are timber lined. The nearest cesspit is 40’ away and most are 65’. Some improvements are needed in the paving and draining at the premises of John Nickles, a milk seller at Copperhouse. 30 Children attend the school. The privy cesspit there does not conform to the Health Act and there is no urinal for boys.

Premises occupied by Forder Bros [At Nelson] are also in need of improvement. 40 cows are kept and milk sent regularly to Broken Hill by rail. The milking shed should be properly paved and drained with a receptacle for manure and animal refuse. The surroundings of premises occupied by Henry Mill, milk seller of Firewood Creek, were also unsatisfactory.

Most piggeries and slaughterhouses were clean and well kept though at the slaughterhouse of Richard Austin the blood pit had been left full of offensive liquid. The premises of Matthew Symons, butcher, need to be cleaned of bones and other garbage and tainted fat removed at least twice a week in summer. Similar improvements are needed around Rabbich & Sons premises. [Both these places had a piggery.] The position of the latter slaughterhouse is low-lying and poorly drained.

Reminiscences of Old Burra, by a Melbourne Correspondent.

He recalls a big lode or vein being found that was not less than 17’ thick.

Coaches left the [original] Burra Hotel and travelled via Sod Hut and Black Springs. He believes they left about 4 a.m. and got to Adelaide c. 8 or 9 p.m.

The old Post Office stood where the National Bank now stands.

Of all the mining captains only Captain William Mitchell rests in the Burra Cemetery. He was a staunch Primitive Methodist who wrote articles for the London Primitive Methodist Magazine.

David Mackay had a shop in Commercial St opposite Queen St next door to the late Mr Batchelor’s. He was called a lunatic etc. because he would ride through the streets declaring the end of the world and other absurdities.

There were no state schools, but at St Mary’s there was a school, which was not popular. Mr Strike had a school at the back of the Wesleyan Church [1856] and he was followed [1857-72] by Ricardo Stephens. (Now Dr. Stephens) He did more to educate Burra than anyone else and was one of the best local preachers. Leading local preachers (Wesleyan) were then Joseph Sleep, ‘Daddy’ Goss, & Dr Wilkinson, the father of T.W. Wilkinson the chemist.

At the Primitive Methodist chapel Rev. John Gibbon Wright was very popular and had a voice that on still summer evenings could be heard half a mile away.

The Bible Christians were then known as the Bryanites who had a chapel at the corner of Paxton Square and just before I left opened a large new church nearer the bridge.

A Mr Winship came and induced many miners to go to Newcastle on the promise of large wages, but the whole thing was a delusion and a snare.

In 1860-61 a host of men left for Moonta and Wallaroo and for a time Burra looked deserted, with many empty houses. In Paxton Square and the block facing the Wesleyan Church and then diagonally to the Pig and Whistle nearly every house was vacant. Gradually things improved and matters returned to normal.

Vandalism. A lot of young trees have been destroyed in the street. [‘Sparks’ column.]

XI, 913, 17 Dec. 1889, page 2

Editorial on ‘The Reason Why’ the English are hated in Ireland.

2nd Leader on the move to remove the power of the middlemen in the shearing industry.

Fire. A large grass fire broke out on Friday afternoon last on land recently occupied by William Halliday at Baldina and much smoke could be seen from the town.

Dust Storm. Last Saturday many tons of Redruth and Aberdeen soil was shifted to Kooringa and scattered over the whole place indiscriminately.

XI, 913, 17 Dec. 1889, page 3

Mr Tuckfield of Baldina left his horse and cart standing at the Mill on Monday and the horse bolted towards Kooringa, which it reached minus winkers and some other pieces. The horse and cart went through Market Square and up Kingston St heading over the hill towards Baldina. Eventually it was captured with little damage done despite some near misses.

Letter from ‘Another Inquirer’ who asks what has been done for the 1,000 paid up shares in the Fire Clay Co.

Shearers & Sheep-Owners met at the Institute last Friday to try to settle outstanding differences. Among the graziers present were: Goode (Canowie), Loudon (Booborowie), Scott (Quondong), Sandland (Koonoona), Warwick (Hallett), Riggs (Baldina), Gebhardt (Mackerode), Killicoat (Abberton Park), and many more.

The ASU was well represented. The price for ewes, wethers and lambs was set at 17/6 per 100 and rams at 35/- per 100, plus board, or where the shearer provides rations, at 20/- & 40/- per 100. Other aspects of the agreement and working rules are printed in an article extending for a full column.

Nelson Hills Dairy Farm.

Messrs Forder Bros have started a dairy to supply Broken Hill with milk, butter, eggs, poultry, bacon etc. The first can of milk went up on 12 Jan. 1888 and their plan for cooling the produce proved eminently successful and it is now sold in Broken Hill as pure as it is taken from the cows. Other firms have joined them: one from Jamestown. The Forders are now remodelling along the lines of the model farm at Roseworthy. Arrangements are being made to do 14-15 lb of scalded cream at one time from the steam engine boiler. There is a 110’ deep well of pure water and nearby is a room in which a De Laval cream separator will soon be placed. They have also negotiated for a Zero refrigerating machine, which will enable bacon to be made in hot weather and butter as hard as in winter, and this should arrive any day now. They have over 250 tons of ensilage for the hot months stored 18’ deep. Near the 6 h.p. Ransome and Son engine with tubular boiler is a stone built underground dairy and underground wooden coolroom insulated with sawdust to which the refrigeration unit will be attached. There are also six acres of almond trees.

XI, 914, 20 Dec. 1889, page 2

Advt. Concert Monday 30 December in aid of the Poor of Burra by Adelaide Militia Fife and Drum Band and Davey’s Burra Band. [Program is printed.]

Editorial on the coming visit of the great social reformer Mr Henry George.

Fire. Several bush fires have broken out along the railway line to Terowie in recent days.

Redruth Court, 18 December.

Richard Austin 20/- + 10/- Not cutting star thistles

John Cockrum 10/- + 10/- Not cutting star thistles

W.A. Rabbich & Sons, Thomas Williams and J. McLaren each fined

2/6 per animal + 10/- costs for stray cattle and horses

XI, 914, 20 Dec. 1889, page 2-3

Burra Town Council

R. Andrews offers to do the scavenging twice a month at each house and to clean the water tables from Snell’s corner to the Bank of Australasia for £7 per month.

Water meter to be placed at A. Fuss’s place.

Cr Sampson moved the water troughs at Aberdeen be closed and a tender for same be called. Carried

Burra Fire Brick Co. enquired at what price they could be supplied with water. Waterworks Committee to report on it.

Mr Packard to be retained as solicitor at £10-10-0.

Wesleyan Grand Christmas Festival & Exhibition was opened by the Mayor on Wednesday afternoon. The report runs for about 1 column.

The Unicorn Brewery.

We have heard it said that Unicorn Beer is the best out of Adelaide.

We visited and were taken up the large tower where, c. 60’ high, we were on a landing on which was a liquor vat and other appliances including the malt receiver. On the next floor were mash tubs with about 25 hogsheads of mash in preparation. The processes were explained.

On a lower level the liquor was cooled by an ingeniously arranged refrigerator - a series of copper pipes with a flow of water from the well. From there to the fermenting tubs and thence to the cellar where some 500 hogsheads are kept. There are seven cellars built of stone and brick and well ventilated. Except for the tower all buildings are on the ground floor. Beside the engine room there are storerooms and a cooper’s shop, also a boiler house, cart sheds etc.

The new brick offices are compact and imposing. The engine-house is below the tower and has a perpendicular engine of 5 h.p. The boiler is 22’ long and 5’ diameter and uses wood. Unicorn bottled stout and XXX ales are becoming popular. The water used is obtained from deep wells on the property and is pure and cool. Sales are made all over the country between Adelaide and Broken Hill. There are three brews a week and six hands are employed. Most beer is forwarded by train though not so long ago much went on drays. The firm is registered as Messrs Catchlove & Co. Managing director is E.C. Lockyer JP. Mr W.J. Jacka, late of Laura, has the general managing and brewing. The building on the eastern bank of the creek is imposing seen from the main street.

XI, 915, 24 Dec. 1889, page 2

Editorial on Christmas: extolling the importance of Christ’s teachings regardless of one’s belief in his divinity, but deploring the way in which the life of Christ is being used to cloak all sorts of wrong.

2nd Leader on the failure of the Black Hills claims to live up to hopes and to be abandoned. Then there were also claims owned by the Burra Manganese and Silver Mining Co. at Iron Mine, which have also to be abandoned. Now the Burra ‘Joker’ property of a local syndicate, some 60 miles east of Burra. Much has been expended, mostly by very small investors - workingmen and tradesmen - several experts have visited - some encouraging and others urging caution. The Inspector of Mines, D.D. Rosewarne, now reports on the claims in the Hundred of Ketchowla on a large iron outcrop some 30’ wide at the surface. A shaft has been sunk 160’ with little to indicate valuable minerals. To the east are two shafts: one a vertical of 80’ and the other an underlie shaft to 30’ and neither show any mineral save iron. This would, if it were on a railway line, be useful for a flux. The Inspector would not advise that any mining operations continue.

Game Birds. ‘Close season for ducks, turkey’s, [sic] black swans, geese and plovers being ended.’

Burra School break-up was held last Wednesday followed by the usual distribution of prizes on Friday afternoon. Dr Brummitt distributed the prizes.

Kooringa Police Court, 23 December.

Frederick Bock, William Ker and James A. Henderson were charged with wilful and malicious breaking of a window valued at 1/-. They claimed it was accidental, but the bench clearly thought otherwise and fined them 10/- each with damages of 1/-.

‘Single Tax’ writes a further letter of arguments of how the single tax would affect large landowners like the SA Company.

Wesleyan Christmas Festival & Exhibition continued on Thursday and Friday and was a great success. Results of competition entries are printed.

XI, 915, 24 Dec. 1889, page 3

‘Items’ column

More dogs poisoned.

Plenty of fires about.

Nelson Hills Dairy Farm well worth a visit.

Primitive Methodist Anniversary last Sunday.

XI, 916, 28 Dec. 1889, NOT PUBLISHED

XI, 917, 31 Dec. 1889, page 2

Advt. Primitive Methodist Church, Copperhouse. Public Tea on Wednesday 1 January 1890 at 4.30 p.m. Public Meeting at 7.30 p.m. with the Redruth Choir.

Notice. Prospectus of the Burra Fire Brick & Clay Co. Ltd.

Capital £2,500 in 2,500 £1 shares.

Provisional Directors: W.R. Ridgway, P.L. Killicoat, John Dunstan jun., W.A. Rabbich, and Benjamin Preece. Sec. pro tem Morris Rayner, Aberdeen.

Situated on Crown Lease 816 for 99 years at an annual rent of £2 for 40 acres in the Hundred of Baldina, 13 miles from Burra railway station. Also a lease for 3 years on 3 acres contiguous with the Burra station with a well, stone office and other buildings.

Editorial on The Old Year.

There is more than a column of verbose waffle before some more specific comments.

1889 was for SA a year of good rains.

Wool prices were better.

The wheat yield was good, but marred by red rust with av. yields c. 9 bushels.

Politically it had been a barren year.

Locally Burra had one member in the Government.

The mine seems likely to change hands soon.

The Town Council’s efforts have improved the town’s appearance.

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 22 December, continued 25 December. Rev. J.H. Ashton, Rev. T.M. Rowe & Rev. S. Gray preached on 22 December. The Christmas Day children’s treat provided them with tea, cakes, tarts, sandwiches, etc. Wheatley’s Band attended. The public meeting revealed there were over 100 students and 15 teachers. Proceeds exceeded £17.

Burra Co. VF. City volunteers visited yesterday and a 10 men a side rifle match was fired. Burra 409, defeated Adelaide Visitors 355.

Redruth Court.

Fines for not destroying star thistles:

A. McCulloch 5/- + 15/-

F. Bagg 1/- + 10/-

R. Austin 1/- + 10/-

L.W. Bowman 1/- + 10/-

J. Bagg 5/- + 15/-

S. Pearce (Leighton) 1/- + 15/-

‘Bunkum’ writes about the above court cases complaining of the paltry fines and suggesting the conflict of interest because the JPs involved are major landowners. (P.L. Killicoat & C.W. Brown) There is, he says, no encouragement for the Council to enforce the Act.

The editor thinks Council needs to place men on the land to clear the weeds and then charge the landowners the cost of the same.

XI, 917, 31 Dec. 1889, page 3

Christmas Eve in Burra was lively. The town was decorated with greenery brought in by the cartload and used to festoon the business places. The weather was bright and pleasant and the streets were soon thronged with young and old. By the time it was getting dark the pavements were impassable. Business places were all decorated and doing good trade. After tea the crowds forced the use of the roadways and the sound of children’s trumpets filled the air. The Salvation Army appeared with its music, but failed on this occasion to draw people away from other attractions. Mr Wheatley’s Band appeared in front of Bath & Pearce’s while Davey’s Band was at the pump. Business places were packed and it was generally deemed the best night’s business since the mine closed.

Christmas Day.

Cricket was played in the afternoon and the Burra Cricket Club with 5 for 131 defeated a team of 15 visitors and local players, 53. For Burra, Parks took 8 and Herbert 6 wickets.

The Wesleyan Church had the Friendly Societies’ Church Parade at 11 a.m. and Davey’s Band led the Oddfellows, Foresters and Rechabites from the Institute to the Hospital and thence to the church where Rev H.T. Burgess preached. During the service Davey’s Band played inside the church.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist church held their usual tea meeting.

The Anglicans had Holy Communion and Matins at St Mary’s.

The Salvation Army held its usual form of worship.

Boxing Day saw the Foresters’ Picnic and Sports at the Burra Oval. Wheatley’s Band led them there soon after 11 a.m. There was a large attendance. £19 was taken at the gate and a large program was successfully carried out. The results are printed.

There was a ‘big go’ in the evening at the Salvation Army ‘where a monster tea-fight was held to which a large number sat down’.

No larrikinism was reported for the holidays.

Mr W.T. Rabbich’s essay on Christmas won the recent Christmas Festival and Exhibition in connection with the Wesleyan School, Kooringa. Rev. S.F. Prior of Adelaide was the judge. The essay is printed in c. 3⁄4 column.

Local Industries No. 3: Burra Fire Brick & Clay Co.

The proprietors have a lease on 40 acres of land known as Chalk Cliffs in the Hundred of Baldina and 13 miles east of the town. It is said there are millions of tons of clay of superior quality for fire purposes. They also have a three-year lease on premises near the Burra railway station with a good well of water and several outbuildings. They have there a large Chilian [sic] Mill for crushing clay and preparing it. We understand they have an order for 7,000 large fire clay limps for locomotive fireboxes. Years ago the material was largely used at the local smelting works and proved first class. We cannot say yet how the company will proceed, but there is a huge demand for bricks at Broken Hill, Port Pirie and elsewhere and we can only hope it will be a source of wealth for the town. W. Shearing, the Hindmarsh brick maker has visited and said he had great expectations of it. He said there were millions of tons of the clay, which might be exploited for 50 years. The sample seen of bricks made from it was very good and he was quite satisfied with the clay.

‘Items’ column.

A large number of dead cats about.

Those remains caused much excitement at Aberdeen.

Literary Work in the 1889 paper.

Throughout the year the paper ran a serialised novel each week.

In X, 815, 4 January 1889 it was Pauline, beginning at Chapter XXVII

Pauline concluded in X, 824, 5 February 1889.

In X, 824, 5 February 1889 Mine is Thine began and it was still in progress at chapter LV in XI, 917, 31 Dec. 1889.

The characteristics of the 1889 paper are essentially unchanged from the previous year. Though not of course acknowledged, it is clear that the leader writer was W.H. Hardy. He has a rambling style, which often takes a long time to get to the point and he is politically and socially left wing in content matter. His moral stand is interesting in that despite his political views he is often espousing quite conservative Christian stances on moral issues and yet he was a little later in his career accused of being an atheist: a charge which he did not deny. He appears to consider Christ’s moral teachings to be the essential foundation of civilised life, even if he might not have accepted his divinity. He was to become a frequent contributor to the Southern Cross, whose birth is noted in this year.

The paper was issued twice a week: on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Page 1.

Large and small advertisements with a mixture of local and others.

Page 2.

Smaller advertisements. Stock sales and market reports. Local entertainments and public notices. Editorials and short items of local news. There is a column headed ‘Items’ which begins with very short items and goes on to slightly longer ones. Some are local, but much of it is not. The shortest items are sometimes enigmatic. Some letters to the editor.

Page 3.

Items of general interest. Sometimes an extended report on a local event. About three columns of smaller advertisements: many not local.

Page 4.

The serialised novel, plus sometimes poetry. Patent medicine advertisements dominate along with a large self-advertisement.

Numbering of the issues of the paper in 1889.

1889 begins with Volume X, Number 814 on 1 January 1889

and runs to

Volume X, Number 873 on 30 July 1889

In this series No. 850 is used twice, No. 851 is not used and 865 is used twice.

The paper then continues with:

Volume XI, Number 874 on 2 August 1889

And runs to

Volume XI, Number 917 on 31 December 1889, but Volume XI, Number 916 of 28 December 1889 was not published.

XI, 918, 3 Jan. 1890, page 1

Advertisements

Goodchild, Duff & Co. Auctioneers, Kapunda

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers, Adelaide, Kapunda, Kooringa & Broken Hill

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Auctioneers, Kapunda & Kooringa

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

S. Drew & Co. Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber & Iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

Clarence Forder Agent for SA Insurance Co. Ltd, Redruth

William Pearce Agent for National Building Soc., Commercial St

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker, Tinsmith, Gas Fitting, Bell Hanging, Water Laid On

Mrs Batchelor Fancy Goods, Commercial St

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders etc., Aberdeen

Thomas Kitchen Groceries, Ironmongery, Fruit, Fancy Goods, Wallpaper, Dairy Products, Farmers’ Supplies, Homoeopathic Medicines, etc.

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers, Burra, etc.

Wilkinson’s Book, Cards, Aerated Drinks, Novelties

W.L. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Commercial St

E.A. Moore Agent for A.W. Dobbie & Co. Of Adelaide,

Pianos, Organs & Sewing Machines

F.W. Holder Pianos & Organs

William Pearse General Wheelwright has commenced business in the shop occupied by Messrs Harry & Burns, Buggies made to order, Commercial St

XI, 918, 3 Jan. 1890, page 2

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers

W.J. Davey Davey’s Burra Band is open for engagements

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers

William H. Hardy Commission Agent, Kooringa

XI, 918, 3 Jan. 1890, page 3

Advertisements

T. Edwards Clothing, Hats, Drapery, Dressmaking

Harry & Burns Wheelwrights, Blacksmiths, etc., Next to the Commercial Hotel

Miller & Statton Machinists, Blacksmiths, Wheelwrights & Coachbuilders, Thames St

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Near Sara & Dunstan, Aberdeen

John Snell Agent for the Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Ltd.

XI, 918, 3 Jan. 1890, page 2

Notice. Train Timetable: To Adelaide

Arrive 9.33 a.m. Depart 9.38 a.m.

Arrive 4.16 p.m. Depart 4.21 p.m.

From Adelaide

Arrive 11.20 a.m. Depart 11.25 a.m.

Arrive 7.43 p.m. Depart 7 48 p.m.

Editorial farewelling 1889 without many regrets. It was a harsh year, yet not all was gloom and some have prospered. It was a bad year in Ireland. A birth of hope with the New Year is described in somewhat purple prose or at least in rather flowery writing.

2nd Leader on the benefits of free trade over protection.

Obituary. James Diamond was expected to run at the Foresters’ Sports on Boxing Day in the Sheffield Handicap, but failed to appear. In fact, he committed suicide on 30 December. Deceased had been barman of the Stanley Hotel in Clare. [Died 30 December 1889 aged 27.]

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 1 January. Proceeds were enough to leave the church free of debt.

Hon. J.C. Bray, Speaker of the House of Assembly has been made a KCMG.

SA Parliament is to meet soon to elect two delegates to the Federal Council to be opened next month.

The Holidays. The town was quiet between Christmas and the New Year as many residents had left for the holidays.

The New Year was greeted without mischief, though there were crowds about on New Year’s Eve and into the early morning. The two local bands played in the evening and shortly before midnight the usual services were held in the Wesleyan and Anglican Churches. Music, guns and laughter saw the New Year in.

New Year’s Day saw the Wesleyan Picnic and Sports on the oval. The heat of the day curtailed the amount of sporting activity. The tea in the schoolroom was followed by an exhibition of Central African Scenery by Rev. H.T. Burgess in the church. [Presumably by means of a magic lantern, though not so stated.]

XI, 918, 3 Jan. 1890, page 3

Stock, the fast skater, previously in charge of the rink at the Burra Institute, has challenged anyone in Broken Hill to compete with him and F. Nestdale has responded, offering a 10 mile race for £10 a side with the winner to take 75% of the gate.

Cricket. At Kapunda on 1 January: Burra 57 defeated Kapunda 39.

At Riverton on 2 January Riverton 100 & 1 for 13 defeated Burra 41 & 72 by 9 wickets.

[Though surely they needed one more run!]

Diprotodon Discovery.

A few weeks ago W. Davies of Burra noticed some remains of an unknown animal protruding from the bank of a deep creek, tributary to Baldina Creek on the Eastern Plains. He returned a few days later with Messrs Nevin & [C.] Fuss. They managed to retrieve only a few bones due to the unsafe nature of the bank. Mr H.S. Rumball was in the town and he took the recovered bones to Mr Zeits at the Adelaide Museum. He identified them as those of a diprotodon. Mr Zeits and Mr Rumball arrived on 21 December and a party set of for the site of the discovery. About 10 tons of earth had to be removed in order to extricate the remaining bones. There comprised only the head of the animal, as the stream had washed away the rest of it. Unfortunately in moving the head, it broke into four pieces, but none was lost. The specimen is 2’10” long and two lower incisor teeth were 9” in length and those on the top were over 1’ long and curved over the lower ones like tusks. In the evening a number of people viewed the specimen in Mr Fuss’s shop in Aberdeen before Mr Zeits took it to Adelaide for the Museum.

Burra Co. VF. On Monday afternoon there was a rifle match v. ‘A’ Company Adelaide Rifles in which Burra 409 defeated Adelaide 355.

Adelaide Fife & Drum Band arrived on Monday by the midday train and they were transferred by drags etc. to Kooringa, playing as they went. Lunch was taken at the Burra Hotel and in the afternoon they visited the town and about 7 p.m. they played in Market Square before going to the Institute for a concert. The plan was to hold a joint concert with Davey’s Band to aid the poor of Burra. Mr William Pearce gave the hall free of charge.

The performance seems to have been a mixture of items by the Fife and Drum Band, Davey’s Band and songs, recitations etc. from a Minstrel Group. The writer did not appreciate some of the crude humour and vulgar contributions of the latter.

On Tuesday morning, 2 January, the band members were received by William Killicoat and after refreshments they were shown over the Mine by Mr Killicoat and Mr West.

XI, 919, 7 Jan. 1890, page 2

Advt. Prospectus for the Burra Fire Brick & Clay Co. is printed to raise a capital of £2,500 in 2,500 £1 shares.

The Provisional Directors were W.R. Ridgway, P.L. Killicoat, John Dunstan Jun., W.A. Rabbich, Benjamin Preece.

1,000 share paid to £1 were to be issued to present proprietors as consideration for their interest in Crown Lease No. 816 for 99 years and rent at £2 p.a. being 40 acres of land in the Hundred of Baldina, 13 miles from Burra, containing unlimited fire clay and other clay and three years lease of premises for manufacturing adjacent to the Burra Railway Station, 3 acres with good water, substantial stone office and other buildings, etc. etc. 1,500 shares are offered to the public.

Notice. H. McKenzie, Sgt-Major of the Militia Fife & Drum Band, thanks W.J. Davey & members of the Burra Band for the assistance at the recent concert.

Notice. Goodchild, Duff & Co. announce that on 21 December 1889 they sold their business to Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd.

Notice. In the estate of the late Leonard Urwin tenders are called for the cash purchase of Drapery, Stock & Fixtures in Commercial St, Kooringa.

Editorial urging caution in interfering with nature in killing off species with particular reference to the urge to kill off all the sparrows, but also warning of the dangers of indiscriminate draining of bogs.

A Minor Earth Tremor was felt last Sunday night.

Fires. Why do not the Government install patent spark catchers on locomotives to prevent grass fires?

Silver. There are rumours of a good silver find near town, but we cannot substantiate them.

Weather & Agriculture. The Christmas and New Year period was very hot. To the east in Baldina glorious results have been secured. One large farmer there reports 17 b. per acre. Late rains have damaged crops to the west where rust has appeared; still on the whole it has been a year with nothing considerable to grumble about. Some areas of Baldina are producing 20 b. per acre. We hope this will encourage the erection of an irrigation system there as the value of the soil is proven.

The Fountain. Larrikins have struck again. One of the valves has been smashed. ‘It is a pity the larrikin element cannot be suppressed and thereby ratepayers’ property saved from wilful destruction’.

XI, 919, 7 Jan. 1890, page 3

Letter concerned with the prevalence of large landed estates. The following persons together own (outside of County Adelaide) one ninth of the area and one seventh of the value of all land: Hawker, Bowman, Dr Browne & Son, Riddock, Angas, Robertson, Sanders, James & Co., J. Maslin, McCulloch, Dutton & J. Clark. [Figures are given.]

The Record Newspaper and General Printing Office.

At the beginning of July 1876 Messrs Henry Pether and Frank Jarman commenced business somewhere near the spot where the office now stands. The Mine was still operating and the move would seem to be a good and profitable business. The first paper was on the first Friday in July 1876 and was a double demy sheet of 28 columns as now. [This is not strictly true. In the first issue there were 4 pages of 5 columns each for a total of 20 columns. This became 4 pages of 6 columns for a total of 24 columns from the second issue until the paper changed its name to the Burra News & Northern Mail on 5 January 1877, when the 7 column pages were introduced.]

It was printed on an old Columbian hand press. It was called The Northern Mail.

The first year saw a good profit and on 1 January the name was changed to The Burra News. [Actually to The Burra News and Northern Mail.] All went well till June 1878 when the proprietors decided to give up the business:

‘A good and prosperous run was then experienced in both the news and jobbing departments until June 1878 when by some unaccountable means matters began to take place which caused the then proprietors, Messrs Pether and Jarman, to think about giving up the business, which they did, and the whole thing was taken up by a committee of resident gentlemen of whom the present proprietor, Mr F.W. Holder was one.’

The whole enterprise was then taken over by a committee of local gentlemen of which the present proprietor, F.W. Holder, was one. On 5 July 1878 the paper was rechristened and made its appearance under its present title of the Burra Record. [Actually it appeared for a short time simply as The Record.] After fourteen months Holder took over as sole proprietor on 3 September 1880. For two years and four months great strides were made and despite the closure of the mine the paper prospered, securing a large circulation beyond the town and good business was also done in the jobbing department.

On 5 January 1883 the office was totally destroyed by fire along with several other adjoining businesses. The fire started in the business of a hairdresser called J.E. Doe. Arrangements were immediately made for the paper to be printed in Adelaide by Carey & Page. New type and equipment was procured for the paper and an improved ‘Arab’ for the small job printing. The paper moved to new premises which it currently occupies.

Success followed and on 9 October 1883 it was decided to publish twice a week. The business continued to improve and half a dozen hands were employed. After his election to Parliament Mr Holder had to place the business affairs in other hands. About six months ago the printing and general management passed to the hands of W.J. Davey who had held important positions in printing business in another colony and the editorial chair was filled by Mr W.H. Hardy, who is there today. The business today is prosperous and can execute orders for all kinds of printing.

Cricket. Burra beat Kapunda by 17 runs on 6 January.

But ‘Sparks’ reveals that the Riverton cricketers were too good for Burra.

The Poisoner of champion dogs has almost finished his task in Burra.

XI, 920, 10 Jan. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Town Council. The editor agrees with the decision to increase the Health Rate from 3d to 31⁄2d and the Park Lands Rate from 2d to 3d. The General rate remained at 1/-. These changes are needed as there is now no Government subsidy. This year there is also £200 in bonds to redeem. He reiterates his view that the town was ‘got at’ by the Government with respects to the Waterworks.

About a year ago the Government controlled the Waterworks and were receiving from ratepayers about £900 p.a. and were so extravagant in their modus operandi that the Council thought it would be better for them to pay the Government interest on the cost of construction and work it themselves. In this they were so successful when using the Government rates they were able to generate a surplus whereupon at the start of this year they decided to reduce the rate. Up to the end of last year the rate was 121⁄2% up to £40 (Minimum £10, up to which value all paid 25/- per annum.) Over £40 to £100 was 5% and over £100 it was 21⁄2%. Cr Hardy introduced a scheme that all assessments other than vacant lands be rated at a minimum 10/- up to £10. £10 to £40 be rated at 10% and over £40 be the same as last year.

When this was rejected as yielding too little income Cr Rabbich suggested that up to £10 be rated 71⁄2%, £10 to £40 be at 121⁄2% and over £40 be as before.

This will result in many residents now on the minimum paying 15/- instead of 25/- and the total revenue will drop by c. £200. We support the Council in this saving and the Council is sanguine that they can conduct the Waterworks at this level of income.

2nd Leader is on Federation, Protection & Free Trade. The editor was in favour of free trade: it is nonsense he says to talk of keeping the money in the country ‘by taxing the workingmen’s boots or clothes, or imposing a duty on a baby’s pinafore’.

Weather. Yesterday was a regular brickfielder.

The Concert organised by Thomas Heming of the Burra Hotel and others, of the Adelaide Drum and Fife Band, a week or so back, has yielded £2-5-6 to each of the local medical men to distribute to the needy of the town.

Market Square Pump. The pump was placed there by public subscription (as was the sinking of the well) and if ever its benefit was felt it was while it was useless. Something should be done to suppress larrikinism which two out of three times is the cause of breakage. The crowd of hobbledehoys should not be allowed to play with other people’s property in the way the pump is.

Kooringa Post Office is a busy place. In 1889 4,948 telegrams were despatched and 4,500 were received for an income of £328-17-4. (1888 had been £364).

87,000 letters were posted plus 950 registered letters and 2,800 parcels.

£850 worth of stamps was sold and there were 93 new accounts for the Savings Bank.

Wrestling. The match attracted c. 150 at 4 p.m. yesterday. H. Vivian fought J. Cohen for £2 a side in a best of three falls match, but five falls took place before a decision from Henderson & Gaffey awarded the match to Cohen.

XI, 920, 10 Jan. 1890, page 3

Burra Town Council, 6 January.

A memorial was received from ratepayers against the closing of the water troughs at Aberdeen.

The rates for the next year were passed: General 1/-, Park Lands 3d, Health 31⁄2d.

Work needed to be done on the Kingston St Bridge will be let by tender.

Cr Watt moved that the Market Square pump be repaired. Carried.

Burra Fire Brick Co. will be offered water at 2/- per 1,000 gallons for 3 months. The company to bear the cost of laying it on.

The water rates were passed as outlined in the editorial.

Cr Hardy moved the night cart be repaired.

The Mayor will call police attention to larrikinism at the pump.

Cricket. 6 January. At Kapunda, Burra 56 defeated Kapunda 39.

7 January at Riverton, Riverton 100 & 1 for 14, defeated Burra 41 & 72.

Influenza [which had been bad in Europe] threatens SA.

Fires continue to be started by locomotives.

XI, 921, 14 Jan. 1890, page 2

Notice. Burra Corporation calls tenders for excavating, concreting etc. the foundations of the main road bridge near Henderson’s. [The Kingston St Bridge.]

Burra Waterworks calls tenders for 50 tons of firewood: good sound mallee in 2’ lengths 2” to 6” in diameter.

Editorial on the American adoption of the Australian Ballot System. [i.e. the secret ballot.]

2nd Leader on Taxation Reform. A progressive land tax disadvantages those who develop their land and favours the non-developing absentee owner. An all round property tax would be a fine against all workers. We believe in a tax upon unimproved land values.

Galena has been said to have been found near Burra. If verified, the sooner the site is developed the better.

The Harvest. Now that the harvest is in the returns are not as good as we expected. At Baldina the crops were really good, but in Mt Bryan District the grain is miserably shrivelled and fit only for pig food. Rust is more prevalent to the west and though a good percentage will be secured, much will be valueless.

The Copper Price holds up, but the Bartle slag craze has subsided and the slag dump is again awaiting any interested party, but those who backed Bartle when copper was £40 per ton are shy of involvement when it has reached £60 per ton. We believe there would be more tributers at work if SAMA took a lower %. We hear they expect 5/- in the £. [i.e. 25%]

XI, 921, 14 Jan. 1890, page 3

Fire broke out at Terowie on Saturday night at Messrs Albin & Co. Matilda Schutt was frightfully burnt when her hair caught alight from a candle. She seems to have washed it first in kerosene and had been rinsing it when the fire occurred. But for the prompt action of others she must have died in the ruins of the shop. She was taken to hospital, but we hear is very little improved.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting on 31 Dec. was presided over by Rev. H.T. Burgess. Dr Brummitt and the Hon. F.W. Holder (circuit stewards) and eight others attended. The income exceeded expenditure. The church trust has taken over liability for the parsonage with £100 due to the Loan Fund and a £50 overdraft. F.W. Holder & T. Drew are stewards for the coming year and Holder was appointed lay representative to the Conference.

Larrikinism. Last Saturday evening all the footway crossings between Kooringa and Redruth were pulled up and thrown into the watertables.

Fitzgerald’s Circus is to visit on 18 Jan. and will play on the ground at the rear of the Commercial Hotel. The Advertiser in Adelaide reports very favourably, especially on the equestrian acts.

Burra Fire Brick Co. is to start operations shortly.

Morgan to Kooringa. There is a report of a walk between these two centres. Morgan is described and then the walk to Government Well and on to Bundey Post Office (on the wrong track). The writer then tells tales of German settlers until he reaches Baldina and from there on he came in Mr Nankivell’s wagon to Burra.

Horse Race at Princess Royal yesterday when Lally rode F. Jones’s horse against Gaffey on H. Vivian’s horse for £1 a side. Jones’s horse won, but was then beaten by a grey mare of R. Austin’s over the same distance.

XI, 922, 17 Jan. 1890, page 2

Advt. Fitzgerald’s Palace Circus: Equine Paradox and Congress of Living Wonders.

Will Perform at Burra on Saturday 18 January.

Peerless Lady Riders, A Museum of Living Prodigies and the Funniest of Funny Clowns.

40 Artists, 50 Horses and Ponies

Editorial on ‘False Doctrines’ which eventually returns to the question of protectionism again.

2nd Leader on Influenza.

‘On former occasions Australia has run no danger, but the question may now be asked whether, in these days of rapid and constant communication, there is any likelihood of the epidemic reaching the colonies?’

Burra Institute. We regret that a duly advertised meeting of the subscribers of the Burra Institute has fallen through due to the lack of a quorum. Are we self-satisfied or too busy? If a group of gentlemen puts burnt cork on their faces the crowd is great, but of 71 members not even 11 can be got together for ordinary business. Of the 3686 volumes issued no less than 2582 were for fiction and only 6 were of scientific works.

Burra Co. VF. It is some five years since the local Volunteer C. was formed and during that time it has seen ups and downs. At one time there were nearly 100 members. We hear that this year we will see its total collapse.

Beware tinned mussels are being passed off as oysters.

Federal Convention. SA will be represented in Melbourne by R. C. Baker MLC, Dr Cockburn and the Hon. T. Playford.

XI, 922, 17 Jan. 1890, page 3

Local Industries No. 5: Burra Aerated Water & Cordial Manufactory

Located in Queen St: current proprietor, R.M. Birt.

The factory was established about 14 years ago by Mr Munro who sold it after about one year to Mr N. Lihou who carried on the business with two or three of his sons for about six years when he sold to Mr Birt. A large outside business has been done which has encouraged the owner to a considerable extension of plant and machinery. The main products are ginger ale, lemonade, soda water, and a range of cordials. There is machinery for a much larger production than is presently provided. On the ground floor there is a soda water machine capable of 200 dozen bottles a day. The machine is worked by horsepower with a large horseworks erected outside the building with a set of pulleys and belts to direct the speed as required. Part of the building has large troughs for washing bottles. Beneath the factory is a large cellar used solely for the manufacture of cordials. There is a journeyman manufacturer, a wirer, bottle washer, labellers, carters etc.

Tennis. J.D. Stuart, late of Burra Lawn Tennis Club, is becoming a prominent player in the city.

Sport. There are reports on sculling, bicycle racing, horse racing, and boxing etc. from the other colonies and overseas.

Property Values in Burra have fallen with removals from the town to Broken Hill.

[The degree of the fall is debatable as shown in the appeal cases against the town assessment in the same issue.]

Market Square Pump is still being played with.

XI, 923, 21 Jan. 1890, page 2

Editorial on Co-operative Reform. [i.e. the forming of co-operative societies.]

2nd Leader on a fire at Mt Bryan. A large fire began on Saturday on W. Cockrum’s property. A railway spark is thought to be the origin. The editor says five out of six fires are caused largely by avoidable actions. They come from smokers in trains and from firemen in locomotives knocking clinker off the poker over the side of the engine. Spark catchers should stop chimney sparks and the law should address these issues.

The Hon. J. G. Ramsay was fatally burned in his railway carriage last Friday when a lamp burst and kerosene poured over him. Two years ago Colza oil was abandoned in favour of kerosene, though kerosene gives little better light and Colza oil was 100 to 1 safer. [Colza or colsa oil is made from the rape plant, once known as cole, from which cole-seed. (Canola)]

Christmas Charity. During the Xmas holidays five old Burra residents distributed as a Christmas present about 1,100 lb of beef to residents of the town, at a cost of about £13-14-0.

Trains of late rarely run to time so why not add ‘say an hour or so [to the present timetables] . . .and give them a chance to arrive at the specified time at least once a week or so?’

The Dog Poisoner. We again protest at the barefaced rascality carried on by some evil disposed person in the wholesale poisoning of dogs about the town. For the past year or more it has been a constant thing to hear of valuable dogs being poisoned actually on their own chains. We will assure anyone of a substantial reward who will leave the name of the guilty person(s) at this office.

The Diprotodon skull lately found at Baldina has been set up by Mr Zietz at the Adelaide Museum.

Lily of the Valley Tent IOR held its quarterly meeting and showed a healthy excess of income over expenditure. Of the 110 member 38 were new.

Hon. J.G. Ramsay’s accident is reported in further detail.

The Circus [Fitzgerald’s] charged 4/- and 2/6, but this did not prevent the place from being packed to overflowing. The performance met expectations: the artists were good and the horsemanship was as good as any seen before.

Obituary. Mr J. Berridge, head teacher at Mt Bryan, died at Willaston on 15 January. He was only 27 and had come from England two years ago to improve his health, and for a time the move had seemed successful. [John Berridge.]

XI, 923, 21 Jan. 1890, page 2-3

Letter from an angry ratepayer who attacks the court case reported in the previous issue when W.R. Ridgway had the rateable value of his property reduced. He claimed the house concerned was worth only £8-15-0 a year which the writer said was clearly nonsense for a new eight-roomed house on the main street. When W. West, agent for SAMA, says it is only worth £7 and he has known the property for over thirty years it is worse than nonsense: the house was not built more than 10-12 years, if so long.

XI, 923, 21 Jan. 1890, page 3

Fire at Mt Bryan. The fire started on the property of William Cockrum, sheep farmer of Mt Bryan and it is generally supposed its origin was the midday passenger train from Adelaide. The flames spread rapidly in grass and were soon out of control. The grass at the start was very thick and fire soon engulfed the whole paddock. It soon threatened Mr Cockrum’s house and consumed all about it such as a large haystack, a lot of machinery including horseworks for a chaffcutter, a small engine etc. A small forest around the place burnt, but then the wind veered to the southwest and the flames ran away from the house which was saved. It burnt another well-grassed paddock, despite the dozens of willing helpers. It now entered Mr Griffith Harry’s property consuming two sections of grass and made for the big range of hills to the west, at the top of which it had a width of about two miles and was moving fast. To the north it burnt a gap through Mr G. Hiles’ paddocks, but his house escaped as the wind on that side of the range chopped and the flames spread on towards Booborowie, burning for miles unchecked. Miraculously all the houses en route were saved. It travelled some 8-9 miles on a two mile front.

By six in the evening it was nine miles from the start and was raging on the Booborowie flat. Fears were held for the head station. Then at sunset the wind dropped and by using some tracks and creeks as a break it was halted. Miles of fencing and several large haystacks were consumed. Mrs Cockrum was unwell and had to be carried from her home to safety. Both there and at Harry’s the furniture and livestock were removed. The sheep losses are unknown at this stage, but are expected to be large.

R. Collins Jun. gives an eyewitness account of the fire.

A Pro-Protection Article is reprinted from the Boston Advertiser.

Typhoid Fever article.

Sporting News concentrates on sculling and boxing.

XI, 924, 24 Jan. 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘Life’

2nd Leader on ‘Czarism’: not so much the Russian variety, but the contempt for public opinion which leads authorities like the Railway Commissioner to ignore public advice etc. It is about the abuse of power. The Railway commissioner is determined to continue to use kerosene to light railway carriages.

Burra School resumed this week with Mr Wittber still the head teacher.

W.B. Rounsevell has decided to stand for the seat of Pt Adelaide at the next election and so a new candidate is required here.

Burra Creek flowed strongly on Tuesday and 1.51” has been registered at the Kooringa Post Office.

Unsafe Housing. One of SAMA’s houses in Stock Street, Kooringa, collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. The roof fell completely in. It was occupied by Mr Rogers, a blind man, but fortunately no one was at home when it occurred. There are several other ‘rookeries’ which the authorities should have a look at before someone is buried alive.

Rev. J.C. Hansen has sent a £3 cheque to the Burra Hospital from his congregation in the Hundred of Schomburgk, in thanks for the treatment given to Johann Gottlich Hanm (deceased) while in the Burra Hospital. [Almost certainly Johann Gottlieb Thaumm died 20 November 1889 aged 50.]

Obituary. Harry Slade (‘Chunkey’) who was well known in Burra as a colt breaker died suddenly on Sunday at Kapunda. [Died 19 January 1890 aged 47.]

Letter reprinted from the Advertiser regretting that the discoverer of the diprotodon bones had not also searched for evidence of Aboriginal hunters at the site.

XI, 924, 24 Jan. 1890, page 2-3

Rev. H.T. Burgess of Kooringa has been elected President of the Wesleyan Conference after 31 years of uninterrupted service to the Wesleyan Church in SA. He thanked them for their confidence: it being ten years since they did him the honour of making him President.

XI, 924, 24 Jan. 1890, page 3

Trains are also not running to time elsewhere in SA and the Crystal Brook correspondent of the Register cites delays of two hours as being common.

W.R. Ridgway replies to the irate ‘Ratepayer’ saying that the house referred to is four-roomed not eight-roomed and far from being new is one of the oldest in the town: it was renovated some years ago and there are not two men in the town who know values better than the witnesses called. We all understand the nature of an oath inside and outside the court.

Burra Town Council, 24 January.

The mayor reported on the inspection of the town.

On the whole the town is satisfactory and sanitary. Watertables need clearing and as usual some footpaths, roads and drains need attention. Butchers’ premises were inspected and were deemed acceptable. In the North Ward pigs and sheep are slaughtered on site and some disagreeable smell is to be expected. (In the other wards all slaughtering is off the premises.)

Hotels were inspected and some urinals needed attention.

An enlargement of the cemetery will be needed soon.

The reserve in North Ward that Councillors want trees planted on was inspected and deemed suitable for this and an arrangement for the funds needed has been made.

Council will send a deputation to the Hon. F.W. Holder to seek a reduction in the Waterworks interest from 5% to 31⁄2%.

Cr O’Leary moved the troughs in the North Ward be left open and North Ward be charged 1/- per 1,000 gallons for the water used.

P.L. Killicoat has offered all piping, cocks etc. to lay water on to the oval on condition the Council finds the labour. He was thanked and the matter left with the Waterworks Committee.

Races. A meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday evening and it was decided to meet again tomorrow night to elect a committee etc. to run a race meeting at a date to be decided.

Bridge St Bridge. If that bridge in Bridge St is not soon repaired it will collapse. [Which of the two possible bridges is not clear.]

The Mt Bryan Fire killed 190 sheep and 1 horse.

XI, 925, 28 Jan. 1890, page 2

Editorial on W.B. Rounsevell MP who has been for 15 years Burra’s representative. The writer wished him well at Port Adelaide.

SA Parliament is likely to be dissolved soon for an April election.

Rain fell heavily to the north of Burra on Tuesday and produced a flood at Mt Bryan Flat. Hundreds of pounds of damage was done to roads and at Terowie all the buildings in the main street were flooded.

Redruth Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting was held a few days ago and income exceeded expenditure. A committee was appointed to buy a trap for the use of local preachers. Four houses are offered as suitable for a parsonage. It was unanimously decided to buy that of Mr George Sara at Aberdeen, for £550. Mr John Dunstan was elected lay representative at Conference.

Inquest. There is a good deal of further information on the Mt Bryan fire, mainly from the inquest into the same. It runs for 13⁄4 columns.

Waterworks Deputation. The Mayor (T.W. Wilkinson), Cr O’Leary, Cr Butterworth, and Cr Hardy waited on the Treasurer, F.W. Holder, at his office in Kooringa yesterday. They asked to be relieved as much as possible of the capital burden and interest on the Waterworks. Holder was sympathetic, but pointed out that the Government had to pay 4% for money. He thought that if the railways could be induced to go halves in the works both parties would benefit and the price of water might drop from c. 5/- per 1,000 gallons to 3/6. He suggested a detailed account of the plant etc. be obtained.

XI, 925, 28 Jan. 1890, page 2-3

W.B. Rounsevell has accepted a requisition to stand for Pt Adelaide. Article on him.

XI, 925, 28 Jan. 1890, page 3

Article on Stanley’s Expedition in Africa.

Letter from Matthew Datson deploring the problems associated with alcohol abuse and urging the cause be looked at. He felt the need for more secular amusements and activities. While a Christian himself, he thought the church had failed in this area and secular forces needed to be encouraged. Poverty and desperation were contributing causes of the problem.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ in reply to W.R. Ridgway. He claims the house in the rates case is on the site of the [Aberdeen] hotel that burnt down 10-12 years ago and the present row was erected on the site. As for Mr West: if he thinks it worth only £7 in the main street, then if SAMA property in the back streets was valued at the same rate ‘the Company would loose [sic] half their income.’

XI, 926, 31 Jan. 1890, page 2

Advt. Iron Mine Band of Hope Annual Public Picnic: Wednesday 5 February.

In a paddock of Mr P. Oates Senior close to the Iron Mine Chapel. Good programme of sport.

Public Tea in the Chapel at 4 p.m. In the evening a Public Temperance Meeting in the Chapel with Addresses, Songs, Recitations and Dialogues.

Notice. A Meeting of the Supporters of the Hon. F.W. Holder MP will be held in the Burra Institute

Tuesday Evening next at 8 p.m.

Editorial on ‘A Political Compact’: Free Trade, Protectionism and Federation.

2nd Leader on the role of middlemen in trade and the question of honesty and dishonesty.

Political Meeting. A meeting of the supporters of F.W. Holder is called for Tuesday evening next in the Institute.

XI, 926, 31 Jan. 1890, page 3

Letter from ‘Another Ratepayer’ in support of the appeal against the rate assessment by W.R. Ridgway. He says that at present Burra property is unsaleable and rents much decreased in value. There are empty shops and houses throughout the town and yet ‘Ratepayer’ seems to think the assessment values should be as they were when the Mine operated and put each month some £3,000 into the town. For 12 years businesses have steadily gone from bad to worse, so of course people are protesting and Mr West has certainly known the place for over 32 years.

A Horse Race took place on Wednesday afternoon at Spring Bank between Mr Jones’s Quondong and R. Austin’s grey filly for £5 a side over one mile. Austin’s mare won easily. Sellers rode for Jones and W. Vivian for Austin.

[Note: In XI, 927, 4 Feb. 1890, p.3 this was corrected to Mr Sandland’s horse Quondong.]

Burra Creek is flowing well.

Burra Co. VF: will the company be disbanded?

Its annual meeting will be held next Friday night.

XI, 927, 4 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial: ‘What is Socialism.’

The District Councils in this area are neglecting their duty concerning noxious weeds, especially the star thistle.

Stray Cattle. We protest the way in which stray cattle are allowed to injure street trees which have cost so much to plant. Dozens have also been killed by children.

The Wesleyan Conference is almost over and for this district the ministers will be: for Kooringa Rev. R.M. Hunter and for Redruth Rev. T.M. Rowe.

XI, 927, 4 Feb. 1890, page 3

Another horse race has been arranged for next Wednesday week between R. Austin’s grey mare and Mr T. Hall’s ‘Earl’.

Sport: Boxing, cricket and sculling dominate the news from overseas.

Another dog has been poisoned.

Entertainment: we cannot say much for the concert on Friday night.

Burra Town Council.

The Council has decided to repair the Aberdeen standpipe and Sara & Dunstan will be written to again concerning the cost.

XI, 928, 7 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the coming elections. Mr Holder will assuredly stand again, though he has not officially said so yet, but another member is needed as W.B. Rounsevell is standing for Port Adelaide.

2nd Leader on the Land question. It is an argument about how land has been alienated and who has rights to it. The writer is clearly totally opposed to the private ownership of land: at least in the way it is recognised in the UK and here.

Larrikins have destroyed more trees.

Health Warning. As a result of wet weather water from cesspits could be contaminating wells, especially in the Thames St area.

The Chinese Gardens in Kingston St have all kinds of vegetables growing, proving how rich the country would be with water.

Obituary. Carle Kroncke of Kooringa died last Tuesday 5 Feb. aged 81. [Since Tuesday was the 4th one or the other must be in error.] He was a colonist of over 40 years and one of the first gold seekers at Bendigo. He leaves a wife and two daughters in Kooringa. [Registered as dying on 4 February 1890.]

Trains! The mail is lucky to arrive on time once a week.

Letter from ‘Labourer’ warning working class voters to beware of candidates who promise anything to get elected, but once there pander at once to the landowners and those with money. The editor endorses this and hopes for radical change with the workers being represented by their own class in Parliament.

Political Meeting. The meeting of Holder supporters in the Institute last Tuesday saw P. Lane take the chair. It was necessary to appoint a committee to work up their interests. The following were appointed: P. Lane (Chair), W. Geake Sen. (Vice Chair), Messrs G. Parks, W.H. Linkson, T.W. Wilkinson, W. Anderson, H. Stephens, H. Bruse, D.J. O’Leary, F. Casey, T. Young, J. Jenkins, M. Symons, J. Morgan, W.T. Rabbich, J. Jordan, J.D. Cave.

XI, 928, 7 Feb. 1890, page 2-3

Rain. Heavy rain fell at 4.30 a.m. Wednesday in a thunderstorm that delivered 11⁄2” in about 20 minutes with even heavier falls to the north. Between 8 and 9 a.m. the Burra Creek came down a banker and Mt Bryan Flat was under water for several miles. Low-lying areas of Redruth became a lake and many families were flooded out. The peak came between 10 and 11 a.m. The Temperance Hotel, occupied by Mrs Reed as well as the Redruth Eating House, lately occupied by Mr F.E. Bromley, the house occupied by Mt Thomas Hall and several others were completely swamped. The premises of J. Tiver and B. Preece were surrounded by water. In Kooringa much damage was done to roads and footbridges. The footbridges opposite the Post Office, behind the Burra Hotel, opposite the Bible Christian Church and near the old Pig and Whistle were all demolished. We have not heard of any personal injury.

XI, 928, 7 Feb. 1890, page 3

The Bible Christian district meeting is reported.

XI, 929, 11 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the desirability of Burra District competing with Kapunda in the supply of smelting flux for operations at Dry Creek, Port Adelaide, or elsewhere.

2nd Leader on Masters & Men

A political diatribe on his usual theme of the representation of workers in Government etc.

Burra Co. VF was to have met on Friday evening last, but Captain Holder was unable to attend due to unforseen circumstances and it is postponed to 21 Feb.

Stephen Crossman, late of Burra and an engine driver for the SAR, slipped when uncoupling some trucks at Gladstone last Friday and hurt a foot, necessitating its amputation.

The Federation Convention meets this week in Melbourne to discuss the Federal Constitution etc.

XI, 929, 11 Feb. 1890, page 3

Burra Town Council, special meeting, 10 Feb.

The Council inspected the flood damage. The footbridge near the White Hart is to be repaired, but a decision on the footbridge behind the Burra Hotel was deferred.

XI, 930, 14 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial: Is Life Worth Living?

To many perhaps it is not - to the poor and outcast, to the very ill, and on to the injustice of one man having a thousand times more to live on than another. For so long as this is so there will be misery and weariness of life, ending as expected.

‘Workers look out, the elections are at hand; you have the thing in your own hands.’

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Harvest Thanksgiving Services next Sunday and Monday.

Letter to editor complaining of the lack of action in restoring the Pig and Whistle footbridge.

Sports News from overseas is dominated by horse racing and boxing.

Locally there will be another horse race at Springbank tomorrow at 3 p.m. between R. Austin’s Happy Eliza and W. Henderson’s Converted Jane.

XI, 930, 14 Feb. 1890, page 3

William Henry March was charged on the information of Isaac Chivell of Kooringa with embezzling £2-13-7. Though the case was dismissed the details go on for over 1 column. [See also Editorial & court report XI, 948, 18 Apr. 1890, p.2]

XI, 931, 18 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘Bastard Legal Advice’ and calling for the maintenance of ‘right’ or ‘justice’ rather than legal technicality and in the light of the recent William March case more care should be taken before arresting people and casting them into prison on the basis of ‘bastard legal advice’.

2nd Leader on the Federation Conference.

The conference was bungled with no real outcome. Parkes was guilty of bombast, Playford failed to advance the cause of federation. The main resolution passed simply confirmed the desirability of union ‘on principles just to the several colonies’.

Election Matters. Candidates are holding back their policies, waiting for what the ministers have to say. Better that they should speak for themselves.

Bishop Barry, late of the colonies, has said in the UK that high wages in Australia are retarding development. This is ridiculous when authorities in England admit the present [deplorable] state of the working class throughout England is caused by insufficient wages. ‘The few are the winners now in Australia, and should the many, that is the toilers, be satisfied with less reward for their labour we fancy those few would only be the winners to a greater degree.’

Burra Co. VF Annual Meeting called for Friday evening next at the Institute.

Obituary. F.G. Schultz, aged 69, a farmer for over 20 years near Hallett, has died. [Apparently refers to the person registered as Geo Fred Scholz who died 13 February 1890 aged 68.]

Obituary. Mrs Preece, wife of Benjamin Preece of Aberdeen has died after a long and painful illness. Mr Preece had lived in the town since the early days - about 37 years ago. She leaves a large adult family. [Died 12 February 1890 aged 63. Born Hannah Jones.]

Entertainment. At the rear of the Commercial Hotel there was a cheap and lively entertainment from a ventriloquist on a deal structure and also a cake eating contest between four boys. All of which served merely to publicise a pain remedy for which the entertainer claimed to be the sole agent.

Mr Bryants will entertain tonight at the Institute.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Harvest Thanksgiving was successfully celebrated last Sunday.

Elections. So far two candidates have come forward for the district: Mr Richardson of Saddleworth and Mr Lake of Jamestown.

Floods. The recent damage in the town is being repaired.

Obscene literature. ‘We are somewhat pleased to notice that the Government have decided to prohibit the circulation of that sheet of reeking filth, the Dead Bird.’

XI, 931, 18 Feb. 1890, page 2-3

Elections. Mr John Dunstan Jun. has announced his decision to be a candidate in the elections.

XI, 931, 18 Feb. 1890, page 3

Charles Drew and his wife return to Adelaide by the Ormuz, leaving Plymouth on the 28th. They have been on a holiday to restore Mr Drew’s health. The European Mail of 17 Jan. reports that Mr C. Drew of Burra has just presented to the Art Gallery of SA a painting by T.B. Kenning, The Pinch of Poverty. It is a work of considerable size and the figures are life-size. ‘It is a work of very great merit and South Australians may be congratulated on having so clever a painting added to their already fine collection in Adelaide.’

Talk on the Flags [i.e. On the flagstone footpaths of Kooringa.]

This was a gossip column that appeared from time to time in which ‘Mr Skite and Mr Gossip Meet’ and discuss local affairs of the week. Many of the references are too oblique to be understood or to be of much interest now. Some of the events referred to are covered in other parts of the paper. The column claims to be ‘contributed’ but the tone and topics are rather suggestive of W.H. Hardy, though this must remain speculative. One aspect of interest about it is that it hints at changes in the town not necessarily discussed at length in other articles. One such is the exodus to Broken Hill which is evidenced by departures, farewells etc., but never seems to merit a feature article of explanation or an attempt to actually quantify the problem.

In the paper of 11 Feb. 1890 the column reflects the fear that with the removals to Broken Hill and the general decline in population Burra will become ‘one of the most one-horse towns in the colony’. It says of the town: ‘Our cricket, tennis, chess, our dogs, cats and other things I could mention have gone’.

The Late Floods. The District councils of Hallett and Mt Bryan have waited on the Treasurer, Hon. F.W. Holder, at his Kooringa office to plead for funds to repair roads etc. Mr J. Dunstan, Chairman of the Hallett D.C., said £400-£500 would not repair the damage. The others supported the same general line. Mr Collins, Chairman of Mt Bryan D.C., pointed out that their total rate of £350 would hardly repair the fords in the district. At Mt Bryan the water had been a foot over the railway line near the station. Mr Holder made few promises and told them to spend what grants they had and to reapply in three months for the next [financial] year’s special grants.

South Australia: A reprint of a letter on South Australia’ from the Church Reformer, (England) which the editor characterises as a libel on SA. It was written by Charles L. Marson.

SA is not the place to send working men as it has rocks ahead:

Wages are high

Unions are powerful

Protection is rampant

Prices are high so workers are little better off with higher wages

Reckless farming is ruining the soil

The colony is loaded with debt

It is an interesting letter of how the colony impressed a visitor [Presumably a new Anglican churchman.)

The article provides some lovely quotes of which the following give just a taste.

‘Colonists have run up flimsy houses and untidy fences, and built pretentious, tasteless, and fraudulent chapels and town halls. The roofs are of wrinkled zinc.’

‘The people are most kind and hospitable. The old folk are healthy and free of carriage. The young ones are pale, slight and undisciplined.’

‘Speculation in land and mines ousts all mental speculation.’

‘We have an established Church in Adelaide. It is called the Totalizator.’

‘The principal products of SA are horsemen, larrikins, land agents, and silver rafflers.’

Cricket. Burra cricketers leave at 5 a.m. tomorrow for Spalding to play Belalie.

Racing. [R. Austin’s] Happy Eliza beat W. Henderson’s Converted Jane last Saturday.

Polo. The club has been practising a lot, but has been slow in securing a match.

XI, 932, 21 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Parnell case in London.

2nd Leader on ‘The Advancement of Science’.

Typhoid: there are a few cases in Burra at the moment, so be careful.

The Burra Hotel Footbridge is being restored at private expense.

Lancelot. Messrs Anderson, Dick & Co., wool-buyers, scourers and fellmongers, have opened a branch at Lancelot. [Of interest because this town near Peterborough has now completely disappeared.]

There is also an advertisement in column 2 for the ‘Lancelot Woolwash’ for which the address is Railway Station, Dawson Road, Lancelot. This seems odd since as far as I can see Lancelot didn’t have a railway station (or a railway for that matter). Perhaps it was at Ucolta.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church anniversary next Sunday & Monday. Rev. W.T. Shapley will preach. Tea meeting on Monday.

Advt. Burra Institute 21 Feb. 1890.

Gardner’s Cyclorama of the Egyptian, Soudan and Franco-Prussian Wars.

Piano recitals and cornet solos with a most charming selection of music especially composed by Mr George Gardner will accompany each scene.

Master Angas Simpson will appear in Highland Costume in ‘Scotch National Dances’.

Mine is Thine, the page four serial, ends with this issue and in future will be replaced by short stories and articles of general interest.

XI, 932, 21 Feb. 1890, page 3

Burra Town Council. The main road grant of £250 has been received.

It was resolved that the footbridge in Queen St be repaired as soon as possible.

Tenders to be called for concreting the foundations of the Thames St Bridge.

Cr Watt moved the re-erection of the footbridge near the old Pig and Whistle, in line with Stock St and the one in line with Blyth St to be repaired. Carried.

A new bridge in line with Paxton Tce was discussed.

A tender from C. & A. Fuss to repair the footbridge at the White Hart ford for £23-19-6 was considered much too high and the work will be done by the overseer of works.

Waterworks. A bonus of £2-17-6 is to be paid to the engineer for extra work done in the hot weather.

P.L. Killicoat’s offer of pipes etc. for the Kooringa oval was accepted.

Excess water is to be charged at 3/- per 1,000 gallons.

Fines for straying cattle:

John Dunstan Jun. 5/- + £1-3-0 costs

Others each paid 2/6 per charge + 10/- costs

A Frederick, M. Rayner (2 counts), T. Halls (2 counts), C. Schutz, J.M. McBride, R. Andrews, I. Goss, W.T. Rabbich (2counts).

For stray horses similar fines for:

W.L.H. Bruse, William Williams, and the Linkson Bros

And for stray swine:

William Lasscock (1 pig) and Richard Austin (4 pigs).

Races. Several local horse races took place on Tuesday last when some good running was done by several of the town hacks.

Sport. Other out-of-town reports included cricket in NZ and Sydney, rowing in NZ, mounted swords, boxing and pigeon shooting in Melbourne where a match for £100 a side ended in a tie when both contestants scored 95/100.

Burra Mine. There are still about 9 men working at the mine.

The Cricketers were unable to get a team together on Wednesday.

XI, 933, 25 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the difficulties of enforcing the orders of the Local Board of Health. The Board does its best, but the mechanism for enforcing its orders is deficient. It is hard for locally elected men to enforce unpopular actions on local people and so lose their seats at the next election. Also such men are not usually well qualified in either the operations of sanitary laws, let alone questions of germ theory etc. A Government medical officer, suitably remunerated, is needed.

Typhoid: local victims are improving.

Burra Co. VF met on Friday and adjourned till 28 Feb. for the election of officers, since when several recruits have joined.

Copper. A Burra syndicate has a property at Paratoo to exploit copper.

Elections. A requisition calling upon F.W. Holder to stand again for election will be presented to him at the Institute on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Gardner’s Cyclorama was interesting and well presented and the supporting program was also well done. The hall was well filled and the financial result was satisfactory.

XI, 933, 25 Feb. 1890, page 3

An Easter Regatta is being organised for the lake at Terowie. The Hon. F.W. Holder will be asked to be a judge.

Elections. On Wednesday 19 Feb. a large meeting of electors at the Institute in Jamestown heard Messrs Lake and Haslam speak as candidates for election. The report extends for 1 column.

XI, 934, 28 Feb. 1890, page 2

Editorial on Free Trade & Protectionism.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. offer 16,200 sheep on 28 Feb.

Sparrows are in town in enormous numbers. In evenings any place with greenery will see thousands of them.

The Bible Christian anniversary last Sunday & Monday was conducted by Rev. W.T. Shapley and was much appreciated. The debt on the building is currently £350 and the anniversary raised £32.

Rev. Marson’s letter has had some rough handling. It was published in the English Church Reformer and reprinted first in the Kapunda Herald and then in the metropolitan papers: ‘it is as smart and cynical as it is ungenerous and misleading’.

XI, 934, 28 Feb. 1890, page 3

A Shooting Match was fired on Wednesday afternoon between members of Burra Co. VF and other gentlemen.

Over 200 yards Col. Sgt Watt 29 from Pte Hardy 28 and Lieut. Butterworth 25.

Over 300 yards Watt 28 from Hardy 23 and Butterworth 15.

Cricket. At Spalding on 19 Feb. Belalie 263 defeated Burra 109.

‘The Pinch of Poverty’. The Barrier Miner comments on C. Drew’s gift of this painting to the Art Gallery of SA. It was painted by T.B. Kennington and shown at the Royal Academy Exhibition last year. The scene is in a city and a woman with wan and wistful eyes is facing the observer and sitting on stonework which supports a high iron railing. She is pale and drawn and is palpably nearly worn out. Evidently the mother of three children also shown. It is a bleak drizzling autumn day. [Rather more detail follows.]

Douglas Sunday School Anniversary 2 March. Tea meeting Wednesday 5 March and the service of song selections from Eva rendered by the Douglas Choir.

XI, 935, 4 Mar. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the achievements and failures of the SA Parliament now prorogued and about to be dissolved for the coming elections.

XI, 935, 4 Mar. 1890, page 3

Obituary. Mr William Birt of Hampton arrived in the colony in Sep. 1847 and came to Burra in October 1849 where he became foreman carpenter at the Burra Mine. In the Victorian Goldrush of 1852 he went with the rest, but was not very successful and came back to his old job. Later he worked at the old smelting works and at the Bon Accord Mine as well as working on his own account as a builder. One of his last jobs was the large store occupied by James Tiver in Aberdeen. He died in his 84th year. [Died 24 February 1890 aged 84.]

Mr & Mrs Charles Drew have returned after an absence of c. 11 months in Great Britain.

Tomatoes have become quite popular in Burra.

The SA Alliance is pushing for local option reform. Rev. H.T. Burgess is a strong supporter, believing that local people should have the power to prohibit or restrict the sale of alcohol within the district.

The Elections. A large requisition was presented last Saturday afternoon at the Burra Institute by a large deputation of the influential people of the district urging F.W. Holder to stand again for the district. Those who spoke in support included P. Lane JP, (Who handed over the requisition) Dr Brummitt JP, and Mr W. Geake Sen.

Mr Holder responded and accepted the call.

XI, 936, 7 Mar. 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘Who pays the Taxes’.

It discusses the various forms of taxation that will be brought forth in the election campaign and perhaps proposed thereafter. The writer is against the ‘simple’ solution of a property tax.

Obituary. Mr T. Bock has died. He was brought home from the Barrier a few days ago, ill and died at his residence in Kingston St. [Theodore Bock died 5 March 1890 aged 55.]

Advt. The Mayor, Mr T.W. Wilkinson, has called a public meeting in the Institute on 11 March at 7 p.m. to consider the election. The candidates are invited to address the meeting.

XI, 936, 7 Mar. 1890, page 3

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday saw a 1111⁄2 lb pumpkin from Mr Snell’s garden conspicuous among the produce. Mr & Mrs C. Drew were welcomed back having been farewelled on the similar occasion last year.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Sampson moved that plans for a new footbridge across the Burra Creek be laid on the table for a fortnight. Cr Hardy 2nd, especially as the cost was about £100. He felt the plans were more elaborate than necessary. Carried.

The bridge behind the Burra Hotel is proving more expensive than expected so the Mayor proposed that the Council subsidise the private expenditure £ for £. Cr Sampson moved East Ward give £3-10-0 and Cr Watt moved that West Ward give £3-10-0. Both carried.

It was resolved that Council join the Municipal Association.

Mr Geake was appointed lamp lighter for the quarter.

The Mayor had authorised the Town Clerk to issue certain notices re the Sunday closing of hotels.

Cr Sampson thought this was a matter for Council and he wondered at the legality of a poll of ratepayers based on South and Middle Wards when such wards no longer existed.

Cr Hardy felt embarrassed when he was asked about the notices and had to admit he knew nothing of them. He asked if Mr Holder had anything to do with the matter as it might place him in a false light with some voters at the coming election.

Other Councillors reiterated the general trend of these comments.

The Mayor was sorry to have offended, but felt he had to give notice under the Act and Mr Holder had no role in the matter.

XI, 937, 11 Mar. 1890, page 2

Advt. Lancelot Woolwash of Anderson & Dick & Co., late of Pt Augusta.

Buying Wool & Skins for highest Market Value.

Wool Buyers and Scourers, Railway Station, Dawson Road LANCELOT.

[This needs some research, as I cannot find that Lancelot had a station (or even a railway line). The nearest station seems to be Ucolta, which would have a Dawson Road, and may be where the business was located.]

Requisitions carrying long lists of names call upon G.H. Lake and F.W. Holder to stand for Parliament, along with their agreement to do so.

Requisition calling on the Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson, to call a public meeting for the Parliamentary candidates to address the voters.

John Dunstan jnr agrees to stand for Parliament following requests to do so.

Birth. To the wife of James D. Stuart, late of the Bank of Australasia, Kooringa, on 7 March at Heathfield, Malvern, Unley, a son.

XI, 937, 11 Mar. 1890, page 2-3

Editorial expressing dissatisfaction with an article in the Adelaide Lantern. The article said that about 9 years ago a poll in the South Ward of the Kooringa Corporation resulted in a vote in favour of closing hotels in the Ward on Sunday. But no action was taken to enforce this by either the police or the Corporation. Since then boundaries have been changed so a portion of South Ward is now in East Ward. The present Mayor is trying to enforce Sunday closing by sending notices to publicans. He has not consulted his Councillors.

The Lantern also prints the letter sent by W. Davey as Town Clerk to the publicans drawing their attention to clause 100 of the Licensed Victuallers Act 1880 re Sunday closing. The Lantern denounces this ‘unprecedented attempt to inconvenience the general public, and encroach upon the liberties of trade.’

The editor goes on the correct the above.

The poll was not just in South Ward, but was of the whole town.

The ban was in fact enforced for a considerable time until eventually a laxity of supervision crept in.

[He might also have pointed out there was no ‘Kooringa Corporation’.]

As for an insidious attempt to strike a blow at the liberties of the licensed victuallers: this is all nonsense. The Mayor could not override the law and there is nothing to show he tried to do so. We are sorry to see the Lantern rail at an event it evidently knows nothing about.

XI, 937, 11 Mar. 1890, page 3

2nd Leader on Capitation Grants to Private Schools.

The writer asks: why such bigotry? We have heard a lot of the ‘thin edge of the wedge’, which we believe to be all nonsense. Many object to state schools hemmed round with ‘abominable amount of red tapeism’ and the cramming to which children are subjected. We would rather see the system be compulsory, secular and free, but in the absence of this the move proposed is both the fairest to people and the cheapest to all concerned. It is not, as many assert playing into the hands of the Church of Rome. We do object to the tactics of certain sections of the non-conformists making much ado about nothing.

Candidates for the coming election in this district are:

Hon. F.W. Holder MP

G.H. Lake Esq. JP

John Dunstan jnr JP

T. Ward Esq.

G.H. Richardson Esq.

Gold Coinage. A recent Imperial enactment will make all pre-Victorian gold coinage no longer legal tender from 1 April. After that date it will be worth only its value as gold and that value will be paid by banks only after its assay.

Public Meeting tonight in the Institute to hear from election candidates Richardson, Lake and Ward.

Bible Christians have sent a deputation to the Premier, Hon. Dr Cockburn, arguing against a capitation grant to private schools.

Farmers’ Association Annual Meeting is reported from Adelaide.

Baldina Irrigation Scheme. The Government Gazette in the last issue described the land reserved for the scheme.

Commencing at a point on the southern side of the 5-chain road south of section 144 Hundred of Baldina opposite a point on the south boundary of said section 950 links from the southwest corner of the church land (section 144c) then south by a line at right angles to the road for about 10 chains to intersect with a wire fence then southwest in a straight line along this fence and its production to a point 5 chains north of the north side of Baldina Creek then west northwest by a line 5 chains north of and parallel to the said creek to a point northeast of the north corner of section 226 then southwest to said corner then southeast along the northeast boundary of section 226 to its east corner then southwest along the southeast boundary of section 226 to a point 5 chains from the southeast side of Baldina Creek then east southeast by a line 5 chains south of and parallel to the south side of the said creek to a point 5 chains south of the most southerly bend south of section 144 then east by a straight line to the southwest boundary of section 111 35 chains from its south corner then northwest along the southwest boundary of section 111 and its production to the northern side of the road north of section 111and thence east northeast along the north side of the road north of section 111 and section 112 to a point opposite the northeast corner of section 112 and thence by a straight line to a point 515 links south from the southeast corner of section 138 thence west southwest by a line 5 chains from and parallel to the southern boundaries of sections 138, 139, 143, 144c and portion 144 to the point of commencement, exclusive of portion of the town of Douglas and all necessary roads.

Strike. The Pt Augusta paper reports their belief that a strike is being forced on the workers at the Alma Mine by big men in Adelaide to manipulate a big fall in the value of stock so it may be purchased at a very low cost.

‘Amazed Reader’ writes, astounded that the Mayor should be criticised for drawing the attention of publicans to the state of the law. If the Mayor sees a scoundrel picking a pocket is he required to call a meeting of Council before drawing attention to the Act?

‘Plodder’ writes a letter protesting against the forced payment to robbers who pretend to own the land.

[Reprinted from the Democrat.] The editor agrees that the owners of property and land have managed to make robbery legal.

[This is an example of W.H. Hardy’s socialist views getting an airing.]

‘Ratepayer’ writes expressing astonishment at the thin-skinned Council and its reaction to the letters to the publicans. The Act gives no discretionary powers to the Council. A poll has decided that Sunday closing apply. That the publicans should make an outcry is understandable, that the six Councillors should join in is astounding. That the police have been negligent in their duties, everybody knows. A weaker man than the Mayor would have resigned on the spot: that he has not done so every sensible and uninterested ratepayer will be glad. He may be sure of general public support.

XI, 938, 14 Mar. 1890, page 2

Advt. Burra Co. VF. Notice to Members and Ex-Members

All property belonging to Burra Co. VF and not in use must be returned at once to Commanding Officer. C. Butterworth, Captain.

Birth. On 7 March at Unley to the wife of James D. Stuart, late of the Bank of Australasia, Kooringa, a son.

Mr Egeson predicts that seasons in the late 1880s, being similar to those of 1823-24 and 1825 being very wet, as were the early months of 1826, then we may find that as in 1827, 1890 is the beginning of a prolonged drought. The drought of 1827-29 followed a very wet period and so did the drought of 1837-39. A drought may then be expected from mid-1890 to 1893.

F.W. Holder will address electors next Thursday in Burra.

Primitive Methodist Church quarterly circuit meeting was held in Kooringa on 10 March. The financial position was satisfactory and as this was the last such meeting before Rev. S. Gray’s removal he was thanked for his valuable service and successful labours over four years.

XI, 938, 14 Mar. 1890, page 3

Booborowie District Council resolved to buy a new road between the Blacksmith’s shop and the Iron Mine Chapel. Clerk to arrange with owner and get surveyor etc.

Letters from ‘A Councillor’, ‘Councillor J.A. Watt’ and ‘No Phool’ support the Councillors’ stand on the action of the Mayor with respect to hotel closing.

Election Meeting chaired by the Mayor, Mr T.W. Wilkinson, Burra Institute, Tuesday evening last.

Three of the candidates came before the voters.

John Dunstan said his earliest recollections were of Burra where he was educated, received his commercial education and where he began his business career. He was against a capitation grant to non-government schools or any other grant. He was of the opinion that the temperance party have been directing their energies in the wrong direction. You cannot make a man sober by Act of Parliament. Traffic [in alcohol] should be properly regulated. The young should be taught about alcohol and its effects. He was in favour of elected land boards - i.e. elected from members of Corporations and District Councils. He believed in protection for productive purposes (enough to get industries established), but not for revenue purposes. Duty should come off the breakfast table - i.e. off tea, sugar, coffee, cocoa and kerosene. Land tax should be eased as it was a tax on principal exports. He was for Federation if entered into carefully and for a transcontinental railway. He favoured divorce only on grounds of adultery with women placed on the same footing as men. He favoured water conservation and the Lake Bonney Scheme.

G.H. Lake was a long-time resident of Jamestown and had been identified with almost every public institution in the place. He was a moderate protectionist. Industry needed some protection, but he was not a prohibitive protectionist. He could not see an end to all customs and duties without an increase in land tax which would disadvantage farmers. He was for a land and property tax with exemptions favourable to the man who put his land to use. [He went into considerable detail on this point.] He thought the Government spent too much on education. They spent over £130,000 and fees brought in £11,250. To do justice to compulsory education it must be free. The standard should be reduced and up to that standard be compulsory and free. He was opposed to Bible reading in schools. He would not feel obliged to vote against capitation if he thought the advocates would not aim for freedom in the methods of education. He was for women’s franchise and thought adultery the only plea for divorce and would give women equality with men in that.

F.G. Richardson had spent 20 years in the district and was a farmer himself. He was opposed to a single tax and to a land tax and was for reduced tariffs on farm implements. He opposed capitation grants and was for free compulsory secular education. He favoured water conservation and was for a property and income tax. He opposed free trade to protect themselves against NSW and Victoria until Federation could be achieved. He also opposed local option.

The other two candidates were for local option with compensation.

All were against single member districts and for the transcontinental railway.

All would extend the franchise to women.

Rifle Match on Wed. last. Terowie Co. VF 524 defeated Burra Co. VF 433.

XI, 939, 18 Mar. 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘The Revolution of Labour’

The writer discusses the awakening of political consciousness of the masses, citing the recent struggle of the dockers and strikes in other industries and troubles with bakers in Sydney and miners on Yorke Peninsula. If they but knew their own strength they could be ruled by their own class in Parliament. He urges workers to ‘secure men of ability to lay claim to your interests in the House of Assembly.’

XI, 939, 18 Mar. 1890, page 3

Hon. F.W. Holder will address electors in the Institute on Thursday evening.

Larrikinism has appeared again with almost half of F.W. Holder’s election posters in the town torn down.

Anglican Church. A letter was sent from Dean Hopcraft to St James’ Church of England, Jamestown, to the effect that the Rev. J.S. Wayland would be transferring from Burra to Jamestown-Terowie-Petersburg and would live at the last named place. For a service every three weeks Jamestown was to provide £80 p.a. The congregation, in view of the financial situation has declined the offer in favour of lay readers.

Letter from Renmark correspondent. Mr Ridgway has been the only candidate to visit so far and ‘made little impression, most people here are of the opinion he ought to talk politics when addressing the electors’.

Letter from a shop assistant who complains that the long-standing rule that shops in Burra close at 9 p.m. on Saturday is being eroded with drapers shops staying open until after 10 p.m. It is hard on assistants if this rule is interfered with, as it will be unless all storekeepers recognise the hour as hitherto.

‘Lenex’ writes re the recent electoral meeting, protesting the candidates’ casual dismissal of the protectionist argument and goes on to push a free trade line.

Amazed Reader writes explaining his view that the Mayor acted because failure to notify the hotels may have imperilled any subsequent court action and thus he was only doing his duty. He did not have to get Council approval to point out a breach of the law, etc. He takes to pieces the three previous letters on this.

Races will be held in Burra on 16 April. Prize money will be £25 for the Handicap, £10 for the Handicap Hurdles, and £10 for the Flying Handicap.

Advt. Mrs Perry is starting business in millinery and dressmaking at her house in Young Street, Aberdeen.

XI, 940, 21 Mar. 1890, page 2

Advt. Bon Accord Sale Yards, 28 March, Elder, Smith & Co. offer 26,000 sheep.

Editorial is again on Free Trade & Protectionism.

Joseph Rippen, aged 9, found the purse advertised as lost near Butterworth’s Mill and immediately handed it to the owner. It contained five £1 notes. (A £ reward had been offered) We commend his honesty.

Elections. At the pump last Monday after the Salvation Army meeting Mr W.R. Ridgway addressed the electors and announced himself as a candidate. The Rev. H.T. Burgess mounted the table and gave a lecture on ‘The Wonders of the Heavens’ - an able discourse on astronomy. A large gathering was present the whole time.

XI, 940, 21 Mar. 1890, page 3

Obituary. Richard Tyler c. 65, boundary rider of Mt Gipps Station fell from his horse and was dragged some distance. He was buried on 10 March near the south fence of North Fairy Hill Paddock in the presence of E.W. Crewes JP & Trooper Pyvis of Eurowie. [See also paper of 28 March 1890, page 3 for letter and article from Eurowie NSW.]

Tax Proposals. The Government proposes changes to the land tax, but they will affect only 716 out of 40,522 taxpayers and many, including the largest estates, are absentee owners. A free breakfast table is proposed. [i.e. removal of a duty on tea, coffee, sugar, cocoa and kerosene.]

J.A. Watts makes a brief response to ‘Amazed Reader’

‘Bread Winner’ thinks it is time the price of bread went down as flour has dropped 7/- to 8/- a bag and the price had previously risen on the basis of the rising flour price.

Thomas Nevin, of Copperhouse, writes with further details of the diprotodon remains found on the Eastern Plains by Mr W. Davies.

Burra Town Council. Tenders to be called for a new footbridge over Burra Creek.

The Mayor has waited on the locomotive engineer re the supply of water to the railways. The Department will make a trial of the water.

Sporting News.

Two women in Melbourne in dispute decided to settle the matter in a prize fight. Etty Dickens and Elizabeth Fry met at Smith’s Swamp (locally known as Jerusalem Square) 300-400 larrikins and disreputable girls attended. Etty stripped to the waist, Elizabeth merely took off her ulster. 20 rounds ensued and Fry had the best of it before police arrived and the girls were charged. They were fined 20/- or 48 hours.

Proposed rules for wrestling in Australia are printed.

Skating is popular at present. At Broken Hill Cotter beat the SA champion, Scott, in a race over 10 miles for £20. The distance was covered in 43 minutes.

XI, 941, 25 Mar. 1890, page 2

Advt. From 24 March the partnership between August Miller and Edward Statton as Blacksmiths and Wheelwrights of Kooringa is dissolved by mutual consent. All debts to be paid to John Snell of the Temperance Hotel, Burra.

Editorial on the Government Policy as outlined by Dr Cockburn at Strathalbyn on Wednesday. There were two main planks: protection for the producer and increased facilities for land settlement.

The Register has come out strongly opposed to the Government: its usual stance. The new tax was outline: a progressive land tax. It will be as now 1⁄2d in the £1 on estates up to £5,000 unimproved value, increasing in steps of 1⁄4d to a maximum of 3d for those over £100,000. For example on an estate of £10,000 (Which is probably worth about double that when improved.) the present tax would be £20-16-8.

The proposed tax would be: on £5,000 @ 1⁄2d £10-8-4

on £5,000 @ 3⁄4d £15-12-6

Total £26-0-10

The tax will help subdivision of large estates, especially those of absentee owners. Most agriculturalists will not be affected and of the ten estates most affected eight are the property of absentee owners. The increase in revenue should be c. £60,000.

Other policies are the extension of railways (the transcontinental line) and water conservation. Mining on private lands will be encouraged and other changes aimed at encouraging mining were outlined.

F.W. Holder is unable to visit Renmark in the time available and instead is posting a copy of this issue of the Record with the report of his speech on Thursday, to every elector on the Renmark roll.

New Paper. We have received a copy of a new trade and labour organ from Port Adelaide The Star. It is published by an old Burra identity, Mr F. Wigney, once a foreman in this office.

‘Watch Dog’ of Tothill’s Creek writes attacking the candidate Richardson.

XI, 941, 25 Mar. 1890, page 2-3

Elections. Last Thursday at the Institute Hon. F.W. Holder addressed electors.

The Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson, took the chair.

Holder said he had fulfilled pledges from the last election on taxation, education, local option and Railway Commissioners. He had served on the Land Commission, the Committee to enquire into the loss of the Star of Greece, and was chairman of the Barrier Trade Committee.

He had been against protection, but the Government had to concede the policy of protection a fair trial. He then discussed SA’s generally favourable financial position and said the old deficit would gradually be reduced. He then discussed the proposed progressive land tax (as in the editorial above). The largest taxpayer in SA was the SA Company with over £1,000,000 worth of property (unimproved value) and those with most interest in it were living in England. On this their land tax was £2,229. Under the proposal this would increase to £12,900. If this is too much let them sell the land to others and encourage population growth. Increasing the tax all round would be unfair to many doing their best on the land. As a result of this tax we propose to remit the duty on tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate and kerosene and reduce that on sugar. We intend to extend the Transcontinental Railway and carry on works of water conservation and irrigation to produce flourishing settlements at Lake Bonney and Mannum. It is proposed to reduce the autocratic power of the Commissioner of Railways.

He favoured a wisely devised scheme for federation, but not to have Australia governed from Sydney, Melbourne, or Albury.

T. Ward spoke to electors. He was opposed to a single tax system and against progressive land tax. He was for a property tax. He opposed any other railway to the Barrier. Federation was a dream and local jealousies had first to be sank. [sic] He was for a capitation grant and against changing the divorce laws. He was for a Transcontinental Railway

Mr Ridgway said he would address them on another occasion.

All candidates were in favour of compensation for persons loosing [sic] property by fire from locomotives.

XI, 941, 25 Mar. 1890, page 3

Sporting News. The Polo Club continues to practise, but no matches have been arranged.

There is also sculling, horse racing, and boxing news.

Obituary. John Vivian died on 11 April 1889.

[Though a long time before, this is the correct date: the article is a reprint from the Bible Christian Magazine.]

He was the son of Sampson & Jane Vivian and was born at St Austell, Cornwall in 1809. His father was killed in a mining accident when he was very young. John went to work rather than stay at school. At 21 he married Miss Williams. Leaving Cornwall, he went to Tavistock in Devon and met Mr John Torr where they both worked in a mine. Both were trained in religious principles. He later moved to Ashburton and then Liskeard and he was active in church and Sunday school work and was a circuit steward. In 1885 [sic] he came to SA and Burra, becoming an early member of the Bible Christian Church there. He continued to serve God for over 30 years.

[This last sentence suggests he arrived in Australia not in 1885, but perhaps in 1855, or if the numbers were inverted, in 1858, in any case 1885 is surely wrong.]

XI, 942, 28 Mar. 1890, page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer for sale on 28 March, 28,700 sheep.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will offer for sale on 3 April 10,250 sheep.

Editorial on the Opposition policy as outlined by Hon. T. Playford. Most of his speech was taken up with criticism of the past acts of the Government. He had little to say about his own policies. The editor then quotes the Sydney Star in support of the Government.

XI, 942, 28 Mar. 1890, page 3

Elections. Candidates now out for Burra:

F.W. Holder newspaper proprietor of Burra

G.H. Lake newspaper proprietor of Jamestown

T. Ward farmer of Ulooloo

J. Dunstan Jun. builder etc. of Aberdeen

F.G. Richardson agent of Saddleworth

W.H. Duncan sheep owner of Marrabel

Rev. H.T. Burgess, President of the Wesleyan Conference preaches two special sermons at Kooringa next Sunday to conclude his term in Burra.

E.W. Crewes writes on 22 March to correct a mistake that appeared in the paper report of 21 March on the death of Richard Tyler where it said he had a cheque on him for £37-17-6. This was actually the amount owed in wages and was handed to Constable Cyvis* the following day at Mt Gipps Station.

[* Note that the report in the paper of 21 March has ‘Pyvis’ as the constable’s name.]

Letter supporting progressive land tax.

Elections.

Report of election meeting at Saddleworth.

Farm Policy. Report reprinted from the Silver Age on the SA Government’s proposed policy re the farming industry.

There are then reprints of various views of the Government’s policies from:

The Gawler Bunyip

The Mount Barker Courier

The Gladstone Areas Express

The Terowie Enterprise

The Port Adelaide News

The Adelaide Quiz and Southern Cross and Advertiser

Article from the Barrier Miner by J.P. on ‘The Distribution of Money’.

Burra Co. VF drills on Tuesday 1 April and Thursday 3 April.

XI, 943, 1 Apr. 1890, page 2

Advt. Election advertising appears for Holder, Duncan, Lake, Dunstan & Richardson.

XI, 943, 1 Apr. 1890, page 2-3

Editorial on the Desirability of a Department of Labour.

The editor considers that with a number of departments dedicated to looking after the interests of Capitalists, there is no reason why one should not look after the interests of workers. We are pleased that the present Government is composed of men with some little sympathy with the workers, but we require something more direct. He then goes on at some length to establish the need for and the justice of having such a department.

XI, 943, 1 Apr. 1890, page 3

Grasshoppers are still prevalent in the district and even in the town itself.

The Record will next appear on Thursday, as the following day is Good Friday.

The Population of SA on 1 February 1890was estimated at: 318,375

312,813

1888 311,075

1887 307,704

1886 307,680

307,715

Adelaide’s population is 44,581.

‘An Elector’ writes accusing W.R. Ridgway, at a political meeting at Saddleworth, of saying Mr Holder was inconsistent and a turncoat and that he denied Mr Ridgway any privilege through the columns of the Burra Record. But, he says, he had not heard Mr Ridgway say any of these things when Mr Holder had been present at two other meetings, when Mr Ridgway appeared to be running in harmony with him. He also suggests that voters might like to consider the benefits to the town of having two members of like minds.

XI, 944, 4 Apr. 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘The Progressive Land Tax’ again using the example of the SA Company.

Burra Mine. The Inspector of Mines suggests that both at Burra and Kapunda the mines had their carbonate ore exploited without any attempt to develop the mines at depth and to trace the sulphides which are their origin. Exploration at depth, to say 1,200’ may well answer the question as to whether the mines could again be rendered profitable and employ large numbers.

XI, 944, 4 Apr. 1890, page 3

St Mary’s. Next Sunday there will be choral services to inaugurate the new cabinet organ.

The Primitive Methodist Church today farewells Rev. S. & Mrs Gray, who are leaving the district.

Elections. Mr Ridgway has complained of not being reported in the Record. We say he has only spoken once and that at an outside meeting in Market Square. Had he addressed a meeting like the other candidates we would have reported him.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church. The social tea on Wednesday and the service of song ‘Eva’ were very successful. Rev. S. Gray gave the connective readings.

Elections. Meeting at the Institute last Wednesday with the Mayor in the chair.

G.H. Lake. Would not support a capitation grant in the life of the next Parliament, but had little else to say on policy.

W.R. Ridgway spent some time explaining why he was not reported in the Advertiser which was too busy supporting the Government, or in the Record which was too busy supporting its editor, Mr Holder, or in the Jamestown Review which was too busy supporting its editor, Mr Lake. He thought the Government policy was good except for the progressive land tax, but made no other significant policy statements.

Mr Richardson has decided after going around the electorate that he is now in favour of a progressive land tax and for mining development and the Transcontinental Railway.

Mr T. Ward is for homestead blocks, but not at the expense of stock routes unless absolutely necessary.

W.H. Duncan believed if they went into progressive land tax it would lead to a single tax and land nationalisation. (laughter) He was for a property tax and the Transcontinental Railway. Like Mr Ward he thought the Government should be responsible for the control of noxious weeds and vermin on their land as much as the landowner is on his. He favoured homestead block, but only on good land where something would grow. He personally opposed payment of members, but would go along with public sentiment on it. He was against local option, but if elected would support it with compensation.

F.W. Holder pointed out that he had not had editorial control of the Record for the last nine months and in fact both the Advertiser and the Register had published longer reports of his speech than had the Record. He was glad the progressive land tax was being supported.

Mr Dunstan Jun. complained of a libel published in the Terowie paper comprising an advertisement inserted by a Burra elector and asserted his suitability for election, but had little to say on policy.

All candidates objected to Bible reading in state schools.

All except Duncan & Dunstan opposed a deposit by candidates to be lost if they obtained too few votes.

All supported free trade between states.

All supported local option with compensation except Richardson.

All favoured an 8 hour day in Government employment.

All were for free and compulsory education.

Only Mr Dunstan would make plumping illegal.

Ward and Richardson opposed single member electorates.

At the close of nominations candidates were:

Walter Hughes Duncan sheep farmer of Marrabel

Frederick William Holder newspaper proprietor of Kooringa

George Hingston Lake journalist of Jamestown

William Roads* Ridgway gentleman of Aberdeen

Timothy Ward farmer of Ulooloo

• Rhodes

XI, 945, 8 Apr. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the elections which were beginning the next day.

XI, 945, 8 Apr. 1890, page 2-3

2nd Leader was yet another article against protectionism.

XI, 945, 8 Apr. 1890, page 3

Election. Reprint of a 1 column article from the Star (The organ of the Trades & Labour council of SA) on the Policy of the SA Government.

XI, 946, 11 Apr. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the recent election which saw Lake and Holder returned for Burra.

2nd Leader on ‘cornering scrip’ (Manipulating stock markets.)

Stray Stock. Where is the Ranger? Swarms of cattle and horses are eating the trees in the town in the absence of grass. It is necessary to keep an eye on them.

Grasshoppers have swept the countryside and the town clear of all vegetation of any consequence. The chrysanthemums have gone despite the best of efforts and even the street trees have been hit and disfigured.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday and Monday. Rev. R.M. Hunter preached. The Monday children’s treat was on the oval led by Davey’s Brass Band. Sports followed. Proceeds, though good, were not as good as last year.

St Mary’s Easter services were well attended. The locusts had some impact on the decorations and the flowers for the Sunday service were not quite as elaborate as some years. The dahlias from the Misses Cave were very beautiful. The new organ was heard for the first time and enables many pleasing musical effects previously impossible.

Burra Town Council, 8 April.

Two tenders were received for the new footbridge. Decision to stand over till next meeting.

Cricket. On Good Friday at Burra Oval, Burra 101 defeated Clare 47 & 47.

Letter from ‘Elector’ condemning Mr Ridgway’s unjustified attack on the way he claims to have been inadequately reported in the newspapers.

XI, 946, 11 Apr. 1890, page 2-3

The Poll.

In Burra, Davey’s Band paraded the streets in a drag urging ‘One vote for Holder’.

Dunstan’s supporters were the second most conspicuous in blue and then Ward’s in green.

Results: Holder 867 in the previous election*Holder 749

Lake 533 Rounsevell 682

Dunstan 310 Dr Cockburn 678

Duncan 298 Dr Smyth 82

Ward 293 * See XI, 948, 18 Apr. 1890, p.2

Ridgway 206

Richardson 104

Of the 1360 formal votes there were 176 plumpers, of whom 75 were for Ward and 23 for Duncan. The rest got from 11-19 each.

XI, 946, 11 Apr. 1890, page 3

Land Tax. There is a two-column article on this subject by ‘Why Not’.

XI, 947, 15 Apr. 1890, page 2

Advt. T. Oliver, champion handball billiard player will give an exhibition on Wednesday evening at the Burra Hotel. He will concede 500 in 1,000 to the best local player. Admission 2/-.

Advt. Calling a meeting of persons interested in establishing a Reading Room in Aberdeen and Redruth. Royal Exchange Hotel 8 p.m.

Editorial. There are again almost two columns against protectionism. This time sparked by celebrations at Gawler after Martin & Co. completed 50 locomotives for the SAR. Locomotives which could have been imported much more cheaply. Protection may help the city, but it ruins the country: ‘it made Melbourne, but it has so far ruined the country’.

Accident. An old man named Neaves was run over by a cab on election day and is in the Burra Hospital seriously ill. A subscription list has been started for him.

Cabs. The cabs have a habit of driving around Market Square curve at excessive speed, especially on Saturday evenings. We hope something will be done about it.

Drew & Co. The old business of Messrs Drew & Co. has changed hands and will now be known as Drew & Crewes. The new partners are John Drew, eldest son of Mr Thomas Drew of the old firm, and Mr E.W. Crewes who has for some time managed the grocery department of the firm and then was manager for the firm at Eurowie (NSW). Both are looked upon as ‘pushing business men’.

St Mary’s. The annual vestry meeting was held on 18 April [sic- since this is the paper of 15 April the 8 April was probably intended.] The incumbent pointed to improved financial prospects. There were 80 communicants and average attendances were better than last year. Twenty confirmations had taken place. There was a need for an arbor day and a greater need for a schoolroom. £70 had been raised for the building fund, £32 towards the new cabinet organ and £51-5-0 for repairs to the church and parsonage.

Elections.

The rule that ballot boxes can only be opened at the chief polling place in the electorate seems quite silly when they could be opened locally and the results telegraphed and if necessary then resealed and despatched at leisure. The following shows the folly. Last Wednesday the Renmark box was sealed and Trooper Tate immediately started for Morgan on horseback, thrice changing horse en route - a distance of about 75 miles. He arrived in time to catch the train to Kapunda on Thursday morning, another 50 miles. Then it was horse to Tarlee and thence to Burra by train, another 50 miles.

Diprotodon. There is another article on the remains found recently near Burra.

XI, 947, 15 Apr. 1890, page 3

Elections. The declaration of the Burra poll took place last Friday.

Results as already reported.

Holder was present and thanked his supporters and the returning officer etc. The whole of the ministry had so far been returned.

G.H. Lake seconded Holder’s vote of thanks to returning officer Mr Forder and was supported briefly by J. Dunstan, W.H. Duncan and T. Ward. Mr Ridgway seemed somewhat disgruntled in his supporting comments.

He had to ‘point out the fact that he had to accept the worst position of the whole lot’ (laughter) ‘He would heartily thank those who so nobly voted for him, they were the only sensible men in the district (loud laughter). He liked honest men - (cheers) - but not those who went behind doors to do things.’

[The tone here is important and perhaps uncertain, but previous experience of the speaker suggests he was probably not attempting humour and the laughter and cheers likely had an edge he would not have been comforted by.]

Report on ‘Our Members and Their Views’

F.W. Holder is presently Treasurer in the Cockburn Government. He is a South Australian by birth, being born at Happy Valley. His father was a State School teacher and he entered the same field holding positions under the Education Department. He left teaching to take charge of this journal which he at present owns. He has been identified with many public works. He has been president of the Burra Institute, Captain of the Volunteer Forces, Mayor of Burra, Member of the Board of Governors of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of SA. He was elected to the House of Assembly in 1887 and has been Chairman of the Select Committee on the Barrier Trade and Break of Gauge. His policies can be summarised:

Protection to the producer and increased facilities for land settlement.

On taxation he would maintain income tax and introduce a progressive land tax.

On duties he favours the free breakfast table with removal of duties on tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate and kerosene and reduced duty on sugar.

Railways: he would maintain the mid-north system as now and extend the Transcontinental line 280 miles to the McDonnell Ranges. He believes the Queensland connection depends on the Queensland Boundary Railway Commission Report. He wants a new railway station for Adelaide.

He would advance the water conservation schemes at Mannum and Lake Bonney and supports artesian bores in the interior. Oswald Brown to advise on the city water supply.

Mining: he would encourage development and pass acts to extend it on private land. He would extend safety inspection.

Education: he would defer consideration of capitation grants and favours free education as soon as SA can afford it.

For extending the homestead block scheme.

For selection before survey.

In Constitutional Reform he would appoint a seventh minister to sit in the Legislative Council and would reduce the Council’s term from 9 to 6 years. (And other matters)

Railways: would reduce the power of the Railway Commissioner.

Corporations & District Councils: Would favour the reintroduction of a 25% subsidy on rates instead of paying them licence fees.

Local Option: He believes in limited local option. A number of licences should be fixed and any held in excess of this number may be reduced by local option poll. Compensation would be offered.

He wanted various changes to trades and labour provisions.

Federation. He has been elected by Parliament as a delegate to draft a Federal Constitution in 1891.

For the formation of a permanent Civil Service Board.

Northern Territory. He was for various changes to encourage settlement and mining.

George Hingston Lake was born in London and arrived in the colony 35 years ago when aged 7. He left school in 1864 and went to the Barrier Ranges following pastoral pursuits with his father and brothers for five years. In a severe drought he took the first sheep there and steered the first team from the Barrier to Menindie. He then spent a year as an accountant in the wine and spirit trade before entering law articles and served three years with his brother who was once Member for Barossa. He served three years as an accountant with Messrs Lake & Reynolds of Port Adelaide. (Timber Merchants and Contractors.) In 1878 he went to Jamestown as manager for Thomas R. Bright. In 1878 he was appointed first Town Clerk of Jamestown when Dr Cockburn was Mayor. After some three years he bought the Jamestown Review which he has since edited. He was made a JP in 1883 and became a member of the local hospital and institute boards. He was President of the Institute for three years. He assisted in the formation of the Farmers’ Co-operative Union at Jamestown and is secretary of it. He supports protection, free education, the encouragement of mining, an increase in land tax and the building of the Transcontinental Railway. He is against the single tax concept.

XI, 948, 18 Apr. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the case of March v. Chivell for compensation for false imprisonment. March won £25 which the editor regarded as ‘paltry’, but this fact was less important than that a young man will not have to spend his days in jail.

2nd Leader on capital punishment. The editor has always been against it and regards it as ‘a relic of barbarism’. He argues his case for 11⁄4 columns.

New Government. The city papers predict Sir J.C. Bray will be Attorney General and the Hon. Thomas Playford will be speaker.

Water pollution. Beware of contamination of water by the amount of grasshopper debris and sparrow filth in waterspouts etc. Clean them out before harm results.

Floods. The River Darling at Bourke has risen 40’6” above summer levels. The embankments protecting the town hold back about 5’ of this.

Chrysanthemum Show. The Institute Committee resolved on 14 April to cancel this year’s show as grasshoppers have eaten most of the plants this year.

Letter re a Reading Room at Aberdeen.

‘the whole basis is looked upon as an attempt to give Kooringa a slap in the face. It is well known that for years prominent (?) residents of the north end of the town have been terribly jealous of the success of Kooringa against the one-horse capabilities of Aberdeen and Redruth, but with all Kooringa is not yet vanquished. Fancy in a small town like this, where there is a public reading room second to none in South Australia, a clique through transparent jealousy tries to throw cold water on it.’

Redruth Court, 16 April

March, who had been tried in February for fraud and had the case dismissed, sued his accuser, Chivell, for damages for false imprisonment. The evidence was similar to that of the earlier case and the bench found for the plaintiff and awarded £25 damages.

Straying animals continue to cause trouble and the following all paid 5/- + 10/- costs.

Charles Woodruff 2 cows

Thomas Kitchen 1 cow

Thomas Woollacott 2 calves

F. Schultz 1 goat

F. Schultz 1 goat

XI, 948, 18 Apr. 1890, page 3

Burra Races were held last Wednesday on the old course at Copperhouse. The judge was P.L. Killicoat. There was good racing and in the main race, the Burra Handicap, with £25 prize money, Miss McInerney’s Charity won, carrying 7 st 5 lb.

Football is due to start soon.

Billiards. On Wednesday a billiard match at the Burra Hotel saw John Chorlton of Burra play T. Oliver of Adelaide. Chorlton played with a cue and Oliver hand ball. Oliver gave 500 points in 1,000 to his opponent and won easily, at one stage making a break of 250.

Election. Results from other districts are printed. The former Member for Burra, W.B. Rounsevell headed the count in Pt Adelaide.

XI, 949, 22 Apr. 1890, page 2

Advt. Mr Young intends to open a Grammar School in Aberdeen for boarders and day pupils on 28 April.

Advt. The Amalgamated Shearers’ Union of Australasia will meet at Opie’s Hotel, Aberdeen on Monday 28 April at 7 p.m.

Editorial on recent attacks on the Record in the Terowie Enterprise.

2nd Leader on Mr Henry George, the ‘father of the single tax’ who has arrived in SA.

Influenza has reached Kangaroo Island and the South East. Care should be taken.

The Government. The rumours that Sir John Bray might join the cabinet and T. Playford take the Speakership have been denied.

Court.

Margaret Mitchell was charged with the theft of a gold chain (£2-10-0), a gold locket (£1), a neck scarf, three handkerchiefs, a cake of scented soap, and a handbag, the property of Mr David Rogers of Roach Town. Sentenced to three months in Redruth Gaol.

XI, 949, 22 Apr. 1890, page 3

Letter from Morland Chaplin, Hon. Sec. pro tem of the Aberdeen and Redruth reading room movement. He denies this has anything to do with north-south rivalry. He says that there are plenty of people working in the north who find a walk to Kooringa after work at say 7 p.m. and then back again is too hard after labour. When they asked for a branch of the Institute they had ‘cold water thrown upon them’, so now they are following the proverb ‘Heaven helpeth them who help themselves.’

Sport. Out-of-town reports are dominated by boxing and horseracing.

Floods are severe along the Darling: Bourke is under water.

XI, 950, 25 Apr. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Salvation Army. It is now some eight years since the Army’s debut here. At the time we thought good would come from their efforts, but like many we have been sorely disappointed and indeed have been the witness of the reverse. We have heard many complaints about their ways of ‘bringing in’ the people, their disregard of common fairness to others and transparent contempt for the law. Requests have been ignored. Only last Monday evening someone gave a donation and asked that their outdoor meeting be held a few hundred feet from their normal place due to sickness in the family. They took the money, but treated the request with contempt. If this is how those in control treat their fellow creatures they must be dealt with ‘in a manner necessary to the occasion’.

2nd Leader on ‘The Great Question’

This is a verbose and rambling article which eventually gets to the point that it is land that is at the heart of things.

Chrysanthemum Show. The editor feels that a Chrysanthemum Show could have been managed.

Mr Henry George, after all arrangements had been made, has had to cancel his visit to Burra and leave for overseas.

Letter from Morris Rayner re the Aberdeen reading-room. He says it was far from anyone’s wish to ‘slap Kooringa in the face’.

‘nor is it a fact that prominent residents of the north end of town are jealous of the success of the south end, bur vica versa’ [sic]

I fail to see we are doing any injury whatever to the Burra Institute, which I regard as a good institution and I wish it all success.

Letter from ‘Satisfied’ replies to Morland Chaplin saying that as a newcomer he cannot be expected to understand the situation. ‘until all the petty jealousy between the north end of the town and the south end is done away with matters will always be somewhat thick in the clear’. [?]

XI, 950, 25 Apr. 1890, page 3

Sport reports from out-of-town cover horseracing and sculling.

Burra Town Council.

The Railway Commissioner has said that the water tested [from the town’s supply] was unsuitable for locomotives.

A letter from SAMA grants land for approaches to the new footbridge over the creek.

The majority of Councillors were opposed to accepting a tender for the new bridge and it was decided to defer the matter for three months.

A. Crossley, late of Farrell’s Flat contributes notes on a voyage to England.

Floods. More on the Darling floods.

XI, 951, 29 Apr. 1890, page 2

Burra Co. VF continues to drill regularly in the drill room in Thames St.

Advt. Burra Literary Soc. will meet at Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel on 2 May at 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Burra Cricket Club annual social will be held at the Commercial Hotel on Friday 9 May at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on the new Parliament.

2nd Leader on the Darling Floods at Bourke. Floodwaters extend in a sea for 40 miles and Bourke is under 4’-6’ of water. A relief fund was set up by the Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson last Saturday and in a few hours £34 was wired to the Mayor of Bourke as a first instalment.

Influenza. There are many colds around at present and some fear it is influenza arriving.

Rev. G.E. Rowe, once at Redruth Wesleyan Church and now with the Prospect circuit is currently laid up with typhoid fever.

Railways. There is a complaint that no matter what the weather the ladies waiting room at the Burra station is only open while the train is at the station!

Burra Methodist Churches are to get new ministers:

The Wesleyans will get Rev. R.M. Hunter.

The Primitive Methodists get Rev. J. Daddow.

Bible Christians get Rev. J. Stoyel

The Shearers’ Union has decided to open a branch in Burra for the season to supply sheds with competent men.

Letter from Morland Chaplin saying ‘Satisfied’ makes two points: firstly that Chaplin is incompetent to comment and secondly people in the north end are ‘not acting on the square’. What he fails to see is that the people here cheerfully aid and support any movement started in Kooringa. As for myself I have the misfortune to lead an idle life and so can make frequent use of the Institute while from the opposite cause many are debarred from doing so. If the Institute Committee will co-operate with us we will be only too happy to gratefully accept their aid.

XI, 951, 29 Apr. 1890, page 3

Sport. Boxing and sculling continue to be the main out-of-town sports reported upon.

SA Parliament. A roll call of the old and new Parliaments is printed.

Bourke Relief Fund. Contributors list printed. [J. Rumble 5/-.]

XI, 952, 2 May 1890, page 2

Advt. New Train timetable:

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 9.33 a.m. 9.38 a.m.

4.16 p.m. 4.21 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.10 a.m. 11.15 a.m.*

7.43 p.m. 7.48 p.m.

• This was the only change, being ten minutes earlier.

Advt. Burra Institute 5 May, Simonsen’s Celebrated English and Comic Opera Co. will present Wallace’s Opera, Maritana. 4/- and 2/-

Advt. Tonight, 2 May, Wallett’s Great Circus, at the ground at the rear of the Commercial Hotel. Free Exhibition at 2.30 p.m. Baby Blondin will walk a rope stretched from the ground to the top of the tent pole: a height of 50’.

Marriage. At Broken Hill 26 April

Harry Bennetts, eldest son of J. Bennetts, late of Burra and

Emily Ainseline of Broken Hill.

Editorial on ‘Capital - the Mother of Labour’

An attack on Professor Huxley’s views on the March edition of the Nineteenth Century.

2nd Leader on the arrest of those who tried to form a company to purchase the assets of the Commercial Bank of SA (in liquidation) and to get rid of the properties on the art union principle, securing 120,000 subscribers at £1 each.

Chrysanthemums. Messrs J. Lewis & J.D. Cave secured prizes in almost every exhibit at the Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show.

SAMA - 45th Annual Report

Receipts from rents etc. £1,015-16-1

Expenditure £ 527-8-10

The balance standing in the profit and loss account is £13,255-12-6

The yield from tributers’ pitches has been limited owing to the time needed to open new ground. Two sales of land in Kooringa have been made at good prices. The action against the purchasers of the mine is still before the court.

Letter again from ‘Satisfied’ pointing out that ‘some years ago there would have, no doubt, been a branch of the Burra Institute at Aberdeen had it not been for the manner in which certain parties went about making the arrangements. From that time there has been a general eruption between the north and south ends of the town, and all caused by a well-known clique, which, I am sorry to say, cannot be healed.’

Sports. Mr Murrie was formerly prominent in foot racing though now retired.

XI, 952, 2 May 1890, page 3

Sports news from out-of-town is dominated by boxing and cricket.

Article on Mr P. Murrie Jun. from the Areas Express.

Mr Murrie has been a prominent resident of Gladstone for six years and resided in the district at least twice that long. He has recently bought the Burra Record from F.W. Holder and is about to leave to take up residence in Burra. In his time in Gladstone he has been Town Clerk and Town Councillor, a prominent member of the Institute Committee and member of the Local Parliament, formerly as Opposition Leader and latterly as Premier. He has been a member of the Farmers’ Association, the Vigilance Committee, Captain of the Gladstone Rifle Co., Captain of the Cricket Team and member of the Lawn Tennis Team. The mayor, Dr R. McDougal was in the chair at the farewell banquet to Mr Murrie in the Gladstone Institute on 23 April. A testimonial was presented. In his response he revealed he had grown up and married in Gladstone and been a wheat buyer in the area. The paper also reported a farewell for Mrs Murrie from the Gladstone Young Christians Union. She had been a great church worker and assistant organist for six years. She was presented with a bracket and hymn book.

Burra Literary Society held its first meeting for its second season. The society was inaugurated on 5 April 1889 and worked through until 13 December before going into summer recess. There was an average attendance of 37 at 34 meetings. An outline of what they did is printed in some detail. Finances had come from membership fees and two entertainments - one of local talent assisted by society members and one organised by Mr Roach using Adelaide talent. He bore all the costs and handed over the takings to the piano fund. Accommodation has been provided for the society by Mrs Reed of the Temperance Hotel. They look forward to her hospitality again this year.

XI, 953, 6 May 1890, page 2

Editorial on Red Rust in Wheat.

Obituary. Mrs Sara, wife of G. Sara, of Sara & Dunstan at Terowie died last Sunday. [Mary Ann Sara died 4 May 1890 aged 50. She was born Mary Ann Norman.]

Parliament. There is talk of a model Parliament for winter evenings.

Influenza has arrived, but as yet not seriously

Wallett’s Great Circus was ‘a sorry affair’. We understand the police remonstrated with the circus on account of cruelty to animals.

Mr Henry George who was to have lectured on the topic ‘The Land for the People’ has been unable to come. Copies of his lecture in pamphlet form may be had free from Mr W.H. Hardy through this office.

Homestead Blocks. Produce from homestead blocks was displayed last week in Adelaide. We urge the Government to complete a water irrigation scheme at Baldina Creek and create some homestead blocks there.

‘Anti-Monopoly’ writes complaining of the operation of the Land Boards in allotting blocks of land to applicants. Recently with 70 applicants for 8 blocks in the Hundred of King, two of which, consisting of 43,072 acres, went to Messrs T.W. Warnes and J.F. Warnes, sons of a member of the board.

The editor suggests it may be due to clause 36 of the Crown Lands Amendment Act 1889 which gives preference to those who would personally reside on the land for at least six months in every year. If it is not the reason the correspondent has a remedy.

J.D. Cave writes to clarify misconceptions about his success with chrysanthemums in Adelaide. He exhibited in 15 classes and obtained 11 prizes - 7 firsts and 4 seconds, ahead of Sir E.T. Smith who got 5 firsts and 3 seconds and J. Gordon with 1 first and 5 seconds.

Noxious Weeds. There is a long report on a meeting at Mt Bryan on the problem of clearing Bathurst Burr. The problem has been brought into public attention by the recent actions of Mr D.S. Packard in getting Mr Cockrum off on a technicality when he was charged with not ridding his property of the weed.

XI, 953, 6 May 1890, page 3

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover cricket, racing, swimming, and sculling. The football program for the Adelaide area for May is printed.

Burra Town Council

A letter to be sent to Bagot, Shakes and Lewis calling their attention to by-law 13 re obstruction of a watercourse and requesting them to remove same [from the watercourse behind the brewery] or proceedings will be taken.

The footbridge in Bridge St is to be repaired.

About 300 ft of timber is required to repair the Waterworks well, but it is to stand over till the Commissioner can be interviewed about the reduction of the capital account when the condition of the well will be raised and a plea put in for the necessary repairs.

Maritana. The review of Simonsen’s Opera Co.’s production says ‘It cannot be said the production was a success either financially or otherwise’. There was a very small audience which can be put down to high prices (4/- & 2/-). This accounts for the first half of the statement, but strangely the review of the singers is quite good. The failure comes in the lack of scenery for which the inadequate Burra stage was to blame. It is suggested that cuts were made, but the writing makes it impossible to tell what so the force of the comment is lost. The supporting singers are less favourably commented on: singing in ‘an ordinary style’.

XI, 954, 9 May 1890, page 2

Editorial on ‘The Age of Strikes’

We are in a period of strikes around the world and the shearing season in Queensland is looking particularly nasty.

2nd Leader on the Football Season.

3rd Leader on the Anglican Synod - Bishop Kennion cannot really understand the land question or the labour question.

Railways. We understand the Government has authorised the survey of the Transcontinental line to the MacDonnell Ranges.

Cricket Club social this evening at the Commercial Hotel.

Trees. Plans are in hand to plant 1,000 trees with most of the work to be paid for by public subscription.

SA Population

In the last three months in SA deaths were 940 and births 2503

The population on March 1 was 318,543 compared with 313,395 12 months ago.

The population of Adelaide is 44,581 (All figures exclude Aborigines and the NT)

Social this evening in Jamestown for Messrs Holder & Lake.

The season is extremely dry.

Sports. Out-of-town reports are big on rowing. In Sydney there will be a race for £500 a side on 23 June. Boxing and cricket are also prominent.

XI, 954, 9 May 1890, page 2-3

Aberdeen Reading Room. There was a meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel on Tuesday with Thomas Davies in the chair.

Morland Chaplin, Hon. Sec. reported on progress. 40 subscribers have promised support and have written a letter to the Minister of Education applying for assistance. The Treasurer, Mr Holder, assures us of his support and says he could guarantee a grant equal to subscriptions. Any donor of £5-5-0 should get life membership enabling the donation to be deemed a subscription and attracting a subsidy. The premises available are:

The National Bank, Aberdeen, at 10/- per week for two years which provides two good rooms, fireplaces and a safe.

Store of Mr Bath’s adjacent to the Wesleyan Church Redruth. This has neither windows, nor a fireplace and is rather dark and cheerless for 6/- per week.

Two rooms 16’ x 16’ and 16’ x 12’ in a house near Rayner’s store: offered by Mr Ridgway for 10/- a week including cleaning and lighting.

Mr Both’s old store next to Mr Austin’s and now used as a school by Mr Young, for use after 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and all day Saturday at 6/- per week including cleaning. It is well whitewashed and fitted with tables, forms and shelves. It is clean and light.

He suggested the Burra Literary Society be approached for assistance. A fair amount of interest has been expressed in the formation of an Aberdeen-Redruth Institute.

Information and forms for the establishment and running of an Institute have been obtained. The Kooringa Institute is to be approached for a donation or other support.

XI, 954, 9 May 1890, page 3

Alfred Barry. A scathing attack on Alfred Barry, one time Bishop of Sydney, is reprinted from the Barrier Miner.

XI, 955, 13 May 1890, page 2

Advt. At the Institute on 17 May: The Great London & Melbourne Success

Hans the Boatman, under the management of E.A. Stacey. 3/- & 2/-

(Wanted 15 pretty young children, apply at hall at 11 a.m.)

Editorial on Workingmen’s Blocks.

The editor regards them as ‘one continued success’. The first blocks were applied for in 1886 and the number in occupation is c. 1,500. They average c.16 acres. By last November an inspector found that of 1088 blocks visited;

760 were occupied by labourers

58 by farmers

65 by farmers’ children

45 by ex-farmers

37 by businessmen

10 by ex-businessmen

75 by artisans

38 by men of unknown occupation

There were:

591 houses

22 tents

44 houses under construction

2nd Leader on Vexatious Customs Duties

Poison. The Government is restricting the sale of ‘Rough on Rats’: not before time given the cases of poisoning by its agency. [Both murders and suicides as well as accident.]

Trees. The Mayor has started a fund for tree planting.

Influenza has not yet affected school attendance.

Waterworks. A deputation of local members waited upon the Commissioner of Public Works to get the interest rate on the waterworks reduced (currently between 5% & 6%) and pointing out the railways refused to buy any water as they had a scheme of their own. The Commissioner undertook to look into it.

Fair. On Saturday night a fair turned up behind the Commercial Hotel with a steam ‘whirla-gig or circus’, rifle shooting, swing boats etc. Even the ‘Harmy’ couldn’t draw a crowd which would warrant anyone thinking it a most extraordinary attraction.

Banquet. Over 100 electors attended the banquet at Jamestown to Holder and Lake on Friday evening, 9 May.

Burra Teachers’ Association, 22nd meeting at Burra School last Saturday. There were representatives from Baldina, Burra, Clare, Copperhouse, Friedrichswalde (Tarnma), Leighton, Riverton, Mt Bryan, Terowie, Ulooloo and Waterloo.

XI, 955, 13 May 1890, page 2-3

Burra Cricket Club Annual Social was held on Friday and was a great success. About 50 cricketers and patrons sat down to a spread followed by toasts, presentations and songs. W.H. Linkson, Hon. Sec. delivered the annual report. The team played 6 games, won 4 and lost 2, though the match against Jamestown-Belalie at Spalding saw only 5 Burra players take part so it was not a true test of the club’s strength. The year’s income was £24-10-6 and expenditure £27-2-6, leaving a deficit of £2-12-0. Among thanks to a whole list of gentlemen were those to F.W. Holder for free access over the years to both the advertising and open columns of the paper and also because he ‘on more than one occasion added handsomely to the club’s finances.’

Best batting average trophy to George Parks and for best bowling average to G. Herbert.

XI, 955, 13 May 1890, page 3

Sports. Reports on out-of-town sculling and football from Victoria.

XI, 956, 16 May 1890, page 2

NOTE: This is the first issue of the paper to bear the note: Printed and Published by P. Murrie jun.

Editorial. The new editor introduces himself with a column headed ‘Ourselves’.

He says he will be guided by the spirit of fair play and will advocate the wants of the district impartially. He will have the aim of ‘placing our paper upon the greatest heights yet attempted by country journalists’.

2nd Leader again on ‘That Synod’.

3rd Leader on Bismark and Germany’s Emperor.

Rain. At last some good rain, but not enough.

Milk. There are complaints re the quality of Burra’s milk supply.

Letter from ‘A Dreemer’ suggesting that the cleanliness of Burra dairies needs attention.

Trees. Stray cattle are destroying trees especially in the north end of town.

Burra Literary Soc. met 9 May when 31 attended for songs and elocution.

Burra Institute. The third volume of the Picturesque Atlas of Australia was received as a gift from Mr Holder, making the work complete.

XI, 956, 16 May 1890, page 3

Football. The game is very slow off the mark this year without even a meeting so far.

A Rifle Match has been organised for the Queen’s Birthday Holiday.

Burra Fire-Clay business has gone quiet. The management needs some life put into it.

Signs of the Times.

‘There is a marked increase in midnight weddings.’

‘The game of “start before you are ready” in matrimonial affairs, is becoming a fashionable one, which is considered to probably result in an additional wing being soon required for the city orphanage.’

There is considerable stir among dog poisoners.

‘The tendency towards hare-hunting and playing soldiers is great.’

Influenza has appeared in Burra and is affecting quite a number: even Dr Brummitt has it.

Hon. F.W. Holder has gone to Queensland. [To negotiate a trade deal: a cut in the SA sugar duty in return for cuts on duties on SA exports to Queensland.]

XI, 957, 20 May 1890, page 2

Advt. Annual Meeting of the Burra Football Club, Commercial Hotel, Tuesday 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on Protection. [A new editor, but still in favour of free trade.]

2nd Leader on ‘The Eternal Eastern Question’

[Which in the 1890s meant The Balkans.]

Rain. A little more fell, but not worth speaking about.

Burra Literary Soc. A debate on ‘The Progressive Land Tax’. W.T. Rabbich led the view that the tax was not suitable to the best interests of the country and C. Fuss defended the Government policy. After five other speakers [which seems a strange number to use] the verdict was against the policy by one vote.

XI, 957, 20 May 1890, page 3

Review of the ‘amusing yet pathetic musical comedy, Hans the Boatman, at the Institute on Saturday last. The piece was very well sung and acted. Indeed at the climax where the blinded Hans is reunited with his wife ‘the audience gave way to sobs and tears’.

‘A Burraite’ writes suggesting that what the town needs is a generous and benevolent benefactor.

Stray cattle still plague the streets in large numbers on Sundays.

Sparks Column:

Steam Circus in town.

Rounsevell for Speaker.

Cabs are leaving for the station too soon.

A lot of stray cattle about on Sunday.

Burra Mine not likely to work just yet.

Treasurer Holder expected back from Brisbane and Sydney this week.

Houses belonging to SAMA ‘are beginning to get worst for wear’.

Rev. G.E. Rowe is recovering from typhoid fever.

The Terowie Enterprise does not support F.W. Holder. We knew that long ago.

Obituary. Mr Misner, who was said to have been turned out of the Jamestown Hospital the same day he was brought to the Burra Hospital, died suddenly yesterday. Unless there is a satisfactory reply from Jamestown authorities we can expect an inquest here. [Registered as William Mysner, died 19 May 1890 aged 39.]

XI, 958, 23 May 1890, page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer for sale at the Bon Accord Yards on 30 May, 16,345 sheep.

Marriage. On 14 May, William Edward Sandland of Burra, fourth son of the late John Sandland, married Lily Alston, second daughter of George Alston of St Peters.

Obituary. Hannah Flower, wife of James Flower died on 17 May at her residence at Stony Gap, aged 77.

[Born Hannah Kemby.]

Editorial on the Progressive Land Tax.

While the tax was quite popular at the last election we think on more consideration it requires further thought and has certain flaws. If the aim is, as Dr Cockburn says, to break up the large estates and change them from pastoralism to farming, is this going to achieve it? We feel the large estates can afford to pay the tax and therefore will not be broken up and for land beyond the rainfall area such would not be beneficial and the tax would have no effect on the town and city holdings. Therefore without significant changes it becomes merely a revenue raising devise. We would agree with a single property tax. Still we do advocate the cutting up of the large estates where they are not put to best use, but in doing away with monopoly we must not turn robbers.

2nd Leader: The Berlin Labour Conference.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Anniversary 25 & 26 May.

Advt. Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary, 25 & 26 May.

Influenza has laid several more people low.

Trees. We understand that tenders have been let for about 400 holes for trees in Redruth Reserve and for holes to form an avenue of trees along cemetery road. [Ayers St]

Mr H. McDonald has been appointed to operate the Burra office of the Shearers’ Union from 1 June and W. Watkins appointed as travelling agent in the Barrier district and the NE of SA. An agent for the Clare area will be appointed if needed.

Burra Town Council, 19 May.

(Cr Butterworth and Inspector Gray were absent with influenza.)

No reply yet from the Commissioner of Public Works on the Waterworks issues.

Complaints have been made by police re the Rifle Co. firing over the road at the rifle range, but Lieut. Watt says all necessary precautions are taken.

The Mayor has collected c. £20 towards tree planting costs. He would like some trees on the hill on the Baldina Road as an experiment and they should negotiate with the District Council to that end, also the flat opposite the brewery which could also be the site for lawn tennis courts. (SAMA approval would be needed.)

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis respond that they need clarification re the obstruction in the watercourse. There are a series of watercourses which have filled up gradually.

Cr Hardy favoured immediate legal proceedings.

Cr Rabbich thought to refer it to the Public Works Committee with power to act and this was carried.

XI, 958, 23 May 1890, page 3

Burra Waterworks. The pipes given by P.L. Killicoat for the oval were inspected and found to be in good order.

Burra History. ‘Looking Backward’ by Historian.

Over 30 years ago a walk through the town would have revealed long rows of deserted houses, or rather, such of them as destructive hands had left habitable again, reoccupied. General appearance was cheerful and businesslike and trade was again flourishing after the temporary stagnation. I first visited thirty-four years ago. The first thing to see on approaching the mine was the now desolate-looking Schneider’s Engine House. The engine, when in order, worked at seven strokes per minute, raising 136 gallons with each stroke. Great shears above Roach’s Shaft were standing as the shaft was being used to raise ore. No. 2 engine was being used to crush ore - 50 tons a day - and also to raise water from Ayers No. 2 Shaft. Captain Roach was in control and adjoining his four-roomed house were offices, the boardroom, captain’s consulting room, changing rooms, pay office, assay office and draughtsmen’s room. Then Mr Elphick’s house (the assay master), and next the now decaying houses of Dr Mayne (the Mine doctor), several other captains, the Chief Engineer (Mr Congdon) and others. Nearby the reservoir was under construction. There were six forges: five working. Stables for about 50 horses and other sheds around the yard to accommodate 200 more, though at that time there were about 100 horses at work on the property.

A large yard of about two acres for the timber store, along with copper from the smelting works. On the hills the chimneystacks and powder magazine. Schneider’s engine was made by Perran & Co. in Cornwall and has an 80” cylinder with a 12’ stroke. Three boilers made steam for it. In full work one week it raised 9,682,656 gallons.

[A description of underground workings then follows, taking about 1⁄2 a column.]

At the time only about 150 men were at work, but men were arriving almost daily from Victoria. The surrounding area looked bare and desolate.

Football. The footballers failed to meet as called upon last Tuesday and another attempt is called for tonight.

The Dog Poisoner is loose again.

Letter from W.T. Rabbich decrying the Government’s inaction re getting irrigation schemes under way in SA despite much talk of the same.

Mice are increasing in numbers.

Rifle Match arranged for 26 May.

XI, 959, 27 May 1890, page 2

Editorial on the opening of Parliament and on the coming legislation.

2nd Leader on Free Trade & Protection.

3rd Leader: A Word about Female Servants.

He writer is concerned about why young women prefer to work in shops and factories and how they are displacing men there and in places like the telegraphic service. He concludes: ‘we would like to see each sex occupy its own sphere in life, which at present it is far from doing.’

Sales. Good prices are expected at Elder, Smith & Co.’s on Friday when they will offer some 20,000 sheep.

The dog poisoner is still active.

Rain recently has made the season quite promising.

Burra History: Looking Backward, by Historian.

In 1855 the smelting works were an impressive set of buildings, but compared with a few years previously there was a state of inactivity through lack of labour. Of the 19 furnaces capable of smelting 80-90 tons of rough copper per week only five were working, there not being enough men for the others and there was also a lack of fuel - the carting being too slow. Steady men were offered 30/- to 35/- a week. Some 6,000 tons of ore was awaiting treatment. The company [check that this means the smelting company and not SAMA] at one time employed 1,000 men, but in 1855 only 200. I heard that at one time 400 teams with 3,500 bullocks were employed. In my time of writing (1855) the animals in use were principally mules - the smelting company owned c. 450 of them. Ten of then worked in shafts were able in about eight days to take three tons of ore or copper to Port Wakefield and return with a like weight of coal. Allowing for delays they managed the average three trips a month. The company had twelve wagons weighing 18 cwt built on the ground and c. 50 more were imported from England. The furnaces consumed about £120- £130 of coal a week. Skilled labour was limited to the management of the fires and the drawing off the slag without wasting copper. There were many Chilean labourers with their wives and families and also English, Welsh and Irish. Some 120-130 tons of ore was being smelted yielding an average 23% copper. Iron with manganese was used as a flux and was obtained from the Iron Mine some 10 miles away. [At Ironmine] They used many firebricks and manufactured them on the property using clay from the Chalk Cliffs. So difficult was it to get labour that two wheelwrights were earning about 20/- a day. The general manager had a large house (Now Mr Packard’s.) From 1849 to the end of 1854 the company had smelted 7,590 tons of copper at an average value of £95 per ton and in 1855 the value was £120 a ton. It had also shipped 21,000 tons of ore and used c. 27,000 tons of coal. Between October 1850 and March 1851 about 10,300 tons of coal came from Port Wakefield and about 9,600 tons of ore went to Port Wakefield.

XI, 959, 27 May 1890, page 3

Influenza continues to worry the town.

The Fire Clay Industry has gone so quiet we don’t know whether the venture has fallen through or not.

Letter on the Progressive Land Tax.

Letter from J. Cooksley of Farrell’s Flat agreeing with the recent editorial. The Government should buy back the large estates one at a time and then subdivide and sell in small farms of 200 to 600 acres.

Football. The players again failed to gather at the proposed meeting to decide on matches for the season.

XI, 960, 30 May 1890, page 2

Editorial: ‘The Pinch of Poverty’. Poverty in England today.

2nd Leader. Conferences and their Work: reflections on the Wesleyan Conference and the Intercolonial Postal Conference.

Mice are becoming troublesome.

Larrikinism: there has been a spate of throwing stones on roofs.

Rabbit and hare numbers are rising alarmingly in the grazing country.

Mr Holder has returned from Queensland. The Register says he is hopeful of good outcomes on the question of reciprocal reduction of tariffs. It also says ‘it is incredible that the [Queensland] Government or any member of it can have given Mr Holder any grounds for believing that his preposterous proposals can be seriously entertained.’

Horse Racing. Several Burra horses went across to Morgan for the races on the 26 May, but none won.

The Firing Matches arranged for Monday went off successfully, though the wind proved shifty. The three prizes went to: Pte. Page (50/-), Lieut. Watt (44/-) and Pte A. Davey (33/-).

Yongala Sports. The main attraction on 26 May was the bicycle races and the Morton Brothers of Burra secured prizes. W.H. Morton was 3rd in the bicycle handicap and R.D. Morton 3rd in the special one mile handicap (1st & 2nd were a dead heat.)

XI, 960, 30 May 1890, page 3

Trees. There is a nice flat needing planting near the remains of the Jubilee Foot Bridge. ‘Bye the bye, there is a tale to unfold in reference to that bridge, but I do not feel inclined for that now.’

Fire. Another kerosene lamp has exploded on a train - this time on the Melbourne Express last Wednesday - the train was stopped and the fire extinguished, but how long before another person dies?

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary 25 & 26 May. Attendance was down on previous years, especially at the morning service. This was partly due to other special services no doubt, but also to removals through the year. The children’s treat saw them march from the schoolroom to the Burra Oval led by the Burra Brass Band, for sports and then tea and cakes. The report of the Sunday school showed a fall in numbers due to removals to Broken Hill etc.

Redruth Court. On 28 May Sing & Fat were fined for a stray horse.

Mice & Influenza are both still bad.

Advt. Lynch Family Bellringers will appear at the Institute 5 June. As well as the musical program the favourite comedian and impersonator, Mr J.S. Parlatto and the laughable comedy ‘The Chinese Question’. 3/-, 2/-, and 1/-.

XI, 961, 3 June 1890, page 2

Editorial on Pandering to the City. Why do politicians continually favour Adelaide over the rest of the colony?

2nd Leader on Arbor Day. The Council intends to plant 1,000 trees. There could also, we suggest, be an entertainment in the evening.

3rd Leader was a reply to a rather sharp response from the Barrier Miner to the Burra Record’s treatment of Mr Whitelocke’s views on protection in Broken Hill recently.

Burra Literary Society. The meeting on Friday was a spelling bee.

Mr J. Smith, late of the Wilmington Hotel and the Central Hotel, Port Pirie, takes over the Burra Hotel.

Burra Mine. There are again rumours that the mine will see some activity.

Hoardings. The paper complains that someone is painting advertisements for quack medicines etc. on Council property, spoiling the view and [what is more to the point perhaps] depriving the paper of advertising.

XI, 961, 3 June 1890, page 2-3

Sport reports from out-of-town cover boxing, horse racing, cricket and sculling.

XI, 961, 3 June 1890, page 3

SA Parliament opening is reported satirically as a dream by ‘Ajax’.

XI, 962, 6 June 1890, page 2

Advt. There is a call to form a model Parliament with a meeting at the Institute on Monday at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial. Should Mines be Taxed for the Purpose of Municipal Revenue?

This discusses the difficulty of valuing mines within municipalities.

Burra Literary Society meets this evening for a musical program provided by the ladies.

Burra Co. VF continues to drill etc.

Rabbits are a growing pest in the district.

Lynch Family Bellringers gave a first-class performance last night.

The Season goes well with feed so far springing up in all directions.

Dog poisoning continues.

Aberdeen Reading Room. A permanent committee has now been established to further the cause. The Kooringa Institute will not open a branch at the northern end of town. A subscription list has been drawn up.

The Agricultural Bureau, Burra Branch, has asked the Council to get the town declared a sparrow district.

XI, 962, 6 June 1890, page 3

Football. The football club finally managed to get a meeting in the Commercial Hotel on 2 June, though still with only ‘but a fair number present’.

Elected were: Captain G. Herbert

Vice-Captain J. Drew

Patrons Hon. F.W. Holder & G.H. Lake MP

President P.L. Killicoat

Colours to be dark blue.

Subs 2/6. 43 enrolled as members. There will be a scratch match on Saturday.

W.T. Rabbich writes in support of the ‘Pandering to the City’ editorial.

Marriage. At the Bible Christian Church Mr W.J. Davey, formerly of the Record office and 3rd son of the late R.J. Davey, married Miss E.L. (Lily) Davey, 2nd daughter of Mr William Davey, Town Clerk of Kooringa. Not less than 400 persons were present. The procession to the church was led by the Burra Band in a drag drawn by five horses. There were six bridesmaids.

SA Parliament. The speech of the Governor, the Earl of Kintore, at the opening of the 1st session of the 13th Parliament is printed.

XI, 963, 10 June 1890, page 2

Influenza is gradually declining. Fortunately there were no very serious cases this time.

Burra Literary Soc. Last Friday there were 42 members and visitors for the musical evening.

Perambulators. We warn mothers about leaving perambulators with babies outside shops unattended. Yet another ran off the footpath and tipped over last Saturday.

Burra Mine. We have been told it is not improbable that the old mine will be got going again.

Baldina Blocks. We understand a letter has been sent from the Mayor to the Commissioner recommending the Baldina homestead blocks be re-advertised and the water conservation scheme there implemented as an aid to unemployment problems in the district.

Sparrows. As the Council has taken no action with respect to sparrows the Agricultural Bureau has written to the Central Bureau saying Burra is infested with sparrows and should be proclaimed a sparrow district.

Races. At the Copperhouse course Mr Vivian’s brown mare beat Mr Finch’s chestnut over two miles at a trotting match on Saturday.

Football. A scratch match was played on Saturday and challenges have been received.

Billiards. At the Burra Hotel on Saturday J. Chorlton gave Thomas Halls 40 points in 100 for a £1 a side billiard match. Halls won by 9 points.

Sport. In out-of-town reports sculling, horse racing, walking, and boxing were mentioned. Baseball is a growing game in the colony.

XI, 963, 10 June 1890, page 3

‘Ajax’ gives a satirical review of the Governor’s speech at the opening of Parliament.

J.W. Castine supplies an article on the land question.

‘Historian’ writes this week on ‘Our Defenders’

He wishes the movement well, but the piece is a column of waffle saying little if anything of substance.

Obituary. George Trevelyan of Ashmore, formerly a railway packer was found drowned in his well. It is thought he threw himself in while temporarily of unsound mind following influenza. [Died 8 June.]

W.R. Ridgway conducted the inquest.

John Diplock, deceased’s brother-in-law said on the 8th he was having dinner with him when the deceased got up, said he had had enough, and walked out of the room. Thought he was by the kitchen fire, but when we came out he was not to be seen. His wife noticed the cover was off the well and I went down and found his hat. Sent to Copperhouse for help and to the police. When help came we got the body out of the well. Deceased was 50. Three sons and a brother were eating dinner with him and his wife. The well is 80’ deep with about 12’ of water. He had been ill, but had no known problems else. His wife says he had been very depressed.

The jury found ‘there was no evidence to prove how he got there’.

Mice numbers are still growing.

The Chinaman’s Garden is looking first-class again.

[Probably a reference to the garden of Sing & Fat in Kingston St.]

XI, 964, 13 June 1890, page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 15,000 sheep at the Bon Accord Yards on 27 June.

Editorial on the beginning of the Parliamentary program

2nd Leader on the share market.

Mr Grainger MP has given notice that he will move on 9 July ‘That education in State Schools should be free up to the Compulsory Standard.’

Burra Co. VF is to be represented at the review in Adelaide on Friday 20 June. A special meeting is being held on the matter tonight.

Free Trade. Queensland has decided that the time for free trade with SA is not yet ripe.

XI, 964, 13 June 1890, page 3

Letter from W.T. Rabbich re Taxing Mining Properties.

On Things in General by Our Erratic Correspondent

[There is not much of significance here, but this seems to be the beginning of a series written by W.H. Hardy under this nom-de-plume. The Round-About Notes by ‘Globe-Trotter’ also read like Hardy and perhaps the articles by ‘Ajax’ as well. There is no doubt about Our Erratic Correspondent however.]

Burra Model Parliament. At a meeting last Monday at the Institute only a dozen braved the wet to discuss the matter. P. Murrie was voted into the chair with W.H. Linkson as secretary pro tem, with the whole to form a committee to carry out the idea. The next meeting is scheduled for 17 June.

Burra Creek is presently flowing strongly.

Larrikinism is a problem in the town.

Football. Another scratch match was held on Wednesday.

Shooting has been good of late with one hare brought in over 3’ long.

Sports from out-of-town covered in reports were racing, hunting, sculling and cricket.

XI, 965, 17 June 1890, page 2

Editorial on the week in Parliament which was, according to the editor, ‘completely wasted in talk and nothing more’.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday was fairly well attended considering the very wet weather. There was a program of readings etc.

Obituary. R. Handyside, formerly of the Bank of Australasia [presumably in Burra] died in Adelaide on Friday as a result of influenza. [John Robert Handyside died 13 June 1890 aged 17: born 23 February 1873.]

XI, 965, 17 June 1890, page 3

The Travelling Dairy will visit Burra in a few weeks. Lectures will be given as well as practical instruction in dairy work. At least 100 gallons of milk a day will be made into butter and cheese. For butter a separator will be used to extract the cream.

‘Ajax’ comments on the week.

Sports. Out-of-town coursing, racing, boxing and sculling are reported.

Football was cancelled on Saturday due to the weather.

Billiards. On Saturday night at the Burra hotel Chorlton gave Halls 100 points in a total of 250 in a £2 aside game. Chorlton gradually gained on Halls and caught his score before 200 was reached.

W.T. Rabbich writes to ask the editor to acknowledge that the latter’s correction of the writer’s arithmetic in his letter last issue was in fact wrong and that Rabbich was right all along. [The editor does so.]

Salvation Army to hold a big day at the end of the week.

XI, 966, 20 June 1890, page 2

Editorial on Broken Hill Mining.

Burra Co. VF. Most are in Adelaide attending the review.

The Season’s prospects remain good.

Charles Drew has been elected a director of BHP.

XI, 966, 20 June 1890, page 3

Burra Model Parliament. Second Meeting.

P. Murrie was elected Premier; W. Anderson is Speaker, and G. Parks Clerk of the House.

The Ministry presents its policy next Tuesday.

Burra Town Council

The Mayor reports that the Commissioner replies that the Baldina scheme is to be reconsidered.

Cr Rabbich moved that the Aberdeen lamp be lit for a period of three months from this date. Carried.

Cr Hardy, Cr Sampson, Cr Rabbich and Cr Butterworth supported a move to clear the rubbish blocking a watercourse near the sheep yards in Kooringa.

Crs Watt & O’Leary wanted legal advice first.

Council decided it did not feel justified in placing the town under the Sparrow Act unless the majority of ratepayers express such a desire by a public meeting or petition. [The move would have involved the expense of appointing an inspector etc.]

Football. A match will soon be arranged with Clare.

Sport. Out-of-town reports on Victorian football, cricket, coursing, sculling, racing.

Mice. The plague of mice has prompted numerous tall stories about mice, one of which is published.

XI, 967, 24 June 1890, page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 15,290 sheep on 27 June.

Editorial on the Volunteer Forces.

The editor is in favour of the force, especially given the uncertain policies pursued by France and Russia. Gen. Downes, the Commander-in-Chief in SA is known not to favour them and the country units have become very dilapidated. Last Friday’s review revealed the ‘incomplete and miserable scurvyness [sic] of the defence force in general’. It revealed ‘incapacity in drill, want of physical education, and ancient arms, with a large proportion of uniforms which looked as if they had been at use at the battle of Waterloo’. The VF should either be taken under the Government wing properly ‘or disbanded altogether by compulsion, for the present state of things is a mere farce’.

2nd Leader on protection in Victoria which it says has led to sweating - some women being paid as little as 2/6 a week plus tea and bread twice a day.

As the Kapunda paper says in its last issue:

‘It [protection] is taking from a thousand men what they need and deserve, and giving it to one man who neither needs it nor deserves it’.

3rd Leader discusses the further waste of time in Parliament on the Address-in-Reply.

Burra Co. VF. Neither of the daily papers has given credit to the Burra Co. VF at the review. We understand it was the largest country company present and contributed their quota to the several movements very creditably.

Stray animals, both cows and horses, roaming about on Sundays, remain a problem.

Sport. Out-of-town reports on football, boxing and coursing.

Football tomorrow: two local teams have been selected.

Shooting Matches on Wednesday were for the Government grant, but the shooting was rather poor.

XI, 967, 24 June 1890, page 3

Arbor Day. A meeting was held of the Town Council, Bureau of Agriculture, Government School teachers and some of the private school teachers in the council Chamber last evening to decide how Arbor Day was to be handled. Because 1 August is a sale day it was resolved to move Arbor Day to the last week in July. A committee was established to arrange a program and another to prepare a treat for the children. Meeting then adjourned till Tuesday fortnight.

XI, 968, 27 June 1890, page 2

Editorial urging action on the Baldina Irrigation Scheme and accusing the Government of prevarication. [The scheme required a dam on the creek near Douglas, the funding for which was to be recovered from the sale of the nearby blocks.]

2nd Leader on ‘Political Fossils’ i.e. the members of the Legislative Council, especially ferocious is the attack on the Hon. Samuel Tomkinson. He is accused of ‘arrant hypocrisy’. The Legislative Council is the house of ‘a spirit of conservatism of the most extreme type’.

XI, 968, 27 June 1890, page 3

Wesleyan Home Missions Special services were held in the last week.

Burra Co. VF will be inspected by General Downes next Wednesday.

Copperhouse School. The annual inspection and examination was on 13 June by Inspector Whitham.

J.G. Kelly of Copperhouse writes complaining that the District Council seems incapable of side drainage for the main street and instead cuts a creek 20 chains long down the centre of the road. Or allows/encourages the waters to do so.

‘Democrat’ writes about the elections for the Legislative Council early next year. Some members should retire ‘their feebleness of body and mind needs it’. The upper house is sure to try everything to thwart the wishes of the Government if it is at all against the interests of the moneyed classes and for the people. They are absolutely looking after their own interests.

Football meeting at the Burra Hotel on Wednesday. W.H. Hardy took the chair. The Captain, G. Herbert, resigned. G. Parks took his place. It was resolved to send a team to Terowie on 9 July and challenges had been issued to Clare and Auburn. Last Wednesday’s scratch match was successful.

Sports. Out-of-town reports on coursing, sculling, boxing, shooting, racing and cricket.

Burra Model Parliament

Last Tuesday the Premier P. Murrie announced his ministry and policy. Premier and Treasurer, P. Murrie; Attorney General and Minister of Education, N. Opie; Commissioner of Public Works, W.H. Hardy; Commissioner of Crown Lands, J.A. Watt; Chief Secretary, W.H. Linkson.

The policy was presented under 21 headings and was printed in the paper. Among the policies: the Transcontinental Railway was to proceed, the tax basis was to be a single property tax, tariffs stay as they are at present, there will be payment for Members of Parliament and single member constituencies. The Legislative Council will have a reduced term or be abolished. There will be home rule for the NT.

Joseph Ford has found copper on his Aberdeen property and intends to work it.

Burra Fire Clay Co. seems to have vanished without trace.

XI, 969, 1 July 1890, page 2

Obituary. Isabel Hunter aged 43, wife of Rev. Robert Morris Hunter died at the Wesleyan Parsonage, Kooringa on 20 June of phthisis. [Tuberculosis] [Registered as 29 June.]

XI, 969, 1 July 1890, page 2-3

Editorial on the Government’s move to replace licence fee payments to Corporations with direct Government grants. This would advantage some places like Adelaide and Port Adelaide, but disadvantage others like Burra, Kapunda and Clare. (Burra would lose c. £100) It is robbing Peter to pay Paul again.

XI, 969, 1 July 1890, page 3

2nd Leader on the fatal railway accident near Burra. [Inquest reported later.]

Trees. Almost 1,000 trees have arrived for planting in Burra.

Elder, Smith & Co. are said to be planning new offices on the site between Messrs Drew & Crewes store and that occupied by Messrs Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland in Market Square.

Burra Literary Soc. held a good meeting last Friday. It was a debate on the question that Education should be compulsory and free. Debaters were Messrs Rayner, Rabbich, Hardy, Fuss, Nevin, Davis and Sampson. The motion was lost.

The Barrier Trade. There is considerable debate about the Barrier trade with a standard gauge line from Sydney getting nearer. Some favour a broad gauge line from Morgan to Broken Hill. Rounsevell favours a 4’81⁄2” line from Adelaide to Broken Hill via Morgan. Others favour a third rail south from Terowie. We favour a new broad gauge line from Burra to Broken Hill via the eastern plains.

Obituary - Inquest

William Davis, a railway ganger was killed near Burra on Saturday 28 June. [Aged 48.] It was his job, daily to travel the line between Burra and Mt Bryan on a tricycle. The story is most clearly told by John Ryan, the first witness at the inquest:

‘Was at work at a culvert near the 1053⁄4 mile post; my attention was drawn to the whistling of an engine to put down brakes; did not know what it meant; but soon saw the train pass me with deceased on the cow-catcher and a tricycle being pushed along in front; saw the train was pulling up; ran as fast as I could with two other men who were working with me; we ran on until the train stopped about 200 yards from where I wa[s] at work; assisted to extricate deceased from the cow-catcher, and also the tricycle; deceased’s left leg had got between the bars of the cow-catcher and his right leg was resting on the bars; his head was bent back under the bottom bar of the cow-catcher and beating upon the ballast; his trousers were torn on the left leg and I believe the flesh was also torn. Deceased was not dead when extricated from the engine but died in the cutting to the north of the Burra station a few minutes to 8 o’clock; deceased was brought to Burra by the same train by which he was killed.’

The special train notice showed that the train was running nearly two hours late. The accident occurred in fog which limited visibility to c. 100 yards.

[The noise of the tricycle would have drowned the noise of the approaching train as stated in the 2nd leader which also said these vehicles should have rubber tyres.] The inquest was adjourned to 2 July.

Burra Mine. There is further talk of working the mine.

Advt. A valedictory address will be presented to Messrs Charles and Thomas Drew who are leaving Burra for Adelaide in the Council Chamber, Burra Institute, next Wednesday at 4 p.m.

XI, 970, 4 July 1890, page 2

Advt. A shop, cellar, and house of four rooms with balcony at back, coach-house and stable with two allotments of land, well fenced, situated near the Burra Railway Station and opposite the Bon Accord Hotel, New Aberdeen. For further particulars apply James Tiver, Railway Stores, Aberdeen.

Editorial on Federation. The writer is very much for the proposal, believing that in unity is strength, but of course urging that care be taken.

2nd Leader on the recent railway accident. Though the verdict was given as accidental several points deserve the attention of the authorities. The deceased knew a train was due in the morning, but should have passed his house by 5 a.m. It was almost two hours late. Witnesses vary as to visibility - one persons 100 yards can be another’s three chains (66 yards) and the driver and stoker put it at 25 to 30 yards. The train was going at speed as it took half to three quarters of a mile to stop. But if the train was going 18 m.p.h. and couldn’t stop in less than that something is wrong. A proper lookout seems not to have been kept. We conclude there is a general looseness in operations and that the accident was avoidable.

XI, 970, 4 July 1890, page 3

Accident. A rather lively horse that Thomas Halls, cab owner, was riding yesterday fell and rolled on him, injuring his head and face. The accident was potentially serious, but he is progressing favourably.

Rev. Charles Clarke will be remembered by residents who can recall 10-12 years back. He will return to give a lecture in the Institute on Monday evening - a completely new Dickens Entertainment. He has been in England, but has returned to large audiences in Melbourne and Adelaide, preaching and lecturing.

Obituary. Henry Richards, aged 34, died of tuberculosis. He was born in Victoria and came to Burra with his parents about 30 years ago. For 16 years he worked for Drew & Co. as a draper. He then ran a business for himself in Strathalbyn before returning home some time before his death. [Died 2 July.]

Burra Co. VF was inspected by Gen. Downes and Capt. De Burgh. There were 36 on parade in good weather. Several movements were executed fairly well. On the whole the General was pleased with the improvement over last year both in drill and general appearance.

Inquest. The railway accident inquest concluded.

[There is a further 11⁄2 columns of detail, but most of it has already been noted.]

The train was actually 1 hour 40 minutes late.

The train speed was 18-20 m.p.h. and it stopped in 400 to 500 yards.

[The paper incidentally swaps between the train’s brakes and its breaks at random in discussing halting the train.]

The evidence of the driver, stoker and guard do not add significantly to what has been noted.

The number 10 up goods from Terowie had left Terowie with four red lights on to indicate a special was to follow. The guard of this train said we passed the house of the deceased and he could have settled any doubt about the special by looking at our lights.

The verdict was: ‘That the deceased William Davis, was accidentally killed by being overtaken by a special train between Mt Bryan and Burra Stations on Saturday June 28, 1890, while riding a tricycle in the execution of his duty.’

C & T Drew’s farewell is reported. They are leaving Burra for Adelaide. The Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson was in the chair at the Council Chamber on Wednesday afternoon. He had known both gentlemen for c. 40 years. There was the presentation of handsomely illuminated and Morocco bound addresses, the texts of which are printed. C. Drew in reply said he had come to Burra in 1854 as a boy and had entered into business. He had always tried to do his duty to the town while looking after his own business. He had tried to alleviate distress. He believed it would not be long before the Burra Mines would again be working. T. Drew endorsed his brother’s remarks. All his colonial life had been spent in Burra and he had seen good and bad times. He thanked all for their good wishes.

‘Cynic’ visited the Model Parliament. He compliments the Speaker. He was not impressed with the Opposition and asks who will be the Opposition leader?

XI, 971, 8 July 1890, page 2

Advt. At the Institute 11 July only: The Quintrell Family & Fisk Combination.

[The Quintrells played violins, cello, double bass and piano while Mr Musical Thomas & Co rendered Operatic Choruses and Jubilee Songs as well as glees, quartettes, and solos.]

XI, 971, 8 July 1890, page 3

Editorial on Taxation: in favour of a single property tax.

Burra Literary Soc. had a fair attendance on Friday for impromptu speeches.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting. A deficit of £66 was cancelled out by the donations of the Drew Bros. T. Wilkinson replaces T. Drew as circuit steward.

The SA Government was threatened this week by the resignation of the Hon. J.H. Howe, Commissioner of Lands.

Burra Town Council. The Commissioner of Crown Land has written re the Baldina irrigation scheme saying it would cost several thousand pounds and he would require a guarantee that a considerable area of land would in consequence be taken up.

The Commissioner of Public Works has agreed to reduce the capital value of the Burra Waterworks by £640.

Burra Model Parliament: report by Rara Avis.

There is reference to Mr Rabbich as a rough diamond who reminds the author of:

‘Don’t look for heddication, for that’s what I ain’t got,

But still I ain’t a fool in spite of that;

For a man mayn’t have book larnin’, but still may know a lot

If he’s got eyes to see with and knows just what is what.’

Thomas Halls is about again. [After his fall from his horse.]

Roads to the west are bad just now.

XI, 972, 11 July 1890, page 2

Advt. WCTU. A meeting of the mother’s of the Union is called at the Bible Christian parsonage (Mrs Stayel’s) for 16 July at 2 p.m. Leftover garments for remaking welcomed. J.N. Holder, Sec. [Should this be J.M. Holder? Julia Maria was F.W. Holder’s wife.]

XI, 972, 11 July 1890, page 3

Editorial on Labour Troubles - generally in favour of improved conditions for workers.

2nd Leader on Public Information v. Red Tape.

The complaint arose because H. Roach, the Record’s Adelaide correspondent on finance, has been barred from sending a telegram to them at press rates except on the days previous to the publication of the paper and would have to pay 1/- for 10 words. This was another example of pandering to the city at the country’s expense.

Much wheat is moving south on trains at present.

Dogs are again killing sheep. Mr W. Killicoat offers a reward for the discovery of the dogs and their owners.

The Davis Case. In Parliament on Tuesday the Commissioner of Public Works said the compensation to be paid to the widow of the late William Davis was under consideration.

Land Allocation. Also in Parliament Mr Bartlett asked on Wednesday how many acres had been allotted to Mr Warnes, a member of the NE Land Board, or to any of his relatives bearing the name Warnes. The answer was:

Block 63 Co. of Burra, east of Hd of King, 16,297 acres to Thomas W. Warnes.

Block 65 Co. of Burra, east of Hd of King, 26,775 acres to John Flower Warnes.

Both are sons of Mr Thomas Warnes. The ex-commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr Howe, explained that as the Warnes were the only applicants under the personal residence conditions they obtained the land.

Arbor Day. It is expected that c. 500 children will plant 400 trees, the holes for which are being prepared in Redruth reserve. They will meet on Brewery Flat and march four deep to the reserve. The signal for planting will be a gunshot. Afterwards each child will receive a bag of sweets etc. The children will be addressed by the Mayor etc. Mr Wittber is preparing a concert to aid the funds.

Burra Model Parliament report by Rara Avis

Mr Rabbich moved a vote of no confidence, but was attacked by Sampson, Rayner and fuss who persuaded him to withdraw. The Baldina irrigation scheme passed a second reading and went to committee.

Sport. Out-of-town reports on foot races, horse races and cricket.

Football. 20 went to Terowie on Wednesday last and found the ground in a very bad state. They decided to play for two hours with half hour changes.

Burra 2.4 defeated Terowie 0.7

A smoke social was held in the evening at Opie’s Hotel. This could have been Opie’s Hotel in Burra, but a Mr Opie had the Imperial Hotel in Terowie until some date in 1890.

XI, 973, 15 July 1890, page 2

Editorial on The Burra Waterworks.

The reduction of £640 in the capital value is not nearly a fair decrease when it is known that nearly everything was charged for with interest when it was understood that cost price would be charged. Also the old works at the north end of town had over twice their value imposed. The editor believes that ‘the waterworks were never required here’.

‘there is no doubt but that the construction of the works was one of the greatest mistakes ever made in the local chamber of legislation.’

One argument was that in the event of fire they would be useful, but at present ‘neither the town nor one of its residents have a hose by which the water could be applied’.

Another argument was it would be universally used for household purposes, but now four or five years later even those with it laid on use well or rainwater for preference. All round it is an expensive luxury. There are dozens of poor people compelled to pay for water they do not and never did want. The chief movers have in many cases cleared out leaving those who cannot to pay the piper. All we can do is keep control and persevere in minimising red tape and Government officialdom.

2nd Leader on the present time in which ‘the press is teeming with accounts of immorality’. e.g. The case in Victoria of a Sunday school teacher guilty of criminal assaults on his 16 year-old daughter who gave birth to a child in September.

And women who condemn ballet dancers for stripping their lower limbs, but themselves ‘strip the other end to an extent which makes the masculine mind wonder how on earth it keeps its dress on’.

Burra Co. VF. A Volunteer social will be held at the Burra hotel in the evening of Arbor Day.

Trees. The Mayor has some trees, mainly sugar gums and cedars, available to applicants.

XI, 973, 15 July 1890, page 3

Confidence Trick. A so-called ‘Professor’ gave out he would demonstrate horse breaking. He borrowed a horse, saddle and bridle from T. Halls, our local cab owner, and suddenly lit out for Clare where he sold saddle and bridle. The police recovered the horse and are seeking the ‘Professor’. Beware of such travelling gentry.

Entertainment. There was a very fair attendance at the Institute on Friday for the Quintrell & Fisk Combination. The performance opened with a Grand March by the Quintrell Family, then the Fisks (6 male & 9 female voices) sang ‘Ernani’ and ‘Steal Away to Jesus’. Both the vocal and instrumental departments were good and the takings of £15 would have been better had the evening been fine.

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover sculling, horse racing, football and boxing.

XI, 974, 18 July 1890, page 2

Advt. The Harmston & Sons Circus will be at Burra 23 & 24 July at the rear of the Commercial Hotel.

Advt. Tonight at the Burra Institute. Arbor Day Entertainment by the School Children and Lady & Gentleman Amateurs. 1/- & 6d.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer on 25 July 15,580 sheep at the Bon Accord Yards.

Editorial on Baby Farming.

2nd Leader on what others call ‘Secularism, but as we call it, devilism’.

[The editor in this item descends rather unusually into very purple prose.]

XI, 974, 18 July 1890, page 3

The Millers’ Union is likely to open a branch in Burra soon.

Elder, Smith’s & Co.’s new building in Market Square has been surveyed and building should soon commence.

Letter from ‘Front Street’ complaining of the great number of stray cattle breaking down fences and doing other damage on Sundays and calling for the practice to end. ‘The Kooringa end of town is literally swarming during Saturday night and Sundays every week.’

Burra Institute. Half-yearly meeting of subscribers.

Credit balance at present £61-2-5. Building Fund £191-7-6.

Library of 3,118 books, though there are many worn out books. Subscribers are 72. Necessary alterations to the hall were discussed together with ways of raising the money. A series of concerts was decided upon.

Comment later in the paper: with over £200 in the building fund why is the Institute afraid of altering the present disgraceful state of the performance accommodation?

Football. There was quite a good scratch match on Wednesday.

Races. A race meeting before year’s end is mooted.

Burra Model Parliament is reported by Rara Avis.

The meeting on Tuesday last saw the debate in committee on the Baldina Irrigation Scheme and then the Corporations Bill and the introduction of the Education Act Amendment Bill to provide free and compulsory education. Members showed a willingness to get on with it, but the ministry seemed under-prepared.

Dog poisoning continues.

Burra Band tonight.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell on 23 July the valuable allotment 359 of 1⁄4 acre at the corner of Kingston & East Sts with well-built premises thereon and a well - a shop, dwelling, stables, buggy and out-houses. Also a butchering plant.

XI, 975, 22 July 1890, page 2

Editorial on the restoration of cable communication with England after a break of nine days.

2nd Leader on unemployment in Victoria and the need for a fair deal for both sides in the employer-employee debate.

3rd Leader on Free Trade.

Kangarooing is about to take place and good sport is expected in view of the large number about.

St Mary’s. The Bishop of Adelaide, Dr Kennion, confirmed twelve persons at St Mary’s on 20 July.

‘Professor’ Carter, the colt breaker, who recently went off with a horse of Mr T. Halls, has been captured in Bordertown.

The Bon Accord Crossing needs some protection. The nearby auctions make this one of the busiest of crossings and yet it is quite unprotected. As far back as 1884 the Government promised an alarm gong, but nothing has been done.

Rates Subsidy. Mr Holder, the Treasurer, has managed to get the Subsidy to Corporations Bill through the House of Assembly so that instead of licence fees the Corporation will get 5% of the general rate. In Burra’s case the Corporation will lose over £100 p.a.

Ministers of Religion will now be allowed to become Councillors under changes just passed by the House of Assembly. We hope that ministers will not avail themselves of this as it would have the potential to be very divisive and to arouse much unfortunate jealousy in towns.

XI, 975, 22 July 1890, page 3

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover boxing and sculling.

Football. The practice match on Saturday last was well played.

J. Melville writes from Broken Hill complaining that he is well-known as a professor of horse taming and feels the recent reports that did not name the gentleman who stole Mr Halls’ horse etc. attack his reputation.

The editor gladly identifies the recent ‘Professor’ as using the name Carter while in the town.

Arbor Day. A very large audience attended the Arbor Day Concert organised by Mr Wittber for last Friday. It is reviewed item by item.

[Two of F.W. Holder’s children performed: Ethel (11) gave a recitation in German and Rhoda (10) recited The Wreck of the Orpheus.]

Arbor Day will be held next Wednesday week.

Obituary & Inquest.

Phillip Kemble aged c. 2 drowned in a waterhole at Baldina on 17 July. [Born Philip Gordon Kemble 11 August 1888.]

Inquest was conducted by W.R. Ridgway JP.

John Kemble, father of deceased:

Waterhole has been there the last 14 years, is some 22 yards from the house and about 4’ deep, containing c. 18” of water. It has steep banks and is unprotected. Have 9 children, one besides the deceased under 5. Wife was ill in bed. Mary Williams looks after the children while my wife was ill, but also attends to housework. Mary Williams last saw the child near the waterhole alone c. 3 p.m. and missed him at 4 p.m. when she found the body. One of the little boys retrieved the body and I carried it to the house.

Frederick Kemble gave evidence of retrieving his brother’s body - had been driving some cattle about 100 yards away.

Verdict was accidental drowning, but the jury added that ‘the parents were censurable for not having the said waterhole protected, it being so near the house and with so many young children in the family.’

The Season looks good, even out east where the grass is plentiful and the stock in good condition.

Rabbits, sparrows, and chilblains are currently plentiful.

The Travelling Dairy has been thrown on the rubbish heap.

The Payment of Members Bill has been passed by the House of Assembly.

William Killicoat has lost about 50 sheep to dogs and offers a £5 reward.

[The value of the reward appears in an Advt. on p.2]

XI, 976, 25 July 1890, page 2

Editorial. The sad end of Mr Cowan MP & Mr Bullimore as the result of the Dry Creek railway accident raises again the issue of unsafe railway crossings and the unprotected crossing at Aberdeen, which carries more traffic than any other between Adelaide and Terowie. We commend the Council for their attempts, but condemn ‘the red taperism’ [sic] shown by the Railway Commissioners. At last we have received news from G.H. Lake MP that a gate will be provided if it can be worked from the railway station, but if not a gong will be installed. We thank Mr Lake for the action taken.

2nd Leader on compensation as a result of loss of licence due to local option action. We are in favour of fewer licensed premises, but opposed to [implementing] this while such stiff-necked opposition to compensation prevails.

The Season continues good with recent rain. Now farmers require a little fine weather.

‘Professor’ Carter awaits trial in Adelaide.

Mr Oppermann of Redruth is growing some fine oranges and lemons.

The Corporations Bill looks like passing the House of Assembly without much change.

The Federal Council delegates will be the Premier, Dr Cockburn; The Minister of Education, Hon. J.H. Gordon; Sir J.C. Bray; Sir J.W. Downer; Hon. R.C. Baker; Hon. T. Playford; Hon, C.C. Kingston.

Harmston’s Circus was really good and none better has been seen since the days of Cooper & Bailey. Each item on the bill was worth the price of admission. Almost every seat was filled on the first night despite the bad weather.

Burra Model Parliament, on Tuesday was not very exciting as both the Premier and Speaker were absent. Still some clauses of the Municipal Corporations Bill were passed and the second reading of the Bill to Amend the Education Act. Federation proposals were introduced.

A Cream Separator was demonstrated at Robertstown on 21 July.

XI, 976, 25 July 1890, page 2-3

Burra Town Council, 21 July.

The Commissioner of Public Works sent official notification of the reduction of £640 in the Waterworks capital account.

The Burra School Board of Advice asked for water to be laid on to the school.

XI, 976, 25 July 1890, page 3

Sports. Reports from out-of-town covered boxing, football, cycling, horse racing, dog racing and NSW rugby.

Redruth Court, 22 July.

Joseph Carter was charged with stealing a horse valued at £15, saddle, bridle and crupper, valued at £5, the property of T. Halls of Aberdeen. Committed for trial at Adelaide.

Obituary. William J. O’Leary, who for some time has been keeping the Hanson Hotel at Farrell’s Flat, dropped dead shortly after midnight last Saturday night in the bar. [William James O’Leary died 20 July 1890 aged 32.]

[Deceased was probably a close relation of Cr O’Leary of Burra as the Councillor was absent from Council on Monday 21 July due to a family bereavement.]

XI, 977, 29 July 1890, page 2

Advt. Call for members for Rose Bud Tent IOR for Juvenile Rechabites, girls 7-15 years. Parents are invited to bring their children to obtain all information at the Lodge Room at the Institute on Wednesday 30 July.

Advt. Burra Co. VF, Social at the Burra Hotel, Wednesday 30 July. Members in uniform. Brass Band in attendance.

Editorial on the Reverend Shirley Baker and missionary activity in Tonga.

2nd Leader on Arbor Day. The article tells the sad story of forest depletion in Australasia and in general discusses the importance and use of trees.

Harmston’s Circus had a good second night in Burra as well.

Lily of the Valley (Female) Tent IOR continues to make progress with 122 members at the end of June 1890 and capital of £89-19-9.

Aberdeen Crossing. We note that the Railway Commissioners intend to fit a gong at the Aberdeen crossing if gates cannot be worked from the station. But this crossing is adjacent to sale yards through which 40,000 to 50,000 sheep pass monthly. They will not be kept clear by a gong. Gates are the only thing that will serve.

XI, 977, 29 July 1890, page 3

Fire destroyed Messrs Kimber & Sons flour mill at Clare on Saturday night. The new portion of the mill was completely gutted in a blaze that raged all night. Damage is estimated at £5,000 plus loss of trade.

Football. A good practice match was played on Saturday last.

Sports. Out-of-town reports cover racing, pigeons, boxing, cricket and dog racing.

‘Ajax’ lists the survivors of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava and describes their plight: subscriptions to aid them having been called for. Some 20 in dire straits are listed.

‘Oxide’, Mining Notes. The Burra Fire-brick & Clay Co. seems very slow at getting to work. I have it on good authority that the clay has been tested at Broken Hill and pronounced second to none in quality.

Kangaroo hunt cancelled this week.

Mt Barker is tar-paving its footpaths: when will Burra do the same?

XI, 978, 1 Aug. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Progressive Land Tax Bill: raising a series of objections to the way the tax will be calculated and suggesting it will be a failure.

Obituary. William Hunt died at Broken Hill. He was an old and well-known Burra resident who committed suicide by poison last Saturday, leaving a wife and two children. [Possibly husband of Emma nee Bruse, born 1850.]

A New Tailor. Burra has for some time been without a resident tailor, but now the American Tailoring Co. under the management of P. McDonald will open a branch in the premises lately occupied by the late Mr Andrew Wade.

Burra Literary Soc. met last Friday and the Rev. R.J. Daddow gave an interesting lecture on ‘Mineralogy’.

XI, 978, 1 Aug. 1890, page 2-3

Silver Find. The acting Inspector of Mines, J.V. Parkes, has been inspecting the silver find on sections 603 & 604 Hd of Hanson, the property of J.J. Duncan. Test smelting of 61⁄2 cwt has yielded 7 oz silver & 33% of lead per ton of ore. The veins so far discovered are too small to be of any value. I cannot, he says, recommend spending much money, but advise those interested to sink two 50’ shafts at the places I marked which for a cost of c. £80 would prove whether the veins make large or not.

XI, 978, 1 Aug. 1890, page 3

Mr T. Drew was given a farewell in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Tuesday with the Rev. R.M. Hunter presiding. Various people addressed the gathering and an illuminated and bound address was presented from the Wesleyan Church and Sunday School. T. Drew has been connected with the Sunday school for 25 years: 20 as a superintendent. He was also a church trustee and circuit steward.

Burra Co. VF. The annual social was a great success. About 50 volunteers and patrons sat down to a magnificent spread followed by speeches, toasts and musical items. The reported speeches tell us that Arbor Day had been deferred due to rain. Cr Sampson recalled that 43 years before, when he came to Burra, there had been no defined roads or footpaths. P. Murrie thought Government support was meagre, but might improve since Premier and Treasurer were both former volunteer captains.

[Cockburn & Holder]

Burra Model Parliament reported by Rara Avis.

There have been two changes to the ministry. Rayner replaces Linkson as Chief Secretary, the latter having decided he didn’t like the policy. Watt has resigned as Commissioner of Crown Lands having been won over by the Opposition. The second reading of the Education Act Amendment Act was carried - opposed only by Stephenson & Fuss. [Probably C.A. Fuss] It now goes into committee.

Arbor Day had to be postponed one week on account of heavy rain on the evening before and the morning of the day itself. The children’s bags of treats were distributed however.

‘Ajax’ complains about a spate of suggestions to license:

Children & others to sell papers

Milk vendors

Hawkers: colony wide instead of corporation by corporation

The Payment of Vendors Bill is having a tough time in the Legislative Council.

P.L. Killicoat’s challenge to run his dog against any other after kangaroos for £5 has been accepted by g. Parks. To be run in about a month’s time.

XI, 979, 5 Aug. 1890, page 2

Obituary. Joanna Oliver, widow of William Oliver died at her residence in Copperhouse on 1 August, aged 86. She was a colonist of 41 years and mother of Ellen Saunders [Sanders] of Copperhouse and Elizabeth O’Brien of Broken Hill.

Editorial on the Liquor Traffic Reform introduced by Hon. F.W. Holder, including a graduated licence fee, provision for licensed clubs of not less than 50 persons in the city or 25 in the country, local option under specified conditions, and Sunday closing.

XI, 979, 5 Aug. 1890, page 2-3

2nd Leader on sharp business practices and accumulation of wealth and the hypocrisy of those who have it. [All in rather purple prose.]

XI, 979, 5 Aug. 1890, page 3

Larrikins are breaking the town’s tree guards.

Mr Lake is to move on 13 August for single member electorates.

A Boys’ Field Club branch is being formed by the teachers of our public school.

Burra School Penny Bank was formed three years ago and now holds £26-17-10.

The Railway Commissioners have carefully considered the railway crossing suggestions recently made and have decided against adopting any of them.

Salvation Army. An article from the Cornubian, in Cornwall exposes the wealth and arrogance of General Booth of the Salvation Army and predicts it will cause the collapse of the same.

Editorial urges a public meeting to find a way to get SA capitalists to restart the Burra Mines.

Letter from ‘Ratepayer’ on the wanton destruction of tree guards in the locality of Harris & Sons’ shop on the corner of Thames St and Market Square, by larrikins.

Football. Burra will play Clare tomorrow at Clare. There was a practice game last Saturday.

Lawn Tennis remains a prominent game in Burra.

How is it a match with an outside team cannot be arranged?

XI, 979, 5 Aug. 1890, page 4

Burning of the Clare Mill. A report on the fire at Kimber’s Mill in Clare from the Northern Argus.

XI, 980, 8 Aug. 1890, page 2

Advt. Mr Edward T. Smith (The second Gough) [Page 3 adds ‘the great temperance lecturer’] will deliver Gough’s Famous Oration: ‘For the Sake of Others’.

Burra Institute 13 August, 7.30 p.m.: 1/- and 6d.

Advt. IOR, visit of District Officers and Delegates and Half-Yearly Council, Tuesday 19 August at 1 p.m. A Procession of members will leave the Institute at 4.30 p.m. headed by the Burra Brass Band. Public Tea in the Institute at 5 p.m., tickets 1/-: followed by addresses and musical items.

Advt. Public Tea and Entertainment today in connection with the Bible Christian Church, Kooringa.

Advt. All persons depasturing or travelling stock over open land in the Burra Special Survey, Kooringa, without permission will be prosecuted. W.H. Hardy, Agent.

XI, 980, 8 Aug. 1890, page 2-3

Editorial on the Collapse of the Progressive Land Tax Bill. The House of Assembly rejected it 26 to 22 after some tricky manoeuvres by the Opposition. While opposed to the tax we object to the slick trick used to stop it without the matter being properly debated. ‘We believe in the abolition altogether of private titles.’

XI, 980, 8 Aug. 1890, page 3

Rain again on Wednesday caused Arbor Day to be postponed till further notice.

Rainfall in July was the heaviest for many years and heavy falls have continued this month.

Rabbit numbers again rising to the east as good feed grows.

Major-General Downes has reported for the year ended June 1890, on the Voluntary Infantry. Its strength has declined from 1039 to 619 and its vitality is at a low point - ‘Even the favourite amusement of rifle-shooting is now much neglected; for although Government ammunition is supplied at price below cost, 6s. per hundred being charged, there is much less ammunition purchased in proportion than when it was charged for at the rate of 8s.6d. per hundred.’

We have no doubt that the country would have done much better had General Downes not been in command. He has never admired the VF and his remarks re the ‘favourite amusement of rifle-shooting . . . only shows the sarcasticness of his mind towards them.’

Unemployment remains a problem in Victoria.

Matthew Symons, who has been a resident for over 37 years, was farewelled by about 20 gentlemen at the Kooringa Hotel on Monday evening last. He has most recently been a retail butcher and is now going to Broken Hill. Speeches were made in support by Cr Sampson, Harry Vivian, W.J. Jacka, (a resident of c. 2 years), James Henderson, T.T. Shortridge, Cr W.H. Hardy, P. Murrie jun., T. Ellery and T. Ford. Mr Symons responded appropriately.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor has spoken to the district MPs re the retimbering of the waterworks well, but there is no decision yet. He thought the water could be extended to the Public School at no loss to the town. The Board of Advice will guarantee the sum of £3-3-0 p.a. which is the interest on the sum to be expended. A letter has been sent to the police drawing attention to the larrikins destroying tree guards in Market Square. Another letter has been sent to the local MPs regarding the unsafe Aberdeen level crossing.

Football. The team to Clare last Wednesday mustered only 14 players in foul weather and ended up losing to Clare 2 goals to 1.

Terowie will send a team to Burra next Wednesday.

Sports. Out-of-town reports cover sculling, boxing and football.

[Sculling remained big news with references to stakes of $US 5,000 mentioned.

XI, 981, 12 Aug. 1890, page 2

Advt. Foresters’ Annual Social and Banquet at the Burra Hotel; Wednesday 13 August at 8 p.m.

Birth. To the wife of Francis Harris, a son on 10 August.

Editorial on the role of millionaires like Carnegie and Rothschild. We are told they ‘are the most honest possessors in the world’, that they are the custodians of property or it would be lost. We say ‘only give every man all the property he with his own labour creates, and the rights of property will be something more than an empty phrase’.

Those who amass millions do not do so from their own labours.

[The whole argument is from a very left wing position.]

XI, 981, 12 Aug. 1890, page 3

Fire. A large haystack owned by James Dew about 2 miles from Burra was destroyed by fire on Sunday afternoon.

Sale. The sale of Drew Bros. furniture last Friday at the Institute realised very big prices. The sale continues next Friday.

‘The Professor’, Joseph Carter, the colt-breaker, has received two years hard labour for stealing T. Hall’s horse etc.

Aberdeen Crossing. A man, rather drunk, was almost hit by the late train to Terowie at the crossing on Friday night. Something must be done about this crossing.

Kooringa Band of Hope continues to meet.

Burra Model Parliament met last Tuesday, but there is some falling in attendance, perhaps due to the very cold night. Tonight’s debate will be on Federation and Taxation.

Burra Teachers’ Association, 23rd meeting on 9 August at Burra with representatives from Baldina, Burra, Copperhouse, Clare, Leighton, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth, Terowie and Ulooloo.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church. Special Services 3 august. Rev. J. Rowe of Auburn preached. He commenced his colonial ministry in Burra about 40 years ago. The tea and entertainment announced for 6 August were postponed to 8 August on account of the bad weather. Proceeds were c. £10.

Football. The Clare trip. It rained heavily on Tuesday night and the coach arranged for Clare arrived at 7 a.m. to find only 14 players after waiting for two hours. They decided to go at 9 a.m. and the weather then cleared up until about halfway to Farrell’s Flat when rain returned and it poured until Clare was reached. The horses which initially had been prepared to do the distance in half-time now required rests and occasional walks to relieve them. Clare was reached about 2 p.m. Dinner was taken at Host Gray’s and they then moved to the oval. ‘Experts on irrigation pronounced it to be thoroughly irrigated’. The side was six men short and the Clare side arrived half an hour later. The rain now stopped and a good number of spectators appeared. The spectators had the best of the game. After a poor exhibition of football all through Clare had scored 2.15 to Burra 1.3. ‘It is said enough Clare mud was brought home to start a small farm.’

Larrikinism. More tree guards have been smashed.

More Sheep have been killed by dogs.

Trams. There is some talk of a tramway between Kooringa and Redruth.

‘Sandboy’ writes re the coming football match with Terowie tomorrow:

‘I hope during the match the players (Burras particularly) will have some consideration for the Queen’s English and try to get through the match without the foul language several of the players (I am sorry to say) are becoming noted for.’

XI, 982, 15 Aug. 1890, page 2

Advt. Oscar Reitz, Photographer, Market Square, will be Visiting for a Few Days Longer. He will photograph anything that flies, moves, or is at rest:

Farms, Cottages, Business Houses, Also at Night by Electric Light.

‘Having followed the vocation in large towns of Europe also the whole of South and Central Africa.’

Advt. From Saturday 16 August Martin Pederson will be removing from his former premises to those lately occupied by W. Geake in Market Square. On opening day the Burra Brass Band will play a few selections.

Advt. Mr Peter S. McDonald, manager of the London & American Tailoring Co., advises that he will be moving into the shop lately occupied by Martin Pederson from 2 August. [This advt. first appeared 1 August.]

Obituary. There is a funeral notice for F.J.H. Vivian who was to be buried this day at 2 p.m. Foresters were asked to assemble at the Court Room at 2 p.m. as the funeral is due to leave his residence at Aberdeen at that time. [Francis John Hooper Vivian died 14 August 1890 aged 35.]

Birth. On 27 July to the wife of Stephen King of Mt Bryan, a son.

XI, 982, 15 Aug. 1890, page 2-3

Editorial on the political crisis in SA. The Hon. T. Playford tabled on Tuesday that he would move a motion of no confidence in the Government on the following day. The dissatisfaction arises from the Government action on the Barrier trade and agreements entered into with several Broken Hill mines for its carriage. Dr Cockburn says that the Railway Commissioners have been acting without Government knowledge so are the Government to blame for the results? While not particularly satisfied with the Government we believe they ‘have not had fair play in any sense of the term’. Indeed ‘attempts have been made to legislate for the people, which have been frustrated by the wily dodges of capitalistic backscratchers, and therefore baulked in their inception.’

Playford seems to have nothing better to offer. If the Government is weak, the Opposition is no better.

XI, 982, 15 Aug. 1890, page 3

Weather has been wild with over 1” of rain on Monday night. Creeks are swollen and roads in a bad state.

Burra Model Parliament seems to have lost its interest. The last meeting had to be adjourned due to small attendance. We believe this is a sad state of affairs as Burra young men are far from perfect in the knowledge of political or social matters.

Grand Concert tonight in the Institute in aid of the Volunteer Force and the Burra Literary Society.

Fire. We said last issue Mr Dew’s 30 tons haystack burnt on Saturday afternoon, but we are now told it was alight at 10 p.m. and burnt after that hour. Police are investigating.

Football. The game was played on Wednesday in miserable weather.

Burra 5.13 defeated Terowie 3.3. [Note different scores are given in next issue.]

Annual Foresters’ Social at the Burra Hotel last Wednesday saw 40 members and friends sit down to an A1 bill of fare. Toasts and songs followed. At present there are 156 members paid up on the roll with over £700 in accumulated funds.

Arbor Day has been abandoned altogether this year after being postponed several times.

E.T. Smith, the temperance speaker at the Institute on Wednesday, drew a fair attendance and produced an impressive performance.

Redruth Court.

Young sued Henderson for £2-12-6 for a quarter’s instruction + £2-10-0 in lieu of a quarter’s notice to withdraw the child from the school. There was no evidence presented re the contract entered into, or even an advertisement of the school to assist. The court ordered a payment of 18/6 for one month’s tuition and the cost of some books.

Snow has fallen on Mt Bryan.

SA Parliament was still debating the no confidence motion as we went to press at 10 p.m. Thursday night.

Sports. Out-of-town reports cover cricket, lacrosse (which is becoming popular in the north), & sculling. In the latter O’Connor and Kemp will race in the US for the championship of the world, the New York Police Gazette Cup, and £500 aside.

XI, 983, 19 Aug. 1890, page 2

Notice. A public meeting is called in response to the requisition to the Mayor re the defeat of the Cockburn Government. At the Institute Friday 22 August.

Editorial on the fall of the Cockburn Government: an example of ‘Brazen-faced hypocrisy’. The no confidence motion was passed at 3 a.m. last Friday. This was only possible because many who espoused the Progressive Land Tax policy during the recent elections changed sides. The editor names as political hypocrites: Messrs B. Gould, W.B. Rounsevell, G.F. Hopkins, C.C. Kingston, W.F. Stock, J.W. Castine, L. Grayson and W. Gilbert, not to mention others who have performed summersaults in the past few weeks. [The editorial is quite vitriolic and continues a further column.]

XI, 983, 19 Aug. 1890, page 3

The Burra Model Parliament was due to meet tonight, but has been postponed due to the Rechabite Festival in the hall.

Aberdeen Level Crossing remains unprotected.

Ganger Davis’s widow was entitled to £70-4-6 under the Civil Service Act, the Commissioner of Public Works announced in Parliament on Thursday. The Government will ask the Railway Commissioners to reconsider and make a more adequate payment.

The Grand Entertainment for the VF and the Burra Literary Society was well-arranged and nicely carried out last Friday evening. There was a large audience and they did well considering the inconvenience of having to provide their own furniture: ‘the provisions made . . . in hall accommodation are disgraceful’.

The first half was a series of music and songs. The second part concluded with the screamingly funny ‘Should this meet the Heye’. [Or as the Record says the ‘screeming comedy’.] In which the parts were taken by:

Lambkin (An Oil Merchant) J.A. Watt

Lionel Long (Maud’s Affianced) W.H. Morton

Septimus Skinflint (Maud’s Guardian) C. Fuss

Teddy O’Flannigan (Waiter) N. Opie

Nabbem Grabbem (Bailiff) ?

Maud (Heroine) Miss Drake

Polly (Chamber Maid) Miss Bruce

Football. More detail of the game between Terowie and Burra with different scores from those cited in the last issue. Burra 5.15 defeated Terowie 3.5

[Last issue has 5.13 to 3.3]

Stage furniture at the Burra Institute is bad.

Dogs have killed more sheep around Burra.

The New Ministry:

Premier and Treasurer T. Playford

Chief Secretary Sir J.C. Bray

Attorney General R. Homburg

Commissioner of Public Works W.B. Rounsevell

Minister of Education D. Bews

Commissioner of Crown Lands W. Copley

XI, 984, 22 Aug. 1890, page 2

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Report and Public Dinner Meeting. Next Wednesday. Dinner 4 p.m. Meeting 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on the New Ministry: A Disappointing Combination.

Sir J.C. Bray: ‘known to care very little for the welfare of the many so long as he can further the interests of the few’.

W.B. Rounsevell: ‘on account of his inconsistency and total disregard for political honesty . . .he can change front on any subject at five minute’s notice’.

Mr Copley: was elected as a people’s representative, but has become one of the greatest Conservatives.

2nd Leader on the Intercolonial Shipping Difficulties.

3rd Leader on the Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

The area has been surveyed and the water tested, but changes in the Government have seen the matter unresolved for months. The Council has urged the Government to action not only as a relief for unemployment, but to settle families on small blocks that might pay handsomely. When the Government finally agreed it imposed such conditions that the minimum of eight applicants for blocks could not be found: only seven applying. We urge the present Government to take up the matter.

Water has been laid on to the Burra Oval.

Mr Holder will address the public meeting called for tonight at the Burra Institute.

Dogs continue to worry sheep in the area and several more sheep have had to be destroyed.

The Burra Creek has been much cleaned out by the strong flows this year and nearly all the sand from mining operations has gone and in many places original bottom can be seen.

Agricultural Shows are being held all around the colony: cannot Burra reinstate the show?

Burra Town Council

Men have been put on to plant the trees that were to have been planted by the children on Arbor Day.

There has been no reply from the Railway Commissioners re the Aberdeen Crossing gate.

L-C Thomas will do his best about damage to tree guards etc., but all is quiet until his back is turned.

Several tree guards have recently been destroyed, this time those who destroyed them have stated they were willing to pay for the damage.

Bagot, Shakes and Lewis have summonsed the Corporation for trespass leading to the flooding of their yard following removal of stones earth etc. under Council instruction. Council will defend the action.

IO Rechabites Annual Festival.

The business part of the festival began about 1.30 p.m. and concluded two hours later. About 4 p.m. the various tents of the Order assembled and formed a procession. Sixty members of the Rose of Sharon Tent, fifty of the Lily of the Valley Tent (Female), and thirty of the Hope of Kooringa Tent (Juvenile) and visitors to a total of 145 were led in procession around the town by the Burra Brass Band. This was followed by a public tea at the Institute where about 300 sat down. After tea a monster temperance meeting was held in the Institute Hall. The proceedings are reported in 1 column.

Footballers practised on the oval on Wednesday for the return bout with Clare on 1 September.

Letter from ‘Liberal’ that at the recent Foresters’ social there was a suggestion that a United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration should be held annually. He strongly supports this concept and says it would be far better than each society having its own picnic. It will also help to sweep away petty jealousies.

Burra Comedy Co. goes to Hallett.

Trams. There is no more talk of a tramway to the railway station.

XI, 985, 26 Aug. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the political meeting held in the Institute on Friday night.

There was a very large attendance. We agree with the meeting generally, though we are not in favour of the Progressive Land Tax, but think it should have been debated. We cannot agree however, with the request for a dissolution.

2nd Leader on the Schools Boards of Advice Conference.

Giving greater powers to these boards, especially with respect to more control over the expenditure of money would cut Government red tape. At present a minor job of repairs or painting involves different stages of examination and humbug that increase costs and breed delays and involve ‘individuals who care for nothing so long as they receive their pay’.

3rd Leader on the Maritime Strike.

Burra Co. VF has come to life again, with a drill on Thursday evening.

Mr H.T.H. Morris, who was at one time stationed at Burra on behalf of the late firm of Morris, Wilkinson and Sandland, has bought the Kapunda branch of Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland to run as his own business. He was formerly manager there.

Rabbits in large numbers are now close to Burra.

XI, 985, 26 Aug. 1890, page 3

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church special effort last Sunday. Rev. Walter Howchin preached and the weather was good. Tea meeting tomorrow.

Letter from ‘Justice’ claiming that reports on the larrikinism and damage to tree guards is exaggerated out of all proportion. The guards are constructed with so few nails to hold the wires in place that young children playing or a person leaning against one and placing a foot on the wire can do the damage. ‘Justice’ also thinks the reporting of Council business favours the south end of town.

Football. A fair practice game was played last Saturday in preparation for the Clare game next Monday.

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover football in Adelaide, the Melbourne Cup, and the arrival in Sydney of the boxer Peter Jackson who was met by a crowd of about 4,000.

Public Meeting of Electors, Friday 22 August in the Institute.

The Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson took the chair. The first resolution was ‘That this meeting sympathises with the late Cockburn Government; and regrets the defeat of the Progressive Land Tax; also the tactics of the late Opposition in shelving the measure.’ Moved Mr Geake, seconded Mr Anderson.

[Presumably carried, though this is not stated.]

S. Pearce moved the second motion ‘That this meeting protests most emphatically against the office of Commissioner of Crown Lands being held be a member of the Legislative Council.’ Seconded W.H. Hardy.

[There is no indication here of the motion’s fate, but the editorial tells us it was ‘carried amidst loud applause’.]

Mr Holder then spoke. The policy of the Progressive Land Tax had been unanimously adopted on the hustings. It has been said that there was never a majority in the House in favour, but they had 23 and if Messrs Gould, McDonald and Bartlett had been in their places they would have had 26. Also at the time Grayson, Kingston, Stock and Sir J.C. Bray had announced themselves in favour with some qualifications, so even then there was a majority in favour of a Progressive Land Tax scheme. This justifies the action taken about the dissolution of the House. The way the measure was thrown out was only a party move to get rid of the Government. The split was that Kingston, Bray, Grayson and Stock would support the Progressive Land Tax if it exempted city lands. Had the Bill been allowed to be discussed no doubt it would have been somewhat amended and then accepted by the House. The rejection only strengthened its supporters’ hands in the future. The Progressive Land Tax was not a dead issue.

On the second motion he took exception to the vigorous attacks made on Mr Copley and believed him to be a man of principle. He agreed that the Commissioner of Crown Lands should come from the Lower House, but also believed Mr Copley would endeavour to mete out justice to all. Mr W.T. Rabbich moved ‘That this meeting approves of a committee being appointed to confer with other committees in other centres of population for the purpose of memorialising the Governor to dissolve the House of Assembly. Seconded by Mr Harry and carried.

XI, 986, 29 Aug. 1890, page 2

Editorial on The Ups and Downs of the Money Market.

2nd Leader on The Great Shipping Struggle.

Burra Model Parliament seems to have died: it has not been possible to get together a meeting for the past three or four weeks.

The Committee to communicate with other centres to work for the dissolution of the House of Assembly has been active in sending out circulars in every direction.

The Aberdeen Level Crossing will be sorely tested again today with the creek up and 20,000 sheep on offer at the sales.

The Press. We think there should be a conference of the provincial press to discuss matters of mutual concern such as the inability of the press to receive telegrams at any time at press rates.

Obituary. Mrs Thomas Roberts, an old Burra resident died at her daughter’s residence at Narridy [near Crystal Brook]. She arrived in SA with her husband, three sons and two daughters in June 1839 on the Sir Charles Forbes. Her husband was the first captain of the Burra Burra Mine and died at Golden Grove in 1856. She is survived by six sons, three daughters, 79 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren. Mr Sampson Webb of Steelton is a brother and Mrs James Harris of Burra is a sister. [Born Hannah Webb: died 17 August 1890 aged 81.]

Elder, Smith & Co. We have seen plans for the new building in Market Square. It is a two storey building with a ground floor main office and manager’s room and upstairs sitting, bed and bath rooms. Private tenders have been called among local tradesmen with a view to keeping the work in the town.

Railways. Why is it that cheap excursion fares for the 1 September public holiday are only being offered for a 50 mile radius of Adelaide?

XI, 986, 29 Aug. 1890, page 2-3

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church tea meeting on Wednesday last was well attended despite the bad weather. The Burra Brass Band played selections and the total result of the effort was over £30.

XI, 986, 29 Aug. 1890, page 3

‘Radical’ writes in support of a United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration about Christmas time and points out the success of such a movement at Port Augusta.

‘East Ward Ratepayer’ writes, clearly annoyed that the Council seems to have acted either without or contrary to legal advice in the drainage problem with Bagot, Shakes and Lewis and also to have ignored an offer from them and Catchlove & Co. to pay 1⁄3 each of the cost of a spoon-drain to take the water the nearest way to the creek behind the brewery.

‘Ratepayer’ writes saying he was confused by the letter of ‘Justice’ re larrikinism and thinks it a pity that its meaning was spoiled by ‘jargon’.

[This writer was semi-literate and the letter seems to have been published just as received. One must question the editor’s motive in so doing.]

‘Ratepayer’ writes strongly condemning Cr O’Leary for not supporting legal defence against Mr Lewis and condemning Lewis for creating a nuisance. The blocking of a waterway creates a nuisance and costs for the Council and Lewis should not get away with it. Could he perhaps next block the creek near his house and so flood Commercial St and expect to get away with that too?

Gun Accident. A young man was admitted to Burra hospital last evening severely wounded while playing with a gun at Paratoo.

The Burra Minstrels went to Hallett.

Stray Cattle continue to be a nuisance on Sundays.

XI, 987, 2 Sep. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the need for Mr Playford to produce some policy.

2nd Leader on the American Silver Bill.

3rd Leader on SA Eight Hours Day Holiday on 1 September.

Rabbits continue to increase and now a plague of caterpillars has appeared to the northeast.

W.H. Hardy writes supporting the need for a legal defence in the disputed watercourse question with Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.

XI, 987, 2 Sep. 1890, page 3

Football. The season is virtually over. Clare decided at the last minute to go to Saddleworth instead of Burra and ‘Sandboy’ believes it was because they wished to finish the season with a soft win.

Cricket. The Burra Cricket Club is to start soon.

XI, 988, 5 Sep. 1890, page 2

Advt. A meeting is called for 9 September at the Commercial Hotel to discuss the proposal for a United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration.

Editorial on Hon. Thomas Playford’s policy announcement. Too much of this policy has been plundered from the late Government and was, when introduced by them, opposed by those who now espouse it. The Government intends to end the free breakfast table and to increase the tax on income, to get 2d a £ from property and 1d in the £ from trade. All of which we believe will come direct from labour.

2nd Leader on the labour crisis. The battle of labour through the ages.

Obituary. F. Gebhardt Sen. of Thames St died on Tuesday evening last after an illness of over four years. He was one of the town’s earliest residents and for many years a baker. [Ferdinand Gebhardt died 2 September 1890 aged 55.]

Obituary. Charles James Webb, one time an employee of the Aberdeen branch of the National Bank of Australasia, has committed suicide by shooting himself on Henley Beach ‘whilst insane from ill-health’. [Died 2 September aged 32.]

Burra Literary Society met on 29 August for an evening of papers read by Mr Whittick, Mr [C.] Fuss and Mr Nevin.

Burra Institute. On Wednesday evening the celebrated orator Mr Coad spoke on ‘Cornishmen and their Characteristics’. The audience was kept simmering with laughter for three hours. On Thursday evening he lectured on Temperance.

The Great [Maritime] Strike. In Burra the millers are feeling the difficulty of not being able to get flour away. Butterworth’s Mill has had to close despite having orders to fulfil for WA and Brisbane.

The price of coal id affecting blacksmiths and wheelwrights and some are running short of supplies.

Butter and eggs are cheap in town [as they could not be exported], but fortunately much of the dairy produce can still get to Broken Hill.

XI, 988, 5 Sep. 1890, page 3

‘Davieston’ writes re the bad state of the Burra-Farrell’s Flat road.

‘Ratepayer’ wants to know why the voting for who does the new town assessment was by secret ballot in Council and why it went to the person who was £6 dearer when both tenders were from well-known townsmen.

Burra Town Council.

Tenders were received for the new assessment.

W. Geake & Son £24 and A. Bartholomæus £30

Cr Sampson asked for a secret ballot which was tied and on the casting vote of the Mayor the tender went to A. Bartholomæus.

Football. Further on the Clare Club fiasco. They decided to go to Saddleworth when they knew that team to be only about a dozen strong. Saddleworth contacted Burra and got the services of four or five men. When the Clare team arrived and saw the Burra players they refused to play. In the end a scratch match among the Saddleworth players took place while the Clare team watched.

Cricket. The Burra club is anxious to get started for the season.

Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

The original favourable attitude of the Government has been changed as a result of a more detailed survey and report. Originally for 600 acres, levels show that only 200 acres are available and the estimated cost of £2,000 cannot be borne by such an area. The area was advertised at a rent of £9 p.a. for a ten acre block plus 17/- per acre for water rights for equivalent of 24” per year. Seven applications were received when eight were needed to make it viable.

‘The work was not put in hand as it would be a dead loss for the benefit of a few individuals and one of these individuals was a Chinaman. Evidently the Public Works Department thought that starting an irrigation scheme for the benefit of a Chinaman was something that the Government could not undertake.’ Said by the Hon. T. Playford when speaking in reference to the report. He also said the following lovely example of multiple negatives: ‘I don’t know whether they should not have tried this scheme or not’.

The editor commented: we believe the conditions should be slightly relaxed and the scheme tried as then plenty of applications would have come forward.

The Maritime Strike. There is only three weeks supply of coal left to run the broad gauge railway system.

Cricket. The Burra Cricket Club calls its AGM on Monday next at the Commercial Hotel at 7.30 p.m.

XI, 989, 9 Sep. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the new Government’s policy. Some aspects are good while others are very bad. The mooted taxation changes favour the rich and the Premier now proposes to end the free breakfast table, the provision of which he supported last year.

2nd Leader is an attack on the pro-protection stand of the editor of the Barrier Miner who is described as ‘A Protectionist Windbag’.

The Bulletin in praising Holder’s speech in the recent no confidence motion debate says it justifies their prophecy that he is a future premier of the colony.

The Dissolution Movement is gaining public support.

The Bible Christian minister, Rev. J. Stoyel, has been ill, suffering from ‘affection of the heart’ and Rev. Peters of Hallett has filled in.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis we hear have withdrawn their suit against the Council Overseer. [And thus against the Council.]

XI, 989, 9 Sep. 1890, page 3

The Great Strike has spread widely. Men on strike are said now to number 6,000 in Sydney, 7,000 in Melbourne, >4,000 in Newcastle, 3,000 in Queensland, 2,000 in Adelaide, 5,000 in New Zealand and thousands more in Broken Hill, Tasmania and elsewhere. The colliery strikes have been particularly disruptive. Non-Union labour has been attacked as have the police. Special constables are being called for. The news from Broken Hill is that all mines are shut down and the smelting operations. There are about 10,000 men employed on the Barrier. [This was not a strike but a lockout by owners who resented financial aid to the strike from the miners. See Jim Moss Sound of Trumpets, Wakefield Press, 1985 for a brief account of the effect of this strike in SA]

Port Pirie smelting can continue for a while and at the end of next week the plant will stop to allow Dry Creek Smelting Co. to take over. They have a three month lease and will process c. 200 tons of ore daily.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church held special services on 31 August and 1 September. Rev. R.M. Hunter preached. The morning service was not well attended, but the others attracted larger congregations. F.W. Holder MP presided at the meeting. Total takings were c. £37. The Burra Brass Band was in attendance.

F. Treloar, late Chairman of the Hanson District Council, berates the writer ‘Davieston’ on the subject of the Farrell’s Flat road. Not only were all East Ward rates spent within the ward, but a special Government grant of £100 and £20 from other wards too. No Council could do more. The lion’s share of this expenditure went on the main road.

XI, 990, 12 Sep. 1890, page 2

Marriage. Charles Budge of Georgetown and Lily Murrie, fourth and youngest daughter of P. Murrie of Georgetown.

[Much more detail is given in XI, 993, 23 Sep. 1890, p.3 in a reprint from the Gladstone paper.]

Obituary. George Morriss, aged 69, husband of Elizabeth has died. He was a colonist of 51 years and a resident of Burra for 44 years. [Died 9 September.]

Obituary. Ferdinand Gebhardt Sen. aged 55, baker, died on 2 September after a long and painful illness.

Editorial on the Playford Government’s taxation policy.

2nd Leader on the late Mt Bryan railway tragedy.

The Railway Commissioners have decided that the death of ganger Davis merits no special payment as it was ‘caused by the neglect of the unfortunate man to observe the printed regulations’. When announced in Parliament this caused Mr Holder to interject ‘No!’ and the editor clearly agrees with Holder. The verdict at the inquest did not support this either. Mr Holder has taken an interest and we hope he can get the Parliament to vote a reasonable compensation as the Commissioners are ‘evidently afraid to acknowledge any carelessness on the part of the railway department.’

Mr Coad, the popular Cornish orator, will lecture tonight on Temperance, in the Bible Christian Church.

Sara & Dunstan have secured the tender for the new offices of Elder, Smith & Co. in Market Square.

Burra Literary Society met last Friday and held impromptu speeches.

Football. About 20 members of the ‘Joker’ Juveni8le Football Club met at Mr J. Lewis’s nursery schoolroom for a social. Games followed the excellent spread until about 10 p.m.

Lady Kintore, the Governor’s wife, has recently pleaded ‘lack of accommodation’ in limiting her ‘at home’ to 300 guests. Previous occupants like Lady Fergusson have managed almost 1,000. In fact Lady Kintore has taken a dislike to certain people and so has used this excuse not to invite them or their friends.

The Lodges have had a meeting of representatives and agreed in principle on a united demonstration. The proposal now goes to the individual lodges for approval. The next committee meeting is on 23 September.

Malapropisms. There is an article in column seven. [But the paper is skating on thin ice in drawing readers’ attention to this foible!]

Burra Institute monthly meeting. Plans for changes to the stage and the construction of dressing rooms were presented, but as the cost was higher than expected a committee was appointed to get less expensive plans made and submitted to an architect for costing.

XI, 990, 12 Sep. 1890, page 3

Cricket. The Burra Cricket Club met at the Commercial Hotel on Monday evening and elected: Patrons F.W. Holder & G.H. Lake

President P.L. Killicoat

Captain G. Parks

Vice-Captain E. Lockyer

J.A. Watts is to be asked to arrange a concert to aid the funds and Council to be asked to allow a flock of sheep to eat the grass on the oval.

Football. The Clare Football Club was slated heavily in their own paper over the Saddleworth fiasco.

Dogs are still killing sheep locally.

SPECIAL EDITION APPEARED 13 SEPTEMBER 1890. [Missing from hard copy & microfilm.]

XI, 991, 16 Sep. 1890, page 2

Advt. St Joseph’s School Concert next week.

Advt. Meeting of the Burra Racing Club at Burra Hotel 19 September, 8 p.m. to arrange the next meeting.

Advt. Grand Concert in aid of the Institute Building Fund, next Thursday. 1/- & 6d.

Editorial on Unsafe Railway Crossings.

2nd Leader on The Rabbit Plague.

The situation to the northeast, east, and southeast is dire. Holder has at last got the government to introduce a bill to supply vermin-proof fencing to District Councils and others. But areas of Crown Land are swarming with vermin as are many of the large pastoral holdings. It is not the farmers that should be paying for fencing; it is those who have bred them that should destroy the pests.

3rd Leader on the undesirability of the magistrate and a lawyer in the court being related as is presently the case in Pt Pirie.

XI, 991, 16 Sep. 1890, page 2-3

The Strike has caused reductions in train services.

XI, 991, 16 Sep. 1890, page 3

Cricket. The season opens tomorrow with a Club versus Muffs game on the oval.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary services next Sunday with tea meeting Wednesday.

Special Telegrams Column suggests there was a special edition on Saturday 13 September 1890

Elder, Smith’s Office. The work of constructing the new office has begun with the clearing of the site which has been known for some years as the fruit garden. The trees there were, for their size, the best of their kind in the colony.

Mr Coad lectured for about two hours on Temperance, in the Bible Christian Church on Friday last. Though a powerful speaker, he is an extremist of the first order. One evening this week he lectures at Redruth on ‘The tongue: its uses and abuses’.

Mr J. Roberts, formerly of Burra and now of Robertstown, and a Methodist local preacher, has inherited £1,200,000 as a result of a decision of the Chancery Court according to a report in Friday’s Methodist Journal and Saturday’s Register, but yesterday the information was denied.

XI, 992, 19 Sep. 1890, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 21 September, Rev. R.M. Hunter to preach. Tea 5.30 p.m. and public meeting 7.30 p.m., Wednesday.

Editorial on The Rabbit Pest.

2nd Leader on ‘Free Labour’, calling for freedom to belong to unions and freedom not to.

The Concert in aid of the Institute Building Fund last night was a success and included the laughable comedy ‘Should this meet the Heye’.

XI, 992, 19 Sep. 1890, page 2-3

Cricket. Last Wednesday the Burra Club 11 played a Muffs combination of about 24 of whom 22 were batsmen. Burra 96 defeated Muffs 32.

XI, 992, 19 Sep. 1890, page 3

Burra Town Council.

There has so far been no further reply on the Aberdeen crossing.

In response to approaches by the local Members Lake and Holder to the Commissioner of Public Works, it is likely the Waterworks well will be retimbered and the cost charged to the capital account.

The mayor believes the subsidy on the rates from the Government will be paid once the Bill gets through the Legislative Council.

The Cricket Club request to be allowed to graze sheep on the oval was refused.

Mr Geake’s tender for lighting the Market Square lamp has been extended for three months.

The lamp in the North Ward is to be lit for another month.

XI, 993, 23 Sep. 1890, page 2

Obituary. Sarah Bock died 11 August at her daughter’s, Mrs J. Edmunds, Terowie, aged 52. She was the widow of the late William Bock and a resident of Burra for 26 years. [

Obituary. Colin Clyde Hunter, the son of the Rev. R. Morris & Mrs Isobel Hunter, died 19 August* at the Kooringa Wesleyan parsonage aged 18 months 7 days. (Of tuberculosis.) * The date was corrected in XI, 994, 26 Sep. 1890, to 19 September. [Born 12 March 1889.]

Editorial on the budget brought down by Mr Playford on Thursday. The writer found the income expected was rather optimistic, especially given the unresolved strikes at present. Customs receipts will be down.

2nd Leader on the approaching municipal elections. The town has been transformed by the actions of the Corporation over recent years: roads, trees, footpaths, and bridges have changed the town. There was originally considerable waste of money, but harmony has prevailed now for some years. It is now time to consider the changes that must be made in the Council to prepare for a new Mayor and a councillor for each ward.

3rd Leader on The Late Ganger Davis.

Mr Lake in Parliament on Thursday said he believed a certain sum should be placed on the Estimates to meet the case of Ganger Davis. Mr Stock supported him. The £70-4-6 the Railway Commissioners have referred to would have rightfully been Davis’s had he lived. The Commissioner of Public Works, W.B. Rounsevell, is prepared to consider the matter after looking into all the evidence. We believe such consideration will bear out our conclusions that a fair compensation ought to be paid.

Snakes are about the town.

An Art, Floral & Industrial Exhibition in aid of the Redruth Wesleyan Church will be held on Wednesday and Thursday the 29 & 30 October.

XI, 993, 23 Sep. 1890, page 2-3

The Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary on Sunday was very successful. Rev. R.M. Hunter was absent due to another death in the family and the Rev. H.W. Teague of Kapunda preached.

XI, 993, 23 Sep. 1890, page 3

Cricket. On Wednesday at the match in Gawler where Gawler Assistants played Willaston Club, E.H. Coombe took 8 for 0 which is believed to be a world record.

Mrs Anderson & family, who have been residents in Commercial St for many years have left for NSW to settle with other family members who have been there a long time.

The Aberdeen Level Crossing continues to be ignored by the Railway Commissioners.

Obituary. The late Mrs Bock carried on a business in fancy goods in Market Square for many years. She was a resident for 26 years and was mother-in-law to Mr George Dawson, a long-time manager of this office.

‘Quizz’, an Adelaide publication, says of Mr Holder:

‘His rôle is distinctly politics. He was a comparative failure as a State School teacher, and as a newspaper man he failed to seize the idea of a far West contemporary that the journalist’s mission is ‘to raise hell and sell newspapers’.

Burra Racing Club postponed its meeting one week on account of so many other things being on.

Rabbits. Unless something is done soon the pests will reduce the crops beyond recognition.

Mrs E. Finch was driving home from the Wesleyan Church in Kooringa on Sunday morning with six children in a spring cart when the sight of a young lady at the side of the road with a parasol frightened the horse. It swerved, ran the cart over a steep bank, turning it completely upside down, which threw the horse onto its back. Mrs Finch gashed he forehead and one little boy broke an arm, but all were lucky to escape without more damage. The gorse was somewhat bruised and the cart smashed.

Mr Coad’s lecture at Redruth Wesleyan Church on Friday night on ‘The Tongue: its power for good and evil’, was powerfully delivered and brimful of anecdotes keeping his audience ‘one moment in roars of laughter and the next most serious’.

The Strikes.

In SA the trouble is increasing with difficulties in Adelaide, Pt Adelaide, Pt Pirie and Pt Augusta. Shipping has virtually halted. The Premier is being restrained, apparently thinking rushing police to the port will only inflame matters.

In Burra coal supplies in the town are better than earlier reported and good for several months. The train and mail service is rather erratic. There are few shearers about and although matters are unclear a strike of shearers is possible this week.

XI, 994, 26 Sep. 1890, page 2

Advt. Annual Services for the British & Foreign Bible Society.

Advt. Grand Concert at Burra Institute Wednesday 1 October in aid of Art Exhibition and Literary Society. [Column 7 says the Floral, Art and Industrial Exhibition and the paper of 30 September confirms its connection with the Redruth Wesleyan Church.]

First Half comprises overture, songs and recitations. [Including a recitation by C. Fuss.]

Second Half comprises 4 songs and the drama Miss Burton’s Domestic Troubles.

Editorial on the Parliament’s talk, talk, talk about rabbits. The Rabbit Bill.

The Bill most unfairly, says the editor, provides for the Government to supply wire netting to occupiers whose holdings abut unoccupied Crown Land for the purpose of fencing their lands. The cost to be repaid in 10 yearly instalments without interest. The nonsense is that the perpetrators of the problem get off scot-free.

2nd Leader on the Directors’ and Promoters’ Liability Bill.

Elder, Smith’s office construction is well under way.

St Joseph’s School Concert on 24 September at the Institute was well attended.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on Sunday 21 and Wednesday 24 September. Rev. R.J. Daddow preached to a large congregation. Good weather on the Wednesday saw a good number drive out from Burra to a good spread and for the meeting a third were unable to get inside the church.

XI, 994, 26 Sep. 1890, page 2-3

The United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration was approved by the component lodges [Oddfellows, Foresters & Rechabites] and this was reported to the general committee last Tuesday.

XI, 994, 26 Sep. 1890, page 3

W.T. Rabbich writes about the rabbit menace. He blames the half-hearted enforcement of the provisions of the Act for killing vermin and the position of the Government in exempting themselves from acting on Crown Lands. Wire netting is useless with inevitable gaps at creeks etc. to say nothing of their climbing over or under it!

Sports. There are out-of-town reports on horse racing, boxing and sculling.

A boat race on Parramatta River for £200 aside took place on Monday and another for the same stake is planned for 17 November.

[The significance of the sport can be gauged when compared with the annual income of a labourer at this time, of less than £100.]

Cricket. On Wednesday at Burra Oval Single Men 153 defeated Married Men 68

Redruth Court, 24 September.

A 5/- fine with 10/- costs was imposed on each of the following for straying horses in the town: T. Halls, H. Stevens, S. Baker, C. Grow, and C. Lowe.

E. Frederick attracted a similar cost for a stray cow.

The Great Strike & Burra.

So far here shearers are at work. Yesterday shearers went to McBride’s and Koonoona, but the situation is tense and as no agreement is in place they could come out at a moment’s notice. It is now expected that the call to come out will occur by the end of the week. The Port Adelaide situation is growing more serious, though so far no serious disturbances have occurred.

XI, 995, 30 Sep. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Great Labour War.

Shearing in the local area is almost over for the season.

The Dissolution Committee has gone silent.

Stock Sales. Last Friday’s sales at the Bon Accord yards were the largest for a long time and all sheep were cleared. [The advertisement listed 17,720 sheep and 100 cattle on offer.]

This week on 3 October Bagot, Shakes and Lewis in Kooringa will offer 28,940 sheep and 120 cattle.

Burra Show. There is still no sign of a Burra Show and unless the organisers get moving even the flower show will be a sorry affair.

Burra Races. The second attempt to get a meeting together to organise a race meeting has failed even though there is about £25 in hand from the last meeting.

Weather. Last Friday was a regular brickfielder: hot with a strong wind and blinding dust. A few showers fell over night and on Saturday. Crops so far look all right.

XI, 995, 30 Sep. 1890, page 2-3

‘Pub Girl’ writes decrying the way hotel servant girls are sneered at by stuck up misses at balls etc. and condemned for dancing with shearers etc., but all the time the stuck up misses’ boy friends sneak in the back door to dance with them. The girls should be commended for supporting their families instead of being subjected to jealousy because of their dancing habits.

XI, 995, 30 Sep. 1890, page 3

St Joseph’s School Concert of 24 September is reviewed. Rev. Father Dowling SJ was in the chair and the program was carried out entirely by the children. Each item is listed and the concert deemed a thorough success.

Rabbits. G.W. Goyder, Surveyor-General, says he had asked for Government rabbit eradication parties for the lands in the Hundred of Terowie, but the Commissioner replied that ‘he had no confidence in destruction parties sent out by the Government’, so nothing has been done.

International Cable. A second cable is to be laid between India (Madras) and Penang. The tariff will be reduced to 4/- per word. [Compare this with wages of perhaps 6/- a day for a labourer!]

Burra Town Council.

The Government has agreed to retimber the Waterworks well at an estimated cost of £120, provided the Council pays 5% interest on this amount which will be added to the capital account.

Council will ask that they be allowed to do the work and charge it to the capital account as they are sure they can get it done far more cheaply that the Government estimate.

XI, 996, 3 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial in which the editor waxes indignant because the Government has let a contract to allow advertising in railway carriages to the possible disadvantage of newspaper advertising.

2nd Leader on Free Trade and Protectionism

3rd Leader on aspects of the Corporations Bill in the Legislative Council.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church, special children’s service of song on Sunday.

Nelson P. Whitelock, editor of the Barrier Miner, was to give a lecture at Broken Hill on protection, but it was cancelled on account of the small attendance.

Sanitation. In 1881 the death rate per 1,000 in Adelaide was 23.55 and in Melbourne was 19.32. Subsequently Adelaide established a sewerage system and seven years later the death rate in Adelaide was 17.28, while Melbourne’s was 20.51.

Ironmine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday and Monday. Rev. R.J. Daddow was the preacher and the financial result was most satisfactory.

XI, 996, 3 Oct. 1890, page 2-3

British & Foreign Bible Society, Burra Branch, annual services last Sunday. At the annual meeting on Monday Dr Sangster was elected President for the next year with Rev. R.M. Hunter Vice-President.

XI, 996, 3 Oct. 1890, page 3

‘Ratepayer’ writes that on a recent day of heavy rain his children were unable to cross between the end of the brewery and the school on account of the stream being diverted by Mr J. Lewis of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis as he had been told. If true this should be remedied and ‘Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis shown that they do not own the whole of the town’.

World’s End Wesleyan Church held a second concert in aid of the organ fund on 1 October.

Shearers. There is published a nice satirical list of New Rules for Shearers for the 1890-91 Season.

The Art Exhibition and Literary Society Concert in the Institute on Wednesday night attracted a very small audience, though the program was fairly good.

Cricket. A scratch match on Wednesday last between two sides of six each resulted in a win for Park’s side 29 over Herbert’s side 23.

Our Erratic Correspondent [Hardy] writes on local option. He speaks strongly against a recent meeting in Adelaide in favour of local option without compensation. Local ‘faddists’, he says, Mrs O. Lake, Rev. M. Wood Green were joined by the Cornish extremist R. Coad.

XI, 997, 7 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial on Burra: Not Done Yet.

The writer argues against the view that the town is in permanent decline. The mine is silent, but may not always be so. Also all sorts of other minerals surround the town: copper, manganese, marble, silver, fire clay. Beyond that is the pastoral industry and agriculture, both of which are presently promising. We have two first-class flour mills and provide the Barrier with fresh milk for breakfast each morning. ‘We have every confidence in the town and district.’

2nd Leader comments on the ideas in Mr E. Bellamy’s book, Looking Backward.

Snakes are numerous in the long grass.

Grasshoppers are approaching from the northeast.

Crops look good to the north this season.

The Mayor, Mr T.W. Wilkinson, has indicated he is unwilling to continue for another year.

Weather. Saturday was very dusty, but in the evening some showers settled matters.

Aberdeen Crossing. The Railway Commissioners are believed to be considering a gong, which will be fine for people, but useless for the thousands of sheep that might be in the process of crossing.

XI, 997, 7 Oct. 1890, page 3

‘Temperance’ writes agreeing with ‘Erratic Correspondent’s’ attack on temperance extremists and asks for a balanced debate and compensation for legitimate losses if a licence is cancelled.

‘A Teetotaller’ writes attacking ‘Erratic Correspondent’ for his venomous and abusive tone and objecting to the terms like faddist, extremist, bigots, rabid, and mentally deranged. And to calling Mrs O. Lake’s and others’ arguments claptrap.

Burra Mine Before 1849: An Old Story Retold. ‘Looking Backward (1849)

The huge cargoes and the number of draught oxen and drays etc. seen en route had prepared us to expect much, but when we went underground ‘we saw enough to convince us we had commenced the examination of a mine incomparably richer and more productive than any of the kind we had ever seen in the United Kingdom. The present workings consist of 29 shafts or winzes, the deepest being 144’, at which depth a lode of very rich ore has recently been cut. These amount in all to 1,850’ and there are 70 galleries or levels with a total length of 9,292’. 7,900 tons of ore has been raised in the last 12 months and another month will make this figure 10,000 tons. It is valued at over £23-16-0 a ton and even allowing £18-16-0 a ton for carriage [check this] the value of the ore is at least £150,000. The mine is undoubtedly equal to produce 300 tons of ore per week, so future returns will be immense. For the economy of SA the impact can be seen in 13 months the payment for carriage must have exceeded £10,000, and wages £20,000. British and Colonial freights must be £15,000.

Foresters’ Lodge half-yearly financial meeting was held on 3 October. There were 157 financial members.

XI, 998, 10 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Premier’s response to the rabbit problem.

2nd Leader on Direct and Indirect Taxation. The editor is strongly in support of a single property tax.

3rd Leader against boxing, or ‘legal larrikinism’.

Vocal & Instrumental Concert in the German Chapel, Redruth, tonight. 6d.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions special services next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Kooringa and Redruth.

XI, 998, 10 Oct. 1890, page 2-3

Miss Adela Knight, eldest daughter of Rev. Samuel Knight of Victoria and formerly of Burra has won a medical scholarship to study obstetrics and gynaecology in Vienna. She left to study in England while her father was in Burra.

XI, 998, 10 Oct. 1890, page 3

Railways. A special train will leave Burra today at 10.30 a.m. for Terowie to test the Westinghouse brake system.

Municipal Elections: Retiring this year:

Mayor: T.W. Wilkinson

East Ward W.H. Hardy

North Ward W.T. Rabbich

West Ward J.A. Watt

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church, special children’s service last Sunday by Rev. Daddow.

‘North Ward’ writes urging a Mayor from the north end of town for 1891.

Burra Town Council.

The Commissioner has refused to allow the Council to get the retimbering of the Waterworks well done.

The mayor reported that a gong would be fixed at the Aberdeen railway crossing.

Nothing has yet been done to lay water on to the Public School.

Permission granted for the United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration to use the oval.

Council agreed to let the Government timber the Waterworks well.

The Overseer of Works reports that the creek at Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s was dammed on their property, diverting water from its natural channel.

E.P. Nesbit to take the necessary action to rectify.

Rifle Match on Wednesday between VF and Record employees. VF 197 defeated Record employees 176.

Central Board of Health Inspector visited and was generally satisfied, though concerned at the continued use of non-watertight cesspits. Fifteen of them are in Paxton Square. On Mitchell Flat where domestic water is obtained from wells all cesspits are now watertight. Around Burra there are 53 cows yielding milk, of which 70 gallons is sent daily to Broken Hill. Some increase in the standard of cleanliness is desirable. One dirty dairy at Firewood Creek needs attention. Slaughterhouses are still unsatisfactory. The town itself is satisfactory, but some close parts of the district need attention.

The ‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes again on local option in response to the two recent letters, especially enlarging on the justice of compensation.

St Mary’s Sunday School held its picnic at Princess Royal last Wednesday, but it was wet and miserable until about 11 a.m. Many children went in trollies and traps and the afternoon was bright and the children enjoyed themselves, returning about 6 p.m.

XI, 999, 14 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the railway brakes question. The writer is disappointed that the Westinghouse system was the only one tried in the tests, but pleased to hear that it seems to have worked remarkably well.

2nd Leader on bad roads. We are glad the Burra District Council has taken into consideration the bad state of the crossing over Spring Bank Creek between Burra and Copperhouse, where a number of serious accidents have occurred in bad weather. Not long ago a lady was nearly drowned. The road needs a bridge and is the chief outlet to the west from the town.

3rd Leader on the Bill to allow clergymen to serve in Parliament, on District Council, or on Town Corporations. The writer is generally opposed: ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon’.

Travelling Dairy? What has become of this? It cost £514-15-2 and seems to have been exhibited only twice. Cannot our MPs find it?

Government Subsidy to Councils is still delayed in the Legislative Council.

‘Kooringa’ writes saying the Mayor should come from the south end where ‘all the business is done’ and ‘most of the rates are collected’.

T. Nevin writes to explain his comments to some noisy boys at the recent concert on Friday in the Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom, when he referred to them as of lowly origin not of low origin. Lowly he says means ‘meek, humble, modest, without rank etc.’

XI, 999, 14 Oct. 1890, page 3

Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom Concert is reviewed.

Burra District Council has found the cost of a bridge on the Burra-Copperhouse road is £300 which is beyond its ability to fund. Application has been made to have the route declared a main road.

The ‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes on the Great Strike. He is for socialism, but not of the type advocated by mobs destroying property etc. He supports Mr W.W. Champion.

Westinghouse Brake Trials. This was tested last Friday between Petersburg and Jamestown on the narrow gauge line. A large party to witness the trial came from Adelaide by special train and a reporter from the Record joined them at Burra. The conditions for the trial are spelled out. Other competitors were called for, but only the Westinghouse system was tested.

A Y Class locomotive and tender were used with 30 loaded carriages and trucks. The first test stopped the train dead on a flat stretch in 130 yards.

The second test demonstrated the automatic stopping of the train in the event that a coupling should part when ascending a steep incline. This was very impressive. Several other tests followed and the complete efficiency of the system was astonishing to all.

XI, 1000, 17 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial attacks the protectionist writings of the Broken Hill Barrier Miner, especially the assertion that ‘it is utterly impossible for a true unionist to be a free-trader’.

2nd Leader on ‘The Fossils at Work’, being a commentary on the Legislative Council and its dealing with the Corporations Bill.

3rd Leader on the New Land Bill. This is basically the same as that proposed by the Cockburn Government.

Obituary. Mr A. McCulloch Sen. of Princess Royal Estate, died yesterday at his residence in Glenelg. An advertisement advises that his body will arrive by the midday train on Saturday for burial at the Kooringa cemetery. [Alexander McCulloch died 16 October 1890 aged 80.]

Marriage. Last Tuesday at St Mary’s W. Ker of Burra and Miss Bock of Burra.

Municipal Election. There is still nothing definite about candidates for the coming year.

Advt. There will be a lecture by Mr Gardner on 21 October in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 25 Years Reminiscences of Theatrical Life.

XI, 1000, 17 Oct. 1890, page 3

Wesleyan Foreign Missions. Annual meeting on Monday was presided over by F.W. Holder. 1st speaker was Jonah, a native of New Britain. The Rev. P.H. Rickard translated and followed with his own address on the native language, customs etc. Curios and magic lantern slides added interest. The collection was considered very good.

‘Teetotaller’ responds again to ‘Erratic Correspondent’. The writer argues against any compensation for publicans whose licences are not renewed due to local option polls and adopts a fairly extremist position himself.

‘Baldina’ writes enclosing a petition from 20 owners of land in the Baldina area, urging the adoption of the Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

‘Ratepayer’ writes calling for a public meeting before the Council gets involved in costly advice from Mr E.P. Nesbit, solicitor of Adelaide, re the watercourse dammed by Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.

‘North Ward’ responds to ‘Kooringa’ about claims to the Mayoralty. The north can take its place ‘as regards ability and qualifications necessary to fill the Mayor’s chair for the ensuing year’.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ discusses one of Burra’s several white elephants: the Recreation Ground or the Burra Oval as it is now usually called.

Back in 1882 Cr Sampson moved a resolution for the issue of 5% bonds for £1,600 for new works and to pay the overdraft, plus £400 for the town survey (which was never done), plus £500 for the stone wall around the Recreation Ground. A total of £2,500.

The argument advanced was that without the bonds the rates would be absorbed by the debt and the Council would lose £950 of Government subsidy. Mr Bartholomæus reckoned the loss to the town in interest etc. on this loan would be £3,000 and so he opposed it. Well we got the bonds/debt and the Recreation Ground.

It was thought the Recreation Ground would be a good source of income, but in fact receipts have not paid for the ‘extras’ in connection with the feeding of the elephant, besides having to pay £100 p.a. with interest for the pleasure of having allowed the great wall to be built.

XI, 1001, 21 Oct. 1890, page 2

Marriage. William Ker, 3rd son of I.G. Ker and Augusta 2nd daughter of the late Theodore Bock, both of Kooringa.

Obituary. Annie Mann, wife of James Mann of Hallett, died on 20 October at the Burra Hospital, aged 45, from cancer. She was a colonist of 42 years. [Registered as 19 October. Born Annie Armstrong.]

She was well-known in Burra 35 years ago when she lived here with her parents. Her husband carried on a blacksmithing business in the early days. Several years ago they moved to Mt Bryan and then to Hallett.

Editorial on ‘Political Weathercocks’

Mr Gillen moved on Wednesday that in the event of a change of ministry any new minister must go before his constituents for re-election. We agree. The Government, of course, opposes it.

2nd Leader on Mr Moulton and the free-trade versus protection debate.

Rabbits and Star Thistles are on the increase.

Clare & Riverton Mills are to change from the stone ground to the roller system.

The Strike at Broken Hill has ended.

Larrikinism. A spate of young people throwing stones at doors and on roofs is reported.

‘Quizz’ asserts that Mr Holder is now opposing free education just because he is in Opposition: he had supported it when in Government.

Davieston now has a railway station, but the authorities still refuse a post office, though it was more required than the station.

XI, 1001, 21 Oct. 1890, page 3

‘Blocker’ wants to know when the small blocks near Booborowie will be offered.

W.T. Rabbich objects to anonymous letters being published that are aimed at dividing the town. He suggests that both sides may be by the same person, just to cause trouble.

The editor denies that this is the case.

Obituary. A. McCulloch Sen. died in Glenelg last Wednesday at 80 and was buried on Saturday at Kooringa. He was well respected in his early days in the district for his charitable work. He came to SA in the Oriana in 1836 with Messrs J. Reed, Stephen King, Stubbs, and Henry Dundas Murray. He bought 200 sheep from Murray to whom he acted as shepherd, the two flocks being depastured together. He took a run on the Gilbert where he bought land. Soon after he took up land from James Logan at Gottlieb’s Well (near Terowie) and later extended it to Nackara. Here he was renowned for his hospitality with sometimes 20 visitors at a time. In 1865 he took up Princess Royal and lived there until about a year ago. Glenelg was his summer residence and he spent all last year there. In 1870 he bought Yongala Station. Generally he was very retiring and his only public office was as Member of the House of Assembly in 1861. His son-in-law is Mr Justice Boucaut. He was very liberal to the Anglican Church and at Christmastime to the poor. His failing health saw him succumb to a second attack of asthma. He leaves two sons, Duncan & Aleck, and three daughters, Mrs J.P. Boucaut, Mrs Fielder King and Miss McCulloch. One son, John, died about three years ago. There are a number of grandchildren.

Cricket. It has been hard to get a team together so no inter-club matches so far this season. Even practice matches seem to fall through.

Burra Races seem to have been abandoned for the year.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ again takes issue with ‘Teetotaller’. He defends the use of the terms like ‘faddist’, ‘extremist’, and ‘bigot’ as being no more than the utmost truth. He says he seeks compensation for the owner, not the licensee.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting revealed there were 108 members. There had been 18 removals in the quarter. Rev. R.M. Hunter was invited to stay another year.

Strikes. The wave of strikes is coming to an end.

XI, 1002, 24 Oct. 1890, page 2

Advt. Hallett Institute Anniversary Picnic & Sports. Monday 10 November.

Editorial on Free Education. The editor is a strong supporter.

2nd Leader on Mr C. Moulton & protection.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary next Sunday.

Messrs Sing & Fat, who have been in business here for some time as general storekeepers are to have a new premises erected at the corner of Thames St and Market Square.

Advt. Recipient of proceeds of concert given by Mr Eliis [sic] Newton on Tuesday to communicate with W c/o this office and if case is genuine 2 gns will be added.

Obituary – Notice. W.H. Hardy thanks staff of Burra Hospital and Dr Sangster on behalf of James Mann of Hallett for the care given to his late wife, who died on Sunday evening from cancer.

XI, 1002, 24 Oct. 1890, page 3

Ellis Newton announced the proceeds of his concert on Tuesday evening in his tent behind the Commercial Hotel are to go to a resident widow. Communications are requested from such widow and if the case is genuine the proceeds will be supplimented [sic] by a further two guineas.

Redruth Court, 24 October

James Gully stray cow + 2 calves at Hampton

Two occasions 2/6 + 10/- for each occasion

T.H. Woollacott stray horse 2/6 + 10/-

Rev. T.M. Rowe stray horse 2/6 + 10/-

J. Lewis stray horse 2/6 + 10/-

J. Tiver stray horse 5/- + 10/-

R. Andrews stray horse 5/- + 10/-

Lucy Gully abusive language 10/- + 15/- + 15/- witness fee

Johanna Camp v. Lucy Gully in an application for sureties to compel Gully to keep the peace, she having threatened to throw the complainant down a quarry near where they live. Defendant bound over for self in £10 and a surety in £5 + £1 costs.

Burra Town Council.

The Railway Commissioners have decided on interlocking the station yard and will arrange for a crossing gate at the same time. [The previous advice had been for a gong so be cautious about what eventuated.]

Mr Geake’s tender for 23/- for mowing the oval was accepted.

The Waterworks report was unavailable due to the breakage at the works and the pumps not working well. It was decided to ask for six new pumps to be obtained and added to the capital account.

‘North Ward’ replies to Mr W.T. Rabbich’s letter in rather vitriolic tones: the editor having struck out several sentences ‘for obvious reasons’.

‘A Teetotaller’ takes up his pen again to reply to ‘Erratic Correspondent’ and writes at great length. [Both sides in the argument are by now accusing each other of robbery. ‘Erratic’ says hotel owners would be robbed if not compensated and ‘Teetotaller’ accuses publicans of robbing the public - though he does not seem to maintain ‘Erratic’s’ distinction between the licensee and the owner.]

The editor complains of the length of the letter which though 3⁄4 column was condensed for publication.

Burra History. An extract from a letter to England from Burra in 1851 by James Jenkin.

Arrived Adelaide 29 July 1851. The miners in our party took houses in Adelaide for their families and headed for Burra, 100 miles away. Those who can afford to ride up, others walk. At the mines are found shoemakers, tailors, painters, etc. Burra is a very barren place, very little land is cultivated. Miners wages are 30/- per week, a smith gets 6/6 a day, carpenters 7/- and shoemakers 7/6. Provisions were dear, but are getting cheaper. Flour 18/- a cwt, beef 2d lb and mutton the same.

Sugar 3d to 41⁄2d lb Butter 1/6 lb Tea 2/- lb

Apples 1/6 lb Soap 41⁄2d lb Salt 21⁄2d lb

Tobacco 6/6 lb Coffee 1/4 lb Eggs 1/4 doz.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ turns his attention to the Waterworks. In 1883 when the Record office burnt down there was no water at hand. Several prominent ratepayers then agitated for a meeting of ratepayers to call for a water supply scheme. The property owners, who were likely to require the water, turned up in force. The then Town Clerk, F.W. Holder, pointed out that the Government had offered to construct a waterworks for the town costing £3,000 to £4,000 and to hand it all over to the Council which would take the revenue by paying 3% in the 1st year, 4% in the 2nd year and 5% p.a. thereafter on the capital. With fuel and working expenses the total cost p.a. would be c. £400. Against this certain ratepayers promised to take water to the value of £332 p.a. The standpipe in Kooringa was expected to bring in £70 p.a. to make up the sum required. M. Rayner of Aberdeen and Dr Brummitt supported what the Town Clerk said and gave the ratepayers to understand it was a great chance. Dr Brummitt said: ‘if he thought the burden would fall upon persons who neither wanted nor used the water he would not advocate it’. He was sure the revenue would increase.

Mr J.D. Cave supported the scheme too. P. Lane supported it and thought they would be better off even if they had to pay more rates.

On 12 October 1883 196 voters with 508 votes (showing how property owners supported it) went to the polls. 111 individuals supported the scheme and 83 opposed. In December Cr Brown moved the Government’s offer be accepted. Cr Sampson was then the only opponent.

SAMA’s Half-yearly Report. Income £947-1-8 and expenditure £598-7-8, bringing the undivided profit to £13,604-6-6. There has been a small profit in ore raised. Proceedings against the purchaser of the mine are still pending. Other financial details are given.

XI, 1003, 28 Oct. 1890, page 2

Editorial supporting a Constitutional Amendment to have half of the Legislative Council retire every three years. (At the time 8 of the 24 retired every three years.) This, said the writer, might remove such fossils as Messrs Tomkinson, Warren, Bosworth, Bright and Baker. It also provides for a Minister of Agriculture and Labour.

2nd Leader on Prospecting for Minerals.

Government aid has been cut from £20,000 to £10,000: a bad decision.

3rd Leader on the possibility that Mr Ellis Newton’s concert in aid of a widow was a sham: at least so far the widow has not been made known.

4th Leader on Noxious Weeds: the need to proclaim star thistle a noxious weed under its botanical name in order to remove ambiguity.

Burra Town Council has decided to construct a culvert across the road at Henderson’s Corner.

St Joseph’s Art Union was drawn last Saturday afternoon. Mr W.H. Hardy of this office acted as scrutineer by invitation.

XI, 1003, 28 Oct. 1890, page 2-3

The Cemetery is in a very tidy and pleasing state.

XI, 1003, 28 Oct. 1890, page 3

Grasshoppers are becoming numerous again in the eastern hundreds.

Shearers met in the Institute last Saturday to review how the shearing rules worked this season. Some points on prices and employment of cooks will be considered before the next shearing.

St Peter’s Choir is planned to visit Burra soon for two concerts and full choral services at St Mary’s in the intervening Sunday. When the choir visited about five years ago it was much appreciated.

‘Ajax’ writes calling for ‘new blood’ in the municipal elections.

‘Ratepayer’ considers a public meeting would be better than legal advice in the matter of the dispute between the Council and Bagot, Shakes & Lewis over the watercourse.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes again on local option, but merely reiterates arguments already printed several times.

The Great Strike continues despite press statements that it is almost over, but there is a feeling that the crisis is near.

XI, 1004, 31 Oct. 1890, page 2

Advt. To let for term, or for sale, at Copperhouse, the residence of the late Mrs Johanna Oliver. A good stone building having eight rooms on about three acres of excellent land, a good well, stable etc. Applicants to Ellen Sanders, Copperhouse, or R.J. Daddow, Kooringa.

Advt. The St Peter’s Cathedral Choir. Concerts in the Institute 8 & 10 November.

On the 8th a concert with a Minstrel Entertainment in the first half comprising plantation songs. In the second half, choruses and solos.

On the 10th a select concert of works by Gounod, Mendellsohn, [sic] Sullivan, Smart, and others. Each part will conclude with the popular Nursery Rhymes.

Editorial on Taxation, considering the single tax concept and property tax.

The more we thought about the single land tax the less we liked it. Not all the wealthy have land, so a tax on all property is a better option.

2nd Leader is a further consideration of the star thistle issue.

3rd Leader on The Bible in State Schools.

Mr Gilbert wants 1⁄2 hour of Bible reading and religious instruction per day. We must oppose this. Religious instruction is all very well in school where all in attendance are of one belief or creed, but not otherwise. Also to have the Bible read in the manner suggested would lead to irreverence, neither could it be explained without bias.

Diphtheria has appeared with several cases reported in the district.

XI, 1004, 31 Oct. 1890, page 3

Rabbits & Grasshoppers are massing in the east.

H.G. Gibson, an old Burra resident was for a long while a schoolteacher here and at Copperhouse and Leighton and finally on his own account at Broken Hill. He has got along comfortably and is now leaving the colonies for England.

The Legislative Council has blocked the 19th part of the municipal Corporations Bill and so it is likely to be shelved again.

Police. Kooringa has been without a policeman for several weeks due to the ill health of the officer, leaving the Redruth man to do all the work. When Mr Dolman died at Baldina on Wednesday it was over six hours before he could get away to bring the body in. This is ridiculous.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ turns to the Barrier Miner where an article comments on a NSW election, but he soon gets back to his favourite free trade v. protection issue. He goes on to discuss an unfair strike by shearers at William Killicoat’s over food that was of good standard.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Rev. John Goodwin preached, with a flower service in the afternoon. F.W. Holder presided over the meeting on Monday. The church reduced its debt this year.

Obituary and Inquest

On Wednesday afternoon the body of John Dolman, farmer of Baldina, was found in Baldina Creek near the ford. Dolman had set out for Burra with a load of wool and some time later Norman MacLean, who is visiting William Barker of Baldina set out after him to ask him to fetch something back from the town. He met the wagon a little above the ford, but there was no one in charge. He stopped the horses, went back to seek Dolman, and found the body. On informing Mr Barker the latter returned with an employee and at the ford met Harry Vivian of the Commercial Hotel who had gone to meet the Quondong Mail because he had heard the driver was ill. The police were sent for to collect the body. The ford was about 15’ high above a rock mass where the body was found. Deceased was well known, having resided at Baldina near the Douglas Primitive Methodist Church for many years. He was aged 61.

At the inquest it was stated that the deceased had not taken the direct road to Burra because it was bad, but had detoured to use the ford so Norman MacLean met the wagon instead of having to overtake him. The wagon track was 12’ from the edge of the ford. Deceased was blind in his left eye which would have been nearest the fall. The verdict was accidental death. [Registered as dying 29 October aged 69.]

XI, 1005, 4 Nov. 1890, page 2

Editorial on Corporation Matters.

There is a great apathy about the Corporation. Within two weeks of nomination day little has been done to field candidates. Once it was an honour to be sought; now ratepayers seem to scorn to be involved. It is not in the town’s best interest to be represented inefficiently. Even if people are reluctant to take on the work why are ratepayers allowing things to go on without making representations to good representatives?

2nd Leader. Friday last was the jubilee of Municipal Government in SA and it is an important thing to celebrate, looking as it does after health, roads and the general good of local communities. The first municipal law was passed late in 1839, but on 31 October 1840 the first Mayor and Council was elected for Adelaide. Now SA has 32 Municipal Corporations and 139 District Councils.

3rd Leader on the report of Rabbit Inspector Becker. He says press reports are a gross misrepresentation, but later says ‘the rabbits are breading so fast that unless something is not soon done they will seriously mar the prospects of the colony. The report is both grossly untrue and illogical.

United Friendly Societies’ Sports announced for 26 December.

Burra Town Council looks like getting the estimated £125 Government subsidy at last.

W.T. Rabbich will stand for Mayor.

Burra Brass Band played selections at various business places around town on Saturday evening to farewell one of its leading members who is leaving the town: Mr A. Davey.

XI, 1005, 4 Nov. 1890, page 3

‘Erratic Correspondent’ again tackles the protection question.

Cricket. Burra remains unable to get its act together enough for a game.

Wesleyan District Meeting at Clare is reported. Permission was given to build a new church in the Redruth Circuit at Booborowie.

Alfred Davey was farewelled on Saturday evening last at John Snell’s Temperance Hotel by members of the Bible Christian Church. He is leaving the town for Adelaide. For the last three years he has been employed at the Record office and has been organist at the Bible Christian Church for many years as well as being long connected with the Burra Brass Band. The Church presented him with a handsome silver lever watch and Jos. Davey presented him with a chain of Broken Hill silver on behalf of the band.

XI, 1006, 7 Nov. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Municipal Corporations Bill and the Legislative Council’s rejection of rate assessments on unimproved land values. It seems that this clause is preventing the passage of 411 other clauses, most of which are advantageous. If the Council remains implacable we believe the Bill should pass without this clause rather than see the whole thing shelved yet again.

2nd Leader continues the fight between the Record and the Barrier Miner which grew out of the free trade versus protection debate and had become rather personal. The Miner’s tone can be judged from: ‘Down at Burra there appears at certain spasmodic intervals a neatly printed paper’, while the Record’s tone can be seen in ‘God forgive the Miner for its deliberate lies’.

Locusts are about in tremendous swarms.

Snakes are very common now.

Ironmine Primitive Methodist Church was the site of a successful entertainment last Thursday. The Ironmine Brass Band played selections before the concert.

Baldina Irrigation Scheme. There has been no action on this despite favourable noises from the Playford Government when its policy was announced.

The wool clip this year looks good: thick and heavy, though the shearing has been slowed by very wet weather.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary is on 9 Nov. Rev. T.M. Rowe and Rev. R.M. Hunter will preach and the service of song ‘Little Nell’ will be presented. Picnic on Monday 10 November (Public Holiday) near Sod Hut and a tea meeting in the evening.

XI, 1006, 7 Nov. 1890, page 3

Municipal Elections. Candidates announced so far:

Mayor: W.T. Rabbich

East Ward W.H. Hardy

North Ward W.H. Linkson

Progressive Land Tax is again being discussed in Parliament.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church held its half-yearly special effort on Sunday and Monday last and it was well attended. Proceeds were satisfactory.

Burra Town Council.

The Conservator of Water has visited and a diver will be sent to take up the Waterworks pumps and refix them.

Arrangements for retimbering the well will now be made.

The service to the school will be done and charged to the capital account.

There was a question over hawkers’ licences. The Wertheim Agent said he did not need one and challenged a summons. The Singer Co. is also active. It was resolved that if the solicitor’s opinion is favourable action will be taken.

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and the Australian cricketers in the UK.

‘Ajax’ writes a critique of the term of Mayor T.W. Wilkinson in the form of an open letter to him. It is highly critical and in places particularly personal with references to his physical appearance. At best it condemns with faint praise and in places is insulting.

‘Of course, your natural irritable disposition would largely account for this.’

‘As a chairman, you are prone to be much too one-sided, with a wish to jump at conclusions before those over whom you preside are ready for the end.’

You cannot be accused of running the whole show, but at times ‘you gobbled holus-bolus unknown to your Council’.

‘Society can scarcely be displeased with your decisions as Chief Magistrate during the year, because you have generally taken good care to abstain from that position. I can quite understand this, from the fact that banquets and liquor-ups in general are not in your line.’

‘Ajax’ thinks he did too much of the tree planting and at a cost in excess of what could be comfortably borne.

[Taken overall it is an article with an uneasy tone which at times seems to be trying for humour, but is too personal and unpleasant for this to survive.]

Piltimitiappa. Mr Louis Dare reports that a fire broke out the day before yesterday within six yards of the stable. Miles of good grass and bush were destroyed. We cannot account for it but by someone throwing down a lucifer. Mr Dare, who has not walked 100 yards for nine months, walked about and gave directions after the severe shock of it.

[Note: This year there was no mention in the paper of any celebration of Guy Fawkes’ Night.]

XI, 1007, 11 Nov. 1890, page 2

Notice. Retiring Council Members:

Mayor W.T. Wilkinson

North Ward W.T. Rabbich

East Ward W.H. Hardy

West Ward J.A. Watt

Auditor T.T. Shortridge

The Editorial is a strong attack on prize-fighting.

Elder, Smith & Co.’s offices are nearing completion.

‘Ajax’ writes another letter to a public man, this time to John Sampson - and again it is rather negative.

‘You have . . . occupied your seat . . . for something like eight or nine years, but for a considerable portion of that time you have in no way been a brilliant success. Much of your unpopularity has been, no doubt, caused through your fidgety disposition.’

There is a very snide remark about his age and second childhood and also reference to his pretentious noises in announcing he would stand for Mayor, but withdrawing before nomination day.

‘it is at times to no credit to be overbearing even should your actions be looked upon by yourself as just.’

‘Very few people know much of you privately - this is perhaps just as well; yet you have been known to help on many things which would have fallen through had you not taken up with the cause and stood by it. You can reckon yourself one of my particular friends - this is in your public life.’

‘Had your love for the cup which cheers in days gone by been a little less strong, you no doubt, would today be as it were a model Hercules.’

XI, 1008, 14 Nov. 1890, page 2

Marriage. 3 November. Herbert James Beames, 3rd son of the late William Beames of Adelaide married Mary Lonsdale (Lonsie) Giles, 4th daughter of Robert Giles of Redruth.

Obituary. Thomas Edwards, aged 75 died on 8 October at Tring, Hertfordshire, UK.

Obituary. Con Kelleher, aged 55, late of Robborough, Co. Kerry, Ireland, and husband of Mary Kelleher, died on 8 November at Kooringa.

Editorial on Our Main Roads. The writer strongly disagrees with the Assistant Inspector of Main Roads that they are in a very bad way and the system is the best possible for wasting money.

2nd Leader again on protection and free trade in the light of protectionist losses in the American elections.

XI, 1008, 14 Nov. 1890, page 3

Locusts abound in great swarms, even in the town.

Mr John Roach has agreed to direct three special entertainments at the Institute in aid of the proposed alterations.

Kooringa Band of Hope monthly meetings continue.

Salvation Army Self Denial services have just been completed. Revs Daddow and Hunter attended the Wednesday meeting. £14-6-0 has been raised.

Bible Christian Missionary Society meetings next Sunday. Rev. J. Rowe to preach. Rev. J. Rowe came to Burra very early when many were living in the banks of the creek and he and his wife shared one such hut with another couple. His circuit extended from Kapunda to Burra. On 28 November he will give an address on reminiscences of pioneer missionary work in Burra.

Burra Institute Monthly Meeting decided on 11 November to call tenders for the enlargement and alterations to the hall as soon as revised plans are received from the architect.

‘Traveller’ complains that the times stated for collection of mail from the pillar box opposite the Commercial Hotel are incorrect.

Hallett Sports Meeting. The results of this very successful picnic sports meeting on the anniversary of the Institute are printed. The evening entertainment was also largely attended.

Cricket seems to have died for the season in Burra. Despite much talk at the start of the season all plans for matches have fallen through.

Sport. The main sport at present seems to be shooting parties for hares and rabbits.

Burra Co. VF arranged several rifle matches for last Monday.

Allcomers match was won by T. Bentley 68

The Company match was won by Pte Hardy 78

The Consolation match was won by Pte Chynoweth & Pte Kitson, each 14

On Wednesday a special match for the VF Co. was fired:

Captain Butterworth 1st 70 from Sgt Jennings 66.

The Great Strike has come to an end.

XI, 1009, 18 Nov. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the Municipal Elections and the annual Ratepayers’ Meeting.

Candidates came forward at the last minute to cause a contest in each ward. This is desirable. We have before seen the evil of ‘party’ and the results of ‘clique rule’ and have no wish for more of it. Rather we wish for true and fair representation of the people.

We are convinced from the Mayor’s report that affairs of the town in 1890 have been thoroughly attended to. The year began with £77-16-6 in credit and after paying off £200 in bonds and £75 in coupons as well as doing public works to the value of £266-16-6 and meeting other necessary expenses the year seems likely to end c. £100 in credit.

In Public Health the Local Board began £50 in debit and this has been materially reduced.

The Parklands account had to pay a £100 bond and a £21 coupon and is now further in debt than at the start of the year, but next year should see a great improvement.

The cemetery account is £65 in credit, but the need soon to expand the grounds will require expenditure.

In the past two years the bonded debt has declined over £600.

The council has made a new assessment this year, which has seen a reduction of 16% in value.

Main Roads have been improved and the £300 Government grant there was well spent.

The Waterworks. A year ago it was found that by altering the working as a result of the Council taking over the operation from the Government a credit of £105 resulted. The rate was then reduced and this year by about 10/- per ratepayer and after paying working expenses and interest at 5% on the capital cost there is a credit balance of £255. The town has been generally improved, with the money spent judiciously.

Accident. A son of J. Harris, Bootmaker of Kooringa, fell down a cellar at the new building at the corner of Thames St a few days since and ‘received several nasty hurts’. He is progressing satisfactorily.

Mr Stacey, who was here with Hans the Boatman Co., will return with a new combination to present Struck Oil.

An Art & Floral Exhibition will be held in the Institute 27 November in aid of Redruth Wesleyan Church.

Redruth Wesleyan Church repeated the service of song Nell on Sunday. Rev. T.M. Rowe gave the connective readings.

Locusts are increasingly troublesome in the northeast and large swarms have even appeared in the town. Much damage to crops is expected.

The Season. Shearing is almost finished after the delays due to wet weather. The hay harvest was most prolific and wheat yields promise to be high [subject to locust damage in places].

Obituary. Mr James Nankivell died last Friday at his residence at Diprose’s Creek after nine years’ illness. He was 39. [Died 15 November 1890.]

Burra Teachers’ Association held its 24th meeting on 15 November at Burra. Schools represented were Baldina, Burra, Clare, Copperhouse, Leighton, Mt Bryan, Saddleworth, Terowie, Thistlebeds, Tothill’s Belt & Ulooloo. The President is R.S. McAloney (Terowie), the Vice-President is T. Nevin (Copperhouse) & A.W. Wittber (Burra) is the Secretary & Treasurer.

XI, 1009, 18 Nov. 1890, page 3

Accidents. On Monday Harry Vivian of the Commercial Hotel was driving Mr Simpson of Hamley Bridge to the railway station when the trap collided with that of Mr Thomas of Copperhouse. Both men were thrown out and rather bruised and shaken.

On Monday afternoon a man fell from a cart near the Kooringa Hotel when the horse plunged and he was taken to hospital senseless, but is now recovering.

Ratepayers’ Meeting. 15November at the Institute with P. Lane in the chair.

The Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson, presented his report.

The year began with the general account in credit £77-16-6. Rates brought in £556-16-3 which other income increased to £752-19-9. [Though the actual figures cited do not add up to this.]

Expenditure included salaries etc., £75-15-3, redemption of bonds £200, coupons £75, public works £266-16-6 and other items to a total of £740-12-5. This leaves the account in credit £12-7-4, with £125 expected soon as Government subsidy.

The Local Board of Health began in debt £52-15-8. Income was £164-3-4 and the year will end in debt an estimated £42-10-6.

The Parklands account began with a debit of £24-9-7. A bond of £100 fell due and other expenditure brought expenses to £155-13-0. With an income of £140-1-2 the account ends in debit £40-1-5.

The Cemetery began with a credit of £40-14-0, received £40-7-0, spent £15-17-1 and so ends in credit £65-3-11.

The Bonded Debt is presently £1,700, with £300 paid off in the last year.

Oval

£100 due 1 April 1891 issued 1 April 1885

£100 due 1 April 1892 issued 1 April 1885

£100 due 1 April 1893 issued 1 April 1885

Public Works

£200 due 1 April 1891 issued 1 April 1882

£200 due 1 April 1892 issued 1 April 1882

£200 due 1 July 1893 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1894 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1895 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1896 issued 1 July 1882

£200 due 1 July 1897 issued 1 July 1882

Total £1,700. All the bonds carry an interest rate of 6%.

After six years a new assessment was made in which property values in the town fell. Mr Bartholomæus was appointed and his assessment was 16% lower than the previous one. There was only one appeal and that assessment was upheld.

Ward expenditure was:

North Ward £80-14-4

East Ward £89-14-8

West Ward £96-7-6

Unlooked for expenditure was the result of the loss of two footbridges by the floods in February, and damage to two others. About £40 was expended as a result.

The £300 road grant was expended on main roads.

The Waterworks.

These began the year in credit £105-5-4, collected £656-12-6 in rates and will be in credit an estimated £255-18-2 at the end of the year. This represents a profit this year of £115-12-10, despite reducing the rates by £197-10-0.

We anticipate a fall in rates for the next year due to the lower assessment and with the same rate in the £ we anticipate a loss next year on this basis of £3-0-5, which can easily be taken care of from the accumulated credit.

We succeeded in having the Capital Account reduced by £640, which saves £32 p.a. in interest. Mr P.L. Killicoat donated the pipes to enable the water to be laid on to the oval.

The timber in the well is rotten and we have applied for it to be replaced and also for the pumps to be raised, as they have been working badly. This work will be done immediately. The Government will also lay on water to the state school. The cost in each case will be added to the Capital Account.

Trees. In the year 549 were planted: 52 in East Ward, 41 in North Ward and 426 in No. 2 Reserve at Redruth. The trees and carriage cost £12-3-5 while other costs brought the total to £47-5-10.

c. 500 trees planted previously had died and were replaced. Subscriptions of funds for trees totalled £47-5-10. The planting of No. 2 Reserve was planned to be the School’s Arbor Day, but it was wet and so were two other days chosen and eventually it was abandoned for this year.

£34 was sent to the Mayor of Bourke for the Bourke Relief Fund.

Sunday Closing. Legal opinion is that a fresh poll is needed if the ratepayers of East & West Wards desire Sunday Closing. Six years ago the poll in favour was taken when the Middle and South Wards were the arrangement.

The Council has decided not to bring the town under the Sparrow Act, as it would involve increasing taxation.

Health. Last year the death rate was high, but this year it has fallen back to normal and sanitary conditions are good.

The enlargement of the cemetery will have to be done soon, but has been deferred for this year.

Anticipated income for 1891:

Credit balance £75

Rates £450

Subsidy £112-10-0

Dog fees etc. £83

Expenditure on bonds & working expenses £512

Available for public works £208-10-0

Report adopted.

Cr W. Hardy thought the financial position was satisfactory. He regretted being saddled with the Waterworks, but they had to make the best of it.

Cr Rabbich agreed about the finances. Two years ago things were not so good with a debt of £250 and £300 [due] in bonds, but with economy and receiving licence fees they had managed well – greatly assisted by the Town Clerk. In 1888 the Waterworks was handed over to the Government – a move he had opposed, as he believed that the Council could always work them more efficiently than the Government. This had been proved when they returned to Council control. The planting of No. 2 Reserve was good work he had initiated.

(Cr Sampson: You promised to see it paid for and have not done it.)

Cr Watt felt the Mayor’s report covered the story and he would simply say he had done his best for the town.

Cr O’Leary said West Ward compared favourably with the others and he did not think, as some had said, that the Waterworks were a white elephant. He thought tree planting should be restrained for a while until the Parklands liability was reduced.

Mr Pinch said he would stand for Mayor. Finances were not all that good and after redeeming the bond there would be little enough left for public works.

Mr West, also standing for Mayor, said he had been a resident for 33 years.

W.T. Rabbich & W.H. Linkson will stand for North Ward.

C.C. Williams & W.H. Hardy will stand for East Ward.

J.A. Watt will stand for West Ward.

Burra Institute. The want of proper stage accommodation has been a concern for some time. The committee has had plans prepared for extensive alterations and expects to call tenders shortly.

Mr J. Roach of Adelaide kindly arranged a series of concerts to aid the Institute funds and the first of these took place last Saturday. There were musical selections, songs, recitations, tableux, [sic] etc.

A children’s concert is arranged for next Saturday afternoon followed by an evening concert.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir. There is an article of some 11⁄3 columns on their visit to Burra by ‘Inkslinger’.

The Saturday Concert was unfortunately delayed by the late arrival of the express – an all too frequent occurrence. The first half had to be altered as a consequence. The concert is reviewed at length.

St Mary’s. On Sunday St Mary’s morning and evening services were enhanced by the St Peter’s cathedral Choir and the church was crowded on both occasions.

XI, 1010, 21 Nov. 1890, page 2

Advt. Floral, Art and Industrial Exhibition at the Institute 27 & 28 November.

Advt. Saturday 22 November, Grand Entertainment for Children at the Institute. Mr E. Davies, premier ventriloquist and Mr J. Roach will appear in character recitals and songs. Chairs 6d, Forms 3d.

Advt. Salvation Army Barracks, Saturday and Sunday next: Australian Guards Band, Major Lovelock in Command.

Editorial on Sunday Closing of Hotels.

At the last Council meeting two petitions were received, one from East Ward and one from West Ward, in accordance with the Licensed Victuallers’ Act of 1880 the petitioners demanded a poll to decide whether Sunday closing be compulsory. A few years ago a poll was taken in the then North, South and Middle Wards which resulted in favour of the local option principle. We believe justice demands that the poll should be by town rather than by ward. It would be unfair if one ward’s hotels were closed while another’s were allowed to open. This aspect of the Act should be changed.

2nd Leader on the supposed cure for consumption announced by Dr Koch of Germany.

XI, 1010, 21 Nov. 1890, page 2-3

Burra Literary Soc. held a meeting on 14 November when it debated Women’s Suffrage. For were Mr Bradley, Miss Reed & Mr Whittick.

Opposed were Mr Fuss, & Miss Oppermann.

Affirmative 10, Negative 14.

XI, 1010, 21 Nov. 1890, page 3

Burra Institute. Tenders called for alterations.

Grasshoppers are thick on the ground at Baldina.

‘Ratepayer’ writes protesting that there are so many hawkers in the area affecting the ability of the local storekeepers to earn a living. Some have no licences.

The editor says the Town Council is moving in this matter.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir: Trip to Burra, (Concluded) by Inkslinger.

On Monday morning Mr John Sandland provided three conveyances to Koonoona where luncheon was served on the verandah. After some songs Porter’s Lagoon was visited and the Koonoona shearing shed where shearing was demonstrated and more songs were sung. The concert that evening drew a very large crowd with the 1/- seats filling rapidly. Each item is reviewed. The concert was a great success and despite the heavy expense in getting the choir to Burra the concerts were so heavily patronised that there will be a surplus for the St Mary’s Church funds.

Burra Town Council

The mayor reports some more of the timber at the Waterworks has given way and the Mayor wired the Conservator of Water, and Mr Holder. Mr Holder replied that the Department would start work as soon as timber got to the site.

With respect to hawkers, the solicitor’s advice was that if the articles hawked were of colonial manufacture no licence was required, but advised seeking information from other Corporations. Adelaide Council’s policy was a licence was needed for hawking goods for sale, but if soliciting goods without leaving the goods sold, they would not require a licence. Cr Hardy moved they proceed against Wertheim’s traveller or any other without a licence. Carried.

XI, 1011, 25 Nov. 1890, page 2

Municipal Elections: Nominations

Mayor Henry Pinch

William West, Sen.

North Ward William H. Linkson

William T. Rabbich

East Ward William H. Hardy

George Parks

West Ward Ernest W. Crewes

John A. Watt

Auditor August Bartholomæus

Thomas T. Shortridge

Polling places: North Ward Shop known as Bath’s opposite the Court House Hotel

East Ward Ford’s Shop in Market Square

West Ward Council Chamber at the Institute

Editorial on Municipal Government.

What are needed are not popular men, but men of experience, men who know the nature of the jobs to be done and can see they get done in a proper and economical manner.

Grasshoppers are stripping the country bare to the east of Burra. Several large consignments have been brought into town - one bag containing about 1 cwt has been on display for several days. No doubt the town will soon see the effects.

Postal Charges to other countries are to drop on 1 January 1891 to 21⁄2d per 1⁄2 oz letter to most countries and all will now go by the fastest means rather than by the all-sea route. (The fastest route presently costs 6d per 1⁄2 oz.)

Salvation Army Guards Brass Band of over twenty performers from Melbourne visited and was much appreciated. They played in Jamestown Friday, travelled to Yarcowie on Saturday to catch the train to Burra, arriving at a few minutes to five. They marched to Kooringa and had dinner at the Barracks. Then there was a huge meeting in Market Square and on Sunday the usual meetings drew large crowds. They left on Monday for Clare.

XI, 1011, 25 Nov. 1890, page 2

‘Fairplay’ points out that the unfairness mentioned in the previous editorial about one part of the town closing hotels on Sunday and others being open already applies as North Ward hotels are closed and the only way to equalise matters is to close hotels in East and West Wards as well.

Cricket remains a non-event.

Sculling remains a great interest and a match for the championship of the world is being planned between McLean and Kemp at Parramatta on 12 December for £300 or £700.

Burra Mine continues to be worked by tributers on a small scale and they are said to be making fair wages.

The Fire Clay deposits at Chalk cliffs remain undeveloped.

XI, 1012, 28 Nov. 1890, page 2

Advt. H. Pinch and W. West both have full length two column wide advertisements for the Mayoralty.

Advt. St Joseph’s School Children’s Concert, 5 December in the Institute.

XI, 1012, 28 Nov. 1890, page 2-3

Editorial on Municipal Elections and on the stalled Municipal Corporations Bill in Parliament and calling for capability over popularity in the voting next Tuesday.

XI, 1012, 28 Nov. 1890, page 3

Grasshoppers have not yet reached the wheat country in any great numbers.

Art, Floral & Industrial Exhibition in the Institute in aid of the Redruth Wesleyan Church was opened yesterday by the Mayor, T.W. Wilkinson and was ‘a real picture’. There was good attendance and a large attendance is expected today.

‘Idstone’ gives humorous sketches of the municipal candidates.

[The identities had to be worked out from the descriptions, but all except Parks were very obvious to me, leaving his identification clear by elimination.]

West: partly bearded, ordinary stature, signs of military training. A love of being listened to rather than listening - a result of long school teaching? A representative of glory departed. Said to have been an able, firm and kind teacher with judgement. Would occupy the chair with dignity, ability and commonsense. Ruling with a rod of copper. A [Free]mason and an Oddfellow of high degree. Spent his youth in London.

Pinch: a nuggetty Cousin Jack, keen eye, kindly expression, shaved upper lip and snowy whiskers. Rides better than many juniors despite his years. Hard work has amassed sufficient not to have to plough, sow or fence. Sociable and though willing to take his turn ‘shouting’ he does not dissipate his wealth in show. Of sound commonsense. A trifle deliberate in speech and in making up his mind. Also a [Free]mason.

Linkson: young. A great advocate of temperance. A great debater yet courteous to his opponents. Universally popular, very active and keen to pursue abuse of ratepayers’ money. Like young port wine, fiery with little body, yet in a few years may prove mellow and palatable.

Rabbich: the only man in the district who knows anything. Fluent and with a superficial acquaintance with all things. Poses as an authority on all things political and general. Somewhat inconsistent as shown at last election when he changed sides on the Progressive Land tax mid-course. He aspired to the Mayoralty, but withdrew in favour of Pinch (because he knew he couldn’t win). Won’t be satisfied until he sits in the seat of ‘Honest Tom’ [Playford] or better still President of the Republic of Australia. His experience in Council may see him home.

Hardy: a little fat man with a bald head and a hardy nature. Fond of expounding the rights of labour and Henry George in a newspaper. A volunteer and successful shot. A Yorkshireman of dogged opinion. There is no ‘french polish’ in appearance or manness [sic, manners?] nor is he at all conciliatory towards opponents. A diligent attender to Council meetings. Always on the lookout to prevent a waste of public money. The plainness of his speech makes sure he is not popular with all, but he is pretty sure to keep his seat. [There is a strong likelihood that Hardy was the author of these sketches.]

G. Parks: tall, slight, young, with a very dark complexion, surrounded by greyhounds, emblems of friendly societies and publications on the evils of drink. Restless energy. Modesty is not his most conspicuous characteristic. Fluent of speech and not over courteous to his opponents. Performs a little on the violin. Supported by legal and other prominent men.

E.W. Crewes: youngish, probably a cute man of business. Characteristics not strikingly numerous. During the week full of the cares of mammon, he seems not particularly pious, but on the Sabbath sometimes ascends the pulpit to expound the scriptures and warn against the sins of drink, bad language and extortion. His newness will tell against chances of success.

J. Watt: a kindly middle-aged man of healthy complexion, moustached and whiskered. Sleeps with a naked sword grasped in his right hand and a yard measure in his left. Uses a forage cap for a nightcap. His bed curtains are the side curtains of a stage. Dreams of both military and theatrical glory. A popular businessman and ‘orficer’. Never gloried in fiery oratory nor overly keen on sniffing out offending drains or waste of money on children’s treats, but does his duty with painstaking commonsense.

Industrial School for the Blind. Their concert at the Institute on Monday evening attracted a fair audience and is reviewed item by item.

XI, 1013, 2 Dec. 1890, page 2

Advt. Thanks to Mr A. Fuss for the return of my pocket book and contents which had been lost and ‘to state that although a reward was advertised he refused to take same. F.J.S. Wilkins.’ [The pocket book contained £6-3-6 and the reward offered was £2.]

Advt. Burra Institute, 8 & 9 December. Return of Stacey’s Hans the Boatman Company, this time with the greatest success of the day: Struck Oil.

Wanted: 10 young men for the ‘Recruit Scene’.

Editorial on Free Education - another Bill defeated by the Legislative Council.

2nd Leader on ‘God and Mammon’

Larrikinism has seen several large trees nearly 10’ high broken off. This is wilful destruction and ought to be stopped.

Burra Creek has been flowing for almost 12 months!

Grasshoppers & Rabbits have caused the loss of several acres of crop to Mr Tuckfield of Baldina, but residents nearer the range hope they will escape a severe attack as the wheat is becoming so matured.

XI, 1013, 2 Dec. 1890, page 2-3

The Australian Guards Band is reviewed in an article of over one column.

XI, 1013, 2 Dec. 1890, page 3

Art Exhibition in aid of the Redruth Wesleyan Church.

To the right of the door was a large and well assorted collection of copper ore from different parts and depth of the Burra Mine. On the wall above were photographs by W. Bentley then next a picture frame in wood and cork: one of several, those of Messrs J. Harry and F. Harris being the best. The pot plants and flowers were by T.W. Pearce. Then a stall of curiosities including Aboriginal war implements. Two large Christmas Trees were loaded with toys. Then a refreshment stall. Cases of specimens from various sites, large patchwork quilt by Miss Josling and then a group of dressed dolls. Next was a stall of work for competition. Vegetables grown by Mr R. Snell and Mr Gerard. Then a case of pigeons (‘which did not improve the atmosphere of that particular corner of the hall’). There was a large stall of seamstress work.

A list of prize-winners is printed.

Amalgamated Shearers’ Union Burra Vigilance Committee, held a meeting at the Burra Hotel on 28 November. L. Quinn in the chair. They reviewed arrangements for next season.

Cricket seems to have had its quietus despite the club having equipment and funds. Kapunda wants a match, but it seems unlikely.

Burra Town Council, 28 November.

The local option poll will be on 20 December.

The Government has begun work on the Waterworks pumps.

Municipal Election Results.

West Ward North Ward East Ward Total

Pinch 20 50 35 106

West 49 40 86 174

Informal 14 10 10 34

East Ward Hardy, W.H. 45

Parks, George 75

Informal 10

West Ward

Crewes, E.W. 11

Watt, J.A. 75

Informal 14

North Ward

Linkson, W.H. 42

Rabbich, T.W. 48

Informal 10

Auditor

Shortridge 151

Bartholomæus 125

XI, 1014, 5 Dec. 1890, page 2

Editorial on the no confidence motion against the Playford government moved by Sir John Downer on Wednesday. It failed 25 to 20.

2nd Leader on the Local Option Poll. The writer is generally in favour of Sunday closing if it is right across the town and not just in one or two wards.

Locusts have finally reached Burra and there is damage to gardens and street trees.

Mr Hardy is seeking legal opinion on what he thinks were irregularities in the recent poll and may contest the results.

‘Ratepayer’ complains that having spent a lot of money on trees in the Redruth reserve there is no water laid on so the trees are dying. Why has this bungle occurred?

The editor expresses his surprise at this omission.

XI, 1014, 5 Dec. 1890, page 2-3

‘Ajax’s’ third letter to public men is directed to W.H. Hardy. Compared with the first two it is so kind that it looks suspiciously like Ajax might be Hardy.

‘You have been . . . anything but a failure.’

‘You have done your duty.’

‘I remember the commencement of your public career some two years ago . . . as a candidate for a seat in the Town Council . . . which you gained . . . by running rings around two or three others.’

‘You must admit that the question of the “classes v. the masses” has been rather too much in your line.’

There is a medium in all things and it would have been better ‘had you devoted a little more attention to the welfare of the “classes” - as you call them, and allowed the “masses” to look after themselves.’

When the time came for the masses to support you they let you down.

‘When the time comes for action when they can help to keep these gentry at bay . . . they have not the pluck to follow up their promises and support their own.’

‘I believe your heart is in the right place.’

‘I can say you have been for the last two years worthy of the confidence your supporters placed in you . . . altogether above bribery . . . straight without a sign of pander to anyone.’

‘No doubt you have faults, but really you know how to stifle them from me at any rate.’

‘You evidently thought a great deal of William H. Hardy at one time, but I am pleased to find you determined to remain on the same level as the “masses” you are so proud of.’

[This appeared in the issue immediately after Hardy lost the election for East Ward to George Parks whom he said was supported by legal and other prominent men. It sounds very much like Hardy feeling sorry for himself.]

XI, 1014, 5 Dec. 1890, page 3

Art Exhibition winning conundrums are printed.

Boxing and Brutalism: an article which clearly reflects the editor’s views.

XI, 1015, 9 Dec. 1890, page 2

Advt. Entertainment in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Wednesday, 17 December. Carols, songs & recitations. 6d. Picnic for the Sunday school on 1 January 1891 at John Fradd’s paddock, Sod Hut.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 11 December, Temperance Meeting. Free: no collection.

The Editorial sums up the background to the court case to be heard 10 December between the Corporation and Messrs Bagot, Shakes and Lewis who are being sued for obstructing a watercourse. Almost 12 months ago Mr (then Cr) Hardy noticed damage was being done to the property of ratepayers by a watercourse which empties into Burra Creek after running through property belonging to Bagot, Shakes & Lewis. This creek was blocked. The owners were served with notice to remove the obstruction. They did not comply and a man was sent by the Council to do the work. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis then threatened to sue the man unless the stuff was put back. The Council decided to support Mr John Jenkins, the dayman in question. At the last minute Bagot, shakes & Lewis withdrew the threat and it was thought the matter was settled. Later the watercourse was again obstructed and again the Council, on behalf of ratepayers, on legal advice, decided to claim their right to the watercourse in question and a hearing is set for tomorrow. Last Saturday Mr John Lewis JP made certain suggestions as to an out-of-court settlement and Council met on Saturday afternoon in special meeting to consider the matter. The Council decided to proceed with the case. There is an important question at stake and considering there are several other watercourses in the Corporation it needs resolution.

2nd Leader on some of the more bizarre ways people have of raising money: probably sparked by ‘a series of idiots’ who are starving themselves for 40 days for exhibition. In Sydney the Government has been asked to intervene, but Sir Henry Parkes (Premier) says if a man is fool enough to starve himself to death the Government has no right to intervene.

Burra Public School fence has been smashed: cannot some clue to the cause be ascertained?

Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 35,100 sheep and 100 cattle on Tuesday 23 December.

(Friday, the usual sale day, being the 26th and a public holiday.)

Mr Hardy will not challenge the election result, but expresses regret that informalities were allowed to occur.

Grasshoppers have done a vast amount of damage in every direction.

Mr Stacey’s production, Struck Oil, was very creditably performed yesterday and tonight Hans the Boatman will be presented.

Burra Waterworks. The water has been cut off on account of the work on the pumps and this is the wrong time of the year for water to be unavailable. We urge the retimbering of the well to be deferred to the end of summer. The present system of meter reading does not allow water paid for but not used in one half to be used in the next. It will be most unjust if people have to lose plants in gardens due to lack of water that they still have to pay for.

‘Smith’ writes complaining of the Waterworks fiasco and saying it is reported the pipes may be dry till after Christmas. Such a long cut is an unnecessary bungle. A pump might be used at night even if retimbering was going on during the day.

The editor says the responsibility is mainly with the Government who ought to have begun the work months ago, but the Council is to blame for allowing the retimbering part of the work to go ahead at this time.

XI, 1015, 9 Dec. 1890, page 2-3

W.T. Rabbich replies to the query on the lack of water laid on to the Redruth Reserve. He says he took every precaution to see that water would be laid on and connected and a hose provided to water the 420 trees planted, but the pipes, though ordered, did not arrive.

Cr O’Leary gave instructions to keep the reservoir full and the engineer on hand at the works. This was absurd as he was not needed at all times, even to meet Government officials, who could only arrive at certain times by train. The pipes did eventually arrive and in time to have been connected, so why was it not done?

XI, 1015, 9 Dec. 1890, page 3

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 6 December.

The mayor, W. West, said Mr John Lewis had asked for the approaching court case to be settled by arbitration which would avoid both sides getting up solicitors from Adelaide.

Cr Sampson felt that with nothing in writing and the whole thing rather vague and the arrangements with solicitors and witnesses so far advanced it would not be wise to change on the verbal wishes of the defendants. He would not have objected to arbitration if the offer had come earlier. They needed legal advice and it was too late now.

Crs O’Leary and Watt objected to Cr Sampson’s statement that the defendants had been the first to go to law.

Cr Rabbich moved that the court case go ahead as being the best option at this late stage.

Cr Sampson thought Crs O’Leary and Watt were ignorant except on the side of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis. In any case before anything could be done there would have to be a notice of motion to rescind the minute already on the book. [i.e. the motion originally authorising the court action.]

The motion was put and carried on the votes of Crs Rabbich, Sampson and Parks.

Crs Watt and O’Leary abstained.

St Joseph’s School Concert was held in the Institute last Friday in aid of the building fund, but drew only a small attendance. There was a lengthy program. The performance reflected great credit on those who tutored the young performers who deserved a larger audience.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ complains of the factors affecting the way women voted in Municipal elections: ‘they would know more about the candidate than the duties of a politician’. This should preclude them from voting at Parliamentary elections.

He also joins in with the general reaction to Downer’s attempt to defeat the Government: the Government is not doing a great job, but Downer’s attempt was merely a cynical grab for office without anything to offer the country and so deserved to fail.

United Friendly Societies’ Sports: nominations for the events on 26 December are printed.

Coursing meeting tomorrow.

Public Baths are proposed for the Burra Creek.

Jubilee Avenue is a failure as far as the planted sugar gums are concerned.

Grasshoppers & sparrows have fouled the Burra School’s water tanks.

Burra Public School: the remains of the fence are being gradually cremated.

XI, 1016, 12 Dec. 1890, page 2

The Editorial is a strong attack on the Municipal Skinflints who have been paying the Town Clerk £90 p.a.: £50 as Town Clerk, £25 as Secretary to the Waterworks, £10 as Secretary to the local Board of Health. Cr Sampson moved an extra £5 for the Waterworks. The discussion that followed was mean spirited because ‘Mr Davey receives les remuneration for work done than any other Town Clerk in South Australia.’

Then Crs Watt and Parks moved to do away with any permanent overseer or dayman and have all the work tendered for. If this is not directed against the present overseer it ‘savours very much of sheer incapacity as local legislators of the Councillors moving in the matter. To engage a fresh man every other week be mere nonsense.’

2nd Leader on the Watercourse issue. It was important to get a legal decision for the precedence set. There are other watercourses in the corporation area which if the Corporation had lost the right of would have led later to costs associated with their diversion. It is a pity the defendants did not act with less stubbornness. We object to the action of the minority of Councillors trying to counter the decision of the majority in such a case.

3rd Leader on the possibility of a universal federation.

Elder, Smith & Co.’s new offices are almost complete.

Messrs Launder & Pearce will begin the alterations at the Institute after the holidays.

Waterworks. No one knows when the water will be back on. This is an incredible situation in mid-summer. Though the Government is essentially to blame the inaction of the local Council is deplorable.

Stacey’s Co., that produced Struck Oil and Hans the Boatman, retained their good name on this visit. The plays were well staged especially considering the stage accommodation is about as bad as possible.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Circuit held their annual quarterly meeting [?] last Monday and Rev. R.J. Daddow was invited to remain for another year. He accepted the offer.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 9 December to appoint officers for 1891.

The discussion began on the lines suggested in the editorial and the motion to pay the Town Clerk £5 more was eventually supported by Crs Sampson, Parks and Watt with Crs O’Leary, Rabbich and Butterworth opposed. The mayor cast his casting vote in favour of the motion.

Crs Watt & Parks wanted no overseer or dayman. Cr Sampson objected and moved as an amendment that Mr J. Jenkins be appointed as Overseer of Work and permanent dayman at his former salary of 7/- a day. 2nd Cr O’Leary and carried.

J.R. Gray was reappointed as Inspector and Richard Thomas was retained as Cemetery Curator. P. Andrews was reappointed as scavenger at £7 per month + 10/- per day for day work as required.

W. Geake Sen. in Kooringa and Mr Tiver in Aberdeen will continue as lamplighters.

XI, 1016, 12 Dec. 1890, page 3

Redruth Court, 9 December.

Davey v. Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.

The case was wilfully obstructing a watercourse within the Corporation of Burra. Information was laid under clause 239 of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1880. The Corporation alleged the defendants blocked and diverted water from a natural watercourse. The defendants were owners of sheep yards through which ran the watercourse and had made the obstruction on 27 September last. Witnesses would prove it was a natural watercourse that was in existence 43 years ago before the defendants purchased the land. The Corporation had demonstrated their belief in the watercourse by placing a bridge across it.

William Davey had lived in Burra nearly 40 years and when first knew the place it was a watercourse. It is now 8-9’ deep in places and to 12’ wide. It runs with any rain of consequence. The bank put across it is 14-15’ long in the defendant’s yard and 4-5’ high. If it remains it will force the water to form another channel and cause damage. The road is already rutted as a consequence.

Mr Lewis said he knew the gully at the rear of the Model School. He had been a resident for 40 years. It was of very small dimensions. The water flows through an arch in the brewery wall. The arch is of small dimensions due to silting up. He could not say if the water would escape in case of heavy rain.

[Then there is a variety of evidence on changes following Council road-building. Many answers being along the lines of ‘could not say if . . .’ or ‘do not remember if . . .’]

John Sampson gave evidence that he had known the watercourse for 43 years and it had been about the same dimensions the last 15 or 16 years. Saw the present obstruction being placed there last September. It would cost about £60 or £70 to make repairs and form a new channel as a bridge would then be required.

Corroborative evidence came from John Robinson Gray and John Jenkins while Henry Woods gave evidence on the placing of the obstruction.

J.D. Cave, Overseer of the Burra and Hanson District Councils for c. 12 years said he had known the site for 17-18 years and there was a very deep creek there at that time. There was a lot of water lying in the southwest corner of the sheep yards. Remember the Corporation making a crossing over the creek below the brewery gate. The crossing was filled up about 6’. The creek had filled up and the arch in the brewery wall would not carry a third of the water it used to.

H. Collins, farmer of Ironmine, suggested there was no real channel when he first knew it 44 or 45 years ago.

Mr Lewis stated they admitted blocking up the watercourse if indeed it was considered one, but it had been to protect their own property. The corporation had commenced the obstruction by raising the creek and had not seen the creek was kept clear.

His Honour said evidence conclusively proved the watercourse existed for nearly 50 years. The owners of the brewery should be compelled to keep the creek open through their property and the Corporation help Mr Lewis see it was done.

As the case was one of principle only a nominal fine was asked for. Fine 5/- + costs.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ produces a remarkable defence of former Cr Hardy which could only have been written by Hardy himself!

‘I must say it is a pity he was paid out in such a manner, but it is only for a time, as the ratepayers who have the interests of the town at heart cannot for long forget such services rendered by him.’

D.J. O’Leary, as ex-chairman of the Waterworks Committee, writes in his own defence to the charges brought by W.T. Rabbich about the Redruth Reserve and its water supply. The Reserve has a stand pipe and Rabbich could have rolled up his sleeves and watered the trees from that. The real destruction of these trees and elsewhere in the town was grasshoppers. He also defends his orders to the engineer to keep the reservoir full and be on hand for government visitors.

Redruth Reading Room Committee: where is the secretary and where is the money collected for it?

XI, 1017, 16 Dec. 1890, page 2

Editorial again on the Legislative Council and Part XIX of the Municipal Corporations Bill.

Mr McCulloch’s will leaves the Princess Royal Estate to Mrs Justice Boucaut. This comprises about 20,000 acres, said to be worth £100,000.

Christmas Parcels for the poor are being prepared by a party of ladies and gentlemen.

Shooting interest is great with hundreds of wild turkeys and other fowl a few miles out of town.

Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 37,616 sheep on 23 December.

Murder/suicide. Last week in Ballarat a man named Johnson strangled his four children and shot his wife before taking poison. His wife has now died. She was the sister of Mr R.M. Harvey of the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa. Mr Harvey is presently in Ballarat.

Burra School: this year 23 of the 4th Class students obtained the Compulsory Certificate.

XI, 1017, 16 Dec. 1890, page 3

W.T Rabbich writes in reply to D.J. O’Leary. He is rather waffly, but makes the point that it is a bit much to expect him to water 426 trees at an average distance of 250’ from a stand pipe. He contends again (as originally) that sufficient pipe arrived to be installed before the pumping stopped for repairs.

Who is responsible if not Cr O’Leary? Fancy trying to shield behind grasshoppers!

‘Erratic Correspondent’ Has no strong opinion on the Sunday closing of hotels and is willing to go along with the majority, but doubts if closing them will achieve the results desired - to diminish drunkenness. Man will not be made sober by law, or by Sunday closing.

Waterworks. The closing of the Waterworks just when most needed is surely one of the most nonsensical blunders imaginable - whoever is to blame. Do the bunglers intend to give us our money back? What do those who have been voted in to watch their interests intend to do? An awakening is surely required.

Waterworks: still no water.

Grasshoppers nearly gone now.

Rabbits now a problem.

Refrigerating [railway] cars all the go now.

Polo Club had a meeting on Saturday.

Jubilee Avenue: nearly all the sugar gums are on the point of death.

XI, 1018, 19 Dec. 1890, page 2

Editorial on a serious sanitary consideration. Mr A.H. Forder of Nelson Hills dairy says the Corporation rubbish depot is far too close to his place. Mr Forder offers to exchange a piece of land to enable the depot’s relocation. There are several hotbeds of filth around the town where rubbish has accumulated. Action is needed.

2nd Leader on Parnell and Ireland.

Wheat Harvest is under way with yields about 8-16 bushels per acre. Some crops in the east have grasshopper damage and some have rabbit damage.

Advt. A Christmas and Hospital Service will be held at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church Christmas morning at 11 a.m., Rev. R. M. Hunter will preach. Friendly Societies and the Rifle Volunteer Force will march from the Institute.

XI, 1018, 19 Dec. 1890, page 3

D.J. O’Leary writes to say life is too short to waste time replying to W.T. Rabbich and wishes him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Burra Town Council, 15 December.

The mayor reported on the results of the court case with Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.

Water is expected to be available in a few days.

Letter from A.H. Forder about the rubbish depot at Nelson-town and offering to exchange some land to remove it from near his place. The Inspector will visit the site and report.

The long grass on the oval is to be burned.

Waterworks report suggests the pumping is expected to be resumed on Thursday 18 December. The laying or otherwise of pipes to the Redruth Reserve is to be left to the Waterworks Committee.

Three special constables have been appointed for New Year’s Eve.

The piping to lay water on to the school has reached the station.

Cr Sampson moved that the Government be asked to lay a 3” main from Kingston St via Paxton quare and via the brewery and then a small pipe from the brewery to the school.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis are requested to clear their waterway and a similar request goes to Messrs Catchlove & Co.

Cricket. At last a match has been arranged for 1 January against Saddleworth on the Burra Oval.

Sports. The out-of-town sports reports cover cricket, horse racing at Hallett on Christmas Day, boxing, and sculling in which McLean won the world championship.

XI, 1019, 23 Dec. 1890, page 2

Editorial on Christmas.

2nd Leader on the local option poll on 20 December. Of the c. 300 on the roll 157 voted. 112 voted to close hotels on Sunday and 39 only voted to retain the present 2 hours of opening in the middle of the day.

House of Assembly has finally agreed to pass the Municipal Corporations Bill without the Part XIX to which the fossils in the Legislative Council have objected. An election next year for the Upper House will no doubt see a new clause added to the Bill soon afterwards.

Burra Literary Society held a coffee Social on 16 December as the last meeting for the ‘season’. There was a good attendance with music, recitations, impromptu speeches, etc.

Kooringa Wesleyan Choir and Sunday School gave a concert on Wednesday 17 December of Cornish Carols, other songs and recitations as well as organ solos by Mr Noyes.

‘Ratepayer’ writes condemning the vile stuff coming out of the taps at present.

The editor agrees and suggests the board of Health’s attention should be drawn to it.

A Grand Concert of the Public School children and the distribution of prizes was held in the Institute on Thursday 18 December. [A recitation ‘Holiday Time’ was nicely rendered by Walter Allen among many items.] Master Dow, one of the teachers, got a presentation by Mr Wittber from staff and students on his departure for the training college after five years at the school. His Worship the mayor distributed 23 Compulsory Certificates and 75 Certificates of Merit.

XI, 1019, 23 Dec. 1890, page 3

Local Option Poll.

West Ward for closing 42 against 18 informal 2 Total 62

East Ward for closing 70 against 21 informal 2 Total 93

155

Elder, Smith & Co.’s offices nearly finished [As has been reported for some time!]

Redruth Reading room: we hear this is again to be tried for.

Waterworks. We are told the Waterworks well stinks.

T. Playford has forgotten all promises about the Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

Primitive Methodist Anniversary on Christmas Day.

XI, 1020, 30 Dec. 1890, page 2

Editorial: The Dying Year

1890 has been an average sort of year. There has been no great calamity of war, but conflict between capital and labour has continued. Stanley has returned from the interior of Africa. The Irish question remains unsettled. Harvests have been good – one of the best. Expenditure on mining has been considerable, but without great results except for gold at Waukaringa.

Politically we would willingly draw a curtain over the year’s work – ‘the whole year has been apparently wasted in office-seeking and twaddle.’

The Burra Mine remains at a standstill – though not half prospected.

The town has been improved, especially through tree planting. Stock sales have made Burra the chief market place in the colony. New offices have been erected for the salesmen. [Elder, Smith & Co.]

Changes at the Institute hold promise and the oval has become more popular.

During the year the Record changed hands.

2nd Leader on The Burra Oval.

The United Friendly Societies’ Sports at the oval on Friday proved the value of that place of amusement. Were the running and cycle tracks put in good condition profitable first-rate sporting events could be staged several times a year. At present the cycle track is too dangerous to attract the best wheelmen. On Friday £30-£40 was taken at the gate.

A Comedy Co. from Saddleworth will present a concert at the Institute on New Year’s Eve.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church will picnic at Sod Hut on New Year’s Day.

Fire. Mr H. Reilly’s store and house at Farrell’s Flat was burned down on Christmas Day. The fire started in the store, but the cause is not known.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held 21 & 25 December. On the Sunday Rev. R.J. Daddow preached in the morning and evening and Rev. R.M. Hunter in the afternoon.

On Christmas Day the children had their annual treat and the public tea was well patronised. The public meeting was presided over by J. Jones, one of the Sunday school superintendents and addresses were given by Rev. R.M. Hunter and Mr T. Pedler.

J. Dew writes complaining of young men with dogs going through his wheat crop on Sunday 21 December hunting for hares and damaging the wheat, which would be ready for the stripper in a few days.

XI, 1020, 30 Dec. 1890, page 2-3

‘Anti-Destruction’ writes of the destruction of trees in ‘Ridgway Park’ at Aberdeen as a result of the depredations of a cow in the reserve. Where is the Inspector?

‘Has Mr Ridgway or his tenants the sole right of turning the Corporation property into cow-yards?’

Who does the reserve belong to?

What rent does he pay?

XI, 1020, 30 Dec. 1890, page 3

Christmas in Burra

Christmas Eve was fine and pleasant, shops were well decked out and windows handsomely decorated, business places were festooned with gum, pine and pepper with bannerettes, monograms and mottoes. A large number of Chinese lanterns were ready for evening. After tea large crowds, young and old, male and female, thronged the footpaths which couldn’t cope with them all. About 7.30 p.m. the Burra Band directed by Mr Davey drew immense crowds of listeners. The night was moonlight and with many Chinese lanterns was well illuminated and everyone was cheerful. Shops did better trade than last year, many doing a ‘roaring trade’. Early in the evening one or two fights broke out among the ‘amateur pugs’, but by midnight with stores closed the carol singers came out and the band got down to the serious job of seasonal music to usher in Christmas Day. Harmonious music continued until day began to break and quietness finally descended.

The main event of Christmas morning was the Christmas & Hospital Service at the Wesleyan Church, attended by the Town Council, Friendly Societies, Volunteer Forces and the Hospital Board. The Burra Band led the procession from the Institute. The collection raised £7-£8 for the Hospital. The Anglican and catholic Churches also had their usual Christmas services which were fairly well attended. In early afternoon large numbers were lounging about the streets while hotels were fairly patronised. Picnic parties went to Princess Royal and other parties went shooting. Some went to tea at the Primitive Methodist Church anniversary function. After tea the usual games filled the time till the public meeting at 7.30 p.m. Proceeds for the day were good.

In the moonlight the streets were busy again with throngs of pedestrians. Only one accident was reported. A man named Cundy, who had been ‘a little on the loose’ by some means got thrown from a trap near the Temperance Hotel and landed on his head with both wheels of the trap going over him. Dr Brummitt saw the incident and attended and the victim is progressing.

Boxing Day was the great day with the United Friendly Societies’ Sports. At dawn the wind was nasty with blowing dust, but later it eased off and became sultry. The sports were a great success with a tremendous crowd and both the bicycle and foot races were better than usual for a country town. The tracks were in good condition. The fence around the busiest part of the wheel track was a great improvement. The procession from the Institute was arranged. A large gathering began at 9 a.m. and some 300 members of the three orders assembled in a long column two deep and marched to the hospital and then to the oval, reaching there shortly before 11 a.m. During the day nearly 2,000 visited the oval.

The complete results are printed.

The main footrace was the Sheffield Handicap of 135 yards for £15 and was won by A. McDonald off 12 yards from S.W. Dickson off 13 yards, in 12.2 seconds.

R.D. Morton won the £10 first prize in the one-mile bicycle handicap.

In the evening a concert in the Institute saw a full house and proceeds were over £21. The program was of the ordinary Christy Minstrel type, after which a ball saw dancing till the early hours.

Characteristics of the 1890 Paper

The paper continued to be published twice a week: on Tuesday and Friday.

The paper began the year with F.W. Holder as proprietor, but apparently with W.H. Hardy as actual editor, writing the editorials and leading articles. His distinctive style is evident in many articles as well as the leading one.

Page 1 continued to carry the larger ongoing advertisements, mainly local, but also some more widespread.

Page 2 carried notices, adverts for sales, classified advertisements and generally the sort of items that changed weekly like entertainment, church services and council notices.

The news came in a section almost unbroken by advertising. There were regular reports on sport, both local and worldwide. There were correspondents’ reports from other towns in SA and local news often in brief paragraphs under ‘Current Topics’. Letters to the editor were fairly common, but court reports were neither complete nor common. Hardy’s leading articles must have been out-of-step with the views of most readers and those who could cope with his rather purple prose must often have disagreed with his conclusions, but probably few bothered to read them.

Page 3 is where most of this news had to be, almost always pushed on by the editor’s efforts.

Page 4 carried poetry, short stories, essays and other non-news items. The year began with the paper carrying a serial here, but apparently significant numbers of readers bought only the Friday edition and so this was replaced by complete works. There were also advertisements, especially for patent medicines.

On 16 May P. Murrie became the proprietor and editor. The style of the editorials changes, though it is not clear whether Murrie wrote the leading articles or merely supervised Hardy more carefully as they continue to be quite left wing. The arguments seem to become rather more moderate and the prose more coherent. Some of the other leading articles seem still to read like Hardy and there are several noms de plume that must be him. He is certainly the ‘Erratic Correspondent’ and very likely ‘Ajax’ and possibly others as well.

The ‘Sparks’ column reappears with its very brief comments on the local scene. These comments are often frustratingly cryptic with references to apparently interesting events that are not elsewhere reported, but in too brief or oblique a way to now be interpreted.

Numbering of issues in 1890

Volume XI had begun on 2 August 1889

1890 begins with Volume XI No. 918 on 3 January 1890

And runs to

Volume XI No. 1020 on 30 December 1890

Literature in the paper in 1890.

The serialMine is Thine ran from 3 January to 21 February 1890.

From then onwards the last page generally carried a main article either of non-fiction or a short story. Sometimes a collection of shorter items took its place. Most issues included a poem. The titles often reveal either the sensational or sentmental nature of the stories.

The following are the major such items:

Fiction:

Gerties Elopement by Amy Randolph, 25 February.

Caged with Terror, 28 February.

The Human Raffle, 4 March.

A Ghost Story by Mary Kyle Dallas, 7 March.

The Bad boy Again, 18 March.

The Dream Nugget, 21 March.

The Phantom of the Storm, 25 March.

Choppley’s Name Their Baby, 8 April.

Snowed Up, 11 April.

The Centipede, 15 April.

‘Corrilled’ by Savages, 18 April.

The Faithful Wife, 29 April.

A Sale of Classical Land, 2 May.

Cured of Flirting by Mary Kyle Dallas, 13 May.

A new Invention Needed by Luke Sharp, 27 may.

A Blood-Curdling Adventure, 3 June.

The Captain’s Story, 6 June.

Du Dead Men Dream? 10 June.

Dun Gone Dead by M. Quad, 13 June.

At Runjeet Singh’s Feast, 17 June.

The Death of Joe Rogers by William Wallace Cook, 20 June.

Hunting a Horse Theif by W.B. Holland, 27 June.

A Very Touching Story, 1 July.

Her Only Grave, 11 July.

Joe Ward’s Mistake by Luke Sharp, 15 July.

The Gospel of St Mouse, 18 July.

The Dummy Chucker, 22 July.

A Six-Mule Team, 1 August.

The Chinese Giant, 8 August.

A Story of a Snow Storm, 15 August.

This was a Man by Signor Max, 19 August.

A Terrible Revenge, 22 august.

A Timely Shot, 26 August.

The Runaway Engine, 2 September.

All a Mistake, 5 September.

Made a Mistake by Thomas P. Montport, 12 September.

How Hideyoshi the ‘Taiko’ Won his Wife, 26 September.

What a Milk Punch Did, 30 September.

Murdered, 3 October.

A Plucky Boy, 7 October.

The Young Folks, 10 October.

A sermon in Five Lines, 17 October.

A Lonely heart, 24 October.

A Carnival Adventure, 28 October.

A Woman, 31 October.

Looking Forward, 18 November.

Mr & Mrs Bowser appeared on 11 March, 23 May, 4 July & 4 November.

Non Fiction articles:

Is Atheism Opposed to Common Sense? 28 March.

Australasia, 1 April.

About Suicide, 8 July.

Through a Land of Beauty, 29 August.

In a Sandstorm, 9 September.

Wedding Superstitions, 16 September.

Some Experiences of a tourist from Sydney to Mildura by Globe Trotter, 23 September.

Hitch Your Wagon to a Star, 14 October.

Threatening Letters (Received by Emperor William at Versailles 1871), 21 October.

A Prophecy of Woe by J.R. Buchanan, 7 November.

A Terrible Affair in the Diamond Fields, 11 November.

Uncle Sam’s Old Bones, 21 November.

Alcohol’s Strange Trances, 28 November.

Straws, 2 December.

The Farm Calendar for December, 5 December.

XII, 1021, 7 Jan. 1891, Page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd. Auctioneers

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Auctioneers

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers

W. Anderson Bootmaker, Kooringa

J.T. Walker Bootmaker, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber & iron Merchants, Aberdeen & Terowie

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, etc., Market Square

Clarence Forder Agent for SA Insurance Co. Ltd, Redruth

Charles C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker & Tinsmith, Commercial St

Thomas W. Pearce Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker etc., Ware St.

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders etc., Aberdeen

Thomas Kitchen General Storekeeper, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Wholesale & Retail Drapers, Grocers & Ironmongers, Kooringa

W.L.H. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Builder & Undertaker,

Commercial St

XII, 1021, 7 Jan. 1891, Page 2

Advertisements

William Pearse General Wheelwright in the shop formerly occupied by Messrs Harry & Burns

James Rule Coachbuilder, Blacksmith & Wheelwright, Aberdeen, near Sara & Dunstan’s

Sara & Dunstan [Aberdeen]

Peter S. MacDonald Manager for London & American Tailoring Co. opposite Vivian’s Commercial Hotel, Kooringa

T. Edwards Drapery, Clothing & Millinery, Kooringa

XII, 1021, 7 Jan. 1891, Page 4

Advertisement

Bath & Pearce General Storekeepers, Wine & Spirit Merchants, Kooringa

XII, 1021, 7 Jan. 1891, Page 2

Notice. Dissolution of the partnership of James Harry & Samuel Burns, Blacksmiths etc. from 31 Dec. 1890. The business will be carried on by the said Samuel Burns.

Notice. From today The Record will be published once a week only: on Fridays. Subscriptions will be reduced to 10/- p.a. posted.

Editorial on Ourselves.

With the switch to a weekly paper we will publish a weekly supplement containing 14 columns of literature and 8 to 10 columns in the paper itself.

The reasons for the shift are:

Most readers are farmers who as a rule get their mail once or twice a week and so often receive both issues of the paper together.

Most advertising clients appear to prefer their announcements to be weekly.

In the last six months Friday editions have been increasing in circulation and we believe the change will boost our circulation.

2nd Leader on the Press and the People: the rights and roles of the press.

St Mary’s Christmas services were well attended and the chancel decorated with foliage and flowers. The collections were the best for the last six years.

The Town Council seems to be careless of the damage around town to trees and tree guards.

Quiz (Adelaide) says that the choir at a ‘certain high-toned Burra Church’ has dissolved because a certain gossip in it has created such dissension that now ‘none but the tattler’ and a young man known as the ‘shadow’ are left in the choir.

The Cyclorama. We recently had the opportunity to see this popular entertainment showing in the city. It is a representation of Jerusalem and the crucifixion. The impression on entering the circle is of a view over a mile of country and is most impressive.

Hanson District Council complains that the railways refuse to erect a toilet and urinal at Daviston [Davies/Davieston] because too few passengers use the station.

That Water Course Again.

Though the Council has won the court case against Bagot, Shakes & Lewis over the obstruction of the creek at their sale yards, nothing has been done to get the obstruction removed and now further demands are being made. The Council ought to do its duty and not be domineered over by one particular ratepayer, especially when their rights have been proved in a court of law.

Hospital Entertainment. The Ladies of St Mary’s provided a treat for patients at the hospital assisted by Matron Lyford and the assistants. It was held in the new ward. Rev. J. Stuart Wayland presided and gave an address. Four Christmas carols were sung by the choir and other items were followed by refreshments.

XII, 1021, 7 Jan. 1891, Page 3

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 28 December and 1 January. Rev. R.J. Daddow preached and the Ironmine Brass Band was at the tea meeting.

‘Speed’ writes complaining of the crowding and slowness of trains over the holiday period.

‘Assistant’ writes expressing concern at the erosion of the early closing principle that some years ago saw shops close at 9 p.m. on Saturdays and on Wednesday afternoons. Surely 60 hours a week is sufficient trading time!

The Register sent its cycling reporter to cover the United Friendly Societies; Sports and he wrote: ‘neither myself nor the many visitors could regret the trip. Planted with trees the Burra is now one of the prettiest of northern townships, with first-class accommodation and plenty of recreation.’

On New Year’s Eve the principal business places in town were closed so the number of persons in the street was not as large as on Christmas Eve. The Burra Hotel had engaged the Burra Brass Band which discoursed good music to the crowd which consequently did not disperse till the New Year had been entered into.

The Saddleworth Comedy Co. performed on 31 December to a very thin house, people preferring the outside activities. The churches held the usual watch-night services. At midnight guns were fired, whistles blown at the foundry and all possible noise made. Larrikinism was conspicuous by its absence.

New Year’s Day saw picnics and sports. The usual Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School picnic departed for Mr Fradd’s ground at Sod Hut soon after 9 a.m. At Sod Hut sports were soon under way for the children and a cricket match between Ladies and Gentlemen was comfortably won by the Ladies. One Reverend gentleman managed to bowl wides 20’ from the wicket! Mr T. Halls did a good trade between Sod Hut and Kooringa with drags and busses.

At the Burra oval Burra played Saddleworth at cricket, starting an hour late at 11 a.m. and ending in a draw with Burra 120 and Saddleworth 6 for 86.

Many Burraites visited Adelaide for the holidays, leaving on Wednesday afternoon and returning Friday night and while in Adelaide visited the cycling sports at the oval or the races at Morphettville.

Burra Town Council, 5 January.

The Mayor (W. West) reported that the local option poll had resulted in the call for Sunday closing of hotels to be carried out.

Cr Watt asked how much the case against Bagot, Shakes & Lewis had cost. The Mayor said the two cases had cost £23-8-6.

Cr Sampson moved the account lie on the table to be gone through by a committee. He thought the ex-Mayor had made a contract with the solicitors in reference to the matter, and if not he had failed to carry out his instructions. 2nd Cr Rabbich and carried.

The Mayor, Cr Sampson and Cr Rabbich will look into the matter.

Cr Rabbich asked if the obstruction had been removed. The mayor said he did not think so. The Inspector said he could never catch Mr Lewis in to serve the notice. Mr Lockyer had promised to remove the obstruction in his yard. He had not given them written notice.

G. & J. Downer of Adelaide, (solicitors) write to the Council on behalf of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis accusing the Council of being guilty by virtue of the crossing at the brewery and the wall on the Recreation Ground, of obstructing the channel of the creek and they ask that these obstructions be removed to prevent a continuance of damage to their clients. They threaten renewed legal action if Council fails to oblige.

The Mayor said if the owners of the property were to do what was required of them they would only be doing their duty and a notice ought to be served at once requesting the obstruction be removed.

Cr Sampson thought the firm should be served with the notice and was surprised it had not been. Cr Rabbich said the same and it was resolved the matter be attended to at once.

Cr Rabbich wanted to know why water had been cut off at the oval on Boxing Day. The Engineer will be consulted.

Rates for 1891: General 1/-

Health 31⁄2d

Park Lands 3d

Water to be 3/- per 1,000 gallons (down from 5/-)

Water over rate allowance 2/6 per 1,000 gallons

Cr Watt asked about a chimney at the Chinaman’s house in Market Square.

Waterworks Committee recommends that water be laid on to the Public School from the main in Kingston St so that the property at the front of Paxton Square and the Brewery would be assessed.

Cr Sampson wanted to know who was employing the Engineer during the repairs to the well. He felt the Government should be paying him.

The Chairman of the committee said the Government had been written to about it, but so far had not replied.

Cr Watt asked who had told the Engineer to work at the repairs. No one could say.

Cr O’Leary thought if Cr Sampson had been doing his duty at the time we wouldn’t be asking such questions now.

Cr Sampson replied that he had called attention to things being done by the Engineer without authority on several occasions.

Cr O’Leary said Cr Sampson knew the well was in a state of collapse and the Engineer had to work, or the repairs would never be done.

The Mayor asked that personal feeling be restrained and asked Cr Rabbich to sit down when he rose to speak.

Cr Rabbich tried to move a motion, but was denied.

He apparently moved it anyway, as the paper reports a motion of his that the Government be written to asking to allow the amount of the Engineer’s wages during his time on repairs.

Cr O’Leary moved an amendment that the Engineer be paid as usual by the Council. It was pointed out that if the Government placed it on the Capital Account the ratepayers would be paying for it forever.

Amendment lost and motion carried after Crs Sampson and O’Leary had indulged in a further series of exchanges.

It was also resolved that the town’s main be flushed.

XII, 1022, 14 Jan. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on The Burra Town Council.

The general rate at 1/- could hardly have been reduced given the lower assessment.

The health rate at 3d [amended from 31⁄2d at a meeting on 6 Jan.] evoked a similar response. We are unfortunately saddled with a 3d Park Lands rate because there are bonds to be paid off in reference to the oval wall which cost over £500 a few years ago. We hope yet for better times for the oval, when it will be used well and cease to attract cries of ‘white elephant’. The water rate is the sorest point as it applies to those who do not require the water at all and yet who are compelled to pay. As far as the main roads are concerned, since the abolition of road boards the Corporation has received we believe £600 for main roads and a good deal of work has been done for the money.

The Record will be published on Wednesday for the purpose of catching the Friday markets.

Fire. On Thursday evening last a kerosene lamp in the Salvation Army barracks burst while the doors were locked and the Army at an open-air meeting. Fortunately a couple of young fellows burst the door and put the fire out or considerable damage would have been done. Captain Bridges was quite shaken by the fright occasioned.

The Brewery Watercourse. We are glad that one of the property owners with obstructions along the watercourse that has been the centre of so much dispute has decided to put a man on to remove the obstruction: viz. Messrs Catchlove & Co. We believe Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis should take the same upright stand and save the ratepayers further expense.

The Bible Christian quarterly meeting showed a deficiency of c. £4 and the revision of the membership rolls showed a great many persons had left for Broken Hill and other places. Since the last examination was made Mr E.J. Piper, son of Rev. T. Pipier, President of the Conference has been recommended as a candidate for the ministry. He has been supplying the circuit since the failure of Rev. J. Stoyel’s health.

Mr Freebairn, a farmer of Alma Plains, seems to have been robbed of £80 at the Bon Accord Hotel whilst drunk. A man named Roberts has been arrested.

Burra Institute monthly committee meeting received a report on the progress of the building of the new additions.

XII, 1022, 14 Jan. 1891, Page 3

Wesleyan Quarterly meeting reported.

Burra Town Council

The rates declared for 1891 are: General 1/-, Health 3d and Park Lands 3d.

Annual Inspection of the Town.

[This is not usually reported in such detail so it is interesting to read where they went and if it is similar to other years it provides a useful insight into the process.]

Rabbich & Sons, butchers, Aberdeen where forewarned was forearmed.

R. Austin’s butchery, Aberdeen where, taken unaware, some improvements were possible, but allowances were made for smells due to the day being over 90°F.

The Royal Exchange Hotel where several pigs are kept on the premises, but were OK. The rubbish needs better containment on account of the fowls hawking it around.

The Waterworks where progress in the repairs to the well was observed: the timbering should be done in a few days. The engine was in good order, but the water ‘a killer’.

The Bon Accord Hotel was OK, but the road in front of it is to be raised.

Via Bon Accord Ford where a pile culvert is required as the creek flows here much of the year.

Reed’s Temperance Hotel [formerly the White Hart] was clean and satisfactory.

Several places in Aberdeen have verandah posts obstructing footpaths, but this cannot be cured without a proper survey.

To the main road near the Redruth Bridge where Mr Farrell’s small garden in front of the dwelling was on the footpath.

To the Rubbish Depot at Nelson Town where Mr Forder complains that the rubbish is on his land.

To Kooringa via No. 2 Reserve where almost all last year’s tree plantings had died: in fact only 12 of 400 were worth watering.

To the obstructed watercourse through the saleyards and brewery.

Certain repairs were ordered to Boundy’s Bridge in Ayer’s St.

To the cemetery which needs enlarging as about 100 more graves will fill the present site.

To the bridge at Chivell’s: OK.

O’Leary Bros slaughterhouse and yards were a bit smelly due to the heat.

Several verandah posts intrude into the street in lower East Ward.

A special meeting of Council ordered the work to be done at once on the Ayer’s St Bridge and a drain ordered from Thames St across Roach St to the creek.

[Oddly no mention is made of any of the three Kooringa Hotels, Paxton Square, or the rear of the Commercial St businesses which would all be obvious places for potential trouble. Other obvious omissions are covered in an inspection by the Local Board of Health reported in XI, 1025, 4 Feb. 1891, page 3.]

Burra Racing Club. A meeting was held at the commercial Hotel on Monday evening with P. Murrie in the chair. It was decided to hold a meeting on 17 March. The old club had c. £27 in hand. It was resolved to get 50 members and register the club as ‘The Burra Racing Club’. The totalizator is expected to be in use.

Cricket appears to be dead this year.

A Coursing Club is to be formed at a meeting tonight in the Burra Hotel.

A ‘Jack the Ripper’ article on the London murders.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes again on free trade and protection.

Elder, Smith & Co.’s new office is again said to be nearly finished.

XII, 1023, 21 Jan. 1891, Page 2

Advt. for William H. Hardy, Commission Agent.

Elder, Smith will offer 15,130 sheep on 30 January.

Editorial on SAMA: a Gag to Progress.

‘Burra is today plunging and floundering, as it were, for breath to keep it alive, when it might have been one of the most important towns in South Australia. We have heard it is on account of the grasping niggardness of the South Australian Mining Association, and we are somewhat convinced of the fact.’

Almost out of town are two or three allotments comprising less than two acres with nothing on them. They would not be required as far as anyone can tell even if the mine restarted. The area has been sought for fruit and vegetable production. The enquirer wished to fence and erect an engine to pump water. The authorities sought an annual rental of £15. This is too absurd to require comment. At present it yields perhaps 2/6 a year in rent.

2nd Leader on Free Trade v. Protection

3rd Leader on an appeal from England for support for Dr Bernado’s Home after which the writer concludes that England is rich enough to tend to its own poor and we should keep our money here to tend to ours.

Burra Creek. Now that the sand has been flushed from the creek there has been running water there for twelve months.

Bon Accord Railway Crossing: an elderly deaf resident was nearly hit there by the Broken Hill Express: there are still no gates.

XII, 1023, 21 Jan. 1891, Page 2-3

Burra Town Council

The retimbering of the Waterworks shaft has been completed.

Council has decided to pay its solicitors’ bill without further quibble.

Notice has been served on Bagot, Shakes and Lewis to clear the obstruction in the watercourse.

Cr Rabbich moved ‘That at the end of each year water-rate payers be allowed as against water used at the rate chargeable, the full amount of the year’s rates as paid by them to the secretary of the Waterworks.’

The problem was that people paid for a certain allowance of water, but in the July-December half year didn’t need as much because their tanks were full. At present their unused portion was then lost and could not be carried forward into the following January-June half when water was most needed.

The Mayor claimed not to see any point to the motion and neither could he see how it could be carried out. A long discussion ensued.

Cr O’Leary thought that if carried the town tank would not be able to cope with the demand at times.

Cr Sampson and the Mayor saw it principally as an insoluble accounting problem.

Eventually the motion was passed with Crs Rabbich, Butterworth, Watt and Parks for and Crs Sampson and O’Leary against.

XII, 1023, 21 Jan. 1891, Page 3

Redruth Court, 14 January.

James & Lucy Gully v. Fred Kemp & Mrs Ann Kemp, for slander and

James & Lucy Gully v. Susan Charlton for slander.

All the characters in the drama lived near each other at Hampton. There had been gossip in which Lucy Gully had been accused of taking a staple out of Mrs Hendy’s door and stealing the (or a) carpet. The verdict was, after a column of evidence, in favour of the Gullys in the sum of £1 plus costs in each case.

There is a report running for almost a column on the case of Charles Roberts who was accused of stealing in excess of £70 from Andrew Fairbairn and who was ultimately committed for trial in Adelaide.

Coursing. W.H. Linkson chaired a meeting at the Burra Hotel on Wednesday to discuss the formation of a Burra Coursing Club. The formation was moved by G. Parks and 2nd by Mr Rabbich. G. Parks was elected secretary. Patrons were F.W. Holder MP and G.H. Lake MP and P.L. Killicoat JP. J. Sandland was voted President.

Burra Racing Club. Last Monday a meeting of the club at the Commercial Hotel resolved to register the club and have the totalizator on the ground. The meeting to be held on 25 March. Messrs Holder & Lake were elected Patrons with P.L. Killicoat as President.

Aberdeen Mill. Last Monday an old boiler at Butterworth’s Mill exploded. It was bought some years ago, second-hand, along with the 16 h.p. beam engine, from the Echunga Mine. The boiler was 22’ long and 5’ in diameter. At about noon on Monday it blew up: the tube of the boiler having collapsed from end to end. The fireman and a lady who lives nearby narrowly escaped the explosion, having been right at the point of it seconds before. This is the busy season and suspension of work while a new boiler is fitted will necessitate a big loss to the firm.

Burra Creek: who threw dead fowls along the creek?

Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

From North to Adelaide 7.03 a.m. 7.08 a.m.

4.17 p.m. 4.23 p.m.

From Adelaide to North 11.20 a.m. 11.25 a.m.

7.45 p.m. 7.50 p.m.

XII, 1024, 28 Jan. 1891, Page 2

Burra Town Council: The Corporation Balance Sheet for 1890 is printed.

Editorial on the corporation Balance Sheet.

The time was, not many years ago, when over £1,000 was spent in one year on public works. Now less than that is collected.

[In 1890 the rates brought in £561-10-3 and the Government subsidy was £125-12-5 and total income for the year was £933-3-2, of which £77-16-6 was in the bank on 31 December 1889.]

We are, of course, reaping the benefit still of the amount spent on trees, roads and footpaths in the past. Past money has been well spent. The recent public works expenditure has been:

1886 £1227- 9- 11

1887 624- 3- 1

1888 187- 15- 9

1889 221- 15- 5

1890 296- 0- 9

Income Rates Subsidy Total

1886 771- 10- 5 331- 13- 3 1272- 8- 9

1887 718- 15- 8 146- 16- 2 1198- 15- 1

1888 563- 18- 7 Nil 716- 15- 7

1889 640- 4- 4 258- 7- 6 1131- 16- 0

1890 561- 10- 3 125- 12- 5 933- 3- 2

The rates bring in nearly half what they did a few years ago and total income has gone down to about half what it was.

In 1886 extra works were done and consequently an overdraft of over £300 was brought about, since when the Council has had to economise in every way.

This has made the position of Councillor unpopular.

Though this year starts in credit there is £200 in bonds to redeem and coupons of nearly another £100.

Rates this year are not likely to bring in over £500 on the reduced assessment, so there will be little available for public works.

This is also true for the other accounts (Health and Park Lands) where great care will have to be exercised.

In the Waterworks account there is £308-5-7 which has allowed for a further reduction for the ratepayers.

All in all the balance sheet is something the Council deserves credit for and is, under the circumstances, satisfactory.

2nd Leader on the charges for water in Burra: specifically on the idea raised in Council that would allow the unused allowance from the July to December half to be taken up in the January to June half following. The Mayor claimed he ‘could not see the drift of the motion and could not see any advantage to the ratepayers’. The editor implies this is nonsense. Councillors O’Leary and Sampson did their best to counter the views of the majority and their claim that either the suggested change was unnecessary or, if attempted, could not be carried out, seem unbelievable to the editor.

Mr W.H. Hardy, then Councillor for East Ward, had suggested the change last November, so it is not new. The editor then gives an example.

If a person is rated at 25/- a year he must pay 12/6 each six months in advance, which entitles him to 2,500 gallons before any excess is charged, but in the time of year when tanks are full he may not require any. Under the old plan if a man entitled to 5,000 gallons uses only 1,000 in the first half and 4,000 in the second he would be charged for 1,500 gallons excess which we hold to be unfair.

XII, 1024, 28 Jan. 1891, Page 3

Burra Institute. Contractors are busy enlarging the stage accommodation.

Local Board of Health

A resolution at the last meeting called upon the Burra Institute to provide better urinal and closet accommodation. On Friday the Institute Committee resolved to refuse to comply as they do not consider the proposed accommodation necessary. How they can say this when there is no accommodation of the sort referred to for the general public is amazing. The board of Health has a right to demand such provision and on behalf of the general public we hope the right will be demanded.

Lily of the Valley Tent shows a healthy situation with increasing numbers of member: 131 on the roll on 31 December 1890.

Burra Institute Committee Annual Meeting, 20 January 1891.

The Treasurer, Dr Brummitt, read the balance sheet, which showed they opened the year in credit £14-7-6, received £192-0-4 plus a Government subsidy of £51-11-6 for a total of £257-19-4. Expenditure was £229-7-11 leaving a credit of £28-11-5 on the 31 December 1890.

The President, T. Edwards read his report. The library had been replenished with 223 new books. 150 worn books had been removed leaving a total of 3,191 volumes.

There were 50 subscribers paying 3/- per quarter and 21 paying 5/- per quarter.

Elections for 1891: President T. Edwards

Vice-President Mr Furniss

Treasurer Dr Brummitt

Hon. Sec. Dr Sangster

[The committee included F.W. Holder.]

The contract price for the hall improvements came to £321-17-8 and the work is due for completion by 31 March. Scenery and a proscenium will be needed and furnishing of the new dressing rooms will be required too as well as refurbishing the piano, or a new one. The building fund held £232-14-9 and it will be necessary to formulate a scheme to increase this fund or else the overdraft would be larger than desirable.

A committee meeting on 23 January accepted Mr Fife’s offer to put the piano in thorough repair.

The committee resolved to reply to the Local Board of Health [re provision of a urinal and closet] that in the absence of any legal requirement they decline to accede to the request of the Board.

Fire. Last Sunday between 4 and 5 p.m. a great cloud of dense smoke was seen rising from the area between the rifle range and the cemetery and crowds rushed in that direction. A fire had broken out in the thick grass on part of the Burra special Survey, on the hills to the west of the rifle butts, belonging to the SAMA, immediately behind the house occupied by Mr Noyes and it promised to assume gigantic proportions. A strong westerly was blowing the flames towards the eastern hills and in a short time the paddock of Mr Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo was ablaze. Dozens of people tried with bags to extinguish it, but couldn’t get to the seat of the blaze due to the heat. It headed towards the Princess Royal Estate, where, cresting the range, the wind again took it east, but then the wind changed and left the south flank all backed up, but this threatened the area to the northeast and the brewery paddock, but the fire was controlled before the Baldina Road was reached. By sunset a general muster showed the southern front was also controlled, though several outbreaks required a rush to prevent more damage. The cause of the fire has not been found, though it started in a small gully near the rifle butts. Many people helped and saved horses and sheep that were threatened.

[Brief note later on the page: is it true children started Sunday’s fire?]

Fire. Another fire in Kooringa on Monday evening broke out in a house owned by Mr J. Butler in Mt Pleasant. About 7 p.m. smoke was seen coming from the roof. The ceiling in one room was destroyed before the fire was extinguished. The house will require considerable repair before being habitable. It is believed the fire was started by some bushmen who had been camping there.

‘Enquirer’ writes re the Institute AGM. After the election of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary the nominations for the committee were called and at that point somebody asked how many of those present were eligible to vote and the President then found only 7 of the 15 had paid their subscriptions. The other eight then paid after some discussion. The enquirer contends that the whole proceedings were thus informal and the elections invalid and the committee nominated without a quorum.

The editor agrees with this conclusion, citing rules 3 and 19.

‘Puzzled’ asks who runs the Burra Hospital. Does it run in the interests of any particular religious organisation in town as a list of Board members suggest the possibility? Who recommends new members? The new board included gentlemen ‘who have scarcely been in the town a week, whilst there are dozens of old residents who deserve the honour (if there is any)’. It appears these public matters are run by cliques.

The editor suggests a letter to the chairman of the board might throw light on the matter as he cannot.

Cricket. The match v. Saddleworth did not come off, but the Burra Club is going to Mintaro today.

Boxing. There are reports of female boxing matches in New Jersey where women strip to the waist and fight until both have to be taken and put to bed.

‘The details are too disgusting to publish here, but any lady sympathiser may peruse them on application to ‘Sandboy’ at this office.’

Burra Co. VF AGM at the Burra Institute on Monday.

Captain Butterworth took the chair and twenty members were present. The Captain reported the position of the Company financially and otherwise was sound. The large account due to Messrs Marshall & Co. for the uniforms would be covered by the capitation grant. Attendance had fallen off towards the end of the year, but it was resolved to keep the Co. going for another year. Elected: Captain Butterwoth, President; Lieut. Watt, Treasurer and Secretary.

It was resolved to hold a social next March.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes a report on ‘Those Lady Cricketers’

[There were teams from Sydney and Melbourne.]

Shearing. There is a short [1⁄3 column] article on the possibility of shearing troubles with the Union this year.

XII, 1025, 4 Feb. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Primitive Methodist Harvest Thanksgiving: Redruth 8 Feb. & Kooringa 15 Feb.

Editorial on General Booth’s ideas in his volume ‘In Darkest England, and the way out’. Also on Professor Huxley’s attack on the volume.

Town Inspection. The editor considers certain cowsheds, dairies and boarding houses should have been included.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday: Rev. R.J. Daddow preached.

Legislative Council elections have been called for mid-April.

XII, 1025, 4 Feb. 1891, Page 2-3

Obituary. John A. Goodfellow, formerly of Kooringa, wrote from Los Angeles last November that he was suffering from cancer of the mouth and did not expect to survive an immediate operation. The letter was left with a friend to be forwarded to A. Bartholomæus in the event of his death. Mr Bartholomæus received the letter on 13 December. Enclosed was a letter for his son, Edgar Goodfellow. Mr Goodfellow was born in India and educated at Chatham, England. He was a brother of the late Mrs J. Mann and a brother-in-law of one of Burra’s first doctors, the late Dr T.H. Mayne. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Edgar Goodfellow is asked to contact the Mayor or Mr Bartholomæus.

XII, 1025, 4 Feb. 1891, Page 3

Elder, Smith & Co. call tenders for the erection of new saleyards at Aberdeen.

‘Liberal’ of Burra writes to the editor concerning the coming elections.

[The contents sound suspiciously like the views of W.H. Hardy.]

The writer looks back on Burra’s previous greatness and compares it with:

‘Today it is again in a slumber even to unconsciensness [sic] and whilst some of the old residents have been obliged to leave for fresh fields new hands have congregated here to pine away their lives like a shipwrecked crew on a desert island.’

The writer puts much of the problem down to the way Burra has been held to ransom by SAMA: ‘the key is held by a crowd of brigands who would rather see their fellow creatures starve than hand it to them . . .’

‘I have heard a great deal said about the property being held by trustees etc., but are the people of South Australia going much longer to submit to their birthright being held by the trustees of a few offsprings of some who are mouldering in the grave? I hope not.’

Last April a move to allow mining on private property was frustrated by ‘the crowd of land robbers in power’. Remember this when voting next April. Vote for those who will unlock the land.

Burra Town Council.

The mayor and Cr Sampson have waited on the Railway Commissioners re a gate for the Bon Accord Crossing. They have promised to grant the request.

£300 has been the Main Roads grant this year.

Cr Sampson moved that the ford at the Bon Accord be visited with a view to asking the Government to make a pile bridge at that point. Carried.

Cr Watt asked if a telegram in the Advertiser about the railway premises [at Burra] being abominable had been authorised by Council to be sent.

The Mayor replied it was not the wish of Council to report as appeared in the telegram as it was not a true report.

The editor found the latter statement strange as the premises had been in such a state that they warranted a special meeting of the Board [of Health] when a notice was authorised to be served by the Inspector of Nuisances, and at last Monday’s meeting of the Board it was reported that a notice had been served as the drain was very offensive.

The letter from the Burra Institute Committee refusing to install a urinal and closet for public use in the absence of any legal requirement will be referred to the Central Board of Health.

Polo. The Burra Polo Club met last Saturday on their grounds near the Bon Accord. Present were E.C. & H. Bowman, W. Murray, Hawkes, Dawson & Lewis.

Cricket. Burra played Mintaro at Mintaro on Wednesday.

Mintaro 70 & 6 for 122 declared (192) (taking advantage of the new rule), defeated

Burra 74 & 97 (171)

Local Board of Health Inspection, last Wednesday covered:

Burra Railway Station, where the urinals were found to be a disgrace and the drain nearly saturated with disgusting filth and quite foul. The baggage office was quite unsatisfactory. It is really the booking office and whatever filth is forwarded by rail finds its way into this room.

Redruth Gaol had two occupants and everything was clean and tidy both inside and in the garden.

Redruth Police Station and Courthouse. The former was in good condition, but the cesspit at the latter was very bad.

Misses Rabbich’s School, conducted in the old German Chapel, was satisfactory. There were 73 on the roll and attendance was 60.

Mrs McLagan’s School [Bleak House] was also satisfactory with 20 on the roll and c. 16 present.

St Joseph’s School was satisfactory with an attendance of c. 40.

The Burra Public School had an average attendance of 240 in room for 1,000. All was very satisfactory. The drinking water from the underground tank was excellent.

Miss Josling’s School in Kooringa was satisfactory.

Miss Sleep’s School in Kooringa was satisfactory.

The Burra Hospital was satisfactory.

The Burra Institute: water closet and urinal requirements were not satisfactory.

A meeting was then held and the two matters needing urgent attention were the Railway Station and the Courthouse cesspit.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes his usual outspoken and left wing perspective on:

The Upper House elections, Principle v. Capital

The poetry book Christ in London by Tristram St Martin, which compared the simplicity of Christ and the life of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The socialist regime of Topolobampo in Sinala, Mexico,

Dr Barnado

A Victorian libel case: PMG v. Sunday Times.

XII, 1026, 11 Feb. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Program for the Burra Races, 25 March: Main Race, The Burra Handicap over 11⁄2 miles. 1st prize 40 sovs. 2nd prize 5 sovs.

Editorial on The Labour Troubles: the looming shearers’ strike.

Fire. There has been a small fire on Mr Berriman’s property at Springbank.

[Date not stated.]

Burra Railway Station sanitary arrangements are much improved.

Late papers. The editor complains of receiving the Broken Hill papers by the last Adelaide train at night. He speculates that they go to Port Pirie and thence by steamer to Adelaide - unless the mail sorters on the trains have too much work to do in which case they need an extra hand.

Primitive Methodist Harvest thanksgiving services last week at Redruth saw interesting preaching by Rev. R.J. Daddow, F.W. Holder, and J. Scott.

Rabbits are in plague proportions in the Hundreds of Baldina and King. If nothing is done planting a crop this year will not be worthwhile.

Gold has been found within one mile of Mintaro on blue slate rock.

The recent harvest. Despite the problems of locusts and red rust the late harvest has been ‘far from unsatisfactory’. It averaged 7 bushels per acre from 1,850,000 acres and of the 12,950,000 bushels; 9,135,000 bushels are available for export after allowing for seed and food for 330,000.

i.e. an export of 245,000 tons worth £1,674,750.

S. Bennett writing from Aberdeen to The Register complains of the ‘men of no education, social standing, or common business tact, let alone knowledge of the law’ that are being appointed as JPs. The Attorney General’s attention should be drawn to this fact.

Cricket. C.H. Beer, Captain of the Saddleworth Club, writes explaining that harvest activities prevented their playing Burra. He slams the way ‘Sandboy’ reported the incident in casting aspersions on the Saddleworth Club and its management and returns the compliment in a letter which the editor says he cut in places ‘for reasons obvious to us if not to our correspondent’.

XII, 1026, 11 Feb. 1891, Page 3

Redruth Court, 29 January.

Stray animals continue to plague the town streets.

Gully cow & two calves 5/- + 10/-

Rabbich & Sons horses 5/- + 10/-

The following all owned stray cattle and/or goats and were fined 2/6 + 10/-

Mrs Clode H. Bruse A. Lawler

S. Harvey Maurice Ledwith William Williams

W. Sandland horses 5/- + 10/-

C. Schutz cows 7/6 + 10/-

Neville cow 5/- + 10/- (subject to appeal)

On 5 Feb.

Norman & Co. horse 5/- + 5/- + 10/- witness fees

Wood Carters met in large numbers at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening to consider forming a union.

Mr T. Woollacott pointed out the disadvantage of the extreme competition as to the price of carting wood into the town.

J.A.S. Williams supported all that had been said by Mr Woollacott.

W.H. Hardy, who was present by invitation was sorry to see the cut-throat nature of the present competition and was in favour of a move to see the worker get fair returns for his toil. The present prices were continually juggled to the disadvantage of both supplier and consumer. They would need the co-operation of local retailers to do away with itinerancy.

T. Davis, carter and retailer was pleased to see the matter taken up - they would have to consider farmers who occasionally brought in odd loads to dispose of for a song.

W. Linkson was also supportive.

Several others spoke in sympathy with the movement.

W.H. Linkson was appointed secretary pro tem.

Lost Man. News reached M-C O’Callaghan of Redruth on Friday that a man had been found under a brush fence 20 miles east of Burra on Corona Run at the Blow Fly. He went out and brought the man into hospital. He was James Martin, c. 63, who had been sent out in search of sheep by Mr W. Dare of Piltimitiappa and had got lost. Eventually, growing weak, he had lain down and was found by Robert Stewart, employed by Mr Barker of Baldina. Stewart and another man named Kellock seem to have been rather relaxed about getting Stewart to hospital as soon as possible. We hear Martin is progressing as well as can be expected having been out 8 days without food or water.

Turkey Shooting is presently a daily sport with some large bags during the week.

Bon Accord Bridge.

The Town Council and representatives of Messrs Elder, Smith & Co. and Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland, with other ratepayers, inspected the Bon Accord ford on Monday afternoon. Messrs Holder and Lake MPs were invited, but neither appeared, though Mr Holder apologised as he had to leave for Adelaide on the morning train.

A meeting at the Bon Accord Hotel followed the inspection.

Mr West, Mayor, said there was no doubt a bridge was required. Cr Sampson agreed: floodwaters washed away metal on the ford every time it was put on. Even when the ford was in good order water flow sometimes closed it. A bridge was necessary and he would move that steps be taken to urge on the Government the necessity of providing one. Cr Rabbich 2nd: when the creek was flowing teams often found it impossible to get into the town. The bridge was also important for the stockyards which were the largest in the colony.

T. Sandland, representative of Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland, spoke in support and so did Cr O’Leary.

W. Fox, the representative of Elder, Smith & Co. agreed.

W.H. Hardy also supported the move - it had been advocated before and he pointed out how traffic to the east was supported by two bridges.

The whole Council was appointed a committee to draft a petition to seek the support of the District Councils of Booborowie, Hanson, Mt Bryan and Burra.

Burra Institute Committee met on 9 Feb.

It resolved among other matters not to invite the press to attend meetings.

The lodges asked to be able to hold meetings in the Council Chamber as the Lodge Room lacked privacy: the back door allowing anyone to listen in and it was also very cold in winter, while in summer throwing open the windows again lost them privacy. The alternative was to erect an anteroom at the back of the lodge room. Mr J. Sampson introduced these arguments which were supported by Mr Jones (Rechabites) and Mr W.H. Linkson (Foresters).

T. Pearce then asked on behalf of the lodges that closet and urinal accommodation be provided for lodge use.

The President said a notice re this was lying on the table to be discussed this meeting and the other matters would be considered and replied to.

A committee was appointed to consider the best mode of improving sanitary arrangements at the Institute, comprising the President (T. Edwards), Mr Wilkinson and Drs Brummitt & Sangster.

The request of the lodges required further debate and was adjourned to the next meeting.

Elder, Smith & Co. offices once again reported nearly finished.

Early Closing. Why can’t the drapers close their shops at 9.00 p.m. on Saturdays?

Friendly Societies Meeting.

Representatives of the Foresters, Oddfellows and Rechabites met on Monday to arrange a program to put to the Institute Committee re certain repairs to the Institute.

John Sampson said first was a porch or anteroom to provide privacy for meetings.

2nd was the need for privy and urinal accommodation: the present arrangements being insufficient.

John Jenkin supported the above and concluded the outside accommodation indecent when both sexes were congregated for entertainment lasting almost the whole night.

T.W. Pearce agreed and said the lodge room was most uncomfortable in winter, being cold with wind coming under the door.

Also supported by F. Carey & W.H. Linkson for the Foresters, who thought they should have access to the Council room which also had a fireplace.

Mr J. Jones supported the same on behalf of the Rechabites.

Mr W.J. Davey also endorsed this as did G. Parks.

They would wait upon the Institute Committee which was meeting in another room.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ considers it a wasteful thing to send short-term prisoners to Redruth Gaol from Clare when they could work at Clare in the local quarry. Redruth is too comfortable an option as well as being costly.

XII, 1027, 18 Feb. 1891, Page 2

Birth. On 24 Jan. at Richmond Creek, to the wife of Thomas Ellery, a stillborn child.

Obituary. On 3 Feb. at Richmond Creek, Eliza, wife of Thomas Ellery died of blood poisoning. She was the sister of Mrs A. Harris of Kooringa. [Aged 42, she was born Eliza Bodinner.]

Obituary. On 11 Feb. at Balaklava Mary A. Keefe, only daughter of the late W.G. Linkson died aged 20, leaving a husband and six young children. [sic] [Registered age is 29.]

[Corrected in XII, 1028, 25 Feb. 1891 to: aged 30.]

Editorial on Labour & Capital.

Concerned with C.C. Kingston’s ‘Bill for an Act to Encourage the formation of Industrial Unions and Associations and to facilitate the Settlement of Industrial Disputes’.

The Record replies to an attack in the Mt Barker Courier on the former’s article condemning Professor Huxley’s views on General Booth.

Bon Accord Bridge. Petitions calling for its construction are circulating.

Chrysanthemum Show. Despite a past history of great chrysanthemum production this has now fallen through in Burra and on a par with other things in the town, nothing is being done.

Explosion. Two of T.W. Wilkinson’s sons exploded a small quantity of gunpowder recently. The eldest, aged 11, burnt his face quite badly, but id progressing as well as can be expected.

The Wood-carters Co-operative Union got going last Saturday when about 30 members were listed as willing to work together. Mr W. H. Hardy was elected President with W.H. Linkson as Hon. Sec. They intend to co-operate to end cutthroat practices and settle on a uniform price for wood.

XII, 1027, 18 Feb. 1891, Page 3

The Central Board of Health gives its opinion that under clause 51 of the Health Act 1873, together with the definition of the word ‘house’ in clause 3 of the Act of 1876, the Local Board does have the right to compel the trustees of the Institute to provide privy and urinal accommodation.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held successful thanksgiving services last Sunday.

Burra Teachers’ Association held its 25th meeting on Saturday 14 Feb. at Burra School. Twenty Schools were represented:

Clare Armagh Auburn Baldina

Baldina Plains Burra Copperhouse Farrell’s Flat

Hanson Friedrichswalde (Tarnma) Mt Bryan Rice’s Creek (near Auburn)

Saddleworth Sevenhills Terowie Ulooloo

Tothill’s Creek Thistlebeds Undalya Watervale

Cricket. Wednesday at Burra Oval. Burra 150 defeated Belalie 51.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 11 Feb. Dealt with the petition to the Government re the Bon Accord Bridge.

The bridge it said was required because:

The present crossing is inconvenient, annoying and dangerous.

The road is used heavily for stock sales every fortnight and by wheat traffic. The present crossing is small, unprotected and dangerous to life and stock in time of flood

The Town council has inspected the site and is unanimous in saying the work is a matter of urgency.

Twenty-five copies to be printed and 100 circulars for distribution.

The Railway Commissioners wrote to say a man would be sent to report on the dangerous crossing at the Bon Accord.

Ordinary Meeting, 16 Feb.

The Mayor reported that the Bon Accord memorials had been printed and everything was ready for collecting signatures.

Cr Rabbich asked if the obstruction in the watercourse at Messrs Bagot, Shakes and Lewis’s sheep yards had been removed.

The Mayor said that Mr Lockyer had cleaned the watercourse, but Mr Lewis had not.

Cr Sampson moved to have information laid against Sara & Dunstan for destroying kerbing in front of the new Elder, Smith & Co. offices and for having verandah posts obstructing the footpath. Not 2nd.

Cr Sampson then called attention to the contractors having promised to restore the footpath in front of the same offices and it had not been done.

Cr Watt told him to wait until the work was finished.

Cr Sampson’s next motion to instruct the contractors to make the footpath good was not 2nd.

He then tried to make an issue of the contractors leaving rubbish and timber in the watertable, but this also failed to get support.

Cr Sampson then turned to Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s failure to remove the obstruction from the watercourse. The Council had authority to do the work and charge the company for it. Not 2nd.

He moved then that the Mayor interview Mr Lewis as soon as possible with reference to the matter. Carried.

Redruth Court, 11 Feb.

Tiver v. Allen for an unpaid debt of £8-11-3.

The amount was disputed, a debt of £1-13-0 was admitted and judgement for that amount was given.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes on Federation, Protection, and other items condemning the monarchy and flunkeyism and obscenity in the press.

XII, 1028, 25 Feb. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on the proposed Bon Accord Bridge.

2nd Leader querying why the Council called tenders for road metal and then awarded the contracts to those tendering at 2/3 per yard rather than those tendering at 2/1 per yard.

3rd Leader on the coming Legislative Council elections.

Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 25,370 sheep next Friday.

Shearing. Pastoralists and shearers seem to have come to a satisfactory arrangement for the coming season.

Elder, Smith & Co. have let the tender for timber work at their new saleyards to T.R. Stubbins and the gates etc. to F.K. Sorrell and the cartage and construction has gone to C. McKennion.

Railway Refreshment! We have sometimes heard a great deal said against the Government allowing sale of ale and porter at railway station refreshment rooms. We think it would be a deal better than the dangerous ‘much’ [sic] now sold there under the name of wine.

Mr Snell has produced some wonderful peaches and his garden in Kooringa is producing great produce and the garden would have been an even greater area had SAMA not demanded an exorbitant rent.

XII, 1028, 25 Feb. 1891, Page 2-3

Burra Town Council, 20 Feb.

The Council met to consider tenders for 600 yards of metal for the north end of town. Cr Rabbich moved that the tenders for 400 yards go to the lowest bidder: Cox & Son.

Cr Sampson amended this to 200 yards at 2/1 and this was carried.

Cr Rabbich then objected to tenders going to other than the lowest bid, further objected to staying to deal any further with the matter, and then left the room.

Cr Watt then moved that at the next Council meeting Cr Rabbich be asked to explain why he took such steps.

The remaining tenders were of the same value [2/3 per yard from the editorial] and were disposed of by ballot.

XII, 1028, 25 Feb. 1891, Page 3

Redruth Court, 19 Feb.

Stray animals again.

William Farrell Mare and foal, Redruth 2/6 + 5/-

J. Lewis Two horses, Kooringa 5/- + 5/-

Adelaide Criminal Sittings, 17 Feb.

The case of Charles Roberts (38) who was charged with stealing £70 from Andrew Freebairn came up, but lack of admissible evidence saw it dismissed.

Robert Cox wrote in outlining the tendering process of the Council and wondering if they are open to an explanation.

The editor suggests: ‘No doubt the Councillors will be willing to supply the information our correspondent asks for.’

‘Stone Cracker’ also writes expressing amazement that Crs Sampson, Watt and Parks should choose other than the lowest tender, especially when the lowest comes from a man known to them and known to be competent in doing the work equally with the others.

Cricket. At the Burra Oval on Wednesday 18 Feb. Burra 148 defeated Mintaro 65.

Boxing? Has that wheelwright’s shop been let for a boxing show?

Fire. As we went to press last night a fire was burning in the brewery paddock belonging to Messrs Catchlove & Co.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes on the Burra Mine. He suggests that shareholders in England have sent an expert out to look at the prospects of the Burra Mine without reference to the mine authorities in SA and that a response to the news can be expected.

XII, 1029, 4 Mar. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on Burra Town Council

The business of the Council has been being transacted in a most unsatisfactory way and last Monday ‘the whole evening was wasted over most ridiculous child’s play and clap-trap.’

The Mayor claimed the Council had been vilified in the press. We deny this. The criticism has been plain and open ‘without in any way overdrawing the facts.’

If, as Cr Sampson says ‘he was not afraid of the press’ why did he move to go into committee, so that the press representative would be cleared from the room?

2nd Leader on Federation and Free Trade between the colonies. Report of a federation meeting in Sydney.

3rd Leader on Broken Hill Junction Silver Mine.

XII, 1029, 4 Mar. 1891, Page 3

The Salvation Army is holding a special meeting as we go to press [3 Mar.] conducted by Col. McKie from England.

Bible Christian Church Conference on Thursday has decided to unite the Burra and Hallett circuits under one minister who will reside in Burra.

Special Services were held this week to celebrate the death of John Wesley 100 years ago, but they drew only small congregations.

Kooringa Wesleyan Harvest Thanksgiving services were well attended last Sunday.

Burra Town Council, last Monday.

The Mayor reported a meeting with Mr Lewis who assured him that a pacific settlement of the difficulty would soon be brought about.

Cr Rabbich asked if Mr Lewis had decided to remove the obstruction in the watercourse through the sheep yards.

The mayor said he had received some correspondence on the matter which he would read later on.

The mayor asked Cr Rabbich if he would, by the indulgence of Council, explain why he left the Chamber so abruptly at the special meeting of Council the previous week.

Cr Sampson said Cr Rabbich could only make a personal explanation.

Cr Rabbich said he had no particular desire to make an explanation and he would not ask the indulgence of Council, but if the motion passed at the last meeting compelled him to explain he would willingly do so.

Cr Sampson said before Cr Rabbich did explain he would move that the Council go into committee and all strangers leave. Cr Watt 2nd.

Cr Rabbich objected that he was not ashamed to have the ratepayers know what he had to say.

Cr Sampson objected to further action before the motion was put.

Cr Rabbich asked if he was not afraid to have his words reported why did they wish to clear the room.

Cr Sampson rose on a point of order.

Cr Watt also wanted the motion put.

The mayor said they ought to go into committee.

Cr Rabbich rose to make his explanation.

Cr Sampson asked the motion be put.

Cr O’Leary suggested the mover and seconder would withdraw the motion.

Cr Sampson said he would if Cr Rabbich would confine himself to a personal explanation, although he was not afraid of the press or anyone else.

Cr Rabbich then said: ‘As a representative of the ratepayers intrusted [sic] with the rest of Council in spending public money I left the Council on evening of Feb. 20 with the idea that the business transacted re accepting tenders for road metal was not consistent with honorable and independent action consequently I would not have anything further to do with such.’

The Mayor said such remarks were an insult to the whole of Council and he would not sit and have such things said.

Cr Sampson agreed and moved the Council go into committee to consider the matter. Cr Watt 2nd.

Cr O’Leary thought such an explanation scandalous and he would support the motion.

The Mayor said they ought to do so having been vilified by the local press on several occasions.

Cr Rabbich moved as an amendment: ‘That the explanation be heard in open Council so then the ratepayers should know the whole business.’ Cr Butterworth 2nd.

The amendment was lost and the motion was carried.

Here our representative and Cr Rabbich left the room.

The Council then discussed the explanation of Cr Rabbich and we learned afterwards:

Cr Sampson moved that Cr Rabbich be requested to withdraw the statement he made unconditionally and to apologise satisfactorily to the Council and in the event of his refusal to be fined £10 in accordance with standing order No. 40 and that he be allowed one week to give the explanation and that he not be allowed to sit until the explanation be given.

Cr Parks 2nd and carried with only Cr Butterworth opposed.

Local Board of Health.

Burra Institute has agreed to build a water closet at the back of the building and a urinal in the Avenue opposite the Institute and pay one third of the expense. Resolved that this be done.

Cr W.T. Rabbich supplies a letter running 2⁄3 column carrying his explanation to Council.

On 2 Feb. tenders were called by Council for 1,200 yards of road metal: 600 yards for the south end of town and 600 yards for the north end. Tenders to be in by 9 Feb.

By 9 Feb. Council had received two tenders for each 600 yards.

For the south end J. Herbert & Co. for 200 yards or more at 1/11 per yard and R. Hill & Co. for 200 yards or more at 2/- per yard.

Cr Parks moved and Cr Sampson 2nd that J. Herbert & Co.’s tender be accepted for 400 yards. Carried.

Cr Rabbich moved and Cr O’Leary 2nd that for the north end P. Lally & Co.’s tender for 400 yards at 2/- per yard be accepted. Carried.

On 11 Feb. the Council met as road commissioners re the Bon Accord crossing and a letter was handed to the Town Clerk and when read by the Mayor was found to ‘eminate’ from P. Lally & Co. explaining a mistake in the reading of their tender which was 2/6 per yard and not 2/- as read, but since the acceptance of the tender and the publishing of other tender prices they were prepared to supply the metal at 2/3 per yard.

R. Cox had tendered on 2 Feb. for 2/3. I moved that the Council accept R. Cox’s tender since it was the lowest tender - intimating that we would then be doing what would have been done on 2 Feb. had the Mayor correctly read the tender at the time.

Cr Watt interjected that we will divide the work between them. I strongly objected to admitting P. Lally’s amended offer and finally it was agreed to recall tenders for 600 yards for the north end, to be in by 20 Feb.

The following prices were then received:

R. Cox & Sons, 200 or 400 yards at 2/1 yd

P. Lally & Co., 200 yds or more at 2/3 yd

W.J. Woollacott, 200 yds at 2/3 yd

S. Baker & T. Rosewall, 200 yds or more at 2/3 yd

Lihou & Co., 200 yds or more at 2/3 yd

All the metal to be from the same quarry.

Consequently I moved that the lowest tender by 2d a yard be accepted, viz. R. Cox & Son, for 400 yards, be accepted. Cr O’Leary 2nd.

Cr Sampson then moved that the ballot be used in allotting the work, but considering the circumstances the Mayor thought that absurd. Cr Sampson then moved that 200 yds only be given to R. Cox & Son, 2nd Cr Parks and carried.

The argument used now was that we should divide the work, but this was totally inconsistent with the procedure for dealing with the south end tenders when J. Herbert got 400 yards when only 1d per yd lower than the next lowest tender.

I left the Council in disgust at the whole business not being consistent with honourable and independent action and I would not to any further extent have anything to do with such, whatever the consequences.

Cr Watt’s motion re an explanation from me is ridiculous and I will appeal to the ratepayers for their decision as to mine or their action under the circumstances.

After I left there was still 400 yds to be divided so why, if equality was the call, was this not awarded 100 yards to each of the equal remaining tenderers instead of, as was done, 200 to each of two favoured parties.

Fire. The fire in the brewery paddock was seen before 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening last week. The flames were rushing from the top of the hill in a northeast direction rapidly. The flames were attacked on the western flank and conquered on that side, but moved rapidly on the north and northeast. A couple of haystacks in the centre of the paddock were amazingly saved by a band of men with wet bags. The cattle were successfully moved. Little more was done as the metal road to the northeast formed a ready firebreak. The cause was unknown. Some suspect arson and others a smoker.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes on:

General Booth and the poor in England.

Business ethics [which the writer would have regarded as an oxymoron, though he didn’t use that term.]

‘Sweating’ in the production of religious publications.

One law for the rich and another for the poor.

Christianity and death.

The Bon Accord Bridge memorials have been largely signed.

Burra Institute. The work on improvements has been nearly finished.

Assignations. A good deal of moonlight spooning is done up that Mine Road.

Marriage. Miss F.E.E. West, eldest daughter of W. West, Mayor of Burra and R.A. Cilento were married on 25 Feb. at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Marriage. On 28 Jan. at the Catholic Church, Bourke, NSW, James Percy Gaffey married Priscilla, fourth daughter of John Mackay of Norwich, Auckland NZ.

XII, 1030, 11 Mar. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Alex Harris has disposed of his wood and chaff business in Kooringa to Messrs J. Bodiner and John J. Chapman on 2 March.

Birth. At Kooringa on 9 March to the wife of Garrett Barrow, a daughter.

Obituary. Mary Ann Harris, wife of the late James Harris of Greenbottom Farm near Kooringa died on 2 March at her daughter’s residence in Yongala, aged 76 and a colonist of 42 years. [Born Mary Ann Webb.]

Editorial. Over one column on the Clare Licensing Board’s decision not to grant a liquor license to the refreshment stall at the Terowie Railway station.

Notice. A public meeting is called to enable ratepayers of the North Ward to consider certain matters arising between their Councillor Rabbich and the council, next Friday at the German Schoolroom, Redruth.

Mt Mary. A memorial is circulating in the District of Bundy seeking the provision of facilities for the loading of stock onto trains at Mt Mary.

Fire. Another fire broke out in the brewery paddock last Monday afternoon. Foul play is again suspected. This fire was soon extinguished.

XII, 1030, 11 Mar. 1891, Page 2-3

Poison! Two young wood carters called Ledwith, who reside at Redruth, were brought home from Thistlebeds suffering from a serious illness. It is now thought they were suffering from rabbit poison having contaminated the well at Thistlebeds. Others have complained of feeling unwell after using it. They are improving.

XII, 1030, 11 Mar. 1891, Page 3

Salvation Army. The efforts of the visiting Colonel McKie and his A.D.C., Staff Capt. Plank, from London, were rewarded with large attendances at the Salvation Army barracks last Tuesday. They are touring the colonies to hold Salvation Revival Services.

Boys’ Field Naturalist Society, Burra Branch, had an outing on Saturday. Messrs Wittber, Opie & Bentley, from Burra School and Rev. R.J. Daddow attended. The group went to the Burra Creek for soil analysis, St Mary’s cutting for contortion in limestone and The Mine to look at exposed rock types.

‘Ratepayer’ writes in support of Cr Rabbich and suggests a subscription be raised to pay the fine inflicted on him in the event that it stands and has to be met. He is prepared to pay towards it, but if it comes to that he will ‘never support the petty tyrants who have made it necessary’.

‘J.A.H.’ from Laura writes an ironic letter supporting the paper for having ‘dared, ay dared, to rebuke the Mayor and his satellites, those tritons among the minnows of your town; and lo! You have been deservedly pulverised’. Fancy daring as the Mayor said to ‘pick them to pieces, when they had been trying to do their duty’. The writer advises repentance and apologies ‘for venturing to give utterance to unpalatable truth’.

The editor cannot, he says, take the advice of repentance.

The Burra Institute Committee on 9 March agreed to the construction of a urinal in a similar place in the Avenue and to pay one-third the cost as the Council suggested. Also to construct a passage through the lodge room by putting up a suitable stone wall and erecting a verandah from the present lodge door to the escape door in the hall.

Flower Show! Burra cannot even manage a flower show now.

Fire. There was another small grass fire on Saturday near the rifle range.

Stray horses still roam the streets in large numbers on Saturdays.

Mr Holder is off to the McDonald Ranges next week. [Actually to the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia.]

Elder, Smith & Co.’s new yards are going up quickly.

A memorial to the Town Council is to be erected opposite the Institute. [i.e. a urinal.]

Redruth Court, last Thursday.

Messrs Cockrum & Pearce were charged with not destroying rabbits in compliance with the Rabbit Act. They claimed to have spent over £200 in 16 weeks, but rabbits swarmed in as quickly as they were destroyed. Fined £2 + £3-17-0 costs.

Burra Town Council waited on Miss Fanny West on Tuesday 24 Feb. on the eve of her wedding and presented an illuminated address prepared by Mr A. Wittber and illustrated by Mr William Bentley.

XII, 1031, 18 Mar. 1891, Page 2

Birth. On 4 March at her mother’s residence (Mrs Goss’s) Redruth, to the wife of I. Haskard of Broken Hill and late of Jamestown, a daughter.

Editorial on the gap between preaching and practice in Christian life.

2nd Leader on Protection and Federation.

XII, 1031, 18 Mar. 1891, Page 3

Burra Institute. The alterations are nearly finished and the scenery will be gone on with without delay. It will cost c. £90. The new accommodation will equal anything outside Adelaide.

Rev. Mark Guy Pearse is to come to Burra. Last Friday his fame drew a congregation of c. 1,600 to a service in Adelaide.

‘His style is quite inconventional [sic] and once on Friday general applause broke out and was with difficulty repressed.’

Petersburg Races drew about 1,000 on Wednesday.

‘Erratic Correspondent’ writes in his general left wing line, but not specifically on things of local concern.

Obituary. Mrs John Harry, a resident of 40 years has died. [See also next issue.]

The Bon Accord Bridge requisition has been sent off.

Tailor. Our only tailor sells out today.

Hon. W.B. Rounsevell is very ill.

‘Mr Price would have been better off had he not went to law.’

The Brewery Watercourse. When will ratepayers’ rights be secured?

Rabbits are being killed off by drought in the eastern districts.

The Cr. Rabbich Affair.

A meeting of North Ward ratepayers was held in the German Chapel, Redruth on Friday 13 March with Cr Butterworth in the chair.

Mr M. Rayner proposed a vote of complete confidence in Cr Rabbich and support for his action on the road metal tender. S. Baker 2nd.

Mr Barrett also spoke in support: Cr Rabbich was correct, had been ill treated and his actions were manly, upright and honest. Carried.

Cr Rabbich thanked the meeting. There was no need to go into the matter as it had been thoroughly aired in the Record. He regretted that it had been necessary to call such a meeting. He quite believed the Mayor had made an honest mistake in reading the first tender, but as no word had been said about accepting other than the lowest tender he felt it his duty to care for public funds by accepting the lowest tender.

W.H. Linkson proposed that: ‘The action of the Town Council in calling upon Councillor Rabbich for an apology, and in the event of his refusing, to fine him £10 and preventing him from taking his seat is unwarranted and derogatory to the best interests of the town.’ He understood Cr Rabbich had left the room when there was no motion before the chair. Why were they so bitter against Cr Rabbich?

He hoped the Councillor would neither apologise nor pay the fine and would go to the next Council meeting and take his seat as the representative for North Ward.

Mr Fuss 2nd and agreed with Cr Rabbich’s action. Mr Barrett thought the Council’s action arbitrary and in a vindictive spirit. Motion carried.

Mr Whittick proposed ‘That the Town Council be requested to rescind the objectionable resolution affecting Cr Rabbich.’ There was nothing to give offence in Cr Rabbich’s explanation. Mr Carmody 2nd. Carried.

Mr Pinch proposed Messrs B. Butterworth, W. Killicoat, J. Tiver and the mover and seconder wait upon the Town Council at the next meeting and convey to them the resolutions passed at this meeting.’ 2nd Mr Rawlings and carried.

Mr Neville proposed: ‘In the event of the Town Council failing to comply with the wishes of the meeting as evidenced in the foregoing resolutions the Mayor be requested to call a general meeting of ratepayers to consider their action.’ He considered the way Cr Sampson carried on a disgrace to the town. 2nd Mr Preece.

Burra Town Council, 16 March.

After the reading of the minutes Cr Sampson asked, as Cr Rabbich had taken his seat, if he intended to apologise or pay the fine.

Cr Rabbich said he intended to do neither.

Cr Sampson moved the Council adjourn for the purpose of calling a special committee meeting to consider the matter as provided for under clause 44 of standing orders. 2nd by Cr O’Leary.

[A comment in ‘Sparks’ column would seem to imply that clause 44 related to declaring seats vacant.]

Cr Butterworth said he wished to introduce a deputation from North Ward.

Cr Sampson said they could not be received unless Cr Rabbich withdrew.

Cr Rabbich refused.

The Mayor thought they might be received.

Cr Watt then objected to sit if Cr Rabbich stayed and so did Cr Sampson.

The Mayor said they had come to heal the breach, but were prevented by Cr Rabbich defying them by taking his seat.

The deputation was exceedingly conciliatory and then withdrew.

Cr Butterworth then moved they go on with business. Cr Rabbich 2nd.

Cr Sampson’s motion was then carried and Council adjourned.

XII, 1032, 25 Mar. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Boxing tonight at the Burra Hotel.

Obituary. Alice Short, wife of Isaac Short, died 21 March at Aberdeen, aged 57.

Obituary. Ruth Harry, relict of the late John Harry, died 12 March at Fairview House Mt Bryan, aged 78 and a colonist of 42 years. [Born Ruth Thomas.]

Editorial on the Löwenthal Murder Case.

Elder, Smith & Co. will use a portion of the new yards on 26 March when they offer 17,820 sheep.

A Social for employees of Drew & Crewes was held on Tuesday by Mrs Symons.

W.H. Hardy, who has been sub-editor for the last three years, has resigned to give time to his growing business as a commission and general agent in the town. Mr W.J. Davey, who has been manager of the office for the last two years, will take his place.

Obituary. Mrs Townsend died last Thursday at her son’s residence. She was the mother of Mr E. Crewes and Mrs E. Benny, late of Burra. [Died 19 March 1891 aged 64.]

Notice. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 29 & 30 March: Rev. R.M. Hunter to preach.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope met last Thursday and a large number of young people enjoyed an interesting program of addresses, songs, readings, and recitations.

XII, 1032, 25 Mar. 1891, Page 3

Burra Co. VF. Lieut. Watt informs us the capitation grant has arrived. 36 qualified as efficient and the grant was therefore £54 which will pay off the debt for uniforms and £10-16-0 has been received as a grant to be shot for by the efficient members of the company. It has been decided to divide it into three classes so all will have a chance to win something.

‘Anti-obstruction’ writes to suggest the Councillors for East and West Wards should resign and generally condemning the way the Council has made itself the laughing stock of the colony.

‘Home Rule’ writes condemning moves for the federation of the colonies.

‘Well Wisher’ writes to warn against the danger of fire if seats are placed in aisles at Rev. Mark Guy Pearse’s lecture.

Tennis is popular and the new court opposite the hospital is used every afternoon. An asphalt court would however be an improvement.

Horse Racing. A small impromptu race meeting was held on St Patrick’s Day on the Burra Race Course. Three events are reported.

Burra Polo Club will meet Campberton [sic] in Easter Week. [Perhaps Camperdown, Victoria? See the rather unhelpful report XII, 1033, 1 Apr. 1891, page 3.]

A Juvenile Foresters Lodge: Pride of the Burra was inaugurated on 16 March. Twenty boys presented their health certificates and with parental consent were initiated. [Further details are given.]

XII, 1033, 1 Apr. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra Literary Society: first general meeting for 1891 called for 3 April at Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel.

Obituary. James Phillips died 30 March at Ayers St Kooringa, aged 55, a colonist of about 35 years. He carried on business here as a mason. He leaves a grown-up family of four sons and three daughters.

Burra Co. VF. A number of local defenders left Burra on Thursday to attend the Easter encampment. The encampment will see 1380 men under canvas at Keswick and the forts: up 146 on last year.

Mr & Mrs Sampson were thrown from their trap on the way home from the races on Wednesday: apparently from the trap being turned around too short.

Rev. Mark Guy Pearse lectured to a well-filled church on Wednesday afternoon and evening in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Boxing at the Burra Hotel Yards on Wednesday night provided a real upset when the local men scattered the so-called professionals George Stanley and Charles Naylor ‘all over the yard’.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting, 24 March.

The Mayor said it had been called to consider the matter of Cr Rabbich as provided for in Clause 44 of standing orders. He regretted it, but the standing orders had to be carried out to maintain the dignity of the Council. He hoped the breach could be healed and was quite willing to meet Cr Rabbich fairly.

Cr Sampson endorsed the remarks and hoped all could be settled, but the dignity of Council and its standing orders had to be maintained.

Crs O’Leary, Watt, Butterworth and Parks concurred.

Cr Rabbich was called on to make an explanation.

The mayor said particulars had been sent by letter which Cr Rabbich had endorsed and returned.

Those are the conditions, but you refused to avail yourself of them and consequently the question has advanced a stage and will have to be dealt with under By-law 44 which required Cr Rabbich to show cause why he should not be amoved from his office as Councillor.

Cr Sampson would ask before the By-law was enforced for a reconsideration of the matter, and that if Cr Rabbich would withdraw unconditionally his explanation to the Council he would move that the fine be rescinded and the minute be expunged from the minute book.

Cr Rabbich said he would not have taken his seat if he thought he was guilty of any infringement of standing orders and as he was not guilty he had no apology to make or fine to pay. He had not only his own opinion on the matter, but was satisfied he was in the right.

Cr Sampson asked that the explanation made in writing by Cr Rabbich be read. It was:

‘As a representative of the ratepayers intrusted with the rest of the Council in the spending of public money, I left the Council on the evening of February 20 last, with the idea in my mind that the business transacted re the accepting of tenders for road metal was not consistent with honourable and independent action consequently I would not have any further to do with such.’

Cr Watt asked the Mayor his opinion on Clause 40 [44?] of standing orders. The Mayor said the By-law was clear enough of itself.

The mayor then read the letter sent to Cr Rabbich with the conditions he would not avail himself of.

The Mayor said the Council had been treated diabolically, especially in reference to the meeting held in North Ward, which had been called without asking him - he had felt slighted in the way they had gone about it.

Cr Butterworth denied any intention to slight either the Mayor or Council - it had been done on the request of North Ward ratepayers.

Cr Watt wanted the matter amicably settled.

Cr Rabbich said that Cr Watt was very submissive tonight, but at the last meeting had insulted him.

Cr Sampson then moved ‘That Cr Rabbich be now amoved as a Councillor from this Council, he having failed to show cause to the satisfaction of this Council why he should not be amoved and that his seat be now declared vacant’.

Cr O’Leary said he could not see any other move was possible and so 2nd.

Crs Parks and Watt concurred.

Cr Sampson said he [Rabbich] had not only reflected on the Council, but had vilified it in a letter to the Burra Record published on 4 March and he ventured to say he would not sit with him till he had apologised publicly. The motion passed with only Cr Butterworth opposed.

The Mayor then declared Cr Rabbich’s seat vacant and ordered the Town Clerk to make the necessary arrangements to fill the vacancy. The meeting was then adjourned.

An ordinary meeting immediately followed with Cr Rabbich still in his seat.

The mayor asked if he intended to withdraw and Cr Rabbich said ‘No.’

‘Then we will have to get the police to remove you.’

‘Perhaps you had better do that.’

Cr Sampson moved that Mr Rabbich be now asked to withdraw. Cr Watt 2nd. Carried.

Mayor: ‘Do you intend to withdraw?’

Rabbich: ‘No.’

His Worship then adjourned the meeting.

XII, 1033, 1 Apr. 1891, Page 3

Burra Races are reported in21⁄2 columns.

They took place in Dew’s Paddock 11⁄2 miles west of Kooringa on 25 March.

By 3 p.m. the crowd was estimated at c. 1,000. The bookmakers had a bad day, being stuck with the longest odds inmost cases. Ladies attended en masse.

The course was rather heavy in places. The main race was the Burra Handicap, run over 11⁄2 miles for £40 first prize and £5 for second. It was won by Mr J. McDonald’s ‘Fiddler’ carrying 8 st 5 lb and ridden by Brown.

Settling up was at the Commercial Hotel that night, but the gathering there was small.

Cricket. Matches had been arranged for Easter weekend, but failed to take place.

Kapunda was expected to arrive on Saturday, but failed to appear without explanation.

Riverton was expected Monday, but only replied when a telegram was sent to them.

Polo. On Saturday Burra played a Victorian team [Possibly Camperdown, see XII, 1032, 25 Mar. 1891, Page 3]

Burra 5 goals 11 behinds defeated Victorian Team 1 goal 5 behinds.

Maurice Ledwith writes saying he thinks his sons were taken ill from drinking too much water on a hot day and not from poisoning at the Thistlebeds Well as reported.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School picnic on Good Friday was at Mr Sandland’s paddock [Sod Hut] and was very enjoyably spent.

The Anniversary was celebrated on Sunday and Monday.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School had their usual Good Friday treat on the church grounds on Friday afternoon.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School held its 44th Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. R.M. Hunter preached. The congregations were good and the collections up on last year. On Monday there were children’s sports at the oval and tea at the Sunday School, followed by a public tea meeting. Mr J. Harry, who has moved to Adelaide, was given a Bible and Hymn Book in recognition of 15 years connection with the school. Addresses were given by Rev. J.M. Rowe, Rev. R.M. Hunter & Mr W. Sleep.

XII, 1034, 8 Apr. 1891, Page 2

Notice. The Town Council, having declared vacant the seat of Mr William Thomas Rabbich, nominations are called for the vacancy by Monday 13 April.

Advt. At the Institute [22 April]

Grand Opening Performance of the Burra Dramatic Club in De Witt’s Grand Irish Drama: More Sinned Against than Sinning. 3/-, 2/-, 1/-.

Advt. Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. Wants competent Miners at Broken Hill. Constant Employment.

Wages 10/- per 8-hour shift. Cost of living in Broken Hill is £1 a week. John Howell, General Manager.

Obituary. George Remington McLagan, eldest son of Thomas McLagan of Perthshire, Scotland died 3 April at Bleak House of paralysis, aged 71. [See more details at XII, 1034, 8 Apr. 1891, Page 3.]

Editorial in Unionism: specifically on the shearers’ strike in Queensland.

A Juvenile Missionary Society meeting was held at the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Thursday with Rev. R.M. Hunter presiding.

The Smelting Works. We hear arrangements have been made for the disposal of the slag which is stacked near the Burra Smelting Works. The purchasers intend treating the same for copper, of which it has been found be assay to contain a good percentage. We hope it will be done locally.

Hallett Bible Christian Church anniversary 19 & 20 April.

Chrysanthemum Show at Terowie on 21 May. Why none at Burra?

Burra Co. VF. 1st rifle match on Wednesday. In the first class division:

Lieut. J.A. Watt led from Pte Page and then Sgt Jennings, Pte Hardy and Pte Bentley.

Burra School Reporter. We have a copy of this publication from Mr Wittber, the head teacher at the school. Published quarterly, it lists all pupils examined and shows 302 on the roll, but an average attendance of 244. 190 were examined.

XII, 1034, 8 Apr. 1891, Page 2-3

Railways. Trains seem rarely to run on time which is a disgrace as well as an inconvenience.

XII, 1034, 8 Apr. 1891, Page 3

Burra Co. VF have returned from the Easter Encampment and expressed pleasure of the way everything was done there.

Burra Institute. Alterations are almost complete with artists busy at work on the scenery. The alterations include the removal of the back wall which has been arched, the building of two additional rooms at the back of the present hall, enlargement of the stage and provision of scenery etc. Also an escape door has been provided from the centre of the hall. Contractors are Messrs Launder & Pearce and scenery by Messrs Harrison & Fyfe who have employed the scenic artist Mr Stone.

The reopening performance will be the Burra Dramatic Society’s More Sinned Against than Sinning.

Local Industry. We have seen a very nice wagonette made by Mr J. Perry of the Aberdeen Carriage Factory, for Mr Prior of World’s End. It is worth a look for those interested in similar vehicles. [A description follows.]

Bon Accord Railway Crossing remains unprotected.

Mr C. Jobson has resigned as Engineer of the Beetaloo Waterworks and will leave SA Government employment to go to Broken Hill to take over the Stephens Creek Water Scheme. In May 1883 he was appointed superintendent of the Burra Waterworks, transferring to Beetaloo in January 1886 at £400 p.a. He made many friends in Burra, who wish him well.

St Mary’s, Annual Vestry Meeting, 2 April.

Rev. J.S. Wayland presided. The Sunday school had 102 pupils and 11 teachers. There were 119 communicants, of whom 90-100 were active. There were 11 confirmations last year. Hospital services are held every Friday afternoon and Sunday evening.

Mr Barker Sen. was intending to present a stained glass window and Mrs J.M. McBride an altar frontal and Mrs W.G. Hawkes brass rods and curtains for the sanctuary wall.

A Sunday schoolroom was much needed, but so far only £26 was held for that. The year’s income of c. £350 was about £4 over expenditure.

Details of church officers follow.

Obituary. Mr G.F. McLagan [Should be G.R.] was the son of Dr McLagan of Perth, Scotland, but was born in Jamaica where his grandfather was a wealthy planter and slave owner, leaving at death an estate of £260,000. He was also related to Dr McLagan, Bishop of Lichfield. Trained as an architect, Mr McLagan followed his profession in Melbourne, retiring with some £8,000, but this was subsequently lost in sheep farming in Victoria on the Murray River. Here he had an accident which crippled him for life. He came to Burra about 12 years ago. Rev. H. Howitt saw a photograph of a beautiful church he had designed at Warnambool and asked him to draw the plans for St Mary’s. When they were accepted he came to Burra to superintend the building of the erection in 1879. He also planned and superintended the building of the handsome home of Mr Hiles of Catarpoo. He was 71 and leaves a widow and one son.

Burra Town Council, 6 April.

Many ratepayers attended and Mr Rabbich, whose seat was declared vacant last meeting, took his usual place.

Minutes of the last and of the adjourned special meetings were read and confirmed.

Cr Sampson asked if, as Cr Rabbich had been removed from office, he was present as a Councillor or ratepayer.

The Mayor asked Cr Rabbich, who replied that he was elected by north Ward and was present as a Councillor to watch their interests.

Cr Sampson asked that these words be noted before drawing the Mayor’s attention to Schedule 6, page 82 in which penalties for offences are set out. For sitting as Councillor after having been disqualified the penalty was £50 and as Cr Rabbich persisted in sitting he would move ‘That as Cr Rabbich had unlawfully taken his seat that he be fined £50.’ Cr Watt 2nd and Crs O’Leary and Parks concurred.

The mayor said that the matter could have been amicably settled, but Cr Rabbich wouldn’t do it and now his persistence had made him liable to a fine of £50.

Cr Rabbich: ‘That is questionable.’

The Mayor was surprised any representative would put his ward to the expense of litigation.

Cr Butterworth would vote against the motion.

Cr Rabbich protested against its being put at all as it was, he said, ultra viris.

[He, or perhaps the paper, meant ultra vires: beyond one’s legal powers.]

Motion carried with all but Cr Butterworth supporting.

Cr Rabbich kept his seat.

The Engineer-in-Chief wrote offering to supply larger pipes for the school connection and to take the others back. Agreed.

Levels have been taken in the watercourse at Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s and there was a fall of over 6’ inside the brewery walls and about 10’ from where the obstruction was. There was no occasion to lower the ford.

Cr Butterworth said the road to the mill needed doing badly, but it depended on the North Ward finances and he would move it be left for a fortnight.

Various public works issues were then discussed and resolved.

Cr Sampson then brought up the Bagot, Shakes & Lewis watercourse issue. In fairness to Mr Lockyer, who had cleared out the course through the brewery yard and to other ratepayers, the obstruction should be removed. A letter from the firm asking that the ford be lowered was monstrous given the fall to and from the ford. He moved that ‘Bagot, Shakes & Lewis be served with a notice, in accordance with the act, to remove the obstruction to the water-course, and that particulars of the fall from the obstruction to ford as per levels taken be given them.’ Cr Butterworth 2nd.

There was a brief altercation between Crs Watt and Rabbich before it was put and carried.

Cr Sampson reported on the deputation that had waited on the Institute about the urinal accommodation and it had been suggested one be placed in the Avenue between the P.O. and the Institute with the Institute Committee to pay one-third the cost. Cr Sampson moved that the Institute Committee be conferred with and plans for same be drawn up.

A further altercation involving Cr Rabbich and the Mayor and Cr Sampson followed.

Minor Waterworks Committee matters were attended to.

The mayor was appointed returning officer for the extraordinary vacancy in North Ward.

‘Reminder’ writes complaining that no action has been taken to assert the Council’s rights in the Bagot, Shakes & Lewis obstruction case, or towards getting the Bon Accord Bridge.

[The editor refers the writer to the report on the Council in this issue.]

Cricket. A call for clubs to keep arrangements. The local club should keep its agreements to play Belalie at Jamestown before the season ends and Mintaro is also owed a game. So far only four games have been played this season for two wins a loss and a draw.

Lacrosse. An effort is being made to form a club.

Burra Coursing Club plans a big meeting on 29 April at Mr Duncan’s property: Gum Creek.

Burra Institute new work will be finished next week.

XII, 1035, 15 Apr. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Intercolonial Shearing Agreement for NSW, Queensland and Northern SA (where shearers provide rations) is printed.

Advt. Burra Institute, 24 April, The Talented Quintrell Family

[Strings, cornet & piano] with songs, duets, trios, glees, comic and jubilee songs.

3/-, 2/-, 1/-.

Advt. Grand Entertainment at the German Chapel, Redruth, Wed. 15 April, in aid of Burra Literary Society. Includes Musical Tableuxs. [sic] 6d.

Editorial on Booth’s book In Darkest England and the Way Out.

XII, 1035, 15 Apr. 1891, Page 3

Legislative Council Elections

Messrs Berry, Bright, Haslam, Duncan & Lovelock will address electors at Burra on 23 April at 7.30 p.m.

Messrs Catchlove & Co. are enlarging the brewery cellars to provide more accommodation for their bottling department. When finished all bottling and racking will be under one roof.

Burra Literary Soc. met at Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel on 3 April when about 20 attended. Elected for the year were: President, J. Whittick; Vice-Presidents, W.T. Rabbich & N. Opie; Sec., W. H. Morton; Treasurer, F. Field.

The committee comprises C. Fuss, W. Neville, T. Nevin & Miss Davis.

Burra Co. VF. Firing match, 2nd class shots:

1st C. Tiver from A. Miller and then W. Gebhardt, W. Dow, G. Herbert & C. Löw.

Railways. There are more complaints about trains not running to time.

Masonic Lodge. Kooringa Lodge No. 6 [Which had gone into recess in December 1886.] Attempts are being made to reactivate the lodge in Burra. There is a credit balance in the bank and applications have been made by six gentlemen for membership, and an early opening is hoped for.

[This attempt presumably failed because the lodge remained closed till August 1899.]

Kooringa Bible Christian Church. Last Sunday Rev. E.J. Piper preached his farewell sermon in Kooringa. Having conducted services here for several months he is about to leave for Quorn.

Obituary. Thomas William Powell of Glenelg died on 7 April aged 84. In 1848 he arrived in Kooringa and opened a chemist shop in Commercial St where he also kept the post office. As well as post-master he was clerk of the Local Court, taking this on when the first clerk, Mr Grant, went to the Victorian diggings in 1851. He also became then District Registrar of births, deaths and marriages. He resigned as post-master in 1858 when his eldest son took over briefly before William Pearce took the job, until the telegraph office was built and the post and telegraph offices were united. He remained Clerk of Courts and Registrar of births, marriages and deaths till 1860 and then went to similar positions in Clare. In old age a comfortable independence left him by a relative in England allowed him to retire to St Leonards, Glenelg, where he died. He leaves a family of five. His second son is Mr S.S. Powell of Glenelg, eldest daughter Mrs G.B. Yeates of Jamestown and his second daughter the late Mrs Andrew Young and his youngest daughter are some years deceased. His wife died before he left Clare. He was a prominent member and lay reader of the Anglican Church.

W.H. Hardy writes expressing his outrage at the undemocratic nature of the qualifications for a vote in the Legislative Council elections: residence in a house of clear £25 annual rental value. No matter ‘how intelligent, honest, respected or capable he may be, unless he is, as it were, the master of the “almighty dollar”, he must be silent as to governing of the land in which he lives’. Reform is often spoken of at elections, but once in office nothing is done. The work of the lower house is all too often frustrated ‘by the fossils who are sent to the Legislative Council for that purpose by the capitalists’. As a NSW paper recently put it: ‘Hitherto for a fine all-round collection of useless kronks there is no need to go beyond the Legislative Council of South Australia’.

[This and much more along this line, calling for reform ‘in the direction of liberty and freedom’.]

Boys’ Field Naturalist Society. A fair number of boys with Mr Wittber (Pres.), Mr Opie (Sec.) and Rev. R.J. Daddow, visited the Burra Mine Offices on Saturday afternoon where by the kindness of Mr W. West they were able to carefully examine a variety of stones representing the rock and mineral foundations of the mine. Rev. Daddow pointed out those generally known as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.

The plot of De Witt’s Irish Drama More Sinned Against than Sinning is printed.

Redruth Wesleyan Circuit, quarterly meeting.

Representatives came from Davistown, Booborowie, Leighton, Stony Gap and Redruth. The income for the quarter of £95-10-0 exceeded expenses by £25. Senior circuit steward, John Dunstan Jun., has resigned as he leaves soon for Broken Hill. The Superintendent submitted the financial statement of the parsonage property which had been purchased for £550 of which their minister, Rev. T.M. Rowe, had collected £287. After business a farewell tea and social was given Rev. Rowe prior to his departure from the district [to Mt Barker.]

Burra Town Council, 12 April.

At noon as no nominations for the vacancy caused by the amoval of Cr W.T. Rabbich had been received, the Mayor adjourned proceedings to be dealt with under clause 55 of the Municipal Corporations Act. [Which allows Council to co-opt a person to serve.]

A special meeting of Council on 12 April was called to make provisions to fill the vacancy. Under provisions of the Act, W.G. Neville of Aberdeen was declared duly elected as Councillor for North Ward in the place of W.T. Rabbich who had been amoved. The Town Clerk was instructed to notify Mr Neville and request his attendance to be sworn in.

Football Supporters disagree of any lacrosse club, so it is likely to be shelved.

Burra Institute.

Recent alterations included the removal and arching of the back wall of the hall and adding two dressing rooms at the rear. The stage proscenium is nicely finished off with pillars each side surmounted by caps of modern architecture. The stage has been enlarged and has now a depth of 16’ and a width wall to wall of 34’. The dressing rooms are 16’6” x 12’, divided by folding doors. A 6’ wide escape door has been provided in one side of the hall and the walls and ceiling have been cleaned and kalsomined and the mouldings picked out in colours. Large bracket lamps to the walls replace the hanging lamps. The architects were Williams & Goode, but we cannot compliment them on their knowledge of stage needs as it could easily have been 4-5’ deeper. The retiring rooms should have had an exit door to the outside. Another fault is that the gable roof has not been carried right through the building and a gutter has been formed - gutters between gables are a well-known problem. The contractors, Launder & Pearce have carried the work out very well. The scenery provided by Messrs Harrison & Fyfe is very satisfactory. The drop curtain is crimson. Forest landscape, drawing room & kitchen scenes are provided. Mr Stone, late of the Theatre Royal was the scenic artist. The landscape is particularly well done with level foreground, hills in the distance, with a road and lake at their foot. The forest scene is also very good. The Institute reopens on 22 April with More Sinned Against than Sinning.

XII, 1036, 22 Apr. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on the Legislative Council Elections

XII, 1036, 22 Apr. 1891, Page 3

Accident. Mr J. Whittick, employed by Sara & Dunstan lost the 3rd finger of his left hand while working on a steam plaining [sic] machine last Thursday.

Rain. Splendid falls have been recorded to the east at Perrin Vale, Koomooloo and Dust Holes, arriving just in time as Mr Killicoat was making arrangements to remove all stock from the Eastern Plains.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church celebrated its anniversary on 19 & 20 April with Rev. R.J. Daddow. Attendance on Sunday was only fair due to rain, but the tea meeting was well attended.

Kooringa Wesleyan Band of Hope met as usual on 16 April for a program arranged by the WCTU.

The program is printed and included Rhoda Holder’s recitation of The cold water cure.

‘Economist’ writes saying that at a certain Redruth church service recently he heard, in the shape of a religious announcement, that the Burra Literary Society would give a concert in the German Chapel on Wednesday evening next, 15 April and he thought what a wonderful thing it would be if the Dramatic Co. used this example to get publicity from the church and chapel and saved on advertising.

[The tone of this is a little uncertain, but I am sure the editor did not fail to note that the letter itself, which comes with much detail of both organisations’ events, is also 11 column-centimetres of free advertising, which may have led him and the reader to doubt the genuineness of the complaint being expressed.]

Football. AGM of the Burra Football Club was held on 13 April. They had a credit of 30/- from last season.

Patrons: Hon. H.E. Bright MLC, Sir Henry Ayers MLC, Mr Holder MP, Mr Lake MP, Mr J.J. Duncan, Mr W. Haslam and Mr G. Berry.

President: P.L. Killicoat JP

Vice-Presidents: numerous

Captain: G. Parks

Vice-Captain: G. Herbert

Tennis. Burra defeated Clare at Clare on 16 April, 82 games to 35.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting, 17 April.

Meeting held to swear in W. Neville to replace W.T. Rabbich.

The Mayor read the notice in the Govt. Gazette of Mr Neville’s election along with Clause 60 of the Corporations Act 1890.

Mr Neville asked for a written guarantee indemnifying him against any fine that might be inflicted if he was sworn in and was later found to have taken his seat illegally.

His Worship said they were unable to do that.

Mr W. Neville then refused to take the oath, giving as his reason that the Council had not complied with clause 23 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1890 re the unseating of Cr Rabbich and that therefore there was no vacancy to be filled. He would assist the Council in any way possible, but by taking his seat under the circumstances he would render himself liable to heavy penalty.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Burra Town Council, Meeting 20 April.

Cr Rabbich objected to the minutes being signed, saying those with reference to the extraordinary vacancy were illegal and should be struck out.

Cr Watt said they were merely a record of the last meeting.

Cr Rabbich believed illegal minutes should not be confirmed.

After a little more skirmishing on the matter they were confirmed, as were those of several special meetings on the subject.

The Mayor hoped the matter re Cr Rabbich might be settled tonight. He hoped for an amicable resolution.

Cr Watt moved the suspension of standing orders to deal with matters related to Cr Rabbich. Carried.

Cr Watt then moved that the whole of the proceedings dealing with Cr Rabbich be expunged from the minute book and that the work of the Council be proceeded with as before. (Cheers from the ratepayers.)

The town was not in a position to go to law.

Cr Parks agreed that it was important to have the matter settled amicably and without recourse to the law, and he 2nd.

Cr O’Leary asked in what way Cr Rabbich would meet the Council.

Cr Sampson said the whole of the minutes including Cr Rabbich’s explanation must be expunged or he could not support the motion.

Cr Butterworth asked who was going to pay the legal costs of Cr Rabbich and Mr Neville.

The mayor said that could be discussed later.

Cr Rabbich said the matter required serious consideration. Cr Sampson wanted him to be a party to having his explanation expunged. He had been badly treated, insulted and put to expense. He had been persecuted for telling the truth.

The mayor asked him not to reopen the fire and to put a dash of Christianity into it.

Cr Rabbich said he was asked for an explanation and had given it in as mild a language as possible, but no doubt the Council could not understand it, but they might have seen he meant no insult and would say the same again, he did not mean to express an insult, but the Council had been anything but respectable [sic] to him and he would have to consider.

Cr Sampson said if Cr Rabbich had made that apology at the start the matter would have been settled.

Cr O’Leary echoed Cr Sampson.

They went around in circles a while longer with Cr Sampson accepting the apology and Cr Rabbich denying it was one and eventually the motion was put and carried with Cr Rabbich refraining from voting.

The committee reported the bridge at the rear of Smith’s was unsafe and recommended a second rail.

J. Lewis representing Bagot, Shakes & Lewis waited on Council about the watercourse and said the question reminded him of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. He believed the present Council was ignorant of some of the facts. Some 11 years ago his firm had purchased some blocks from the Mining Co. and had them fenced and had one watercourse filled in altogether. The course in dispute was allowed to remain and an opening through the brewery wall, which adjoined, was large enough to carry all the water through, since then the Council had raised the ford at the southwest corner of the brewery about five or six feet and the result was the watercourse had silted up to the division wall at the boundary of their yard and the brewery, leaving an opening that would not take a quarter of the flow it formerly did, consequently, to protect their own property they had put stuff in the creek and it had remained there 2 years and 10 months before busybodies had discovered the water was flowing down the street and causing a lot of damage, even washing out trees if it were allowed to remain. The Corporation officer had cut the obstruction through, he had given him notice about the matter and then placed the matter in his solicitor’s hands, who had advised him he could fill the course up; he had done so and he had been summonsed by Council and fined 5/- plus costs. He felt inclined to appeal, but he would be fighting against himself as they were the largest ratepayers in the Ward. He had, through his solicitors, served a notice on Council to lower the ford, but they had not. He had since received a notice from Council giving him the levels which did not accord with those taken by professional men. No one would gain by going to law except the lawyers. We were willing to pay one third and Catchlove & Co one third of the cost of diverting the water. He had no wish to go to law and would offer to pay half the cost and keep it in order for five years.

The Mayor said the matter was a legacy from the previous Council.

Cr Rabbich objected to some of Mr Lewis’s remarks. They had no desire to go to law, but if the obstruction were removed there would be no division [sic] [diversion] required.

Mr Lewis: the court evidence said the creek at times came down a banker and was in places 10’ wide and 6’ deep. Would the opening carry away such a volume?

The Mayor said he had no doubt the water had been deviated by the fencing of the Recreation Ground. He thought a committee should be appointed to visit and deal.

Cr Sampson said a dozen committees had done so.

Cr O’Leary supported lowering the ford if it would serve. If the offer of Messrs Lockyer & Lewis had been accepted they would have spent £90 instead of £23 going to lawyers.

Cr Sampson asked what was the object in lowering the ford?

The mayor: to allow water to escape so quickly no overflow would occur. It could be done for £3.

Cr Sampson said: No - not for £10.

He then moved the matter be left with the Public Works Committee to deal with and that they interview Mr Lewis.

Cr O’Leary moved a lamp be placed at the most convenient spot near Henderson’s Bridge. Carried. [i.e. The Kingston St Bridge.]

Burra Literary Soc. concert in the German Chapel on 15 April drew a fairly good attendance - it concluded with musical tablaeuxs [sic].

Notice. Tenders called for the sale of the old Bible Christian Manse and schoolroom.

XII, 1037, 29 Apr. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Tenders are called for covering with 26-gauge galvanised iron the house now occupied by Mr Needham opposite Mr Cave’s. P.L. Killicoat for the E. & A. Copper Co. [House at Snake Gully.]

Birth. 24 April at Redruth to the wife of C.T. Winders of Baldina, a daughter.

Editorial on the Legislative Council Elections.

Ironmine Band of Hope met Monday evening and was largely attended.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on 19 & 22 April. The rain on Sunday, while much appreciated, prevented many from attending and the evening service was cancelled. The tea meeting on the Wednesday was well attended.

Legislative Council Election Meeting, Institute, Thursday, the Mayor, W. West, in the chair.

Mr Berry: The L. Council needed reforming - its nine-year term was too long. 6 years would be enough. Qualification to vote should be reduced to £12 or £15 p.a. Property was over represented. He was a protectionist and believed in encouraging closer settlement in rural areas and the redistribution of unused land. He was for the present land tax, probate and succession duties and free and compulsory education to the present standard. Also for local option, female franchise and the 8-hour Bill.

Mr J.J. Duncan: He was 1st returned to the lower house 19 or 20 years ago. He did not favour shorter terms for the L. Council, supported the present tax system and opposed the ideas of a single tax or a progressive land tax. Favoured the honest buy back of good land, but not the many areas that were not suited for closer settlement. He favoured workingmen’s blocks. Though he was opposed to cutting up more stock routes: those cut up near Burra had become nurseries for star thistles. The transcontinental railway was a white elephant. He opposed speculative railways and would not support a Blyth-Gladstone line.

Mr Haslam: though the tax system needed revision. He was a moderate protectionist. Customs duties fell too heavily on the poor. A family paid £15 p.a. for the privilege of living and a man on £2-2-0 a week paid as much for that as one on £1,000. Yes - the latter paid more, but only on luxuries and he paid income tax, but that raised only £36,635 against customs of £600,000. He favoured progressive tax. He was for shorter L. Council terms: six years was enough and the property qualifications should be £10-£12 p.a. He would support federation on a fair basis and was for C.C. Kingston’s Bill for the settlement of disputes between Capital and Labour.

H.E. Bright: was in favour of all suitable agricultural land being leased with right of purchase. Favoured workingmen’s blocks. Opposed using borrowed money except for productive work. Was against the transcontinental railway. For strict economy. If more taxation were needed he favoured a progressive income tax. Against a single tax. For C.C. Kingston’s Bill for the settlement of disputes between Labour and Capital. For a fair protective duty between the colonies.

All were in favour of the present system of Bible reading in State schools, for the same standard in country and city schools, for Sunday closing, for mining on private property and all opposed the abolition of free [travel] passes to Members of Parliament.

XII, 1037, 29 Apr. 1891, Page 3

Burra Institute, Reopening on 22 April.

The Burra Dramatic Society presented De Witt’s Irish drama More Sinned Against than Sinning. Before the curtain the President of the Institute, Mr T. Edwards, addressed the audience about the Institute’s refurbishment and their financial position. The local press had accused them of being conservative, but he did not think they deserved that: they had wanted to see where the money was to come from before going into debt. The improvements had cost something over £500 of which they had raised about £230. He hoped the improvements would raise more money and so help pay off the debt. He could not compliment them on the number of subscribers which were only about 80, but the circulation was nearly double that of any other provincial Institute in SA. The one thing he regretted was that the stage was not deeper. The getting up of a play such as this which would take the whole evening was a thing never before attempted in Burra.

The performance passed off without a hitch. The whole cast was good and well sustained throughout. The performance raised about £21 for the Institute. Mr T. Edwards afterwards entertained the cast in the lodge room.

Burra Literary Soc. met 20 April at Mrs Reed’s Temperance Hotel to bid farewell to their former President John Dunstan Jun. who is leaving Burra for Broken Hill. The secretary read an address which was supported by other speakers. In his reply Mr Dunstan said he was gratified by the good work that had been done in the last two years and that the society had just started its third year.

Mr Dunstan and family were given a social tea on 21 April by Redruth Wesleyan Church and the opportunity was taken also to welcome the new minister, Rev. J. Hopkins who read the address to Mr Dunstan who had been a scholar, teacher, secretary and superintendent of the Sunday school and who had worked hard at the liquidation of the church debt. A number of people spoke in support before Mr Dunstan replied.

He was also given a farewell by a number of gentlemen on 24 April at the Royal Exchange Hotel where Mr W. West, Mayor, chaired a meeting at which a number of men spoke and address was presented.

[The full report of these three farewells extends for almost two columns.]

‘W.H. Morton’ writes condemning ‘Economist’ for his recent letter, accusing him of holding religion up to be scoffed at and pointing out that the entertainment in question was in fact also the subject of paid advertisement.

[So perhaps I was wrong to suspect the ‘Economist’ of using the letter as an advertising ploy!]

W.H. Hardy writes commenting on John Lewis’s address to Council, calling it a ‘plausable [sic] yarn as long as one’s arm for the purpose of trying to put the ratepayers of East Ward to expense to do most unnecessary work in lowering the ford near the brewery gate, for nothing more or less than pigheaded foolishness. I might say the story rambled through by Mr Lewis as reported by you is one gigantic garble from beginning to end . . . whilst the latter part of such story is simply false and most unbecoming any gentleman’

‘The special magistrate most positively decided that the course in question was the right of the town, and if Mr Lewis thought the plaint of the Council was “much ado about nothing” why did he not remove the obstruction in the first place and not condecend [sic] to make so “much ado about it?”’

XII, 1038, 6 May 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 8 May. Taylor - Carrington Co. presents

The Sensational Irish Comedy Drama: Home Rule.

Fun, Singing, Dancing, Pathetic Incidents, Patriotic Sentiments.

Advt. Institute, 14 May: Twa Hours at Hame.

Kennedy’s Songs 7 Stories of Scotland. 2/- & 1/-.

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, 10 & 11 May.

Rev. H.J. Pope will preach.

Advt. Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland will offer the Bone Crushing Plant of Mr A. Bartholomæus for sale on 14 May. It comprises a 4 horsepower near new vertical engine, a Hales Bone Crusher of 3 horsepower, Disintegrator, Steam Vat to hold 1 ton of raw bone, 1 Saw Bench with 2 foot circular saw, plus shafts, pulleys, wheels, bearings, belts 2”, 3”, 4”, & 6”. All timber and iron on the building and a host of sundries.

XII, 1038, 6 May 1891, Page 3

Editorial on Homestead Blocks. The writer looks at the NZ experience and suggests that those near centres are much more likely to succeed than those away. They should be close enough for the owner to work in the centre and on the block and to sell produce in the centre.

Burra Oval. At the northern end a large portion of the wall is torn down. It is a pity to neglect the place now it is beginning to be used as intended.

Mr Lewis left a buggy and pair of horses on the Baldina Road on Monday morning and they bolted, negotiating several corners and returning to the yard safely though their sudden stop there broke the pole in three places.

Mr L. Grow fell from his trolly just as he was turning Henderson’s corner on Monday. He sustained a nasty scalp wound which Dr Brummitt stitched up. The horses made good time across the bridge and went via Bridge Tce to Bridge St East and pulled up at the gates of their yard.

Salvation Army held special services at the barracks last Sunday in connection with the farewell of Captain and Mrs Bridges who leave this week for Kapunda. The Captain’s stay has seen an increase in converts and recruits and a financial improvement where income is said to be almost twice that of the corresponding half of last year. His successor will be Captain Thomas.

‘Economist’ replies to Mr Morton, Hon. Sec. of the Literary Soc., Mr Morton accused ‘Economist’ of holding religion up to ridicule. ‘Economist’ says rather it was the person who had the Literary Soc. concert announced from the pulpit who did that by desecrating the pulpit. The absurdity lay in a man who went in for such free advertising also paying the paper for such a service. ‘Economist’ wrote nothing against the Literary Soc. and didn’t even say who had the audacity to convert the pulpit to an advertising board, but if the cap fits . . .

[Perhaps the problem with ‘Economist’s letter was the indeterminate tone which made it hard initially to deduce his exact position, though the subsequent correspondence suggests both sides were overly serious.]

Burra Co. VF. The annual social for the Company was held at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday last with P.L. Killicoat JP in the chair and Captain Butterworth as Vice-Chair. The Mayor apologised for his absence and sent £2-2-0 to be shot for.

Burra School Fence is falling down.

Burra Show Society. What has become of the Agricultural Society? Can’t a show be organised for this year?

Burra Coursing Club held its first meeting at Gum Creek Estate by kind permission of J.J. Duncan on 29 & 30 April and it was a great success.

Winner of All-Aged was Mr Gray’s ‘Moyyagillya’ and of the Puppy Stakes was Mr Martin’s ‘Mona’.

[Details are reported in just over one column.]

XII, 1039, 13 May 1891, page 2

Advt. Payne Family: Vocalists, Violinists, Pianists & Bellringers.

Burra Institute Tuesday & Wednesday 19 & 20 May.

Advt. Kennedy’s Songs & Stories of Scotland: ‘Twa Hours at Hame”

Burra Institute 14 May 1891

Advt. Rev. W.H. Evans of Victoria will lecture in the Bible Christian Church, Kooringa at 7.30 p.m.

13 May on Courtship and Marriage.

Notice. Meeting of Burra Brass Band, Burra Hotel, 15 May.

Notice. Mrs Bartle will take in cases for monthly nursing. Good accommodation next to Mr R. Austin’s, Aberdeen.

Notice. All interested in forming a Mounted Infantry Corps in Burra are requested to meet in H. Vivian’s Commercial Hotel, 15 May 8 p.m.

Obituary. Fritz Duff died 9 May at Carlsruhe of diphtheria aged 7 years 7 months. He was the son of J.F. & A.S. Duff. [Born John Charles Gustav Fritz Finlay Duff on 2 October 1883.]

The Taylor-Carrington Co. performed at the Institute on Friday to a bumper house.

New Sale Yards. We understand the New Sale Yards for Elder, Smith & Co. will be opened at their sale on 29 May.

Legislative Council. North-Eastern District Candidates.

W.Haslam

J.J. Duncan

H.E. Bright

G. Berry

G. Lovelock

W. Mizon

Two members to be elected next Saturday.

SAMA. 46th Annual Report.

Income for the half-year £840-9-4

Expenditure £476-2-9

Undivided profit brought forward £13,968-13-1

Land sales in Kooringa and Graham in the last six months were £725.

Action against the purchaser of the mine is still pending.

XII, 1039, 13 May 1891, page 2-3

Burra Town Council, 4 May

The Mayor reported:

Work laying pipes to the model school was progressing.

Pipes will also go to the oval.

Vandals have destroyed a number of outbuildings in the town.

Cr Rabbich had a question on the obtaining of a legal opinion on standing orders, which created considerable bickering and finally his attempt to put a motion was thwarted.

Public Works

The road at Bewley’s is nearly completed.

A lamp should be placed on Henderson’s Bridge.

Having interviewed Mr Lewis the committee recommended that Bagot, Shakes & Lewis be allowed to divert the water down the street on the northern side of the brewery wall and on the north side of that street, that the channel be six feet wide and of sufficient depth to carry off the water and be pitch-paved every half chain for 8 ft long and 6 ft broad and at the end for 20 ft by 8 ft. The offer to be put in writing and the work to be completed in one month.

Various minor works were approved.

Waterworks

The engineer was voted a £5 bonus for work done in repairs at the well, though Cr Sampson said:

‘The work would have been carried out more quickly if he had been away.’

XII, 1039, 13 May 1891, page 3

The Taylor Carrimgton Co.’s appearance at the Institute on Friday in the Irish Drama Home Rule is reported at length. The scenery is said to have cost £200. The packed house much admired the sets and scenery and the whole was very favourably received and reported.

St Joseph’s Bazaar on Wednesday 29 April was opened by the Mayor, Mr West. Over four days almost everything was disposed of and a satisfactory sum was raised.

Boys’ Field Naturalist Soc. went to Iron Mine on Saturday afternoon. The secretary, Mr Opie, arranged for a bus and Rev. R.J. Daddow pointed out the dip and strike of shale on Flagstaff Hill and the continuous spring on the roadside at the top of the hill. At Iron Mine samples of manganese and iron were collected from the excavation and surroundings.

Burra Literary Soc. met on 1 May when Rev. R.J. Daddow lectured on lodes and geological features of the Burra Burra Mine. President J.J. Whittick chaired the meeting, which was well attended. The address is reported in a 1-column article.

Sparks.

Captain Thomas has arrived.

XII, 1040, 20 May 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 29 May. Grand Concert organised by Mr J. Roach.

Chaired by Hon. W.B. Rounsevell MP, Commissioner of Public Works.

3/- (Reserved), 2/-, 1/-

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 24 & 25 May.

Service of Song: ‘Singing Jo’ 3 p.m. Rev. R.M. Hunter in the morning.

Rev. J. Hopkins in the evening. Tea meeting on Monday.

Obituary. T. Rogers died of inflammation of the lungs and pleurisy on 14 May at his residence in Stock St, Kooringa aged 66, a colonist of 38 years.

Editorial on the Legislative Council election results for the Central District, which surprised many by returning two labour men.

Burra Smelting Works. We understand the plant for treating the slag at the Burra Smelting Works has arrived and operations will shortly commence.

Lacrosse. A match between a team from Jamestown and a metropolitan teal will be played at the Burra Oval on 25 May.

Rabbits are becoming very numerous in the Hundreds of King and Bundey.

Scoundrelism: Someone broke down fences and knocked on doors last Sunday night. Among those affected was W.J. Davey who offers a £2 reward.

Kooringa Band of Hope continues to meet: most recently on 7 May.

Rev. W.H. Evans, from Victoria, lectured on ‘Courtship and Marriage’ to a fair gathering at the Bible Christian Church on Wednesday evening. It was a very amusing lecture from start to finish.

Burra Mounted Infantry Corps. Last Friday, 15 May, a meeting of those interested in forming such a body was held at the Commercial Hotel. Lieut. Downes of the Militia Artillery took the chair. A committee of the Chairman, Lieut. Watt and Pte Page was appointed to gather names and a meeting next Friday will continue the process.

Juvenile Missionary Society met on 30 April at the Wesleyan Schoolroom. The collection raised £2-3-6.

Hallett Band concert on 25 May [at Hallett] in aid of the local band. W.J. Davey has been conductor for three months. [The report on 27 May says it was in aid of the Hallett Institute!]

Obituary. Miss A. Knight, aged 25, daughter of Rev. S. Knight, who was for some time in charge of the Kooringa Wesleyan Church, has died. Adela McCulloch Knight MB had begun a very promising career in the medical profession. She was born in Ballarat and studied medicine at Adelaide University with great credit, obtaining a MB and then went to the London School of Medicine for Women where she won the Prideaux Scholarship to study gynaecology in Vienna.

XII, 1040, 20 May 1891, Page 3

Mr Kennedy’s Twa Hours at Hame on Thursday at the Institute was well patronised. He sang delightfully with great clarity of diction.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 10 & 11 May was largely attended when Rev. H.J. Pope of Two Wells preached.

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary was on 17 & 18 May when Rev. R.C. Yeoman officiated. The attendance, in poor weather, was not large.

‘Get Up & Bar Th’ Door’ writes complaining of the freezing gale coming in the side door of the Institute during Mr Kennedy’s performance.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 4 May.

The memorials about the Bon Accord Bridge are ready and the Mayor has been voted as a deputation to take the same to the Treasurer.

Ordinary Meeting, 18 May.

The lamp at Henderson’s Bridge is in the course of construction.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis reply to the council’s letter about settling the drainage problem and though willing to settle amicably they want to quibble over details - they want the drain pitch-paved every chain instead of every half chain and for the paving to be 3’ wide rather than 8’ and that the road at the corner of the brewery should be made by the Council and that it should be on the south side of the street.

Cr Sampson said he had seen Mr Lewis and there was no valid reason for the south side.

Cr Rabbich - And what about Mr Lockyer? The south side would block him out.

Cr Sampson said he thought agreement was as far off as ever and if no understanding was come to at once they might as well clear the obstruction and let the water take its course. The offer had been made to Mr Lewis and if it was not accepted the creek should be cleared out.

Cr Watt thought they might accept Mr Lewis’s offer.

Cr Sampson demurred.

Cr Rabbich objected to the south side as it would interfere with Mr Lockyer.

Cr Sampson would yield on the every chain instead of half chain, but wanted the paving of the street corner done properly.

Cr Rabbich wanted suspension of standing orders to reconsider the issue with Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.

Cr Sampson refused and moved that if Mr Lewis is prepared to pitch pave at every chain 6’, 8’ and 10’ at the end [Meaning unclear], the work to be commenced at once, he would support it.

After some confusing discussion Cr Rabbich moved that consideration of the correspondence re the drain from Bagot, Shakes & Lewis be adjourned and this was carried.

The Forest Dept. is to supply 1,000 trees.

Legislative Council Elections for the North-Eastern District

Duncan 2160

Haslam 1846

Bright 1393

Berry 595

Lovelock 355

Mizor 104

Duncan and Haslam declared elected.

Payne Family tonight: they had a good house [last night].

Burra Dramatic Co. has handed £21 to the Institute as a result of More Sinned Against than Sinning.

XII, 1041, 27 May 1891, Page 2

Advt. Institute, 1 June. Chairman for the evening: F.W. Holder.

Dr Barnardo’s Musical Boys will play selections on a peal of 74 handbells, bugles, Highland bagpipes and other instruments with pictorial illustrations of the home and rescued children. 2/- & 1/-.

Advt. Rev. W.J. Mayers, from Dr Barnardo’s Homes for Destitute Children will conduct special services. Redruth Wesleyan at 11 a.m. on 31 May.

Bible Christian Church 3 p.m. on 31 May.

Advt. Institute 3 June, return visit of Taylor-Carrington Co. with their production of Hugh Conway’s weird and psychological romance Called Back, to conclude with the Irish Minstrel Sketch, An Irishman’s Luck.

Obituary. John Demmett Bagg died at Bridport, Dorsetshire, England, on 29 March, aged 74. He was late of Springbank, Kooringa, having arrived in SA by the African in 1836.

Editorial on the reluctance of subscribers to pay up.

Elder, Smith & Co. will use their new stockyards near the Bon Accord Hotel for the first time on 29 May when they will offer 18,336 sheep.

The Payne Family played at the Institute last Tuesday and Wednesday to crowded houses. Their playing of the bells was much admired.

Thanks to Hon. H.E. Bright, who has just been defeated at the Legislative Council elections. He has served the colony well as a Member of Parliament for twenty-four years and retires at 72, though no doubt he will continue to be heard from.

T.S.R. Some time ago the Booborowie Travelling Stock Route was gazetted as open for sale. A deputation to the Commissioner of Crown Lands saw it temporarily withdrawn, but now we need all interested parties to continue to pressure to have it permanently withdrawn before it is again gazetted for sale.

Dog Poisoner. Once again someone is poisoning dogs in the town. Several valuable animals have already fallen victim, being poisoned on their chain in back yards. A reward of £5 has been offered by Council for information leading to a conviction.

W. Ker, a resident of Burra for some considerable time left last Friday to start a livery and bait stables in Port Pirie. He will also run cabs from Pt Pirie Station to Solomon Town. In Burra he has been part of the cricket and football clubs.

XII, 1041, 27 May 1891, Page 3

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday night for prepared speeches.

J. Whittick: Stanley and Darkest Africa.

C. Fuss: The Wind.

W.T. Rabbich: Political Questions of the Day.

[Meetings ended with the singing of the National Anthem.]

Ironmine Band of Hope continues to meet monthly.

Vice-Regal Visit. The Editor considers that the visit of Governor Kintore to the Northern Territory was a waste of money and a number of the Governor’s official duties could be dispensed with.

Burra Mounted Infantry. The adjourned meeting to consider forming a Burra Corps was resumed at the Commercial Hotel on Friday. About 25 were present and nearly all were prepared to join if the government gave its approval. Lieut. Downes of the Militia Artillery took the chair. Lieut. Watt of the Burra Infantry Co. was unanimously nominated as the commanding officer. The Commandant was asked to allow Lieut. Downes to be attached to the Company during his residence in Burra.

Christian Revival. On Whitsunday a special series of services at Kooringa Wesleyan Church were held to encourage young people to commit to Christ. Careful preparation had been made with prayer meetings each evening. There was a prayer meeting on Sunday at 7.30 a.m. The morning service was followed in the afternoon by a Sunday school meeting at 3.15 p.m. where a calm gathering resulted in 18 boys and 20 girls giving their names as having received Christ or were resolved to seek him.

The Band Concert at Hallett by their local band on the holiday with W.J. Davey of Burra as conductor was very successful and raised £5-19-0 for the Hallett Institute. [Though when announced it was said to be in aid of the local band.]

Football. First match of the season at the Burra Oval on Monday 25 May.

Burra 4.5 5.5 7.6 7.7 (49)

Petersburg 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 (6)

Lacrosse, at the Burra Oval on Monday: Adelaide 2 defeated Jamestown 1.

Legislative Council Election. The results of the North-Eastern District are analysed in a little over one column.

XII, 1042, 3 June 1891, Page 2

Advt. 1 June 1891, D.J. Worrell has bought The Railway Store, Hallett, from James Tiver & son, who have run it for many years and he will continue to run it as before.

Editorial on the SA Parliament which reassembles on 4 June.

Mr T.H. Williams’ furniture and effects will be sold by Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland. [Trooper] Williams is leaving for Mt Gambier.

Rev. W.J. Mayers, who is in charge of the Dr Barnardo’s Boys, preached at Redruth last Sunday morning and at the Bible Christian Church in the afternoon, when large numbers of school children from the various Sunday schools were present.

The Taylor-Carrington Co. has cancelled its performance tonight due to illness. Postponed to 17 June.

Burra Town Council, 1 June.

The mayor has seen the Treasurer re the Bon Accord Bridge question and the latter is considering the matter.

Cr Butterworth moved that a footbridge be made over the creek at the rear of Mr Bentley’s. Carried.

Mr Paynter, who is erecting the plant for treating the old slagheap, enquires about a water supply. He believes he will require about 6,000 gallons per day and that 2/- per 1,000 gallons would be a fair price. A proposal to supply at that price was carried.

XII, 1042, 3 June 1891, Page 3

W.T. Rabbich writes 11⁄4 columns on Federation.

He is in favour of efforts by Messrs Holder & Lake to raise public awareness of the issues and to promote discussion of the same. And he approves the efforts of the press to make people aware of the nature of other federations like the USA, Switzerland and Canada. He then outlines the proposals for a Commonwealth as outlined at the recent convention with details of the Parliament and its powers. He comes out in the end in favour of federation.

Mr John Roach, the well-known Adelaide sharebroker has, ever since his departure from Burra periodically assisted the funds of the local Institute by arranging for concerts etc., bringing to Burra some of the leading talents of SA. The recent concert included the Beaumont Read Quartet comprising Mrs Alderman, Miss Minna Schrada and Mr Gribble [& presumably Mr Read?] - all household names in SA. The concert raised £12 and was an excellent evening’s entertainment. Mr Read remained in Burra for Sunday evening’s service at St Mary’s where he sang ‘He was despised’ [from Handel’s Messiah.

Dr Barnardo’s Boys drew a good house.

Major Chaplain has gone to Jamestown.

W.C. Grasby, a former teacher at Burra School has taken over the Garden and Field.

Bon Accord Mine. We have heard a lot about the purchase of the Bon Accord Mine recently, but what has become of the purchasers?

XII, 1043, 10 June 1891, Page 2

Editorial on Dangerous Railway Crossings.

Thomas Kain was killed at a crossing near Stockport on Saturday. The Bon Accord crossing at Burra is both dangerous and carries heavy traffic. The requests of the Town Council have long been ignored.

Pastoralists’ Union. A large meeting of pastoralists at the Institute on Friday night decided to form a branch of the union here.

Burra Wood Carters’ Union met at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday and decided to extend its operation and they will soon hold a meeting at Robertstown for which Burra delegates will be chosen next Saturday.

Flour Mills. Unfortunate events have caused both the town’s flour mills to be idle.

[Butterworth’s had a boiler explosion in January, though there has been no mention of later problems and this seems a long delay to fit a new boiler. There has been no mention of problems at Roach’s unless in a missing issue of the paper.]

Burra Smelting Works. Mr Paynter is getting the new plant in order. The Cornish boiler was delivered by Messrs Treleaven & Brown and is now being installed. The old smelting works stack is to be used we understand.

Railways. Trains continue to run late. Saturday’s express was almost one hour late and the Monday morning train little different.

XII, 1043, 10 June 1891, Page 3

Burra Institute, Meeting on Federation, 5 June.

Messrs Holder & Lake MPs addressed a good audience ‘which included a few of the gentler sex’. The Mayor, W. West took the chair.

Mr Lake was glad to see the ladies taking an interest. He felt the Bill from the Federal Convention was to a great extent fair, but could still be improved. Tariffs between the colonies would be swept away and this would mean much for SA as the great Barrier traffic would be opened up directly to SA without customs duties. Murray waters were another question that federation would settle. Posts and telegraphs would become federal. Money borrowed should come more cheaply. He favoured the title of Commonwealth.

Mr Holder spoke for about 11⁄2 hours. He discussed the importance of interstate free trade. ‘We needed a federation which was not unification, and which yet had in it sufficient completeness to form a basis for national growth.’

Most of his time was spent in going through the Bill and showing how it would operate. He eulogised Mr Kingston and Sir S. Griffith who had done the bulk of the drafting. The State’s Rights party had secured a large measure of success for its cause, though the rights of the two federal houses were not equal as they should have been. The Senate, unlike the local Legislative Council would not represent a class, but a whole people. It was important that the Senators be chosen by the two houses of the State Parliament sitting as one body. If the two houses sat separately and chose a proportion of Senators each then a popular election would be better (on a state-wide basis). The elections for the Lower House are proposed to be on the same basis as those for the lower house elections in each colony. This means that some will have restricted suffrage and plural voting and this must be changed. If it were all or nothing for the present Bill he would be for none of it, but he hoped there would be amendments and then another convention to draft a final constitution.

Oddfellows Lodge. The half-yearly finance meeting of the lodge showed a membership of 297 of whom only 2 were not financial. There was a slight increase in funds for the half-year.

New Elder, Smith & Co. Yards. The yards were capable of handling up to 40,000 sheep and 1,200 cattle. As the principle saleyards in SA new facilities had been needed for some time. The tenderers for the contract had been:

For Timber: T.K. Stubbins - Globe Timber Yards of Flinders St Adelaide.

Erection of same: Creasy & McKinnan of Clare.

Gates: F.R. Sorrell of Hindley St West.

The cattle yards are not yet finished. Here the posts are red and blue gum 7’ out of the ground. The rails are split blue gum capped with sawn timber 18” wide.

The sheep yards to hold 40,000 sheep are divided into 40 yards and here the rails are of 3” x 2” stringy bark on jarrah posts.

W.H. Hardy contributes a little over 1 column on Federation. He is mainly concerned with the issue of state’s rights and how to arrange for the adequate representation for the smaller states in the House of Representatives, where on a strictly numerical basis they would be swamped by NSW and Victoria.

XII, 1044, 17 June 1891, Page 2

Obituary. Grace Ann Honan, wife of Robert Honan and eldest daughter of H. Tralaggan of Mt Bryan, died on 10 June, aged 26. [Born Grace Ann Trellaggan 7 June 1865.]

Obituary. Eric Adolph Hall died of croup 5 June at the residence of A.W. Fox, Emu Creek, Bendigo aged 2 years four months. He was the only son of George B. & Minna Hall late of the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa and now of Yarrawonga Victoria. [Born 1 February 1889.]

William Pearce has been appointed to the Burra School Board of Advice.

Burra Mounted Infantry Co. is gazetted this week. Almost 30 members have been enrolled by Lieut. Watt who has been appointed commanding officer of the Co.

Messrs D. McCulloch, J. Lewis, J.J. Duncan, H. Vivian and W. Killicoat have sent donations to the sum of c. £40 for the Burra Mounted Infantry Co.

Adelaide Industrial Exhibition. Special fares are available for children to attend.

For distances 51-100 miles 1/6 return per scholar with teachers double.

[For distances less than 26 miles it was 6d and 26-50 miles cost 1/-]

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday as usual.

Burra School. The elder scholars will go to the Industrial Exhibition on Friday. It is expected scholars from Copperhouse, World’s End, Leighton and probably Baldina will join them. From the North Terrace Station they will walk to the Zoo and thence to the Exhibition. Tea will be provided at 3 p.m. and a return at 4.25 p.m. The total cost per child will be 2/6. About 100 are expected to take part.

XII, 1044, 17 June 1891, Page 3

Daviestown to be called Hanson.

[This cryptic comment is not elaborated upon and needs some explanation.

The town was first offered for sale in 1865 as Davies, named after Sir Richard Davies Hanson (1805-76), former Chief Justice of SA. The official renaming seems not to have taken place till 19 Sep. 1940. In the 19th century the place was commonly referred to as Daviestown, Davies Town, and Davieston which led to possible confusion with Daveyston in the Hundred of Nuriootpa. To add to the confusion in 1870 the next town south on the railway line was surveyed and named Hanson. This name was changed officially in 1940 to Farrell Flat, though the name for the railway station there had always been Farrell’s Flat. References to Hanson before 1891 actually apply to Farrell Flat which explains why the hotel there was until relatively recently the Hanson Hotel. In the 1890s Davies is sometimes called Hanson and so is Farrell Flat, but by about 1901 the modern usage had settled down, but why it took until 1940 to be gazetted officially is a mystery. The apostrophe ‘s’ appears to have officially been dropped from Farrell’s Flat in 1940, but it remained at the station till somewhat later. See Manning: Place Names of SA.]

Burra Town Council, 15 June.

In the Mayor’s report:

Mr Hargraves, the main road surveyor, has inspected the Bon Accord ford and asked for statistics of road use there.

Water has been laid on to the smelting works.

The lamp on Henderson’s Bridge has been erected, but will have to be raised 6” and this will be done tomorrow.

Watertables in Market Square need cleaning out.

Public Works. The road near the Gaol and that leading to Hampton has been finished.

The bridges have been tarred.

Cr Sampson moved a ladder be got for lighting lamps. Carried.

Cr Sampson moved that the lamppost in Market Square be moved to Henderson’s Corner and another burner be substituted for the one now in use. Carried.

Cr Sampson said he had seen Mr Lewis and told him that for £20 they would take the matter of diverting the water entirely out of his hands and divert it. Mr Lewis declined.

In fairness to Mr Lockyer who had cleared out the watercourse the council should either remove the soil or compel Mr Lewis to do so. Four or five notices had been served on Mr Lewis and he would move ‘That Council put men on at once to clean out the obstruction to the creek so as to let the water go through its natural channel.’

Cr Watt said Mr Lewis had undertaken to give £15.

Cr Sampson: Will Cr Watt guarantee it?

Cr Watt believed Mr Lewis a man of his word.

Cr Rabbich did not want to accept £15 as he felt it would be insufficient.

After further discussion on serving further notices Cr Watt moved the £15 offer be accepted and despite Cr Rabbich’s objections it was carried.

The work is to be done as soon as the £15 is received.

XII, 1045, 24 June 1891, Page 2

Entertainment. Tonight at the Burra Institute the Burra Dramatic Society presents: More Sinned Against than Sinning, accompanied by the Burra Orchestra in their first appearance.

Editorial on the Free Education Bill.

Mr Charles Drew had offered to pay £300 for a steam launch for Rev. F. Langham of the Fiji District, but Rev. George Brown, Secretary of the Foreign Missions wrote that it would cost £500 and Mr Drew has generously authorised the secretary to draw on him for the extras.

Football. Last Monday on the flat near the smelting works two juvenile Burra teams met and the Jokers 1 defeated Rovers Nil.

Industrial Exhibition. The trip to the exhibition by school children saw about 160 children at the Burra Station for Friday morning’s train to Adelaide.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday at Aberdeen. About 40 attended a debate on local option. Speakers for were: Messrs W.T. Rabbich, C. Fuss and Moss, while those opposed were: Messrs Neville, Maggs and T. Davis. The affirmative side won by 5 votes.

XII, 1045, 24 June 1891, Page 3

Phonograph Story. There is an interesting fictional story running for 1⁄2 a column on the use of a phonograph in thwarting a breach of promise of marriage. Interesting because at this date few readers would have seen or heard a phonograph.

Burra Show Society. What has become of the Burra agricultural Soc.?

Kooringa Band of Hope continues to meet monthly.

Football at Burra Oval on Monday. Clare 1.8 defeated Burra 0.1

Train Timetable.

Arrive Depart

From the North to Adelaide 7.03 a.m. 7.08 a.m.

4.17 p.m. 4.23 p.m.

From Adelaide to the North 11.20 a.m. 11.25 a.m.

7.45 p.m. 7.50 p.m.

XII, 1046, 1 July 1891, Page 2

Advt. D. McLean, Sec. Of the Pastoralists’ Union seeks shearers for the stations in the north of the colony.

Editorial on plural voting in municipal elections.

Obituary. Mrs Goss, a resident of c. 36 years and the mother of Rev. J.H. Goss, Wesleyan minister and of I.W. Goss of Burra has died. [Died 26 June 1891 aged 76: born 26 June 1815 as Maria Wilcoks.]

Burra Co. MI. Rifles and accoutrements have been received and will soon be issued. A drill instructor will visit on Friday evening next to begin instruction.

After Friday’s drill a meeting was held re uniforms and Messrs Marshall & Sons offer will be accepted.

The Wood Carters’ Union has some more members and next Saturday a meeting will fix a day for the beginning of new charges.

Mr H. Copas of Wirrabara had a sale of fruit and ornamental trees at the Burra Hotel on Monday.

Mr Perry of the Aberdeen Carriage Factory has just made to order an imitation lock under wagonette equal to anything from the city.

Copperhouse School annual examination was on 12 June and resulted in an 89.62% average.

Census Returns just published show the population of Burra at 2,172, comprising 974 males and 1,198 females. Some of the difference between the male and female numbers is no doubt due to the number of heads of families that have gone to Broken Hill. The number of houses is set at 432.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday and discussed the contributions to the Literary Star, a manuscript paper of the Society which is read at the last evening of each quarter.

Football: Burra needs to practise.

Tennis remains popular, but the lack of level ground for courts is a problem. Some should be put on the Recreation Ground. The match on Saturday v. Clare saw Burra win. The games were all doubles and Burra 66 games beat Clare 39 games.

XII, 1046, 1 July 1891, Page 3

Hanson D.C. is still referring to parkland at Davies and parkland at Hanson, meaning Farrell’s Flat, but it also discusses the Farrell’s Flat station road and the Farrell’s Flat school-house.

Burra Town Council, 23 June.

Mr Geake’s tender of £4-5-0 per quarter for lighting the lamps on Henderson’s Bridge and in Market Square was accepted.

Tenders for work on the drain near Bagot, Shakes and Lewis’s yards came up for consideration.

Cr Rabbich asked for the specifications to be read. He considered them inadequate and was not prepared to vote on their basis. He asked permission to retire - granted.

J. Snell’s tender of £7-10-0 was accepted over that of Fitzgerald & Herbert of £10-15-0.

Council endorsed Cr Sampson’s view that the iron urinal that cost £26 would be better [for the Avenue site] than if they erected something unsightly. They now have to get the Institute Committee’s concurrence.

Burra Show Society. There is some talk of reviving the Agricultural Show Society.

Burra Dramatic Club. The play More Sinned Against than Sinning was performed to a full house on Wednesday last. Proceeds went to the Burra Institute, the Cricket Club and Burra Literary Soc. It is reviewed in 1⁄2 column. The musical incidents in the drama were played by the Burra Orchestra making its first appearance under W.J. Davey.

Railways. There is a half column of vague waffle which clearly suggests dissatisfaction with the railway station, but it fails to get down to specifics.

XII, 1047, 8 July 1891, Page 2

Obituary. James Flower died on 4 July at Stony Gap aged 78.

Editorial on The Bon Accord Bridge.

We understand the Playford Government has decided against any bridge to replace the Bon Accord ford. Apart from the risk to people and vehicles in times of flood the value of stock knocked about crossing the water is another disadvantage. Every accommodation is made to those bringing stock from the east, but from the west and the north it is very different. Continued agitation is needed.

[It is hard to see how a bridge to the south of the stockyards would aid those bringing stock from the north! Surely it was stock from the east and stock using the Copperhouse road that would have benefited and the latter probably already had trouble at the ford between Copperhouse and Burra when the creeks were high.]

Lambs. Despite the dry weather early in the year we hear that P.L. Killicoat of Abberton Park has had a 90% lambing rate.

Adelaide Stock Exchange has moved from the Royal Exchange Buildings to McHenry St.

Advt. At the Burra Institute, under the auspices of the Burra Lawn Tennis Club the World Renowned Bairnsfather Family.

Songs, Chorus, Music, Dances, Fun. 2/6 (Reserved), 2/-, 1/-.

Federation. We have a copy of a draft of a Bill to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia, which is open for inspection at our office.

Burra School Reporter, 2nd issue has been received from Mr Wittber. He draws attention to the lack of interest in the penny bank.

Burra Co. MI. There are now 39 members. Last Friday Major DePassé visited and gave instruction in drill to the 33 present. The men were then measured for uniforms. The first mounted drill will be on Wednesday afternoon.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday for 12 five-minute speeches and some music.

Wesleyan Methodist quarterly Circuit Meeting was held last Tuesday at Mr T. Kitchen’s. Income exceeded expenditure by £12-15-5. The Sunday school is reported to be in a good state. The next quarterly meeting will be held at Baldina on 23 September.

Burra D.C. urged upon the Government the need for a bridge on the Copperhouse Rd over Springbank Creek, but it was refused. Cr W. Killicoat raised the matter to see whether the continuous repairs to the ford didn’t make borrowing money for a bridge a cheaper proposition.

Burra Town Council.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s drain is being done.

The road on the north side of the brewery is to be made from the ditch material excavated and then topped with quarry rubble.

Given that the Government is refusing a bridge at the Bon Accord Cr Sampson moved that the Council write to the Treasurer to have the ford put in order.

Complaints received of stray cattle in Kooringa at night and on Sundays

XII, 1047, 8 July 1891, Page 3

(Continued) Complaints that the cabs are not well maintained. The Town Clerk is to write saying that unless they were placed in a more respectable condition their licence could be cancelled.

Complaints that constable Thomas in Kooringa was lax in his duty and unless he did more as required the Council would complain to headquarters.

Football. Saturday at Burra Oval. Kooringa 5 defeated Aberdeen-Redruth 1.

Obituary. Mrs M.A. Franks died 27 June at the Burra Hospital. [Mary Ann, aged 64: from marriage perhaps born Mary Ann Oram, though there is about a five year discrepancy in ages.]

‘The divine’ Sarah Bernhardt has just completed a week at the Theatre Royal in Adelaide, during which the crowds paid upwards of £3,000.

XII, 1048, 15 July 1891, Page 2

Court Pride of Burra (Junior Forestry) Quarterly Meeting.

Started with 20 members and now has 31.

Kooringa Band of Hope met last Thursday.

Burra Co. MI was visited by Maj-Gen. Downes, Captain Tomkinson and Sergeant-Major DePassé on Friday. The General was well satisfied with the newly formed Mounted Infantry and its progress so far.

The company had its first mounted drill on Wednesday when J.A. Watt put them through some useful drilling.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday had an evening of songs and readings by the ladies.

Lily of the Valley Tent, IOR has 133 members and a satisfactory credit balance.

Court Unity (Foresters) had 157 financial members at its half-yearly financial meeting and a profit of £77 on the half year.

Burra Institute Committee considers that a cast iron urinal at £26 is far too expensive. They are prepared to bear one third of the cost which is not to exceed £12 as originally proposed.

Burra School Board of Advice offered prizes for the best essays on the recent trip to the Industrial Exhibition in Adelaide. 91 entries were received and the prize list is printed.

The Bairnsfather Family of Scotch vocalists gave a ‘Nicht in auld Scotia’ at the Institute on Monday, but wet weather produced a very poor audience for a commendable performance.

[Almost 1⁄2 column is devoted to the story of the troupe.]

S. Bairnsfather writes thanking Mr Harvey of the Lawn Tennis club for making their stay a financial success, but advising ‘one or two of the so-called aristocrats of Burra, to look to their pedigrees, and not class us as “common show people”’.

The Mills in Burra have started again.

Obituary. Mrs East, the oldest resident in Burra died on Wednesday.

[This terminology usually means the person resident in the town longest, rather than the longest lived person.] [Mary East died 8 July aged 77.]

XII, 1049, 22 July 1891, Page 2

Editorial on the recent no confidence motion in Parliament.

Advt. The Lord Bishop of Adelaide [Dr Kennion] will preach at evensong at St Mary’s 24 July. [But he failed to appear: see XII, 1050, 29 July 1891.]

Obituary. Mrs Dagenhardt, a visitor from Palmer, died at Baldina on Thursday, aged 65. [Registered as Louisa Degenhardt died 16 July aged 45.]

Iron Mine Band of Hope met on Monday and was entertained prior to the meeting by the Iron Mine Brass Band.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday discussed the federal Bill. 38 attended and they were 21 for and 16 against the adoption of the Bill.

W.T. Rabbich writes on the land question. He is concerned about the progressive land tax proposals. He sees a major problem in the large estates occupying good agricultural land, but currently monopolised by the pastoral interests. These should, he says, be broken up and pastoralism confined to less productive areas. Repurchase has been suggested, but unless this is combined with a prohibition on re-establishing large estates it would lead to their re-appearance and speculation. If, when land is needed for closer settlement, it were acquired by repurchase and then a progressive land tax applied it would protect against further monopoly. Examples of land that could be acquired are cited as Martindale, Hill River, and Gum Creek Estates - all eminently suited for closer settlement.

Football. Last Saturday a local scratch match was played at the oval.

West of the Creek 1.0 defeated East of the Creek 0.0.

Mr J. Roach, of the firm of Roach Bros., Sharebrokers of Adelaide has long been a supporter of Burra football and he has today arranged at his expense for a coach to take the team from Farrell’s Flat station to Clare and for their feeding etc. so they can play the Clare team.

Tennis. Few tennis players turned up for the Bairnsfather concert so no funds were raised to help establish courts at the Recreation Ground.

Burra Institute, Half-Yearly Report.

Mr T. Edwards, President.

At the meeting in January it was announced that a contract had been let for new dressing rooms, stage, proscenium and other renovations, to cost in all £329-6-8. It was subsequently decided to increase the expenditure in order to do a good job and the work has now been completed. In order to make an easy approach to and exit from the escape door it was necessary to put in a passage which required a division wall which reduced the size of the lodge room. A verandah has been erected which provides a covered way to and from the escape door. Though smaller the lodge room is more private and warmer. The inner room which was previously practically useless is now fitted with pegs and a door cut through to the lodge room so it serves as a cloakroom. These changes materially increased the cost, but were highly desirable.

The seating has been changed to provide passages either side: doing away with the central aisle. The unsightly central chandeliers have been removed and six bracket lamps with siagarn burners which throw a good light have been substituted. Two extra bracket lamps on either side of the stage give it light when the footlights are not in use. Three of the old chandeliers have been used: one in each dressing room and one in the Council Chamber. The stage should have been two feet deeper, but will suffice. Two roller scenes have been provided: a forest and landscape and a drawing room which is reversible for a kitchen scene, along with other furniture, filling and footlights.

The verandah has been concreted and the parapets and all outside cement work has been recoloured. An extra closet has been erected and a fence placed around the excavations.

Subscribers stand at 90, though we ought to have not less than 100.

No much has been done in elocution yet, but I hope to see something started. The hall was successfully reopened on 22 April and Mr Roach also provided a first class concert from which we received a nett £15. The total expenditure on changes and renovations was £552-17-2.

Our current overdraft is £171-14-3 and I hope within the present half year to see this reduced to c. £100.

There are currently 3,191 books in the library.

Burra Town Council

Mr Packard has advised that getting an order for the sale of vacant allotments would not exceed £10 in costs. It was estimated that over £150 would be available for public works.

The excavation in connection with the drain near the brewery had been finished and the soil used to form the road where requested by Mr Lockyer.

Cr Sampson moved that the Mining Association be written to and asked to dedicate a block of land on the south side of the cemetery 350’ by 100’ for extension of the same. Carried.

XII, 1049, 22 July 1891, Page 3

Burra Co. MI (Also often referred to as Mounted Rifles) has continued to receive contributions among which were sums from Sir Henry Ayers MLC & Mr W.J. Barker.

The Essay on the Trip to the Adelaide Industrial Exhibition on 19 June, by Johanna Ross of Copperhouse School is printed.

XII, 1050, 29 July 1891, Page 2

Advt. Lost between the Hospital & Thames St, a purse containing one new £1 note, 1/- and 2d. Reward for return.

[A hand-written note on the file copy of the paper suggests the advt. was by W.H. Hardy.]

Editorial on the Bon Accord Bridge.

The reply given by the Treasurer re a bridge at the Bon Accord ford indicates that he is satisfied that one is required. Were he not it would hardly pay to obtain a report from the Inspecting Surveyor of Main Roads. Mr Hargrave’s report recommends construction and gives the estimated cost as £1,100 in timber, or £1,460 in iron and that the latter is preferable in the long run. The Treasurer replied that if it could be done for £1,000 maximum he would be prepared to go ahead with it. A suggestion that the Council forgo the £300 annual road grant for one year to put towards it is penny wise and pound foolish as it would have to be made up later.

Burra Co. MI has ordered to be limited to 40.

Mr Paynter is still erecting plant at the Burra Smelting Works, but there has been some delay in the arrival of equipment.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday heard Rev. Daddow lecture on Atmospheric Phenomena.

XII, 1050, 29 July 1891, Page 2-3

Football. Burra footballers went to Clare on Wednesday, taking the goods train to Farrell’s Flat then a four horse team and two buggies to Clare. They visited the brewery and had lunch at Gray’s before going to the ground. Eventually Clare 2.10 defeated Burra 0.4. Hearty thanks to J. Roach who defrayed all expenses for the excursion.

XII, 1050, 29 July 1891, Page 3

W.H. Hardy writes about a case at the Redruth Court on 22 July in which Messrs Brun & Wagner were ordered to pay £20 for not having cleared rabbits from land according to a notice which was served, in one case, by leaving it in a ruined hut and in the other by tying it to a tree stump. The absurdity of the SM’s acceptance of the legality of the process is nicely set out.

Burra Racing Club reports a profit of c. £40 on the last meeting and has about 60 members. Had the totalizator been working it is thought the profit could have been £40 more.

The Lord Bishop of Adelaide did not come as advertised.

The Waterworks boiler has ‘gone bung’.

Burra Town Council.

A deputation from Council waited upon F.W. Holder MP at the Corporation Office on Monday morning in reference to the Bon Accord Bridge. There has been no official reply from the Treasurer, but Mr Holder was able to report the situation as outlined in the editorial. He will wait on the Treasurer again and forward his reply.

XII, 1051, 5 Aug. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on the desirability of amending the standing orders for the internal government of Municipal Councils. Recent events in Burra and elsewhere have cast doubts on the validity of the present standing orders.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday for answers to impromptu questions.

Mr Ullman, formerly of Adelaide is the electrical engineer in charge of electric lighting of Queen Victoria St in London where 36 electric standards have replaced 104 gas lamps as of 24 June. Mr Ullman is a native of Burra and his parents still reside in the district. He is still only 27 years old.

Rifle Clubs. Regulations published this week relate to rifle clubs formed under the Defence Forces Act Amendment Act 1890.

Such clubs can be formed to encourage rifle shooting if not less than 15 members including a Captain and two committeemen send their names to headquarters and are subsequently gazetted. The property of the club vests in the President who is answerable for club discipline. Martini-Henry rifles will be supplied (part-worn) at £2 and an ammunition box of 1,000 rounds MHR for £3.

Burra Town Council

Sympathy was expressed to Cr Sampson who recently lost his brother.

The Mayor reported moving Cr Sampson’s motion at the Municipal Assoc. calling for an enquiry into the validity of standing orders of Council.

Mr Holder reports that unless the Council will forgo the main road grant or make other contributions of a like nature the Government will not proceed with the Bon Accord Bridge.

With reference to the Bon Accord railway crossing he could get no definite reply as the Chairman of Commissioners was not in.

In reference to the [Waterworks] boiler he had seen Messrs May Bros. and they would be able to complete repairs and send it on during the week.

The secretary of the Municipal Assoc. advised extreme caution in proceeding to sell vacant allotments, considering it a risky thing to do.

The Finance Committee has prepared a list of vacant allotments on which rates are unpaid. The matter will be held over for the present. The Town Clerk will attempt to find the names of owners.

Cr Butterworth moved that the lamp in North Ward be shifted to the other side of the road. Carried.

As a result of the Institute Committee saying they were not prepared to pay their share of the cost of an iron urinal, but would pay their share of erecting one on the terms first submitted them by the Board of Health notice is to be given to them to erect a urinal in accordance with the Health Act.

Football. On the local oval on Wednesday Kooringa Junior Jokers 3 defeated Redruth Junior Rovers 1

XII, 1051, 5 Aug. 1891, Page 3

Obituary. M. Watts, an old Burra resident, has died.

Obituary. W. Sampson, an old Burra resident, has died. [The paper seems to have got this wrong: registrations of death record William Alfred Sampson born 2 August 1891, died 3 August 1891, son of Thomas Sampson. No other William Sampson is recoded as dying about this time.]

W.H. Hardy writes a letter expressing the view that Dr Cockburn’s idea of having Parliament allocate ministries rather than the Premier is in fact unworkable.

XII, 1052, 12 Aug. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on the ‘Shearing Difficulty’.

The editor is glad that the long threatened strike in SA has been averted and the colony is apparently to escape the sort of lawlessness and outrages that Queensland suffered of late.

Burra co. MI. Sgt-Major DePassé arrived on Wednesday to instruct the company in drill.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will have its annual special effort on Sunday 16 August when Rev. R.J. Daddow will take the morning service and the popular blind preacher Mr D. Sterne the afternoon and evening services. Tea meeting 19 August.

Burra Waterworks. We hear the repaired boiler has been despatched and water should again be flowing by the end of the week, though the mains will first need to be flushed.

Bon Accord Bridge. The Treasurer has informed the Town Council that the Government will construct the bridge without interfering with the annual road maintenance grant.

Burra Teachers’ Assoc. met at the Burra School last Saturday. Representatives came from Baldina, Burra, Farrell’s Flat, Hallett, Hanson, Manoora, Terowie, Ulooloo, Copperhouse and World’s End Creek. [Note the use of the name Hanson in place of Daviestown.]

Institute Committee sends a letter to the Local board of Health expressing the readiness of the committee to erect a urinal on being released from their engagement to join with the Local Board in erecting a public urinal.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday discussed ‘Was Mr Holder justified in moving his recent motion of no confidence in the present Government?’

The meeting finally voted 26 to 9 in favour of Mr Holder’s action.

Rev. James Rowe retired on Wednesday after 46 years of service in the Bible Christian Church in SA and Victoria. He came from England in the company of the late Mr James Way and was stationed in Kooringa. A ceremony marking his retirement took place in the Bible Christian Church in Franklin St. He received an address and a purse of sovereigns. While in Burra his salary was increased to £75 p.a. so that his wife would not need to follow any secular employment.

Redruth Court, 10 August.

James Gully was summonsed for not sending two of his children to school the required number of days in the quarter to 30 June 1891. 5/- + 15/- costs in each case.

Football & Cricket have both sustained a loss with the transferral of Mr Whitby of the Bank of Australasia to Mt Barker. He was secretary of the Cricket Club last season and also played a good game of tennis.

Tennis seems to have gone into recess here - perhaps something to do with the poor way members treated the promoter of the late concert by failing to turn up and make it a success.

XII, 1052, 12 Aug. 1891, Page 3

Etiquette. A list of seven rules is printed on when a man should raise his hat.

XII, 1053, 19 Aug. 1891, Page 2

Marriage. 12 August at residence of Thomas Parks Sen.

Alfred Bennetts, 2nd son of James Bennetts of Broken Hill and

Emily Parks, youngest daughter of Thomas Parks Sen. of Kooringa

Marriage. 12 August at residence of Thomas Parks Sen.

William Seymour, youngest son of James Seymour of Broken Hill and

Alice Parks, eldest daughter of Thomas Parks Jun. of Kooringa.

Burra Co. MI. Drill at 7 p.m. this evening instead of 3 p.m. on account of the football match.

Burra Literary Soc. last Friday bad weather reduced attendance to 15. Mr T. Nevin, the scheduled speaker was unable to attend. There will be a debate on women’s suffrage next meeting.

Redruth Court, 18 August.

Ling How was charged by Drew & Crewes with stealing a bag of rice valued at 13/- on 12 August. He pleaded not guilty. Found guilty and sentenced to 3 months hard labour in Redruth Gaol. The day before the trial was due Ling said he would pay for the rice as he didn’t have time to go to gaol. He failed to appear at the trial and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody at Terowie on Monday by M-C Davis and tried the next day.

[There is a typical cryptic comment in the ‘Sparks’ column which probably refers to this trial: ‘Hollo, Chorlie! Chorlie no like it.’]

Rifle Match between Jamestown MI & Burra MI last Wednesday. This was the first match for Burra since the formation of the company and several of the men had not yet even tried their rifles. Jamestown 568 defeated Burra 410.

Burra Town Council, 17 August.

The Mayor reports that the Waterworks boiler has been repaired and is back in place and pumping has been resumed. He recommends that prior to the current lease’s expiry at the end of the year it is advisable for there to be an additional boiler and working gear for the engine so as to prevent inconvenience in case of breakdown or accident.

Tree planting has been energetically pursued.

The Government has decided to accede to the request to build a bridge at the Bon Accord ford. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lands that the Treasurer had agreed to grant £1,500 for the erection of an iron bridge at the Bon Accord crossing without taking any of the Main Road Grant.

May Bros. & Co. report that the boiler of the Waterworks has been repaired and is in a fair condition. The defect is discussed and they recommend a second boiler as a standby.

Local Board of Health

The Board frees the Institute from the agreement to erect a urinal in the Avenue in conjunction with the Council.

The intemperate habits of a cab driver were complained of. The secretary will write to him warning him that further complaint will result in the cab licence being cancelled.

XII, 1054, 26 Aug. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra District Committee Pastoralists’ Union of SA, Shearing advertisement.

Following Station are Full: Markaranko, Mt Cone, Booborowie, Mt Bryan & Mullaby. Shearers still needed for: Norman Farm, 20 September; Koonoona, mid-September with Baldina to follow; Gum Creek, early October & Springbank, early October.

Advt. Bible Christian Church half-yearly special effort on Sunday 30 August.

Public Dinner at 5.p.m. 1/- ticket and public meeting 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Mr Uhrlaub, Head Teacher of Mt Bryan Public School will open classes in French and German and shorthand at Kooringa at an early date.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis on Monday 31 august 1891 will auction the whole household effects of F.W. Holder at Kangaroo St. Also a trolly load of literature in suitable bundles to be sold by the Institute Committee.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. on 28 August will offer 30,267 sheep and 514 cattle.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis on 4 September will offer 16,811 sheep and 105 cattle.

Advt. Grand Vocal and Instrumental Entertainment on 2 September in aid of the Mounted Infantry Uniform Fund.

Burra Co. VF, under Captain G. Butterworth is to be disbanded at the suggestion of Maj.-Gen. Downes, as so many members have transferred to the Mounted Co. that it is hard to secure a drill.

Kregor G. Kewley had some nasty bruises when his horse fell on him when he was driving some horses from the brewery paddock on Saturday.

Mr Kickebusch [sic] of Baldina was driving home from market on Friday with his daughter and Miss Dowd when the horse bolted and capsized the buggy. Miss Dowd had part of her ear cut off, but the others escaped with a severe shaking. The sufferer was brought in to the Burra Hospital.

Mr J. Ford’s smoke-shop was broken into last Wednesday night and a 25 lb side of bacon was stolen.

Kooringa Band of Hope continues to meet on the last Thursday in the month.

Iron Mine Band of Hope met on 11 August when the Iron Mine Brass Band gave good service.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Effort last Sunday week and the following Wednesday had Rev. R.J. Daddow and the blind man Mr Sterne as preachers. For the dinner on Wednesday the tables were beautifully set and it is not often one has the opportunity of such a good spread for 1/-. The Burra Brass Band played.

XII, 1054, 26 Aug. 1891, Page 3

W.H. Hardy writes an article of c. 3⁄4 column on Women’s Suffrage, which he opposed.

Women have more suitable work to do: looking after their household and children.

Where are the women, had they the vote tomorrow, who understand or would care to study the single tax, political economy or the progressive land tax?

If such women [i.e. those who have no interest in the matters mentioned.] had the vote they would use it to no purpose at all.

The majority of women are talker, not thinkers or actors.

‘If women are to vote at elections for members of Parliament why should they not be permitted to vote for one of themselves, which if done, and women are to become members of Parliament, why should they not be permitted to form a Ministry and soon? Once pass the line that custom has laid down and where will you stop?’

Such would be ‘inconsistent with their works as wives and mothers’.

Football. On Wednesday at the Burra Oval Burra played a combined team of Terowie plus other players and at full-time the scores were 2 goals each.

On Saturday Kapunda visited Burra

Burra 1.6 1.7 4.16 4.16 (40)

Kapunda 1.0 1.4 1.4 2.8 (20)

Sports reports from out-of-town were dominated by cycling, football, horse races and still some sculling that was being contested for large sums.

The Seasons. The country outside of Goyder’s Line has been scoring wins in the last few seasons.

XII, 1055, 2 Sep. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra Literary Soc. On Friday 4 September at Mrs Reed’s Rooms F.W. Holder will lecture on: Six Weeks on Camelback in the Interior of SA.

The Burra Brewery has improved its bottling department and should be able to keep up with the demand for their celebrated ales and stout.

Wesleyan Foreign Mission Annual Services 6 to 8 September. Rev. A.H. Carne, Principal of the Native Training Institution in Samoa will speak.

Mr H. Downes, who has been connected with the firm of Elder, Smith & Co. in Burra for some time, is leaving for the city.

Lily of the Valley Tent Annual social in the Institute Wednesday 26 August was a success with 155 members and friends present.

‘Joe’s Girl’ writes, in view of the town having 1198 females and 974 males, it is unfair how married women attend the weekly quadrilles and monopolise the young men.

[The quadrilles were classes where she said they went to learn dancing and ‘at the same time to hook a husband if possible’.]

‘Anti Slow Coach’ complains of the slow postal deliveries in Kooringa.

W.H. Hardy writes condemning the squattocracy that runs the Burra District Council which has recently passed a motion which resulted in curtailing the men’s time to 51⁄2 days per week by stopping their work at noon on Saturday and paying for only half a day instead of the usual practice of working till 4 p.m. for a full day’s pay. This is mean and contemptible.

F.W. Holder was accorded a farewell in the Corporation Chamber on Thursday evening last. He has been a resident for over 15 years and is about to remove to Adelaide. The mayor, W. West, took the chair and speeches praising Mr Holder were made by Rev. J.S. Wayland, Dr Brummitt, Cr Rabbich, Messrs P. Lane, T. Kitchen, W. Davey, W.H. Hardy, T.T. Shortridge, J. Jenkin & W.H. Linkson. Several presentations will be made to Mr Holder at a public meeting on Friday 11 September in the Institute.

Rifle Match at Burra Range on Wednesday: Burra MI 201 defeated Civilians 184.

‘Sandboy’, the sports writer, complains that it is unfair of Burra footballers not to play return matches. This season they owe return games to Kapunda, Terowie and Petersburg. Clubs will not come to Burra if this is continued. The season is virtually over now as the 1st cricket match is announced for next Wednesday.

Sport. Out-of-town boxing is reported.

XII, 1055, 2 Sep. 1891, Page 2-3

Women’s Suffrage is discussed in a report of 3⁄4 column.

XII, 1055, 2 Sep. 1891, Page 3

Burra Co. VF. Final meeting. [Just that in ‘Sparks’ column.]

XII, 1056, 9 Sep. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Farewell to Mr Holder at Burra Institute Friday 11 September at 8 p.m.

‘ALL MR HOLDER’S FRIENDS ARE INVITED. LADIES AS WELL AS OTHERS.

Editorial on Larrikinism.

From time to time the larrikin element presents itself and at Kooringa Magistrate’s Court on Thursday three individuals were charged by L-Cpl Thomas with disturbing the peace and maliciously breaking windows of a house in Roach St.

At about 11.30 on Wednesday night a resident of Bridge Terrace was disturbed by someone forcing open his door. He went to the door to be confronted by three men who asked where a certain person lived. When threatened with the police they left and at 2 a.m. on Thursday three men of a like description appeared in Roach St where they aroused and annoyed the neighbourhood and scared the occupiers. The same person as before was asked for. They were asked to leave, but instead broke the windows of the house and terrorised the lace for two hours before a woman managed to escape and sought the police.

On 21 December 1889 three youths broke windows of a house in Commercial St – though on that occasion more by accident than intent.

On this occasion the men were let off lightly with fines of 10/- and 2/- damaged each.

The neighbourhood is being continually annoyed night after night with someone patrolling about after certain degraded reprobates. Responsibility falls on the shoulders of the person who directed the strangers to Roach St.

‘Kooringa is troubled with two or three old hags who deserve to be tarred and feathered and then hunted like dogs out of a respectable community. The authorities need to take the matter seriously and leave no stone unturned to punish the guilty.

St Mary’s. We understand that Rev. J. Stuart Wayland has resigned the incumbency after six years: effective 31 October.

Mr D. McGuiness, well known in the district, suffered a broken leg when thrown from his buggy when it overturned c. 10 miles from Hawker. He is in the Burra Hospital.

Burra Co. Volunteer Forces.

Owing to the disbanding of the Company members are asked to return rifles and accoutrements at once to Captain Butterworth or Mr Pederson so a final settlement of its affairs can be made. A final meeting to settle company business is called for Thursday night at the Institute.

It is intended to hold a social prior to the disbandment of the company on Wednesday 16 September at the Commercial Hotel. Members of the Mounted Infantry will be invited. Disbandment follows the reduction in numbers due to transfers to the Mounted Infantry Company.

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland will sell 100 horses at Opie’s Yards Terowie on 15 September on account of the Hoad Bros. of Mannum.

Burra Co. Mounted Infantry was unable to go to SA National Rifle Assoc. annual matches due to the delay in the arrival of uniforms. Lt Watt and Pte Jennings will attend. Martin Pederson has in stock boots for the use of the Mounted Infantry.

Ebenezer Ward has come out in favour of Women’s Suffrage.

Burra Literary Society met in Mrs Reed’s Rooms on Friday when Mr F.W. Holder entertained them with reminiscences of his recent trip as part of the Pastoral Commission – six weeks travel with camels in the interior.

Bible Christian half-yearly effort on Sunday 30 August. Rev. C. Tresise conducted three services. There was a dinner on Tuesday 1 September followed by a public meeting with T. Kitchen in the chair and addresses from Rev. R.J. Daddow, Rev. R.M. Hunter, Rev. R. C. Yeoman and Mr Holder. The Treasurer, J. Snell made a statement and the Burra Brass Band attended.

Primitive Methodist Quarterly Circuit Meeting on Monday.

Rev. R.J. Daddow was elected President with James Scott as Secretary. Appreciation was expressed to T. Pedler, lay preacher, who has moved to Broken Hill. Sympathy was extended to the family of Mrs Goss, who died after half a century of lay preaching. The church has made a hopeful start at Spalding using Hacklin’s State school with permission from the Minister of Education.

XII, 1056, 9 Sep. 1891, Page 2-3

A Robbery was attempted about 2 a.m. Monday at a well-known Redruth Hotel. Entrance was gained by the cellar door. The noise roused two inmates, one of whom swore he had seen two Chinamen. The other said it was someone about to rob the place. All exits were secured and the police sent for. Despite all this activity noise from the intruders could still be heard. When the investigators ventured into the cellar the culprit was found to be an old bay horse, which had fallen down into the cellar.

[No doubt the whole town knew whose horse it was from the preceding and the added clue that had it died a lot of people would have had to go without their vegetables.]

XII, 1056, 9 Sep. 1891, Page 3

T. Warnes writes explaining that he and his sons arranged with Mr Marks of Kooringa to have the Nankivell’s Gully road fenced. Following several people’s suggestions permission was obtained to locate the fence at the edge of the road as a safety measure, rather than on the property boundary. Now others have complained of its location and it transpires that Council has not the power to allow its location there. He calls on those who first sought its construction to call a public meeting to decide whether it be left as is or be moved to its legal position. He says his sons would much sooner see it placed half a chain inside their boundary, as the land immediately adjacent to the road is useless for grazing.

Kooringa Magistrate’s Court, 3 September.

Frank King, W. Pinnock & Walter Wiley were charged with disturbing the peace and breaking the windows of Mrs Voumard of Roach Street. They were each fined 10/- plus 2/- damages.

Burra Town Council, 7 September.

The Mayor reported that the Council’s lease of the Waterworks expired at the end of the year. And it was desirable it be renewed on more favourable terms. He sought a reduction of the rate of interest from the present 5%, an extra boiler and spare driving wheels for the engine.

Nothing had been heard from the SAR re the Bon Accord crossing.

He asked the Councillors to attend the farewell for Mr Holder.

The road to the Council Depot was not surveyed, but the Mayor thought that it was preferable to wait till they had a number of roads to get surveyed together.

An application had been made to SAMA re the Cemetery.

The Engineer-in-Chief has advised that the expenses relating to retimbering the Waterworks well are: Material £80-19-2 and Labour £134-11-0, piping forwarded and returned re the Public School £2-1-5, Total £198-17-11.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis write concerning the diverting of water near their yards and ask what the Council intended doing.

Public Works were proceeding as planned. [Roadwork near the Bon Accord and Bewley’s.]

Tree planting was continuing.

The drain referred to by Bagot, Shakes & Lewis would be done in the coming fortnight.

It was resolved that the Waterworks Committee report next meeting on the lease renewal and machinery replacements.

It was resolved to seek a more detailed account for the work done at the Waterworks Well.

It was resolved that the Mayor wait on the Government about the Bon Accord Bridge and urge that it be pushed on with at once and that it be at least 40’ wide.

Another letter will be sent to SAR on the Bon Accord Crossing.

Sara & Dunstan are asked to return the water cart at once, in good condition.

Tennis. Burra went to Clare on Tuesday 1 September. In doubles Clare won by 1 game, but in men’s singles Burra won 33 to 10 so that overall Burra 84 defeated Clare 62.

Lawn Tennis. Burra has two good teams, but opponents are hard to find. Clare has been beaten three times and new contenders are being sought.

Cricket. Burra will play Muffs today in the opening match of the season.

‘Sparks’ Column. [The following extracts give a taste of the cryptic nature that often makes this column frustrating reading more than a century later.]

The stolen rope

An early marriage

Muffs colours are green

Rabbits on tee [sic] increase

No rain yet to fill dams

Try Unicorn bottled beer

Father’s come back again

Camelback on Friday last

Caterpillars in the eastern country

Can I get my hair cut here please?

Who sent that paper to Harry Vivian?

A great run on monckey [sic] soap for cleaning accoutrements of Mounted Infantry

The squatter’s life is not always a happy one – drought, locusts, rabbits and caterpillars

Councillor S – I know as much about, nonsense as you do

Councillor R – I don’t know if you do, and His Worship smiled

[Some comments make independent sense, some do so in the light of other articles, but some are destined to remain enigmas.]

XII, 1057, 16 Sep. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith will offer 26,760 sheep on 25 September.

Grasshoppers are massing three miles east of Burra.

Burra Salvation Army went to Hallett on Thursday morning last with a brass band. This was not a financial success, but that was attributed to the lack of notice given.

Iron Mine Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday with the tea meeting on Monday.

Burra Institute, Committee Meeting 14 September.

Mr Holder tendered his resignation because he is leaving the district.

Railways. A coupling bar broke on a 58-truck train between Burra and Mt Bryan on 9 September. About £20 damage was done to two trucks.

R. Brummitt writes expressing surprise at complaints about the location of the fence along Nankivell’s Gully Road. [The road east from Kooringa.] He had in the past several times found his buggy’s wheels dangerously close to the edge before the fence was relocated to the roadside at the top of the embankment, rather than the bottom. He considers the new location at the top much safer.

Redruth Court, 14 September.

The following were fined £1 and cautioned for playing football in the street at Kooringa on 7 September.

R.D. Pascoe, A. Williams, A. Bruse, J. Wade, T. Oates, J. Murphy.

Burra Co VF attended a meeting on Thursday evening called by Captain Butterworth to consider the advice of Maj-Gen. Downes that the Company be disbanded due to the very small attendances at drill: many members having transferred to the Mounted Infantry Company. In view of this Capt. Butterworth suggested the Company be disbanded and this was then moved by Pte W.H. Hardy. 2nd Pte Pederson & carried. Pte W. Bruse will collect the rifles and other things belonging to the staff office. Captain Butterworth will dispose of surplus ammunition to the Mounted Company and wind up the books.

The brass band instruments will be presented to the Burra Town Band.

A final wind-up dinner will be held at Vivian’s Hotel on 16 September.

F.W. Holder’s Farewell, at the Burra Institute last Friday.

A public meeting had formed a committee to organise the meeting and it decided on an illuminated address and a purse of 68 sovereigns.

Mr Holder has for long worked for the benefit of Burra. Tree planting, which beautifies the town and the Jubilee Avenue are among his farsighted ventures.

Dr Brummitt stood in for the Mayor, W. West, who could not be present. Dr Brummitt had known Mr Holder for 14 or 15 years and felt the loss of a close friend and valuable townsman. When he had been asked to become Mayor he had first spoken to Mr Holder and asked if he would stay on as Town Clerk for without his presence in that role he could not have fulfilled that honourable position. Mr Holder had been at the forefront of the Flower Show. He continued to be elected to committees when it was known that he could not attend meetings because members knew he would do more work than those on the committee. Though there were those who spoke disparagingly of The Avenue when it was formed, it has since become an object of gratitude.

Mr Lake MP was glad to be there even at some personal inconvenience and he endorsed what was said of Mr Holder’s great ability to work hard as far as his Parliamentary role was concerned as well.

Mr P. Lane counted Mr Holder as his oldest friend. He praised Holder’s foresight which was often ahead of his townsmen’s and this meant he had much to contend with in seeing his vision come to fulfilment. His reward was that many of his opponents now were thankful of his works and that he had come to Burra. He was diligent, hard working and self-sacrificing and similar sentiments were expressed in speeches from Messrs Linkson, Nevin & Father O’Dowling.

The illuminated address referred to Holder’s roles in the town as Town Clerk, Mayor, President of the Burra Institute, Member of the Burra School board of Advice, Captain of the Volunteers, Member of Parliament and many other roles.

XII, 1057, 16 Sep. 1891, Page 2-3

Holder in reply thanked them for their kindness and said that whatever he had done for Burra the town had given him the opportunity that had allowed him to reach the position he held today. He had come to Burra fifteen years ago as a lonely bachelor and there found a wife and many friends.

XII, 1057, 16 Sep. 1891, Page 3

Mr W. Pearce also spoke of Mr Holder’s contributions to the town as did Rev. R.M. Hunter.

Editorial article on F.W. Holder.

Mr Holder arrived in Burra and took charge of a public school in August 1875 and won the hearts of every scholar by his kind words and mode of instruction. He took an active part in the Burra model Parliament. He became Town Clerk in 1878 and filled the position for 7 or 8 years. [Jan. 1878-Jan. 1879 & Apr. 1879-Oct. 1884] Shortly after 1878 [Actually in 1878] he joined the syndicate to run the local paper as editor and later became sole proprietor. He later established a newspaper at Terowie and conducted that as well. For some years he was a member of the Burra School Board of Advice. In 1886 he established the Burra Co. VF and became their Captain. He was complimented at reviews held in Adelaide and respected by the officers. He was twice Mayor of Burra [1887 & 1889] and twice President of the Burra Institute. In 1887 he was elected to SA Parliament when his enthusiastic supporters drew him around the town by manpower in his buggy covered with floral bouquets. In 1889 he became Treasurer of SA and in 1890 was re-elected. He represented SA at Wesleyan Conferences in Adelaide, Christchurch NZ, Melbourne, and Sydney. He has been a valuable local preacher and church worker.

Cricket. Season opener 1891: Burra 136 defeated Muffs 107.

‘Sparks’ has the cryptic: ‘She banged before she orta.’

XII, 1058, 23 Sep. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith will offer 26,760 sheep on 25 September.

And 20,000 two-tooth ewes on 1 October.

Advt. Aberdeen Cash Store. W.L. Evans, General Storekeeper, next to R. Austin’s.

Notice. W.J. Davey has bought The Record from P. Murrie Jun. and will carry on the same.

Advt. St Mary’s Sunday School Festival, 27 September with special school service 3 p.m. Picnic at Princess Royal on Wednesday 30 September, after a special 9.30 a.m. service.

Advt. Concert in Council Chamber at Mt Bryan on Wed. 23 September in aid of the Mt Bryan Fife and Drum Band. 1/-. Burra visitors invited.

Editorial: gold has been discovered at Nackara [45 km ENE of Peterborough] and also recently about 3 miles E of Burra. The Nackara property is owned by an old Burra resident called Lambert.

Burra Co. VF. At the final social on Wednesday Mt T. Warnes promised £5 [On page 3 the sum is said to be 5 guineas] towards forming a Band for the Mounted Infantry Co.

Burra Co. MI assembled in Market Square for the first time in their new uniforms on Friday night.

Iron Mine Band of Hope continues to meet monthly. Mr John Roach of Adelaide gave three very entertaining recitations. Other contributions came from Mr J.J. Austin, Mr Smith, Master H. Smith, Miss L. Midwinter, Miss J. Fairchild, Mr J. Scott, Master Fairchild, Mr E. Oates, and Miss F. Fairchild.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday night discussed ‘Bible Reading in State Schools’. Things were less animated than usual because it was almost unanimous that such readings should not be undertaken. (There was but one vote in favour.)

Mr Holder’s Sunday school class presented him with a gold pin, not a Bible as stated last week.

Vagabonds. There are some beggars around who are most demanding. If such appear send for the police.

Hardwicke College, (Kooringa) students assembled last Monday to present parting gifts to teachers the Misses Lily & Annie Hotson who are having to leave Burra through ill health.

XII, 1058, 23 Sep. 1891, Page 2-3

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday & Monday was very successful with attendance at tea the best for some years. Mr Holder, as Treasurer, reported the debt had been reduced by £140 in the year to the present £330 with £10 cash in hand. It was necessary to raise £100 at the anniversary to reduce the debt by the same amount this year. The chief event reported by the Rev. R.M. Hunter in the year was the gaining of freehold for the church land instead of the previous lease. £22-4-0 was collected and £68-10-0 promised and since then more promises mean that the £100 target will be reached. The latter part of the meeting took the form of a farewell for Mr Holder.

XII, 1058, 23 Sep. 1891, Page 3

Obituary. Mika, the Samoan who had visited Burra with the Rev. A. H. Carne on behalf of the Wesleyan Foreign Missions has died at Clare of inflammation of the lungs last Wednesday. [Registered as Micah: died 16 September 1891 aged 21.]

Burra Co. VF. Before finally disbanding the Company had a social last Wednesday evening at the Commercial Hotel. Captain Butterworth took the chair and Lieut. Watt was Vice-Chair. Capt. DePassé from the Staff-Office attended.

[The list of toasts was typical of formal social gatherings and is included to give an idea of the practice.] Between the toasts various items of entertainment were presented.

Toasts Proposer

The Queen Capt. Butterworth

The Governor Lieut. Watt

SA Parliament P. Murrie Jun.

The Ministry Mr Warren

Town Council of Burra P. Murrie Jun.

Our Defenders Mr Pederson

Burra Mounted Rifles Capt. Butterworth

Burra Brass Band T. Warnes

The Ladies C. Tiver

The Town & Trade of Burra T. Warnes

Members of the Burra Co. VF Lieut. Watt

The Press

The Host & Hostess

Cricket. The Cricket Club held its AGM on 17 September at the Burra Hotel.

Captain, G. Parks; Vice-Captain, W.H. Morton.

A match was arranged for this afternoon: Married v. Singles.

St Mary’s Seatholders meet on Friday to take the first steps towards finding a replacement for the Rev. J. Stuart Wayland who, after completing six years here thought it was time to move on.

Burra Town Council, 21 September.

The Mayor reported that on 11 September he had waited on the Conservator of Water and had spoken with him about the need to re-timber the Waterworks shaft. He agreed to accede to the request and forwarded a detailed account for information. He also undertook to inspect the plant etc. when the renewal of the lease comes up and to consider the value of the capital account. The problem of there being no back-up boiler in case of failure was discussed and he saw no difficulty in the request for extra machinery.

The Commissioner of Public Works was absent so the question of the Bon Accord Bridge could not be dealt with.

Correspondence from the Railway Commissioners says the Bon Accord Crossing will receive immediate attention.

The road at the end of the Brewery has been finished and the drain will now proceed.

The Waterworks Committee recommends:

Council apply to the Government for a renewal of the lease for, say, three years.

That they apply to have the capital amount reduced on account of wear and tear of mains, meters etc.

A Cornish boiler with Galloway tube be got as a back-up, especially for the summer season.

That a duplicate set of three pumps etc. be obtained.

That a full set of driving wheels be obtained.

That a duplicate set of stop valves, castings, fireplugs, and stones be kept in stock - despite the capital expenditure involved.

They were confident of a reduction in the capital account.

Bible Christian Conference decided to establish Way College as a memorial to Rev. J. Way in 1885. W.G. Torr, the head master at the college, arrived in Adelaide last Thursday morning.

XII, 1059, 30 Sep. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 31,700 sheep on 1 October, comprising:

20,000 Momba-bred two-tooth ewes

10,000 fat wethers of 1, 2 & 3 years

1,700 shorn fat wethers

Advt. Juvenile Missionary Meeting, Magic Lantern Views & Lecture, 7 October.

Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa, Exhibition by Rev. R.J. Daddow,

Lecture by Rev. R.M. Hunter: Stanley’s How I Found Livingstone. 6d & 3d.

Advt. F.W. Holder: Companies’ and General Agent, All Land, Office & Other Selectors’ Agency Work. AMP Buildings, Adelaide.

Editorial on the Burra Waterworks.

A special meeting of Councillors on Thursday made some important decisions.

Last year the unworkable condition of the pumps and collapse of the well caused consumers to pay for what they could not get. The meeting called for renewal of the lease for three years, the purchase of a boiler, and the reduction in value of the Capital Account.

We believe Burra is the only Corporate Town that runs its own Waterworks. We commend the Council’s moves.

2nd Leader on Rabbits. There is a need for Government action to cause all lands to be inspected and clearance of rabbits to be enforced.

3rd Leader on moves, again, to consider a property tax.

A property tax would be a levy on all that a taxpayer owned over and above his debts, with land being on the same footing as personal property. At present we have land and income tax. The former is levied on the unimproved value of all land and the latter is levied on all incomes above £200 p.a.

The progressive land tax proposals would see a levy on large estates for the purpose of encouraging their sub-division by compelling owners to pay what the land would contribute if it were so sub-divided and utilized by a number of persons. The taxes, other than income tax, are preferable as they are not a fine for special industry or ability. The property tax is defective in not distinguishing land from other property. Land shows a general tendency to increase in value not only over time but due also to population growth, public works etc. Taxation needs to distinguish between land and other property.

It is also necessary to consider progressive aspects of tax. A man on £2 per week needs every penny of it: one on £10 a week can spare a considerable % of it before his necessities are affected.

W. West has been gazetted a JP.

Mr Paynter’s machinery at the Smelting Works is now ready to treat the old slag.

Bon Accord Bridge. Surveyors have been taking levels for the bridge.

Dr Brummitt narrowly escaped injury when some horses ran against the horse in his trap on the Redruth Bridge, causing his horse to plunge and jump.

Wheat samples from Mt Bryan East look fine and healthy at 4 feet in height, but the question remains whether rabbits will permit a good harvest.

Shearing is in full swing.

XII, 1059, 30 Sep. 1891, Page 3

A Grand Military Ball for 21 October was arranged at a meeting held at Vivian’s Hotel on Friday: the first such event in Burra.

Kooringa Band of Hope meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Thursday drew 120. It has been decided to form a cricket club and to hold a concert on 15 October to cover the cost of the same.

Accidents.

On 15 September Mr Edwards received spinal injuries at Elder, Smith’s saleyards when driving under a plank.

Two young men called Sugars were kangarooing at Baldina last week when one was thrown from his horse and he has remained unconscious for five days. Since Wednesday his condition has been critical.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit Quarterly Meeting was held at Baldina on 23 September. Income for the quarter was £92-4-2 and expenditure was £81-17-2. The freehold of the Kooringa Church, school and old parsonage has been obtained and the names of the new trustees were submitted and approved. A vote of appreciation for the work of Mr & Mrs Holder was passed.

Hardwick College (Kooringa) Branch School held its break-up demonstration in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Thursday. All the Protestant ministers were there. Among other items the pupils performed the cantata Queen of Choice and a callisthenics display. The departure of the Misses Hotson was regretted as they had been in charge from the opening.

Burra Town Council, 24 September.

A special meeting approved the renewal of the Waterworks lease for three years and resolved to ask the Government for a reduction in the capital account. It was also resolved to ask for the purchase of a Cornish boiler for use in an emergency, the present works not being in good repair.

Stockyards. ‘We have at the north end of the town the largest stock market in the colony’ and ‘the largest and most substantial cattle and sheep yards that are to be found outside of Adelaide.’

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry. At present Mr C. Rawling has a contract to supply 10,000 cubic yards of ballast. It is broken from a slope 40’ high and thrown into drays and is being delivered to railway trucks for 2/- per cubic yard at the rate of about 500 cubic yards a day.

Burra Literary Society. At the last meeting T. Nevin spoke on The Nervous System.

W.G. Torr, who resided in Burra for a considerable time has recently arrived from the UK to take charge of Way College. At the Bible Christian School at Kooringa he passed through all classes and then became a teacher etc. His first school as head was Ulooloo and then he went to Adelaide and later to Moonta where there were 1,000 children. In 1886 he went to England at his own expense to take degrees in preparation for his headmastership of Way College. At Oxford he got his BA and BCL and at Cambridge his LLB and at Dublin his LLD. At Oxford he took his honours in Theology and Hebrew. He is renowned for his piety, commonsense, genial spirit, loyalty to his church and his evangelism.

A Mt Bryan Concert for the Fife & Drum Band was a great success and is reviewed at some length.

Cricket. The match planned for Wednesday did not occur.

The Smelting Works.

A lad was almost suffocated in the old chimney on Wednesday.

Mr Paynter thinks it will take seven years to get through the old slagheap.

Caterpillars are in plague proportions in the east.

Burra Town Council has sent a letter to P. Murrie Jun. thanking him for his fair reporting of Council meetings during his ownership of the Burra Record and expressing their best wishes.

Sport. Out-of-town reports cover football, racing, billiards, boxing, chess, cricket and a pigeon shooting match in Sydney at which L. Clark 92 defeated the world champion Dr Carver 91. Clark shot 56 birds without a miss.

XII, 1060, 7 Oct. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Tenders called for the removal of the old wall and its relocation at the new southern boundary of the cemetery.

Advt. Ridge’s Great American Circus, Saturday 10 Oct. at the rear of the Commercial Hotel, Kooringa.

Editorial on The Australian Squadron.

The advent of five cruisers and two gunboats for the Australasian area with 5% of the capital and running costs to be the responsibility of the colonies. Intended to protect commerce and shipping rather than the land. Cost to SA c. £10,000 p.a. (in addition to our land forces and Protector and Forts Largs and Glanville.

James Tiver has been made a JP.

Salvation Army, Burra Corps made a trip to Hallett on Wednesday to hold meetings.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 11 & 12 October. Rev. H. Parkinson to preach with an afternoon flower service. Iron Mine Band to attend the tea meeting.

Hallett Races last Wednesday saw a very crowded train leave Burra for the north for the day. A great number of the visitors walked round all the night as all beds in Hallett were taken.

Burra Co. MI. 13 Oct. Foot drill 7.30

14 Oct. Mounted drill 2.30

15 Oct. Mounted drill at Mr Field’s

Sgt-Major DePassé commanding.

On Wednesday in Market Square 28 men turned out in full uniform and rode to Princess Royal at the invitation of Mr A. McCulloch where he entertained them on the verandah with ‘good things’. They then mounted and went to the side of the hill opposite where St Mary’s picnic was being held.

A drill session followed. The division got home c. 7 p.m.

Inspection is due on 21 October.

Magpies have become a danger to people now that street trees have provided nesting places. Some are saying that magpies should be limited to farms and not towns.

XII, 1060, 7 Oct. 1891, Page 3

Elder, Smith’s salesman, Mr Crisp, got through 20,000 sheep in 15 minutes at a special sale on Thursday.

Koomooloo is being offered and visitors have been inspecting the 14 blocks for which applications had to be in by Saturday last. It is expected there will be an average of 20 applicants per block.

Humphrey Sandland, jumped from a trolly at the St Mary’s picnic, fell over, and was then run over by the second trolly. Amazingly he was recovered from under the wheels with nothing more than a broken shoulder and lesser wounds and will recover in a few weeks. [Aged c.71⁄2]

Burra Town Council, 5 October.

£10-15-3 of the cost of the brewery connection to the water supply will be charged to the capital account.

SAMA has granted a strip of land 100’ x 40’ as an addition to the cemetery.

Cr Rabbich proposed the Council apply to SAMA to buy a further 100’ strip as it cost £91-10-0 to extend the wall 100 ‘, but would cost only another £33 for the extra 100’.

Cr Watt amended the motion by calling for tenders for removing the old wall and erecting the new. Cr O’Leary 2nd because he thought the 100’ would do for 10-15 years and it would be time enough then to enlarge it.

Cr Watt proposed the pump at the cemetery be repaired and the weeding attended to.

Hallett Races last week were a great success with about 350 in attendance. The account extends c. 2 columns.

Burra Amateur Surprise Party put on a concert in Hallett after the races.

St Mary’s Picnic. After a service at the church the party set out for Princess Royal in trolleys and wagons. The unfortunate incident involving Humphrey Sandland has already been noted. Races and jumping were organised for the afternoon when many more traps brought people and towards teatime the Mounted Infantry rode up. Their activities disturbed the horses and made for some interesting driving on the return journey.

Burra Literary Soc. meeting was postponed last Friday.

St. Mary’s: a new schoolroom is proposed.

Trees. The free distribution of trees from the Woods and Forests Dept. is to be discontinued.

XII, 1061, 14 Oct. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on The Burra Mine.

A few months ago we would not have believed the old slag would be being crushed so it is not impossible to imagine the mine again producing copper. The old mine was world famous. The capital invested was £12,320 in £5 shares which were at one time worth £200 each and returned £40 each year in dividends. It paid in all £800,800 in dividends.

Immediately on discovery it employed 10 miners and soon a large number. In the first six years it raised upwards of 80,000 tons of rich ore which yielded a profit of a little short of £500,000 and within a few years a gross profit of £882,436 and dividends equal to £315 on each £5 share. The Victorian diggings drew miners away in 1851-52 and the mine stopped. Machinery halted and water came in with the few remaining workers employed above the water level. When work began again in earnest for many years it yielded 10,000 to 13,000 tons per annum at 22-23% copper or c. 2,500 tons of copper with an average value of c. £225,000. From 1845-64 the company spent in SA about £1,700,000 of which about £1,000,000 was in wages.

In 1878 another check on its work occurred when the directors suspended operations owing to the low price of copper. For many years not a single man worked on the mine, but in 1886 several local men applied to be allowed to work on tribute and this was allowed. They are engaged in overhauling debris thrown away and in digging on the side of the mine not previously worked and are making a fair living at it. There were about 12 working at one time, but now about 6. It is hard as they must bag the ore and fetch it a long distance back to the old floor. Much of the wood and iron work is in good condition and the large engine is as good as ever. Mr Paynter’s efforts will surely have an effect on those who were recently negotiating with SAMA to buy the mine, but who have so far failed to carry it through.

2nd Leader on Our Servants in Parliament.

[Saying basically that ‘the time of the country is being wasted’.

3rd Leader on ‘Are We Socialists?’

In many significant respects we are. Consider in SA the operation of the postal service, telegraphs, railways, schools, etc. And many laws compel action for the good of the community and are a limit on individualism.

Mr Paynter’s operations have begun.

Larrikinism: late on Friday night some person or persons broke three panes of glass in the street lamp on Henderson’s Corner and the lamp glass.

L-C Thomas is investigating.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 15 October: a Grand Concert in aid of the Band of Hope Cricket Club.

Obituary. Mrs Pearce, wife of T.H. Pearce [sic] of ‘The Gums’ Station died suddenly at Ballarat where she had been recently sent for a change to improve her health. She was a daughter of Mr George Hiles of Hallett and a sister of Mrs W. Cockrum, Mrs Boucaut of Jamestown, Mrs Roach of Terowie and Mrs Dix of Adelaide. [The name should be Pearse.] [Died 12 October 1891, born 27 October 1848 as Emily Elizabeth Hiles.]

Wesleyan Juvenile Mission meeting on Wednesday was well attended.

XII, 1061, 14 Oct. 1891, Page 3

W. Fox, the manager for Elder, Smith for the last year has been transferred to Adelaide. He has been prominent in the tennis club and for some time was a member of the cricket club.

Burra Co. MI has elected as officers: Lieut. Watt and as Lance Corporals:

Page, West, Jennings, Blott, Parks, Warren, Field, Drew & M. Rabbich.

After the inspection on 21 October there will be a grand military ball at the Institute.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 11 & 12 October was largely attended and an excellent tea was provided on the Monday when the Iron Mine Brass Band was much appreciated in the evening. The balance sheet will allow a small reduction in the debt after the payment of interest.

Influenza has broken out in Burra, but not as severely as in Broken Hill where about 100 miners are absent from work.

Rabbits are becoming troublesome.

Burra Mine: ‘In four years the water in the mine pool has rose [sic] twelve feet.’

Burra Smelting Works.

Crushing at the Smelting Works started last week. Since the old smelters stopped in 1856 [Not, I believe, the correct year.] ‘the buildings etc. has [sic] become a total wreck.’

Mr Paynter visited the smelts about five years ago and having tested the slag decided to go to work. An offer to the directors of the mine was accepted. Machinery was ordered, but there was some delay. Now the most modern crushing machinery is in place. It is estimated that the heap contains 120,000 tons and will take five or six years to run through. The engine is a Key’s 16 horsepower beam engine weighing 3 tons 15 cwt and operating at 80 strokes a minute. It is embedded in 40 tons of masonry and used 11⁄2 tons of wood in 8 hours operation at 32 lb pressure. It uses a Cornish boiler with two Galloway tubes; 18 feet long and 51⁄2 tons weight.

A viaduct has been erected from the heap to the cracker and the wagon which carries 1 ton is drawn up by machinery, tipped and returned to the heap. The Martin’s cracker was made for the Dry Creek Smelting Works, but was too small for that. At present they are crushing 25 tons in 8 hours, but they will soon double that when extra shifts are put on. The crusher weighs 8 tons and has rollers 23” in diameter and 18” long and having passed through the cracker the slag enters the crusher and is ground very small and is passed through a six-hole sieve. Stuff failing to pass through is returned to the crusher. From the crusher it passes to the jigger, 20’ long and moving at 150 strokes per minute. The jigger has six compartments which sorts the copper from the residue. An elevated tramline will take the tailings away from the jigger. The water comes from the Burra Waterworks at 2/- per 1,000 gallons. It is recovered from the process and recycled. The staff is currently seven men, but two shifts will soon be used, more than doubling the workforce.

Burra North.

Business at the north end of the town has been brisk of late due to the large number of drovers bringing stock to markets, shearers coming from northern sheds to be sent to new places and teams bringing in wool to the station. Two fresh stores have opened and untenanted houses are not to be found. The town with its good roads and footpaths and good sanitation is a pleasant place to live. The Bon Accord railway crossing remains a dangerous place, but as yet the Railway Commissioners have taken no action.

Burra Literary Soc. had a full house last Friday to hear Rev. R.M. Hunter lecture on Flowers and Insects.

XII, 1062, 21 Oct. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Mr A.C. Noyes Concert 28 October at the Institute.

Songs, Instrumental Solos and Duets, finishing with the farce: A Stupid Servant.

Advt. Ratepayers are called upon to take the steps to ensure the re-election of John Sampson for East Ward.

Editorial on The Moonta Mines

Early in the year miners wanted better working conditions including higher pay for surface hands who were then earning 4/6 a day. (Nominally they were getting more, but it was reduced to this by intermittent contracts.) Directors refused as the mine was said to be barely paying its way. This led to a strike and work stopped, though they kept the pumps going. The editor is concerned about collateral damage to SA and Moonta businesses: ‘strikes are a very barbarous method of dealing with trade and labour disputes’.

Hallett Annual Sports will be held on 9 November.

Mrs T.H. Pearce’s remains arrived from Ballarat on the midday train on Thursday and she was buried that afternoon. [i.e. Pearse]

Burra Co. MI will be inspected by Gen. Downes today with fall-in at 3 p.m. in Market Square. There will be a Military Ball in the Institute tonight.

St Mary’s will stage a sale of useful and fancy goods and a strawberry picnic at the Recreation Ground shortly in aid of the new schoolroom. There will be large tents and sports with a shooting gallery, maypole dancing etc.

Frost on Wednesday evening was unexpected and damaged gardens, especially vines and tomatoes. It was the most severe for some years.

Storm. Last Friday afternoon the gale lifted some of the roofing iron from Rev. R.J. Daddow’s hay shed. His young daughter climbed up to try to secure the sheets when she fell through a loose sheet and then a piece of loose iron fell on her, cutting her head nastily and briefly knocking her unconscious. She is recovering.

XII, 1062, 21 Oct. 1891, Page 3

Fire. There was a small fire in E.C. Lockyer’s kitchen on Sunday. It is believed some coals from the fire were caught between the ash bucket and the weatherboard. J.D. Cave JP deemed no inquest was necessary.

Burra Co. MI. Last Thursday 15 men turned out for a drill at Mr Field’s, some six miles from Burra. The group practised marching, trotting, galloping, skirmishing, etc. Mrs Field provided refreshments and songs were sung by Lieut. Watts.

[Note that the terminology for the group is inconsistent. In the same report it is referred to as the Burra Mounted Infantry Company and in another as the Burra Division of Mounted Rifles. The terms Mounted Infantry and Mounted Rifles continued to be used interchangeably.]

Obituary. The third son of Mr J. Wise of Cartapoo, near Hallett, aged 17, died on 13 October in the Burra Hospital from internal injuries following a fall when chasing a magpie. [Registered as dying 14 October 1891 aged 16, born Samuel Alan Wise, 21 February 1875.]

Kooringa Band of Hope. The concert at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Thursday night raised about £5 for their cricket club.

Redruth Court, 19 October.

Fines for not destroying rabbits. (Including costs)

Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo £3-6-0

H. Bowman of Mt Bryan £5-3-0

C.E. & A. Gebhardt of Mackerode £4-17-0

Elder, Smith & Co. have attracted some objections to their holding a special sale a day previous to the usual day of the other two firms of auctioneers.

Mr Paynter has been forced to abandon his efforts to extract the copper from the slagheap. Trials from various parts of the heap have shown that it will not pay. We hear he has had a good offer for his machinery and dressing plant.

[Note that all this is denied in the next issue.]

Mr Quale, the resident railway engineer slipped last week while examining one of the pile bridges and knocked himself out. He was only saved from a fall of many feet by a person close at hand.

Hibernian and Australasian Catholic Benefit Soc. A ladies’ branch was opened in Burra on Saturday at a ceremony conducted by the District President M. Mannion & Vice-President C.C. Hanton & Mr F. B. Keough. 15 candidates were initiated.

Miss M.T. O’Leary was elected Senior Matron and Miss M. Tobin Junior Matron.

Influenza in Burra.

Sports. Out-of-town reports concentrate on foot and horse races.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 16 October.

Launder & Harris were awarded the tender for the cemetery wall at 4/51⁄2 per yard.

Ordinary Meeting 19 October.

It is feared that the frost last week has killed half the trees planted this year.

Saltbush. A scale insect is infesting the saltbush, so important in the eastern country for summer fodder. Mr Johnson Carpenter has brought in a sample from Baldina. The bug seems very like Icerya purchasi (cottony cushion scale) which devastated the oranges in California till the ladybug (Vedalia cardinalis) was introduced.

XII, 1063, 28 Oct. 1891, Page 2

Advt. John Sampson will auction under a warrant of execution of the Local Redruth Court on Friday 30 October on the premises known as Sing & Fat in Market Square, Groceries, Tinware, Glassware, Drapery etc., etc. Without reserve.

Birth. 25 October at Kooringa, to the wife of M. Pederson, a stillborn son.

Obituary. Eileen Butterworth, younger daughter of George & Minna Butterworth of Aberdeen, died 20 October, aged 1 year 8 months. [Born Eileen Butterworth 19 February 1890, died Aileen Butterworth 20 October 1891.]

Obituary. Anna Maria Ker, wife of J.G. Innes Ker, died at the Burra Hospital on 23 October, aged 54. [Registered as aged 53: born Anna Maria Alston.]

Burra Literary Soc. Next Friday in Mrs Reed’s rooms at Redruth, Mr F.W. Holder will lecture on New Zealand. On 23 Oct. the program was impromptu speeches.

Influenza outbreak. Doctors Bird & McInerney, leading Melbourne physicians are treating the influenza outbreak with small doses of per-chloride of mercury. Bird is using 1/80 gr with 1⁄2 gr of quinine half-hourly and McInerney 1/16 to 1/20 gr in distilled water two-hourly till the temperature falls to normal. To be done only under medical supervision.

Bible Christian Home Mission services at Kooringa and Mt Bryan on 18 October. Revs. S.C. Mugford of Riverton & R.C. Yeoman of Kooringa preached.

XII, 1063, 28 Oct. 1891, Page 2-3

British & Foreign Bible Society Annual Meeting of Burra Branch in Wesleyan Lecture Hall. The deputation was Rev. J.G. Wright. The year’s donation from the branch was £20. For next year President, Dr Brummitt; Vice-President, Rev. R.M. Hunter; Treasurer, P. Lane; Hon. Sec., W. Davey.

XII, 1063, 28 Oct. 1891, Page 3

Burra Fire Brick Co. A meeting is called for Friday 30 October at the Institute of those interested in forming a Fire Brick Co.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church, Anniversary will be 1 & 2 November.

George McCauley ran into Kooringa on Saturday claiming a man with an axe was pursuing him to kill him. He was subsequently found to be a lunatic and was conveyed to the asylum on Monday.

Influenza in Burra is serious, but it is not in its most virulent form. At Gum Creek Mr & Mrs Scott and family with 8 or 9 shearers have been laid up and at Caroona only one shearer is capable of working. At Mt Bryan Mrs Ullman died on Monday and Mr Ullman and two children are seriously ill.

Charles W. Gray, of Manoora, writes suggesting that the visiting English cricketers should play a country 22 at Burra.

Burra Co. MI was inspected by Gen. Downes on Wednesday. 36 answered the call at 3 p.m. (4 had influenza and 1 was on leave.). Cpl Blott was adjudged the best turned out. They then marched to the polo ground where about 2 hours of drill was gone through, after which Gen. Downes expressed his satisfaction with the company. The military ball in the evening at the Institute saw the building beautifully decorated including c. 60 flags. The ball got going c. 9 p.m. and began with a quadrille. So enthusiastic were the dancers that three or four extra were added to the 22 dance program. Mr Watts was MC. The ladies were elaborately dressed. [Some description of their appearance is printed.] About 140 attended despite the sickness accounting for some absences. The dancing finally ended about 3.30 a.m.

Burra Mine. SAMA receipts for six months ending September 1891 were £798-5-1 from rent, interest and fees. £33-9-4 came from ore sold. Expenditure £571-1-10.

The undivided profit of the company is now £14,229-5-8.

Witnesses are being examined in Adelaide under the commission issued in the action pending against the purchasers of the mine in England.

Frost. The recent black frost has played havoc with the wheat crop as well as the gardens and extensive damage is reported from Baldina, Mongolata and Hallett. Some crops will only be good for hay and some only for stock to graze on. Even the grass on the hills has been burnt off.

Central Land Board has met in Burra Institute last Thursday to allocate land surrendered and hear appeals, transfers etc. in the Hundreds of Anne, Ayers, Bright, Bundey, Baldina, Apoinga, Hanson, Mongolata & Tomkinson.

The land southeast of Burra attracted most interest when there were 250 applicants for 13 blocks. The results have given considerable dissatisfaction with much of the land going to the big landowners in the area like Thomas Warnes (Koomooloo), John Bailey (Gum Creek), Mr Dunn (Mt Barker), Mr Reed (Clare). But all were allocated under the personal residence provisions [which presumably ruled out many applicants.]

Mr Paynter made an assay of the slag and found results unsatisfactory so he stopped work pending a proper assay in Adelaide. This turned out to be so satisfactory that he recommenced work at once. Reports of his abandoning the work are false.

St Mary’s. On 26 October [sic, it was really 25th] Rev. J. Stuart Wayland preached his farewell sermon after six years incumbency. In the afternoon on behalf of the Sunday school Dr Sangster presented Mr Wayland with a silver mounted emu egg inkstand. He was also given a beautifully bound church service book.

Obituary & Inquest. An inquest was held at Redruth Gaol on Saturday afternoon on the body of William Creighton aged 65. [Registered as dying 20 October 1891 aged 66.]

Dr Brummitt said deceased had been in the Burra Hospital from 16 Oct. to 21 Oct., but was discharged for insubordination. He had been supposed to be suffering a slight case of influenza, but no pronounced disease was apparent and not being seriously ill he was told to go on the 21 Oct. after having been abusive to a nurse. The autopsy showed inflammation of the lungs as the probable cause of death, though it was unusual for it to follow so rapidly. Dr Sangster concurred in the autopsy findings.

Matron Mary Ann Lyford corroborated the account above.

George Mitchell, Keeper of the Redruth Gaol said he received Creighton at 1 o’clock on 23 Oct. for one month hard labour, he having been sentenced for having no legal visible means of support. He was handed over to a warder for a wash and at 9.20 p.m. deceased said he felt bad and asked for water which he took. At 5.55 on the 24 Oct. formed the opinion he was dying and sent for the doctor. He was dead when Mitchell returned to the cell. The doctor arrived about 6.30.

Alfred Bush, warder, added a few details to the above.

M-C Robert Hamilton Mack said on the night of the 22 Oct. the deceased was found in an unoccupied house near the Burra Creek and brought to the station by M-C O’Callaghan, in a filthy state and next morning was charged with having no lawful or visible means of support and was sentenced to one month hard labour. Mack took him to the gaol about 12.45 p.m. On the way he complained several times of shortness of breath.

Verdict was death due to inflammation of the lungs accelerated by excessive drinking

Creighton was a veteran of the Crimean War and has a wife in NZ whom he had left because of his drunken habits.

Influenza victims! Note the nice juxtaposition in ‘Sparks’ column:

‘Dr Brummitt laid up with influenza’

‘Sing and Fat got the “grip”’

XII, 1064, 4 Nov. 1891, Page 2

Advt. To Let - A First-Class Boarding House, Doing a Good Trade.

Possession Immediate if Desired. Apply to Mrs R. Reed, Aberdeen.

[Former White Hart Hotel.]

Advt. Concert by Blind Performers Only, Monday 16 November at the Institute.

In aid of the Industrial School for the Blind. 2/- & 1/-.

Editorial is an attack on recent criticisms of Australia by Hon. J.W. Fortescue, late private secretary of the Governor of New Zealand and by Christie Murray, an actor and novelist who charged Australians with being: ‘politically corrupt, financially unsound, and of depraved tastes, delighting in foul language and strong liquor.’

XII, 1064, 4 Nov. 1891, Page 3

2nd Leader on the Land Board which would seem to have made decisions that promoted the accumulation of large estates and though this will be addressed by Government it is now too late for the local area to benefit from any instructions aimed to counter this.

Larrikinism. The glass in the lamps at Henderson’s Corner and the Kingston St Bridge has been broken several times recently. On Thursday two men were seen throwing stones at them, but on this occasion they missed. L-C Thomas is investigating and the Council is offering a £5 reward.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church half-yearly special effort was held on 12 November with a flower service in the afternoon. The tea meeting on Monday was well attended. Misses Tiver and Hall collected over £10 and other funds raised will cover current expenses and necessary repairs.

St Mary’s. A meeting in the vestry on Tuesday 27 Oct. saw a presentation to Rev. J. Stuart Wayland. Dr Sangster made the presentation of a purse of 35 sovereigns. E.C. Lockyer & T. Edwards also spoke.

Mr A.C. Noyes’ Concert on Wednesday evening was much disrupted by the influenza outbreak which had affected several performers, forced Dr Sangster from the chair to attend to a patient, and reduced attendance very greatly, so it cannot be said to have been a financial success.

Burra Literary Soc. The address by Mr Holder, on New Zealand, on Friday night drew a good attendance.

Burra Town Council.

The Waterworks inspection showed a fractured pumping rod and orders have been made for its repair.

The need for a new boiler at the Waterworks was raised by Cr Rabbich and in the end a letter was to be sent to the Engineer-in-Chief re the lease renewal and a new boiler.

Retiring members this year are the Mayor, Mr W. West, and Crs Sampson, O’Leary and Butterworth.

The Mayor, in commenting on the useful work done in the year, attacked the frequent carping attacks made on the Council in the Jamestown Review.

Cr Rabbich agreed, saying the reports were ‘mean, despicable and untruthful’.

Cr Sampson agreed that the Council had been vilified in the Jamestown paper which had published statements which were utterly untrue about the Town Council. They should be made known and the Burra Correspondent to that paper be made an example of.

[It is very likely that this was W.H. Hardy]

Cr Rabbich believed the reports on the Jamestown paper should be treated with contempt.

Mr West indicated his willingness to stand again if ratepayers indicated that such was their desire.

The new wall at the cemetery was proceeding.

The lamp glass on the [Kingston St] bridge was broken on Saturday and this resulted in a £5 reward being offered.

Cr Butterworth said the bridge near Mr Packard’s was unsafe owing to the stones being washed away. [Perhaps the bridge on Smelts Rd?]

The meeting ‘which was very warm at times’ then adjourned.

Captain Thomas is leaving Burra.

Influenza is now very severe in Burra.

17 patients were admitted to hospital last week.

Rev. Wayland goes to Semaphore.

The Fire Brick Co. meeting did not come off.

Sing & Fat’s sale did not come off.

Cr Butterworth will not stand again.

Mr Ullmann was a Burra resident for 30 years.

XII, 1065, 11 Nov. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Burra Town Council Retiring Officers

Mayor: William West

Auditor: John Darby Cave

North Ward: George Butterworth

East Ward: John Sampson

West Ward: Daniel James O’Leary

Marriage. 24 October. Herbert Percival Tuckfield, 2nd son of J. Tuckfield of Baldina to Sarah Elizabeth (Bessie) Nicholls, 4th daughter of Mr Thomas Nicholls of Kooringa and granddaughter of the late Rev. John Kelsey of Burnside SA.

Editorial on Local Government.

The SA system of local government is better that that of NSW, Victoria and Queensland, but Burra would have been a much better place had it achieved local government earlier when the town was more prosperous.

2nd Leader on Melbourne Cup Day: ‘The great racing carnival of Australasia’.

The editor was not sure such addictions to pleasure ‘do not tend to weaken character’ and he rather seems to hope that, though we must have recreation ‘the absorbtion [sic] by it and the intoxication of it will gradually die out as better aims and ambitions come in’.

Of course it was the gambling that he was most against.

XII, 1065, 11 Nov. 1891, Page 3

Hardwicke College girls had a picnic at Princess Royal on Monday last, led by Misses Bond and Dellow and conveyed there in Mr C. Grow’s four-in-hand drag.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church trustees met on 9 Nov. and decided that the church had to be enlarged. It is scarcely large enough to accommodate the ordinary congregation. It was decided to lengthen it by 15’ as soon as half the cost of doing so was secured.

Burra Co. MI. A lance-corporal had a lucky escape on the firing range on Wednesday when his rifle burst. A piece of the barrel struck his neck, but did no damage.

Obituary. Mr Lynch was breaking a horse for Mr G. Hiles of Cartapoo last Thursday when the rope entangled him and he fell, breaking an arm. He was taken to Burra Hospital where it was set, but mortification set in and it had to be amputated at the shoulder. His condition deteriorated and he died Sunday night. He leaves a widow and four young children. [Bernhardt Lynch died 8 November 1891 aged 35.]

Obituary. Mr John Bailey of Gum Creek died on 4 Nov. at the age of 74. He had lived there about 27 years, being one of the first farmers to take up land there.

[Page two said he was ‘wife of Sarah’ and resident of the district for over 37 years.]

He had previously lived at Mintaro and leaves five sons and one daughter, all married:

Robert Bailey (Belalie), John, Thomas & George Bailey (all of Gum Creek), James Bailey (Yongala). The funeral was one of the largest in Burra for some years and Rev. J. Stuart Wayland came from Adelaide to officiate.

Influenza. The epidemic is weakening. Several fatalities have occurred in the hospital, mainly among shearers and other distant workers who only come in when already very ill. Local fatalities have been few with Mount Bryan the worst hit area. Mr Ullmann, his wife and eldest daughter died of inflammation of the lungs connected with influenza, all within a week. Five other family members recovered: some after a severe battle.

Reports from around the Mid-North suggest influenza was bad at Mt Bryan and Petersburg, but with few cases at Manoora and only a few colds at Hallett.

W.H. Hardy writes complaining of the new railway timetable in which the afternoon train which used to go to Adelaide at 4.23 p.m. is now an hour earlier to the great detriment of business in the country.

The editor agrees, especially on sale days when business could not be transacted in time for the stockowners etc. to return home after the sales. As the colony’s biggest livestock market Burra deserves more consideration.

‘Humanity’ writes complaining of the way cab drivers thrash their horses between Kooringa and Aberdeen. ‘The fat man with red hair is the worst offender - you may know his name perhaps.’

‘Observer’ seeks to know who is in charge of Ridgway Park as the open gate allows cattle and horses to enter and break down trees. If Mr Ridgway has no interest the Council should resume control.

The editor says Mr Ridgway has charge as there is an agreement from 4 May 1885 whereby he takes control for seven years at £5 p.a. to be spent on plantings and other improvements. Water to be laid on by the Council and charged as for other reserves.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday. The annual children’s treat was held on Monday at Mr Sandland’s paddock on the Adelaide Road. [Sod Hut.]

Hallett Sports are reported and results printed in a 1 column article.

[Guy Fawkes Night] The cryptic ‘Plenty bon-fires’ is the only reference.

Obituary. Mr Pearce of Cockrum & Pearce died at the Burra Hospital on Thursday. [The registrations suggest Mr Henry Hezekiah Pearse who died 6 November 1891 aged 28.]

Burra Town Council

The report last week that Cr Rabbich had said ‘That the reports published in the Jamestown Review were mean, despicable etc.’ should have read:

‘That if the reports were as the Mayor represented them to be they should have been beneath the notice of the Council and should have been treated with contempt.’

XII, 1066, 18 Nov. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland will sell for Mr F. Simpson, who is removing to Adelaide, the household effects [enumerated at length] and all that block of land situated on Railway Tce opposite the Railway Station containing c. 1 acre with a frontage of 100’. A stone house of 7 rooms, iron roof, front and back verandah, underground tank, stone stable, chaff-house, pigsty, fowl-house, etc.

Also a fruit garden of 36 trees & 26 vines, fenced and subdivided.

XII, 1066, 18 Nov. 1891, Page 2-3

Editorial on the Mayor’s annual report.

The mayor receives a hearty endorsement for the work done despite the fact that the assessed value of the rateable property in the town has fallen from £15,892 in 1885 to £9,481 this year at a time when loans taken out earlier had come due for repayment.

The bonded debt is now reduced to £1,200 and will disappear in 1897 as now planned.

Despite heavy repair costs the Waterworks account is about in balance.

There were many unclaimed allotments on which no rates have been paid since the town was incorporated in 1876. The Council should move to sell these to recover long overdue monies.

The oval is nearly out of debt - now down to £200.

The frost damage to trees this year is regrettable.

SAMA has presented us with land for the cemetery extension.

The personal dispute in Council earlier in the year is best put behind us.

XII, 1066, 18 Nov. 1891, Page 3

Influenza is now abating.

Iron Mine Band of Hope had its monthly meeting on 12 Nov.

The Season. Mongolata yields are moderate.

World’s End crops are very poor, but at Baldina Mr Rhodé is reaping a fine crop of steinweidel variety and expects to get 15 bushels per acre.

Fire at Copperhouse on Monday morning burnt 8-9 acres of wheat on John Nicholls’ property.

Benjamin Watts, a sheep farmer of Bundey, has murdered Mr John Lort, a settler of the same location in a brutal attack last Saturday. Watts threw two bottles at Lort inflicting severe head injuries and then beat him with a broom handle and kicked him to death. Lort was aged 70. Watts is well known in Burra as the brother of the late Mark Watts and is aged 49. The pair had been on amicable terms and the deceased lived on Watts’ land rent free for ten years. [Thomas Lort aged 70 died at Bundey 14 November 1891!]

Burra Town Council

The Mayor’s Report.

The year began in credit £60-0-8.

The assessment for the year was £9,481-19-0, a decrease of £6,410-5-0 over the year 1885 when it was £15,892-4-0.

The rates were £456-10-6 and the Government subsidy was £140-7-7 which yielded a total income for the year of £764-6-7. (The only other large source of income was from dog registrations at £72-16-6.)

The main expenditure: Bond redeemed £200-0-0

Salaries £72-7-10

Public Works £214-3-2

Interest on coupons £65-0-0

Total £696-2-1

The oval has a remaining bond liability of £200.

In North Ward the main expenditure was:

Road repairs, Bon Accord to Nevin’s etc £28-16-5

Repairs to footbridge and ford at the White Hart £4-15-3

Repairs to the Gaol Road £5-9-9

Total expenditure £54-4-9

In West Ward the main expenditure was:

Road near Bewley’s £44-5-5

Lamps at Market Square and Bridge £6-19-5

Total expenditure £65-6-4

In East Ward the main expenditure was:

Repairs to Market Square £14-11-2

Repairs to Lower Thames St £18-8-5

Road near the brewery £11-17-0

Lamps at Market Square and Bridge £7-15-3

Total expenditure £88-11-0

Waterworks.

The existing lease expires on 31 December and negotiations have begun for a renewal under more favourable terms. The works, having been in use for several years and the meters needing repair and maintenance, the Council thinks in common fairness the capital account, now £7,658, should be reduced. [To reflect the lower value of the assets being leased.] A duplication of certain important portions of the plant etc. is necessary to prevent a failure of the water supply in the event of breakages etc.

An extra boiler and spare set of pumps and driving gear should be at the works. The waterworks assessment has been reduced, but still presses heavily on some ratepayers.

Income for the year 1891 £596-7-6

Expenditure

Interest £382-18-0

Other £299-12-10

Total £682-10-10

Rates yet to be collected should about balance the account.

The main extension to the supply has been to the Public School from Kingston St.

Unpaid Rates. Rates have not been paid on about 108 allotments in Redruth, Aberdeen, New Aberdeen, Hampton and Millerton. Ownership is hard to trace, but action to sell the properties to recover the rates will be needed after securing the necessary legal authority.

Railway Crossing. Despite repeated requests to the Railway Commissioners we have been unable to secure gates for the Bon Accord crossing. Action has been promised, but nothing has eventuated.

Trees. In the town 700 trees were planted this year. Over 400 were placed in No. 2 Reserve at Redruth and the balance filling gaps around the town. September’s heavy frost has unfortunately killed many of them. This work is ongoing and has done much to improve the former barren and uninviting appearance of Burra.

The sanitary condition of the town is good.

The cemetery has a credit of £99-10-9, though regrettably much of this is from interment fees this year. SAMA has this year granted an extension of a strip 100 feet in width on the south side of the cemetery, now being enclosed in a stone wall.

The main road grant of £300 has been expended to the extent of £298-3-8.

In 1885 the Mayor, John Dunstan Jun., impressed on the Midland Road Board the need for a bridge at the Bon Accord ford, but without success. This year a numerously signed memorial supported by the Town Council and the Mt Bryan, Hallett, Hanson & Booborowie District Councils (But not the Burra D.C.) was presented to the Hon. Thomas Playford calling for a bridge. A favourable inspection by the Inspector General of Roads, Mr C.T. Hargreaves, resulted in a vote of £1,500 for the work. Levels are now being taken and work should begin soon so the northern approach to the town will be much improved.

There was a difference of opinion on the validity of some of the standing orders of the Municipal Corporations Act 1890 and this was referred to the Municipal Association for their advice and opinion. The committee is still ongoing, but the advice was that the standing orders are sufficient and penalties under them are recoverable in the courts.

[This presumably refers back to the circumstances surrounding attempts earlier in the year to declare Cr Rabbich’s seat vacant.]

Last 20 December a local option poll showed that ratepayers of East and West Wards were in favour of Sunday closing of hotels.

Though not strictly a Council matter, I am pleased to note the formation of a Mounted Infantry Company of some 40 men in the town.

I extend my thanks to the Town Clerk, Mr William Davey, who has fulfilled a difficult task with diligence, integrity and punctuality.

W.H. Hardy writes a letter on the burden of the Corporation rates.

He is pleased that Parliament looks likely soon to allow the ratepayers to choose assessments based on unimproved land value, rather than as present on improved value, which taxes a man more when he improves the town and so is a wet blanket on enterprise. Even in the main street there are several ‘unsightly cribs . . . which would disgrace a mining camp’ because any improvement would mean higher rates.

Are we forever to place obstacles in the path of improvement? J.M. McBride and Elder, Smith & Co. have spent much money improving the town and employed many and now must pay the Corporation pretty heavily for doing so. Meanwhile SAMA are actually increasing their funds as a result of idleness.

Cricket. Where are the Burra cricketers?

XII, 1067, 25 Nov. 1891, Page 2

Advt. For Sale or to Let. Snell’s Temperance Hotel Burra, Burra Labour Office, with large shop of jewellery and fancy goods. House, well furnished with water laid on, good stables, coach house and yards. Apply John Snell, Kooringa.

Advt. Tuesday 1 December Mr M. Eyes, Grand Electric and Scientific Entertainment at the Institute. Featuring: Music on a set of electric bells

The telegraph

The telephone

The microphone

The phonograph diogram [?]

Rain making apparatus

Electric pump

Electric spark for gas lighting

Electric music box

An electric drum to accompany music

Electric light from batteries

Fork lightning that stands still

Vacuum Giessler tubes and electric fireworks

Advt. St Mary’s Strawberry Picnic Today at the Recreation Ground.

XII, 1067, 25 Nov. 1891, Page 3

Editorial on The Submerged Tenth.

General Booth and projects to help the poor to acquire skills and income.

Swimming. Complaints have been made that lads are bathing in the Burra Creek opposite the post office and near the Mine Bridge. The Inspector is to see it stops.

Burra Races. There seems a lack of interest this year despite last year’s success. Last year it was decided to hold regular meetings on New Year’s Day, but there has been no action to date.

Wheat. Samples of good wheat from Mr Tuckfield’s at Mongolata have been brought in, but the growing rabbit numbers invading from adjacent lands are threatening the crop.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 15 & 18 November. Rev. R.J. Daddow preached. In the afternoon he preached from the door and in the evening an open air service was needed to accommodate the gathering. Wednesday was the occasion of the tea meeting and the service of song ‘Eva’. Proceeds paid for the new organ.

St Mary’s. Rev. M. Williams of Riverton took the services on 22 November.

Booborowie Wesleyan Church held its opening services and public meeting on the 15 & 18 November. The church was more than filled for the service and for the tea meeting. The building is to serve as both a church and a day school.

Ratepayer’s meeting. This got rather heated at time, especially over the drain at the brewery and the Cr Rabbich issue. We wish to make it clear that Messrs Bagot, Shakes and Lewis paid for all the drain work and a few shillings is in hand. The legal expenses over Cr Rabbich did not cost a penny as advice was free from the Municipal Association as part of the service from the usual subscription.

Mr Uren, the teacher distributed the prizes when the day school held its picnic on Wednesday at the Burra Creek. [The context strongly suggests World’s End School, but the term ‘day school’ could suggest the Baldina Plains Lutheran School, though since World’s End school was held in the church, it could just as appropriately be used there.]

Ratepayers’ Meeting, Burra Institute, 20 November.

The Mayor presented his report as published in last week’s paper.

Mr Lane asked how £95-3-10 ‘other expenses’ was made up. Mr Davey said it was exactly as in previous years and had never been specified item by item. He then itemized the amount.

Cr Sampson moved the adoption, Cr J.A. Watt 2nd Carried.

P. Lane thought the ‘canal’ by the brewery was an eyesore and the money wasted. The Mayor replied that the cost was all Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s who had given £15 for it and 14/- or 15/- remained.

Cr Sampson thought Mr Lane was making a mountain out of a molehill.

He also thought the money spent on a road near the brewery was well spent.

Mr Lane disputed that the Council had spent its money wisely.

Mr Pinch moved a vote of thanks to the Council for its economical use of money. R.M. Harvey 2nd.

Cr O’Leary said he was glad of the appreciation expressed, but could not afford the time to stand again.

When it came time for the candidates to address the meeting Cr Watt took the chair.

Mr Pinch addressed the meeting. He would stand as a requisition signed by 113 ratepayers had asked him to do so.

Mr West would stand again for similar reasons.

Neither is reported as outlining any policies.

W.H. Hardy said he would stand. He had two years previous experience and did not approve of either the need of the work at the brewery or its nature.

Cr Sampson would run against Hardy in the East Ward. He favoured pitch-paving and keeping roads in repair, but thought tree planting overdone.

Mr Linkson will stand for North Ward.

Municipal Elections: a humorous article using nicknames.

‘Agent’ William West Mayor

Won the Mayoral stakes in 1896. A short time after this event he met with a misfortune of some kind, but whether that will interfere with his running this year remains to be seen. He recovered with the aid of legal advice and has been doing good work ever since.

‘I am sure it will be run in a friendly spirit.’

‘Old Grey’ Henry Pinch Mayor

Described as ‘aged, but possessed of good metal’ etc.

‘Storekeeper’ William Henry Linkson North Ward

‘Is a colt full of fire – perhaps too much, but that will be taken out of him at the proper time.’

‘Teetotaller’ Thomas Kitchen West Ward

‘There is no doubt he will come off victorious this time.’

‘Blacksmith’ presume August Miller West Ward

‘Stands about 191⁄2 hands high, and possess [sic] good muscular power, but the trainer left him till the last moment and it is hardly likely he will win.’

‘Auctioneer’ John Sampson East Ward

Is well and favourably known and this ‘promises to be a warm contest’.

‘Auctioneer has won several times and should do so again.’

‘Commission’ William Harrison Hardy East Ward

Has been training very hard, and is equally confident of success. ‘since his defeat last year he has not gained many friends, but if the speed is there what does it matter? I would not be surprised if he pulls off the coveted prize.’

‘Consistent’ Daniel James O’Leary retiring from West Ward

Burra Literary Soc. on last Friday was addressed by Rev. R.J. Daddow on coal and coal seams.

XII, 1068, 2 Dec. 1891, Page 2

Advt. Aberdeen Cash Store. W.L. Evans, General Storekeeper. Next to Mr Austin’s.

Editorial on Land Boards and Large Estates.

The most important question at the last general election was how to break up large estates, as they will hinder the due development of the colony. Their owners could compensate the colony by making a larger contribution to the state, or sell off their estates so that a settled population could more fully use them. Many railways inside Goyder’s Line pass through sheep walks that generate little traffic in either goods or passengers. Though pledged to act Parliament has done nothing and in fact has permitted new estates to be built up. Recent reports show that Land Boards allotting over 1,000 acres to one person in one or more blocks.

This is despite expressions of public opinion against such developments. The power of the Land Boards must be limited.

The editor then goes on to suggest limiting ownership to a particular value rather than a particular area, to allow for variations in the productivity of land and he develops his argument in an article extending c. 11⁄3 columns.

Salvation Army. Guards Band No. 2 will visit Burra tomorrow.

False Alarm. Someone blew Henderson’s whistle about 10.15 p.m. on Tuesday night and men and women assembled to fight the supposed fire, but it was apparently a lark by some unknown person.

W.P. Barker has invited the Mounted Infantry Co. to his residence at Baldina today.

Obituary. W.L.H. Bruse died this week. He contracted influenza and bronchitis a few weeks ago. He came to Burra in 1847 and carried on business as a cabinetmaker. When Bendigo diggings broke out he went there and was successful for 6-7 months before returning to Burra. He was a Past Grand of the Oddfellows Lodge and an active member of the Masonic Lodge in its early days. He did not take an active part in public affairs, but was willing to assist the town in any way and was of a benevolent disposition and a straightforward businessman. [Wilhelm Ludwig Heinrich Bruse died 29 November 1891 aged 69.]

XII, 1068, 2 Dec. 1891, Page 3

Redruth Court, 25 November.

S. Hill driving too fast around a corner 10/-

Thomas Parks stray horse 10/-

S. Hill leaving a vehicle with no one in charge 10/-

G.M. Hare driving 10 horses without reins 15/-

J. Lewis stray cows 10/-

C. Schutz stray calf 7/6

L. Grow stray goat 7/6

Harris & Sons stray horse 7/6

T. Woollacott stray cattle 10/-

Linkson Bros. stray horse 10/-

W.J. McWaters stray horses 10/-

S.J. Vivian stray cow 7/6

Joseph Williams stray horses 10/-

George Ellis leaving a vehicle with unchained wheel 7/6

Thomas Halls & Josiah Rosewall £1 each or 14 days for fighting in Market Square. (Fines paid.)

Burra Literary Soc. 27 November. Mr Dunstan in the chair.

Debate on the question: Is it desirable to abolish capital punishment?

Affirmative: Mr Fuss [probably C.A.], Mr Maggs

Negative: Messrs Moss, Rabbich & Nevin

(Mr Uhrlaub for the affirmative was unavoidably absent.)

‘A vote being taken the result was a majority of 9 for the negatives; 19 against 14.’ [sic]

[There is 1 column of detail.]

Burra Town Council, 30 November.

Waterworks Committee reported all necessary work had been done.

Mr Paynter has asked for a reduction in the charge for water he is using for crushing purposes [at the Smelts.] The new Council will decide.

The Mayor thanked the Councillors for their support in the past 12 months and then the Councillors congratulated each other.

St Mary’s held a Strawberry Fete at the Recreation Ground in aid of the building fund for a schoolroom to be erected for the church. This was described as a novelty for Burra and involved many weeks of preparation. It was opened by the Mayor, Mr W. West. The fete consumed over 2 cwt of strawberries [Over 100 kg.], some gallons of cream and a quantity of sugar. Several large tents were procured from Adelaide and the strawberry effort was supervised by Mrs J.M. McBride and her family.

Next door were tents for tea and dinner under Mrs P.L. Killicoat aided by Mrs T. Sandland and the Misses Cave, Bampton and Gebhardt.

‘At times the tea-fight raged so furiously that access to the desideratum was impossible and seats were at a premium.’

Other stalls sold fancy goods, lollies and produce and unsold goods were disposed of by a Dutch auction conducted by W.G. Hawkes.

Misses Coglin and Sprod controlled the liquor traffic, yet we did not see a single case of insobriety – remarkable considering the variety of beverages sold.

There was a Maypole Dance and also an Aunt Sally, quoits and pony rides.

The Burra Brass band attended and so did the Mounted Infantry, which went through manoeuvres.

At least 900 people passed through the gates.

[Strawberry fetes became a very popular feature of money-raising activities in the district until at least WWII, and in many years it would have been possible to have attended half a dozen or more without undue effort, but this appears to have been the very first one. St Mary’s continued for some years to hold a major strawberry fete, but Redruth Methodists were also to become notable among the many others.]

Municipal Election (Yesterday)

Mayoralty

West Ward North Ward East Ward Total

Henry Pinch 22 86 41 149

William West 64 31 88 183

East Ward

W.H. Hardy 71

J. Sampson jnr 59

West Ward

T. Kitchen 56

A. Miller 30

XII, 1069, 9 Dec. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on Australian Finances.

SA is not in as bad a way as the other colonies and with UK borrowing tightened we can survive better than NSW and Victoria, still we need to be aware that loans will be harder to get in the future.

Advt. Sale: household furniture and stock-in-trade of the late W.L. H. Bruse of Commercial St Kooringa will be offered for sale privately beginning 7 December.

Mr Benjamin Watts has been acquitted for the alleged murder at Bundey. The evidence was in no way corroborated and in the circumstances a verdict of acquittal after 10 minutes consideration was the only conceivable outcome.

W. West has suffered a severe bout of influenza and had to be sworn in as Mayor at his residence. He is slowly recovering.

Obituary/Accident. Mrs E.A. Skewes of Hilltown was killed when thrown from her buggy in a capsize on 30 November. She was a sister to Mrs Wade of Kooringa. [Registered as Elizabeth Ann Skews died 30 November 1891.]

XII, 1069, 9 Dec. 1891, Page 3

Rabbits are in plague proportions to the east of Burra.

Ironmine. There is a prospect that the large amount of manganese at Ironmine will be used profitably as a smelting flux. Some Adelaide gentlemen have secured the rights to it for three years from Mr P. Oates. Messrs Baker, Rosewall and Edwards are raising 50 tons to be sent to Port Adelaide and should it be satisfactory a large quantity will be taken. It would certainly help absorb surplus local labour.

John Sampson’s defeat at the recent elections comes after 13 years of service to the town. The reasons for his defeat are not at all clear as he has always worked in a fair and impartial manner. His invaluable services will never be known.

Redruth Court, 2 December.

John Nelson fined 11/- for furious riding in Kooringa on 29 November.

‘Justice’ writes calling on the town to make a public acknowledgement of former Cr Sampson’s services over 13 years.

The Famous No. 2 Guards’ Band paid a visit to Burra on Thursday and was the best music heard here since the visit of the No. 1 Band 12 months ago.

They played at the hospital before marching into town to ‘The Marseillaise’. After a few selections in the street they went to the barracks for a meal. The evening open-air meeting was much appreciated. On Friday they went on to Yongala after playing a few tunes in market Square.

Municipal Elections: a humorous account of 2⁄3 column.

Rev. R.J. Daddow contributes 2⁄3 column on Artificial Rain Production.

Mr M. Eyes’ entertainment attracted a very fair house.

Burra Co. MI accepted Mr W.P. Barker’s invitation to visit his Baldina property on Wednesday. 36 men went out to try some manoeuvres there. No less than 100 people were present to do justice to the good things provided under a large marquee procured from Adelaide. A sumptuous meal was provided.

‘The toast was drank with ringing cheers.’ [sic] ‘Are you listen Walter?’ [sic]

The meal was taken in three sittings of 40 a time and after the manoeuvres the tables were laid for a tea of cakes, tarts etc. They reached Burra on the return at c. 7.30.

XII, 1069 [2], 16 Dec. 1891, Page 2

(Incorrectly numbered: should be 1070, corrected next issue & 1070 not used)

Advt. Friday 18 December in Chapel St Kooringa, J.T. Tregilgas will auction the household furniture and effects in the insolvent estate of Peter Murrie Jun., late of Kooringa, insolvent, by order of the Official Receiver.

Editorial on the New Council.

They have dispensed with the dayman which the editor feels is a mistake. It is important to have a man available when needed for footpaths, roads, culverts etc.

The Waterworks needs closer attention than it has had for some time.

‘There are fire plugs, etc. that has [sic] never been seen since the waterworks has been finished and when they are found it will be a matter of impossibility to move them from the dirt and rust. There are several mains that has [sic] never been flushed and many that has [sic] been ordered to receive attention has [sic] been neglected.’

2nd Leader on the dying 2nd Session of the SA Parliament.

Messrs M.H. Bruse & Son have taken over from the late W.L.H. Bruse and will carry on the business.

Advt. Wesleyan Christmas Concert. Wesleyan Lecture Hall Kooringa, 22 Dec. 6d.

XII, 1069 [2], 16 Dec. 1891, Page 3

Burra Literary Soc. There was a small attendance on Friday due to bad weather.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Circuit quarterly meeting showed the affairs to be in good order. Rev. R.J. Daddow received a hearty and unanimous invitation to remain another year and a vote was passed in favour of Methodist Union.

The Strike at Moonta continues.

‘Sparks’ The Bird Shoe did a poor business. [This reference remain cryptic, though Bird Show would make more sense!]

Did you see the bird fiasco?

Did you see the dancing cockatoo?

Horses and Cows killed by lightning at Wonna.

Drew & Crewes’ cellar got half full of water.

Hail storm extraordinary.

Hailstones as large as marbles fell on Burra on Friday

• gardens much affected

The New Cemetery Wall is nearly finished.

Sir Arthur Blyth KCMC died on 7 December.

Benjamin Watt’s case is to be dealt with in the House of Assembly.

W.H. Hardy writes to propose a picnic for the town’s children for Christmas, on the Recreation Ground. It could be organised for a few pounds.

‘Ratepayer’ writes condemning the move to dispense with a dayman and overseer of works. The present overseer has over £30 worth of Corporation tools etc. in his care; much of it since the town was incorporated. Without a regular work routine things in town will soon become disarranged. To try to spend £300 of main road money and £200 of local outlay without an overseer is asking for trouble. The present man knows every ‘alinement’ [sic] and survey peg and can do any work allotted - still it is the principle even more than the man. It is a penny-wise pound-foolish policy.

Storm.

Last Friday, 11 December, the period of hot dry weather was broken by a shower of rain at noon and then at 4 p.m. thunder, lightning and a severe hailstorm was accompanied by a hurricane wind. Floodwaters threatened many shops. Water entered almost every room in the Burra Hotel and Drew & Crewes large cellar half filled with water. The suddenness of the short downpour caused watertables and gutters to overflow in all directions.

[The paper says the fall was 600 points, but the paper’s usage seems to be that 1 point is a thousandth of an inch, whereas later usage was a hundredth of an inch. Here 0.6” is much more believable than 6”.]

At Mt Bryan Mr Prior’s wheat crop was cut to the ground by hail and wind as if mowed and all surrounding crops suffered badly. (Mr Prior’s crop at Baldina has been destroyed by rabbits.)

Several houses at Ironmine were unroofed as were several at Baldina.

The Mt Bryan Road was flooded for a considerable distance.

Mr Forder’s windmill was flattened.

At Baldina creeks and dams overflowed and saltbush was stripped to twigs, destroying essential summer feed.

J. Morgan lost his roof from three rooms with the iron carried 1⁄4 mile away.

But the storm was very confined with very little rain at Shafton or at Mongolata.

Correspondents reported hail and storm damage as follows:

Mt Bryan - severe with a fall of 1.10” in a short time

Hallett - severe crop damage

Koolunga - severe crop damage with hail the size of pigeon eggs

Burra Town Council, 9 December.

The Mayor was too ill to attend.

Cr Rabbich was eventually voted into the chair

Crs Watt, Parks and Rabbich became the Public Works Committee.

Crs Linkson, Hardy & Kitchen the Finance Committee

After considerable discussion the Finance Committee was also appointed the Waterworks Committee.

Cr Linkson was adamant that the Mayor should be present for these decisions and at this point left the room and would not vote.

[He must have returned at some point as he appears subsequently in the report.]

Cr Watt tried to overturn the Finance Committee being appointed also as the Waterworks Committee, but the voting was sustained as before on the casting vote from the chair.

Cr Kitchen then proposed the Public Works Committee also be the Park Lands and Cemetery Committee.

Cr Parks moved Mr W. Davey be reappointed Town Clerk, Collector of Rates, Issuer of Licences, Registrar of Dogs, Secretary of the Burra Waterworks, Collector of Water Rates and Secretary of the Local Board of Health. Salary: £55 as Town Clerk, £35 for Waterworks jobs and £10 for Local Board of Health, for total £100. He then thought the Waterworks positions significant trouble worth an extra £5. Carried unanimously.

Cr Hardy moved the Inspector be reappointed at £50 with all fees to go to Council. He is Inspector of slaughter houses, weights & measures, under the Width of Tyres Act, lights on vehicles, public vehicles, Scotch thistles of all kinds, Ranger and Inspector of the Local Board of Health.

Cr Watt moved that no dayman be appointed

Cr Hardy thought the salary might be rearranged, but a dayman was needed, but in the end the motion was carried.

Watt, Linkson & Parks were for and Hardy, Kitchen & Rabbich opposed. [Rabbich in chair]

R. Thomas was reappointed curator of the cemetery.

R. Andrews reappointed scavenger at £7 per month & 10/- a day for 1 horse or 13/- a day for two horses and a dray.

The Hon. the Commissioner has agreed to renew the Waterworks lease for 7 years at 5% and to fix an additional boiler and governing meter at cost to the capital account. Cr Hardy proposed acceptance on these terms.

There was then an unresolved and undignified squabble over who was to be chair of the Public Works Committee.

Hardwicke College held break-up celebrations in the Institute last Thursday. The Chairman, Rev. R.M. Hunter thanked the Misses Bond and Dellow for their efforts since they took charge 3 months ago when the Misses Hotson left.

Burra District Council, 26 November, is concerned that the road from Breakneck Hill via Douglas has been dropped from the schedule of main roads as has that from Hallett’s Woolshed to Booborowie. The Douglas Road carried a lot of firewood traffic as well as sheep traffic and station supplies and the Deep Creek and Baldina Fords require constant attention. Every effort will be made to have this road restored to the schedule. The other case is not so vital and might be acceptable if the road from the Burra Station to Gum Creek were added to the schedule.

Burra D.C. 12 December. The Main Roads Bill has passed the Lower House without change so the battle for the Douglas Road must go on in the Legislative Council.

XII, 1071, 23 Dec. 1891, Page 2

Editorial on Christmastide.

Annual Burra School Concert in the Institute on Thursday evening.

Obituary. Miss E. Eichler was interred in the Kooringa Cemetery on Sunday last. [Registrations show she was born Emily Beatrice Eisler 9 March 1870 and died Emily Beatrice Eichler 18 December 1891 aged 21.]

XII, 1071, 23 Dec. 1891, Page 3

Mr J.S. Pengelly is leaving Terowie on 28 December says the Terowie Enterprise and with him goes the local press - he moves to another northern district.

Cricket. The second cricket match for the season will be played on Christmas afternoon 1.30 p.m. Burra Band of Hope v. College Boys.

Annual Church Parade on Christmas morning for the Friendly Societies and Burra Co. MI. There will be a procession from the Institute to the Kooringa Wesleyan Church for a joint service with Revs R.M. Hunter, R.J. Daddow & R.C. Yeoman.

Baldina Ford was damaged in the recent floods. An inspection has been made by Mr Farrar from the Department of Main Roads who has forwarded a report to the Treasurer.

J.A. Watts has successfully passed the exam for Lieutenant of the Burra MI.

Burra Literary Soc. held a social last Friday to close their present session. The attendance was smaller than expected but the evening was very successful. The report of the year with toast and speeches extends for 13⁄4 columns.

The reference in ‘Sparks’ that Mr [C.] Fuss is great on forfeits probably refers to this event.

‘Sparks’

Have you seen a ghost? [Reference unknown]

Mr Fuss is great on forfeits.

Mr J. Roach will recite on Boxing Night.

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday.

Hallett Bible Christian Church tea meeting New Year’s Day.

Obituary. Emily Beatrice Eichler died 18 December at Redruth from Exhaustion following influenza. She was the eldest daughter of Frederick Eichler of Thackaringa and granddaughter of J.R. & S.A. Gray of Redruth and was aged 21 years 9 months.

XII, 1072, 30 Dec. 1891,

Obituary. Emily Beatrice Eichler died 18 December at Redruth of exhaustion after influenza. She was 21 years 9 months old. She was the eldest daughter of Frederick Eichler of Thackaringa and the granddaughter of J.R. & S.A. Gray of Redruth. She was organist, teacher and choir leader at Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School.

Editorial on the Waterworks.

We note tenders are called for the position of Engineer at the Burra Waterworks. There is ample room for improvement and we hope that only a reliable man will be appointed. The map of the Waterworks has been neglected and a number of places now connected are not shown on the map. We are told that a main laid some years ago in Redruth is also not shown. Before the present engineer goes all places connected should be mapped and then this kept in proper order. Fireplugs are located in front of most large establishments, but having them and finding them are two different things. They have not been seen for years. Ratepayers are not being dealt with justly.

St Mary’s. The new incumbent, Rev. A.G. King from Strahan in Tasmania is expected this week.

Fire broke out in T. Warnes’ paddock on 22 December and though promptly attacked some 1,000 acres of grass were destroyed.

Salvation Army. The Boxing Day tea raised £14-5-6 nett. In the evening the band marched through the streets, after which a public meeting in the barracks crowded the hall.

Cricket. On Christmas Day St Peter’s & Prince Alfred College Boys 53 & 4 for 181 defeated the local Bands of Hope 27.

Hardwicke College prizes were distributed on 23 December when the Rev. R.J. Daddow made the presentations. The prize list is printed.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held the annual Hospital Service on Christmas Day. It was well attended with the Mounted Infantry, Oddfellows, Rechabites, Foresters, the Mayor, several Councillors and representatives of the Hospital Board to swell the numbers. Rev. Daddow & Rev. J. Hopkins assisted Rev. R.M. Hunter who preached the sermon.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary was held on 20 & 25 December. Rev. Daddow, Rev. Hopkins and Rev. Hunter took part. The public tea on the 25th was well attended.

XII, 1072, 30 Dec. 1891, page 3

Christmas Day in the afternoon the Wesleyan Choir sang for the Burra Hospital patients and Rev. R.M. Hunter read ‘The Wallaby Track’ and ‘Bob Cratchit’s Christmas Dinner’.

Booborowie Sports on Christmas Day are reported.

The Wesleyan Concert in the Lecture Hall on 22 December was very successfully presented, but was not as well attended as it might have been.

Christmas in Burra.

The largest crowd ever seen in Burra paraded the streets on Christmas Eve and the footpaths were so crowded that the roadway had to be resorted to. Every shop was decorated and windows dressed. Business was better than for some years despite the prospects of a poor harvest. The Burra Brass Band played selections in front of the principal stores. The Salvation Army held a special open-air meeting, taking up their stand on a wagon. Hotels did good business and at Smith’s yards a boxing match between E. Mordon and J. Kilmartin saw victory go to the former. About midnight the Brass Band began their usual rounds playing Christmas Carols. After visiting place after place all night and receiving good things along the way, they returned home delighted with their outing.

On Christmas morning the Friendly Societies formed a procession from the Institute to the Kooringa Wesleyan Church for a service in aid of the Hospital.

St Mary’s also had a service to a large congregation and in the afternoon a Salvation Army meeting in Market Square was addressed by Captain Morris and Lieut. Wemyss. The Wesleyan Choir visited the Hospital.

Special services at St Joseph’s by Rev. Father O’Dowling were well attended.

Burra Town Council, 21 December.

The report in the paper is deficient, but what clearly happened was that Cr Hardy moved to rescind the motion that no permanent dayman be appointed and this was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. This is apparent because next Cr Parks proposed applications be called for dayman and overseer at 7/- per day and this was also carried on the Mayor’s casting vote.

Applications were then called for Engineer of the Waterworks.

The public Works Committee met except for Cr Rabbich who had previously retired and Cr Watt was elected chairman.

Mr Ridgway is to be asked to repair the fence around the parklands in Helen Terrace and if he refuses the Parklands Committee will attend to the same. They will also attend to the fence in the Paradise Reserve.

Tenders are called for new gates to the cemetery extension similar to the existing ones.

Messrs Jenkin & Thomas were appointed special constables for New Year’s Eve.

Mr Geake appointed to attend the lamps for three months.

Mr Packard is not to be retained as Town Council solicitor for the coming year.

[At least this seems to have been the decision, though the paper report is a little confusing.]

Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports were held at the Recreation Ground on Boxing Day. These were the second such and some good prize money was on offer. The Sheffield Handicap over 135 yards offered prizes of £20, £6, £3, & £1, while the Sheffield Bicycle Handicap over one mile offered £7-7-0, £2-2-0, & £1-1-0.

A good track was prepared for the cyclists.

There was a large procession at 9 a.m. from the Institute with the Lodges being given a guard of honour by the mounted Infantry.

There were considerable complaints about the handicapping system. The events that were handicapped locally were very satisfactory.

In the afternoon the crowd was estimated at 1,500.

The report covers about 2⁄3 column and results spread over 11⁄4 columns.

[Two events offer a bit of a puzzle. What was involved in lemon cutting? And what was cock in a box? The prize for the latter was 1⁄4 bag of flour and a cock with the runner-up getting 2 lb of tea.]

The Burra Brass Band supplied music through the day and a Grand Concert in the Institute in the evening rounded off the event.

Chairs and forms were placed in the aisles for this (which should not have been done).

Once again we must thank Mr J. Roach for bringing talent from Adelaide for the concert - several ladies and gentlemen at his own expense.

Characteristics of the 1891 Paper.

Page 1

Advertisements: mostly larger, but a mixture of local and otherwise.

Page 2-3

Classified advertisements, public notices small advertisements and then solid news running across the rest of pages 2 and 3.

There is usually an editorial and reasonable coverage of local news, though the follow-up on some items fails.

The ‘Sparks’ column is annoying in often mentioning interesting and sometimes even significant events in a very cryptic way. Some of these items seem to deserve a paragraph.

There is no ‘literature’ in the form of serials etc. and on

Page 4

The advertising is especially about patent medicines, the paper itself and associated printing services and items like tobacco and Insectibane.

There appears to have been no significant change when P. Murrie sold out to W.J. Davey, having gone insolvent judging from XII, 1069 [2], 16 Dec. 1891, Page 2.

The first issue under W.J. Davey was XII, 1058, 23 Sep. 1891.

The demand for literature was catered for with a supplement. This seems likely to have been printed elsewhere and been the same for a number of papers as it sometimes is unavailable in time, not having arrived. It was a single, full-sized, loose sheet in the middle of the paper.

Numbering of issues of the paper in 1891

1891 begins with Volume XII Number 1021 on 7 January 1891

And runs to

Volume XII Number 1072 on 30 December 1891

In this sequence 1069 is used twice and 1070 is not used.

The Literary Supplement.

This has not been preserved in the hard copy and scarcely in the microfilm. Whether it continued beyond February is not at all clear.

The microfilm version contains the following:

Date Poetry Stories Gen. Interest Items Household Hints Recipes Humour

14 Jan. X Two Wild Wagers X X X

Revenge!

Dr Hoknagel’s Strange Story

(by Julian Hawthorne)

21Jan. X The Van Renselaer Ghost X X X

(by Ellen V. Talbot)

Sentence Suspended

11 Feb. X The Rajah’s Vengeance X X X

A Story of India

(by Frederick M. Dey)

An Artful Woman

18 Feb. X The Rajah’s Vengeance X X X X

(Continued)

The Short Path

(by Zu Befehl)

Her Husband’s Letter

25 Feb. X X

Note. The last supplement seen on 25 February was a very different issue from the others. It was a much smaller sheet and very different in both format and content. It is the only one preserved in that format

XIII, 1073, 6 Jan. 1892

Page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers, Adelaide, Kapunda, Kooringa & Broken Hill

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Auctioneers, Kapunda & Kooringa

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers, Kooringa

J.T. Walker Bootmaker, Kooringa

M. Pederson Bootmaker, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square

Clarence Forder Agent for SA Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Redruth

Thomas W. Pearce Cabinetmaker, Builder & Undertaker, Ware St

John Perry Burra Carriage Factory, Coachbuilder, Wheelwright, Blacksmith, opposite Tiver’s Store, Aberdeen

[T.W.] Wilkinson Seeds, Books, Cards, Aerated Drinks & Novelties, Kooringa

Treleaven & Brown Railway & General Carriers, Shipping & Forwarding Agents

S. Burns Shoeing & General Smith

W. Pearse Coachbuilder & General Wheelwright

Drew & Crewes Wholesale & Retail Drapers, Grocers & Ironmongers

C.J. Pearce Cabinetmaker & Undertaker, Furniture at Adelaide Prices, Commercial St

Page 2

Advertisements

J.T. Walker Boots, Shoe, Drapery

J. Harris & Sons General Store, Market Square

F. Gebhardt Baker & Confectioner, Lower Thames St

W. Lasscock Sadler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

P. Pendlebury Solicitor, Terowie: attends all northern courts if retained

F.W. Holder Companies’ & General Agent, King William St, Adelaide

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker, Tinsmith, Commercial St

J.A. Watts Clothier & Draper

R. Fife Pianoforte & Organ Tuner of Adelaide, visits Burra regularly

Martin Pederson Boot & Shoe Maker

Sara & Dunstan Builders, Building Supplies & Ironmongers, Aberdeen

E.A. Moore Agent for A.W. Dobbie & Co., Machinists, Brass & Iron Founders, Electroplaters etc.

W.L. Evans Aberdeen Cash Store next to R. Austin’s [General Store]

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Burra Market

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Burra Market

Frances McLagan Girls’ High School, Bleak House

A.E. Moore Shoeing Smith, Bridge St East next to L. Grow

G. & C. Parks Have taken over the business of their father, Thomas Parks,

Bakers, Grocers & Fruiterers, Commercial St

Page 4

Advertisements

Thomas Kitchen The Cash Store, Groceries, Hard ware, Fancy Goods

Adjoining the Bank of Australasia

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmakers, Undertakers & Upholsterers, Queen St

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders, etc., Aberdeen

W.J. Davey Burra Record Office, Machine Printing, Commercial & General Printing.

XIII, 1073, 6 Jan. 1892, page 2

Obituary. Stephen King died 30 December 1891 at Mt Bryan Flat of influenza and inflammation of the lungs, aged 38. He was the 2nd son of the late John King of Gawler and the husband of Sarah Ann King. He also leaves a family of six children.

Editorial on the Old Year.

1891 brought many changes to the town and district. The good old days when Burra was prosperous have gone. When the landed estates are broken up and mining begins again Burra will boom. Many have died and many have left the town. Businesses have changed hands. The stock agents continue to be the least affected, but even they have had a year of low prices. Last summer was cool and the winter very dry with an extraordinary frost in September and the great storm of a fortnight ago.

An influenza epidemic has wreaked havoc among young and old in the final weeks of 1891.

Improvements have been few, but the Institute has been transformed and is now second to none. Elder, Smith & Co. have new offices and have built new sale yards in New Aberdeen.

The railway crossing remains unprotected, but a new bridge at the Bon Accord will soon be built.

The season has been against tree planting success.

The Eastern Road has been removed from the schedule of main roads, which places a heavy burden on the District Council.

The international financial crisis in England, USA & Germany will influence the borrowing powers in Australia. War has for now been avoided and famine rages in Russia, while anarchy prevails in several of the smaller American Republics. Troubles seem to loom in China. The Irish question remains unresolved and labour troubles continue around the world. In Australia the federation movement has failed, at least for now.

St Mary’s. Rev. A.G. King preached for the 1st time last Sunday.

XIII, 1073, 6 Jan. 1892, page 2-3

C. Tiver has sent in £2-14-0 collected from his Banbury Station for the Burra Hospital.

XIII, 1073, 6 Jan. 1892, page 3

Dr Brummitt will take a short holiday in Tasmania after the hectic weeks of the influenza epidemic. Dr Sangster will take over his patients and then the roles will be reversed on Dr Brummitt’s return.

Shooting Accident. E. Pascoe, who was visiting Dr J.R. Stephens at Mongolata, was accidentally shot in his side when a gun he was placing in the bottom of a buggy discharged. After treatment at the Burra Hospital by Dr Sangster he is out of danger.

George & Charles Parks have taken over the business of their father Thomas Parks. He had been in business in Burra for over 40 years.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was celebrated on 27 December when services were taken by Mr George Hoult of Goodwood. The tea meeting was held on New Year’s Day with addresses by Mr Hoult, Mr J. Williams & Rev. R.J. Daddow.

Larrikinism. The lamp on Henderson’s Bridge has again been broken for the third time in less than three months.

New Year’s Prank. Someone ‘posted’ two sparrow hawks at the Aberdeen Post Office on New Year’s Eve and in the morning the postmaster on opening the box was greatly surprised. The hawks fled to the roof of the office and spent the day there before fleeing through the door.

The Holidays. The weather was very good. The special constables had a quiet New Year’s Eve and there were few larks practised, except for the overturning of one or two small footways. The Salvation Army took up its usual stand and guns and whistles greeted the New Year. Watchnight Services were held at the Kooringa & Redruth Wesleyan Churches and on New Year’s Day the Kooringa Wesleyan children had their annual picnic at Sod Hut in Mr Fradd’s paddock.

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary of 20 & 25 December is reported.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit met under Rev. R.M. Hunter at Mr T.W. Wilkinson’s on 31 December. The meeting endorsed the principle of Methodist Union.

Burra Town Council, 4 January.

Mr Launder was granted more time to complete the cemetery wall.

Various minor works were approved.

Waterworks.

All extensions are to be mapped.

All fireplug posts are to be painted and where necessary repaired.

J. Jenkins is appointed dayman.

The selection of a Waterworks engineer was deferred.

Cyclorama Visit. ‘A gentleman’ paid for the visit of 30 senior female scholars and teachers of the Wesleyan Sunday School to Adelaide three weeks ago to see the Cyclorama and Art Gallery to view the impressive picture of The Descent from the Cross.

Cricket. At the Oval 28 December: Burra 134 defeated Auburn 61.

Sparks Column

Influenza going away.

The same old dayman.

Typhoid fever at Petersburg.

Dr Brummitt & T.W. Wilkinson gone to Tasmania.

Bishop of Adelaide visited Burra on Monday last.

Who took that seat away from Mr Ridgway’s store and placed it in the quarry?

Burra High School Break-up was held on 16 December.

Items by the children were followed by prize giving by the Mayor, Mr W. West, who also gave an address on Education. The prize list is printed.

XIII, 1074, 13 Jan. 1892, page 2

Advt. Girls High School, Bleak house, Burra, reopens after Christmas Vacation,

19 Jan. 1892. Matriculation and Senior Classes: Miss Sprod.

Principal: Frances McLagan.

Editorial on Our Railways.

XIII, 1074, 13 Jan. 1892, page 3

2nd Leader on the recent goings-on in the Town Council. The writer finds them quite amusing. There was a long discussion in Council about the appointment of a dayman and then the decision to throw open the Waterworks Engineer’s position. Despite all the talk ‘Jan’ [Mr Jenkin] got the position of dayman again. Furthermore on 8 Jan. despite receiving 14 applications the engineer’s position came down to either Mr Harry or Mr Littlejohn and eventually the Mayor had to use his casting vote which was in favour of reinstating Jimmy [Mr Littlejohn]. The odd result of this attempt to remove him is that he is now employed for 2/- a day more for the same work that it was said he was incompetent to carry out.

F.P. Jones of the Bon Accord hotel is about to leave us for Adelaide.

Burra Town Council, 8 January.

Report on the meeting outlined in the 2nd leader.

‘The unfortunate lamp at Henderson’s Corner was ordered to be removed and fixed at the southern corner of the troughs.’

Cricket. The Burra Cricket Club at last decided on a practice match, but the Muffs failed to materialise so they formed two teams of 8 and had a game on Wednesday last in which G. Herbert’s side 133 defeated G. Parks’ side 131.

Burra Population is 2174.

Captain & Mrs Bennett are coming.

Harvest very poor this year in the Burra District.

A farmer at Baldina reaped 6 bushels per acre the day before the storm and 6 bushels for the whole day following it.

Vandalism. Who put the hole through the Market Square trough?

Sunday Closing. All SA hotels are to close on Sundays.

Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

To Adelaide 7.03 a.m. 7.08 a.m.

3.26 p.m. 3.31 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.49 a.m. 11.54 a.m.

7.48 p.m. 7.53 p.m.

XIII, 1075, 20 Jan. 1892, page 2

Advt. Fitzgerald’s Mammoth Palace Circus, London Equescurriculum and Bronco Horses: 25 January at Burra.

Advt. Burra Coursing Club meeting called for Thursday at the Commercial Hotel.

Notice. Grand Fancy Fair at Institute 27 & 28 January in aid of St Joseph’s Church, School & Convent.

Obituary. William Martin aged 57 died on 24 December 1891 at Kooringa. He was the husband of Catherine, a colonist of 36 years and a native of Kent.

Editorial on Colonial Progress.

XIII, 1075, 20 Jan. 1892, page 3

Salvation Army. Staff Captain Bennetts and his wife visited the local corps last Thursday. He is the new Divisional Officer for the district.

Special Services were held for the death of the Duke of Clarence.

[Prince Albert Victor, eldest son of Edward VII who was then Prince of Wales.

Born 8 January 1864, died 14 January 1892.]

Accident. Messrs Pascoe, Gebhardt & G. Herbert hired a buggy to go to Iron Mine turkey shooting on Wednesday. When nearly there the horses bolted and collided with a fence, destroying the trap and throwing the occupants out. Mr Herbert is being treated for back injuries.

The Band of Hope continues to meet - last on Thursday at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Offence. Having annoyed the good citizens of the town with their drunken behaviour for some time two rag and bone collectors called Nels Christian Senerson and his wife, Annie, were arrested last Friday and charged with drunkenness. They appeared on 16 January before P. Lane JP and were fined 5/- each.

‘Resident’ writes a letter headed ‘BLOWHARD(Y)ISM’

Which makes it clear it was Cr Hardy that tried to get Mr Littlejohn out of the position of Waterworks’ Engineer and now the town has to pay for the blunder. ‘This is a start that many expected, and anticipations have been more than realized.’

W.H. Hardy also writes re the Littlejohn episode ‘to draw attention to the true state of events’. The new Council at their first meeting decided to call tenders for an engineer, which resolution was carried unanimously, after each Councillor, as well as the Mayor, had expressed themselves dissatisfied with the engineer. [Littlejohn]

Tenders were invited and 14 were received.

Then ‘no less than three councillors voted to reappoint the old man [Littlejohn] and the Mayor gave his casting vote in favour, saying, “oh, let us give him another trial”’.

‘I gave my vote against Littlejohn on account of the express dissatisfaction at him by the previous Council bourne [sic] out by the Conservator of Water’s complaints as to the state of the works, when he paid a visit some time since, and on account of general neglect and what I feel it my duty to state as his unfitness for the office.’

The editor comments ‘We are aware that it is a serious question and our correspondent has found it out now it is too late. The £31-4-0 must be paid all the same.

[This sum is the extra annual amount resulting from paying the engineer 10/- a day instead of 8/-. This argument is pursued in the next issue.]

Letter from a Redruth correspondent complains that the footpath from Kooringa to Redruth needs urgent attention.

Mr Dunn is the new landlord of the Bon Accord Hotel.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church service last Sunday made special reference to the deaths of the Duke of Clarence and that of Cardinal Manning.

Burra Town Council, 18 January.

The new cemetery wall has been satisfactorily completed.

The bridge at the Smelting Works was ordered repaired at once as it was dangerous.

Mr Littlejohn reappointed at 10/- a day including overtime.

Mr Opie is leaving us.

Mr John Roach is going to India and Japan for a holiday.

XIII, 1076, 27 Jan. 1892, page 3

St Joseph’s Fancy Fair Today.

Weather. It has been very hot: last Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday especially.

The temperature reached 109°F on Wednesday. Dust storms were plentiful and on Friday a storm delivered 1.17” of rain in a short time.

Lily of the Valley Tent IOR reports a year with a small surplus of £9-8-4 and its first two deaths since foundation in 1883.

The Foresters met on 8 January and reported 165 financial members. Profits for the year were £119-19-2.

Fitzgerald’s Palace Circus on Monday night was very good and all available space was taken up. The only complaint was that bare planks for reserved seats seemed inadequate.

Rifle Match. Entries are called for the rifle match for a gold medal offered by W.H. Linkson.

Burra Coursing Club met at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday. G. Parks was elected secretary and J. Smith, President. The meet is to be arranged for 4 & 5 May and the Hon. J.J. Duncan will be asked for the use of Gum Creek Estate.

Burra Hospital Board, Annual Meeting 21 January.

Statistics for the year are printed. For the year there were 292 admissions with 262 discharged and 28 deaths. The highest occupancy for any day was 43. The cost per head per day was 3/3 compared with 3/- the previous year. T. Edwards reported, among other matters, that some maintenance and painting had been done by convalescent patients.

W.H. Hardy writes complaining of the implication in the editor’s comment that now the Waterworks’ engineer will have to be paid an extra £31-4-0. He claims that the work to be done is now specified where it wasn’t before and so that although he was previously paid 8/- a day it cost over 10/- a day to get the job done. Now for £3 a week he will have to do the work. The extra 2/- a day is thus well spent.

The Editor replies at length.

‘It is to be very much regretted that Mr Hardy cannot go to work with his colleagues in a proper and gentlemanly manner instead of rushing into print to try to show them up, but even in this feeble attempt he has failed.’

‘Mr Hardy is the misleading star.’

Mr Littlejohn signed an agreement on 5 November 1889, which specified duties and salary. The new agreement is but a little extended from that and will in no way curtail the expenses of the Council. The extra pay was for a labourer and the new agreement does not compel him [Littlejohn] to do labourer’s work. The imputation of laxity on the part of the old councillors is wrong ‘but we leave them to clear themselves if they wish’.

‘it is only personal spite on the part of Mr Hardy towards Littlejohn to keep “digging” at him.’

Redruth Correspondent wonders why there has been no move to get workingmen’s blocks set out near Burra. Many of those engaged in droving are not employed full-time and are living from hand to mouth. A series of blocks on good land with good soil and water near the station would give them a good income and benefit the town.

Burra Flour Mills are busy.

‘Sparks’: who breaks the Public School windows? [See aftermath XIII, 1079, 17 Feb.]

Quarrymen v. Gentlemen [Presumably at cricket.]

Another cryptic reference says ‘The Burra correspondent of the Jamestown paper says that some of our high flown nabobs have been living in the black slums of immoral life and now he finds them paying the penalty, walking sticks being the order of the day.’

[Is this an oblique reference to excessive drinking and gout, or to some other immoral conduct? The correspondent was probably W.H. Hardy.]

Burra Public School opened last week under the new regulations.

Mr Paynter is continuing to crush slag at the old Smelting Works.

Bon Accord Bridge work is to begin in 1st week in February.

Alex Harris calls tenders to erect a nine-roomed house.

F. Gebhardt’s creditors accept 5/- in the £ at their final meeting.

XIII, 1077, 3 Feb. 1892, page 2

Advt. 6 February at Aberdeen J.T. Tregilgas will auction the stock in trade of W.L. Evans in the store known as Mr Austin’s.

Notice. Tenders called by the District Council of Burra for forming the eastern portion of the two township roads at Copperhouse at per chain.

Notice. Burra Town Council calls tenders for gates at the cemetery.

The Editor advises W.H. Hardy that his letter does not deal with the question and is a personal and grossly insulting attack on us ‘consequently your letter has found its way to the waste paper basket’.

Editorial on the vote of censure passed on Cr Hardy at the Council meeting last Monday. The editor urges Councillors to work together for the good of the town. Never before in times of prosperity and depression has occasion arisen to justify a vote of censure on any officer or member of Council, but things have been so disgraceful of late that the action of the Council in passing a vote of censure on Cr Hardy is to be commended.

Larrikinism. Several corkhelms [?] and cedar trees have been wilfully broken down in Jubilee Avenue near the Mill. Rewards have been offered to track down the perpetrators.

XIII, 1077, 3 Feb. 1892, page 2-3

Bible Christian Anniversary was held last Sunday. Rev. C. Tresise preached three times. The tea meeting was on Tuesday.

XIII, 1077, 3 Feb. 1892, page 3

Baldina Road. The Inspector of Main Roads, Mr Hargraves, has been taken out to see for himself the importance of the road and we hope the decision to delete it from the main roads schedule will be reversed.

The Aberdeen-Kooringa Footpath is in need of repair, but at the moment the funds are low. We think it a higher priority than the roads. Of the many pedestrians coming to Kooringa on Saturday afternoon we saw no one using the footpath. (Council has since decided to repair it.)

Woking Men’s Blocks. More of these should be taken up by the needy and unemployed. They could put their idle time to great advantage.

St Joseph’s Fancy Fair was successfully held last Wednesday & Thursday. It was opened by the Mayor, Mr W. West.

The Aberdeen Correspondent calls for gates at the Aberdeen crossing.

Wheat is coming in very sparingly.

Coursing is the favourite sport at present, with the next meeting due in May.

Burra Institute AGM, 25 January.

President T. Edwards read the report and Dr Brummitt as treasurer showed that the year opened with a credit of £261-6-2 and receipts brought this to £737-14-6. Additions and improvements to the hall, lodge room and premises cost £571-12-11 and ordinary expenditure was £166-1-7, which all left a debit of £141-6-9. Elected were:

President C.C. Williams

Vice-President J.A. Watt

Treasurer Dr Brummitt

Honorary Secretary Dr Sangster

The library stands at 3,024 books.

Burra Town Council, 1 February.

Cr West asked the Mayor if his attention had been drawn to the inconsistent reports in the Gawler Bunyip, Kapunda Herald, Jamestown Review and the Burra Record, vilifying the actions of himself and the members of the Council, the same reports being but a tissue of lies and supposed to have been written by a member of this Council.

The Mayor said he had seen them and considered them a series of ‘gross misrepresentations tinctured with animus and calculated to bring this Council, also the municipality, into ridicule and disrepute’.

The author should be severely censured for his breach of the 39th and 61st Standing Orders.

Cr Rabbich called for the suspension of standing orders to refer to writing in the provincial press by Cr Hardy.

Cr Hardy objected.

Cr Linkson 2nd the motion.

Cr Rabbich said Cr Hardy wrote that the new Council at their first meeting decided to call tenders for an engineer, which resolution was carried unanimously after each Councillor, as well as the Mayor, had expressed dissatisfaction with the engineer.

I say such assertions are a series of deliberate falsehoods. I did not express dissatisfaction with the engineer. I spoke to Cr Hardy who admitted that after writing he was doubtful as to whether I did speak against Mr Littlejohn. If I voted for tenders and then voted for Mr Littlejohn it would have been inconsistency.

‘I . . . tell Councillor Hardy that what he had written was false, and the tissue of lies would not emanate from any gentleman.’

I move ‘that this Council hereby express its extreme dissatisfaction and dissapproval [sic] of the conduct of Councillor Hardy in reflecting on and misrepresenting the decision of this Council through the press and considers his action inimical to the best interests of the town and discourteous to his colleagues.’

Cr Watt supported the motion and also said he had not expressed dissatisfaction towards Mr Littlejohn.

Cr Hardy: ‘I say you did.’

Cr Parks rather reluctantly went along with it.

He had voted against Littlejohn, but he had never heard any member express their dissatisfaction towards Littlejohn.

Cr Linkson: ‘No we did not.’

Cr Hardy: The Mayor did.’

Cr Hardy also denied knowing anything about reports in the other papers.

Cr Linkson said: ‘Of course you do.’

Hardy tried to explain himself. He had apologised to Cr Rabbich, but the Council decided his explanation was not to the point and refused to hear him.

Cr Hardy wanted to explain why he wrote to the Record.

Council wanted him to explain why he misrepresented the Council and eventually after further bickering the Mayor put the motion.

Crs Rabbich, Parks, Linkson & Watt voted for.

Cr Kitchen firstly abstained and then voted against.

Cr Hardy voted against.

Cr Watt then moved that the motion be recorded as a vote of censure to Cr Hardy.

This was passed along the same lines as above.

Various minor works were then approved.

Cricket. At Redruth on Saturday. [Where?]

Gentlemen 61 & 66

Quarrymen 47 & 5 for 59

Somehow this is described as a win for the Quarrymen by six wickets!

At Riverton on Wednesday. Riverton 58 & Burra 148.

XIII, 1078, 10 Feb. 1892, page 2

Obituary. Mary Walker, wife of John Thomas Walker died suddenly at Archer St North Adelaide on 6 February of paralysis of the brain. She was 41 and leaves a husband and nine children. [Page 3 adds that she was the wife of a respected townsman now residing in Adelaide.] [Born Mary Eddy 12 June 1851.]

Obituary. James Dew, husband of Fanny Dew, died on 3 February at Springbank, aged 61. He arrived in the Merrion in 1851. [Page 3 adds that he was a farmer at Springbank for many years and was well and favourably known.]

Editorial on Our Trees.

Several trees in Jubilee Avenue have been broken down and others near The Mill. Police are investigating. Tree planting began about 1884 and has made great headway since then. Much money has been expended and we should all take a deep interest in preserving the trees. The unsuitable soil in Redruth No. 2 Reserve has seen trees make poor headway there, nevertheless Redruth and Aberdeen have many other nice trees and some small reserves are doing well. Jubilee Avenue is progressing well. We would like to see both sides of the road planted.

In Kooringa the best area is around the Brewery and towards the school.

Mr Lockyer’s trees in the Brewery Yard are among the best in town. We are sorry to see some persons have no better object in view than the breaking down of trees - as in Thames St a few weeks ago and between Redruth and Kooringa last week. The response was quick and soon £5 was offered to get a black tracker in to find the guilty.

XIII, 1078, 10 Feb. 1892, page 2-3

2nd Leader on the rising power of the Labor Movement in SA and in Parliament - approving the change and commenting on the efforts of the very conservative National Defence League.

XIII, 1078, 10 Feb. 1892, page 3

Mr Paynter has been forced to stop the treatment of the slagheap as although the process is successful the low price of copper at present makes it uneconomic.

Chrysanthemum Show. A meeting of a committee was held on Monday to try to organise a show this year. The last one was about 1888 and the following year the weather was unsuitable for flowers and the movement was dropped. We are hopeful that it will be revived.

Cricket. On Saturday on the German Chapel flat the Redruth Schoolboys 68 defeated the Kooringa Schoolboys 21.

Next Saturday the Quarrymen take on the Gentlemen on the flat near Mr Butterworth’s Mill.

The Royal Exchange Hotel is being made comfortable and the stockyards made secure with water available for horses.

The Bon Accord Hotel has a contract let to make similar improvements to those at the Royal Exchange.

The Salvation Army visited Aberdeen for an open-air service on Monday night - the first such for some time.

‘Musicus’ writes that he is concerned that last year a Fife & Drum Band was formed at Mt Bryan. Two concerts raised not less than £10. From this a single kettle drum appears to have been bought. The schoolmaster intends to promote another concert for the cause, but first ‘Musicus’ would like a full accounting of the previous sum raised.

Working Man writes re Workingmen’s Blocks, supporting a call for the land along the Burra Creek, north of the Railway Station to be made available.

Bible Christian Church Annual District Meeting showed overall a small increase in the liabilities and a small decrease in membership due to numerous removals in the year. The idea of a Methodist Union was supported.

Rifle Match. The first part of the rifle contest for W. Linkson’s gold medal was fired on Wednesday and saw the best shooting achieved by: Pte C. Parks 78

Sgt Watts 72

Cpl Page 71

But with handicaps added: Rabbich 88

Gebhardt 83

Millar 76

Stacey’s Co. is coming.

Mr Sampson has put up a cup to be shot for.

Bible Christian concert next Friday.

Primitive Methodist Thanksgiving next Sunday: Mrs Whellum will preach.

J. Sampson will be given an illuminated address for his services as a councillor.

Obituary. ‘Last Sunday’ [probably the Sunday before since he was the subject of a sermon ‘last Sunday’.] Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, the great Independent Preacher, died aged 58. He was born 19 June 1834, was converted to Methodism by a Primitive Methodist preacher when 15, and began preaching in 1851. He was pastor at Waterbeach, near Cambridge in 1854 and moved to the Baptist Church in Southwark. In 1861 the Metropolitan Tabernacle was erected.

XIII, 1079, 17 Feb. 1892, page 2

Birth. On 14 February, to the wife of E. Statton, a son. [Joshua William.]

St Mary’s Harvest Festival next Sunday.

‘NOTICE is hereby given that Henry Seaford having been discharged from my employ he is not authorised to receive or collect any monies on my behalf.

Thomas Halls, cabdriver.

[There is a pencilled addition on the office copy of the paper:

‘better known as Knowley’ or possibly ‘Krowley’]

Rain recently has produced feed at Baldina.

Burra Hospital: New board

George Butterworth Thomas Edwards Robert M. Harvey

Waldemar Gaskell Hawkes Philip Lander Killicoat JP Edward C. Lockyer JP

Daniel J. O’Leary Daniel Spencer Packard John C. Sandland

Thomas Sandland JP Frank Treloar

Bible Christian Concert in aid of the manse was held at the Institute on Friday evening, chaired by Dr Sangster. Attendance was very small, but the concert was one of the best given for some time.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 14 February. Mrs J.E. Whellum and Mr J. Scott preached.

Bon Accord Bridge tenders close today. Reasons for the delay are not known.

Mr A.H. Forder is about to move from his Nelson Hills property to ‘Wattlegrove’ where he intends to expand his dairy business. He is also about to purchase a cream separator to make butter, at a cost of c. £200. For a considerable time he has been supplying Broken Hill with milk and has gained a good reputation for its quality. He has over 100 cows on the farm, most being milked daily, but when the new industry is complete he intends purchasing milk from all vendors in the district.

Ballast Quarry. On Saturday the Redruth [i.e. Aberdeen] Quarry was closed due to unsafe working conditions. In the past week hundreds of tons of stuff have fallen, but luckily no one was hurt despite some narrow escapes. The overhangings are now decidedly unsafe. Several men have been thrown out of work.

XIII, 1079, 17 Feb. 1892, page 3

Kooringa Band of Hope. 150 attended the last monthly meeting of this group.

As an example of the program at such meetings:

Overture Miss Nicholls

Recitation: ‘Goodbye little birdie’ May Edwards

Dialogue: ‘Don’t leave out the girls’ Alice Snell & Lucy Edwards

Song: ‘Nearer Home’ Misses Josling & Tucker

Recitation Willie Edwards

Chorus Schoolchildren instructed by Miss Sleep

Recitation M. Pearce

Sober Thoughts W. Pearce Sen.

Recitation Lily James

Piano Selection Miss Drake

W. Pearce Sen. said in his address that on 10 February he celebrated his 52nd birthday as a teetotaller.

Twelve signed the pledge.

Fight. There was a case of pugilism at World’s End last week over the trespass of some pigs on forbidden land. The less successful fighter took the victor to court, but at the last minute the pair settled their differences out of court and each agreed to pay their own expenses, adjourned to the refreshment room and vowed not to settle their differences in such a fashion in the future.

C.A. Uhrlaub, headmaster of Mt Bryan School writes re the aspersion cast on him by the coward that enquires under a nom de plume of his handling of the Fife and Drum Band money. All the information ‘Musicus’ may require is available if he comes and asks.

‘A Visitor’ writes complaining of the Burra cabbies, saying that they are fighting each other for customers’ bags and their vehicles are badly lit. He saw six boys riding on the step at one time, some smoking and ‘using very choice language’. Even the drivers smoke while ladies are in their cabs. [See XIII, 1084, 23 March, page 3.]

Mr C. Rawling, who had a contract for 10,000 yds3 of metal from the Aberdeen Ballast Quarry, has finished the work. Many teams have been employed delivering a further quantity, but the side of the quarry has slipped away filling up the gangway and so all have been laid off - the quarrymen as well as a gang of repairers on the line. The Government though, wants another 10,000 yds3 so the quarry will likely reopen soon as it is the source of the best and cheapest high quality ballast.

Bon Accord Bridge: tenders are called this week for the erection of the new iron bridge over the creek at the Bon Accord crossing.

Cricket. The third ‘test’ match between Quarrymen and Gentlemen was abandoned by the Gentlemen picking up their stumps and clearing at 6 p.m. instead of completing the game which would have taken but a few minutes more. The earlier games went one to each side.

Scores: Gentlemen 49 & 63 (112)

Quarrymen 41 & 2 for 53 (94)

[Which probably explains the Gentlemen’s decision to leave hurriedly at 6 p.m.]

[Personal interest: for the Quarrymen C. Fuss scored 0 and A. Fuss 8 in the 1st innings and in the Gentlemen’s 2nd innings an unspecified Fuss took two catches.]

Burra Coursing Club met at the Burra Hotel on Wednesday to arrange for the meet in May. The Hon. J.J. Duncan will lend Gum Creek Estate for the meet and the all aged stake will be run for the value of £75.

1st £36, 2nd £16, 3rd £7-10-0, next three £2-10-0 each, next six £1-10-0 each.

[This actually totals £76.]

Bon Accord Crossing. With the bridge now underway something is needed at the railway crossing. It is busy and the trains issuing from the cutting are soon on to the crossing. Last week a six-horse team with a load of hay only narrowly escaped.

Burra Co. MI

With the numbers attending the Burra Foot Co. of Volunteers falling, a meeting was called on 14 May 1891 to see about forming a mounted company.

A committee was set up to gather signatures and staff-office support was obtained.

A meeting was then called on 30 May to swear in members. A lack of numbers on the day was soon made up and drills commenced. The compulsory drills number 12 for efficiency and the Government pays 2/6 per drill for up to 16. The annual encampment brings in £3-4-0 per man. The 21 October inspection was a credit to all. The company has 41 or 42 men rated as efficient. Class firing is an area where improvement is needed and is being encouraged by prizes offered by W.H. Linkson and J. Sampson Jun. Trips to Princess Royal, Baldina and ‘Monavea’ have also encouraged the company.

Rev. R.J. Daddow’s sermon at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday is reported in 2⁄3 Column, but no special reason is given.

Vandalism. Two boys have been charged with breaking the windows of the Burra Public School. Nearly every window at the side of the building had been perforated. Several boys were implicated, but only three were captured. One turned Queen’s evidence and so got off. They were dealt with very lightly considering the way the group has annoyed several residents of late by throwing stones rather freely.

Redruth Court, 10 February.

Richard Moore, [15?] a young lad, was fined 10/- & 10/6 damages (or 7 days) for breaking windows at the Burra School.

John Martin, [13?] for the same offence was ordered locked up for six hours.

Arthur Dearlove, aged 9 on his [next?] birthday was charged with driving an unlit vehicle through Market Square on 21 November. The case was dismissed as he was deemed too young to know that he required a light.

Iron Mine Annual Sports Meeting was held on 10 February. About 500 attended a very successful event. In addition to the usual flat races and hurdles there was tilting, a three-legged race, an egg-and-spoon race, pole leaping (7’3”), a sack race, and other events for boys and girls.

Burra Town Council, 15 February.

The Mayor reported that police were unable to determine who had vandalised the trees in Jubilee Avenue.

Bon Accord Bridge tenders have been called.

Attention has been drawn to an offensive paragraph derogatory to the Mayor and some members of Council in the Gawler Bunyip, but he thinks it best to treat them with contempt unless the Council decides to proceed against the author.

‘who I have heard is a well-known scribbler living at Burra.’

The tender of A. Miller for gates at the cemetery for £14-10-0 was accepted.

Cr Linkson moved they petition the Commissioner of Public Works for the Government to buy land north of the Railway Station to be cut up into Workingmen’s Blocks.

2nd Cr Rabbich and carried.

Cr Parks then brought up the matter of the libellous and degrading report in the Gawler Bunyip.

Cr Rabbich did not think it Council business.

Cr Parks thought otherwise.

Cr Hardy ‘If the cap fits let them wear it.’

The Mayor, W. West, was keen to get the name of the author of such disgraceful and groundless reports and to take criminal action against him. His Worship read a paragraph from the Southern Cross in which the proceedings of Council are characterised as very interesting entertainment etc.

Cr Hardy: ‘We should get on with the ratepayer’s business; you don’t know the writer.’

Cr Linkson: ‘Don’t make any mistake about that.’

Cr Watt: ‘If we did we would tar and feather him.’

Cr Hardy: ‘Oh you would. You might get the tables turned on you.’

Cr Watt: ‘You would not turn the tables.’

Cr Rabbich then threatened to leave the room.

Cr Hardy: ‘Why don’t the Council contradict the statements in the press?’

The Mayor: ‘You appear to be fond of the pen Cr Hardy, will you write contradicting it?’

Cr Hardy: ‘It is not my business - (laughter)’

Cr Linkson then moved the Council write to the editors of the Kapunda Herald, Gawler Bunyip, Southern Cross, and Jamestown Review demanding the name of their Burra correspondent. Carried.

[Hardy certainly filled this role for each of the named papers at some time and it is clear the others believed him to be the author: he almost certainly was.]

XIII, 1080, 24 Feb. 1892, page 2

Advt. Salvation Army. Adjutant Cartner, late of Whitechapel London, will appear at Kooringa next Saturday and Sunday on behalf of rescue and slum work. She will appear in slum attire.

Advt. The Stacey Comedy Co. will appear at the Institute 26 February in the most successful comedy: The Widow.

Notice. Thomas Halls advises that Henry Seaford, better known as ‘Knowler’, has been discharged from his employ and is not authorised to receive or collect any money on Halls’ account.

Cricket. At the Oval last Saturday Kooringa 104 defeated Redruth 90.

Obituary. Rev. C.H. Spurgeon was interred at Norwood Cemetery on 11 February. His remains will later be placed in a vault at Stockwell Orphanage, which he founded.

Burra School Reporter. We have received a copy of this publication. There are 265 pupils enrolled and an average attendance of 206. New regulations (free education) have seen attendances improve.

Obituary. Miss Mary Newman of the 4th Class at Burra School died in Burra Hospital on 6 February of diphtheria. [Born 25 May 1881.]

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held its Harvest Thanksgiving on 14 February. Services were taken by Rev. R.J. Daddow & Mrs J.E. Whellum. There was a public meeting on Monday addressed by Messrs Scott & Daddow.

XIII, 1080, 24 Feb. 1892, page 2-3

‘Musicus’ writes expressing surprise at Mr Uhrlaub’s extreme reaction to his previous letter enquiring about the disposal of funds of the Mt Bryan Fife & Drum Band. He did not consider his request in any way defamatory of Mr Uhrlaub and therefore considered Mr Uhrlaub’s reaction quite uncalled for. He does not consider calling for a balance sheet casts any slur upon Mr Uhrlaub and hopes the same will be seen soon and the whole matter amicably settled.

XIII, 1080, 24 Feb. 1892, page 3

St Mary’s Harvest Festival Services on Sunday were conducted by Rev. A.G. King.

Booborowie Wesleyan Church celebrated its Harvest Thanksgiving on 31 January with Rev. J. Hopkins.

Stony Gap Primitive Methodist Church held its Harvest Festival on 7 February when Mr Holder preached.

Westbury Wesleyan Church will hold its Harvest Thanksgiving on 28 February.

Davieston Wesleyan Church will celebrate its Harvest Thanksgiving on 10 April.

Mr Bryan State School annual picnic is reported and the sports results are printed. It was held at the grounds east of Razorback Range.

Kooringa Magistrate’s Court, 17 February.

George Craddock was sentenced to 1 day in gaol, as he was unable to pay a fine for drunkenness.

Presentations were made to Ex-Councillors J. Sampson & D.J. O’Leary at the Council Chamber at the Institute last Wednesday. The Mayor, W. West, presided.

Ex-Councillor Sampson had given 13 years service and Ex-Councillor O’Leary 4 years. The Mayor spoke of their selfless service and the signatures of 107 ratepayers spoke of the general satisfaction with their efforts. [Since it is said there were 60 signatures on each address, presumably they represented 107 different people.]

John Sampson spoke in reply, saying he was the first to speak of borrowing money to improve the town and met with great opposition, but he was sure it would ensure the success of the town. He referred to the barrenness of the town 30 years earlier, when he came to it, and gave an interesting account of it in those times. The Burra Oval had been held up as a white elephant, but is now acknowledged to be a benefit to the town. He said he was the town’s oldest resident, having arrived about 44 years ago and he had seen many changes. He could recall several hills in Kooringa being covered with sheoak, whipstick mallee and other variety.

Mr O’Leary expressed surprise at the occasion and spoke of how they had worked well together for the town and differences were settled in the Council Chamber and they were soon friends again. He also spoke of harmonious work with Cr Watt. He considered the Waterworks important for the town.

Councillor G. Parks spoke in support of the former Councillors as did Crs Watt & Rabbich, the Town Clerk W. Davey & Mr T.T. Shortridge.

An adjournment was then made to the Burra Hotel for refreshments, speeches, songs and recitations.

Sparks

Hot

Dust

Mr J. Smith of the Burra Hotel is leaving us

Have you seen the Coursing Club Programme?

[Obituary] The late Mrs Ford was a Colonist [of] 43 years

[Caroline Ford, wife of Joseph, died 18 February 1892 aged 68: born Caroline Haughton.]

Mr C.H. Ewins takes Mr Thos. Edwards’s shop

Mr R.M. Harvey is chairman of Burra Hospital

Don’t forget shooting for the gold medal will be concluded today: to commence at two o’clock

Mr Topperwein, formerly of Burra, is the Mayor of Broken Hill, at a salary of £250 a year

Councillor G. Parks said through Councillor Sampson not being successful at the late elections the town was suffering very much. Pretty rough for some one

XIII, 1081, 2 Mar. 1892, page 2

Obituary. Caroline (Carrie) Clode died at Redruth 21 February aged 23 years 7 months. She was the wife of Arthur W. Clode. [Born Caroline Tiver, 19 July 1868.]

Obituary. Arthur Edwin (Sonnie) Clode died 24 February aged 1 year 2 months, only child of A.W. & C. Clode. [Born 19 December 1890.]

XIII, 1081, 2 Mar. 1892, page 2-3

Editorial on Federation.

The recent convention in Sydney found federation most desirable, but found the obstacles too much for the colonies to reach agreement. As discussion spread beyond the politicians the practical consequences were more widely discussed – consequences of free trade versus protection, of the one man one vote principle and of financial aspects. In the end the colonial Parliaments have either not acted to further the cause, or have given it half-hearted attention.

XIII, 1081, 2 Mar. 1892, page 3

Our Own, (the paper for the Burra School) has been received from Mr Wittber. It recalls the laying of the school’s foundation stone and gives hints on homework etc. of value to the children.

Salvation Army. Adjutant Cartner visited Burra on Saturday & Sunday last and drew crowded houses. She appeared in slum attire – dark blue dress, white apron, a plaid shawl on her shoulders and a straw hat.

Rev. R.J. Daddow is ill in Adelaide with information [sic] of the lungs following a severe cold. He went to the city for the Primitive Methodist Conference.

G. Parks & E.W. Crewes have just received two greyhound pups bred by J.E. Thyer from the well-known slut Una. Coursing is recognised as the leading sport of the day and it would be advisable for sporting men to avail themselves of the breed.

The Stacey Comedy Co. performed at Burra on Friday to a fairly good house. The Widow is a merry piece, though not as popular as Hans the Boatman.

Redruth Letter.

Messrs Bradwood & Wise of Pt Adelaide have got the tender for the Bon Accord Bridge and will commence soon. This will be welcomed by the many at present unemployed.

The Government wants 10,000 yards of railway metal from the quarry, but doesn’t want to pay a fair price. It is hoped better counsel will prevail.

Mr & Mrs I.W. Goss, who are leaving for Broken Hill after a long residence here, were given a farewell at the schoolroom of the Redruth Methodist Church. Speeches were made by Rev. J. Hopkins & Messrs B. Preece, J. Dunstan Jnr, W.A. Rabbich, John Wittick, B. Butterworth & W.T. Rabbich.

Mounted Infantry Shooting Match

Last Wednesday the final shoot for the gold medal presented by Mr Linkson was held and resulted in Lieut. Watt winning from Cpl Jennings 153 points to 143.

W.H. Linkson, Secretary of the Burra Cricket Club, responds to an attack made on him by the cowardly anonymous writer. He supplies answers from Mr S.E. Evans to show that there was no correspondence between them relating to the match in question. [The match referred to was one played in Adelaide.]

‘Nemo’ writes addressing comments made by the Redruth correspondent on 17 February concerning the abrupt end to the cricket match between Quarrymen & Gentlemen.

One day’s cricket is always a one innings match.

The Quarrymen & Gentlemen’s game was so decided, which was satisfactory.

It was arranged to draw stumps at 6 p.m. when the second innings were started.

The Gentlemen did not ‘take up their stumps and clear’, but the Quarrymen were responsible for taking up the ‘mallee’.

It was Quarrymen & Gentlemen as arranged, but turned out to be Gentlemen & Combined, as only 6 of the 11 were Quarrymen.

The title of ‘Gentlemen’ was designated by the Quarrymen themselves.

The Gentlemen are prepared to play the Quarrymen at Burra Oval at any time if they play ‘straight’.

C.A. Uhrlaub writes again, still expressing his shock and disgust at being asked to produce a balance sheet by an anonymous writer to a paper when no question of his integrity as treasurer had ever been raised. Anyone wanting to see a balance sheet may do so on application to him at Mt Bryan School after school hours.

Broken Hill Lead Poisoning. There is a 1⁄2-column article.

Sparks

‘A New Draper’ [C.H. Ewins took over Thomas Edwards, but continued to trade as T. Edwards & Co.]

Some fine vegetables grown in Burra

[Salvation] Army going to have a tea fight at Hallett

What has become of the Woodcarters’ Union?

Circulation of the Burra Record is rapidly increasing

All the country towns hold race meetings. Why can’t Burra?

Crushing machinery at the old smelting works is working again

Burra Mounted Infantry will muster well at the Easter encampment

Harvest Thanksgiving at Kooringa Wesleyan Church last Sunday

XIII, 1082, 9 Mar. 1892, page 2

Notice. Re-opening & Sunday School Anniversary at Douglas Church, Sunday 13 March.

Advt. Deutsche Stunde. Class for beginners. August Wittber.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will hold a genuine clearing sale for W.H. Pearce at the farm 8 miles northwest of Burra on 16 March.

Editorial. Unemployment in Burra.

The need for workingmen’s blocks has been increased by the end of work at the Ballast Quarry – though the Government wants 10,000 yards more, no one will take the contract at the price offered. The last contract was barely enough. Work on the Bon Accord Bridge will begin soon and the District Council will need road metal, but all put together it doesn’t amount to a long duration of labour. Workingmen’s blocks would help and a sub-committee of the Mayor with Crs Rabbich & Linkson prepared a memorial presented to Council on Monday night and approved.

2nd Leader on the Strike by Employers.

In retaliation for the election of Mr McPherson in East Adelaide employers are reducing hands, and money for the development of certain legitimate enterprises is being refused because they say ‘we will do nothing to assist or to increase the number of those who vote against us at the polls.’

The writer regards this as both illogical and foolish as well as being damaging for the whole colony.

3rd Leader on Rabbits.

This considers the high cost and doubtful usefulness of wire netting and favours the supply of cheap phosphorised grain as being sold at nominal cost by District Councils in the South-East.

Cricket. At Farrell’s Flat 2 March.

Clare Advanced school Cricket Club 79 & 4 for 14 defeated Burra Joker Cricket Club 66 & 19.

Gladstone Gaol is currently housing 74 and if this increases additional guards and warders will be needed.

F.W. Holder arrived in town on Friday and in the afternoon was driven to the East to report on the advisability of a wire netting fence.

The Juvenile Foresters will hold their 2nd annual social in the Institute Hall next Monday.

Burra Mounted Infantry. An instructor from Adelaide will come on 10 & 30 March to instruct in camp drill of importance if the Mounted Rifles are to make a good show at the Easter encampment.

Mr Joseph Pascoe and his son, Thomas, were lucky to survive a blasting accident at Block 11 Mine Broken Hill last week. A young man named Williams, who was soon to marry a young lady well-known in Burra, was killed instantly.

Midland Licensing Bench last Wednesday renewed licences for:

Bon Accord Hotel W. Dunn

Royal Exchange Hotel W. Neville

Opie’s Hotel S.J. Vivian

Court House Hotel T. Walsh

Burra Hotel J. Smith

Kooringa Hotel W. Henderson

Commercial Hotel H. Vivian

Accident. The Broken Hill express ran into a cow as it headed north at the Bon Accord crossing on Wednesday night, killing it instantly.

XIII, 1082, 9 Mar. 1892, page 3

A Hunting Party of 36 men and youths shot 260 hares and rabbits in an expedition from Emu Downs on 1 March.

Salvation Army marched through Hallett with a Brass band on Wednesday 2 March and held a successful tea meeting later.

Fire. At Hallett on 2 March soon after 9 p.m. Mr Müller’s store was burnt to the ground. It was an old galvanised iron building lined with matchboard. It had been erected in the old coaching days by Mr R. Hannaford and was known then as Dick’s Eating House. Terry’s booking office was adjacent and also went. The detached store kitchen was saved.

Redruth Correspondent writes that the information received by him from a gentleman of unquestionable veracity leads him to disregard ‘Nemo’.

The writer also says the death of the cow recently at the Bon Accord crossing again reinforces the need for some protection at this crossing.

The Town Council’s decision to award their road metal contracts in small lots of 50 yards has assisted many unemployed and met with general approval.

The Royal Exchange Hotel has just been renovated by Sara & Dunstan and their men are now moving on to the Bon Accord Hotel where c. £120 will be spent.

Burra Town Council, 1 March.

A special meeting was held to consider tenders for 1,200 yards of road metal in 200 yard lots.

21 tenders were received and brought the Council to use its discretion in equitable distribution.

200 yards to John Lockett at 1/111⁄2 yd

200 yards to F. Sellars at 2/2 yd

50 yards to H.S. Sellars at 2/3 yd

50 yards to R. Cox at 2/3 yd

50 yards to C. Daulby at 2/3 yd

50 yards to C. Wahlert Sen. At 2/3 yd

(The last four balloted from 9 tenderers.)

For the south end of the town:

200 yards to J. Chynoweth at 2/3 yd

200 yds to J. Rosewall at 2/3 yd

200 yards to Moore at 2/3 yd

Ordinary meeting, 7 March.

The Mayor reported he had met Commissioner Hill re protection at the Bon Accord crossing and the latter said it would be fully considered.

The inspection of the town on 2 March revealed it to be in a clean state with just a few matters requiring a notice to be attended to.

A memorial calling for the subdivision of land into workingmen’s blocks has been prepared and will be presented for Council approval tonight. MPs Holder & Lake will be asked to assist.

I rule that Cr Hardy’s notice of motion to deal with a matter is quite irrelevant to the business of Council and therefore it will not be entertained.

The draft memorial on workingmen’s blocks was accepted.

Proprietors of three papers replied refusing to supply the name of their Burra correspondent.

The removal of the Henderson’s Bridge lamp to Mr Ullman’s corner was discussed. [That is to the southeast corner of the intersection of Kingston St and Bridge Terrace.]

Some said raising it three feet would serve as well. A decision was deferred.

North Ward Councillors are to make arrangements for the lighting of the lamp at the north end of town.

Local Board of Health

The Inspector said one or two cab drivers were unlicensed because he would not grant them one and he sought Council’s opinion on the matter. Council confirmed its confidence in the Inspector’s judgement on fit and proper persons to have cab licences.

A sub-committee will investigate the desirability of a cab stand in front of Mr Simpson’s residence.

Shooting match, Wednesday.

Mr Mack 44 off the rifle & 52 with handicap

Pte C. Parks 49 off the rifle and 49 with handicap

Sparks

Several summonses could be served on our cab drivers.

A narrow escape for one of our old Burra hands, Mr Jos. Pascoe.

Bishop of Adelaide to visit Burra 27 March to consecrate St Mary’s Church.

Mr J. Sampson has been granted an auctioneer’s licence.

If the person who took the striped blind from the Commercial Hotel will call again he will get its mate.

Mr Holder to preach two sermons at the re-opening of the Douglas Church next Sunday.

Rev. R.J. Daddow appointed to Burra for another term by the Primitive Methodist Conference.

It is said Mr Holder, leader of the Opposition in SA, has been offered the position of Government Resident in the Northern Territory.

XIII, 1083, 16 Mar. 1892, page 2

Advt. St Mary’s is to be consecrated by the Bishop of Adelaide on 25 March 1892.

Advt. The Lynch Family Bellringers (Est. 1867) will appear at the Institute on 22 March.

Notice. Working men desirous of obtaining Working Men’s Blocks are invited to sign the memorial at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Birth. To the wife of J. Smith of the Burra Hotel, on 12 March, a son. [John]

Shooting Match, last Wednesday Burra Co. v. Jamestown Co. on their respective ranges. Burra 321 defeated Jamestown 276.

In the afternoon Burra Co. defeated Burra Town Council by 66 points.

XIII, 1083, 16 Mar. 1892, Page 3

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell all the farm stock and household effects of W.H. Pearce at the farm eight miles northwest of Burra on 16 March.

Accidents.

On Wednesday a lad named Lyons fell from the sheep yards’ wall and broke his arm.

[Perhaps Lines?]

On Friday a young daughter of Thomas Turner, c. 4 years old, [Ethel May was b. 12 June 1888] fell out of a swinging boat and broke her thigh.

Boys are continually walking over the iron [arch] girders of the Kingston St Bridge and on Thursday one fell from the top. Fortunately he fell onto the street and was not hurt. The drop the other side was c. 40’.

W.A Rabbich fell into a cellar on Tuesday and dislocated a shoulder.

Burra Co. MI will assemble on 30 March for final instructions for the camp and it is expected over 25 will go from Burra - more than from anywhere else in the north.

Salvation Army. On 1 March Ensign Houghton, from the colony war office of the Salvation Army visited Burra and on Thursday Brigadier Young, Commander of SA visited. During his visit he held indoor and open-air meetings and each was largely attended.

Burra Institute. The committee for the Chrysanthemum Show recommended one be held on 4 May and the Institute Committee agreed.

William West writes declining a position on the Burra Hospital Board, but recommending Henry Roach for the position. The vacancy has arisen because T. Edwards has resigned as he is leaving the district.

W. Fallow writes re a recent court case of Fallow v. Kneese to correct the impression he had lost and had to pay costs. The case, he says, was dismissed with each side paying their own costs. He goes on to say he had brought a case because Kneese had refused him accommodation at a hotel. [Apparently not in Burra as there was no such licensee in the town.]

Diphtheria is widespread in the north end of town.

Redruth Court, 8 March.

Elizabeth Alcock, employed by Mrs S.J. Vivian of Opie’s Hotel was charged with stealing half a sovereign. Sentenced to one month.

Shooting Match. Lieut. J.A. Watt won the gold medal for firing presented by W.H. Linkson. He won from scratch by 10 points.

Mr Linkson said Lieut. Watt had kept the Burra Co. VF going long after it would otherwise have folded and was then responsible for the success in forming the Burra Co. MI. Lieut. Watt made a suitable reply and thanked all who had donated prizes and so encouraged the men.

Mrs J. Dawes offers £3, £2 & £1 to be shot for by members who put in 16 drills for the year.

Fire. A fire on 2 March destroyed the house and store of Albert August Frederick Müller at Hallett. The inquest is reported in 11⁄3 columns.

XIII, 1084, 23 Mar. 1892, Page 2

Advt. Burra Literary Soc. AGM at Mrs Reed’s rooms on 1 April.

Editorial on Australasian Finances.

About troubles in raising loans on the London Market caused by the crash of the Argentine economy.

XIII, 1084, 23 Mar. 1892, Page 3

Obituary. Mrs Burrowes, the wife of Joseph Burrowes has died in Broken Hill.

Theft from fruit trees in Burra has become a problem with gardens entered and fruit trees broken down. On Friday one lad was caught and the names of others are now known and future infringements will bring action.

St Joseph’s Church ladies celebrated St Patrick’s Day by hiring a coach and four and had a day’s outing at Princess Royal.

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church Anniversary was celebrated on 20 March. The preacher was Mr Joseph Thomas of Shebbear College, England.

Diphtheria remains prevalent at the north end of town.

Bon Accord Bridge contract has gone to Messrs Braidwood & Wise and C. Rawlins* of Aberdeen are sub-contracted for locally supplied lime, stone, etc.

*Variously Rawlin, Rawlins, Rawling.

Ballast Quarry. The SAR are to construct a siding from the main line at a point north of the large cutting in J. Ford’s (Quarry) paddock to run along the existing reef of stone for a further quantity of ballast. We hope it will be in action soon for the sake of the many locally unemployed.

[The previous issue had said that the Government had a three year lease on the quarry from Mr Ford.]

Burra Town Council, 21 March.

The lamp on Henderson’s Bridge [Kingston St] is to be shifted to the middle between the girders and raised 2-3’ as required.

Court Pride of Burra Junior Foresters Lodge celebrated its first anniversary in the Institute on 14 March. There was a Court Meeting, presentations and refreshments.

Cricket. Saturday at the Burra Oval Aberdeen v. The Stragglers (formerly Quarrymen)

Aberdeen 104, Stragglers 1 for 120. A. Wade 50 not out & E. Lockyer 65 not out.

Redruth Court, 16 March.

For furious riding in Ludgvan St, Redruth: each fined 5/- + costs

Brook Lewis Thomas Builder John Wayland

Charged on the information of J. Rumball with touting for business contrary to Clause 22 of the SAR by-laws: each fined 10/- + costs, or 7 days.

James Nelson H. Seaford S. Hill F. Schutz

[Probably a response to the complaint against cabbies: XIII, 1079, 17 Feb. page 3]

S. Burns stray cow 2/6 + costs

Charles Daulby 2 stray cattle 2/6 + costs

H. Skews 2 stray cows 2/6 + costs

J. Pearce stray cow in Thames St 2/6 + costs

James Gully neglecting to send child to school 2/6 + 10/- costs

F. Gebhardt neglecting to send child to school 2/6 + costs

For disturbing the peace at the Burra Hotel on 4 March: each fined 13/4

Fred Sellars Thomas Murphy Thomas Halls

For challenging to fight for money Thomas Halls was fined £2 or sentenced to 7 days.

XIII, 1085, 30 Mar. 1892, page 2

Editorial on trespassing with stock.

Burra Co. MI learnt last Wednesday that this year there would be no encampment. This is not only a disappointment, but also it prevents the men from becoming ‘extra efficient’ and so earning £3-4-0 and even if ‘extra efficient is awarded they still lose £2-4-0. This is no way to encourage the volunteers.

Drills today at 2 p.m. under Sgt-Major De Passé.

Rev. R.J. Daddow has recovered sufficiently from his recent severe illness to return home.

Livestock Sales. From 1 January to 31 March over 124,000 sheep have been sent for sale at Burra and nearly all were sold. 715 cattle have been sold in the same period.

XIII, 1085, 30 Mar. 1892, page 3

The Lynch Family appeared at the Institute on 22 March to a fair house. The performance was very well received.

Cricket. The great cricket match is over. ‘Our boys’ were defeated. While it was being played we issued periodical extras, giving scores and particulars and judging from the rush for the ‘latest’ our efforts were appreciated. The Englishmen made 499 in their 1st innings with Australia all out for 100 in a rain spoiled match.

Rabbits are an immense problem at Baldina and many farmers are bitter about the failure of some landholders to clear rabbits, so rendering their own efforts futile. A memorial is being addressed to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to enforce the act.

At World’s End Mr Duldig is preparing a day’s sport of rabbit killing for 9 April when a start will be made from Klaebe’s house at 8 a.m. with return about 6 p.m. Provisions will be provided at intervals. Prizes will be distributed in the evening.

Bible Christian Church: Rev. Joseph Thomas preached last Sunday. He was born at Burra in 1868 and educated at Burra School and Watervale Grammar and briefly at Prince Alfred College before going to Shebbear College in North Devon. He is now in charge of Orroroo & Carrieton circuit of the Bible Christian Church.

Mr Thomas Edwards and his wife depart on 6 April for England, unfortunately on account of poor health. Mr Edwards came to Burra some years ago and began a business as a draper. He has been most interested in the Burra Institute where he has been at times auditor, committeeman, honorary secretary, and president. He has also been Chairman of the hospital Board.

Press Telegrams. The editor complains that the postal authorities on Saturday suddenly refused to deliver telegrams to them except at the ordinary rates. Telegrams at press rates will only be sent the day before the publication of the paper. The editor feels this is unreasonable and also counterproductive for the post office. In any event they were printing extras as soon as the news arrived and distributing 300 copies to Redruth, Aberdeen, Kooringa and railway carriages.

Kooringa Band of Hope Concert in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall was a great success last Thursday. Proceeds aid the new piano and c. £5 was raised.

Consecration of St Mary’s. A Church of England was erected in Kooringa as a slab building in Kangaroo St c. 1847 as a schoolroom and church. Rev. Bagshaw was the incumbent. The manse of slab and brick was behind T.W. Pearce’s residence in Commercial St and is now occupied by Mrs Turner. Two years later St Mary’s on the hill was built when Rev. J. Pollet was incumbent, followed by Revs Ibbetson, Stanton and others. In 1856 Mr Ibbetson presented plans and specifications to the committee for the Institute - two small rooms. A Church of England schoolroom was soon built on the allotment now occupied by Messrs M.H. Bruse & Son. Plans were laid to buy land north of the Kooringa post office, but SAMA kindly donated it. Plans were drawn up by George McLagan and the building constructed by Sara & Dunstan. Bishop Short laid the foundation stone on 3 July 1879 and he also opened the church on 18 January 1880. The total cost of the building was £3,300. The late Mrs McCulloch of Princess Royal donated £500 while her husband Mr A. McCulloch lent £500 for five years interest free. Rev. Howitt was the first incumbent of the new church, followed by the Rev. Stuart Wayland. There is presently £100 in hand towards a schoolroom. The consecration took place on Friday 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation of St Mary. Present were Bishop Kennion; The Registrar, Mr A. Sturcke; Archdeacon Dove; Rev. R.B. Webb, rural dean; Rev. J.H. Williams of Riverton; and Rev. A.G. King, the incumbent.

XIII, 1085 [2], 6 Apr. 1892, page 2 [Error: should be numbered 1086]

Advt. The continued depression of the copper market has led to the auctioning of the crushing and concentrating plant of S. Paynter & Co. including:

Stonebreaker, crusher with 14 ft Raff Wheel

16 h.p. Beam Engine

Cornish Boiler

Iron Chimneystack 30’ x 2’

Concentrator, six-inch circulation pump etc.

Advt. For sale by auction at Institute 8 & 9 April

Japanese and Chinese curios. John Sampson, auctioneer & M. Both, importer.

Advt. Burra Institute, 11 April. Stacey Comedy Co. presents a double bill.

The Baronet and Fiddle and I.

Advt. Chrysanthemum Show and Promenade Concert, Burra Institute, 4 May.

XIII, 1085 [2], 6 Apr. 1892, page 2-3

Editorial on Our Undeveloped Resources.

Concerned with viticultural opportunities and idle pastoral land resumed for agriculture, but since proved to be unsuitable for that.

XIII, 1085 [2], 6 Apr. 1892, page 3

Baldina Plains School. On Thursday last the head teacher Mr Dowd received instructions from the Educational Department requesting him to close the school. No reason is given for the step taken, and naturally enough the parents are surprised, and anxious to know how their children are to receive a fair education if the school is not reopened. About 15 children attend this place. We believe a memorial is already being signed by the parents to be forwarded to the authorities, asking that the matter be reconsidered.

Bon Accord Bridge excavation work has started. The total cost is £1,542 which is £42 above the estimate voted.

Cricket. On Saturday a match between 15 from Aberdeen and 11 from Kooringa was begun on the Burra Oval. Kooringa compiled 148 and at stumps Aberdeen was 4 for 68. The match continues next Saturday.

Burra Literary Soc. met to open its fourth season on Friday at Mrs Reed’s.

Mr Whittick was re-elected President with Messrs Rabbich and [C.] Fuss as Vice-Presidents. Life membership was voted to Messrs F.W. Holder, Rev. R.M. Hunter, Rev. R.J. Daddow and Rev. Father W. O’Dowling SJ.

‘Old Sport’ writes enquiring why there have been no Burra Races this year. There is believed to be £30 in hand so racing men should rally round and get things going again.

Rabbits. A meeting was held at the German schoolhouse about four miles south of Lapford on 2 April to consider wire netting the scrubby lands of south Baldina Hundred and north Bright Hundred from the agricultural lands to the west. Burra & Apoinga District Councils were represented. A major problem is the untenanted Block A.

Mr Flower moved Apoinga Council urge the owner of the following blocks to take action by erecting netting fences to control rabbits: sections 40, 39, 35, 34, 33, 25, E25, S24, 48, 201, 47, 44, 43, 10, 11, & 12.

Burra Town Council, 4 April.

The Mayor reported that the Government tender for the Bon Accord Bridge had gone to Broadwood and Wise for £1,542 and work was in progress.

On 1 April £200 in Corporation bond fell due and also £100 on the Park Lands account, along with coupons to £11.

These having been met the general account is in credit £8-17-4.

Board of Health: Cr. £5-13-8

Park Lands: Debit £168-3-3

Waterworks: Cr £69-10-7

Cemetery: Cr £18-19-11

Bank overdraft: £65-1-9

It has thus become urgent that the rates be collected.

The footbridge near the Bible Christian Church [Bridge St] is to be repaired.

Arrangements have been made for lighting the Aberdeen lamp. (Mr Tiver at £2 a quarter.)

Mr Geake will light the two lamps in Kooringa for £4 a quarter.

The water trough in Market Square is to be repaired.

Bon Accord Bridge: the ironwork for the new bridge is to come from England.

Burra Mine. Witnesses are being examined in Adelaide with reference to the purchase of the Burra Mine and the question should be settled in a month or two.

‘Sparks’: Will the Education Department close the Baldina Plains School?

XIII, 1087, 13 Apr. 1892, page 2

Advt. Wanted: a good man accustomed to Concrete, Peasy or Pug Wall building. Apply Thomas Warnes, Koomooloo. [Assume peasy = pisé]

Advt. Juvenile entertainment in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes in Mr Lewis’s schoolroom on 19 April. 1/-.

Advt. Good Friday United Services in Kooringa:

11 a.m. Kooringa Wesleyan Church, Revs. R.M. Hunter, Yeoman & Daddow.

2.30 p.m. Kooringa bible Christian Church

Evening: Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church public meeting.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary on Easter Sunday, 17 April.

Rev. S. Rossiter. Tea meeting on Monday 18 April to include the Service of Song Primrose Garth instead of the usual addresses. [Garth = garden.]

XIII, 1087, 13 Apr. 1892, page 3

Editorial on National Defence.

Expresses concern about the National Defence League [a right wing organisation that was afraid of the election of labour representatives to Parliament]

‘The real objects of this precious league are not to defend the nation but to defend the monopolist . . . against . . . all the rest of the community.’

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on Easter Sunday & Monday, 17 & 18 April.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was celebrated on 3 & 4 April. The services were largely attended. The Iron Mine Brass Band assisted at the tea meeting.

Burra Literary Soc. Several members attended on Friday despite bad weather. They concluded by singing Auld Lang Syne to Mr Maggs who is leaving the district.

The Stace Comedy Co. did not attract a large audience on Monday, but those present thoroughly enjoyed the show. By popular demand they performed the old favourite Hans the Boatman instead of the advertised show.

Though he is not named in the Record it seems clear that W.H. Hardy had written an anonymous scathing review of the Stace Comedy Co.’s production somewhere of The Widow and sent it to the Jamestown Review. In it he says it ‘was nothing more or less than a vulgar leg show’. The letter was not published, but was shown to Mr Stacy by the proprietor, Mr Lake. Mr Stacy made his feelings known in an interval in the Burra performance and an actress confronted ‘one of the residents of Burra’ on Monday afternoon at his place of work. She proceeded to tell him what she thought in resounding sentence after sentence and when told to clear out said, ‘I will when I am ready, and if the counter wasn’t between you and me I would tear your l- out.’

She asked if he believed in God and when he said no she said ‘I thought you didn’t, you are one of William’s sort, I can see the inhuman fiend in your mouth.’

Mr Paynter has, through the continuing depression of the copper market, decided to sell his plant. This is a loss both to the town and Mr Paynter. Several tons of copper have been produced and sold, but present prices did not warrant continuing.

Burra Institute. The Quadrille class wrote asking for hall charges. The usual charges were offered by the committee.

Ballast Quarry. A contract has been let to Mr E. Camp for 5,000 yd3 of metal from the Aberdeen Quarry, but the blocking of the road by the Bon Accord Bridge work will make delivery difficult.

Rabbits. Mr Kickebusch delivered a petition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on Monday urging strong action to enforce the Rabbit Act which is sadly neglected in their area and also drawing attention to the star thistles and Bathurst burr growing in tons in the district. The petition blames the inaction of the Burra District Council because it is largely composed of squatters. Supply of wire netting is a waste of time and plays into the hands of the large landowners. Also argues against the Nackara to Morgan dog and rabbit-proof fence which it says in the long run will be but a ‘toy for larrikins’.

Kooringa Court, 6 April.

Richard Fox was charged with being drunk on 5 April and fined 5/-

He was also charged with offensive behaviour in that he molested several little girls trying to persuade them away with offers of lollies. He pleaded not guilty, but witnesses were produced and he was sentenced to 14 days in Redruth Gaol.

Sporting Notes by ‘Whip’

He notes the increase in prize money for coursing:

1891: 1st £15, 2nd £5, 3rd £1.

1892: 1st £35, 2nd £16, 3rd £7-10-0 plus three dogs at £2-10-0 & 6 at £-10-0.

He rates the Gum Creek course as first class.

He calls on the secretary of the Burra Racing Club to get moving or call a meeting and give the money in hand to the Burra Hospital.

Burra Polo he says is not dead - activity goes on any Saturday on the ground near Elders’ Yards, Aberdeen. Players include: H. Bowman, F. Bowman, C.W. Bowman, F.W. White & A. Gebhardt. The last game for the season will be on 23 April.

Clare Tennis Club visits Burra next Saturday at the court opposite the hospital.

A meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel last Friday considered forming an Aberdeen Football Club. A good attendance decided to go ahead.

Patron: J. Roach

Presidents: W. Neville & W. Linkson

Captain: H. Preece

Vice-Captain: W. Sleeman

Kooringa had better get going.

The rabbit hunt from Klaebe’s last Saturday came off very well with 438 rabbits bagged from Block A.

G.A Wittwer came 1st, Irlam & Kelow tied for 2nd (36 each) and 4 tied for 3rd (20 each).

Cricket: Good Friday Aberdeen plays Manoora at Manoora

Easter Monday Burra Plays Gawler at Gawler

Wednesday Burra plays United Schoolteachers’ Association at Burra Oval

XIII, 1088, 20 Apr. 1892, page 2

Advt. Grand Magic Lantern Entertainment. Edwin Thomas will give an entertainment with the French Magic Lantern in the Bible Christian Schoolroom on 22 April featuring The Pilgrim’s Progress and Robinson Crusoe. 6d, children 3d.

XIII, 1088, 20 Apr. 1892, page 2-3

Editorial on The School Board Fiasco.

The elective School Board system was inaugurated on Saturday and in the Burra District it failed. Three members were to be elected by parents, but only one nomination was received. The education regulations have no provision for this (unless clause 32 dealing with extraordinary vacancies is so construed). We assume this will be the way out. But why the apathy? The very lack of power of the Boards is probably the answer. They can advise repairs be done, but have not the power to act except in the most trivial of cases and in other cases are neither consulted or even advised of decisions taken. They can summon parents of children who fail to attend and admonish them or excuse them or recommend prosecution. Incredibly the Department supplies the Board with envelopes and stamps, but not with writing paper! A peculiar specimen of Departmental economy.

XIII, 1088, 20 Apr. 1892, page 3

Baldina Plain School. In a previous issue we mentioned that the teacher at Baldina Plain School had received instructions from the Education Department to close it. Such assertions now prove to have been false. It appears the gentleman who left the place did so unknown to the authorities and when they were acquainted of it arrangements were at once made to compel him to return, but after a little consideration it transpired that he had left because he did not like the place. The school is to be opened again and the fear the parents had of bringing up their children in ignorance is removed.

Edwin Thomas is now in Burra taking stereoscopic pictures of all the principal streets, buildings and scenery. He will take pictures of anyone’s dwelling on request.

A bolt. The eldest son of William Pearce had a narrow escape when the horse in his buggy bolted in Kangaroo St and made a dash around corners at high speed into Lower Thames St and thence to the big bridge [Kingston St] where he finally managed to halt it.

Burra School Board of Advice. Despite being invited to act as members of the new board only one of the old board has accepted: Mr W. West. The other appointed members are not yet known.

Burra School. Tenders for the repair of the dilapidated school fence have been called. The correspondence over this has been going on for 18 months. A good jarrah picket fence is likely to result.

Burra Racing Club secretary, F.T. Roberts, writes in to say he is willing to call a meeting if Burra sports will rally round. [Though apparently he doesn’t actually call one.]

W. Bollen writes a poem Ye Burra Hills.

Rabbit Hunt. There is a more detailed report of the rabbit hunt from a house lent by Mr A. Mann, known as Klaebe’s. The group set off at 9 a.m. in a line keeping a chain apart. At 11 o’clock they paused for a billy and lunch by which time they had 192 scalps. Then they went on to the creek and over to Mr Irlam’s where they halted for lunch, this time with 91 scalps. An hour later they set off again towards home with firing so quick it was like a skirmish. They got back about 5 o’clock after 16 miles hard walking and Mr T. McWaters supplied a capital spread and Mesdames McWaters, Duldig, Phillips and others waited on the hunters.

The total number shot came to 433 with Mr Wittwer of Robertstown getting most at 38 and earning the £1 prize. Messrs D. Irlam and Kielow got 36 each, earning 15/-.

Burra Coursing Club. George Parks got 53 nominations from all over the colony for the meet. Conveyances will run to and from the ground at a charge of 5/- return.

Cricket. The match Burra v. United Schoolteachers’ Assoc. has had to be postponed.

At Manoora on Good Friday Aberdeen 174 defeated Manoora 124.

At Gawler on Easter Monday Gawler 125 defeated Burra 116.

Picnic. On Thursday before Easter the private schools in the north end of town had a united picnic. A conveyance was waiting at Mrs McLagan’s to take them to Mt Bryan where eatables and various sports and games were indulged in. The Misses Rabbich provided a treat for their scholars in the schoolroom in the afternoon in the form of a tea with fruit and sweets. Games were played and the Maypole dance performed.

Burra Public School. The Redruth correspondent considered the number of private schools in Burra could be accounted for because in the Public School ‘there were too many “hobble-dehoy” teachers with their fickle minds who at the least little thing lose their temper, and send the children up to the head master for chastisement thus creating a dislike for their teacher.’

Hanson Methodist Church saw a large number of visitors on Good Friday for the Harvest thanksgiving tea and public meeting. About £7 was raised.

[This is, presumably, an early example of Hanson meaning present day Hanson]

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was celebrated on Easter Sunday and Monday with the children’s treat on Monday followed by the tea meeting. Altogether it was a success with a teachers’ tea on Tuesday.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School children had their annual treat on Good Friday followed by a public tea.

United Methodist Easter Services were well attended.

St Mary’s celebrated Easter in the usual way with the church decorated with green foliage and white flowers on Sunday. Attendances were good.

Baldina Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was celebrated on 10 & 13 April. Rev. R.M. Hunter preached. The congregations were too large for the building. On Wednesday an early tea was followed by games and contests. Financially the results were down on last year. Mr Tuckfield and family were farewelled as they are leaving the district.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary services were held last Sunday & Monday and were the most successful for some time. On Monday the sports for children were held at the Burra Oval with tea at the Sunday School at 4 p.m. followed by public tea and the service of song, Primrose Garth. Over £30 was raised.

Rabbits.

[District Council Rangers quite often changed landowners with failing to clear their land of rabbits, but I have noted few of the cases. They were frequently defended and the results of such actions were by no means one-sided. The penalties were quite severe, making the cost of defending a case worth the risk.] For example:

Redruth Court, 13 April.

District Ranger for Burra D.C., John Morgan, charged Messrs Cockrum & Pearce, but they tendered evidence to show that ‘the act stated that owners or occupiers were compelled to continue killing rabbits until they were cleared, and that was exactly what the defendants were doing and there was nothing before the court to prove otherwise.’

The defence succeeded, but the attorney fees were £2-2-0, court fees 5/-, witness fees £1-10-0 to total £3-17-0. The report doesn’t state whether the court awarded them costs.

XIII, 1089, 27 Apr. 1892, page 2

Advt. Under Bill of Sale on the premises of F. Gebhardt’s Bakery in Lower Thames St on 28 April, John Sampson will sell by auction the lease of the bakehouse, dwelling and land and will also auction the baker’s equipment and household domestic effects without reserve.

Advt. At New Aberdeen 29 April John Sampson will sell for William Dunstan, who is leaving the district, the household furniture and effects.

Advt. Thomas Halls will run cabs to and from the Coursing Meet departing from the Burra Hotel. 4 & 5 May from 7 a.m. for 5/- return.

Advt. Dancing classes will resume in Bleak House High School on Thursday. Juniors at 4-5 p.m. and Adults 7.30-9.00 p.m. Frances McLagan.

XIII, 1089, 27 Apr. 1892, page 3

Obituary & Inquest. The funeral of the late Mr Charles Daulby took place last Friday.

Mr Daulby was killed in a quarry accident last week, leaving a destitute wife and two children.

Mr W.R. Ridgway JP conducted an inquest into the death of Charles Daulby at the Redruth Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. Deceased had died from injuries received while working at the Aberdeen Quarry.

John G. Midwinter:

Was present when the fall occurred about 4.15 p.m.; had cautioned the deceased about the danger of the spot, but the latter thought it safe. About a ton of stone fell and deceased was alive when Midwinter left to get a doctor.

William Diplock:

Was also present and confirmed Midwinter’s evidence. With Mr Camp’s help had got the deceased out and wrapped him up and sent for a doctor and conveyance.

Dr Brummitt:

Visited the deceased at his home three times in the evening and believed his back was broken, though this could not be confirmed without further examination. Deceased had died about midnight.

Morris Jenkins could add little to the above.

Verdict was death by accident and the jurymen handed over their fees to be given to the widow. A subscription list has been set up. [Born 16 November 1863, died 20 April 1892.]

Burra Co. MI. Promotions on probation announced for:

Cpl J.J. Blott to Co. Sgt-Major

Cpl J. Drew to Sgt

Cpl W.C.L. West to Sgt

Cpl F.A.S. Field to Sgt

Cpl W.B. Page to Sgt

L-Cpl M. Rabbich to Cpl

The company inspection has been postponed from 18 May to 24 August to allow for agricultural activities.

John Smith, after two years in the town leaves to be replaced by Mr Howard.

[Of Burra Hotel]

Edwin Thomas’s magic lantern entertainment in the Bible Christian schoolroom was excellent, but the attendance was not great. It will be repeated shortly in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

T.T. Shortridge has been appointed an auditor for the Amalgamated Shearers’ Union of SA (Adelaide Branch).

Leighton Wesleyan Church celebrated its anniversary in March and attendances at services and the tea meeting were very large.

Burra Literary Soc. was well attended on Friday. Mr Fuss contributed a paper on ‘Unionism’ and Mr Hardy one on ‘Local Option and Compensation’.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show is approaching and Mr Cave’s flowers are particularly impressive.

‘Old Sport’ writes that he intended no slight to the secretary of the Racing Club, but merely to try to raise interest in racing and to use the money for some purpose if no racing is to be done. Meetings should have been called.

The editor replied that meetings were called, but only two or three responded.

Trees. The Redruth correspondent regrets the destruction of a street tree: apparently due to careless or reckless driving.

The Concert in Mr Lewis’s schoolroom on 19 April to raise money for Dr Barnardo’s Homes was well attended and raised over £2.

[Suggesting an attendance in excess of 40.]

Tennis. On 16 April on the courts opposite the hospital Burra 83 games defeated Clare 74 games.

Polo. The last game for the season was held on Saturday and in the evening J. Lewis entertained members to a first class dinner.

St Mary’s Annual Vestry Meeting on 21 April revealed that the year had seen 25 baptisms and no confirmations; though a confirmation service is scheduled for August. The Sunday school has 107 scholars (56 girls and 51 boys) with 12 teachers. The fund for a new schoolroom stood at £110. Hospital services are regularly held. The annual income was £359-16-0 and expenditure £343-4-8. The building fund at 31 March was £94-18-0.

Fraud. A number of townsfolk and businessmen have been cheated by a woman purposing to be a London dressmaker who set up business and obtained materials from individuals and shops on approval before leaving quietly with them for Adelaide and thence to Melbourne.

Burra Town Council, 21 April

Rates have been collected so that the financial position is now:

General account: £108-7-11

Health: £26-4-1

Waterworks: £162-17-11

Cemetery: £18-19-11

Park Lands: Debit £134-15-1

Mr Cave’s Garden. There is a report of a visit to Mr Cave’s garden which extends over about 1⁄3 column. He was particularly interested in chrysanthemums which he grew extensively and showed widely. He developed new varieties. Among his best were:

Edwin Molyneux Japanese hybrid - crimson, 11” across.

Condor white tinged with pink

Swanley Yellow bright yellow edged in bronze

Madam Clemence Rudigeur pink

Jeane de Laux crimson, 10” across

William Stevens bronze with reverse yellow

Mrs J.G. Wright white

Robert Cannell large red

Snowstorm white

Alba Fimbriata white tinged with pink and yellow

Mrs Heale pearly white

Mabel Ward yellow

Antonella bronze

Lord Wolsley

Prince Alfred

Refulgens

Annie Salter

XIII, 1090, 4 May 1892, page 2

Advt. Address in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church Sunday evening 8 May.

Rev. R.M. Hunter: ‘Gambling; Its Nature, Associations and Results’.

Editorial on Northern Territory Mines.

Mr T.F. Robertson, who has long been in charge of the Burra branch of Messrs Treleaven & Brown, Carriers etc. has taken over the business and will continue it in his own name.

Burra Literary Soc. had a lower attendance due to poor weather on Friday for its debate on Town Life v. Country Life.

For Country Life: Messrs Nevin, Fuss, Hardy & Miss Reed.

For Town Life: Messrs Rabbich, Whittick, & Mrs Davis (apologies from Mr Linkson)

Country Life won 14 to 8.

XIII, 1090, 4 May 1892, page 2-3

Burra Co. MI continues to drill and practice firing. We suggest arrangements be made to see that drills do not clash with football commitments.

XIII, 1090, 4 May 1892, page 3

Fraud. Further details of the behaviour of the recent ‘dressmaker of London’ are given.

Another fraud involves two men obtaining money from businessmen for inclusion in non-existent trade directories.

Sports Social tomorrow night at the Commercial Hotel to wind up the coursing meet, conclude the cricket season, and open the football season.

Cricket. In the last game of the season Burra 119 defeated Muffs 61.

For the season Burra won 3 of the 4 country matches played and the loss at Gawler was still quite a creditable performance.

Visits were made to Riverton, Manoora and Gawler as well as matches at the Burra Oval including one against Auburn.

By far the best batsman this season was J. Drew who in 5 innings scored 316 at av. 63.1

The best bowling figures were those of George Parks who took 33 wickets for 179 runs.

SAMA 47th Annual Report, 20 April 1892.

Receipts for the last six months: £862-13-9

Expenses: £465-6-11

The undivided profit brought forward is £14,626-12-6.

The case against the purchasers of the Burra Burra Mine is almost complete.

Chrysanthemums. This year at the Adelaide Show Messrs Cave and Lewis were unsuccessful with nearly all the prizes going to Sir E.T. Smith and Mr Gordon.

The Chinamen at the railway station are in the habit of trapping magpies and last week a tame one managed to get entangled. Its wings were cut short and it had one leg broken, yet it managed to travel half a mile over difficult obstacles and returned home for food. [It is likely this refers to the Chinese gardeners on the flat by the creek west of the station.]

XIII, 1091, 11 May 1892, page 2

Obituary. William Dare, late of Piltimitiappa Station died on 4 May at Walltellawerlinga. He was aged 68 and was a colonist of 55 years, having arrived in the Royal Admiral.

Burra Co. MI will fire a rifle match on the Port Adelaide Range on 24 May against teams from Moonta Co. MI and C. Company of 3rd Regiment.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church. The balance sheet in connection with the enlargement of the church was presented. The enlargement cost £68, towards which £52 had been raised, leaving a debt of £16 which the trustees hope to pay off shortly.

Accident. On the way back from the Coursing Meet on Thursday the front wheels of a buggy collapsed on striking a rut. Mr H. McCullum was much cut about the head and Mr Haag was pinned to the ground, but extricated without much damage. Had the horses not been quiet the results could have been fatal.

‘The American Auctioneers’ who appeared last week did such poor business that they cleared out after the second night.

Burra Literary Soc. held a successful ‘Associates Evening’ last Friday night.

A Bolt. A man named Waddington, heading for Barker’s Dam, left the Kooringa Hotel on Sunday, but the horses refused to turn into Quarry St and instead headed down Bridge St East and at the end crossed the footpath, jumped a fence and made off. The buggy and Waddington were left behind. He was taken to the Burra Hospital insensible, but is progressing favourably.

Obituary. Last Tuesday John Newcomb left The Gums Station with his two-year-old daughter for medical treatment, but before he reached Mr Bell’s place at Baldina the child died and his horse was knocked up. On examining the child Dr Brummitt said she had suffered convulsions caused by falling on a bottle with which she had been playing. About six weeks ago the family had been travelling through Baldina on foot in a terrible state, not having had food for several days. They were helped by Mr Kiekebusch who fed them and took them to The Gums where Newcomb found work.

[Born Mary Theresa Newcomb 27 February 1890, died Mary Teresa Newcomb 9 May 1892.]

XIII, 1091, 11 May 1892, page 2-3

‘Whip’ reports on the Burra Coursing Club meet and a 24 hour walking competition in Adelaide as well as rabbit shooting, cricket, chess, boxing, cycling and football: all from out-of-town.

XIII, 1091, 11 May 1892, page 3

The Daulby Fund. Mr Hutchins of Aberdeen and Mr Watt of Kooringa have been collecting aid for Mrs Daulby and a good sum has been raised. It is said Mr James M. McBride has purchased a nice cottage for the widow.

Bon Accord Bridge work has stopped because of the lack of ironwork which has not yet arrived in the colony from England. The mason work is nearly done.

The Sports Social marking the coursing meeting, the end of the cricket season and the start of football at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday went well, though it was regrettable that more members did not avail themselves of the opportunity to take part. About 20 sat down to a fine spread with the usual long series of toasts and speeches.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show was held in the Institute last Wednesday. It was well attended and was a financial success. A few years ago small button blooms were passed as highly desirable specimens while now richly massive and symmetrical forms are a triumph of the horticulturalists’ skill. Prizes went:

18 to Dr Brummitt (5 1st, 6 2nd, 7 3rd)

12 to W. Lasscock

11 to Miss Oppermann (7 1st, 3 2nd, 1 3rd)

9 to J. Lewis

7 to J.D. Cave

7 to Miss Josling

5 to R.M Harvey

T.W. Pearce & Son got nearly all the prizes for ferns. There were fewer competitors than in previous years, but the season was against them. The prize list is printed.

Burra Coursing Club meeting is reported in just over 2 columns.

The attendance on Wednesday last was estimated at between 300 & 350. T.P. Halls provided a coach and four and did good business.

F. Treloar, the manager of Gum Creek, controlled the beat and Messrs Watt, Sandland, Crewes & Drew controlled the public. Mr McDonald was judge.

Messrs Gebhardt Bros. provided refreshments.

Mr C.H. Shakehaft and J. Moyle divided 1st & 2nd money of £35 + £16.

J.W. White took 3rd place money: £7-10-0.

£2-10-0 was won by the dogs of F. Threadgold (2) and F. Frost while £1-10-0 was won by the dogs of B. Tonkin, A.J. Gray (2), J. McWhirter, J.D. Johnston and C. Pearce.

XIII, 1092, 18 May 1892, page 2

Advt. Wanted a good general servant: must be able to milk. Apply Mrs R. Brummitt.

Notice. The storekeeping and baking partnership of George Parks and Charles Parks is dissolved by mutual consent on 9 May 1892. George Parks will carry on the storekeeping business and Charles Parks will continue the bakery as separate businesses.

Advt. The Anniversary Services of the Redruth Wesleyan Church will be held Sunday 22 May.

The Service of Song will be The Man Who Spoilt the Music with connective readings by Rev. R. Rossiter.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary on Sunday 22 May. Rev. R. Rossiter will preach and do the connective readings for the service of song The Man That Spoilt the Music. Tea meeting on 24 May.

Editorial on Appreciation of Gold: discussing the Gold Standard and Bi-metallism.

W. Pearce, one of our oldest residents is seriously ill.

XIII, 1092, 18 May 1892, page 3

Burra Co. MI. Several members went to Mt Bryan on Wednesday to enable country members to put in a drill. Supper afterwards was provided by Miss Ullmann.

Iron Mine Band of Hope is meeting again after a recess of three months. Membership is reported to be 67. The prizes for the year went to Jane Fairchild and Stanley Oates - given to the two people who gave the largest number of pieces during the year.

Burra Literary Soc. last Friday heard a lecture from Rev. R.J. Daddow on Science: complete with several experiments. Next meeting will hear from Mr John Roach who will give an account of his recent trip from Adelaide to Bombay.

Railways. The SAR has been running trials of Leigh Creek coal and as a consequence a train from Terowie to Burra was an hour late.

Chaff has risen by £1-10-0 a ton to £6-5-0 as a result of the continuing drought, though chaff from northern areas is still being delivered this week in Burra for £4-15-0 a ton.

Mr Whittick has taken over the wood-yard of Mr T. Davis of Aberdeen.

Burra Town Council has resumed control of the Aberdeen Reserve on the expiry of the seven-year lease granted to W.R. Ridgway.

Burra District Council has repaired masonry at the two bridges near Ford’s slaughterhouse.

‘Whip’ reports on out-of-town coursing, football, boxing, sculling, cycling and polo. He also reports that arrangements have been made for a football game next Saturday between Aberdeen and Burra.

Burra Football Club AGM was held at the Commercial Hotel on 12 May. Captain for the year is G. Herbert and Vice-Captain is J. Wade.

Burra Lawn Tennis Club is going to Clare on 24 May.

Redruth Court, 11 May.

Thomas Halls was charged on the information of Henry Seaford with having assaulted him at the Burra Railway Station on 4 May and also with attempting to get a portmanteau he had, belonging to a passenger. Fined £3-1-0 in all, or 1 month.

Stephen Hill, cab driver, charged that his horses and cab were left standing without chaining the wheel. Fined £1.

16 May.

Patrick O’Connor, aged 16, was charged with entering Philip Lane’s shop on 7 May and stealing a breach-loading gun and two watches. Sentenced to six months, but sentence suspended on payment of a £20 bond and reporting to L-C Thomas every three months.

There is 1⁄2 column detailing how L-C Thomas managed to catch the offender.

W. Smith, popular manager and brother to Mr John Smith, late of the Burra Hotel, was given a farewell at an assembly at T. Walsh’s Court House Hotel on 12 May. T.T. Shortridge was in the chair. Mr Smith had been in Burra for two years and made many friends.

The season. Rain is badly needed in both the agricultural and pastoral areas. Feed is very scarce. Harvests were good in 1889 & 1890 and 1891 would have been fair, though late, except for the hailstorm which ruined many crops late in the season. The price for farm and dairy produce is high now and rising as the drought persists.

Burra Hospital: Miss Lyford has given a month’s notice of resigning as matron.

Mr Edwin Thomas’s stereoscopic pictures are in great demand.

XIII, 1093, 25 May 1892, page 2

Advt. Farewell social to Captain Norris & Lieut. Wemyss, next Sunday, 29 May.

Advt. Tonight Mr M. Fenton will give an exhibition of an entirely new style of horse handling at the Burra Hotel, also on Thursday & Friday exhibition of riding wild horses and cattle.

Advt. Kooringa Band of Hope Magic Lantern Entertainment in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall 26 May.

1. Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress - 37 coloured pictures

2. The Ticket of Leave Man - 11 first class views

3. Robinson Crusoe - 11 pictures

4. A variety of amusing, interesting and innocent views

Hymns from Sankey’s Songs will be sung during the evening. 6d, children 3d.

Editorial. Miss Spence’s Effective Voting System.

[A system of preferential voting with multiple member electorates.]

The editor found this interesting, but ‘For the present at least we prefer the single electorates and should be glad to see them brought into effect before the next general election.’

Weather. Recent rains were followed by a dry spell, but last week we had 0.26” which is still not enough and more is anxiously looked for.

XIII, 1093, 25 May 1892, page 3

Burra School at last has a new fence.

Oddfellows Lodge: on 8 June District Officers will visit to hold a lodge of Past Grands, followed by a social at Vivian’s Commercial Hotel.

T.T. Shortridge, formerly with W. Henderson for 111⁄2 years, has begun business as a commission agent on his own.

Mr Fenton’s exhibition of rough riding has been sensational, with his Australian and Mexican cowboys. The fearless performance of the black boy in riding a wild bullock called for special attention. Fenton’s system for catching unbroken horses is wonderful and in less than 20 minutes a saddle and rider is placed on its back. Throughout ‘not one word is used which is not fit for any lady or gentleman to hear.’

Daulby Fund. Mr E. Thomas commended for the magic lantern show at Redruth in aid of the fund.

Railways. Burra railway yards are presently very busy with men relaying the line and a telegraph party is carrying out repairs and carpenters and painters are overhauling and painting the station buildings. Another party is erecting a water tank. There is also extra activity in delivering chaff to folk not prepared to pay unwarranted prices charged by the local chaff dealers.

‘Whip’ reports on out-of-town boxing, cycling, cricket and football.

Football. The 1st game for the season on Saturday was played at Burra Oval.

Play started half an hour late with about 13 men for Aberdeen and 16 for Burra. Others joined later, but the full complement failed to appear. Despite this it was a good match ending with Burra 5.4 (34) defeating Aberdeen 2.3 (15).

Typhoid has broken out at Petersburg and is very bad at Broken Hill.

Obituary. Mr J. Cundy has died. [John Cundy died 22 May 1892 aged 62.]

Stereoscopic Photos. We have seen some fine pictures of the Chrysanthemum Show and the committee. [Presumably by Edwin Thomas.]

Chinese Migration. Hon. T. Playford says the Chinese Restriction Act must be amended. At present a ship is restricted to one Chinese passenger for each 500 tons register, but captains are signing on Chinese as crew and discharging them on arrival, which circumvents the law, even if they still pay the poll tax.

XIII, 1094, 1 June 1892, page 2

Advt. Alex Harris’s Wood-Yard: Chaff £4-10-0 a ton, Wood £0-11-0 a ton.

Advt. A. Stoddart, having taken over the business run for so long by Mr T.P. Halls, will continue to operate it under the style of Stoddart & Halls.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell by auction on 6 June, 107 allotments in Millerton, each of about 21⁄2 roods, or c. 67 acres in all - in lots to suit purchasers.

Editorial on the coming Parliamentary Session.

XIII, 1094, 1 June 1892, page 2-3

Burra Co. MI. Lieut. J.A. Watt has passed his exams for the position of Captain of the Burra Co. MI.

XIII, 1094, 1 June 1892, page 3

Burra Hospital. Miss Wincey of the Norwood Nursing Home has been appointed Matron of Burra Hospital following the resignation of Miss Lyford.

Burra Co, MI. A gentleman at Terowie has proposed that Lieut. J.A. Watt make arrangements to work Terowie as a contingent to Burra as there are about 20 good men there willing to join the volunteers. No doubt the General will see his way clear to granting the request.

St Mary’s Church held a social at the Institute on Wednesday night. There were songs, music and views lent by Mr Roach along with four microscopes lent by Dr Brummitt.

Weather. 0.33” fell on Friday and a gale set in on Monday and from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. Tuesday a further 0.63” fell, but the eastern country remains dry.

The cowboys [presumably Fenton’s] gave a demonstration of rough riding and lassoing on the Queen’s Birthday at the Old Show Grounds, Redruth, [i.e. The E & A Copper Co.’s Yards] and in the evening at the Burra Hotel Yards.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday debated whether the Totalizator should be legalised.

For: Messrs Nevin, Richardson & Morton.

Against: Rev. R.J. Daddow, & Messrs Whittick and Hardy.

Voting was 20 for and 14 against.

On 23 May Mr J. Roach gave a lecture on his recent trip to India. He began with the voyage from Largs Bay to Colombo. He went by rail to Kandy. From Colombo he went to Bombay and from there to Ahmedabad and Delhi, Agra and Banares before going on to Calcutta where he took the train to Darjeeling. Many views of the trip were passed around and have been left for viewing for a week. Mrs Reed will allow the use of her room on next Thursday evening for anyone wishing to see them.

On 10 June a mock election will be held.

Vandalism. For some time the Town Council has been put to considerable expense due to vandalism of the lamp on the Kingston St Bridge. On Saturday night about 12 o’clock two well-known residents were ‘almost caught in the act’ and will appear in court.

The Kooringa Band of Hope’s magic lantern show in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 26 May was very successful.

Salvation Army. On Sunday Captain Norris and Lieut. Wymss [Wemyss] delivered farewell addresses at the barracks which were crowded. On Sunday afternoon the Army marched to the hospital where the band played several appropriate tunes. Captain Green from Pt Pirie comes to Burra, but the Lieut. Is not yet known.

The Salvation Army Band is the only one heard at present in Burra.

Mr Fenton, at the Burra Hotel Yards on Wednesday last bet James Daly, a Queensland cowboy, that he could ride any unbroken colt in 10 minutes. The latter guaranteed he could make a colt tractable in less than half an hour. Daly managed to saddle the colt and mount it in 35 minutes, but it only moved to try to dislodge him. Fenton then tried and caught his colt in less than three minutes and with just a halter on it was on its back in another three. Fenton uses no whip or weapon of any kind and the horse raises no perspiration or excitement. Within an hour the horse was perfectly quiet and any could ride it - one man mounted and played the accordion without the horse objecting.

‘Whip’ reports out-of-town boxing, racing and football.

Tennis: last Wednesday at Clare, Clare 111 games beat Burra 50 games.

Redruth Court, 25 May.

Frederick Gebhardt was fined 5/- for failing to send his son, Alfred, to school as required.

Burra Co. MI fired a rifle match at the Port Adelaide Range on 23 May. Choppy winds and poor ammunition marred the scores for everyone.

C. Company 639

Burra Co. 605

Moonta 583

Bon Accord Bridge: the ironwork is expected in about a month.

‘Resident’ writes hoping the new cab owner will improve conditions by eliminating smoking, swearing and riding on the step to the annoyance of passengers.

‘Paterfamilias’ complains that several years ago when sheep cost twice the present sum the cost of mutton was 4d lb and it still is! He also fears the move to increase the stock tax on animals crossing into SA will further raise meat prices.

XIII, 1095, 8 June 1892, page 2

Editorial on the Stock Tax.

This proposal was to place a tax on importing animals into SA: £4 for horses, £2 for cattle and 3/- for sheep. Manufacturers complain, but were happy enough for protection for their goods. The more legitimate complaint comes from the farmer or dealer who wants cheap supplies to fatten or take the wool from. The tax would encourage farmers to take up stock raising rather than dealing. The great winners would be the pastoralists.

2nd Leader on the new session of the SA Parliament.

Hospital Sunday next Sunday with a service at 3 p.m. in St Mary’s to aid the hospital.

XIII, 1095, 8 June 1892, page 2-3

Salvation Army. Departing officers were given a farewell social on 31 May and on Wednesday 1 June they gave their last open-air addresses.

XIII, 1095, 8 June 1892, page 3

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday. Revs J. Hopkins & R.C. Yeoman preached to unusually large congregations. The children’s treat and the tea meeting are today.

Dr Sangster performed a tracheotomy on a six-year-old son of Mr R. Delemere of Hallett on Monday night as a last chance to save him from diphtheria. It was successful and the lad is expected to recover. This is the second successful operation of this type by Dr Sangster in Burra. (99 cases in every 100 prove fatal.)

Bleak House. A successful drawing-room entertainment was held on Tuesday to raise money for St Mary’s schoolroom. It was organised by Miss Sprod and Mrs McLagan is thanked for the use of her home.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church quarterly circuit meeting showed a small decrease in income due to the depression.

Accident. Messrs Halls, Graham Dow, Nelson & Sellars were thrown from a trap at the Railway Station on Thursday when a young horse was frightened by kangaroo dogs. Fortunately all injuries were slight.

Accident. A hawker called J. Gillon was badly burnt when he fell into a fire in a fit at Wadnaminga and he has been brought to the Burra Hospital. He is not expected to recover. [Wadnaminga was a run and gold field south of Manna Hill.]

National Defence League. A meeting was held on Wednesday evening in J. Lewis’s schoolroom to form a branch in Burra of the league. Mr Hogarth spoke claiming they were not antagonistic to labour, but wanted to restore public confidence and encourage investment of capital. A committee was formed comprising W. West (Mayor), A. McCulloch, T. Sandland, J. Lewis with R.M. Harvey as secretary pro tem.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday heard prepared speeches. The mock election will be next meeting.

A United Christian Convention was held in Burra last Wednesday and Thursday in which the three Methodist Connections and the Salvation Army joined forces for a revival of Christian life.

A. Stoddart writes saying it is his intention to improve cab services along the lines ‘Resident’ desired.

W.T. Rabbich writes re the proposed stock tax and cites a report by the Chief Inspector in the Government Gazette that shows that the imports of cattle in 1891 are not half that of 1882 and only in 1890 have imported sheep been larger than in 1885. Rabbich disapproves the tax, as SA cannot produce the fat cattle and fat sheep it requires.

[He writes over 1⁄2 column of detail. He was a butcher.]

Burra Town Council.

The Conservator of Water writes that a boiler for the Waterworks has been forwarded and arrangements were being made for fixing the same.

‘Whip’ reports on out-of-town boxing, football, coursing and athletics.

And on local football: Mr W. Killicoat will find more than half the cost of an outfit for each member of the Aberdeen Football Club if others will complete the sum. The second match of Aberdeen v. Burra last Saturday:

Burra 0.0 0.5 1.7 3.9 (27)

Aberdeen 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.7 (13)

Oddfellows Half-Yearly Finance Meeting.

Reported a loss for the period of £54-5-3. The sick pay of £430-15-0 was the heaviest item for any half year. Membership was 292.

Stock Tax Meeting, Burra Institute last Friday morning.

Many stockowners and others were present and Joseph Flowers was voted into the chair.

P.L. Killicoat, as convenor, read statistics to show the large number of animals being imported into SA annually in excess of exports. He cited several reports in favour of the tax proposals.

J.M. McBride said it was impossible for the small grazier or stock owner to compete against Queensland and with 30 years experience he knew the disadvantages of the SA owners who needed to be encouraged to stay on the land. With the low price of wool and other causes he found it hard to get a living at all. He did not believe the tax would see meat prices rise. Often stock at markets could hardly get a bid owing to stock from other colonies swamping the market.

T. Warnes moved that the meeting support the introduction of a tax on stock entering SA at £4 per head for horses, £2 for cattle and 3/- for sheep. He supported all that had been said. The tax would not affect the freezing business as meat could be sent to Port Augusta in bond and then exported.

W. Cockrum 2nd the motion and agreed with the previous speakers. In recent years he could hardly get a bid for sheep due to the imported animals and it would be worse now that Victoria had imposed a tax.

Mr Melrose of Ulooloo would favour banning stock from crossing the border.

Mr A. McCulloch was a free trader, but would support this tax.

Joseph Flowers also said he had trouble selling any stock he raised due to the swamping of the market.

T. Warnes moved that other centres in SA be communicated with and asked to support the movement. A committee was set up to further the cause.

XIII, 1096, 15 June 1892, page 2

Birth. To the wife of C.A. Uhrlaub, at the schoolhouse, Mt Bryan, on 5 June, a son. [Roy Merrington]

Advt. Wanted: At Burra Hospital, a servant to undertake the duties of laundress and housemaid. 14/- per week.

L.M. Carruthers of the National Bank of Australia will leave Burra after some 21⁄2 years. He is being promoted to a position at Penola.

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary children’s tea and public meeting was held on Wednesday, but was marred by wet weather. The children marched to the oval for sports and games. The tea meeting was only fairly attended.

Burra Town Council.

The licensing officer was instructed to issue a driver’s licence to T.P. Halls. The request for a continuation of S. Hill’s licence was not acceded to. (Due to the disrespectful tone of the requisition presented to the Council.

Burra Literary Soc. staged a mock election campaign at their Friday meeting in which the results were: Mr Whittick 25, Mr Morton 18, Mr Hardy 16 & Mr Rabbich 11.

So the first two were declared elected.

XIII, 1096, 15 June 1892, page 2-3

‘Whip’ commented on out-of-town cricket, races and football.

XIII, 1096, 15 June 1892, page 3

Football. The 3rd local football match on Saturday:

Burra 2.0 4.4 6.5 6.5 (41)

Aberdeen 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.1 (7)

Stock Tax Meeting of Ratepayers at the Institute on Monday last.

In the absence of the Mayor Mr J. Sampson took the chair.

Cr Rabbich moved ‘that this meeting views with alarm the agitation taking place in different parts of the colony and also the notices of motion on the notice papers of both Houses of Parliament for an increase in the present tax on stock coming into South Australia, as such, if adopted, would only result in the policy of taking from the many for the benefit of the few.’

The Friday morning meeting he said would have had a different outcome if held in the evening. The proposers of the tax had only their own pocket in mind. It was a great advantage to get fat sheep and cattle at our command. The tax would certainly increase the cost of meat to the consumer. The variability of rainfall made SA unfit for the production of fat stock. He felt small graziers would be more harmed than helped by the tax. Now they bought stock far cheaper that they could raise it. With the tax there would be no such advantage.

There were interjections accusing the butchers of profiteering and Mr Rabbich said he thought the squatters did better than the butchers.

Cr Linkson 2nd the motion and spoke in support. There were no amendments and the motion was carried.

Cr Hardy moved that any change be deferred until it could be made an issue at a general election. He felt the earlier meeting had been arranged at a time to prevent the workingman from attending.

A voice complained that this meeting was one-sided.

The small graziers’ interests, he thought, would not be served by the tax and they should unite with the general body of taxpayers. 2nd F. Carey.

J.M. McBride then challenged the previous speakers. With the influx of stock from Queensland local graziers were lucky to sell any stock. He then got stuck into the butchers who bought fat cattle at 5/- per cwt and 45 lb sheep at 1⁄2d per lb. 16 or 20 years ago the price of cattle was £15 per head and meat was the same price as now.

Mr Riggs then said that since Victoria had imposed a tax SA had to react and 3/- a sheep was a fair thing to protect small graziers and farmers. He denied the earlier meeting had been timed to avoid the workingman being present. He was however prepared to wait for the resolution of the matter at the next election.

P.L. Killicoat said the other meeting was timed to allow country people a chance to return home in good time.

The motion was put and carried.

Cr Linkson moved that the outcome of the meeting be forwarded to the district MPs for presentation to Parliament. 2nd Cr Hardy and carried.

XIII, 1097, 22 June 1892, page 2

Advt. A very nice picture accompanies this advertisement, showing a man on a horse, a cow and a dog.

‘Solomon Solution’ ‘Cures the man of Rheumatics, Horse of sores and sprains, Cow of ulcerated udders and Dog of mange.’

Sole Wholesale Agents for South Australia W.R. CAVE & Co. Grenfell St Adelaide

Editorial on the No-confidence Motion moved by Mr Holder when Parliament opened. The editor considered it entirely justified, as the Kingston-Playford Government had done little and failed to implement many of its stated policies. He promises a progressive policy.

2nd Leader on the extraordinary evidence offered by the police at the case in court on Wednesday. Schutz & Halls were before the court concerning the breaking of lamp glasses, which had been going on for some time.

3rd Leader on the dangers at the Bon Accord crossing. The authorities promised a gong and then, having done nothing, promised gates, but have failed to deliver them as well. A few weeks ago a cow was killed and now another incident in which Providence alone can tell how a man and horses were not cut to pieces. The incline makes it impossible for a train to pull up even if tis driver sees an obstruction on the line in good time.

Mr Field has invited the Mounted Infantry out to his residence on Wednesday 29 June.

The Daulby Fund. Collecting books are being called in.

Weather. Splendid rain has fallen in the last few days – 1.44”.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was celebrated on 12 & 15 June.

Services by Rev. W.H. Evans. Service of Song was Jessica’s First Prayer under the leadership of Mr R. Birt with Rev. H. Parkinson giving the connective readings.

Rev. W.H. Evans also gave lectures at Ironmine on 13 & 14 June and on Thursday at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church & at Redruth Primitive Methodist Church on Friday. His addresses were both amusing and instructive.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday for a medley program with songs, duets, instrumental pieces, readings and speeches. [Including in the latter one by Mr [C?] Fuss.]

‘Working Man’ writes complaining of the price of meat in Burra. He considers butchers make over 200% on meat – the Burra Hospital for example is supplied at 21⁄2d lb all round. Is this generosity or conscience? Prices should come down at least 1d per pound all round.

XIII, 1097, 22 June 1892, page 2-3

Football. Monday last:

Burra 1.5 1.5 1.12 2.13 (25)

Clare 1.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 (19)

XIII, 1097, 22 June 1892, page 3

Railway Accident

On Monday morning about 10 a.m. A Stodart, cab proprietor who has recently bought the business from T. Halls, was returning to Kooringa from the Bon Accord Hotel when at the Bon Accord crossing he heard a train whistle, but the west wind made him assume it was from the engine in the yard. It was in fact from a luggage train coming from the north. He started across the crossing and only noticed the train when it was about six yards away and blew another whistle. He struck the horses and made a jump. The train struck the cab on the back wheel and smashed it to atoms, carrying the tyre to the station platform. The traces broke and the horses escaped, though one was thrown onto its back into the culvert. Mr Stodart was winded in landing and on rising was so disoriented that he almost fell under the train, but was restrained by a bystander. He later complained of pains in his back and side and was spitting blood and unable to stand.

Adelaide Children’s Ministering League formed a branch in Burra in November 1891.

President: Miss L. Dellow

Vice Presidents Misses J. Wilkinson & G. Pearson

Treasurer Miss L. Harris

Secretary Miss M.E. Newman

A bazaar was held on 20 June with a promenade concert and c. £15 was realised.

Redruth Court, 15 June.

L-Cpl Thomas v. T.P. Halls & F. Schutz charged with breaking a lamp in Kooringa on the night of 28 May. Mr Bright appeared for the defendants and Mr Pendlebury for the plaintiff.

William Davey, Town Clerk, identified the lamp and assessed damage at 3/-

Thomas:

I was near Ullman’s bakery on the east side of the bridge shortly before midnight and heard the sound of breaking glass. Two men came across the bridge and I recognised Halls. I asked him the cause of the noise. He said he did not hear anything.

Thomas said it was strange and he believed the lamp to have been broken.

Halls said ‘I did not break no lamp.’

Halls said he did not know the other man on the bridge.

Thomas called out for the other to stop and on the third call he did so. He was Ferdinand Schutz. He also denied hearing any noise on the bridge and both went off while Thomas was investigating the broken lamp.

The next day Halls said he did not come over the bridge.

[The report then goes into tedious detail in which the defending lawyer sets out to show that the policeman did not actually see who was on the bridge and could not know that there was not another man on it etc.]

T.P. Halls:

I left the Burra Hotel at 10 to 12 with Fisher & Fenton, and crossed the creek on the footbridge behind the hotel and went to Kingston St. I met L-C Thomas c. 50 yards from the Kooringa Hotel. We met Schutz near Elder, Smith & Co.’s stable. The next day the policeman accused me of crossing the bridge and breaking the lamp. I did not cross the bridge and called up Fenton who told the policeman we crossed the hotel footbridge.

Halls accused the policeman of telling an untruth when he said he had seen Halls on the bridge.

Halls also denied it had taken three calls to get Schutz to stop.

George Fisher gave evidence to corroborate Halls.

F. Schutz:

I came across the bridge alone. I heard nothing and did not break the lamp. I saw the policeman on the north side of the footpath near ‘German Ullman’s’. [This would appear to be the footpath on the south side of the street.]

Since L-C Thomas said he was sure Halls broke the lamp and yet the evidence of witnesses was strongly against Halls being the culprit, the SM said he considered Halls’ explanation satisfactory and as the policeman himself did not consider Schutz guilty he had no alternative but to dismiss the case, though he refused to award costs.

Sparks

Rain.

Farmers smiling.

A disease in fowls at Baldina. They are dying off in large numbers.

Here’s some names: - Ching Bah, Yow Chung, Sang Fang and Gon Bung.

[Of these only Sang Fang is familiar from other references. It is tempting to think that the last name may suggest that Sang Fang, who was a shopkeeper, has ‘gone bung’, but the first two names would still remain enigmatic.]

XIII, 1098, 29 June 1892, page 2

Advt. The Ideal Comedy and Specialty Co. at the Burra Institute, Thursday 30 June.

Editorial on the Political Situation.

2nd Leader on The Coloured Labour Question.

Discussing Kanaka labour in Queensland and a proposal for Indian labourers in the Northern Territory.

Larrikinism: several young boys are stupidly throwing lighted matches at passers-by. They are also lighting them and forming a line along the footpath. On Tuesday one of our office boys fell a victim and received severe burns in the eye.

Hardwicke College, Burra Branch: scholars held a break-up demonstration for their midwinter holiday last Friday.

Edwin C. Thomas on 23, 24 & 25 June gave a series of limelight exhibitions on the subject of ‘Modern Babylon, or a Trip to London’. There was also a treat for the young on the last two nights with the comic element to the fore.

Robberies. A bag of flour and one of chaff were stolen from a shop in the main street and a residence in Lower Thames St was broken into and £4 in cash taken.

Burra Literary Soc.’s last meeting for the quarter on 24 June was a manuscript magazine for which there was a large attendance.

The New Premier. The Kapunda Herald says: ‘Mr Holder is one of the most capable men in the House; mentally he has quick perception and a good power of critical analysis, that physically [he] is one of the thinest [sic] men in South Australia; that he is racked with a distressing hollow cough; that in spite of his weakness he is as energetic as any other man in the House; that he is more dexterous and quite as cool-headed as Mr Playford; that he has had many ups and downs, and tried many avocations in the course of a short life; and that he is as ambitious as Lucifer; as agile as an acrobat, and as determined as a bull-dog. Whatever you may think of Mr Holder, you should not be so mistaken as to suppose that he is a man to be kept down. Try to keep a cork under water without weighting it.’

XIII, 1098, 29 June 1892, page 2-3

T.H. Pearse writes from The Gums Station complaining about an article in a German language newspaper in Adelaide from ‘Tormented Farmer’. Apparently in a failed attempt at a witty article the farmer accused The Gums proprietors of not killing rabbits. T.H. Pearse says to the contrary, since October 3 1891 seven men have been destroying rabbits at 10/- per week + rations + 1/- for each dozen skins. Three have been employed in the Hundred of King and to the end of April they had taken 7,000 skins and cleared the paddock. They poison in summer and trap in winter. Other allegations reflecting on the character of the district ranger are also dismissed.

XIII, 1098, 29 June 1892, page 3

‘Barracker’ writes after the Clare football game, urging Burra to wear their uniforms and take steps to see a measure of uniformity is achieved.

Burra Town Council.

The tender of A. Bartholomæus is accepted for laying out the new grounds at the cemetery for £31-16-0.

Letter sent to F.W. Holder congratulating him on becoming premier.

Letter to the Railway Commissioners again re the unsafe state of the Bon Accord railway crossing.

Memorial from Mr S. Hill re his cab licence and this time it was resolved that the request be granted.

Football. Burra lost to Clare on 20 June. [Probably by a substantial margin since no scores are given!]

On Saturday Burra 3.3 defeated Aberdeen 2.5

‘Whip’ reports on out-of-town football, pigeon shooting, cricket, racing and tennis.

XIII, 1099, 6 July 1892, page 2

Editorial on the British Elections.

Railways. The Government intends to continue relaying the line and all labour in Burra will be absorbed. At present there are a number of unemployed, but about 80 will be required.

Burra Town Council decided on Monday that all goats found trespassing on Corporation property will be destroyed. This is absolutely necessary to protect the town’s trees.

The Railway Commissioners reply that the Bon Accord Crossing will receive early attention.

The Bon Accord Crossing was the scene of yet another close escape last week.

The Ideal Comedy Co. did a good job to a poor house on Thursday and had not enough cash to pay their debts. The advance agent settled things as comfortably as possible and the company disbanded.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit quarterly meeting showed a small deficit. Very favourable reports were received of the Kooringa and Baldina Sunday Schools. The formation of a Christian Endeavour Society in Kooringa was reported.

Kooringa & Hallett Bible Christian Circuit quarterly meeting was held at G. Hiles’s at Hallett on Wednesday 29 June. Services have been well attended and income exceeded expenditure.

Burra Literary Soc. held an evening of impromptu speeches last Friday.

Sparrows are a pest and we hope the District Council and Town Council will supply poisoned wheat as is being done in southern districts.

Obituary. Henry Hicks, one of the oldest residents of Burra died on 28 June. He arrived in Burra about 36 years ago from the old country. He found work in the mine and erected a two-roomed house in The Paddock. These two rooms were described as the prettiest in SA. His wife died there about 20 years ago. When the first suspension of work in the mine took place he began to ramble. He tried the southern mine for a while and then went to Sydney, but soon returned to Burra and until a fortnight before his death supplied residents with tea. He has one son in NSW. [Died 28 June 1892 aged 75.]

Burra Co. MI went to the residence of Mr Field about six miles from Burra on Wednesday. Drills were practised and a first class spread provided.

XIII, 1099, 6 July 1892, page 3

‘Whip’ reports on out-of-town coursing and nominations for the Melbourne Cup.

Hanson D.C. is meeting at Davies on 2 July. [Note continuing use of the name.]

Football. On Saturday Aberdeen played Allcomers on the new piece of ground at Redruth and were beaten by one goal. The ground is far too small.

[The place referred to is unclear, but if Redruth is the place then flat land is at a premium and the allotment near the German Church must be a possibility.]

On Wednesday at Manoora:

Burra 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.8 (8)

Manoora 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 (3)

Fowls. There is an extensive article of some 3⁄4 column on Mr Forsyth’s poultry yard at Copperhouse. He is a well-known exhibitor in the city and elsewhere in SA and keeps a variety of birds. He first exhibited in Scotland when aged 13 and he is now 60. He has in the following 47 years bred all sorts of fowls, but of late has been particularly interested in game and brahmas. In Scotland he was interested in canaries and pigeons. His son has also been very successful. The article concludes with a description of his yard pen by pen.

Obituary. Mrs Kitson has died. [Details see XIII, 201, 20 July 1892, page 2]

XIII, 200, 13 July 1892, page 2

[Note the mistake in numbering: the sequence went from 1099 to 200. Apparently the 0 in 1099 was overlooked. If subsequently noticed it was not corrected, but on the microfilm version there is a handwritten 1 in front of the number to make it 1200. This handwritten change continued to 1207 and then ceased.]

Editorial on Affairs at Broken Hill, where there was a strike that was brought about when the directors broke an agreement.

2nd Leader on ‘A Wrong Statement’

An incident of ex-Premier Hon. T. Playford making an incorrect statement.

Rev. R.J. Daddow & W.T. Rabbich have been appointed to the Burra School Board of advice.

The Daulby Fund has raised £41-1-4 and after funeral expenses have been paid the balance will go to Mrs Daulby.

Iron Mine Band of Hope met last Monday.

Burra Quadrille Assembly Fancy Dress Ball will be held next Tuesday in the Institute.

XIII, 200, 13 July 1892, page 2-3

The Lynch Family of Bellringers had a lucky escape near Walhalla (Victoria) on Saturday week when one of the leading horses of the mail coach went over the precipice at Little Joe Mountain. Only swift action by the driver saved the rest of the coach from a 1,000 foot plunge.

XIII, 200, 13 July 1892, page 3

Mr Edwin Thomas gave his magic lantern entertainment ‘Modern Babylon’ in the School of Music, Kooringa, in aid of St Mary’s Sunday School. Songs and instrumental music were provided.

The Broken Hill Strike continues and is concerning investors. Subscription lists for miners have been opened in Burra.

Storm. A severe storm struck Burra on 5 July doing considerable damage. Trees were blown down along with fences and windmills. Several houses in the district lost their roofs. Good rain followed, but has not extended to the east.

Burra Institute. The Librarian reports damage to books and papers – most recently to an issue of the Graphic.

AOF Half-yearly meeting.

Assets of £976-3-7

Disposed as mortgage loans £95-0-0

Bank fixed deposit £870-10-0

Current account £5-11-8

Cash in hand £5-1-11

Mare’s Nest No. 1

The Burra scribe to the Catholic paper [W.H. Hardy] sarcastically remarks that Mr Holder is the leader writer to this paper. This we emphatically deny. The above scribe offered his services to this journal sometime ago for a paltry 10/- a week, offering to do the writing or as a general lackey.

‘However we had such contempt for him and all his effusions that we did not entertain his offer in any shape or form – we never even answered his two soft soap letters begging for the job. Fancy a man with a wife and five children existing on 10/- a week – and pose as a representative of labour. Even at this absurd price we considered his services not worth the amount. We respect our business therefore shield ourselves from him just in the same way as a person would shield himself from a venomous serpent.

Mare’s Nest No. 2

The Burra correspondent to the Advertiser [W.H. Hardy] wired that paper on Friday that a man named Haggarty was admitted to the Burra Hospital on Thursday, having been sent from Waukaringa after a severe accident, and saying ‘he is progressing favourably.’

In fact he died on his way to Burra and was never admitted to the hospital alive.

[Obituary: registration details show Daniel Haggarty of Waukaringa (NSW) died 6 July 1892 aged 55 between Waukaringa and Yunta.]

District Council of Burra

W.T. Rabbich handed new Councillors J.C. Sandland and H. Finch a notice informing them they were taking their seats illegally when Council met on Saturday afternoon. Far from this being the case there are several points that would tell against Mr Rabbich in any appeal to law: not the least of which is that W.T. Rabbich’s name does not appear on the District Council’s assessment roll.

Burra Institute. Half-yearly meeting of subscribers. President, C.C. Williams presided.

The half-year began with a debit of £141-6-7 and ends in debit £145-13-11. Volumes in the library are 3,030 and there are 82 subscribers.

District Council Stakes.

There is a humorous horse race analogy of the recent elections. Results were:

Burra DC E. Kickebusche elected unopposed

Mt Bryan DC

West Ward (Two Vacancies)

Richard Collins 15

George Cole Hiles 14

Griffith Harry 10

Hubert Bowman 2

Middle Ward (One Vacancy)

H. Brown 6

George Kemble 1

Hallett DC

Cartapoo Ward (One Vacancy)

F. Warwick 12

J. Wise 7

Banbury Ward (One Vacancy)

J. Simmons 5

R. Scott 4

Sparrow shooting is something of a sport lately and over 60 birds were shot one day last week.

Football. The Redruth Football Ground is a nice flat area, but too small for a good game.

[Location not known: perhaps near the German Church?]

At Aberdeen last Saturday: Aberdeen 5 defeated Allcomers 2.

Mt Bryan East. Conditions are bad and sheep farmers are losing lambs through lack of feed. Hares are plentiful with one man shooting 16 on Friday. Last week a coursing meet was held on Wilkins’ Netfield Farm. Nine hares were let in a 400 acres wire netted paddock. Mr Russell’s Tip was judged the best dog.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday.

Mr C. Fuss moved that it is desirable in the interests of the community of SA that the stock tax be increased to 20/- for horses and cattle and 1/6 for sheep. 2nd Mr Morton.

Mr Rabbich moved an amendment to the effect that it would be unwise and injurious to raise this tax. 2nd Mr Hardy. After lively discussion the amendment was defeated 25 to 5.

Madame Somerset Stanley, lady doctor and obstetrician will visit Kooringa for three days shortly.

DC of Burra met on 9 July and elected J.C. Sandland as chairman for the year.

Burning Effigies.

There was great excitement in Burra on Monday when it became known that two residents, one from Kooringa and one from Aberdeen, were to be hung and burned in effigy for writing letters against the miners in Broken Hill. At 7 p.m. a large crowd assembled at Opie’s Hotel and the conveyance with the effigies led 20 fellows with black faces who were to act as bearers, and then came cabs, buggies, horsemen and bicycles. The procession went first to the Court House Hotel, then to the Bon Accord Hotel, where three cheers were raised for the miners. The Broken Hill express was met at the station and messages were given for the passengers to deliver to Broken Hill. Then the procession went to the Royal Exchange Hotel where letters were read and a vote in favour of the miners was taken. The Brass Band then led the way to Kooringa (with the captain on a horse in front of them). At the Institute the writer was invited into the buggy to give his reasons for writing the letter, but he declined. The procession went on to the Burra and Kooringa Hotels and ended at the Commercial Hotel where a collection raised £12 – J. Sampson and H. Vivian each giving £5. A concert was proposed to raise funds.

At the rear of the Commercial Hotel a gallows was raised and here the death sentence was passed and the two figures were hanged for about five minutes, after which death was declared. After that a young lady set fire to the kerosene-soaked figures and they were burnt to ashes. The crowd made their way home about 10.30 p.m. having witnessed the most peculiar and amusing affair every held in Burra.

On Tuesday morning the following notice was posted in the main street:

NOMINATIONS

For Councillor for East Ward

Will be received by

TONY

Today at 12 o’clock in the middle of the night

To fill the vacancy caused by an

HARDAY Old Man

Who succumbed to injuries late last night

(Signed) His Most Gracious Governor

BONES

Sparks

Where is the Burra Agricultural Bureau?

[Obituary] Mr Payne, the father of the celebrated Payne family, is dead.

[The Payne family of entertainers had performed several times at the Burra Institute: several times in 1888 & 1891.]

Meetings of various kinds were disorganised on Monday night through that procession.

XIII, 201, 20 July 1892, page 2

Advt. The famous humorist Max O’Dell will give his celebrated entertainment Jonathon and Yankeedom at the Institute 21 July.

Editorial on: The Stock Tax.

Generally in favour – if it can be shown that it will not increase the price of meat to the consumer.

2nd Leader: Affairs at Broken Hill. Things remain unchanged and the men keep very quiet.

Burra Hospital Board, 14 July

It was decided to apply to the Government for the erection of a cottage for the porter’s residence and to fit up the rooms vacated in the hospital – one as a nurse’s room and the other as a ward for contagious diseases and for new windows in the men’s ward. Cost estimated at £350.

Broken Hill Strike. £15-15-6 has been sent to Broken Hill in support of the miners.

Obituary. The Gawler paper last issue announced the death of Mrs Kitson. She was a resident of Gawler for several years and connected with the Gawler Wesleyan Sunday School. She had lived lately at Burra where she died leaving a widower, one son and three daughters. [Ellen Kitson, wife of John, died 30 June 1892 aged 46: born Ellen Woods.]

St Mary’s. Rev. A.G. King has instituted a Parish Magazine – printed by the Record office.

Burra Literary Soc. met at Mrs Reed’s on Friday. The program featured short essays.

[Including Mr Hardy on Modern events.

Sparrows are a real nuisance and at the next meeting of the Burra DC Mr W. Killicoat will move that the Council take action to abate the sparrow nuisance.

The Burning of Effigies. On the night in question one old lady was distressed to learn as she thought that two men were to be hung and then burnt and she went to find the police. When she discovered the truth and found out the name of the man concerned she said: ‘Oh I’m sorry it isn’t true.’

How cruel!

Burra Mounted Rifles under Lieut. J.A. Watt had a useful drill on Wednesday and a foot drill in the evening. The sham fight was held on the hill near the smelting works.

Broken Hill Strike.

Frederick Selby of West Broken Hill writes about the strikers. In doing so he states that the writers of the letters to the Advertiser that caused such a backlash in Burra were Morton and Hardy. He dismisses the effusions of Mr Morton as the ravings of an imbecile. Hardy he answers more fully, regarding him as foolish and quick to rush in and come to conclusions without really understanding that of which he speaks. Mr Hardy cannot have seen the very real poverty in Broke Hill if he believed the miners to be overpaid. He cannot be aware of the high cost of living there or of the impact of lead poisoning etc.

XIII, 201, 20 July 1892, page 2-3

W.T. Rabbich writes to explain his objections to being declared to have submitted an informal nomination for election to the DC. On the matter of not being in the assessment book – W. Rabbich & Sons are ratepayers and two years ago when his nomination was declared informal he wrote to the clerk asking that the individual names of the firm be inserted in the assessment. Instead the clerk merely fastened the letter to a leaf in the assessment book where it remained – at least up to two months ago, with the names not inserted as requested.

XIII, 201, 20 July 1892, page 3

‘Death on Bad Ink-Slingers’ writes in response to the Burra correspondent to the Southern Cross [Hardy] who complains that larrikins led on the event in Burra and they were led by one who is not a Burraite. The writer says he has been coming to the district for four years as a shearer. He bought the clothes on his back in Burra and always makes Burra his home, though shearing in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.

‘The scribe has not only fell foul of the Burra residents but has also spoiled good paper to abuse inoffensive miners and ended in the effigies of two personages being consumed. But they are not dead yet! I see one walking about to save funeral expenses, accompanied by the tunes of a howling mob.

First he calls the Burra people respectable residents: next he calls them a howling mob.’

[In all the writer goes on for c. 1⁄3 column.]

Burra Town Council

Contractors for the new bridge have written to C. Rawlins and asked him to make the approaches to the bridge secure.

Various minor matters relating to trees were discussed and work done was reported upon.

Mt Bryan School was inspected and judged very successful under Mr Uhrlaub with 83.96% and 5 Compulsory Certificates were awarded. The Fife & Drum Band will compete at the Gladstone Show.

Football. A meeting at Mt Bryan on 13 July resolved to form a football club.

Broken Hill. The strike is reported in an article of just less than one column.

Football. At Manoora on Saturday: Manoora 2.6 defeated Aberdeen 0.1.

Sparks

A lot of people leaving Broken Hill.

Burra contributes to miners’ fund.

A lot of old Burra hands returned from Broken Hill.

Record had to print a second edition last week.

Inquest on the men burnt on July 11 found each body contained two stomachs but no soul.

Mr G.C. Whitby, late of Burra, is the musical director of Mt Barker Christy Minstrels.

XIII, 202, 27 July 1892, page 2

Shearing has begun with c. 30 shearers leaving for Farina, for Mount North-West and for Wichdeane Stations. Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo began shearing on Thursday. It seems all will go smoothly this year.

Max O’Rell appeared at the Institute on Thursday and gave a lecture on American humour: ‘Jonathan and Yankeedom’. The attendance was smaller than expected, but those present were highly delighted.

XIII, 202, 27 July 1892, page 2-3

The Railways are at last locating married men where their children can go to school.

XIII, 202, 27 July 1892, page 3

The new Burra School Board of Advice met on 22 July and Mr W. West was elected chairman. Members mentioned are Rev. Daddow, Mr Hardy and Mr Rabbich. Today they visit Copperhouse, Leighton and Davieston. [Note use of Daviestown rather than Hanson.]

‘Dr (?) Boyd of Paxton Square’ about 7.30 a.m. Tuesday morning delivered a ‘very trying sermon’ under the old gum tree at the rear of the Burra Hotel on The Abilities of Slavin, Jackson, and all the renowned ‘pugs’; The Broken Hill Strike, and the Effects of the Times. After singing and praying some time he thanked the trees and returned to his habitation singing ‘Rolling Home.’

Burra Literary Soc. had a crowded meeting on 22 July when the program was put on entirely by the lady members.

[The lady members, on the whole, tended to confine themselves to music, either instrumental or vocal, with the occasional recitation or reading. Only occasionally are odd ones shown to be taking a more active part in speeches, debates, or delivering a paper.]

Redruth Court, 20 July.

Mr Queale was charged with having a stray cow on 21 June. He challenged the date, declaring he was home all day on the 21st as it was the day of the railway accident and the cow was not straying. This so confused the matter that it was dismissed. No one present noticed that the railway accident actually occurred on the 20th! Whether Mr Queale knew that remains a moot point.

Henry Seaford was charged with mutilating a copy of the magazine Graphic at the Institute, but got off as no one actually quite saw him do it, or could swear the magazine was not previously cut, and the bench ruled there was no more than a very strong suspicion.

[The most amazing aspect of this whole case is that both sides had briefed counsel and the report of it extends for c. 11⁄2 columns.]

First Fancy Dress Ball in Burra was held at the Institute on Tuesday 19 July when 30-35 couples took part. Mrs Moody was the pianist and J.J. Blott was MC. Dancing extended from 8.30 p.m. to the small hours. A list of the more prominent of the fancy dressed dancers is given.

The Rechabites met on 18 June for an evening with the District Officers which was very satisfactory with about 60 attending.

Burra District Council resolved on 23 July to ask the Government to proclaim the District a Sparrow District and invited the Town Council to join in the movement.

‘Whip’ reports the formation of the Mt Bryan Football Club.

Football. Last Saturday: Allcomers 4 defeated Burra 2.

Burra Co. MI. On 30 July [Sic: this must be an error since the paper is dated 27 July!] the Burra Mounted Rifles visited Gawler for a rifle match. The trip included a visit to the engineering works of James Martin & Co. which employed about 450 men. The range was flat and the conditions windy. Burra lost to Gawler Co. Mounted Rifles by 147 points and the men were then given a splendid lunch before returning to Burra.

XIII, 203, 3 Aug. 1892, page 2

Advt. Burra Mounted Rifles will hold a Military Ball at the Institute 24 August.

Music by Setaro’s Canary String Band.

P.H. Priestly, surgeon dentist of 4 Botanic Row North Terrace, Adelaide, may be consulted at the Commercial Hotel on 11 August.

Madame Somerset Stanley, clever lady doctor and obstetrician will visit Kooringa from 16-18 August.

Thomas Warnes has sent in the first wool of the season from Koomooloo. The early start to the shearing is due to the scarcity of feed and water.

XIII, 203, 3 Aug. 1892, page 3

The Burra School Board of Advice was satisfied with its visit to the district’s schools on Wednesday last. They travelled in Rev. Daddow’s buggy.

Accident. On Monday near Mr J. Ford’s slaughterhouse on the Baldina Rd there was a collision when Mr F.T. Jones in a buggy collided with Charles Gebhardt in a dray carrying 3 cwt of wire and 2 bags of flour. The dray capsized, smashing its shafts and pinning Gebhardt to the ground. Mr Jones and the buggy escaped damage and Gebhardt was released having sustained several nasty cuts to his legs.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday night had a large audience for a discussion on coloured labour. Mr Dunstan the ex-president and founder was in the chair.

Burra Town Council has declined to declare the town a Sparrow District.

The bridge near the cemetery is to be repaired.

The Jubilee Avenue Fountain is to be repainted.

Cr Hardy moved a motion on notice that the Council impose a licence fee of £10 p.a. on all owners of premises used for the sale by public auction of horses and cattle within the municipality and that sale of such other than in licensed premises be unlawful.

Cr Watt called for a ruling on whether the motion was in order under Standing Order 94. The Mayor ruled that without a by-law it was not legal and a meeting of ratepayers should be called to find their views.

Cr Rabbich 2nd the motion claiming that the auctioneers were the biggest transactors of business in the town and yet paid no rates. Their business imposes wear and tear on the roads and they should pay a fair share of their upkeep. He strongly supported the move.

Cr Hardy said the auction business could pay 8% dividend. [Implying they could easily afford the £10 annual fee.]

Crs Watt & Parks were opposed.

Cr Watt believed it was taxing those who beautified the town with fine buildings and brought in much business.

‘If one person is doing more business than another it is not right that the man doing the most should be taxed higher than the other.’

Cr Parks supported Cr Watt [both clearly afraid the fee would deter auctioneers from continuing in the town.]

Cr Kitchen opposed the move and moved an amendment that the matter stand over till the end of the year.

Cr Linkson supported the motion.

In an exchange Cr Watt said to Cr Hardy: ‘You would be pleased to see that firm away from the town wouldn’t you?’

Cr Hardy: ‘Yes; I would; they have been trying to get at the Council ever since I had anything to do with it. I believe Messrs Elder, Smith & Co. would pay the money and say nothing about it. It would help pay expenses to keep the roads, etc. in repair.’

[This makes it clear that ‘that firm’ referred to by Cr Watt was Bagot, Shakes & Lewis.]

The amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor who felt ‘it would not be advisable to do anything that would affect the business of it.’ [i.e of the town.]

Cr Hardy then drew attention to overcharging by cab drivers. The inspector will take the matter in hand.

Redruth Court, 27 July.

Alex Harris sued Nels Christian Senerson for £1-5-0 for chaff sold and delivered and received a verdict for the amount claimed.

Kooringa Court, 28 July.

Nels Christian Senerson fined 5/- for drunkenness.

[These two cases are the subject of a supposedly humorous half column as well as the court report in which it is stated that Senerson (though not named in the column) was a bottle collector.]

Football: At the Burra Oval on Saturday:

Burra 0.0 2.1 2.3 5.3 (33)

Manoora 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.1 (7)!

[There is no explanation for Manoora’s remarkable loss of a point in the final quarter!]

XIII, 204, 10 Aug. 1892, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Effort.

First Class Dinner 4 p.m. today in the schoolroom for 1/-.

Mr Evans the popular Cornish lecturer will address the meeting at 7.30 p.m.

Editorial on Pastoral Legislation.

2nd Leader on Tree Planting.

In the past few days the Council has secured 500 trees. 50 to East Ward and 50 to West Ward will fill up gaps where trees have died. Crs Rabbich and Linkson will take 350 trees to replant No. 2 Reserve which was planted two years ago, but from which effort few trees survive. This is at their own expense. A large central square will be planted with couch grass as a picnic area. The reserve being on a rise gives good views of Redruth and Aberdeen. Other trees go to ratepayers on application.

XIII, 204, 10 Aug. 1892, page 2-3

Mr W.T. Mortlock of Martindale Hall, Mintaro, is preparing to open the Mintaro Goldfield to the public, reserving a portion for those already on the ground. Strangely those working there say it does not pay and yet are unwilling to cease work.

XIII, 204, 10 Aug. 1892, page 3

Iron Mine Band of Hope continues to meet with a large attendance.

Illness. Inflammation of the lungs is prevalent at Mt Bryan and five children have been sent to the Burra Hospital including two from the Ullmann family which was so badly hit by influenza a few months ago.

Farewell. About 40 couples assembled at Fitzroy House, Redruth, on Monday to bid farewell to a young lady on her departure for Broken Hill. Dancing was the main event of the evening, but a boxing saloon was set up and a number of swains entered the arena to do battle for the girls of their choice.

Burra Quadrille Assembly held its return ball in the Institute on Tuesday 2 August. A large number attended in fancy dress. Much of the success is due to the work of the secretary, W. B. Page.

Lambing. The % is the lowest for many years. Several farmers at Baldina have had to kill every lamb to save the ewes, so scarce is the feed. Booborowie Station has been very good however, and next comes W. Killicoat with 80%; marred by dog attacks. Dogs are a widespread problem. Gum Creek tailed 75%.

Burra Co. MI inspection will be on 24 August. The company has greatly improved over the last year.

The Season. At Baldina and in the Hundred of King the country is like a desert with not a blade of grass and the saltbush is eaten to the ground. It is the worst season seen for 16 years (and that was no worse). Cattle and horse are dying and sheep in hundreds. One blocker recently purchased 16,000 sheep and only 500 are now alive - and that with difficulty. All cattle on The Gums Station have had to be moved to Pandappa. At Nelinghoo large numbers of sheep will soon be killed in the hope of saving the remainder. They are too poor to fetch to market.

Around Burra wheat prospects are very poor in some cases failing to germinate after two sowings.

Rain. In the last few days rain has been falling. At Mt Bryan East 0.75” fell on Monday and the fall extended to the north. Kooringa so far has recorded 7.86” for the year and 0.63” since last Saturday. There is no news from the east.

[When news did arrive for the paper of 17 Aug. it was of about 0.50” at Barker’s and World’s End, but further east virtually nothing.

Football. Saturday at Mt Bryan for Mt Bryan’s first appearance as a team.

Aberdeen half time 1.3 full time 4.5 (29)

Mt Bryan half time 0.0 full time 1.0 (6)

‘Ratepayer’ writes complaining that tree planting is done only near Councillor’s homes and is concerned about costs.

The editor replies that planting this year is only replacing dead trees except for Redruth No. 2 Reserve which is being planted at the personal cost of the North Ward Councillors. Finally the cost of trees is zero except for cartage.

Smallpox has appeared in Adelaide.

Blyth-Gladstone Railway is beginning to be laid.

Obituary. John Ind of Mt Bryan died at the Burra Hospital on Sunday from inflammation of the lungs.

[Died 7 August 1892 aged 66.]

Railway authorities have been testing the bridge over the Burra Creek near the railway station.

The Post Master General has terminated the employment of the telegraph operator at the Burra Railway Station, Mr M. Dow.

XIII, 205, 17 Aug. 1892, page 2

Advt. Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 24 August, A Good concert in Aid of the Sunday School.

Conducted by Rev. R.M. Hunter. Includes the readings: The Wallaby Track and

The Old Man’s Story.

Advt. Entertainment: The Last of the Bleak House Entertainments at the Institute 6 September. Mr J. Roach and Adelaide Friends will assist.

Advt. Burra Coursing Club: a local Puppy Stake will be run at Gum Creek Estate Thursday 1 September.

Editorial on Threatening Language.

This is about a local fracas involving Lance Corporal Thomas and Thomas P. Halls.

2nd Leader Fire & Water. When a water scheme was installed in Burra it was said it would greatly aid in fire control, but such has not been the case. Why has Burra not a fire brigade, or even a hose and hydrant? Not once since the Waterworks was built has the water been applied in fighting a fire. Who should pay? We say it is the businessmen, as all their premises can be reached from the main pipe. The insurance companies and the Corporation should also contribute. A hose and hydrant would be a good start - kept at the police station in Kooringa. The fire at Mr Watt’s shop on Thursday upholds our point. All that could be applied was water from a tap delivering 80 gallons per hour. Another thing needed is for the Council to clear all the fireplugs - some have not been seen since they were laid down.

St Mary’s. Dr Kennion, Bishop of Adelaide, visited St Mary’s on Wednesday and 18 persons were confirmed. The offertory went to the Sunday school building fund.

Rain has fallen in the last week - 0.49”.

Fire. Last Thursday morning about 4.30 a.m. fire destroyed all the stock of J.A. Watt’s store in Commercial St. Only the walls remain. The cause of the fire remains a complete mystery.

World’s End Wesleyan Church was visited by the Kooringa Wesleyan Choir on 10 August and supper followed the concert. The attendance should have been much larger.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday heard an address by R.M. Harvey on the use of Kanaka labour in tropical Australia.

Primitive Methodist Annual Dinner was largely attended and the Burra Brass Band contributed to the enjoyment in the afternoon and evenings. Church finances were reported to be good and the debt was reducing.

Mintaro Goldfields have been opened to the public. Those who have been there for twelve months have found it paid quite well. So far only surface gold has been taken. Already 30-40 claims have been taken out and several old Burra hands are at work.

XIII, 205, 17 Aug. 1892, page 3

‘One of the People’ writes on the prospects of making the idea of conciliation work in industrial disputes and doubts that it can be effective.

Rifle Match for the J. Sampson Cup was won by Pte Gemmell with Pte Gillett 2nd, Sgt Drew 3rd and Sgt Field 4th. Unfortunately Pte Gemmell left collecting the prize until Friday and it was lost in the fire at Lieut. Watt’s store on Thursday.

Kooringa Court, 11 August.

Thomas P. Halls was charged by L=C Thomas with using threatening language in Market Square on 10 August. He pleaded not guilty.

Mr Howard of the Burra Hotel sent for the police because Halls was causing trouble. L-C Thomas said Halls had defied him to try and lock him up said:

‘I “done for” one man and I’ll do for you.’

Thomas then said ‘I immediately caught him and threw him and put the handcuff on him.’

Thomas also said there had been a struggle at the cells and the defendant threatened to kill him. Halls was fined £1 or 14 days on the threatening language charge and £3 or 1 month for assaulting L-C Thomas. He said he would pay the fine, but asked for one week to pay.

Burra Town Council resolved that the Council ask the licensing officer to suspend the licence of T.P. Halls in accordance with by-law 36 section 4.

Inquest on 13 August into the fire at J.A. Watt’s store adjoining Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s in Kooringa. J.D. Cave, coroner and John Sampson, foreman of the jury.

J.A. Watt:

Am a draper in Kooringa and a resident of Aberdeen. On Wednesday last closed the shop and went to dinner at Pressick’s and then to the rifle range, returning to Kooringa about 5.30. Left rifle etc. at the Commercial Hotel and was driven home. Around 5.10 a.m. was aroused and told the shop was on fire. Got there as soon as possible to find the roof had fallen in and the place gutted. The premises are on a lease from T. Parks Sen. The stock is insured by the Northern Fire Insurance for £600 and the building for £200, the verandah for £30 and the fixtures and window for £100. At the stock-take in February stock was £384. No idea how the fire started. Have often complained to Mr Lewis of smoke issuing from the wall of his office into the shop. He had it attended to, but it made no difference. The fireplace in the shop was not in use.

Mrs Matilda Polkinghorne:

I reside on the corner of Commercial St and Chapel St in Kooringa. My window is opposite Mr Watt’s premises. Heard crackling noise at 4.30 a.m. and saw smoke coming from the roof. Roused the neighbours and informed Mr Thomas (policeman).

W. Datson, the neighbour, confirmed the above. Went to Mr Jenkin’s for the Corporation hose.

George Parks:

Live in Chapel St about 50 yards from the fire. Was woken by my father about 4.40 a.m. and saw smoke coming from Watt’s shop. Sent word to Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s clerk and to Mr Watt. Went to back of shop: fire must have started at the front as that part burnt first.

L-C Thomas confirmed the above times, having been roused at 4.35 a.m. Noticed the shutters were up and the front door closed. Saw Charles and George Parks and J. O’Leary there. Thought there was a Corporation hose and sent Mr Datson for it.

The verdict was that there was no evidence to show how the fire started.

‘Whip’ talks of out-of-town football, athletics, sailing, tennis and of the local coursing club’s puppy stakes.

Burra Literary Soc. last Friday. R.M. Harvey gave a talk on ‘The Mode of Recruiting Kanaka Labour from the Pacific Islands.’ He had lived in North Queensland for four years. [He gave a rather benevolent view of the recruiting process and seemed to think the whole process was quite in order despite quoting a salary of £6 p.a. plus rations, four shirts, four pairs of trousers and medical attention.]

Mintaro Diggings. A Burra party has gone to the field.

Waterworks. The new boiler will be handed over to the Council tomorrow.

XIII, 206, 24 Aug. 1892, page 2

Notice. J.A. Watt thanks all who have expressed sympathy over his recent losses due to the late fire.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Service of Song Jessica’s First Prayer, Monday 29 August.

Rev. R.J. Daddow has just received the set of slides illustrative of the service and hymns and Mr Thomas will exhibit them through his new Telescopic Bi-unial (oxy ether) Lantern with limelight. Connective readings R.J. Daddow and the choirs of Redruth & Kooringa Primitive Methodist Churches.

Editorial. Our Lands.

Many are calling for the breaking up of large pastoral estates now on splendid agricultural land and for a progressive land tax as a first step. This change of land use is needed if SA is to make progress. Population and industrious use of the land go hand in hand. But this change can be a little deferred as we have not at present the farmers to take up all the land if it were broken up into agricultural blocks.

Locally land that could be made available included the TSR from Flagstaff Hill to Booborowie and that from Booborowie to Farrell’s Flat. These stock routes are of little use to stock owners and bring in little income to the DCs. They are currently most used as commonage on licence. At the start of August only a little land was available for perpetual lease or with right of purchase. There are 1,090 acres in Hd Ayers as workingmen’s blocks. In the Hd Baldina c. 1,792 acres of ordinary land and in Hd Hanson about 48 acres of pasture. Hd Mongolata has c. 829 acres in pasture. The Booborowie workingmen’s blocks remain as they are too small. (Only those very close to centres of population where work is available can be so small.) From 80 to 100 acres is small enough in the Booborowie context. 20 acres is of little use to a man who can get work only miles away and spend all his time away from his family.

Near Adelaide, with work nearby and transport available, even 5 acres can be useful, especially if of good soil and with water. 50 acres at Booborowie would be of less use than 5 acres near Adelaide. Rent at Booborowie is also too high – between 2/- and 5/- per acre p.a. The purchase price for the land is also illogical. Blocks with a rent of 2/- an acre are valued at £3 per acre, but so is land with a rent of 3/- an acre. We acknowledge the high cost of surveying small blocks, but it does not satisfactorily account for the inequities in purchase price between small blocks and large sections. TSRs should be surveyed into 80-100 acre blocks on offer at reasonable terms and when this has been done it will be time enough to turn to the large estates.

2nd Leader on the Broken Hill Mines

Tomorrow an attempt will be made to restart the mines, but directors will not honour the 1890 agreement. New regulations, which directors hope will be accepted by the men, have been rejected by labour leaders. The dispute has been going on for about six weeks.

The writer took the view that the directors were mainly to blame and it was their intransigence and determination to break the power of unions that was at the heart of the matter.

3rd Leader on The Land Board

The visit of the Central Land Board has seen applications dealt with in a most extraordinary manner.

For example: Section 244 of 139 acres was applied for by a landless man who would immediately fence it and reside on it, but it went to an applicant with land, for a non-residential use.

Secondly: the man who applied for Section 93 was allotted Section 107, which was not applied for. The application was then withdrawn.

Local JPs should deal with cases rather than a Board that knows nothing of the merits of cases.

Details of the decisions of the sitting at the Burra Institute last Wednesday are printed elsewhere on the page.

Burra Mounted Infantry will be inspected by General Downes today. They will assemble in Market Square at 3 p.m.

Accident. The harness broke on the mail cart on the Aberdeen Bridge on Monday night. The occupants and load were tipped out. The horse bolted and damaged the cart on a stone wall. It then got away by plunging and was only recaptured the next day. No one was hurt.

John Roach will present a Grand Concert in the Institute on 6 September with ladies and gentlemen from Adelaide. In aid of St Mary’s Sunday School building fund.

Rev. J.S. Wayland seems likely to be appointed to the vacant curacy of Christ Church, South Yarra Melbourne.

Burra Literary Soc. had a moderate attendance in bad weather on Friday. A varies program of readings and music was presented.

Kooringa Band of Hope held its usual monthly meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 18 August.

The 2nd Annual Military Ball will be held in the Institute tonight in the presence of General Downes and Major Stewart. Setaro’s Canary String Band from Adelaide will play.

J.C. Sandland writes in support of a stock tax. He accuses the butchers who oppose it of having vested interests in an unlimited supply of cheap meat from beyond SA so they can sell mutton at 41⁄2d per lb when they pay 1⁄2 a head, or beef at 41⁄2d per lb, when it costs them 5/- for 100 lb. [60d per 100 lb.] The Holder ministry should hold true to their principles.

The Redruth Correspondent:

Calls for the Aberdeen light to be lit!

Work at the Bon Accord Bridge is at a standstill as it waits for the ironwork from England.

This is now believed to be in SA and last week a lot of timber and planking was delivered.

The new boiler at the Waterworks has been finished and is in use.

C.A. Uhrlaub writes to respond to allegations that Aberdeen did not engage to play a Mt Bryan and Burra combined team. True, he says, but Mt Bryan is a new club and could muster only 14. In order to not disappoint the visitors some Hallett men and three Burraites were added.

Obituary. William Jones, formerly an inmate of a lunatic asylum, committed suicide by hanging in an outhouse in Iodide St Broken Hill on Tuesday.

XIII, 206, 24 Aug. 1892, page 3

Football. Broken Hill visited on Monday last, having played a series of matches in Adelaide.

Burra 0.0 1.0 1.3 2.10

Broken Hill 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2

[Comment suggests that this was regarded as a draw: ‘the home team made things equal with the visitors.]

The game was played in almost continuous rain with only a brief break of sun and the visitors were praised for their good behaviour. The description runs to 21⁄4 columns.

Stock & Wheat Tax Meeting, at Mt Bryan is reported in 3⁄4 column.

The motion was ‘That this meeting is in favour of the Government imposing a tax of £1-10-0 on cattle and 2/- on sheep and 1/- bushel on wheat.’ [Coming into SA.]

It was passed unanimously.

Sparks

Rev. G.E. Rowe is going to England.

Ven. Archdeacon Dove preached at St Mary’s last Thursday night.

On account of so many children being ill at Mt Bryan it is very doubtful whether the Fife & Drum Band will compete at Gladstone.

XIII 25 August 1892

We issued a number of extras from 3 p.m. on this date giving details as news of the attempt to re-open the Broken Hill Mines came to hand. [Not preserved in either hard copy or microfilm.]

[Cited in XIII, 208, 7 Sep. 1892, page 3.]

XIII, 207, 31 Aug. 1892, page 2

Advt. J.A. Watt re-opens on 31 August with new stock in the premises lately occupied by A.L. Kitchen.

Advt. Staff Captain Bennett & Major Hoskin, leader of the Salvation Army in SA, will visit Burra on 2 September. There will be a torchlight procession followed by a coffee supper. Brass band to the front, Major Mounted.

Advt. Kooringa Bible Christian Church Special Effort on 4 September. Rev. Thomas Allen will preach and in the afternoon a Service of Song with Rev. R.M. Hunter.

Tea meeting tomorrow.

Editorial on the SA Budget.

2nd Leader on the Broken Hill Strike.

3rd Leader on the inquest into the death of Emma Patterson, aged two months, largely due to wilful neglect’. The mother was aged 17 and gave very contradictory evidence and appeared delighted to have lost the child. Though very poor, the family was provided with fresh milk every morning. The mother was very fortunate to have escaped committal for trial which is probably only due to the doctor’s stating he had little expectation of the child’s recovery from the first time he saw it.

Rain. The continuous rain on Monday evening prevented many from attending the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church and caused the service of song, ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’, to be cancelled. Instead a free entertainment was given. Mr Thomas gave a magic lantern show with his oxy-ether light.

The Main Road Commission has placed the Mt Bryan East to Piltimitiappa Station Road, the Breakneck Hill to McNeill’s Creek and the Booborowie to Baldry Roads on the schedule of main roads. Deleted from it are the Spalding-Gum Creek and the Mt Bryan East road to the end of the road in the Hundred of Tomkinson.

Mintaro Diggings. There is a brief report on the unsuccessful efforts of several youths from Burra at this goldfield.

Rain. For the last month the rainfall has been a satisfactory 2.69” with 0.72” falling since Saturday.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday discussed the idea for Elective Ministries. Afterwards the verdict was 14 for the change and 16 against. Mr Whittick, who recently left the district, tendered his resignation as President and was replaced by Mr W.T. Rabbich.

XIII, 207, 31 Aug. 1892, page 2-3

Concert at the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday 24 August in aid of the Sunday school funds was not largely attended due to other attractions.

XIII, 207, 31 Aug. 1892, page 3

Burra Co. MI. Major-General Downes inspected the Burra Mounted Rifles last Wednesday, with Lieut. McCullum from Gawler. After Brigadier-Major Stuart had inspected arms and accoutrements there were drills and a mock attack. The General complimented the Company on its performance.

The Military Ball on Wednesday night was a great success. Dancing began at 9 o’clock with a polonaise polka followed by 23 other dances. Sentaro’s Canary String Band from Adelaide provided the music at a great cost, but the result was first class music. About 50 couples danced at any one time. Lieut. J.A. Watt was MC. The hall was well decorated with flags etc. The General & Major Stuart were received at 10.40 p.m. Supper was taken at midnight after which dancing continued till c. 3.30 a.m.

[A list of those present and description of the ladies’ dresses follows.]

‘Whip’ comments on out-of-town coursing (Pt Pirie), athletics (Petersburg & Yongala), and on local coursing and tennis as well as a defence of the fairness of the recent football match when Burra played Broken Hill, denying that Broken Hill played with only ten men, while admitting that on occasions two of them did run off the ground to seek shelter ‘but when the ball came near them they ran out and done [sic] as much work as if they had remained on the spot’. He also defends the local umpire.

Obituary & Inquest. Held at Kooringa Hotel on Saturday afternoon on the body of Emma Patterson aged two months, who died 26 August. John Lewis JP as coroner and W. Davey as foreman of the jury.

[Born as Amy Patterson 1 July 1892, died as Emma Patterson 26 August 1892.]

Dr Brummitt:

Had seen Emma Patterson three or four times before last Monday. She was thin and wasting rapidly. Could find no sign of disease. I had little expectation of the baby’s recovery. Saw the child at home 23 August: she was disgracefully dirty despite my frequent advice. The bottle was never once cleaned. The mother and grandmother assured me it would not take food, but it took food while I was there while a neighbour nursed it. On Wednesday arranged for Mrs Fisher to take it home which she did out of pity. Saw it again at Fisher’s Thursday when it was clean and well looked after, but could not live long and it died at 1 a.m. Friday.

‘cannot recollect a case in which a child has been more grossly neglected than was this poor little thing.’

Harriet Fisher described how she visited and eventually offered to take the child for 5/- a week to allow the mother to go out to service. The arrangements were made in the presence of Dr Brummitt.

The mother and grandmother were present when the child died.

Laura Patterson:

Am a single woman living at Kooringa. The child, aged two months, was born at Terowie. Mrs Potter was midwife and Dr Hill attended. (The witness here contradicted herself.) The child was getting on well till I came to Burra. The child caught a cold - we could not get our things when we came here and slept on the floor three or four nights. Got fresh milk from Dr Brummitt daily and gave it five bottles in 24 hours. Could always get sufficient food for the child. Never received any support from the father. Positive Dr Brummitt never cautioned me.

John Patterson, grandfather of the child:

The child was never strong, continually crying. It was fed on condensed milk and sugar. Dr Hill attended the ninth day after birth. Doctor complained to me about its treatment after its death.

Martha Patterson, mother of Laura Patterson:

‘ . . . it was always a very week [sic] child. It seemed to dwindle away from time of its birth. Sometimes fed on maizena and sometimes on condensed milk.’

After half an hour the jury said ‘Emma Patterson came to her death from natural causes, accelerated by neglect owing to the unfortunate circumstances of the parents and insufficient home comforts and necessaries of life.’

And ‘. . . there had been considerable amount of neglect on the part of the mother; who should be severely censured by the coroner.’

Obituary. Clara Alice Jackson, daughter of Mortimer Theophilus Jackson, boundary rider, drowned about 11.30 a.m. on 28 August. Aged 21⁄2. The father works for Mr Gebhardt of Mt Bryan and the girl was missed for about two minutes by her mother and found dead in the dam. Dr Sangster examined the body and was satisfied it was a case of accident. L-C Thomas and Mr Lane JP enquired and were also satisfied and it was decided no inquest was necessary. The father was absent from home at the time.

[Born 24 September 1890, died 28 August 1892.]

Madame Somerset Stanley, with over 25 years experience begins consultation in Adelaide on 13 September. She specialises in epileptic fits, upon which she guarantees perfect cure, asthma, heart and lung disease, rheumatics, piles, varicose veins, etc.

The American Hygenic Health Treatment is explained and enemas supplied for the same.

Madame Stanley guarantees a cure in every case undertaken - she is the only experienced and competent lady doctor in SA.

Mr Whittick has been forced to leave the town on account of the dullness of trade. He had long been employed by Sara & Dunstan and was a local Wesleyan preacher as well as President of the Burra Literary Soc.

‘Sport’ writes expressing thanks for the amount of work and doubtless expense too, undertaken by W.H. Linkson in organising the visit by the Broken Hill footballers.

No Rain at Baldina yet.

Mr Watt’s shop is being rebuilt by contractors.

Football. At Burra, Aberdeen 8.13 (61) defeated Mt Bryan 0.1 (1)

Mr Wittber, head teacher at Burra has written a very creditable Geography text book in 5 parts. 1. Burra & District, 2. SA, 3. History and vegetation of Australasia, 4. General Geography, 5. Interesting selection of readings.

XIII, 207, 31 Aug. 1892, Supplement

Advt. Burra Coursing Club, Puppy Stakes, 1 September at Gum Creek. 1st Prize £10, 2nd Prize £5 and two dogs £1-10-0 each.

Advt. Grand Concert as last of the Bleak House Entertainments in the Institute 6 Sep.

Reserved seats 1/6, others 1/- and 6d. Mr J. Roach and professionals from Adelaide assisting. Mr Roach will recite Poor Little Joe and A Babieth Thtorwy.

[The program is printed.]

XIII, 208, 7 Sep. 1892, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary Services, 18 September.

Rev. S.F. Prior and Rev. R.M. Hunter.

[The main addresses at the tea meeting on 19 September were concerned with Methodist Union.]

Advt. ‘A petition is laying on the table at Council Chambers, for the signatures of Applicants for Blocks with a view to asking the Government to carry out the Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

By order W. Davey, Town Clerk. September 6, 1892’

Advt. Burra Cricket Club AGM is called for 13 September at the Commercial Hotel.

Editorial on The Central Land Board.

[The article expresses dissatisfaction with the way it allots land suggesting it was too frequently giving it to those who already had thousands of acres.]

One who has a large area applied for four blocks for non-residence and expected possibly to get none or one and was surprised to get all four when others, who were prepared to live on the land, got none. Two or three landless teamsters applied, but failed. The editor feels it is time the suburban lands at Douglas were offered. This was promised 12 months ago, but nothing has happened.

[These would have been small blocks perhaps more like the workingmen’s blocks that were the subject of enquiry earlier in the year, though they hardly seem suitable for the purpose unless irrigation water was to be made available too.]

Rain. Since Sunday 0.88” has fallen in the best rain for the season and the Burra Creek has begun to run.

At last it has rained at Baldina with over 1” in the last week. The falls extend to Mongolata, Koomooloo and World’s End.

C. Duell brought in a sample of barley grown at Islington c. 80 miles from Burra. It is 3’9” high and will grow another 18” before harvest. It is from a crop of 30 acres.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church was the site for the service of song Jessica’s First Prayer last Wednesday evening. It was well attended and was illustrated by Mr Thomas through his powerful oxy-ether lantern.

XIII, 208, 7 Sep. 1892, page 2-3

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church quarterly circuit meeting reported lower income due to the dullness in trade. Rev. Daddow has been invited to stay on for a fourth year.

XIII, 208, 7 Sep. 1892, page 3

Kooringa Juvenile Missionary Meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Tuesday was well attended despite the rain. Rev. R.M. Hunter exhibited a collection of curios from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Point Macleay and India.

G.H. Lake MP visited on Thursday and has been asked to take up the issues of the Central Land Board’s actions.

Salvation Army. Major Hoskin and Captain Bennett visited Burra on Friday and their meetings were well attended. A social was held in the afternoon with a first class spread. There was a torchlight procession at 7.30 and the band played.

Bible Christian special services on Thursday 1 September in aid of the Trust Fund were well attended as was the tea meeting. The proceeds were up on last year. Services continued on Sunday 4 September which were again well attended. The trustees will be able to pay £25 off the debt.

Burra Town Council, 5 September.

Cr Watt had been to Adelaide and while there had tried to find out about proposals for the Bon Accord crossing, but failed to learn anything.

A letter was received from the Commissioner of Railways re the recent accident at the Bon Accord crossing stating it was due to reckless driving.

Resolved that the fireplug stones be raised so they can be found when wanted.

T.P. Halls waited on Council asking for the restoration of his cab licence, saying he had signed the pledge and did not intend to take any intoxicating drinks any more and was going into business on his own account.

Mr F. Schultz also asked the Council to grant him a cab licence again.

It was resolved that these matters stand over.

T.W. Rabbich moved that the petitions re the Baldina Irrigation Scheme be laid on the table.

If the Baldina Creek scheme was a success, as he was confident it would be, it could be repeated with the World’s End and Newikie Creeks.

Cr Hardy moved a petition on protection for the Bon Accord crossing be prepared. Carried.

Redruth Correspondent:

The local Band of Hope continues to meet and held an entertainment on Tuesday 30 August.

Something should be done to render the Aberdeen Quarry safe to work in.

Burra Coursing Club Puppy Stakes were begun on 1 September.

[The report says Wednesday, but 1 September was a Thursday and the advertisement. said Thursday 1 September.]

They will be concluded today, Wednesday 7 September. [The report extends just over 1 column.]

Football. The match in which Aberdeen 8.13 defeated Mt Bryan 0.1 is reported in 11⁄3 columns.

‘Whip’ reports the tennis match on 1 September on the court opposite the Burra Hospital in which Burra 84 games defeated Clare 75 games.

XIII, 208, 7 Sep. 1892, Supplement

Joseph Smith is trying to sneak out of protecting the railway crossing at the Bon Accord after promising something should be done.

XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2 [The microfilm version has the number altered by hand to 1209 and this additional digit continues to be added by hand until number 1224.]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary, 18 September. Rev. S.F. Prior & Rev. R.M. Hunter will preach. Tea meeting 19 April when the addresses will concern Methodist Union.

Fire. We hope the talk about a hydrant and hose will not end in smoke.

Burra Literary Soc. There was a moderate attendance on Friday for impromptu speeches.

Broken Hill Strike. On Thursday night a number of blacklegs heading for Broken Hill were on the train. A group of shearers on board pointed them out when the train arrived and local unionists lost no time in yelling and hooting at them. Nothing serious took place. 150 police went to Broken Hill by the midday train on Friday.

XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2-3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Alcoholism. There is a short humorous account of the attempt by Nels and Annie [Senerson], already well lubricated, to get a drink, first at the Burra Hotel, then at the Commercial and finally being successful at the Kooringa.

XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

‘Whip’ discusses a locally arranged fight, the puppy stake and out-of-town tennis as well as local football and the prospects for cricket.

Burra Coursing Club’s puppy stake is reported with results:

C. Park’s Desdemona won £10

G. Hancock’s Jock won £5

W. Hill’s Melody and T.J. Williams’s Speed each won £1-10-0.

Bleak House Concert. The final in the series of six concerts arranged by Mrs McLagan in aid of St Mary’s Church was held on Tuesday in the Institute. Mr J. Roach assisted this time with friends from Adelaide. The first five of the series were held in Bleak House.

Football. Burra 5.5 (35) defeated Clare 2.6 (18). Reported in 11⁄2 columns.

XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, Supplement [See note re numbering at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Burra Literary Soc. met on 2 September with the President, W.T. Rabbich, in the chair.

Dr Sangster gave a lecture on ‘Morality’.

The first half of the lecture was on the human body, illustrated with charts.

Two songs and a recitation followed in the interval.

The second half of the lecture dealt with the consequences of animal passion, licentiousness and abuse of nature’s gifts leading to the wreckage of souls, lives and homes. He referred to seducers, excessive drinking and corrupters. There were four great aids to those decisions of leading a good moral life:

Prayer

Healthy recreation and physical exercise

Avoidance of stimulants and a luxurious diet

Cultivation of the intellect

XIV, 210, 21 Sep. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial on The Broken Hill Strike which reviews the last eleven weeks of the struggle.

Wadnaminga Goldfield. We have seen a sample of gold from the field brought in by W. Pearce Jun. A number of men are busily at work there. [South of Mannahill.]

XIV, 210, 21 Sep. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Burra Literary Soc. had a moderate attendance on Friday for a discussion on Socialism.

Cricket. The Burra Cricket Club met at the Commercial Hotel on 13 September and elected: W. Linkson, secretary; George Parks, Captain; M. Rabbich, Vice-Captain.

‘Whip’ reports on walking races and Stephane, the French cyclist, who rode over 392 miles in 24 hours on 12 & 13 June. This effort was since beaten by the English rider, Shorland, who rode 453 miles 1615 yards on 23 July.

A billiard tournament at the Burra Hotel has local players scoring 16, 18 & 19 with ongoing attempts to beat these figures. Recently at Pt Augusta the top score was 64.

Rabbits. An item is printed to demonstrate the effectiveness of wire netting at dams in the battle against rabbits. In January & February on Manunda alone fully 70,000 rabbits were destroyed in under six weeks and just three successive nights at Claypan Dam yielded 8,500, 7,000 and 6,000. Another dam yielded 16,000 in three nights. Similar results were obtained at Mr Riddock’s Gum Well Station.

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church celebrated its 21st anniversary on 11 September. The church has been free of debt for some years, but during the year they have raised £80.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church anniversary on 18 & 19 September was very successful. The total interest bearing debt at present is £130 and it was hoped to be able to pay it off this year and while subscriptions are yet to be finalised it is confidently expected that this aim will be realised.

Rev. R.J. Daddow writes on the Broken Hill strike. While being careful not to condone acts of violence, he generally expresses admiration for the miners and their organisation and their overall restraint. The wonder is, he says, that shareholders do not see the wisdom of a conference to resolve the issues.

Burra Town Council, 5 September.

The Mayor reported waiting on the Treasurer re the Bon Accord crossing. The latter will consider the matter on receiving the memorials being prepared. The Commissioner of Crown Lands replied similarly about the Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

Thomas Turner waited on Council and asked that a cab licence be granted to T.P. Halls who was prepared to abstain from alcohol and go into partnership with Mr Stodart. This was granted. [Perhaps Stoddart.]

XIV, 211, 28 Sep. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Notice. Sandland & Co. (R. Cooper Sandland & Thomas Sandland) have purchased the goodwill, properties, plant etc. of Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Ltd as a going concern and will carry on as Stock Salesmen, Auctioneers & Commission Agents. Jamestown, Burra & Orroroo.

Advt. Grand Concert, Friday 30 September in the German School-Room. In aid of funds for the Burra Literary Soc. 6d. W.H. Morton, Manager.

Obituary. George Hiles died suddenly 19 September at his residence Mt Bryan aged 36. He was the husband of Ada Hiles and youngest son of George Hiles JP of Petherton House, Hallett.

[George Cole Hiles born 12 October 1855.]

Editorial on The Baldina Irrigation Scheme.

Cr T.W. Rabbich moved at Council that a petition be laid on the table for the signatures of applicants for blocks of land with a view to asking the Government to carry out the Baldina Irrigation Scheme. The Baldina Creek is admirably suited for irrigation and would only cost two to three thousand pounds.

2nd Leader on The Bon Accord Crossing

After promising some protection for the past 18 months the Commissioners are now saying it is like hundreds of similar crossings and it cannot be protected if they are to have any consistency in policy. Officials were not impressed with the need for protection, but after representations gates were discussed and then a gong. The matter went quiet until 20 June when Mr Stodart had a miraculous escape when his cab was struck. Though the chairman of the Railways has blamed Mr Stodart, we say this is not true: he is a steady and careful driver.

The Bon Accord crossing has heavy traffic. On the western side it is hidden by a large cutting and if there were something on the line it would be hard for a train to pull up. Trains coming from the station are hidden by sheds and heaps of coal. It is very dangerously situated. The Commissioner says that on market days a porter is sent to the crossing before a train passes and no other precaution is necessary. This is nonsense. There was another very close escape on Saturday afternoon by a man in a buggy.

3rd Leader on Council Proceedings on Monday 19 September

Cr Hardy’s absurd motion was dealt with, but could easily have led to much unpleasantness. It is clear a storm is coming that will require the Mayor to use all his skill.

The Season. Prospects are good and after a very bad start to the east this area has at last received some good rains, extending some 80 miles east of Burra.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Mr Montcriff, visited Burra on Wednesday and with the Mayor, Cr West and Town Clerk W. Davey inspected the ballast quarry. There is a proposal to lay a siding to the quarry – a distance of c. 1 mile, and when completed two trains a day will run to and from the quarry for ballast. The ballast here is said to be the best that can be had and is said 40-50 men will be employed.

James H. Moore was sentenced at Salisbury on Thursday to one month in gaol. He had been arrested on Wednesday in Market Square, Burra, on a warrant for imposing on Charles Alfred Campbell at Salisbury last May. He fraudulently posed as an agent for the Shearers’ Union and got advances from several shearers.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday had a session of impromptu question box speeches. Some 60 questions were handed in to the secretary.

XIV, 211, 28 Sep. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Broken Hill. A report running 11⁄3 columns deals with the conspiracy charges arising from the strike. Other related matters are also reported.

Redruth Correspondent:

Reports increased business activity at the north end of town due to shearers coming in from northern sheds and more activity at the ballast quarry.

Frosts have killed most of the pines planted in the Redruth No. 2 Reserve.

Hardwicke College, Kooringa Branch

The break-up for the Michaelmas holidays was held in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Friday. The Misses Evans & Newman were thanked for their management of the school.

A Hunt. 33 persons took part in a hunt organised by J.C. Sandland on Saturday 24 September on his land east of the swamp. They shot 535 rabbits, 3 wallabys [sic], 3 carpet snakes, 1 cat and 1 crane.

A Billiard Tournament continues at the Burra Hotel.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Hardy drew the attention of the Mayor to a paragraph in the Record concerning the allotting of certain tenders to certain ratepayers. He asked who gave the information to the press and by whose authority.

Cr Watt explained that the Public Works Committee had been given permission to allot 70 yards of metal contracts.

When Cr Hardy sought to query his action Cr Watt said that four of the five members of the committee were present when the committee decided the matter.

Cr Hardy asked if the Town Clerk had sent out notices of the meeting – No.

Cr Rabbich queried the legality of the meeting. – he having had no notice of the meeting.

Cr Watt said the date was fixed at the last meeting.

Cr Hardy queried the minutes of the Public Works Committee and he challenged the decision not to accept the lowest tender.

Cr Watt pointed out there had been many occasions when he [Hardy] and Cr Rabbich had dealt with tenders in the absence of others and he never complained then.

Cr Rabbich: ‘That’s different altogether.’

Cr Hardy then reverted to the question of the lowest tender.

Cr Watt accused him of not listening – having told him 20 minutes earlier that there was a tender for 2/-, ‘but it was not good enough to wait till Christmas before the contract [Voumard’s] was completed, when there were tenders in from men who would carry out the contract at once.

Cr Watt moved the minutes be received. Cr Parks 2nd.

After some further bickering the motion was carried.

Other minor matters were dealt with and then Cr Linkson had a disagreement with the overseer about whether Richard Thomas had been working for the North Ward or on the Main Road account.

Cr Hardy then moved:

‘That this Council disapproves of the action of the Chairman in taking upon himself the transaction of public business with a total disregard of the standing orders of this Council, and that the business in question to wit the illegal acceptance of tenders for road metal from Messrs C. Herberle & J. Williams be not entertained by the Council and that the tenders received be referred back to the Public Works Committee.

‘I have been chiacked a lot about this affair.’

Cr Rabbich then took up the argument again claiming not to have known of the meeting and insisting that the lowest tender had to be accepted and several other quibbles.

Cr Parks said most of this was unnecessary. The advertisement clearly said ‘neither the lowest nor any tender necessarily accepted’.

Cr Rabbich certainly knew the meeting was to be held on Saturday, if not the exact time.

Cr Watt observed that it was interesting that the principal person [Cr Hardy] in working up the furore was not a member of the Public Works Committee. The debate then turned to some confusion over what was meant by ‘supplying’ and how that differed from ‘raising’ metal.

The motion was lost.

Cr Rabbich moved Rawlin’s tender at 2/3 a yard be accepted. Carried.

[How this last fits in with the rest of the debate is unclear.]

XIV, 212, 5 Oct. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial on the events in Town Council

The dark cloud finally burst. One of the Councillors has continually been finding fault, thus delaying business.

‘There are conscientious and faithful workers in the Council and unfortunately there is a poisonous serpent amongst them who delight [sic] in stirring up hatred and malice.’

We hope the elections for 1893 will relegate him to obscurity.

‘When the business of the Council was about to be commenced Councillor Hardy asked [sic] one or two grossly insulting remarks which reflected on this journal, but as his colleagues – we pity them – were on the alert for any emergency he was sharply brought up to his bearings and reprimanded.’

The mayor said on Monday night that if ever he was disgusted with a meeting it was with the one dealing with the notice of motion concerning Cr Watt’s action.

‘Since we refused to accept [Hardy’s] offer of 10s (ten shillings) per week we have been the victims of several disgraceful and abusive letters and a postcard of a recent date was not allowed to pass through the post office, and which was subsequently forwarded to the Postmaster General. Some of the letters were insufficiently stamped and others not stamped at all. We substantiate the report in every particular notwithstanding Councillor Hardy’s vituperation.

Blacklegs. On Thursday night a special train carrying a large number of blacklegs arrived at Burra a few minutes after the Broken Hill express. As its passage was widely known a large group assembled to glimpse them. Mr Rumball, the stationmaster, wisely cleared the platform before its arrival, which prevented at least a large amount of barracking. One of the windows of a carriage was broken by a stone as the train crossed the Bon Accord crossing.

XIV, 212, 5 Oct. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Rev. R.C. Yeomans has been invited to stay in the Burra-Hallett Bible Christian Circuit for another year and he is likely to accept.

William Bond has been certified a lunatic by Dr Brummitt and sent to the Asylum. He has been a patient at Burra Hospital for some time, but had grown too unruly and threatened other patients with his fist and knife.

St Mary’s Sunday School picnic was held on Wednesday at Princess Royal. Sports were held and it passed of very well.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church, Quarterly Meeting 27 September

There are 137 full members. Rev. R.S. Casley was invited to follow Rev. R.M. Hunter as superintendent of the circuit next year and is expected to accept.

Leighton Literary Soc. was established a few months ago and Burra Literary Soc. visited last Thursday. Mr Yunge, President of the Leighton Society took the chair. A series of speeches and musical items followed. [Including a recitation by Mr Fuss.]

‘East Ward Ratepayer’ writes to warn Councillors that they are being watched and as a ratepayer he was against such twaddle taking place as had recently occurred in Council. He had voted for Hardy, ‘but sir, never no more’. He supports Cr Parks.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes warning Cr Rabbich that people in glass houses should not throw stones. Neither should he get others ‘to fire your bullets’.

Redruth Court.

A. Moore v. F.T. Jones for £1-4-0 as balance due for rabbit scalps.

This was a messy case without counsel and in which no proper contract had been arrived at. The decision was finally for the plaintiff in the amount asked for.

Matthew Ryan, alias Hennessy, aged 45 was charged by S. Hill of Burra with having attempted to commit an unnatural offence at the Burra Hotel on the previous night. Ryan said if he did what he was charged with he must have been beastly drunk. He was committed for trial.

David Roberts was ordered 14 days for being drunk & disorderly.

Burra Literary Soc. staged an entertainment in the German Schoolroom on Friday evening. The venue was full and the night went very well. [Details in c. 1⁄3 column.]

Redruth Correspondent:

Shearers are in town and increasing the business activity.

Part of the iron for the Bon Accord Bridge has arrived at the Railway Station: erection will begin at once.

The ballast quarry is being cleaned out in preparation for the laying of the siding from the station. The Town Council will be asked to allow crossings over two roads in their control.

H. Roach, C. Fuss & W. Neville are talked of as possible North Ward candidates for Council.

Cr Rabbich is being approached to stand for Mayor.

Pt Pirie Correspondent, 3 October

A young man from Burra was married on Thursday at Pt Pirie and being afraid of the amount of rice to be thrown at them the couple drove down the line to catch the train at the other station.

[John Drew (24), son of Thomas Drew, married Catherine Elizabeth Goode (22), daughter of Benjamin Powell Goode at the home of the bride’s father on 29 September 1892.]

Broken Hill Correspondent continues to report charges etc. arising from the recent strike and the arrival of the blackleg workers: some 200 from Melbourne.

Burra Town Council, 3 October.

The Mayor reported meeting the Engineer-in-Chief about the Ballast Quarry siding and that work on the Bon Accord Bridge would be completed in a few weeks.

Cr Hardy drew attention to the ‘contemptible and corrupt garbled statement published in the Burra Record of Wednesday last and said to be a report of the proceedings of the last meeting of the Council.

Cr Hardy wanted the Mayor to ask the Town Clerk to call upon the paper to correct the ‘garbled and misleading representations as published.’

The Mayor thought it was ‘inexpedient to do so’.

Cr Watt thought Cr Hardy’s question was a direct insult to the proprietor of the Burra Record and that it was ‘disgraceful’.

Cr Parks agreed.

Cr Kitchen said he was absent last meeting and that the ‘minutes and the report does [sic] not appear to correspond’.

As Cr Watt explained the Town Clerk only takes down motions and a question or two and leaves out the discussion.

Cr Hardy sought to make a personal explanation and insisted the Record’s report was incorrect.

Cr Watt showed Hardy a clipping from the Kapunda Herald: ‘What about outside misrepresentation that you write?’

Cr Hardy: ‘How do you know what I write?’

Cr Watt: ‘Anyone can tell your writing.’

Cr Rabbich said the motions as put and seconded should be reported correctly and they did not appear to correspond with the report.

The Mayor said: ‘I am pleased . . . the reported left out some glaring statements which would have made the discussion ten times worse.’

Eventually the Mayor suppressed discussion and proceeded with business.

The Engineer-in-Chief wrote asking for the right for the ballast siding to cross necessary roads.

Cr Watt moved it be granted. Cr Linkson opposed it unless the Railways Department agreed to fix gates at each crossing. Adding another line at the Bon Accord crossing would increase the danger there. The siding would in fact decrease employment by cutting out a number of teams currently employed.

Cr Rabbich said in compensation more men would be employed in the quarry.

Carried with only Linkson opposed.

Cr Linkson asked the Mayor if he was aware that Mr Queale was engaging single men from elsewhere when local men with families were unemployed.

The Mayor undertook to do what he could.

L. Grow asked to put two horses in the Avenue. Denied – to protect the trees.

The Engineer-in-Chief wrote about a report of Council on the 5th instant in which his letter of 17 August was read and Cr Hardy stated it was false in nearly every particular and the Commissioner knew it. The engineer enclosed an extract from a letter from A. Stodart which he said proved conclusively that from his own admission Stodart was reckless – he was warned by a porter who was attending to signals.

He calls on the Mayor to request Cr Hardy to either substantiate or withdraw his statements.

‘I neither write nor say that which is false, and Mr Hardy has made a most unwarrantable and malicious statement.’ The letter was received.

It was resolved that the assessment for 1893 be the same as for 1892.

‘Whip’ reports the first meeting of the United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration Committee was held in the Burra Institute last night.

Sparks

Rain

Talk

Billiards

Blacklegs

Thunder

Lightning

Rabbit Scalps

Council Corroboree

Who frew dat brick?

The strike at Broken Hill continues

The Rev. R.M. Hunter will be missed in Burra

All available police in Burra went to the station to maintain order

Rev. R.M. Hunter invited to labour in the Archer St Wesleyan Church [North Adelaide]

The Record under the new proprietor is 12 month old. It has been established 15 years

The Clerk of the Kapunda DC has been arrested for embezzling the funds of the Council

Ensign Houghton visited the local Corps of the Salvation Army on Saturday and Sunday and addressed crowded congregations.

XIV, 213, 12 Oct. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial on Progressive Taxation.

The article considers the four progressive taxes under consideration:

1. Land Tax

2. Legacy Duty

3. Real and Personal Property Tax

4. Income Tax

XIV, 213, 12 Oct. 1892, page 3

Rain. In a storm on Saturday night 0.55” fell in a short time.

Iron Mine Band of Hope continues to meet monthly.

Burra Literary Soc. had a moderate attendance on Friday in boisterous weather. Prepared speeches were presented:

Mr Richardson Irrigation

W.H. Morton Prospects of the Burra

Mr [C.] Fuss Rocks

Leighton Wesleyan Church held anniversary services 25 & 28 September. Rev. J. Hopkins preached. The balance sheet is comfortable.

Locusts are appearing in the north.

Redruth Wesleyan Circuit Meeting at Leighton at Mr S. McWaters on 5 October.

In the five schools there are 34 teachers and 233 scholars. During the quarter Sunday school anniversaries were held at Redruth, Westbury, & Davieston and a church anniversary at Booborowie. Rev. J.C. Hill was invited to the circuit for next year.

The Shooting Stars Co. appeared for the first time at the Institute on Friday last. The evening of good songs and music closed with the comic operetta The Blind Beggars. A new program was presented on Saturday, but the terribly rough weather caused a small attendance.

Redruth Letter Reports:

A large gang of men are at the railway yards ready to lay down the much talked of interlocking gear.

The work on the Bon Accord Bridge continues to go well.

A large number of men are employed at the ballast quarry making it safe to work before Government people take the work in hand.

‘Whip’ reports that the United Friendly Societies Demonstration Committee met on Tuesday at the Institute with John Sampson in the chair. Mr T. Pearce as Treasurer and G. Parks & W.H. Linkson as secretaries.

Cricket: why no practice sessions yet?

Burra Cabs. There are two cryptic comments:

Charley Grow bought the cabs etc.

The tables have turned with the cabbies.

Offence. The man Ryan, taken to Adelaide last week by L-C Thomas charged with an unnatural offence was sentenced to two years.

XIV, 214, 19 Oct. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Sandland & Co.: R. Cooper Sandland and Thomas Sandland have purchased the goodwill, properties, plant etc. of Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Ltd. and will carry on the business as Stock Salesmen, Auctioneers & General Commission Agents.

Sales in Burra the third Friday in the month.

Advt. Hallett Races: 23 November.

Advt. World’s End Public School, Annual Picnic & Sports, Wednesday 26 October.

Advt. Hallett Sports - Annual Picnic, Sports, Entertainment and Institute Anniversary on grounds lent by H. Bowman, Wednesday 9 November. Entertainment and Ball in the evening.

[Comprising the usual flat and hurdle races with three-legged race, tug-of-war and tilting.]

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 23 & 26 October. Rev. R.J. Daddow to preach & Rev. J. Day Thompson on the 26th.

Baldina Irrigation. The proposal is for 21 year leases with renewal rights at 1/- per acre per annum plus 17/- per acre per annum for water for an entitlement of 543,000 gallons which equates with 24” of rainfall. Each person to be limited to one block. Extra water to be available on application.

XIV, 214, 19 Oct. 1892, page 2-3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial on the Defeat of the Holder Ministry.

This is an entirely futile change with elections due in a few months. The incoming [Sir John] Downer Government will achieve little in that time as it has not a working majority. The criticism made of the [outgoing] Government’s finances is hardly reasonable as no one could say what provision will have to be made for the ongoing Broken Hill strike. Among the most obstructive MPs are Messrs Grainger, Rounsevell and Homburg: two of whom are rewarded with office.

XIV, 214, 19 Oct. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Baldina Irrigation Scheme. Only two names have come forward for the scheme and we have it on good authority that it is not favoured by the new Government.

Rain on Thursday and Friday amounted to 0.88” and more on Saturday caused the best flow in the Burra Creek for the winter. So far 2.98” have fallen in October.

Mr J. Jones left on Monday for Broken Hill to take charge of Mr J.T. Walker’s business there. He will be missed in the Primitive Methodist Church and Sunday school.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday was well attended for a session of short essays.

The ladies contributed:

Mrs Sara: Whims and follies of young people.

Miss Bentley Ambition

Miss Rabbich Character

[But note the change of tone and subject matter with the men:]

Mr Hardy The power of labour

Mr Datson Intercolonial free trade

Mr Richardson Licensing of refreshment rooms at railway stations

Mr Nevin Administration of justice in our law courts

British and Foreign Bible Society Annual Services, 16 & 17 October.

The delegation was Rev. H.T. Robjohns.

For the coming year the President will be Dr Brummitt; Vice-President, Rev. R.C. Yeoman and Treasurer, Mr P. Lane.

Ta-ra-ra-boom de-ay is very bad in Burra. [?]

The Waterworks. The engineer has found all the fireplug stones.

The footbridge at the rear of the Burra Hotel needs attention.

Larrikinism. It is time the boys throwing stones near the [Salvation Army] barracks were checked.

D.J. O’Leary has been made a JP.

Floodwaters in the creek washed away several sleepers and ballast on Sunday morning from the works of the proposed siding near the railway station.

[This is a reference to the construction of the siding to the ballast quarry.]

‘Whip’ reports that the billiard tournament at the Burra Hotel now has local players heading the list on 70, 41 and 32. Commercial travellers come next with 39, 35 and 26.

Wadnaminga Goldfield. There is a report on the diggings and town some 20 miles from Mannahill. The town comprises 72 acres subdivided into 144 half-acre lots which are charged at 10/- p.a. for residential use and £5 p.a. for a business. The buildings are in galvanised iron and already H. Mills has a hotel, T. Kitchen a store, Gadd & Davis a store, Copley and Calcott a store. There is a greengrocer’s, a bakehouse, a butcher’s, a watchmaker’s, Lorymire’s boarding house Crosby & Anderson’s butchers and the residence for the caretaker of the Government Dam. The other buildings are tents and bag houses.

In all a hotel, three stores, baker, two butchers, a chaff merchant, two boarding houses, barber, banker, shoemaker & barber, blacksmith, watchmaker, greengrocer, billiard saloon, store under construction, and three applications for hotel licences.

The Victoria Tower Mine is quite extensive with a shaft of 400 feet and some extensive drives. Several other mines on the field are also described. Water can be had at 10/- for 100 gallons.

Municipal Elections. Retiring this year:

Mayor: W. West

North Ward William Thomas Rabbich

East Ward George Parks

West Ward John Alexander Watt

XIV, 215, 26 Oct. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Rev. H.W. Horwill will lecture at the Bible Christian Church on 27 October.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School, 36th Anniversary will be held on 6 November. Rev. R.M. Hunter and Rev. J. Hopkins will officiate. Afternoon service of song: Left Alone. On 9 November there will be the annual picnic at Sod Hut.

Rain since Monday 0.65” at time of going to press and rain continues with the town under a dense fog.

XIV, 215, 26 Oct. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday school teachers have made up a large marquee 50’ x 10’6” and 13’6” high for tea meetings. It will be used at the picnic on 9 November.

Burra Literary Soc. held their 28th meeting for the year on Friday and it continues to flourish. It was a musical evening.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday was largely attended. Rev. R.J. Daddow’s address on Sunday evening is printed - running to 1 column on Labour, Capital and Unions.

[Daddow was generally quite supportive of the role of unions in their efforts to get a fair deal for workers and spoke favourably of the formation of boards of arbitration and conciliation. Although it was a moderate and carefully worded argument it apparently provoked an interjector.]

‘Sparks’ has a typically cryptic line:

‘Me callee pooleecy man if you no stop big swear.’

Blyth -Gladstone Railway is being pushed forward.

The Aberdeen Ballast Quarry is being worked day and night.

Flower Show. The Institute Committee on Tuesday decided against a flower show this year.

Adelaide Police are to get bicycles rather than horses.

W.T. Rabbich has agreed to run for Mayor.

Sandland & Co.’s first sale was a decided success.

Redruth Correspondent:

The siding to the ballast quarry has been laid down and an engine has been across for truckloads of metal so drays will no longer have to cart it to the station, but there is a large amount of stuff to be moved and drays will be engaged to do the work.

Cricket. A game was played on brewery flat on Wednesday when Burra Juniors took on The Stragglers: a team organised by Messrs E. Jordan and P. Treloar.

Burra Juniors 66 & 55 121

The Stragglers 48 & 73 121

‘Whip’: A meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel has agreed to form the Aberdeen Cricket Club. Captain, W.H. Morton; Vice-Captain, W. Sleeman; Secretary & Treasurer, A.W. Dow.

XIV, 216, 2 Nov. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Lecture at the Institute on 8 November. Rev. R.J. Daddow will, by request, deliver his address on Labour, Capital and Unions. W.T. Rabbich will be chairman.

After the address there will be a great shearing scene. Representative shearers from each colony will take part: NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania & NZ as well as ‘Boomerang Bobby’, the Aboriginal ringer from Queensland.

The shearers will finish with the farce Freedom of Contract.

Scene 1: ‘Smok oh’ - songs, dances etc. by the shearers with T. Critchley, the Australian Blondin’s slack wire walking.

Scene 2. Shearers at work, showing how wool is shorn, rolled, pressed and prepared for market. The ringer will attempt to break the Great Free Labour Record of 10 sheep per day, for a trophy, valued at 1/6

Burra Brass Band in attendance.

Admission free. Collection on behalf of wives and children of the members of the late Broken hill AMA Defence Committee, now in prison in Deniliquin.

Committee: Councillors W.T. Rabbich, W.H. Hardy, W.H. Linkson, with Mr R. Smith & Rev. R.J. Daddow.

Advt. Mt Bryan School will stage a concert at the Council Chamber on 10 November in aid if school prizes: Juvenile Christy Minstrels, Excellent Tableaux, and Fife & Drum Band etc.

Editorial on the Financial Policy of the Government.

XIV, 216, 2 Nov. 1892, page 2-3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

2nd Leader on The Broken Hill Strikers’ Conspiracy Case.

XIV, 216, 2 Nov. 1892, page 3

Accident. A 14-year-old daughter of Mr J. Reed of Roachtown broke her arm falling down a bank on Sunday.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir will appear at the Institute on Saturday 12 November for their third visit.

Fireworks. A warning to boys letting off fireworks in a public place. The penalty can be as high as six months imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Burra Co. MI. On Wednesday Sgt-Major DePassay [sic - should be Passé] examined several non-commissioned officers at a very useful field drill. Sgt-Major Blott & Sgts Field, West & Page passed their practical examination and in the evening their theoretical examination - all passing with credit.

Mr G.B. Howard of the Burra Hotel is leaving after only seven months as host and the hotel is being taken over by Mr McClosky.

Mr H. McDonald, who has conducted the business of the Amalgamated Shearers’ Union, is also leaving Burra for Laura. He will be missed as a footballer.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary services on 30 October and the tea meeting on 31 October were well attended. The service of song was Nobody’s Darling.

Rev. H.W. Horwill’s lecture Forward Movement on Thursday night was largely attended.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary continued last week with Rev. John Day Thompson giving the discourse. The tea was fairly attended.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday saw its founder, John Dunstan Jun. in the chair on a visit from Broken Hill. The program was a debate: Did the Holder Government Deserve the Confidence of the House in the Late Crisis? Yes 35, No 16.

Redruth Court, 26 October.

There were a series of cases involving unpaid debts.

R. Austin was fined 2/6 for stray cows in Redruth.

Chickenpox prevalent at present.

The Bon Accord Bridge is nearing completion.

A Dance was held in the Institute on Wednesday night.

Rabbits are getting thick out east.

XIV, 217, 9 Nov. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Program for St Peter’s Cathedral Choir, 12 November 1892.

1. Plantation Songs, De Ringtailed Coon

De ole banjo

2. Glee, Sing Heigho! (Macfarren)

3. Song, Were I the Streamlet (Lloyd)

4. Glee, The Rainy Day (Sullivan)

5. Song, Best of All (Moir)

6. Orpheus Glee, The Long Day Closes (Sullivan)

7. Song, The Little Match Girl (Molloy)

8. Nursery Rhymes, (Third Series) (Sharp)

Interval of 5 minutes.

1. Plantation Songs, Our Dinah

Bit is it so (Scott-Gatty)

2. Orpheus Quartet, Lovely Night

3. Song, Orpheus with his Lute (Sullivan)

4. Glee, The three Fishers (Macfarren)

5. Song, I’ll Sing Thee Song of Araby

6. Glees, Evening (Sullivan)

Spring Song (Smart)

7. Song, The Skipper (Jude)

8. Nursery Rhymes, (First Series) (Sharp)

God Save the Queen

2/- & 1/- with reserved seats 2/6.

Advt. Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 16 November,

Lecture by Rev. R.M. Hunter on The Waldenses, including recitations and songs. 6d.

Proceeds to Foreign Missions.

XIV, 217, 9 Nov. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Hallett Races 23 November.

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports

[Or as the paper actually prints in large letters ‘SPORS’]

[On Boxing Day] Mixture of flat, hurdle and bicycle races.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Christian Endeavour Society - Christmas Festival

Christmas Tree and Supper, 21 December.

Advt. Limelight Exhibition on 10 November at the Salvation Army Barracks

Adjutant Purnell & Captain Perry will ‘exhibit views of the crucifixion of Christ, Scenes of Adelaide, and Slums of London.

Advt. St Mary’s church 13 November, St Peter’s choir will assist at Matins and Holy Communion at 11 a.m. and Evensong at 6.30 p.m. A.G. King, Incumbent.

Advt. Professor Wivell will visit Burra for 14 days from Tuesday 15 November for Afternoon and Evening Instruction in Dancing as it Should Be.

Editorial on the Annual Report of the Mayor.

The editor comments on the report. It is a most complete document and the best produced so far. The assessment for 1892 rose slightly due to new buildings: from £9,481-19-0 to £9,522-9-0. (In 1881 it had been £13,664; in 1883 £14,450; and in 1884 £16,149) We expect it to fall in future years due to many old buildings being in a poor state. There has been little to spend in street repairs etc. but it has been evenly and judiciously done: North Ward, £79-6-8; East Ward, £75-5-7; West Ward, £89-5-1.

500 trees were planted, mainly to replace losses.

Inspector J.R. Gray has seen the sanitary standard of the town maintained.

The main road grant of £325 has been well spent.

The Bon Accord Bridge is nearing completion.

The railway crossing remains unprotected.

The unclaimed North Ward allotments require attention as rates remain unpaid.

Kooringa cemetery has been extended and enclosed in a stone wall at a cost of £105-4-1. This took the cemetery fund from a credit of £99-10-9 to a debit of £29.

At the Waterworks the acquisition of a new Cornish boiler should see that last year’s inconvenience is not repeated. The capital account there now sits at £7,842.

In retiring Mr West has earned our respect for the way he ‘has carried out the somewhat difficult duties without fear or favour’. The town has benefited from his ‘ability, integrity and persevering efforts to promote the general welfare of it.’

Rain. World’s End received 4.9” in October and the country there is looking splendid.

Obituary. Alan Sandland, aged 4, son of Thomas Sandland, died on Friday afternoon when he fell from a picket fence and was suspended from it by his shirt for about twenty minutes before being found.

[Born 4 March 1889, died 4 November 1892.]

Guy Fawkes Night passed off in good style and large fires were to be seen all over the hills as old Guy burnt to ashes. No significant injuries were reported.

Redruth Correspondent says the new Bon Accord Bridge should be ready for opening in about a fortnight.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry. A large number of men are employed in the quarry on Mr Ford’s paddock. ‘an engine is often seen with half a dozen trucks crossing the creek to the station yard, which, by-the-way makes her ‘snort’ to climb the incline which is very steep.’

Burra Co. MI. A firing match was held at Burra on Wednesday when a team from Gawler visited. Gawler 652 defeated Burra 627. A social was held afterwards at the Commercial Hotel.

‘Whip’ reports a cricket match last Saturday in which Burra defeated Aberdeen, but no scores are given.

XIV, 217, 9 Nov. 1892, Supplement [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Burra Town Council, 6 November

The Mayor reported that the Bon Accord Bridge would be completed on 23 November.

He read his annual report.

Mr Harvey, for St Mary’s, applied to use the oval on 30 November. Granted.

United Friendly Societies were granted use of the oval for 26 December.

A committee was appointed to arrange the opening of the Bon Accord Bridge.

Mayor’s Report 1892

Extensive reduction in the bonded debt has limited spending this year, but nevertheless good work has been done.

The year began with the general account in credit £66-1-7

Main income was from rates £465-18-10

Government subsidy £115-10-3

Plus others to total £708-15-6

Expenditure

Bond redeemed £200-0-0

Public Works £239-4-5

Cash in bank £147-1-9

Bonded debt

Burra Oval: £600 of the £700 bond issued 1 April 1882 has been redeemed.

Public Works bonded debt (including the town survey £400) was £1,800, of which £800 has been redeemed.

Parklands have a £100 bond.

The debts have severely limited expenditure and forced rigid economy and unfortunately have limited the ability to employ labour in times of unemployment. The debt is however decreasing and will hopefully be extinguished in four years.

The assessment this year increased by £95-2-9 due to new buildings in the town. Some ratepayers are saying it should be reduced on other buildings due to age and dilapidation.

Ward expenditure

North Ward expenditure was £79-6-8

Of which main items were: Moorhead [sic] St £14-19-6

Repair & gravelling footpaths £18-16-0

Fore St £8-8-0

Hampton Rd £6-6-0

East Ward expenditure was £75-5-7

Of which main items were: Thames St £13-4-7

Bridge St bridge repairs £8-10-1

Smelts Rd £6-2-6

Lamps £6-2-6

West Ward expenditure was £89-3-1

Of which main items were: Chapel St £10-4-3

Kangaroo St £12-9-3

Kooringa-Aberdeen footpath £33-2-5

Half the cost of Lower Thames St £5-16-11

Parklands

A £100 bond was redeemed. Rates income was £118-4-1 plus £2-19-0 from the oval.

In the year 475 trees were planted: mainly as replacements.

Extensive replanting was done in No. 2 reserve Redruth at the private cost of Councillors, but this largely failed due to frost.

Petty vandalism against trees remains a problem.

The year ends in debit £100-1-5.

Burra Oval: trees are progressing.

Local Board of Health

The town is in a sanitary condition. Periodic scavenging has been attended to.

The inspector, Mr J.R. Gray, has done his duty.

The income was £120-8-7 with the main expenditure being £63-12-6 for scavenging and payment of the inspector of £15-0-0.

Cash in the bank is £20-4-0.

Main Roads

These are in fair condition. The Government has refused to put the road west of the Burra Railway Station on the schedule.

The Government grant was £325-0-0 and expenditure was £316-3-2.

Bon Accord Bridge

Last year I announced special expenditure of £1,500 for the Bon Accord Bridge. This year the contract went to Messrs Braidwood & Wise and I trust it will be completed at an early date and that it will be of great convenience to the travelling public and to stockowners.

Bon Accord Crossing

Efforts to get some sort of protection for the dangerous railway crossing at the Bon Accord have so far not been successful.

Working Men’s Blocks

A petition for working men’s blocks near Burra failed for want of public interest.

Plant Nursery

A move by the DC of Burra for a nursery for indigenous and other trees for tree planting operations has been supported by the Town Council.

Unclaimed allotments

The sale of unclaimed allotments, which are reducing rate income, should be investigated.

The Sparrow Destruction Act.

It has been deemed inexpedient to bring the town under the Act, as it would lead to increased rates and in any case most people were endeavouring to suppress the nuisance.

Baldina Irrigation Scheme

A lack of public interest has seen this project lapse.

The Cemetery

The extension of the cemetery has used up the credit balance of £99-10-9 from last year.

The main expenses were: New wall £40-4-4

New gates £14-10-0

Laying out new ground £31-16-0

This leaves a bank overdraft of £29-0-0.

Burra Waterworks

The former lease expired 31 December 1891. The Government granted a seven year renewal at 5% on the capital cost. In the year a new Cornish boiler with Galloway tubes and fittings was installed and a new boiler house erected for it. This will avoid the inconvenience experienced last year from leakage of the old boiler. I recommend the purchase of spare driving wheels to save delays in the event of breakage. The plant is now in fair condition and the engineer, Mr Littlejohn, has proved himself a capable officer and discharged his duties with ability. The water supply has been extended and the assessments now number 467.

The capital account is now £7,842

Income for the year from rates £441-15-8

Meter charges £96-4-4

Materials sold 7-9

Cash in Bank £140-0-8

Council Officers

Special thanks go to W. Davey for discharging the arduous duties of Town Clerk with diligence, punctuality and integrity.

Mr John Jenkin as Overseer is also a valuable and faithful officer.

For private reasons I cannot allow myself to be nominated for a third term as Mayor for 1893.

W. West

Burra Literary Soc.

Rev. R.J. Daddow lectured on Friday evening on Atmospheric and Ocean Currents.

The report extends 3⁄4 column.

Annual Wesleyan District Meeting was held at Kooringa 25 & 26 October. Rev. R.M. Hunter presided. The erection of a new church at Booborowie was reported. Other details are reported in just over 1⁄2 column.

Public Meeting.

The severe sentence passed by Judge Bakehouse at Deniliquin on the late members of the Broken Hill AMA Defence Committee were a surprise and regret to all classes living in Burra. A committee was formed here comprising Crs W.T. Rabbich, W.H. Hardy, W. Linkson along with Mr R.W. Smith & Rev. R.J. Daddow. They called a public meeting in the Institute which was well attended. W.T. Rabbich took the chair. Rev. R.J. Daddow delivered a lecture on labour, capital and unions.

Cr Kitchener moved that the meeting found the sentences passed were unjustified by the trial evidence and by the findings of the jury and that they will intensify class feelings prejudicial to the peace and prosperity of employers and employees and the meeting sympathises with the wives and families of the late members of the Broken Hill Defence Committee and that the resolution be handed in for publication in the local paper, SA daily papers and be sent to Mr Cann MP for presentation to the NSW Government.

The second part of the meeting was a shearing scene carried out under the supervision of Mr R.W. Smith and some splendid shearing was done by expert shearers now in the district. The Burra Band attended and a collection was liberally responded to.

XIV, 218, 16 Nov. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Public Notice: Ex-Councillor John Sampson will please understand that drunkenness will be no further excuse against my prosecuting him for any continued vile slander towards myself. W.H. Hardy, Burra.

Answer to correspondent: The total amount collected for the Daulby Fund was £40-19-3. The debts of the estate amounted to £18-16-3, which were paid by the committee and the balance of £22-3-0 was paid to Mrs Daulby.

The Wesleyan Picnic at Sod Hut on 9 November was very successful.

The Iron Mine Band of Hope met on 7 November before going into summer recess. There was a good attendance.

Broken Hill Benefit. The lecture and shearing contest raised £12-12-0 which has been sent to the Broken Hill Defence Committee to benefit wives and children of the imprisoned labour leaders.

Municipal Election. William Killicoat and John Watt are running for Mayor.

Burra Literary Soc. had a good attendance Friday for songs, music, recitations and readings.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir Concert is given a very favourable review in just over 1⁄2 column.

Ratepayers’ Meeting.

P. Lane asked the Mayor if he voted for or against the Land Values Assessment Bill when he attended the Municipal Assoc. recently. Mr West said he voted against it because he thought it not fair and equitable. Many who were for it have now changed their minds. The National Defence League thought nothing of it except it was an unjust measure.

Cr Rabbich said that he was sorry to say he had been led astray. The Mayor on his return from the meeting had said he had supported the measure: now he says he voted against it. [Rabbich was in favour if it.]

He said the water rates were now greater in value than the general rates. Since the works had been returned to the Council control they had saved about £300 in rates.

Cr Watt spoke briefly as did Cr Parks.

Little seems to have been said by the three candidates (Watt, Rabbich and Killicoat) standing for the Mayoralty except an agreement on the need for frugality.

The Land Value Assessment Bill came in for much discussion, but this is not reported.

Cr Rabbich was for it and Cr Watt opposed. Messrs Geake, Killicoat and W.C.L. West had not studied it enough to decide.

There was apparently some sort of altercation between Crs Hardy and Rabbich which produced ‘a somewhat laughable scene’, but the substance of the exchange is not reported.

Mr Sampson wanted to know if Mr Geake was a nominee of Lane & Co. Mr Geake replied he was not a nominee for any particular party.

Notes by a ‘Taxpayer’ to the ratepayers’ meeting add only a little to the substance of the report, but perhaps reveal something of the characters of Mr John Sampson and Mr W. West.

‘Ex Cr Sampson’s remarks re the work done at Henderson’s Bridge for the protection of the vehicular traffic savoured too much of a carping criticism and a fault-finding spirit.’

‘His Worship the Mayor went unnecessarily out of his way and did not take the palm for good taste, when replying to a relevant question asked by Mr P. Lane; he attacked Mr Lane personally’ It was certainly a lapsus lingual on the part of the Mayor when he said that the National Defence League, to which he belonged, was against part XIX. What has the NDL to do with the Mayor’s voting when representing the Municipality at a Municipal Association Meeting?

Everyone knows the NDL is ‘set for the defence of the money bag and land monopoly.’

‘They have other purposes to serve than such as will contribute to the easing of the burdens of those who are least able to bear them.’

The fact the Mayor paid his own way is not relevant; he was there as a representative of Council and if by paying his own way a delegate feels permitted to and feels justified in voting against his own Council then the Council’s interest would be served by paying him to stay home.

Cricket. At Burra on 9 November. Burra 120 defeated Manoora 48.

XIV, 219, 23 Nov. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial on the effects of the Broken Hill Strike.

[It is strongly in favour of the strikers.]

Bible Christian Church special evangelistic services conducted by Misses Green and Nesbitt next Sunday.

The Bon Accord Bridge will be opened on 30 November at 12.30. Messrs F.W. Holder and G.H. Lake to be present. A banquet at the Bon Accord Hotel will follow.

A Plague of Caterpillars is eating its way through Burra gardens.

Princess Royal Shearing saw 15 men over 17 working days shear 19-20,000 sheep. The greatest number in one day being 1,994 and the highest individual numbers being 183 by Hodgetts and 180 by McIntosh. Many went over 100.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday was well attended for prepared speeches on The Future of Australia.

Westbury Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary was held on 30 October and 2 November and all passed off nicely.

Cricket. Last Saturday on Burra Oval Aberdeen 100 defeated Burra 57.

Aberdeen 119 defeated Burra Juniors 74 on Wednesday.

Burra Town Council.

Letter received from Bagot, Shakes & Lewis re the drain near the sheep yards. Matter to be left to the new Council.

Thanks were expressed to John Jenkin as overseer for the past year.

Cr Kitchen moved a vote of thanks to Mr Littlejohn, the Waterworks engineer. At the start of the year he had thought Mr Littlejohn not to be a satisfactory servant, but since the new boiler had arrived the engineer had attended to his work admirably and he did not think anyone could find fault with him. He regretted the engineer had to work Sundays, but the reservoir was not large enough to supply the town for 24 hours.

Cr Hardy 2nd and agreed.

A vote of thanks was also accorded to W. Davey as Town Clerk and others went to Mr Thomas as curator of the cemetery and Mr J.R. Gray as inspector and Mr R. Andrews as scavenger.

Cr Watt moved thanks to the local press. Cr Kitchen dissented and Cr Hardy was unenthusiastic, but felt that as the year was ending the hatchet should be buried.

XIV, 219, 23 Nov. 1892, Supplement

[See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Cricket. When Burra met Aberdeen at the Oval on Saturday Aberdeen defeated Burra by 43.

The Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School picnic was held in Mr Hawkes’ paddock on the old Adelaide Road 7 miles from Burra. Sports and lavish refreshments were enjoyed.

Sparks

Plague of caterpillars.

Bon Accord Bridge to be opened 30 November.

Hon. J.H. Gordon has met his creditors and as a consequence has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council.

T. Lally was injured at the Aberdeen quarry when a stone fell on him from the side, cutting his head and keeping him home for several days.

What people are asking

Why did all the girls strike at a certain Burra Hotel?

XIV, 220, 30 Nov. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Sandland & Co. Sale at Queen St by auction on 3 December. A house of six rooms with household effects on allotment 22 with 107’ frontage to Queen St and 105’ deep. The home of J. Richards who is leaving the district.

Advt. Strawberry Fete and Flower Show, Sale of Fancy & Useful Goods.

In aid of St Mary’s Schoolroom. At the Recreation Ground Today.

To be opened by F.W. Holder at 2.30 p.m. Dinner 6.30 p.m. Gates close 10.00 p.m.

XIV, 220, 30 Nov. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Obituary. Elizabeth Ann Walker, wife of James T. Walker, has died at Redruth, aged 28.

[Born Elizabeth Ann Riggs 7 December 1864, died 23 November 1892.]

Editorial on Municipal Elections.

The editor expresses no preference for the Mayoralty, but in the elections for Councillors he does say that he doubts the sincerity of the burying the hatchet speech.

Mr J.A. Pearce has produced two fine watercolours we have seen. He is only 19.

Messrs Watt & Rabbich addressed a meeting at the German Chapel at Redruth on Tuesday 22 November, with Mr C. Fuss in the chair.

Accident. The eldest son of S. Burns fell from Henderson’s Bridge on Thursday and was badly shaken.

Fred Sellars was almost buried when about two tons of stone fell in the ballast quarry on Thursday, but he escaped with a severe bruising and was soon released by those on hand.

Burra Literary Soc. last Friday evening had a program put on by the younger members.

Municipal Elections. Nominations:

Mayor W. Killicoat

W.T. Rabbich

J.A. Watt

North Ward W. Bentley

T. Walsh

East Ward George Parks

West Ward W. Geake

W.C.L. West

Auditor A. Bartholomæus

T.W. Pearce

T.T. Shortridge

Bon Accord Bridge Opening. The members for the district, F.W. Holder and G.H. Lake, will attend. A banquet will follow at Dunn’s Bon Accord Hotel.

The Mayor, Mr W. West will open the bridge. [Actually done by the Mayoress.]

The Burra Band will attend.

A procession will march across the bridge followed by three trollies laden with copper, wool and wheat and a flock of sheep will bring up the rear.

The contract was for £1,500 and was awarded to Messrs Braidwood & Wise.

‘Abstainer’ writes complaining that a ‘nice little trade’ is being done in beer on Sundays and urges it be put down by taking a strong hand.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes commenting on the admission by Cr hardy that there was a hatchet to bury and saying how the behaviour of those wielding it during the year has so lowered the respect for the office that it was hard to get anyone to stand.

Municipal Election. There is a humorous column of comments likening the candidates to racehorses:

Draper: A popular gelding and in the pink of condition. [Watt]

Squatter: A heavy gelding, too heavy I think, but his owner is very confident. I do not expect him to win as he is too heavily handicapped. He did not attend the preliminary gallop on 22 November at Redruth and I’m afraid he has lost a lot of admirers on this account. [Killicoat]

Butcher: His rider, though clumsy and decidedly unpopular, is doing all he can to land him first past the judges post. ‘If Butcher should happen to win it will be through the bad judgement of the other riders.’ Since winning the North Ward Stakes two years ago ‘he has not done any harm, neither has he done any good.’

‘For several reasons I cannot admire him.’ [Rabbich]

[The descriptions of the contenders for Councillors have much less bite. Was the reference to Rabbich’s rider intended to represent Cr Hardy?]

Hallett Races are reported in an article of 1 column.

XV, 221, 7 Dec. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

[Note the change in volume number: Vol. XIV started on 14 Sep. 1892 and ran only to 30 Nov. 1892]

Editorial: What shall we do with our votes? [i.e. at the coming general election.]

Theft. A few days ago a man stole a saddle and bridle from Mr Collins of Mt Bryan and sold them in Burra.

Burra Literary Soc. had a large attendance on Friday for music, readings and recitations.

Oddfellows Lodge Annual Finance Meeting on 2 December showed the lodge had a loss for the year of £148-8-6 due to the amount of sick pay distributed: £694-1-8. The total worth of the funds remains a satisfactory £6,211-17-7.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 27 & 30 November. Mr W.W. Winwood preached. Services were largely attended. Tea meeting fairly attended. A presentation was made to W. Holman who is leaving the district: he will be missed as organist and leader of the choir.

Smallpox has appeared at Petersburg. The patient is a girl aged c. 5. It is thought the disease was contracted from a box bought recently in Colombo and ten persons have been taken by special train to the quarantine station.

XV, 221, 7 Dec. 1892, page 2-3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

‘Spec’ reports on the Municipal Races, but is neither particularly witty nor biting this time.

XV, 221, 7 Dec. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

St Mary’s second Annual Strawberry Fete at the Oval last Wednesday was a big success both financially and otherwise. About £70 was raised for the proposed new schoolroom. Six large marquees were brought from Adelaide. Mr Holder opened the fete and fully 1,000 must have paid for admission at the gates. This year the Maypole dance was disappointingly absent. The accompanying flower show was magnificent and the bulk of the prizes went to T.W. Pearce, followed by Mr Lasscock and Miss Cave.

Bon Accord Bridge. In February 1891 the Bon Accord crossing occupied the attention of Council. It is a continuation of the road from the north to the Burra Railway Station and in winter it has been almost impossible to cross the Burra Creek with loads. The Council prepared a memorial for the Government asking for a bridge. It was presented to the Hon. T. Playford. The immediate response was not encouraging, but they kept on about it and eventually the Superintendent of Main Roads, Mr Hargrave, investigated and said a suitable bridge would cost £1,500. The Government would at first find only £1,000 and the Council decided to go for a year’s main road grant, but Mr Playford thought that inadvisable and eventually found the £1,500. Messrs Braidwood & Wise were tenders for £1,504. It has taken longer than expected due to delays in getting ironwork from England. The bridge was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs W. West. Local MPs, F.W. Holder and G.H. Lake arrived on the midday train for the ceremony. The Treasurer, Hon. W.B. Rounsevell and Mr Hargrave, the Chief Inspector of Roads and various other dignitaries were present. Mr Holder gave a speech and then Mrs West Christened the bridge, naming it the Bon Accord Bridge and then Mr West, the Mayor declared it open. Short speeches followed from Mr Lake, and the Hon. W.B. Rounsevell.

A procession then crossed the bridge comprising the Band, Members of the town Council, MPs, Main Road Board, two trollies lent by T.F. Robertson the railway carrier, laden with wheat and Unicorn beer and then other vehicles. They then returned across the bridge and were photographed by Messrs Bentley and Thomas. There are eight spans of c. 30” with piers made of three rolled steel piles braced together with steel crossheads and masonry abutments. The openings are each spanned by five rolled steel girders carrying jarrah decking metalled over. The three central girders are tested to ten tons and the outside ones to five tons. At 1 p.m. a banquet was enjoyed at the Bon Accord Hotel. The three politicians present made speeches with undoubtedly pointed remarks in them and there were the usual toasts.

Burra Town Council, 6 December.

W. Davey was appointed: Town Clerk, Collector of Rates, Issuer of Licences, Registrar of Dogs, Secretary of the Cemetery, Secretary of the Parklands, Secretary of the Local Board of Health, Secretary of the Waterworks and Collector of the Water Rates.

J.R. Gray was appointed: Inspector of Slaughterhouses, Weights & Measures, Width of Tyres Act, Lights on Vehicles, Public Vehicles, Under the Thistle Act, and Local Board of Health.

J. Jenkin was appointed dayman. R. Thomas was appointed Curator of the Cemetery. R. Andrews was appointed scavenger and Mr Littlejohn was appointed Engineer of the Waterworks.

Emily Sellers sued William Henry Linkson (29) for support for his destitute illegitimate child. Linkson denied being the father and the evidence being inconclusive the case was dismissed. The report is lengthy.

Municipal Election Results.

Mayor W.T. Rabbich 166

J.A. Watt 110

W. Killicoat 99

North Ward Thomas Walsh 80

William Bentley 64

West Ward W.C.L. West 50

William Geake 39

East Ward George Parks unopposed

[Note. Some dirty tricks in the election campaign seem to have been employed to discredit William Killicoat. A claim was circulated that he proposed to pay 51⁄2 days wages for 6 days work when he was a District Councillor. He answered this in an advertisement on 23 November. Another claim was that he owed the Shearers’ Union £2-5-0 and had refused to pay. This was refuted in the paper of 7 December with reference to receipts etc.]

XV, 222, 14 Dec. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Birth. On 7 Dec. at Kooringa to the wife of E.W. Crewes, a daughter. [Rita Irene]

Weather. It was very rough on Saturday to Monday last and wheat crops were damaged.

The Caterpillar Plague is declining.

Smallpox. There are no new cases in Petersburg and those in quarantine are all doing well.

Burra High School. On Wednesday 21 Dec. the ladies of the school will give a concert at the Institute with the proceeds to go towards providing a Christmas dinner for the poor of the town.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Circuit income has risen this year. Rev. R.J. Daddow has agreed to remain another year.

Burra Literary Soc. held its last meeting for the year on Friday. The discussion was: Should the Government Grant a Site for the Erection of a Trades and Labour Hall?

For were: Hardy, Nevin & Rawlings.

Against: Rabbich, Fuss, Richardson & Morton.

Result was 13 for and 10 against.

The annual social of the society will be in the German Chapel Schoolroom at 7 p.m.

H. McDonald, late agent for the Shearers’ Union writes at more length explaining how the misunderstanding over W. Killicoat’s debt of £2-5-0 occurred. It seems that neither really was in the wrong, but that Robert Smith, who spread the story, was indiscreet and was not in a position to know the truth when he spoke out.

Rabbits. Three people in the hundred of King were fined for not destroying rabbits as required.

United Friendly Societies’ Sports on 26 December have attracted 66 nominations for the cycle events including 22 from and near Adelaide. This year the rules allow for mixed bicycle events. Some think this is a mistake, but ‘Whip’ thinks ‘The graceful movements of the “little chaps” in spinning around the track will be the cause of much excitement and amusement’.

[Presumably this means both penny-farthing bikes and the then new safety bicycles were both allowed.]

Arrangements have been made to attach a carriage to the 5 a.m. goods train from Adelaide to convey contestants to the event.

Bicycle types include: pneumatic racers

pneumatic roadsters

cushion

solid

ordinary racer

ordinary roadster

‘Whip’ makes an appeal for the Burra Racing Club to get together and organise a race meeting. [Having failed to do so for 1892.]

He also mentions out-of-town boxing and cricket. In boxing Larry Foley is tutoring Peter Jackson and says ‘The nigger is the greatest fistic artist the world ever saw.’

Polo is being played regularly on the Aberdeen grounds near the Bon Accord Hotel.

Players mentioned are H. Bowman, W. Murray, C.W. Bowman, F.W. Whyte, C. Gebhardt and A.G. Gebhardt. The games attracted many spectators.

Black Springs Sports on Boxing Day.

Christmas Cards are available in great variety in Burra.

James Pearce’s pictures sold at the strawberry fete and realised 30/- [Apparently for the pair of them previously mentioned, though this is not really clear.]

Mr Rumball, our popular stationmaster, has returned home after a month’s holiday in Melbourne, Sydney and other large centres.

The Burra Hotel passed from G.B. Howard to John McClusky on 7 December.

Vandalism. Someone has broken the reading room window.

XV, 223, 21 Dec. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic at J. Fradd’s estate Sod Hut on 2 January 1893. Services on Sunday 1 January.

Advt. Salvation Army Tea and Demonstration on Boxing Day 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Captains Swift & Dunn and Lieut. Stremple leading.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Church Parade in aid of the Burra Hospital. Procession from the Burra Institute at 10 a.m. for Burra Brass Band and Friendly Societies.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Hospital Service on Christmas Day at 3 p.m.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary 25 & 26 December. Revs. R.J. Daddow & R.C. Yeoman.

Advt. Cricket at Burra Oval 27 & 28 December.

Burra v. Jamestown and Burra V. Belalie.

XV, 223, 21 Dec. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Editorial: A Merry Christmas.

Fire. On Tuesday a fire burnt 7 or 8 acres of W.A. Rabbich’s paddock situated west of the Burra Railway Station, adjoining the line.

Mr Edward A. Pearce, a member of W. Bentley’s drawing class, has drawn an enlarged photo in crayon that we saw on Wednesday.

W. Pearce Jun. brought in a large peach grown at Mongolata in J. Weston’s garden.

Storm. The recent storm has cut yields by an estimated one bushel per acre in an area within 35 miles of Burra. In places the damage is much greater. At Gum Creek Mr T. Bailey is believed to have lost 4-5 bushels per acre. It was the steinwedel variety and had promised 25-30 bushels per acre.

XV, 223, 21 Dec. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Broken Hill. On Friday night a public meeting was called in the Council Chamber to consider the best means to assist the distressed in Broken Hill.

Last Friday J. Sampson advised the Defence Committee at Broken Hill that P.L. Killicoat had offered to forward 200 fat lambs for distribution among the unemployed. Josiah Thomas on behalf of the committee conveyed his heartfelt thanks and hopes others will follow suit. The lambs left Burra on Tuesday. Kidman Bros in Broken Hill have offered to dress and prepare them and have added a 9 cwt bullock.

Burra School. On Monday evening Mr Wittber, head teacher of the school and assistant teachers and children from the 4th and 5th classes spent an evening with Rev. R.J. Daddow who gave a great number of illustrations and experiments in physics and chemistry.

Obituary. Hon. G.W. Cotton, whose homestead block legislation aided so many to get onto the land and eased unemployment, died at his residence in Parkside on Friday. [Died 15 December 1892 aged 71.]

Friendly Societies’ Sports. On Boxing Day the societies will form a procession from the Institute headed by the Burra Brass Band and the Mount Bryan Fife and Drum Band to march to the Hospital and then to the Oval for the combined sports meeting.

Salvation Army on Boxing Day will hold a public tea in the barracks from 1 p.m to 7 p.m. with a special meeting in the evening with Captains Swift and Dunn and Lieut. Stremple.

Burra Literary Soc. annual social last Friday in the German Schoolroom had W.T. Rabbich in the chair and C. Fuss as vice-chair. T. Nevin read the 4th annual report. It was the society’s most successful year with 35 meetings and an average attendance of 36.9. Dr Sangster’s meeting drew 83 and the lowest, due to poor weather and counter-attractions, was 9. There were the usual speeches and toasts.

1893. Look out for our four-colour calendar for 1893.

R. Barr Smith has given £100 to the Broken Hill distressed.

Larrikinism: Patrick Lally, Edwin Boulton, Archibald Wade, & John Bruse were charged by L-C Thomas that they did on Saturday night December 17 1892 unlawfully disturb the public peace in Thames St, Kooringa, by singing, shouting, and knocking at several doors. They pleaded guilty to singing, but denied shouting and knocking. They were each fined 7/6.

Patrick Lally was also fined £1 for resisting police.

Cricket. On Wednesday Burra 267 played St Mary’s 3 for 58.

XV, 223, 21 Dec. 1892, Supplement [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Burra Town Council, 19 December.

The Surveyor-General wrote re the names of streets in New Aberdeen. He suggested the Council apply to the LTO and also to Sir Henry Ayers re the names.

Special Meeting, 20 December.

The meeting was to consider the obstruction placed in the creek near the ballast quarries. The agreement with the railways was they would make everything safe and kept in proper order. The Railway Commissioners will be instructed to remove the obstruction by their servants immediately and to the satisfaction of the Council.

Burra Hospital Board, 15 December

Rev. Daddow said services on behalf of the Hospital would be held in the Primitive Methodist Church on Christmas Day.

A sub-committee was appointed to get a skillion put up in substitution for the old bathroom adjoining the operating room. A re-arrangement of rooms for the night nurse and porter’s family was made.

In view of the possibility of putting up a new cottage for the porter it was decided to ask SAMA through Mr West for an allotment at the west side of the present premises.

Burra Town Council, Special meeting 20 December

This considered the obstruction placed in the creek near the ballast quarries. The original correspondence from the Council showed that they had approved the construction of the line on condition that everything was made safe and kept in proper order. It was resolved that the Commissioners be instructed to remove immediately the obstruction placed in the Burra Creek at Aberdeen by their servants to the satisfaction of Council.

XV, 224, 28 Dec. 1892, page 2 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary 1 & 2 January 1893. Rev. R.J. Daddow will preach. On 2 January public tea 5-7 p.m. and in the evening the Redruth Primitive Methodist Choir will render the service of song Nobody’s Darling.

Advt. Broken Hill Distress Lantern Lecture at Institute 30 December.

Rev. R.M. Hunter & Mr E.C. Thomas. Lecture and 40 limelight views of

How the Poor Live in London. 1/-

Editorial on Present Day Agriculture.

Discusses the innovation of crop rotation, and of the twine binder in making hay gathering so much easier and economic and other modern machinery.

Theft. A man named Moore stole Mr Vivian’s dog from the Commercial Hotel and took him north by train. He was arrested at Terowie, returned and fined £2.

Broken Hill Distress. The meeting at the Council Chamber on 23 December to decide on how to aid the Distress Fund was fairly attended. Mr McCulloch forwarded £5 and J.R. Gray £1. A committee was formed of the Council with power to co-opt others. Subscription lists were got out. An open-air meeting is called for Market Square on 31 December with the Mayor to take charge. The cricket club will donate the gate money from the match against Jamestown.

Broken Hill Relief Fund

Last Friday the Mayor, W.T. Rabbich, convened a meeting to consider the best means of raising money for the Broken Hill Relief Fund. Letters were read of sympathy.

Mr McCulloch forwarded £5 and J.R. Gray £1

The Burra Town Council will comprise the Broken Hill Relief Committee with power to act.

Subscription lists were got out and an open-air meeting called for Market Square 31 December at 8 p.m.

Rev. R.M. Hunter will lecture in support. The gate from the Burra-Jamestown cricket match on 27 December will be contributed. Mr A. Wittber will bear the cost of the subscription lists and the handbills re the Saturday meeting. Reports suggest that aid is getting through to those in need in Broken Hill. Mr P. Killicoat JP sent 200 fat lambs to Broken Hill. It is clear aid will need to be sustained for some weeks yet.

Wesleyan Endeavour Society Christmas Trees

At the Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Wednesday two trees were covered with gifts for sale. There were also other stalls. Dr Brummitt had a galvanic battery which was well-patronised. Refreshments, drawings and paintings by W. Bentley & pupils, pot plants etc. were also on sale.

XV, 224, 28 Dec. 1892, page 2-3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Hardwicke College.

The closing demonstration of this school was held on 22 December in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall. Rev. R.M. Hunter officiated and distributed prizes and a concert was presented. The chairman expressed the regret of parents that the school was closing, but the circumstances leading to its demise could not have been foreseen. He thanked the Misses Evans and Newman for their work and hoped they would find useful work elsewhere. A vote of thanks had earlier been accorded Miss Tilly, who had to leave by the afternoon train. The academic results for the year were very good and the best ever secured.

XV, 224, 28 Dec. 1892, page 3 [See note re numbering of issues at XIV, 209, 14 Sep. 1892, page 2.]

Burra Public School broke up on Thursday 22 December with a public entertainment in the Institute to a full house. The entertainment was a great success. Prizes and certificates were distributed. At the annual examinations 271 were examined with85% result.

Children receiving the compulsory certificate ranged from 11 to 15 years. The prizes for perfect attendance went to22 this year. (There were only 4 the first time they were offered and in the school’s first year no one had perfect attendance.) Edwin Alfred and Maud Riggs had perfect attendance and yet lived six miles from the school. Master Bentley is leaving the school for Adelaide and got a presentation from the school after five years teaching there.

Burra High School speech day on Wednesday last was held in the Institute with a smaller attendance than the quality of the program deserved. Students presented Mrs McLagan with a clock and Miss Sprod with a silver table napkin ring. The list of prize-winners is printed.

[The surnames indicate students from the more affluent part of the community: McBride, Roach, Sangster, Packard, Brummitt, Watt, Lewis. May Dawson was dux of the School.]

Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports were held on the Burra Oval and pronounced the most successful ever. Large fields and close contests marked every event. Early in the morning the weather was unpromising, but about 9 a.m. the sun appeared and the day was fine. The prizes induced many contestants to come from Adelaide and indeed the best cyclists in Australia.

The 135 yd Sheffield handicap paid £20 1st prize and was won by T.J. Gattrell.

The bicycle Sheffield handicap over 1 mile paid £7-7-0 and was won by F.S. Toms of Adelaide.

Results are printed in full.

The entertainment in the evening at the Institute was prepared by C. Fuss and the Concert Committee and was excellent. The hall was packed.

Burra Co MI was invited out to Princess Royal on Wednesday. This was the second visit to the estate for the company and as Lieut. Watt said, they were treated like kings. The company received an invitation to return with friends and visitors in a fortnight for a drill. Several prizes have been offered to be fired for. One lady has given £6 for those putting in 16 drills in the year.

The Holidays.

On Christmas Eve the town was decorated and crowds built steadily and an hour or so into the evening the footpaths were blocked and pedestrians had to take to the streets. The whole district contributed to the throng. The children created a great din with toy trumpets to the annoyance of ‘older ones who had forgotten childhood’s happy days’. The better season this year has encouraged more festivity and more business for the shops. Window displays were impressive. The Burra band performed in front of various businesses before playing carols later in the night. The Salvation Army took a position in Market Square and drew a big crowd. Captain Swift gave the address along with others. Hotels were decorated with green boughs and Chinese lanterns as were the shop verandahs.

Christmas Day was warm and windy and the churches full. In the morning Rev. R.J. Daddow conducted a service at the Hospital with the Mayor and most Councillors present.

On Boxing Day the Salvation Army public tea was very successful followed by an open-air meeting and a musical battle. Next Sunday the Army collection will go towards the Broken Hill Distress Fund as it will from every corps in Australia.

Burra Town Council, 23 December.

There was one tender for one lamp in North Ward: C.J. Tiver, £7-16-0.

And one tender for two lamps in Kooringa from W. Geake for £14-0-0.

Cricket. The match Burra v. Jamestown started at 2 p.m. on 27 December and at stumps Burra was 7 for 299. The game continues today.

Characteristics of the 1892 paper.

Page 1.

The usual larger advertisements, many of them local.

Page 2.

General business advertisements with public notices and notices of sales etc. Births, deaths and marriages are not commonly reported and obituaries seem rather thin this year.

Most issues had an editorial and some a second leader as well.

Sometimes the editorial didn’t start till page three. Some issues begin without an editorial and with a column simply headed ‘Current Topics’.

Page 3.

News, but mixed with it are annoying news-like advertisements inserted without heading or other indication. News however, dominates. ‘Sparks’ continues with snippets of news that are often annoyingly cryptic over a century later.

Page 4

Larger advertisements: many not local.

In general the paper is a good record of town activities.

The paper in 1892 does not carry literature except for occasional original poems.

Mostly later in the year the paper issued a number of supplements of varying size. Some are as small as half A4 and others quarto size and sometimes larger.

Numbering of issues in 1892

1892 began with Volume XIII No. 1073 on 6 January.

And continued to Volume XIII No. 208 on 7 September

In this sequence 1085 is used twice & 1086 is not used.

The sequence reached 1099 on 6 July and on 13 July the number is 200: apparently the zero was overlooked. In the microfilm version there is a hand written 1 in front of the numbers from 200 to 207 to change the series to 1200 to 1207. This then ceases.

Volume XIV ran from No. 209 on 14 September 1892

No. 220 on 30 November 1892 and then for no apparent reason a new volume was started.

Volume XV began with No. 221 on 7 December and ran to No. 224 on 28 December 1892

XV, 225, 4 Jan. 1893

Page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers, Adelaide, Kapunda, Kooringa & Broken Hill

Dempsey, Wilkinson & Sandland Auctioneers, Kapunda & Kooringa

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers, Burra

J.T. Walker Bootmakers, Kooringa

M. Pederson Bootmakers, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor etc., Market Square

Clarence Forder Agent for SA Fire Insurance Co., Redruth

Thomas W. Pearce Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, etc., Ware St

C.J. Pearce Cabinetmaker, Upholsterer & Underetaker. Premises of the late W.L.H. Bruse, Commercial St

Wilkinsons Books, Cards, Aerated Drinks, Novelties & Seeds

S. Burns Shoeing & General Smith

W. Pearse Coachbuilder & General Wheelwright

Drew & Crewes Merchants & Importers, Drapery, Grocery, Glassware, etc., etc.

Page 2

Advertisements

Sara & Dunstan Builders, Ironmongers, etc.

T. Edwards & Co. Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Commercial St next to T. Kitchen

E.A. Moore Agent for A.W. Dobbie & Co. Machinists, Founders, Electroplaters, Pianos & sewing Machines

G. Parks Grocer & Fruiterer

J.A. Watts Draper & Milliner

W. Lasscock Saddler & Harnes Maker, Commercial St

P. Pendlebury Solicitor, Terowie, all Northern Courts attended as required

J.T. Walker Clothing and Shoes

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanized Iron Worker, Tinsmith, Wallpapers, etc.

Francis Harris Grocer & Fruiterer, Market Square

Fred Gebhardt Baker & Confectioner

M. Pederson Shoes & Boots

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers

W.J. Davey Burra Record

Page 3

Advertisement

Thomas Sandland Agent for Commercial Union Assurance Co. Ltd

Page 4

Advertisements

? The Cash Store, Groceries & Crockery, next to the Bank of Australasia

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmakers, Undertakers & Upholsterers

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders, etc., Aberdeen

XV, 225, 4 Jan. 1893, page 2

Advt. On Friday 13 January Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell at the residence of Mr A. Wittber near the Bible Christian Chapel, the household furniture, piano, buggy etc. He is moving to Rose Park.

Notice. Francis Harris has taken over the business carried on under the style of J. Harris & Sons and is prepared to supply old and new customers with the best kinds of fruit and groceries.

Editorial on A Retrospective of 1892

1892 was a time of both prosperity and adversity. The year began very dry and farmers were disheartened. To the east the sheep died in hundreds and cattle and horses in large numbers. The 1892-93 harvest however benefited from late rains and is turning into one of the best. Hay grew abundantly and grain yields promise to be very satisfactory. The town did less well. An attempt to get the Baldina Irrigation Scheme up fell through due to lack of applicants. Attempts to get workingmen’s blocks established also met with little response. One success has been the completion and opening of the Bon Accord Bridge. About three years ago news was received that the Burra Mine had been sold, but since then nothing has resulted and we have reason to believe that much money has been spent in litigation owing to some discrepancy in the transaction. The result is not yet known.

1892 saw wonderful changes in arboriculture in the town and the effects of plantings in recent years are very apparent. No very prominent citizen died in 1892 and neither did we welcome any distinguished visitor. The local MPs F.W. Holder and G.H. Lake have taken commendable interest in their electorate and our senior member, F.W. Holder, has become Premier.

The local hospital has continued to give excellent service and the local friendly societies continue to give valuable relief to those in need. The great labour dispute of the year was that at the Barrier, which we hope will never be repeated. Burra residents responded to the needs of those in need at Broken Hill.

2nd Leader on Charity

Burra people have responded to the needs of those at Broken Hill in a thoroughly praiseworthy manner, but help is still needed. P.L. Killicoat, a few days before Christmas, sent 200 fat lambs to Broken Hill. Mr A. McCulloch has sent two substantial donations. The town’s ministers have also led appeals for aid and the Town Council has a strong committee to raise aid for the needy.

Carols. On Christmas Eve several members of the Salvation Army went around the streets singing carols, which were a treat to hear.

Mr Wittber, head teacher at Burra School, has been transferred to Rose Park School after seven years here.

Broken Hill Relief. Rev. R.M. Hunter, assisted by Mr E.C. Thomas, gave a lecture and lantern entertainment at the Burra Institute on Friday night in aid of Broken Hill relief. The 40 limelight views showed how the poor lived in London.

Accident. On Saturday morning last Mr Rumball was in Market Square in his buggy going towards Redruth when it collided with a spring dray driven by a lad named Walsh. The accident happened in front of J.T. Walker’s. Mr C. Fuss’s young son was thrown out of the buggy and received a nasty shaking requiring hospital assistance. The little fellow is now recovering. [In 1893 C. Fuss had two sons: Ray was 9 and Bob was 7, so presumably this referred to the latter. Mr Rumball was the child’s grandfather.]

A Watchnight Service was held in Redruth Primitive Methodist Church on 31 December conducted by Revs J. Hopkins & R.J. Daddow. Rev. R.M. Hunter held a similar service in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

XV, 225, 4 Jan. 1893, page 2-3

Thomas Jones alias Tracey was tried at Redruth Court on Thursday last charged with stealing a saddle and bridle of Mr R. Collins Jnr of Mt Bryan, but he was shown not to be the man. He is currently serving a month in Redruth Gaol for a stealing offence at Clare.

XV, 225, 4 Jan. 1893, page 3

Fire broke our at T. Warnes’ paddock at Kooringa on Saturday afternoon. This threatened the brewery paddock, but the fire did not manage to leap the Baldina Road. Last year there were two fires in the brewery paddock and one in T. Warnes’.

Fire also broke out in Mr Frederick’s paddock at Redruth on Tuesday, but was extinguished. J.R. Gray who brought home a bag used in fighting the fire failed to notice it was smouldering and placed it in his coach-house. A few minutes later the building was in flames and considerable damage was done before it was extinguished.

Another fire occurred in Mr T. Warnes’ paddock on that day too and destroyed several acres of grass.

Burra Waterworks. The spindle of the injector broke on Saturday. A replacement could not be got immediately, as Martin & Co. of Gawler were closed till Wednesday. The old boiler was then put into service. Water was cut from the town from Sunday midday to Tuesday.

Wesleyan Sunday School held a special service on 1 January and a picnic on Monday at Mr Fradd’s paddock at Sod Hut. Games and races were held.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church held its Anniversary on 1 with a public tea on 2 January followed by the service of song Nobody’s Darling in the evening, rendered by the Redruth Primitive Methodist Choir. This was held in the open air, as the congregation was too large for the church.

The Thomas Jones alias Tracey case is given in more detail. Evidence is reported from E. Cox, R. Collins, Thomas Bevan & mark Linkson.

William Pearce, trading as Bath & Pearce, sued Ah Shang for a claim of £30-7-11. This was an unsatisfied judgement summons. Ah Shang was ordered to pay 5/- a week.

The Holidays

Tuesday 27 December: Jamestown played Burra at cricket and there was a concert at the Burra Hospital.

Wednesday 28 December: the cricket match continued and there were many picnic parties.

Burra 340 defeated Jamestown 67

On Saturday 31 December a monster open-air meeting was held in Kooringa in aid of the Broken Hill poor. The Band played on the Commercial Hotel balcony.

There was no larrikinism on New Year’s Eve: not even a gun or whistles.

Special church services for New Year were conducted by:

Rev. R.M. Hunter at Kooringa Wesleyan Church

Rev. Daddow at Redruth Primitive Methodist Church

Rev. Father O’Dowling at St Joseph’s

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Sunday School held its Anniversary service on 25 December conducted by Rev. J. Hopkins (Wesleyan).

A Concert in aid of the Wesleyan Sunday school was held at the Lecture Hall on 27 December. Among a host of performers Mr J. Roach entertained the audience with a sermon on the text ‘Old Mother Hubbard’, which was a satire on preachers who make a text of scripture mean anything they fancy. (It was the performance of a piece written by a Presbyterian minister.)

Proceeds were satisfactory.

Monster Open-Air Meeting in aid of Broken Hill Relief

A large crowd assembled in Market Square. Mr W.T. Rabbich, the Mayor, addressed them. He said they were not there to discuss the responsibility for the present state of affairs, but simply to assist the distressed. Rev. R.J. Daddow delivered an excellent ringing address. He outlined the evidence of the real need prevailing in Broken Hill and how there was ongoing real poverty despite the fact that the men had been well supplied during the strike. Rev. J. Hopkins and Rev. R.M. Hunter also gave addresses. Mr H. Bennetts, a former Burra boy but late of Broken Hill, gave an account of the extent of the problem and outlined hoe the poor had survived. There were 1,700 unemployed at present in Broken Hill and 500 to 600 of them will never work there again. The collection raised £3-7-0 and in addition Mr McCulloch gave £5 and Mr J.R. Gray £1-1-0. The Burra-Jamestown cricket match raised £4-6-0 and the Salvation Army service on Sunday raised 15/-. Subscription lists are out.

J. Roach of Adelaide sponsored a concert at the Burra Hospital on 27 December assisted by friends from Adelaide. Rev. R.M. Hunter was the conductor.

XV, 226, 11 Jan. 1893, page 2

Notice. Charles Parks will open a tea and coffee restaurant and small goods and confectionary shop in the shop lately occupied by J.A. Watt – on Friday next.

The New Year

Unseasonable weather has now given way to typical summer and though the recent rough weather has lost some grain the yield will be higher than in recent years.

The price of wool is very low, but the season has been good.

The Broken Hill Mines are again in full swing.

The SA Treasury is well supplied and should be able to complete the year in surplus.

No labour troubles presently threaten and a prosperous year seems in prospect.

General elections are due in April. We will have the Leader of the Opposition declare his policy in Burra. Federation will be a prominent question.

2nd Leader. The Town Council

Instead of the better feeling hoped for recently, a storm is raging in the local council and it is not yet finished. Last year through some bungling on the part of Cr Hardy, who was going in for economy, Mr Littlejohn was actually re-appointed as Waterworks engineer at £3 a week, an increase of £30 p.a. This was in opposition to Cr Hardy’s wish and since then he has not had a good word to say for the engineer. Plots have been devised to oust him, but all have proved futile, though he has had an unpleasant time. Last Saturday a breakage at the works saw water cut from the town and to get it back as soon as possible an extra man was employed. Crs Hardy & Kitchen considered Mr Littlejohn should pay for the extra labour. This was absurd and foolish and we are glad the motion of Cr Hardy was lost. The engineer works very often from 4 or 5 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. and two or three hours on Sunday and yet is asked for more! We are surprised the Mayor stopped Cr Linkson from speaking because there was no motion before the chair. He probably forgot he had allowed other Councillors to speak two or three times previously without a motion before the chair. Cr Linkson was annoyed and left the room when Cr Hardy’s motion was brought forward. It was not likely he was going to vote for or against a motion when he was not allowed to give his opinion on it. The Mayor should study Standing Orders and use them in a proper manner.

3rd Leader. The Fires in T. Warnes’ Paddock

Four deliberately lit fires have been reported in Mr T. Warnes’ paddock in the last few days. On 3 January about 70 acres of grass were burnt. On Monday the inquest learned that a number of tandstickor matches were found in the paddock and it is likely they were the cause of all the fires. It is good to know the cause, but it would be better to know who dropped them. Mr McCulloch is fortunate the fires did not escape into his paddocks. We endorse Mr Sandland’s call for tandstickor matches to be banned from SA. [Cheap Swedish matches easily ignited by friction, unlike safety matches.]

XV, 226, 11 Jan. 1893, page 3

Burra Hospital has received £2-10-0 from shearers employed by J. Tiver.

Rev. H.W. Howitt will preach in the Bible Christian Church at 3.30 today and will lecture on ‘Gambling’ in the Institute at 8 p.m., when F.W. Holder will preside.

SAR. Mr Moncrieff, the Resident Engineer, arrived in Burra on Monday and was met by the Mayor, the Town Clerk and Councillors. The creek was inspected in which the obstruction had been placed. This will be removed and the line [to the quarry] will be carried on trussells [sic] a length of about 90 feet.

The Burra Record. With today’s issue we present a four-colour almanac with photos of the Australian Governors, particulars of postal and railway regulations, Burra Institute, Lodges, cab fares, Burra markets, District Council, Court, Insurance Companies and Burra Literary Soc. etc.

Cr Hardy again spoke in a contemptible way of the Record at the last Council meeting. He asked the Mayor who supplied the Record with information about the breakage at the Waterworks. The Town Clerk said he had, in the interest of ratepayers. To be fair he did so after we had waited on him to discover if he knew when water would be restored. Ratepayers we have spoken to believe he did the right thing.

Inquest at the Kooringa Hotel 9 January into the fire at T. Warnes’ paddock on 3 January.

J.D. Cave was coroner and W. Bentley foreman of the jury.

W. Rodda:

I was in the paddock employed to skim the grass from around fences and was about 300 yards from the outbreak of the fire at about 2 p.m. Believe the fire started when the feet of cattle trod on a match. Tried to extinguish it and was helped by F. Carey & a boy also assisted. Mrs Hunt came with some water. 60-80 acres of grass were lost. Half an hour later a second fire sprung up behind Mr Sandland who was on a horse. Matches were then found and I am of the opinion this fire started when Mr Sandland’s horse trod on a match.

J.C. Sandland gave corroborating evidence and said 19 matches were eventually found – they were not found together, but singly about four feet in from the fence.

Other evidence came from J. Harvey, M-C Sydney Benham, L-C Daniel Thomas & H. Vivian.

The finding was that the fire was caused by matches ignited by the feet of cattle, such matches having been maliciously and feloniously placed there by person or persons unknown, for that purpose.

Burra Town Council

The Mayor reported the breakage at the Waterworks.

Cr Hardy asked him who supplied the local paper with the news of it and particulars of the wires sent to Martin & Co.

The Mayor said he could not say.

The Town Clerk said it was he, in order to let ratepayers know the Council was doing all in its power to restore supply.

Cr Hardy didn’t consider any correspondence should be mentioned outside of Council till it had been dealt with there.

Rates for the year were declared: General 1/-

Parklands 3d

Health 3d

Cr Parks reported the Waterworks breakage and thought the engineer deserved credit for his efforts to get it repaired and water restored. He had authorised the employment of Mr Bartle to read meters, as the engineer was otherwise very busy. The Mayor said the engineer was working from 4 or 5 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. and that was enough for any man.

Cr Hardy called for the agreement with the engineer to be read. It was.

Cr Kitchen then said the engineer should carry out all his duties. He knew what was involved when he signed the contract and he should pay the extra man for outside work.

Cr Parks drew attention to clause 3. This dealt with breakages and unavoidable causes for supply failure and he said he was satisfied this was such an unavoidable cause. The engineer said it would take two days to read the meters. He said just now continuous pumping was necessary and asked how he could read meters? He mentioned also leaking valves and broken taps, which also needed attention.

Cr Linkson then tried to speak, but was halted by the Mayor, even after pointing out that others had been allowed to speak two or three times without there being a motion before the chair.

Cr Hardy then said the engineer got an extra amount of pay last year to attend to pumping and meter reading. He did not believe the breakage was an unavoidable case and did not believe the engineer would grumble to pay the extra amount. In winter he had scarcely anything to do.

Cr Linkson complained that when he tried to speak he was stopped. He tried to ask Cr Parks if his report was official, but was ruled out of order.

Cr Hardy then moved that the engineer pay for the extra labour hired to read the meters.

Cr Kitchen 2nd and spoke in support of Cr Hardy’s motion.

Cr Linkson left the room.

The motion was put and lost.

Cr Linkson returned and explained that he repeated what he had said above and denounced the action of the Mayor in strong terms and said the breakage at the Waterworks was one that should have received immediate attention.

The Mayor ruled him out of order and refused to allow a discussion.

Cr Linkson moved that the Council be censured for their conduct concerning the breakage on Saturday night. He held the Council should have been called together and repairs effected as soon as possible. The Council did not do its duty to ratepayers.

Cr Parks thought any censure should be on the shoulders of the late Waterworks Committee.

The motion was not 2nd.

The engineer asked to say a few words.

The mayor: ‘I think not.’

He nevertheless said he could be relied upon not to employ any man while he was able to stand, but if he were compelled to read meters just now and attend to the water supply he would have to travel all night with a lantern.

The matter dropped.

Cr Linkson moved that six or seven men remove the railway obstruction in the creek and the cost be charged to the Government.

The Mayor called for deferral of action, but the motion, 2nd by Cr Hardy, passed.

Tennis at Clare on 2 January: Clare 114 games defeated Burra 90.

Rev. J.E. Moulton & Kolo (a Tongan native) were at the Wesleyan Church last Sunday in aid of Wesleyan Foreign Missions.

XV, 227, 18 Jan. 1893, page 2

Advt. Burra Girls High School starts this year on 24 January.

Senior classes taught by Miss Sprod. Frances McLagan, Principal.

Terms per quarter: 5th Class £2-2-0, 4th Class £1-10-0, 3rd Class and lower £1-1-0.

Advt. Lecture on Bible Reading in State Schools: Rev. Joseph Nicholson,

Institute, Monday 29 January. Free.

Advt. Miss Yeoman will reopen the school lately conducted by the Misses Rabbich.

Starting 23 January.

Editorial on Federation Hopes and their lack of effect on the increasing duties paid between colonies and other issues in dispute, including coloured labour in Queensland. In SA the Legislative Council refuses to pass the Union with the Federal Council. The writer calls for Federation and manhood suffrage, if not adult suffrage, and one man one vote.

Bible Christian public tea on Wednesday last to raise funds for the manse.

Accident. The daughter of J.A. Kennedy was slipping down the banister at the Kooringa Hotel when she overbalanced and fell to the steps below, breaking a shoulder blade.

Rev. H.W. Howitt preached for the Bible Christians on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and gave a lecture at 8 p.m. in the Institute on Gambling. F.W. Holder presided over a moderate attendance.

XV, 227, 18 Jan. 1893, page 3

An Earth Tremor was felt at Burra at 4.45 a.m. on Tuesday. There were three shocks lasting several seconds.

Guard’s Band No. 2. This popular band arrived in Burra from the south, by train, at midday on Tuesday. They played selections in Kooringa after marching there, had lunch at the Barracks, played in the open air at night and held a ‘musical magara’ [?] in the packed barracks later.

The Colonial Surgeon inspected the Burra Hospital on 14 January with Drs Brummitt and Sangster, the Chairman of the Board of Management R.M. Harvey and Secretary J.D. Cave.

Broken Hill Relief Committee forwarded £24. Mayor, W.T. Rabbich presiding.

Laura Patterson’s father asked that she be committed to the Reformatory School as an uncontrollable girl, but the application was denied when her mother pleaded for the dismissal of the plea.

Burra School. J.A. Kennedy, Headmaster at Wallaroo Mines, leaves for Burra today says a report in the Wallaroo paper. He was known there for his use of models, drawings etc. Mr Wittber, after seven years of diligent work has been promoted to Rose Park School in Adelaide and left on Saturday. He has had a great influence in bringing about the practical tendency in our public schools.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Last Sunday evening Rev. R.J. Daddow gave an address to an attentive and large audience on Rags, Swags and Waterbags – a sympathetic appraisal of the plight of swagmen and sundowners who searched for work in these times of difficulty.

Court.

Paul Killicoat furious driving fined 5/- + 10/- costs

Several people were fined for stray horses and cattle.

Margaret Freckleton was charged with the theft of 14 yards of black surah silk valued at £4. Fined £4 or 2 months. The fine was paid.

Bicycle Race. There is an attempt to organise a 50 mile bicycle race at Burra for Easter Monday.

Two letters to the editor congratulate the paper for exposing the ludicrous goings on in Council in the previous issue. The motion proposed by Cr Hardy and 2nd by Cr Kitchen about the Engineer of the Waterworks appears to be spiteful persecution.

Rev. R.J. Daddow writes from the Primitive Methodist Manse, Kooringa, about the great social evil of the day: unemployment and the social forces that allow or promote it.

The Children’s Ministering League, Burra Branch. President, Mrs Wilkinson; Vice-President, Miss Jessie Wilkinson; Secretary, Miss L. Harris; Treasurer Miss M. Newman, and members, have donated two cots to the Burra Hospital as a result of the bazaar held at the end of 1891. [?] Another bazaar is to be held soon.

Cricket. At Mintaro last Wednesday on a slate pitch. Burra’s score of 479 was the highest ever for the club and included J. Drew 183, C. Hill 116 and G. Parks 81.

Fang Sang’s drapery and fruit and vegetable shop has moved from Market Square to the shop lately occupied by Mrs Pearson in Commercial St.

XV, 228, 25 Jan. 1893, page 2

Advt. National Defence League of SA. Mr Robert Hogarth will give a free address on the objects of the League in the Institute on 3 February.

Editorial on the National Scripture Education League.

The ideas were set forth in the lecture by Rev. Joseph Nicholson last Monday night. They want the Bible read in State Schools, using the Irish National Scripture Lessons Books as in NSW, because the means at present of providing elementary religious education are totally inadequate. For the sake of the nation and the children themselves. The editor approves of the aims.

2nd Leader is a response to the Mayor’s report printed on page 3. The editor points out that contrary to the Mayor’s ruling his report can be accepted or rejected, either in whole or in part, by the Council. His ruling such motions out of order was itself wrong.

Advt. At the Institute on 10 February. Sale of Superior Household Effects and Furniture, as Mr Jacka is leaving the town to take up Grayson’s Coffee Palace on North Terrace, Adelaide.

XV, 228, 25 Jan. 1893, page 3

Institute Committee Meeting on Thursday agreed to accept the offer from Miss Spence to give a lecture on Effective Voting. Mr J.A. Watt offered to get up four 6d concerts to aid the Institute funds.

Guards Band No. 2 left Burra on Wednesday for Terowie after playing in Market Square about 10 a.m. Collection taken up there for the Burra Hospital raised £2-3-0. They played outside Mr Vivian’s Commercial Hotel before going on to the Hospital to play for the patients.

Burra Hospital Board.

The Chairman reported that the proposed alterations for the porter’s family have not yet been carried out, but the skillion was in course of erection. A conversation with Mr West showed that the 20’ strip of land given by SAMA subsequent to the original grant was within the walls, but had not been conveyed and should the proposed grant of a further 66’ at the western end for purpose of erecting a new porter’s cottage be granted, the two lots could be conveyed at the same time for the one cost.

In 1892 the average daily number of patients was 32.

At present a small sanitary room is being erected at the eastern end of the main ward for a cost not to exceed £30. In June 1892 Miss Wincey was appointed Matron in place of Miss Lyford who resigned.

Guards Band No. 2 is very favourably reviewed. They played at different times and places: Killarney, The Grand Review, Chivotte (March), Home Sweet Home, Climbing up the Gospel Stairs, On the Rhyne, Trumpet & Major Lowly.

Sport Report.

F.D. Scott recently rode from Adelaide to Melbourne by bicycle, being the first to do so across the 90 Mile Desert. It took 115 hours 59 minutes. He also broke the record for distance in 24 hours: increasing it from 220 to 223 miles.

A 5-ball billiard tournament for amateurs was begun at the Burra Hotel (Proprietor, Mr J. McClusky) on 14 January. The first prize will be £5, 2nd £3, 3rd £2-10-0 and 4th a meerschaum pipe.

The committee for the proposed 50 mile bike race meets tonight at the Royal Exchange Hotel.

Burra Town Council, 16 January.

Report of W.T. Rabbich, Mayor. [Quoted as reprinted in the paper.]

[Words in italics were in italics originally and are as then printed.]

Gentlemen as a corporate body we are here at the instance of the confidence of the Ratepayers of this town and I am jealous of maintaining the honour and dignity of our position, when I read such unfair representations in the local press of our procedure in this Council. In the first place I wish to state that the report of our last meeting, as published in the Record of 11 January, was anything but a fair and impartial one, and the comments thereon as contained in the subleader of the same paper were a garbeled statement, and some of the remarks was false. In my report to you on that occasion I purposely made mention of several things re the action of the waterworks committee to expidite matters in getting the breakage of the machinary mended, that the ratepayers might see the committee were alive to their duties, but not a word was published for their information. A queston that was asked by Cr Hardy, no doubt because it had refference to matter published in the Record with comments thereon that were farfetchd, before the Council had seen it was made a big thing of by the Editor Cr Hardies Report as Chairman of Public Works, in which several matters of importance were reffered to was barely made mention of, besides which a good deal of the business transacted that night was not mentioned at all, Among other things mentioned in the subleader the writer says, ‘To get the water laid on again as soon as as possible, an extra man was engaged, to assist the engineer, and at the last meeting of the Council councillor “Hardy & Kitchener considered it just and fair that Mr Littlejohn should pay for the extra labour’ Such a statement as contained in the latter part of the above paragraph is false, The Councillors mentioned made no such requist, In the sub-leader the writer says ‘We are supprised at the stand the Mayor took with Cr Linkson, who was notallowed to speak because there was no motion before the chair; I would only mention here that such is consistent with the standing orders, He futher goes on to say ‘His Worship probably forget that he allowed other councillors to speak two or three times previously when then there was no motion before the chair. I must say in answer the writer, did not know what he was writeing about, or he would never have written and had published such a statement, For the councillors speaking previous to Cr Linkson being ruled out of order, were perfectly in order, and were in turn speaking to the queston occupying the attention of the Council, which queston was our agreement with the engineer, which was read for consideration at the instance of the Council, the minute Book of the corporation will prove such, Cr Linkson in then speaking, and imputing actions to the Council re their doings in getting the breakage at the works mended, which he afterward said when moving the Council be censured and which was foreign to the queston then being considered, was accordingly ruled out of order In his subleader the writer futher says ‘Of course this naturally annoyed Cr Linkson and he left the room when Cr Hardys motion was brought forward It was not likely he was going to vote for or against a motion, when he was not, allowed to give his opinion on it.’ The last sentence is a silly and untrue statement Councillor Linkson never attempted to speak to Cr Hardys, motion off course if he did it was is prevellige to do so and I could not have stoped him from speaking, nor would I have attempted to , as long as he kept to the queston. Among other things written and published in the same paper, certain advice is tendered to me re the studying of standing orders. Well Gentlemen it is always with pleasure that I accept advice, from those competent to give it, but from one whose IGNORANCE or incapacity for impartiallity the one or the other, as instanced in subleader in queston his presumptuous action, I shall treat with the contempt it deserves. I am here gentlemen, and I trust with yourselves having no objection to our actions as public men being fairly and squarly represented, If our actions in this chamber at any time are not consistent with that of Gentlemen, then we should not object to have them as such represented, But I shall certanly object to being falsely represented as in the last onstance of publishing the doings of this Council, and thereby wrongly held up to redicule merely to satisfy the spleen of the Editor of the Burra Record Gentlemen I am very sorry to have to make such a report. The truth of which I challange contradiction. The Minute book containing the result of our doings on the night in queston, which buisness as I have above stated was not published, will suffice to show I think any reasonable person that our actions were not as represented in the Burra Record of Jan 11

W.T. RABBICH MAYOR

[Important Note: as published, the footnotes appeared as interpolations in the text which interrupted the fine flow of the original. Considering the nature of the comments it is surprising that the editor appears to have been inconsistent in his use of square and round brackets to distinguish his interpolations from the text of the Mayor.]

[The detailed report of the Council proceedings reveals a rather chaotic meeting with a confusion of topics and apparently no very coherent chairmanship.]

Cr Parks moved that the town assessment for 1893 be adopted as the waterworks assessment for 1893 with such additions or alterations as may be required and that the water rate be the same as that of last year. (i.e. 3/- per 1,000 gallons up to the amount paid in rates and consumption in excess of the rating power be at 2/6 per 1,000 gallons.)

With respect to the Waterworks Cr Hardy moved: ‘That the three days extra labour be not paid by the Council’.

The Town Clerk pointed out that the last meeting of Council had passed payment to Mr Bartle. After some heated exchanges Cr Hardy then moved: ‘That the account stand over till next meeting.’ The Mayor refused to take the motion. Cr Kitchen tried to 2nd.

Cr Linkson then said that not being allowed to speak at the last meeting, he would do so now. During the time of the accident the engineer worked 20 hours and then the next day worked 16 hours. He always works 12, 14 and 16 hour days when a breakage occurs and to ask him to pay for extra labour is monstrous. If the meters did not require reading at that particular time no extra labour would have been needed.

Cr Parks agreed, saying Bartle’s account is correct and the Council should pay it. When the question was put it was supported by Hardy and Kitchen and against were Walsh, Linkson, West and Parks.

[It is hard to follow this given that the Mayor had not accepted the motion, which in any case would seem to require that an earlier motion be rescinded.]

Cr Hardy then threatened to call a meeting of ratepayers.

[The editor of the paper commented: ‘What rot!]

Obituary. George White has died. [Died 20 January 1893 aged 44.]

Mr Nicholas Opie, late of Burra, has been promoted to head teacher at Dawson School.

Mr W.B. Rounsevell has decided not to stand again at the next election. Mr Duncan will take his place.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 23 January

The Commissioner of railways has sent a plan and proposed works to which the Council agreed.

[This was in response to the Council’s objection to the obstruction placed in the Burra Creek, which presumably was placed there in October 1892.

See: XIV, 215, 26 Oct. 1892, page 3

Redruth Correspondent:

The siding to the ballast quarry has been laid down and an engine has been across for truckloads of metal so drays will no longer have to cart it to the station, but there is a large amount of stuff to be moved and drays will be engaged to do the work.]

XV, 229, 1 Feb. 1893, page 2-3

Editorial on the coming election.

XV, 229, 1 Feb. 1893, page 3

Mr C.A. Uhrlaub anticipates opening a German class at Mrs McLagan’s Burra High School.

The Burra Oxidentals will put on a show next week at Hallett. An evening of nigger songs and jokes etc and the laughable farce ‘Wax-in-ation Gratis’

Miss Mabel Dunstan daughter of Mr John Dunstan Jun. has shown talent as an artist at Broken Hill, though only 13. The family is late of Burra.

Obituary. A memorial service was held for the late George White at the Salvation Army Barracks on Sunday. He had been a prominent Army member of the town.

Railway Accident. Burra Railway Station last Thursday.

The midday train from Adelaide was derailed 100 yards north of the station when the engine and two carriages left the tracks at a set of points. The cause is thought to have been a stone in the points. No injuries were sustained and only minor damage to the train which continued after a delay of four hours.

Larrikinism. A member of the audience at the Albu Co. Concert on Friday evening writes to complain about rowdyism at the venue.

Hanson District Council is still referring to Hanson as Davies.

Court.

William Bennett was charged with setting fire to Mr Melrose’s paddock at Ulooloo on 18 Jan. and was committed for trial at Gladstone. [But see XV, 234, 8 Mar. 1893 where it is reported the charge was withdrawn.]

Fire. Last Friday there was a very destructive fire on the Booborowie estate. 1,000 acres of grass was destroyed. It started near the shepherd’s hut.

The Emerson-Albu Co. was not very successful in Burra.

W.B. Rounsevell has decided to contest the seat of Yorke’s Peninsula.

Bike Race. All interested in the 50 mile bike race are called to a meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel tomorrow night.

Adelaide Industrial Blind Performers will soon visit Burra.

Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

From the North 7.02 a.m. 7.07 a.m.

3.26 p.m. 3.31 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.49 a.m. 11.54 p.m.

7.48 p.m. 7.53 p.m.

XV, 230, 8 Feb. 1893, page 2

Advt. John Sampson, on instructions from Mr F.P. Jones late of the Bon Accord Hotel, will sell the whole of his household effects and furniture at Millerton on 15 February.

XV, 230, 8 Feb. 1893, page 3

Editorial on The Burra Mine

In 1888 Mr Frederick King representing a London Syndicate agreed to purchase the Burra Mine for £20,000, but on account of the fall in copper prices after the agreement was made he raised an objection. SAMA then sued for ‘specific performance of the contract’. On Friday last judgement was given in favour of SAMA and the balance of the purchase money is to be paid by 2 March 1893. It is too early to say what the ultimate result will be, but residents hope it will infuse new life into the Mine. The price of copper is low, but transport costs since 35 years ago have fallen from £1-5-8 per ton to 7/4 per ton for transport to Pt Adelaide. Dressing ore costs have also fallen. It is said the two dumps at the mine are 3% copper and if so at £40 per ton would be valued at £266,560. The mine would pay if properly opened up again and no doubt the new company when formed will do this.

Weather. It has been very hot. On Thursday it was 104°F in the shade.

Mr Wittber will be presented with a marble clock by pupils of the Burra School.

Ancient Order of Foresters is to open a lodge at Hallett.

Mr W. West is said to be going to resign from the Burra School Board of Advice after another member of the Board sent a scurrilous report about the Board to the Jamestown Review.

[Likely to have been W.H. Hardy.]

Accident. J. Sampson’s granddaughter lost the top of her second finger on the right hand and almost cut the third off on Wednesday in the cogs of a mangle she was turning. She is progressing favourably.

St Mary’s. We saw the plans for the new schoolroom on Thursday. It will measure 45’ x 25’ with three windows and a porch 8’ x 6’ with a belfry.

Miss Spence will give her popular lecture on Effective Voting at the Burra Institute on Wednesday 14 February.

A cow rushed out of the Burra Hotel yards on Saturday morning and charged all it encountered in a mad series of charges. It ‘went for’ a trolly, but did no damage. It finally chased a young man over the fence at St Mary’s and in doing so it fell heavily, breaking its back and was immediately removed and buried.

The Burra Mine.

About three years ago the mine was sold to a London Syndicate, represented by Mr Frederick King, for £20,000. A 10% deposit was paid at the London Westminster Bank, with the balance due on 13 March 1889. [Surely this makes it 4 years ago.] The falling copper price resulted in the syndicate trying to get out of the contract. The purchase was for the mine alone and not the rest of SAMA’s property. The capital of the company is at present £61,600, represented by 12,320 shares of £5 each fully paid. We should hear more of what is to be done after the 2 March when the balance is due to be paid.

Bicycle Race Meeting

An adjourned meeting at the Royal Exchange Hotel last Friday resolved to hold a fancy dress bicycle race at the Burra Oval to raise funds for the big race, due to be run on Easter Monday.

Burra School Board of Advice

The Board comprises:

W. West (Chairman)

A. Bartholomæus

W.H. Hardy

W.T. Rabbich

R.J. Daddow

It controls nine schools: Burra, Copperhouse, Hanson, Leighton, Booborowie, Baldina, Baldina Plains, Thistlebeds & World’s End Creek.

In August an inspection showed:

Copperhouse teacher was Thomas Nevin. There were 57 on the roll and 51 present.

Hanson teacher was Louisa Snell. There were 22 on the roll and 13 present.

Leighton teacher was O.C.E. Junge. There were 34 on the roll and 24 present.

At the end of 1892 Mr Wittber, head teacher at Burra, was transferred to Rose Park after seven years there. He was succeeded by Mr J.A. Kennedy.

The teacher’s accommodation at Leighton is very unsatisfactory.

(For 1892 the lack of a quorum prevented the Board from meeting till July, after which 8 meetings were held.)

R.J. Daddow, Primitive Methodist Minister, writes concerning a lecture by R. Hogarth calling for wine to be the most economic production for the Barossa Valley and for people to be compelled to grow wine grapes.

W. West writes a letter accusing W.H. Hardy of unjustifiably condemning the directors of the Burra Mine in the Advertiser. His statements referring to tribute pitches at the mine are untrue and calculated to convey a false impression. West says that for several years tribute pitches have been let to all respectable qualified miners who chose to apply – under the most liberal terms.

‘New Aberdeen’ also writes in response to Hardy’s column in the Advertiser on Monday. He says the company has always behaved honourably as have all its directors.

‘Mr Hardy, however, appears to me to wish to introduce the seeds of dissension and strife even in his remarks re the mine. I think it would do him good the change the policy he has pursued here for so many years to his infinite disadvantage, and try instead to scatter seeds of kindness and promote peace.’

National Defence League. Mr Hogarth gave an address on behalf of the League at the Burra Institute last Friday. It is reported in just over 1 column.

Burra Town Council

The Mayor asked for confirmation of the minutes of last meeting. Cr Linkson objected to the Mayor’s Report and wanted to know why he was ruled out of order.

The mayor said if a vote was not taken on the minutes he would adjourn the meeting.

Cr Linkson said the Mayor’s report was most untrue, though it was not possible to know if it was true or not in some respects as the Mayor took it away with him after the meeting.

The Mayor threatened to adjourn the meeting.

Cr Hardy said if three Councillors remained the meeting could be carried on.

Cr Linkson rose on a point of order.

The Mayor asked the Town Clerk if the minutes were correct.

He said yes.

The Mayor again called for a vote.

Cr Parks then said members of Council objected to the part of the Mayor’s report where he made reference to Cr Linkson. He said he had since looked up Standing Orders and thinks now the Mayor was wrong.

The Mayor: ‘I admit Cr Linkson had a right to speak.’

Cr Hardy then said he would move a resolution if the bickering went on.

Cr Linkson wondered who was Mayor.

Cr Walsh said he would vote against the adoption of the Mayor’s report.

Cr West said he would vote against too.

Cr Kitchen said they had to accept it tonight and then deal with objections by notice of motion.

Cr Parks asked if the report was just the same as at the last meeting.

The Mayor called for a vote.

Hardy and Kitchen voted for it.

Linkson, Walsh, West and Parks voted against.

The Mayor refused to withdraw any of his remarks and threatened to adjourn the meeting.

Cr Hardy again said that three could form a quorum and others could leave.

Cr Linkson said: ‘Who said we were going to leave the room?

Cr Walsh said the Mayor would not allow anyone to speak on his [the Mayor’s] report at the last Council meeting and that is why it has come on for discussion now.

The Mayor read part of Standing Orders and claimed that they had to receive his report.

Cr Linkson said: ‘It is not compulsory to receive the report.’

Cr Parks asked that the Mayor withdraw the remarks complained of.

The Mayor refused.

Cr Parks then said that to avoid an adjournment he would vote for the receiving of the report, but would also give notice that at the next meeting he would move that the remarks be expunged from the minute book.

The report was then received with Crs Parks, Kitchen & Hardy for and Crs West Walsh & Linkson opposed. The Mayor’s casting vote was for.

The Mayor then read his report.

Cr Hardy asked if communication had been received from SAR re the crossing at the Bon Accord. No, it had not.

Cr Kitchen then asked if the report of the last Council meeting in the Record was considered by the Mayor to be true and correct.

The Mayor said he thought it to be anything but a fair one and it included several misstatements.

Cr Parks then asked if the Mayor considered it his duty to attend committee meetings.

The Mayor said he did and apologised for missing one, having not looked at the bottom of the notice.

Various other matters of a routine nature are then reported.

Cr West disagreed with work to be done, but the Public Works Report was eventually adopted.

Waterworks business of the normal sort was transacted and then Cr Kitchen asked if the engineer was allowed to leave the engine while it was working.

The Mayor asked what distance.

Cr Kitchen said 200 yards.

The Mayor did not think so and asked Mr Littlejohn if he did such a thing.

He said he never left the engine for 200 or 300 yards without someone in attendance.

Cr Hardy then asked if it was in order for the engineer to go to the Bon Accord Hotel while the engine was in full swing.

Cr Kitchen said a ratepayer had told him about it.

Cr Parks, as Chairman of the Waterworks Committee, moved that Cr Kitchen be asked to produce substantial evidence in the charge against the engineer. Cr Walsh 2nd.

Cr Kitchen said he would do so if the party who told him was willing for his name to be divulged, otherwise they would have to accept the engineer’s denial.

Cr Linkson said that several complaints had been made to him, but he said nothing, as the parties concerned were not prepared to have their names mentioned.

The Mayor considered the charge so serious that if proved the engineer would be severely reprimanded, if not discharged. He hoped the engineer would substantiate his own remarks.

The motion was carried.

Sparks

Bread 3d a loaf

XV, 231, 15 Feb. 1893, page 2

Advt. Blind Performers Grand Concert 20 February. String Band & Choir. 2/- & 1/-.

Advt. Kooringa Bible Christian Anniversary, 19 February. Rev. Thomas to preach. At 3 p.m. the pathetic and popular Service of Song: Eva. Tea meeting 20 Feb. 5.30 p.m.

Advt. Tenders called for the erection of a schoolroom near St Mary’s.

Editorial. The writer regrets the tendency of committees and such to fall out has spread from the Town Council to the School Board of Advice, with Mr West’s resignation from that body. ‘We need not reproduce the facts, for they are widely known.’

After referring to earlier Town Council meetings, including the one with the Mayor’s report of 16 January and the Mayor’s refusal to accept any motion on its being received or not, the editor goes on to say that since then standing orders seem to be things of the past.

At a meeting on 6 February the Mayor did consent to take a motion for or against the report. Is not this an inconsistency? On 6 February Cr Linkson said the report was not true and he would not vote for it at any price. Three other Councillors pointed out that His Worship’s report was not correct and finally voted against it.

‘We cannot alter anything in the minutes’ said His Worship – true – so why did he allow Cr Hardy to alter a question on 4 January in reference to the Waterworks?

XV, 231, 15 Feb. 1893, page 3

Burra Town Council

At the last meeting of Council the Mayor read a clause from Standing Orders that he termed the ‘new ones’. But the Standing Orders, Rules and Regulations of the Corporation date from Monday August 21 1882 and to be changed they need to be altered in accordance with the Municipal Corporations Act 1890 and to be published in the Government Gazette. There are no new Standing Orders.

Queensland Relief Fund. A meeting will be held on 17 February in the Institute to establish a fund to aid those affected by the recent floods.

Burra Institute Committee. Mr Holder will be in Melbourne on 15 February so will be unable to chair Miss Spence’s lecture. Dr Brummitt will preside. The attention of police will be drawn to the behaviour of larrikins at concerts.

Burra Mine.

The Mount Barker paper reporter considers that the purchasers of the Burra Mine got a bargain as it has only been worked to 450 feet in a confined area of 18 acres. More should lie beyond the length and breadth worked. The Kangarilla mine was sold in England for £60,000.

Burra Town Council.

On 6 February Cr Kitchen asked if it was all right for the Waterworks engineer, Mr Littlejohn, to go across to the Bon Accord Hotel while the engine was in motion.

Cr Parks said if a charge was made it should be substantiated instead of asking such a question.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry. SAR is now using a new ballast plough to spread the ballast that is dropped automatically from hopper trucks. At present about 40 men are employed in raising ballast at the quarry with 30-40 hopper trucks being used to shift it.

Letter warning against rushing into the ‘New Australia’ experiment in Paraguay.

Letter supporting Cr Hardy’s suggestion that only three Councillors are needed to expedite town affairs. The writer suggests they be Crs Walsh, Parks, Linkson and West – with one of them to be the Mayor.

Rev. Daddow writes on Mr Hogarth’s lecture pointing out that the productive use of the land in terms of generating income is not necessarily a moral use of land. See the land clearance in Scotland and Ireland. Rev. Daddow would also suggest the growing of the grape as an example.

Burra’s Jolly Oxidentals had only a moderate audience at Hallett Institute.

The Program: Mulligan Guards (Company)

Climb up ye chillun (Tambo: W. Ewins)

Carry me Back to Old Virginny (W.B. Page)

I Had Fifteen Dollars (K. Ewins)

I’ Wander Back Again (W. Windschied)

Dar’s a lock on the chicken coop door (Tambo)

The Hen Convention (Bones: E.F. Lockyer)

Interval

Original piano composition (A.C. Noyes)

Sweet and Low (Page, Wayland,

Tomkinson & Windschied)

I’ve Worked Eight hours (W. Ewins)

Brannigan (W. Ewins)

The Farce: Wax-in-ation Gratis

Mr Holder will be present at his election committee meeting on 21 February.

Cricket. The Burra Junior Club went to Manoora recently where:

Burra 26 & 68 (94) defeated Manoora 59 & 32 (91)

Aberdeen defeated the Quarrymen last Saturday by 101 runs.

The week before Aberdeen went to Manoora and lost by 8 wickets:

Manoora 97, Aberdeen 18 & followed on to get 102 and then Manoora got the winning runs with 8 wickets in hand.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Harvest Thanksgiving services 12 & 13 February. Rev. R.J. Daddow and Mr George Hoult of Adelaide preached to large congregations.

Sunday afternoon Mr Hoult went to preach at Iron Mine Church and again was there in the evening for the annual temperance service. Miss J. Fairchild presiding at the organ.

On 5 & 6 Feb. there were harvest Festival services at Hacklin’s Corner.

Queensland Floods. On 8 February floods affected Brisbane. The river is estimated to have swept away 500 houses. 100 horses were counted in the space of one hour. In Stanley St water was 30’ deep. Gympie was badly hit too. At least a dozen Brisbane firms have lost over £10,000 each and Scott, Dawson & Stewart £20-25,000.

[The death toll is not stated.]

Fancy Dress Tournament at the oval last night. [The next issue makes it clear this was organised by the Burra Accidental Bicycle Club which was putting on the 50 mile race.]

F.W. Holder’s supporters met at the Institute last Friday night.

XV, 231, 15 Feb. 1893, Supplement [1⁄4 sheet]

‘By Zeekui’ ‘Exceed not your duty.’

A Biblical style allegory on the Burra Council activities of late.

XV, 232, 22 Feb. 1893, page 2

Burra Racing Club has called a meeting at the Commercial Hotel on 8 March to decide to either arrange a meeting, or to wind up the club.

Mr W. Pearce Jun. will today take Mr Wittber’s presentation clock to him at Rose Park.

Fire. A haystack of c. 100 tons was burnt at Mrs Grace Camp’s farm at Springbank on Sunday night. There will be an inquest next Friday.

A Queensland Flood Relief Fund has been set up with a committee headed by G. Parks.

The Blind Performers presented a first class program last night at a concert presided over by Dr Sangster.

Kooringa Bible Christian Anniversary was celebrated last Sunday & Monday. Rev. R.C. Yeoman was too ill to take part.

Burra Town Council.

Tenders for road metal were awarded to:

T. Herschausen, F.C. Allan, R. Cox and W. Williams for the north end.

For the south end to: J. Rosewall, T. Rosewall, A.H. Moore, Bruse & Lally.

C. Rawlings won the tender for firewood for the Waterworks:

50 tons in 5’ lengths at 7/6 a ton.

25 tons in 2’ lengths at 9/6 a ton.

Industrial School for the Blind

A Fair is to be held in Adelaide next August at the Exhibition Building to raise money for the Blind Industrial School. It aims to raise £2,000. A Burra Committee has been set up comprising Mrs T. Sandland, President; Mrs Sangster, Vice-President; Mrs J. Drew, Treasurer; Mrs J.C. Sandland, Secretary and committee members, Mesdames P.L. Killicoat, W.T. Rabbich, A.G. King, R. Austin, J.M. McBride, W.G. Hawkes, W. McBride, R. McBride, and the Misses Josling, Pearce, O’Leary, McBride, Wincey, Cave, Lockyer, and Rumball. [Was the last named Lucy Rumball?]

Burra Town Council, 16 February.

There was big public interest and the chamber was crowded. A warm meeting followed.

The mayor’s report was to have been expunged from the minutes on notice of motion from Cr G. Parks. This lapsed to allow the matter to be dealt with in another way.

Subsequently standing orders were suspended and Cr Parks moved: ‘That the Mayor’s Report as entered in the minute book of January 16 be now expunged.’

The Mayor refused to take the motion and declared it informal.

Cr Parks afterwards handed the Town Clerk the following notice: ‘That a call of the whole Council be made on Monday, March 6, 1893 at 8 o’clock, for the purpose of expunging the mayor’s report as entered in the minute book of January 16 1893.’

Rev. Daddow wrote again on Mr Hogarth’s lecture and subsequent letter.

The Burra Accidental Bicycle Club held a fancy dress tournament at the Burra Oval on 14 February. The night was dark and unsuitable, but 4-500 came anyway and enjoyed themselves. £5 was taken towards promoting the 50 mile race on Easter Monday. There was a one mile fancy dress handicap and a series of other events including a quarter mile slow race. The Burra Band attended.

A Rifle Match is to be fired today for a £6 prize presented by Mrs Dawes. (Men must be in uniform.)

Two Polo Matches will be played on Saturday at Burra, between Mt Crawford and Burra. Burra Team 1: E. Bowman, C.W. Bowman, H. Bowman & W.A. Murray.

Burra Team 2: A. Gebhardt, C. Gebhardt, W.G. Hawkes, F.W. Whyte.

Election Campaign. G.H. Lake’s supporters met at the Institute last Friday night.

Mr Thomas Pascoe of Terowie, another candidate, visited on Wednesday.

Theft. Someone has stolen the collection box from the Burra Hospital.

Rev. Daddow’s address in his church on 13 February in reply to Mr Hogarth’s lecture on the National Defence League is summarised.

The planks of the NDL are too narrow for most of the population. Daddow said the NDL owed more to personal considerations than to national interests. It claimed its platform to be broad, but in fact it was very narrow. Daddow believed the times were critical and the future depended on the wealthy sharing their wealth with the toilers: the wealth was produced by the land and labour. Reformers were very necessary and possible and ‘any man who honestly attempted in an intelligent way to bring about the necessary reforms was to be commended even if he did belong to the Trades and Labor Council.’ Hogarth denigrated the Trades and Labor Council because its members disagreed about principles, but Daddow thought that if the NDL was dynamic and progressive it would also be true of them. The Snowtown branch of the NDL for instance opposed all forms of progressive taxation and was for the indefinite postponement of federation. How could members of the NDL agree with this and then say Advance Australia? National reformers in the NDL ranks were few. The NDL was like the spider and the fly: pretending to be the farmers’ friend, but the friends of the NDL had shut up the best land so the sons of farmers had to leave the colony or take up the dry country. As to capital and capitalists – he didn’t think either was very patriotic. Hogarth said wealth had got into private hands and we had to accept the condition. But much had got there through capitalists taking more than their fair share of the wealth produced by labour. Is it right it should remain there? Is there to be no redress for the sufferer?

XV, 232, 22 Feb. 1893, page 3

Miss Spence’s Lecture on Effective Voting, last Wednesday at the Institute.

She received her first lesson in politics from her mother, who died five years ago, aged 97. She remembered the agitation in England in 1832 over the Reform Bill. Excellent as Mr Boothby’s ballot was in giving absolute privacy it did not protect minorities and the truth is not always got by counting heads – sometimes great reforms start with a single mind. Proper representation would educate voters, cut bribery and corruption, and diminish mischievous effects of class and local interests. Equal representation was needed. She had waited for a man to come forth, but none had. Over thirty years ago she had published a plea for pure democracy – the system advocated by Thomas Hare. Effective voting was not only just and equitable, but also practicable.

The meeting held a test election.

Each person was asked to place a figure in the space opposite the name of the candidate he or she preferred, to vote for not more than six of the twelve and to indicate the order of preference by numbers.

Burra Town Council, 16 February.

The purpose was to hear the result of the committee investigating the charge against the Waterworks engineer, Mr Littlejohn. After discussion it was decided to meet in open session and hear witnesses and not to receive written reports of it.

M. Williams had seen Littlejohn coming from the Bon Accord on 30 December.

Littlejohn said, even if true it did not follow he had been drinking there and whenever he left the works, as his business compelled him to go anywhere and everywhere, he always shuts off steam and leaves the engine secure.

An argument over procedural matters followed.

Basically Crs Linkson & West objected to receiving written testimony since Littlejohn denied some of the content and would be unable to question the testee.

Littlejohn denied that the engine was working at the time he was using the crossing, because he had been reading a meter at the station (sometimes he goes through the fence and sometimes over the crossing) – there were other details and then the question: Will you swear now that you never left the engine while it was working?

On my oath I will swear I have not at any time left the engine while it was working.

Littlejohn swore he was not at the Bon Accord between 2 and 4 on 30 December.

Mr Morton swore he had not known Littlejohn to leave the engine running.

Mr Rule said the same: he said the engine was not running between 2 and 5 o’clock – steam was only got up after 5.

Crs Hardy and Kitchen then tried to have the written evidence received. After argument Cr Hardy moved the Council adjourn so that Messrs Hunt and Preece could attend.

Meeting reconvened 20 February.

[This is printed as Jan. 23 and corrected by hand, in pencil, on the bound copy.]

Mr Hunt said that Littlejohn had once stated he had only left the works on two occasions to go to the Bon Accord for tobacco and matches – he could not say of anyone was in charge or not – told this in January – couldn’t be sure of the date – he understood Littlejohn to have meant while the engine was in motion.

Mr Preece said the day he went to the station he had met Mr Littlejohn coming from the crossing – he could not give a date.

Cr Parks moved that the Council take no further action in the matter in reference to the statements made by Councillor Kitchen against the engineer. Cr Kitchen 2nd.

Crs Hardy, Kitchen and Parks for.

Crs Walsh, West, and Linkson against.

The Mayor cast his vote for

Cr Linkson moved that the evidence brought before this Council does not substantiate the charges laid against the engineer. Cr Walsh 2nd.

For, Crs Linkson, Walsh and West.

Against, Crs Parks Kitchen and Hardy.

The Mayor cast his vote against.

[The Mayor thus voted that no further action be taken, but would not agree that the charges were unsubstantiated, which seems a somewhat odd position to adopt.]

Cricket. Last Saturday, Aberdeen 114 defeated Quarrymen 106.

XV, 233, 1 Mar. 1893, page 2

Fire. A second haystack has burnt at Springbank. On Sunday 26 February at 6.30 a.m. a haystack and shed at Mr John Bagg’s farm burnt and threatened the house occupied by Mr Radford. The stack was uninsured.

Larrikinism. Someone pipe-tailed a cow on Friday night about 1 a.m. near the Kingston St Bridge. The frightened cow caused considerable noise at the Kooringa Hotel before adjourning to Cemetery Flat. Obviously disappointed that not as much disturbance resulted as hoped for, the person then activated the fire whistle at Henderson’s and an army of young men soon assembled. This is an unfortunate prank as it is likely to reduce the turnout for a genuine fire. The whistle will in future be locked.

Court. People continue to be fined for owning straying cattle.

XV, 233, 1 Mar. 1893, page 2-3

Mr Holder met his committee Thursday night at the Institute. A large group had assembled without any asking from Holder. There are also committees of support for him at Jamestown, Terowie, Saddleworth, Manoora and elsewhere. At Renmark where there are 200 electors he would have difficulty getting there during the campaign. He will visit them before the election is formally announced. He was not running with any other candidate and his supporters could place their second vote where they liked. He considered himself between the National Defence League on one hand and the Labor Party on the other as a democrat who believed in liberal legislation which would benefit the whole of SA.

XV, 233, 1 Mar. 1893, page 3

Rev. Daddow writes pointing out how parties under Miss Spence’s ‘effective voting’ could maximise their desires by astute exchange of preferences.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry. Work was suddenly suspended last Thursday, probably till next July. Money has been voted to upgrade the line to Terowie and it was not all yet done. A deputation to Mr Holder asked him to seek the continuation of work approved by his Government and now stopped by the Downer Government. Holder said he would take it up with the Commissioner. The move throws c. 100 out of work.

Bike Race. A meeting was held at the Royal Exchange Hotel on Monday to organise the Easter Monday bike races. G. Parks took the chair. The main event will now be a 20 mile race for ordinary high machines: 1st £12, 2nd £5, 3rd £2 and 4th £1.

Rifle Match. Mrs J.H. Dawe’s prize of £6 was fired for at the Burra Range on Wednesday afternoon and the best score came from Sgt-Major Blott with 76.

Inquest on Tuesday into the loss by fire of Mrs Camp’s haystack at Springbank on 19 February. W.R. Ridgway, coroner.

[The evidence is rather hard to follow and the following family tree deduced from the evidence may assist a researcher.]

Evidence was taken from all the residents of the farm and from witnesses who saw the fire – one at the Aberdeen Quarry and one at Copperhouse. The jury ultimately decided it was probably set by person or persons unknown.

Mrs Grace Camp

Elliott Camp Frank Camp Henry Camp Mrs Short

Farmer slept in the barn slept in the barn of Hampton

Of Copperhouse with

Alfred Cope

Also John McNamara, labourer and two brothers

The business was managed by Mrs Camp and George Camp [another son].

Burra Town Council

Cr Parks moved the Mayor’s report of 16 January be expunged as it is ‘nothing to do with the Council or the ratepayers . . . as it was purely an attack on the editor of the Burra Record.’ Its subsequent publication was unfortunate, but the Mayor had asked, or virtually demanded that. 2nd Cr West.

The mayor refused to accept the motion. Dissent followed and a warm discussion. The Mayor continued to refuse to deal with the matter.

Cr Parks eventually handed the Clerk the motion as previously reported, calling for a call of the whole Council on 6 March.

Queensland Relief Fund stands at £6,000.

[Clearly not the local fund, but it is not clear whether this is the Australian total or the SA total.]

Obituary. Frank Ewins, third son of C.H. Ewins, died on Tuesday after a very short illness. [In XV, 234, 8 Mar. 1893, page 2, his age is given as 16.] [Frank Alfred Ernest Ewins died 28 February 1893: birth not registered in SA.]

Polo. About 500 spectators went to the two matches against Mt Crawford. Many ladies attended and there were refreshment booths. The matches were of four 28 minute quarters.

Mt Crawford 1st Team, 3, defeated Burra 1st Team, 1.

Mt Crawford Jun. Team, 4 defeated Burra Jun. Team, 1.

XV, 234, 8 Mar. 1893, page 2

Obituary. Lilian Davey, only child of W.J. & E.L.J. Davey, died on 28 February, aged 3 months. [Birth registered as Lilian Jenkin-Davey 2 November 1892.]

Advt. Burra Juvenile MUIOOF will hold a Fruit Social in the Lodge Room on 9 March.

Notice. Cr George Parks publishes notice that despite the Mayor asserting The Record’s report of Burra Corporation in issue of 1 March contains errors he says it is ‘true in every particular’. Parks is joined in this by W.C.L. West, Thomas Walsh and W.H. Linkson.

Editorial. At the meeting of the Burra Council on 6 March four of the six Councillors refused to allow business to proceed until the Mayor’s report had been expunged. Utter confusion then prevailed. The Mayor left the chair which was taken by Cr Linkson. Crs Parks, Walsh and West then completed the business of the Council, but no cheques were signed.

Cr Walsh asked the Mayor: ‘Will Your Worship supply me with a copy of the new standing orders for my guidance in this Council?’

‘We have none.’ Said the Mayor.

This is strange because in January he had said he would read a clause from the new standing orders. These so-called new standing orders turned out to be the property of the Adelaide Corporation.

An extraordinary special meeting of Council has since been called and dealt with financial matters.

XV, 234, 8 Mar. 1893, page 3

Election Matters. Mr G. H. Lake met his supporters at the Burra Institute last Friday evening.

Burra Town Council, 6 March.

The meeting of the Council is reported at length: running to 21⁄2 columns, but it is unedifying and generally summed up by the editorial.

Though there was a great deal of dissention over the Mayor’s report as already noted, there was also unedifying squabbling over other relatively trivial matters such as who would water the trees and who would get paid for it.

Cr Kitchen submitted his resignation which was accepted and the fines pertaining to the move were waived.

[A presentation from Lodge members reported in XV, 237, 29 Mar. 1893 page 3, suggest he was leaving the town and the quarterly meeting of the Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit confirms he was moving to Adelaide, see XV, 238, 5 Apr. 1893, page 2.]

Nominations for the vacancy to be gazetted on 20 March.

The Mayor’s report at this meeting included an attack on Cr Parks which could not be reported because the Mayor ‘collared it after the meeting and pocketed it.’

William Bennett, the young man charged with setting fire to Mr Melrose’s grass at Ulooloo has been let off and two Williams brothers are now charged with the offence.

Church Changes.

Rev. R.M. Hunter (Wesleyan) has been appointed to Archer St, North Adelaide.

Rev. R.S. Casey will replace Rev. Hunter at Kooringa.

Rev. J. Hopkins remains at Aberdeen.

Rev. R.J. Daddow, (Primitive Methodist) is to go to Broken Hill in about three weeks.

Rev. H.J. Parkinson will replace Rev. Daddow here.

Rev. R.C. Yeoman (Bible Christian) stays at Burra.

Rev. E.J. Piper who has been a short time at the Kooringa Bible Christian Church is to go to China. [Was he there because Rev. Yeoman was ill?]

XV, 235, 15 Mar. 1893, page 2

Advt. Salvation Army, 29 & 20 March, Rescue Demonstration and coffee supper on Saturday night.

Advt. Easter Monday, 3 April, Bicycle Races at the Burra Oval.

W.H. Linkson, Hon. Sec. Burra Bicycle Club.

Editorial. There is a short editorial expressing amazement at the antics of the Mayor.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Next Sunday evening Rev. R.J. Daddow will give an address at the church on A Screw Loose, a talk on the social questions of the day. This is a last chance to hear this speaker who has won such a reputation for his expositions on social matters.

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting, 7 March.

This was needed to deal with the pay sheet which had not been dealt with amid the chaos at the end of the previous meeting.

Cr Parks asked the Mayor if it were legal to deal with a matter that had been adjourned to the 20 March. He said it was, but many ratepayers protested at this dealing with ordinary business at an extraordinary meeting.

Institute Committee met on 13 March under the President, Mr Williams, and decided to hold a Chrysanthemum Show (and other flowers) on the Wednesday following the Adelaide Show.

XV, 235, 15 Mar. 1893, page 2-3

Letter from Rev. R.J. Daddow warning electors that the National Defence League is attempting to have some persons’ names removed from the electoral roll. Two or three individuals are doing so in the east and west of Adelaide. They claim to be purging the rolls of dead and absent voters. They are trying to get removed the names of labouring men who have to go away to get work even if the family remains. Why not try the same for wealthy squatters who are often away for weeks at a time? Because, of course, he is a member of the National Defence League. Watch Out.

XV, 235, 15 Mar. 1893, page 3

Cricket at Aberdeen last Saturday. Aberdeen 118 defeated Quarrymen 97.

Queensland Floods. Heavy rain continues in Queensland.

But in fact the whole article that follows deals with NSW with references to the Hunter River, and the towns of Maitland and Muswellbrook.

Juvenile MUIOOF Annual Social at the Institute last Thursday.

The history of the lodge is reviewed in the report of the secretary, Mr W. Davey. The Juvenile Lodge opened on 6 December 1888 and since then 57 have been admitted, 4 have transferred to the adult lodge and 1 to Albert Lodge, North Adelaide and 5 have dropped out, leaving 47 members.

Burra Racing Club met at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday 8 March with W.H. Linkson in the chair. It was decided to hold a race meeting on a date to be named. The club held £42-6-8 and had 50 members at £1-1-0 each. They elected: T.F. Robertson, Secretary; P.L. Killicoat, President; and Messrs A. McCulloch and W.A. Murray as Patrons.

Mr George Butterworth is to leave Burra.

Court.

Charles and William Williams were charged with setting fire to Mr Melrose’s paddocks at Ulooloo on 18 January. Evidence was tendered that they prevailed on [William] Bennett, the main witness, to set fire to a paddock of wheat, but he thought that too tough and set the grass alight. He was also to poison the stud sheep with strychnine in two water tanks. The troughs are often used by travellers too as they are near a road. Bennett did not undertake this. They were committed to trial and bailed for £100 and two sureties of £100 each.

Advt. F.W. Holder will address electors at the Institute on 23 or 24 March.

Advt. Grand Concert in aid of the Queensland Relief Fund, in the Institute shortly.

2/- & 1/-.

XV, 236, 22 Mar. 1893, page 2

Advt. Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary, Picnic Good Friday at the Koonoona Estate, Services Sunday, Tea on Monday.

Advt. Cricket on Good Friday. Medindie (Adelaide) will play Burra at Burra Oval, with the Adelaide Military Band.

Advt. Queensland Flood Relief Concert at the Institute on 24 March.

Advt. Nominations for Councillor to replace Thomas Kitchen.

Alexander Harris and August Miller. Election on 27 March.

Advt. Moore’s Steam Fanque is in the Commercial Hotel Yards till Easter Monday and will play the most popular tunes nightly. [I have not been able to trace the word ‘fanque’.]

Advt. Annual Meeting of the Burra Mounted Rifles at the Commercial Hotel, 27 March.

Advt. Talk by C.R. Fenwick JP of WA at the Commercial Hotel on 27 March on the resources of the Colony of WA.

XV, 236, 22 Mar. 1893, page 3

Concert, Good Friday Night in the Institute by Members of the 3rd Regiment Military Band.

Obituary. Lewis Oppermann, son of C. Oppermann of Redruth, has committed suicide at South Broken Hill by shooting himself in the head. [Born Carl August Ludwig Oppermann 26 November 1865.]

G. Butterworth was given a farewell social on Wednesday night in the Wesleyan Schoolroom at Redruth. He has been church organist for some time and a noted vocalist. He was elected captain of the Volunteer Co. some years ago and held the position until it was disbanded a few months ago. In 1889 he was a member of the Town Council for North Ward. He was the head clerk of his father’s mill at Aberdeen.

Letter to the editor about Council business: generally condemning the absurd actions of the Mayor.

Polo. On Saturday Burra 5 defeated Adelaide 3.

Burra team: E. Bowman, C. Bowman, W. Bowman, H. Bowman, & W. Murray.

Adelaide team: T. Barr Smith, G. Bagot, F. Downer & A. Wood.

Inquest into the burning on 16 March of two haystacks of G.A. Gebhardt at Mackerode. The result was insufficient evidence to prove the origin of the fire, but the jury were of the opinion that it was probably caused accidentally by Walter Fraser while he was at work in the field.

Messrs Holder & Lake addressed an election meeting at Renmark on 20 March.

Burra Town Council, 20 March.

A deputation with S. Hill as spokesman waited on the Council re unemployment in the town.

Mr Holder has reported that he has seen the Commissioner of Public Works and has as yet received no reply, but does not think the reopening of the Ballast Quarry is likely at present.

Cr Linkson said there were 67 men out of work in North Ward. He moved that a deputation wait on the Government this week. 2nd Cr Walsh and carried.

Cr Linkson said anyone who agreed to go must pay his own expenses.

Amid a deal of squabbling the Council moved to employ some men clearing out watertables on main roads.

Cr Linkson moved 12 men be so employed. Carried

Cr Parks’s motion for a call of the whole Council was then brought forward and again the Mayor ruled it out.

Cr Parks said that last time it was deemed informal. It is formal this time – still the Mayor would not entertain it.

There followed a series of heated exchanges over the capricious way the Mayor accepted or rejected motions and ignored by-laws when it suited him.

Cr Linkson then moved the Council adjourn as the Mayor refuses to go on with the business. Cr Parks 2nd.

The Mayor refused the motion.

The Councillors left.

Rev. Daddow’s address A Screw Loose! Where? is summarised. There were many screws loose in society, but this address considered those in the body politic.

There was a large industrial army standing idle.

The state was in a strained and unsatisfactory financial condition.

There was a depression of trade and a large amount of poverty.

Some said class dissatisfaction was the cause, but it was a symptom or effect not the cause. The problems have been due to many causes, but speculation in land was one – too many were trying to live on the toiler – to get rich without contributing. What is needed is a more just distribution of wealth, an absence of demoralizing competition and shorter hours of toil.

XV, 237, 29 Mar. 1893, page 2

Advt. Burra Literary Soc. Opening of the New Session on 7 April.

The society’s fifth year opens at Mrs Reed’s Redruth.

Thomas Nevin, Hon. Sec.

XV, 237, 29 Mar. 1893, page 3

Queensland Relief Concert did not attract a large audience, but the performances were much appreciated.

Rev. R. Daddow writes suggesting that the claims of candidates Pascoe and Duncan to be independent are doubtful: each of them having admitted to Daddow that he would withdraw in favour of the other if desired to do so by the National Defence League.

Election Meeting in Institute, Thursday night last.

F.W. Holder, Leader of the Opposition, was received with deafening cheers.

He understood that his Government had fallen for not making sufficient allowance for losses due to the Broken Hill strike. All would have been OK if the strike had ended in August when he made his budget speech, but it went on. What was needed now was enterprise and energy. He thanked the NDL for stirring up voters to do their duty. Of their 10 planks he could support 2 or 3 and the Trades and Labor Council’s policies were hardly suitable. The Government policy was one of negation and indecision. There were no new policies. The depression was not due to lack of confidence, but to world-wide low prices of produce. To make the same as 15 years ago we have to sell twice as much wool, wheat and copper. He thought prices would soon rise. We should not come to rely on Broken Hill traffic too much. Too much was spent on naval and military defence; he did not mean volunteers, who earned what little they got. Last year the income tax increased 50% and the Government meant this to be permanent. He agreed with this. A progressive tax fell on those who could afford to pay a higher %. Those with incomes under £200 should be exempt. Those between £200 and £500 should pay 3d in the £, those between £500 and £1,000 should pay 4d in the £ and above should pay more. He still advocated a progressive land tax and progressive succession duties. Qualifications for the Legislative Council should be lowered. He supported female franchise. Free trade between the colonies would almost certainly have to await federation. He opposed Bible reading in State Schools: he didn’t think it enough to put a religious test on State School teachers.

Mr Lake:

He had been returned for Burra three years ago. While he felt the Parliament had done some good, the truth was too many members had different policies. He opposed the Licensed Victuallers Act and the Happy Valley Water Works (on cost). Much money was wasted on Royal Commissions. He now supported a progressive land tax, favoured water conservation and limiting election expenses. He supported federation and found strikes barbarous.

Mr J.S. Ianson, who has announced his candidacy, has withdrawn from the race.

Election Meeting: Saturday night it was the turn of Messrs Duncan and Pascoe.

Mr Duncan:

He declared he was an independent in favour of the Government purchasing workingmen’s blocks near centres of population where other work could be got. He favoured water conservation. He wanted no more railways unless clearly profitable. Free trade must come before federation. He supported a Conciliation Bill to prevent strikes. Payment for MPs should end. He opposed Royal Commissions and Select Committees. He also opposed a progressive land tax.

Mr Pascoe:

He did not support a progressive land tax, but favoured a wealth tax. He supported Intercolonial free trade and believed it would lead to federation. He was not in favour of local option. He was for the eight-hour system and was an independent candidate. He was for payment of MPs.

Both candidates favoured free education and Duncan would extend the franchise to widows and [female] owners of property.

Obituary and Inquest.

An inquest was held on 27 March into the death of Henry Edwards, driver of the No. 9 down train from Adelaide as a result of an accident at Hallett on 25 March. He fell off the locomotive and under the wheels of a truck in the station yard. He died in hospital about a quarter of an hour after being admitted. The jury found that death was entirely accidental and no blame whatever attached to anyone. [Died 25 March 1893 aged 34.]

Cricket. Last Wednesday at Mt Bryan Burra played Mt Bryan & Hallett combined 14.

The combined team won by 3 runs with 12 wickets to spare. [sic]

Burra 68 & 45 (113) Mt Bryan-Hallett 101 & 2 for 13. (114) [How is this a win by 3?]

Mr T. Kitchen was given a presentation at the Burra Institute Lodge Room on behalf of the Lily of the Valley Tent for services rendered, on the eve of his departure.

XV, 238, 5 Apr. 1893, page 2

Advt. Second Term at Burra High School, Frances McLagan, Principal, will begin on Monday 10 April.

Advt. Second Term for Mr E.M. Bennett’s School in Kangaroo St will begin on Friday 14 April.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Rev. Daddow’s farewell sermon will be preached on 9 April with a public tea on Monday.

Queensland Flood Relief Fund has raised over £60 in Burra which will be forwarded to the Mayor of Adelaide at once.

Burra Brass Band played in front of the Record office on Saturday night with refreshments at the office and success to the paper and its proprietors was drunk in bumpers.

Billiard Tournament at the Burra Hotel for the last three months was concluded on Friday last with T.P. Halls winning the £5 for 1st prize with S. Moore getting the 2nd prize of £3, F.W. Whyte won the 3rd prize of £1-10-0 and McMillan got the meerschaum pipe for coming 4th.

Weather. Good Friday was wet and disagreeable rendering the amusements provided almost a failure.

St Mary’s. A large chancel window has just arrived from England on order of the family of the late Mr & Mrs A. McCulloch. It will be dedicated next Saturday morning at 11 o’clock when the Venerable Archdeacon Dove will officiate. The window features: The Crucifixion, The Blessed Virgin Mary and St John.

Redruth Court, Wednesday 29 March. ‘A Very Amusing Case.’

W.H. Hardy charged W.J. Davey, proprietor of the Burra Record, with libel, damages being assessed at £19-19-0. The case took 71⁄2 hours and the plaintiff was severely cross examined for 41⁄2 hours by Mr J.H. Symon QC whose summing up took 2 hours 10 minutes. The rest of the time was taken by the evidence of W.T. Rabbich for the plaintiff and the summing up of Mr H.R. Hill. In the end the case was declared a non suit without costs.

Business in the town was practically suspended and visitors came from far and near.

[The report runs for 61⁄2 columns in this issue and at similar length in the next two.]

H.R. Hill appeared for the plaintiff and J.H. Symon QC for the defendant.

Mr Hill said his client had originally intended to sue on eight counts, but would now abandon Section F as it was really a private matter and he doubted if the words applied to him.

The charges related to material printed in the Burra Record and alleged that Davey published statements that:

Implied misconduct by Hardy as a Councillor.

Suggested Hardy had a want of qualifications and skill as a newspaper correspondent.

Suggested Hardy had qualities and conduct disparaging to him resulting in public hatred, ridicule and contempt.

The specific material was:

A) Feb. 3 1892. When reporting a vote of censure on Cr Hardy in the Council the writer suggests Hardy had tried to obstruct the business of the town and to annoy members of Council and implies Hardy was to blame for ‘things [that] have been so disgraceful of late’.

B) July 13 1892. [Hardy had suggested in writing for the Catholic paper that Mr Holder was writing the leading articles for the Record.] Davey had written that Hardy had offered to do the job for 10/- per week, but ‘we had such contempt for him and all his effusions that we did not entertain his offer in any shape or form . . . Even at this absurd price we considered his service not worth the amount.’

We ‘shield ourselves from him just in the same way as a person would shield himself from a venemous [sic] serpent’.

C) Article ‘Burning Effigies’.

This refers to an article published in the Burra Record 13 July 1892 and refers to ‘Burning Effigies’. It says that a halt was made at the Institute and the writer [Hardy] was challenged to address them on his reasons for writing the letter. He declined. ‘He was offered to be let into a secret by which he could earn £ a week, but all inducements failed. The captain then thanked the crowd for their orderly conduct and informed them they had seen the last of the notorious ink slinger of Burra.’

D) Letter: Death on Bad Ink Slinger. [A shearer wrote to the paper referring to an article by Hardy that appeared in the Southern Cross, in which article Hardy apparently accused larrikins, led by a non-Burraite, of recent activities there that included burning Hardy in effigy.] The writer says he has worked in the area for four years and that the residents turned out of their own free will. He writes that Hardy first called the Burra people respectable residents and the next a howling mob. ‘Mr editor is it not an old saying ‘give a fool a rope and he will hang himself.’

E) Oct. 5 1892. In an article headed ‘Actuated by Animus’

Among other comments on a turbulent year in the Council Davey wrote: ‘one of the Councillors is continually finding fault and thus delaying the business of the town’.

‘If all the meetings were depicted on paper, one of the members, would, no doubt, be ashamed of himself.’

‘there is a poisonous serpent amongst them who delight [sic] in stirring up hatred and malice; and we hope for the sake of the town and its future progress that this tyrant will, at the Municipal elections of 1893, be relegated to obscurity.’

‘When the business of the Council was about to be commenced Councillor Hardy asked one or two grossly insulting remarks which reflected on this journal.’

‘it is to be hoped that [the ratepayers] will consider the very unwise procedure of placing men in the Council who are unfit for the position.’

‘Councillors say they are “full up of these corrobories [sic] and waste of time caused by one obnoxious individual.”’

The editor then says he has received a number of disgraceful and abusive letters since refusing Hardy a position and ‘a postcard of recent date was not allowed to pass through the post office and which was subsequently forwarded to the Postmaster General.’

‘they could only emanate from a man of illiterate bearing.’

‘Councillor Hardy was so sorely disappointed at his meeting with adverse criticism and his feeble attempt to censure the chairman of the public works that he is trying to find fault with the report of that memorable meeting.’

Following the disturbance over the Waterworks engineer resulting in the Council’s paying £31 p.a. more: ‘We told him then to lay back and allow competent men to proceed.’

G) Jan. 11 1893. [This related to Hardy’s attack on the Town Clerk’s actions when a breakage occurred at the Waterworks.]

‘W.H. Hardy in his usual contemptible way . . . asked the Mayor who supplied the editor of the local paper with the news . . . ‘

‘it is foolishness for Councillor Hardy to try to make a mountain out of a mole-hill.’

H) Jan. 11 1893. [In Council proceedings the paper reported an attempt by Cr Hardy and Cr Kitchen to get the Waterworks engineer to personally pay for extra labour put on at the time of the breakage. The passage most offensive to Hardy seems to have been: ‘This was in direct opposition to Cr Hardy’s wish, who for some unaccountable reason has not had a good word to say for the engineer since that time, consequently plots have been devised to oust him, but they have proved fruitless, though he has been the victim of a very unpleasant time.’

Mr Symon said he would show the statements made were justifiable and true.

Mr Hill would show, he said, that the private feelings of the writer had gotten the better of him and the attacks on Hardy were unwarrantable: hardy was merely trying to do his duty.

Hardy was then sworn in.

He gave evidence of having bought the papers concerned, though Mr Symon was continually interrupting and picking up Mr Hill on technicalities and trivial matters of law. After considerable legal nitpicking it was avowed by Hardy that he did his best not to obstruct the business of the town. Attention turned to his offer of services for 10/- per week. The letter he wrote on this was produced and is reprinted. It is dated 21 Sept. 1891. He also said he made the same offer twelve months earlier. A second letter of 25 Sept. 1891 is also reprinted. Hardy denied he had offered to be a ‘general lackey’ on the paper.

Mr Symon, ‘What do you call it then?’

Mr Symon asked why Hardy had waited so long to bring action. Hardy said it was the 5 October item that had been the last straw.

Symon remarked that there had still been a three or four month delay.

Hardy said he did not recall writing anonymous nuisance letters to Davey, but his replies about sending unstamped letters or open postcards reflecting on Davey were evasive with a series of answers like: ‘I don’t think so.’ or ‘I won’t swear I didn’t.’

Mr Symon then produced a letter which was sent by Hardy to Davey. It is reproduced in the paper.

“ANGUIS in HERBA” ___ ___ ___ Bah !!!

OF JUMBO JOURNALISM APPENDIX IV

Addio! ______ a Dios! _____ Vale! _____ a Diem! _____ Salaam

a Leikoom Ram ram ____ s O Long! ___ TA ta ___ ind

FaRE WeLL ____ !

ONCE “MorE” ” ” ”

P. s, oUos

Alto Relievo “BUNKUM” (IN Par Lar vo) roT. !!!!!!!

AGAIN _____ !!!!! HAVE you READ That pOSt CARd?

Yes ____ sic ____ DOS VAS So You BET . . . .

(More AUStraLius) _____ THE FOX’S TAIL AgaiN Quiz

THE “MINES” The STANDARD oF the MAN

Not owing to any Lack of interest Being TAKED in

them Vide . . . . . . . . . SOCalled Leader Record ANTE

by . . . by ! oUos

[The version in the paper had more elaborate underlinings.]

Symon asked if Hardy thought it abusive of the defendant.

Hardy said he did not especially intend it to be offensive and said he did not know what ‘Anguis in Herba’ meant.

Symon, ‘Did you think it meant ‘A snake in the grass’?

Hardy, ‘I don’t know.’

Symon, ‘Are you in the habit of writing things to people not knowing what they are?’

Hardy, ‘No.’

Symon, ‘Why not sign your own name instead of a Greek name?’

Hardy, ‘No particular reason.’

Symon, ‘Is it not a fact you have been continually animadverting and holding [Davey] up to contempt in the Jamestown Review and other papers?

Hardy, ‘Not to contempt.’

Hardy said he had only said there was a general view that Holder wrote the leaders and not that it was so.

Symon then produced a letter Hardy admitted to writing to Davey on 29 Jan. 1892 in which he accused Davey of ‘Consumate inconsistency and Bare Faced editorial Subservency’ for Davey’s footnote to a Hardy letter in the previous issue.

‘You assert that in reference to the Water Works Engineer, that it is only personal spite on my part towards Mr Littlejohn I say Sir such assertions are but a series of Deliberate and Bare faced Falsehoods and only concoctable by unprincipaled persons of Illiterate Bearing from Party and selfish motives.’

[The letter continued with similar hyperbole.]

Lunch was taken and afterwards Hardy continued to give evidence.

A postcard of his was produced and again it was a peculiarly worded document which could have been interpreted, like the earlier letter from kouos, as a threat. The card read:

‘Be Careful ____ Bad intentions vide so called Leader to Day’s Record But I have written before the Copy was ever intended for publication in your (?) paper and it bore strong Internal evidence INALTO RELIEVO to that effect ____ It was simply meant as EMETI ____ CARTHARTIC ____ The IMPRINATUS of the Record states that it Is printed and PUBLISHED by W.J. DAVEY I shall make the said W.J. Davey responsible For everything Slander – our – or of a U B BLODE type in the Record hence it will pay you to keep your EYE OPEN I am watching to see when BAIT is used this time on Your hook Remember Firm and fearless &c is a lie take it out or don’t Pander

Yours WITH BOTH EYES OPEN

Feb 3/92 OUOs’

Symon asked if the U B BLODE section was a reflection on what Hardy thought Davey’s article on the vote of censure in the Feb. 3 paper was worth.

Hardy, ‘Yes.’

Symon, ‘In the sentence ‘firm and fearless’ etc. you meant to convey the motto was a lie?’

Hardy, ‘Yes.’

When asked if a series of his statements were meant to be offensive Hardy replied,

‘No, not necessarily.’

He said the postcard held by the postmaster, Mr Lane, was held because there was no name put to it, not because it was offensive. When pressed, Hardy said of Mr Lane,

‘I don’t know what he did say.’

Bur when asked if he understood from Lane that it was not quite so respectable as it ought to be Hardy said yes.

Rifle Match. On Good Friday at the Burra Range Adelaide Co. 3rd Regiment beat Burra Mounted Rifles by 115. Burra Mounted Rifles beat the Militia Band by 24

Cricket. Burra beat Medindie (Adelaide) and in the evening the Militia Band gave a grand sacred concert in the Institute.

Militia Band gave a concert on Thursday night in the Institute, but the threatening weather reduced attendance and the train was an hour late which also disarranged the performance.

Rev. R.M. Hunter, Wesleyan Minister at Kooringa, writes to say that an advertisement in the previous issue advised of an election meeting in the World’s End School, but this school uses the Wesleyan Church there and political meetings are not allowed in Wesleyan Churches.

Election Matters. Delegates of the National Defence League met at Hallett on 29 March and decided to support Mr Pascoe in the election. Mr Pascoe has since retired in favour of Mr Duncan! But the next paragraph says Mr Duncan has since retired in favour of Mr Pascoe!

[In issue 239 it is suggested that Mr Duncan is continuing the campaign.]

World’s End Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held on 20 March with the annual meeting the following Wednesday. There are 30 scholars.

Mr T. Kitchen is moving to Adelaide and he received hearty thanks at the Kooringa Circuit quarterly meeting for over 16 years of very active service. He has been a local preacher, class teacher, Sunday school superintendent, teacher and visitor, trustee and circuit steward. He has also been a leader in the cause of temperance.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held on 26 & 29 March with Rev. Daddow preaching.

The Bicycle Sports on Easter Monday were a great success. In the 20 mile race place-getters were: 1st R.D Morton £12

2nd G. Hagger £5

3rd J. Richards £2

4th P. Gleeson £1

XV, 238, 5 Apr. 1893, page 3

Hardy v. Davey.

Material relating to this case was published on 3 Feb. 1892, 13 July 1892, 20 July 1892, 5 Oct. 1892 and 11 Jan. 1893.

H.R. Hill appeared for the plaintiff and J.H. Symon for the defendant.

The evidence is quite amazing and Hardy was mercilessly destroyed by the QC who also made mincemeat of Hill. Early on it is clear that Symon is a very clever manipulator of technicalities and later an astute and quite ruthless exposer of a stumbling witness. Hardy clearly had no idea what he was letting loose upon himself. Some of Hardy’s letters to Davey that are introduced in evidence scarcely seem to be those of a rational person.

XV, 239, 12 Apr. 1893, page 2

Advt. C.B. Bissen of Grenfell St Adelaide will have a van with guns, rifles and revolvers at the Burra Hotel on Friday and Saturday 14 7 15 April.

Editorial urging people to vote.

By the nomination day three candidates remained in the race:

Walter Hughes Duncan, sheep farmer of Stirling West.

Frederick William Holder, journalist of Adelaide.

George Hingston Lake, newspaper proprietor [of the Jamestown Review] of Jamestown.

Iron Mine Band of Hope resumed on 27 March after the summer recess. Rev. R.J. Daddow presided with Miss J. Fairchild at the organ.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was celebrated on Easter Sunday and Monday. Rev. R.J. Daddow was the preacher.

Football. A meeting will be held at the Exchange Hotel on Wednesday 12 April for the purpose of reforming the Aberdeen Football Club. A.W. Dow, secretary pro tem.

Burra Literary Soc. met on 7 April, but bad weather meant a small attendance. W.T. Rabbich, President; Messrs Morton and C. Fuss, Vice-Presidents; and M. Nevin, Secretary.

Burra Town Council, 5 April.

Cr Alexander Harris was welcomed as the newly elected member in place of T. Kitchen.

Cr Parks asked if the Mayor had reconsidered his position on his notice of motion.

The Mayor said his position was unchanged.

Cr Parks moved the suspension of standing orders, for the purpose of dealing with pay sheets and accounts. After a little disputation this was carried.

When that business was done Cr Linkson moved for a call of Council to be made at a meeting to be held on 17 April with a view to the excision of the Mayor’s Report from the meeting of 16 January.

The Mayor ruled him out of order.

Cr Parks moved the adjournment till 17 April.

Crs Linkson, West, Walsh and Rabbich* voted for.

Crs Harris and Hardy opposed.

[* This obvious error was corrected in the next issue to Cr Parks.]

Rev. R.J. Daddow was farewelled by a large congregation at a service last Sunday after three years in the town.

XV, 239, 12 Apr. 1893, page 2-3

Rev. Daddow was tendered a farewell tea on Monday when the Mayor, W.T. Rabbich presented him with an address and another was presented from the church. There were also thanks from the Burra Literary Soc. and the Burra School Board of Advice.

Cricket. Rather belatedly the results of the Good Friday match are printed. Burra 128 defeated Medindie 94. Play was to have resumed for the second innings on Saturday, but the paper says Medindie had had enough and went home, though it is not clear if this is a reference to the weather, their performance, or something else.

Hardy v. Davey. Further reporting of this ‘Very Amusing Case’

‘Plaintiff in the Box for Four Hours.’

The report this issue deals with a good deal of Hardy’s own writing in letters to Davey and those published in the Jamestown paper and elsewhere. Much of his writing is quite vitriolic and insulting. In between these passages the roasting of Hardy continued.

Mr Symon asked Hardy whether he had got Cr Linkson to move in Council for the reduction in charges for advertising in the Record.

Hardy, ‘I don’t know whether I did or not; I don’t think so.’

But he would not swear that he did not.

The Council voted for a reduction in charges for advertising, but Symon said that Hardy had gone further when calling on the defendant, and had tried to get jobbing charges reduced also.

Once again Hardy was unable to swear that it didn’t happen.

Hardy admitted writing two further letters to W.J. Davey.

[The first accused the paper of misreporting remarks by T.T. Shortridge to the effect that things done ‘behind the curtains’ had resulted in the defeat of Cr Sampson.]

The second letter was written in red and black ink and repeated the assertion that T.T. Shortridge had denied making the statement attributed to him:

‘Which proves the ‘Record’ reporter!! Is on fire with

Animus, Spite and HATERED ____ ’

‘I HAVE MORE faith in T.T.S. and I would

make you suffer if I were him. ____ Yours &

Truth’

Mr Symon then read the relevant report from the Record and asked Mr Hardy to account for the letter in the Record of 9 March 1892, from Thomas Thorman Shortridge, denying emphatically that he had ever apologised verbally or in writing to Hardy and never intended to do so.

‘If the remarks published in the Burra Record have caused him personal uneasiness then let him wear the cap if it fits him.’

Symon then produced a paragraph from the Jamestown Review of 16 March 1892 which was written by Hardy, but in the third person as if by another hand.

‘Hardy advertises that “he believes his veracity will hold its own with that of Shortridge” ____ I think so too.’

Mr Symon said such a comment from the person interested was ludicrous.

The other passage from the Jamestown Review of 20 April 1892 was Hardy’s response to the Record’s report of the Stacey Co.’s production of Hans the Boatman and Mr Stacey’s speech in the interval which in turn was a reaction to the scathing report on the show by Hardy. Hardy challenges the Record or Stacey to prove the truth of ‘the most inconsistent false and brainless stuff imaginable’ besides accusing Davey of publishing ‘a garbled statement made by Stacey on stage.’

Hardy also wrote a letter on this matter to the Record accusing Stacey of making statements that were false and unworthy. Hardy admitted calling the performance ‘a Vulgar Leg Show’. He accused Stacey of lying when the latter said Mr Lake had kept Hardy’s remarks out of the Review out of respect to me etc.

Another letter produced from Hardy to the paper accused the paper of false and slanderous statements in a garbled attack.

Hardy said the Record had claimed that ‘The Burra Scribe to the Catholic Paper sarcastically remarks that Mr Holder is the Leader Writer to this Journal’

‘I say this is a wilful lie.’

A further letter on 20 April complained that his previous one had not been published.

He had objected to a paragraph which said a lady had threatened to horse whip him.

Hardy: ‘Yes, he made a mistake when he said it was a “lady”.’

Hardy did admit that the lady had come to his office and gave him a bit of her mind.

Symon then turned to the incident of the burning of Hardy’s effigy.

Hardy said he was present for part of the time.

He admitted hearing part of the Captain’s speech on the occasion and admitted he had published in the Register a letter denouncing the Broken Hill strike.

Symon then produced the Register of 9 July 1892 with the article:

‘LARRIKINISM AT BROKEN HILL’ and Hardy’s letter under that heading.

Hardy described the strikers as:

‘the mob, or a lot of ex-counter jumpers and others who have got a job underground and at the meetings of their own Unions out vote the men who know their business.’

Hardy claimed not to have changed his mind about the strikers.

Symon then asked him to explain a letter of his in the Barrier Miner on 5 Sept. 1892 in which he asks the workers of the Barrier to take courage and they might soon have ‘proved to the moneybags that might is not right.’

The letter goes on to argue on the side of the workers:

‘I hope the men; now they have made a start, will stick to their flags, and refuse to be made the machines the capitalistic crowd is evidently trying to make them.’

Symon asked Hardy if he did not find this a little opposed to his letter in the Register.

Hardy, ‘What has that to do with the case?’

Symon then quoted the Southern Cross of 15 July 1892 in which Hardy first responds to the Record’s comments on his suggestion that Holder was their leader writer and denies he offered his services for 10/- a week ____ he says the offer was for half a day’s work ‘principally going through proofs.’ He then goes on to describe a party of 30 larrikins in black faces who gathered to collect money for the Broken Hill strike fund; a meeting at which two persons were burnt in effigy.

‘The larrikins mustered well here on Monday night. Mob rule was nearly in vogue here last week. Five –pound notes flew about very freely on Monday night here. Several of the Burra youths worked harder on Monday than for some time previously.’

Mr Symon, ‘What? Do you say that? You have been mud slinging for the last eighteen months and you have the effrontery to come into court with a libel action. (Cheers)’

Symon then raised an article in the Jamestown Review, ‘ABOUT New’s (?) PAPERS’.

[This article sarcastically refers to the way the leaders of newspapers (not the Record) are put together by a few lines of introduction followed by column inched of matter cut from Hansard etc. but it doesn’t matter the editor (not the Record) produces a two column article in ten minutes by such means ____ as long as they have a strong thumb that can stand the demand made by the scissors, ‘because nobody will read it anyhow’. This article was printed shortly after Davey had taken over the Record from Murrie.]

Hardy denied that this was intended to ridicule Davey’s capacity for writing leaders.

‘No I didn’t know he wrote the leaders.’

Symons, ‘Did you do it for the purpose of making people laugh at the way the Record was got up?

Hardy, ‘I didn’t see anything to laugh at.’

Symons then raised an article in the Jamestown Review of 2 March 1892 which again raised Mr Shortridge’s comments on the Council election, at a presentation.

Mr Symon, ‘There is not much in anything you write except abuse, and yet you are the gentleman who wants damages for libel. Did you call the paper a “cad of a newspaper”?’

Hardy, ‘Yes and I would do so again.’

Symon, ‘Did not Lake tell you he had to apologise to Davey for these attacks of yours?’

Hardy, ‘No.’

Symon, ‘You saw in the Record that they apologised?’

Hardy, ‘Yes’

The apologies from the owner of the Jamestown Review, G. Hingston Lake, and the editor, C.J. Reade, are then printed.

XV, 240, 19 Apr. 1893, page 2

Editorial on the SA election. The election had the largest turnout to that date and this time all districts voted on the same day. It resulted in ‘10 direct labour representatives’. The editor sees this as a good thing – that all classes should be represented, and their policies are very moderate, so the colony should have nothing to fear from this development.

Burra School board of Advice: nominations for membership.

G. Parks, W. Bentley, F. Duldig, A. Harris.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday last and enjoyed good attendance despite the weather. Seven new members were accepted. Music and elocution for the next meeting.

Burra Town Council, 17 April.

Necessary routine business was transacted then the Mayor said he was prepared to allow the notice of motion, so long delayed, to be proceeded with.

Cr Linkson read the notice of motion. Cr Parks 2nd.

The mayor apologised and the motion to expunge his report of 16 January from the minutes was carried.

Election Results.

Candidates Votes Plumpers* Burra Votes Burra Plumpers

Duncan 857 303 225 71

Holder 1400 15 431 5

Lake 1017 44 287 1

[*With two candidates to be elected, plumpers were voters who selected only one candidate. Duncan and his supporters clearly saw that their best chance was to encourage plumping. Holder and Lake could have ensured each other of victory if they had been able to ensure their supporters voted for the two of them. While this clearly happened in some boxes, it did not prevail everywhere. Holder was well ahead in Burra for example, but in Jamestown, Holder 241 was not so far behind Lake with 297 and in Saddleworth Holder 68 and Lake 61 were quite close. The total vote was up from 1360 in the previous election to 1852 this time.]

St Mary’s, 1 April.

The McCulloch memorial window was dedicated at St Mary’s by the Ven. Archdeacon Dove of Walkerville, assisted by the incumbent, Rev. A.G. King. Dove had been associated with the McCulloch family 20 years earlier when he had been elected Archdeacon of Flinders and had visited Gottlieb Wells Station where he was always welcomed by the late Mr & Mrs McCulloch. The window is 13’6” high. The central pane is of the Crucifixion and to the west is the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the east St John the Divine. The window is in loving memory of Margaret McEwen, Beloved wife of Alexander McCulloch who departed this life on 2 April 1881, aged 67 and Alexander McCulloch, who died 16 October 1890, aged 80. It was erected by their sons and daughters and manufactured by Messrs Jones & Willis of London and erected by J.S. Jarvis of Walkerville.

Court.

Edwin Boulton and John Bruse, two young men, were fine 5/- + 12/6 costs for insulting behaviour in Bridge St on 3 April and cautioned as this was not their first offence.

(A second case on the same date was settled out of court.)

Rev. R.M. Hunter & T. Kitchen were farewelled by a large gathering at the Wesleyan Church on Tuesday 11 April. Tea in the schoolroom was followed by a meeting in the church. Dr Brummitt presided. Mr Hunter was thanked especially for his care of the country places like World’s End and for his work with the Sunday school.

Mr Kitchen had put in a wonderful effort over 16 years in most aspects of the church’s life as teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School, local preacher, and in many other positions.

XV, 240, 19 Apr. 1893, page 3

Hardy v. Davey (Concluded)

This paper deals with further examination of Hardy and the address of Mr Symon QC.

W.T. Rabbich was also examined, but to a long series of questions he claimed he could not remember. The summary of the case by Symon is nice argument and makes good reading, even if it is rather long. It extends about 4 columns. Essentially when Davey took over the paper Hardy asked him for a job, offering to produce literary work, reporting, writing leaders and sub-leaders, sporting items, and to help ‘to work up outside Biz’. When his offer was not taken up Hardy began a series of attacks on Davey and the Record in the Jamestown paper and in the Catholic paper, the Southern Cross. The alleged libels by Davey lay largely in the latter’s comments on Hardy in relation to Hardy’s actions in Council and eventually in Davey’s publication of Hardy’s application for a job with comments upon it. It is hard not to agree with the argument put forward by Symon about who is most libellous. The report in the Record suggests that the packed courtroom found it all wonderfully entertaining with little work done in the town on the day and with frequent outbursts of laughter at the evident discomfort of Hardy and later of W.T. Rabbich, as well as cheers at frequent intervals during the QC’s final address. It must have been a hugely humiliating experience for Hardy, but one which was self-inflicted and which resulted in his being non-suited.

XV, 241, 26 Apr. 1893, page 2

Advt. Institute, Thursday 27 April. Edison’s Electrically Actuated Phonograph

Conducted by Mr W. Loudon from the New Jersey Factory.

Lecture and Demonstration, 2/- & 1/-.

Mr Holder has arranged with the Commissioner of Public Works for some work for the unemployed at the Happy Valley Waterworks.

St Mary’s. The foundation work for the schoolroom is going on. Messrs Pearce and Launder are the contractors and the building is to cost c. £500.

Rev. R.S. Casely will be welcomed at a social at the Kooringa Wesleyan Hall on Thursday, with Dr Brummitt presiding. He succeeds Rev. R.M. Hunter.

Mrs W. West is progressing after a serious operation last Thursday. Dr Sangster hopes for a full recovery.

Miss M. Dunstan, aged 14 and daughter of John Dunstan Jun. late of Burra, has had further success with her painting.

Burra Literary Soc. held a successful meeting on Friday.

Bank Failures. Besides the Commercial and the English, Scottish and Australian chartered bank failures, the Australian Joint Stock Bank has now suspended payment and is in the course of reconstruction. It was the oldest established bank in Sydney. There had been a run on deposits since last Tuesday.

XV, 241, 26 Apr. 1893, page 3

Electric Lights. The Register reports that hansom cab No. 44 in Adelaide has been fitted with an electric light. The battery runs for 16 hours and the lamp throws a white light a great distance in front of the horse.

Sport by ‘Whip’

An attempt is being made to form a quoits club – a favourite pastime for the unemployed.

Burra Football club met at the Commercial Hotel last Monday. Elected: Patrons, Messrs Holder & Lake; President, P.L. Killicoat; Captain, J. Drew; Vice-Captain, A. Williams. Colours to be navy blue with a red cap.

Last year there were periodic matches between Burra and Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen Football club met last Wednesday evening to reform the club at the Exchange Hotel and elected: Patron, W. Killicoat; President, W. Neville; a whole group of Vice-Presidents; Captain, H. Preece; Vice-Captain, A.S. Clayer. Colour to be blue and white. They also gathered on the flat near Reed’s Temperance Hotel on Saturday. [For a practice?]

Cricket. Last Wednesday Burra lost. [Reported elsewhere that the Burra 11 played Hallett-Mt Bryan combined 15 and Hallett-Mt Bryan 69 defeated Burra 53.

The Burra Bicycle Club settled up after the Easter meeting on April 12.

Mushrooms plentiful.

Rain. Good seasonal falls in the last week.

Chrysanthemum Show will be on 3 May 1893.

Court.

For the second time in a week Edwin Boulton (21) was charged with fighting in a public place. Fined £2.

Junior Foresters 2nd Anniversary Social, Court Pride of Burra No. 24 was held at the Institute. 30 adult and juvenile members attended.

XV, 242, 3 May. 1893, page 2

Bank Failures. Payments by the National Bank, which is to be ‘reconstructed’, were suspended last Monday morning. Bank notes are being honoured and are being exchanged for gold, but cheques and withdrawals have ceased. The bank is considered perfectly solvent, but was in trouble due to a run on it. There are some fears for the Bank of Australasia having similar troubles.

The phonograph was exhibited in Burra at the Institute on Thursday, but to only a poor audience. There was an explanatory talk about the machine and a short account of Edison, the inventor. The cornet solos, selections by the Coldstream Guards and comic and other songs were distinctly heard.

Mrs West continues to improve.

Burra Literary Soc. met successfully on Friday.

[Mr Fuss: Characteristics of the Frog, being just one of a number of papers given.]

XV, 242, 3 May. 1893, page 3

Chrysanthemum Show today. It is expected to be the best ever. J.D. Cave met with great success in Adelaide last Friday winning a special silver trophy for the best 60 and also Mr Bagot’s special prize for 48 of any sort. He is currently growing about 200 varieties. J. Lewis’s garden is also very good and Mr R.M. Harvey has a fine display.

Football. Last Saturday Burra with 16 men played Aberdeen with 20.

Burra 2.6 & Aberdeen 2.11 This is reported as a draw.

Redruth Magistrate’s Court. Before A.J. Edmunds S.M.

Aaron Lewis v. Captain McLeod (Salvation Army) and F. Harris.

Mr Pendlebury for defence and Mr Mitchell for the plaintiff.

The case was for slander on the basis of what was said at a Salvation Army meeting on 12 April. The defendants said:

‘We have a man – or at least he is not a man, but a thug, and he is a disgrace to the uniform he wears, he should take it off at once, and never attempt to join the Army again.’

And after the meeting to a crowd at the door: ‘Come here, and we will tell you all about him. We followed him down to Mrs Woods’s house last night, and saw him go in and the light was blown out.’

The claim was for £19-19-0.

Though the plaintiff was a ‘man of colour’ he hoped justice would be meted out to him the same as it would be if he was a white man. The words used were malicious and wicked. The defendants had taken it upon themselves to be detectives and spies and had held the plaintiff up to ridicule and contempt. Plaintiff was a marine dealer.

Mr Pendlebury said they were justified and would prove it.

Lewis said he attended a meeting of the Army on 11 April at the pump. He had joined the Army in Adelaide in 1881. When he later arrived at the barracks the Captain would not let him speak, but said the words complained of. The Captain also said he had heard Lewis speak to Mrs Wood’s daughter in an improper manner and threatened exposure in the War Cry. Lewis went on to say he was now barred from places he used to get bottles from and he had his credit stopped at Luke Day’s. He tendered evidence he had been in service as a Government constable and had been a sea faring man on the Diamontina. He went to Mrs Woods’s to get his washing. The candle burnt out – was not blown out and Mrs Woods replaced it in less than two minutes. F. Harris confirmed the Captain’s report and told people he saw me ‘mugging Mrs Woods’. Lewis admitted having had his name struck from the Army in Adelaide because something was said of his behaviour with a woman, but he claimed to be innocent of the charge – the woman did not bear a good character. He said he had been in Kooringa for some time – most recently for three weeks and spent quiet evenings with Mrs Woods and ‘on two or three occasions’ had remained all night – taking a separate room and bed. He later amended this to ‘as many times as you like’.

He denied being in Mrs Woods’s room and always considered her to be a lady. He denied that he was there when a young girl was in the room.

Evidence was tendered concerning the words alleged to be slanderous and the occasion of their utterance by James Stagg, a brother-in-law of Mrs Woods and Bertha Stagg, Mrs Woods’s sister

Mary Woods was sworn. She was the wife of Henry Woods and said she knew the defendants and Mr Lewis for whom she does washing and mending and sometimes feeds him. She denied any impropriety – the light was always on and a door open. ‘Lewis did not mug or kiss me at any time.’ She heard the words complained of. Lewis, she said, always conducted himself in a proper manner. Her husband was aware of the visits and raised no objections. On the morning of 12 April Lewis has stayed till 2.30 a.m.

None of the witnesses positively swore that Lewis was named as the person referred to in the alleged slanderous comment. Mr Pendlebury asked for a non-suit with costs.

Mitchell said the words were clearly intended for the plaintiff and were used maliciously and with spiteful intentions.

Mr Edmunds ruled the case should continue.

Kenneth McLeod said he did not mention Lewis or Mrs Woods’s name. He did not say the second quotation attributed to him. From information received he decided to find out if it was true as it is not proper to profess to be a Christian and be guilty of such conduct. He knew the plaintiff in Adelaide to have been struck off the [Army] roll for similar conduct. Asked Harris to accompany him. The two of them viewed the house from the bank of the Burra Creek nearby. They could see light and hear conversation through an open door about 9 p.m. Saw Mrs Woods fall into the plaintiff’s arms, repeated twice. The couple then went into the front room. The daughter said ‘Come out of that you d—– Lewis.’

We then took ourselves round to the front, but by then could see nothing, but heard some choice language. The girl Mary – better known as Jenny – retired, but later we heard Mrs Woods say ‘Look out Jenny, Lewis is coming.’

He then reported conversation that is unfit for publication.

Heard the girl ask Lewis for 6d. We left satisfied the reports were true.

Mitchell cross-examined McLeod, but to little effect.

He re-affirmed that the remarks at the meeting were not specific in identifying Lewis and Mrs Woods.

Harris was then sworn and corroborated McLeod’s testimony. He denied the second statement of the alleged slander.

Edward Phillips corroborated the statements said in barracks.

The addresses of counsel followed.

The magistrate said in his mind the plaintiff was guilty of everything he was charged with and a verdict was given for the defendants.

Mary Woods then did not proceed with a case for £5 for trespass against Capt. McLeod & F. Harris and Mr Pendlebury was awarded costs.

Jane Woods 15 years 9 months was subsequently charged, on the information of L-C Thomas, with being a neglected child. Persons were called and gave evidence that the house kept by Mary Woods had a reputation as a brothel. The girl was sent to the Industrial school till 18.

The evidence for this case is also unfit for publication.

W.J. Jacka, late brewer at the Unicorn Brewery was presented with an address by those employed there on Friday afternoon. He is leaving after 51⁄2 years at the brewery.

Football the Aberdeen v. Burra game on Saturday ended in a draw.

Burra Cinderellas at the Institute on Monday night.

[A dance class or evening?]

The Depression. The financial position in Victoria is bad. All Government salaries over £50 have been cut by 21⁄2%.

Advt. Burra Coursing Club. The annual meet will be held at the Gum Creek Estate on 17 May and following days if needed. 24 dogs: 1st £15, 2nd £7-10-0, 2 dogs each 30/-, and 2 dogs each 20/-.

Burra School Board of Advice. Election for one position.

G. Parks 37

W. Bentley 18

F. Duldig 10

A. Harris 4

The votes above were from Burra, Hanson, Copperhouse, & Thistlebeds. Votes to come from Leighton, Booborowie, World’s End creek, Baldina Plains and Baldina should not affect the outcome.

XV, 243, 10 May. 1893, page 2

Mrs West continues to improve and it is expected she will be able to see friends in about a fortnight.

Bible Christian Services for the Chinese Missions on 7 May.

Burra Institute Committee met with President Mr Williams, Vice-President Mr Watt and Treasurer Dr Brummitt. The nett proceeds from the Chrysanthemum Show was £5-12-0.

The Depression. A short time ago all the talk was of Federation: now it is all of retrenchment. [The Adelaide publication] Quiz suggests dispensing with one SA judge. They believe two would suffice, though this would require an Act of Parliament to reconstitute a Full Court. [Details of how it would work are given.]

Burra Literary Soc. continues to hold successful meetings.

Timothy Ward of Ulooloo writes, complaining that the report of the last election results is unfair when it says ‘Holder polled 1378 votes, Lake 1017, and the National Association secured only 875.’ But, says Ward, Mr Duncan is not the National Association and is not a nominee of the National Defence League and when they favoured Mr Pascoe he refused to stand aside.

Letter to Editor on brawling at the football: asking for it to cease in favour of playing the game. He calls for an end to the habit of going onto the field ‘for the express purpose of getting so-and-so’.

XV, 243, 10 May. 1893, page 3

The National Bank is to be wound up with a call to be made on shareholders for £6 per share and a new bank to be formed called the National Bank of Australasia with a capital of £4,000,000. The new bank will buy all the property and assets of the old. [Financial details of the arrangements are given.]

Burra School Board. G. Parks won the election for the vacancy.

Sport. Whip says there will be a handicap rifle match at the Burra Range today.

The Bank of Australasia excitement has abated and on 1 May £9,000 more was deposited than was withdrawn.

Hares are reported to be numerous.

Rev. H.J. Parkinson & Rev. R.S. Casely are settling in at Burra.

New Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

From the North 6.52 a.m. 6.57 a.m.

3.26 p.m. 3.31 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.49 a.m. 11.54 a.m.

8.03 p.m. 8.08 p.m.

The Chrysanthemum Show was the best ever. Mr Cave did not compete as he had sent his best to the Adelaide Show and was reserving the best of his others for the Wentworth Show, but he sent an excellent collection not for competition.

Mr R. M. Harvey did very well, winning 10 firsts and 1 second from 11 entries.

Dr Brummitt got 4 firsts, 8 seconds and 6 thirds.

M.W. Lasscock got 5 firsts, 4 seconds and 1 third.

J. Lewis got 6 firsts, and 3 thirds.

W. Davey won best of its kind for a pot specimen.

In the evening the Burra Band played in front of the Institute and inside a promenade concert provided by a group of ladies accompanied the show.

A full list of winners is printed.

XV, 244, 17 May. 1893, page 2

Visiting Dentist: Mr Mallan will offer painless dentistry at the Burra Hotel for one week. Set of dentures £3-10-0. Single tooth 7/6.

Advt. Special Services on 21 May and Service of Song The Child of Jesus

And tea meeting 24 May. To raise £40 due on 7 Oct. as a portion of the £150 lent on the Redruth Wesleyan Church and £100 on the parsonage.

Advt. Special St Mary’s service on 28 May in aid of the Burra Hospital. Members of the Burra Friendly Societies, Mounted Infantry and the Burra Brass Band have been invited.

Editorial on the New Ministry.

Concerned principally with the new administration [of Mr Downer] and the size of the deficit.

XV, 244, 17 May. 1893, page 3

Burra Literary Soc. held a mock election last meeting and the results of a well conducted campaign were: C. Fuss 35, Mr Rabbich 15, Mr Richardson 14, Mr Morton 11 and Mr Hardy 9. The first two were declared ‘elected’.

Rifle Match: top 8 places.

Name Actual Handicap Grand Total

Jennings 43 5 48

Pascoe 38 10 48

Herbert 38 10 48

Roach 41 5 46

Parks 39 5 44

Watt 44 Sc 44

Gemmell 39 5 44

Tiddy 39 5 44

Bible Christian Church Anniversary next Sunday

Morning service by Rev. R.S. Casely (Wesleyan)

Evening Service by Rev. H.J. Parkinson (Primitive Methodist)

Afternoon (2.30) Service of Song, Eva, connective readings by Rev. R.C. Yeoman, Circuit Minister. Tea meeting Wednesday.

Copper Comments: from a letter to the Advertiser by John Richards.

There are prospects of a rise in prices for copper. A price of £65 per ton would be the equivalent of £95 per ton 20 years ago due to reduced costs of modern smelting. In the 1850s ships changed from copper-bottomed wood to iron and use of copper fell, but otherwise it has risen. Consumption per head:

in the USA: in Britain

1850 0.550 lb

1860 0.405 lb

1870 0.603 lb

1880 1.006 lb 1880 2.477 lb

1890 3.002 lb 1890 3.084 lb

Electricity usage and communications offer a bright outlook.

Football: At Aberdeen last Saturday.

Burra 2.5 defeated Aberdeen 1.3

M.F. Moylan has taken over the Kooringa Hotel.

Henry Hamilton Douglas was suspected of stealing the collection box from the Burra Hospital a few weeks ago, but the charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

He was shot in the hip by Mr Belcher at Georgetown, in the act of robbing the latter’s shop, and has subsequently died in the Port Pirie Hospital.

XV, 245, 24 May. 1893, page 2

Advt. Bachelors and Spinsters’ Social, Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church, 31 May.

Obituary. Sylvia Barnett, 4th daughter of C. Barnett died at Kooringa on 20 May, aged 15, of rheumatic fever. [Slightly more information on page 3.] [Born 30 October 1877.]

Editorial on the argument between Cr Linkson and Cr Hardy which is reported in detail on page 3.

Trees are to be planted to replace those that have died. (On the motion of Cr Harris.)

Poison baits are again being laid in Redruth where 20 were picked up on Monday and in Kooringa too several dogs have been destroyed.

SA Population on 1 March was 332,998 which was 11,345 up on March last year.

Burra Literary Soc. had a ladies’ night for its last meeting.

XV, 245, 24 May. 1893, page 3

Burra Town Council, 15 May.

There was another outbreak of contention when the Public Works Chairman, Cr Hardy, complained that a North Ward Councillor had put a man, horse and dray to work without the sanction of the Council.

Cr Linkson said I am the Councillor referred to and I deny emphatically I did so without the sanction of the Chairman of Public Works. Perhaps Cr Hardy doesn’t remember he told me to do so. Don’t you remember you and Cr Parks with myself were standing in the Institute Hall on the evening of 3 May and didn’t you tell me I had better proceed with the work? And now because there has been a squabble today about it you come here tonight and throw the blame on me. You, Chairman of Public Works, why you are not fit to be anything, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Cr Walsh then supported Cr Linkson.

There was then a reference to the minutes re the appointment of Mr Andrews and they showed him to have been re-appointed as scavenger at £7 per month, including the clearing of watertables from Snell’s to Edward’s shops at £1 a time and horse and dray work as required at 10/- per day for one horse and 13/- for two horses and dray.

[Hardy apparently believed this gave Andrews the right to any of the work available. Cr Harris held that it merely said what he would be paid if he was awarded work in excess of the scavenging job, but did not mean he should do all the day work.]

Cr Harris: ‘After hearing Cr Linkson’s statement I don’t think he is to blame.’

Cr West: ‘I would sooner take his word than Cr Hardy’s any day.’

Hardy then claimed the work was done without his knowledge.

He believed that Andrews was entitled to the day work and Cr Parks 2nd Hardy’s interpretation and a move to send Andrews the job the next morning.

Cr Linkson said he would not have voted for Andrews re-appointment had he understood he was to get all the day work.

Cr Walsh [Corrected in the paper of 7 June to Cr West] said that Mrs Vivian of Opie’s Hotel was speaking to me relative to erecting a verandah in front of the hotel. I will propose that the Council inspect the place and decide what they will do.

Cr Hardy: She will have to pay one-half cost of the kerbing. I have only just found this out, so that is how Rabbich & Sons ‘got out’ of paying their share for the kerbing done near their place.

A voice – Oh what foolishness.

Cr Harris 2nd. Carried.

There was then further squabbling over matters associated with the Waterworks and minor works in East Ward, but not of great consequence.

Burra Coursing Club had a successful meeting, though a scarcity of hares at Gum Creek meant that on the second day it was decided to share the prize money between six dogs. [Details in a one-column article.]

‘Zeekui’ contributes a 3⁄4 column article in mock Biblical style on the Council meeting.

Bible Christian ‘tea fight’ tonight.

Obituary. Mr John Roberts, a very old Burra resident died last Saturday. He came to Burra in 1850 and carried on a grocery business for several years. He moved to Robertstown about 26 years ago and set up a store there. That town is named after him. He died from mortification setting in following cutting his toenails. The funeral was largely attended in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church with Rev. R.S. Casely officiating. [Died 20 May 1893 aged 76.]

XV, 246, 31 May. 1893, page 2

Mr J. Roach visited Burra on Tuesday night 23 May to give a lecture on His Trip to Brindisi, which was very interesting and edifying. Musical selections were included and proceeds went to the Redruth Wesleyan Church.

Legislative Council Elections are due next April. Qualifications to get on the roll:

Hold a freehold of clear value of £50

Hold a registered lease of £20 with three years to run, or with right of purchase

Occupy a dwelling house of clear annual value of £25

Queen’s Birthday Holiday, 25 May.

Several shooting parties went out.

Football at Burra: Burra 5 defeated Clare 1.

Bible Christian Sunday school annual treat and public tea.

Redruth Wesleyan Church service of song A Child of Jesus.

Hospital Sunday last Sunday at St Mary’s. Poor weather meant abandonment of the usual procession of Friendly Societies, Mounted Infantry and the Burra Band. Attendance was small.

Weather. There have been good seasonal rains since last Friday with some 4” registered and the Creek rose several feet.

Burra Co. MI

[Increasingly referred to as the Mounted Rifles rather than Mounted Infantry]

Lieut. Watt has been promoted to Captain of the company which was formed about two years ago. He had previously been a Lieutenant in the Volunteer Force. His efforts were largely responsible for the formation of the company of about 40. M.J.J. Blott has been promoted to Lieut. He had been a private in the Volunteer Force. He was born in Adelaide in 1862, but came to Burra as a young boy and was schooled here.

F.W. Holder was visiting the west country as one of a group of the Vermin Commission and, having to return before the others, he took the mail trap on Tuesday and about ten miles from Caroona the pole of the trap broke and he was thrown out, injuring a hip. The driver was unhurt. Holder was driven 55 miles to Port Augusta for treatment and returned to Adelaide on Wednesday by train. He said they had left Streaky Bay on Tuesday afternoon. Dr Richardson said the hip had been dislocated and popped back in and the pain was severe, but only due to ligament strain and it should mend in a week to ten days.

‘Whip’ reports that at Burra bicycle racing has taken over from foot racing as a sport, though further north the latter still holds its own.

XV, 246, 31 May. 1893, page 3

‘Whip’ Reports the Port Pirie Rifle Club annual meet saw the visit of a team from Burra comprising: Lieut. J.A. Watt, Sgt-Maj. Blott, Sgt-Farrier Miller and Pte Gemmell. Only Lieut. Watt shot well, scoring 18/25 at 300 yds and 34/35 at 400 yds.

At the Flinders Ranges Stakes he scored 26 & 27, marred in each attempt when one shot failed to reach its mark due to bad powder.

Football. At the Burra Oval. Burra 5 defeated Clare 1

[The description of play shows that at least 9 behinds were scored, six at least by Burra, but they are not indicated on the final score.]

Terowie Sports, 24 May.

The United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration was very successful, followed by a concert in the Institute Hall. The concert netted £16. The principal event was the Sheffield Handicap over 135 yds in which the first prize of £12 went to A.J. Cooper.

[2nd prize was £5, 3rd £2 and 4th £1.]

XV, 247, 7 June 1893, page 2

Obituary. Carl August Müller, husband of Julia, died on 1 June at East St Kooringa, aged 81, of senile decay. A resident of 37 years.

XV, 247, 7 June 1893, page 2-3

Editorial on the First Session of the new Parliament which opens tomorrow. It is not a very hopeful view of a Government in trouble with a depression and a deficit budget.

XV, 247, 7 June 1893, page 3

The National Bank reconstruction scheme has been approved.

Burra Co. MR. Major Stuart visited the company on Wednesday and a fair muster turned out to go through a few manoeuvres for him.

Children’s Ministry League Burra Branch, will hold a sale of fancy goods on 20 June. Last year’s effort got two new cots for the Burra Hospital. This year’s aim is for two invalid chairs.

Burra Literary Soc. had 47 at their last meeting for an evening of duets, songs and recitations. Next week features a debate.

Copper is increasingly in demand for electrical processes and plants for generating electricity, and transmission of it will lead to greater demand in the future.

Loyal Burra Burra Lodge No. 10 MUIOOF has 295 members. Receipts for the last quarter were £263-18-0 with outgoings of £277-12-8. The sick pay account was for £175-6-8.

Football. Aberdeen 5.10 defeated Burra 1.6

‘In the last quarter several of the Burra players retired and became spectators and thus gave the Aberdeens a great chance of scoring.’

Burra Town Council

The work at Vivian’s Hotel is to be proceeded with. [Opie’s]

Cr Linkson wanted to know if the Corporation Bonds could be paid off by borrowing money as this could be done for 1% less than their interest rate giving a savings of £80. The Mayor thought they could not be discharged early. The Town Clerk will get definite information for next meeting.

Cr Linkson resigned from the Public Works and Parklands Committees saying:

‘I object to sit on any committee which includes Cr Hardy. He is not fit _____’

[He was here cut off by Hardy and the Mayor.]

Obituary. The late Carl August Müller was formerly an employee of the mine, known as Watchman Müller. He migrated from Germany in 1854.

Obituary. John Turner, formerly a farmer of Davieston [Hanson], moved to Broken Hill about 9 months ago and died there suddenly last Thursday.

Obituary. The wife of Mr Solomon Williams, aged 74, died last Monday at her residence in Chapel St. She arrived in SA in October 1846 and came to Burra in August 1857. She was a resident of 46 years. [Eliza Williams died 5 June1893.]

Bicycle Races are being organised for Yongala in August and Petersburg in September.

Local enthusiast, Jack Richards has set himself up in the saddlery and bicycle line.

Rifle Match. A sweepstake of £3 will be fired for on the Burra Range today.

Mr Holder has virtually recovered from his accident.

XV, 248, 14 June 1893, page 2

Editorial on The Milling Industry: a history of modern mills.

XV, 248, 14 June 1893, page 2-3

The Governor’s Speech on the opening of SA Parliament.

XV, 248, 14 June 1893, page 3

A Complaint that the Governor, Lord Kintore, ordered a special train just to get back to Adelaide from Strathalbyn last Sunday, at a cost of about £30.

Copperhouse School. At a recent examination the average number of marks scored in all subjects was 94 which is 3% higher than last year and is much to the credit of Mr T. Nevin. [Corrected in the next issue to 92.7%.]

Mr H. Tomkinson, teller at the Bank of Australasia for about 2 years has been moved to Adelaide and Mr W. Richardson will be promoted in his place.

Butterworth’s Steam Roller Mills on Friday began using their new Cornelius internal roller mill. This gives Burra two roller mills.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarries are to reopen next week which will ease some unemployment in the town.

Obituary. The Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide the Most Rev. Christopher Augustus Reynolds, has died in Adelaide. [Registered as Christopher Augustine Reynolds died 12 June 1893 aged 58.]

Poison baits laid in the town have continued to claim dogs: four died last Wednesday and Thursday.

Burra Literary Soc. held a successful debate last Friday and at the next meeting the headmaster, Mr J.A. Kennedy will lecture on electricity.

Rifle Match. The result of last Wednesday’s sweepstake was:

Name Score Handicap Total Score

Gemmell 50 5 55

Parks 46 5 51

Watt 50 Sc 50

Butterworth’s Steam Roller Mill

An article of 11⁄2 columns is devoted to Butterworth’s new roller plant which is described in considerable detail.

Burra School Board.

The Board met with Mr W. West in the chair.

The average attendances for the quarter were:

Baldina 21

Baldina Plain (closed)

Booborowie 23

Burra 281

Copperhouse 50

Hanson [formerly Davieston] 18

Leighton 22

Thistlebeds 17

World’s End Creek 27

Burra is now >300

The Governor’s Speech at the opening of the 14th SA Parliament is printed.

Football. It was too wet for football last weekend.

XV, 249, 21 June 1893, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, Wednesday 28 June: Steen’s American Mystifiers

Second Sight-seers, Mind Readers, Mental Telegraphists &

Spiritual Phenomena Experiments.

Advt. The Land Board. Burra Institute 26 June, 10 a.m.

To deal with surrender, reduction, transfers etc.

Advt. T.P. Halls advises that cabs run from the stand as follows:

6.30 to meet the morning train to Adelaide

11.30 to meet the midday train

3.00 to meet the afternoon train from Adelaide

7.30 to meet the Broken Hill express

New Government. On 13 June the Downer Government was defeated on the floor of the House. The new Government will be a Kingston-Holder administration containing three former Premiers: Playford, Cockburn & Holder.

Trees. About 350 trees for North Ward will be procured at once. No. 2 Reserve was badly affected last year by severe frost which cut down newly planted trees.

XV, 249, 21 June 1893, page 3

Rainfall this year so far has been exceptionally heavy.

Mr J. Rumball.

The economies being made in the Government include cuts in the Railways Department and the Commissioners are getting old and faithful servants to send in their resignations. One such is ‘our old and respected stationmaster (Mr J. Rumball) who for the past 20 years has had control of the Burra Station and during that time has carried out his duties to the entire satisfaction of the Railway Commissioners and also to the travelling public, and by his kindness and courtesy has won the respect of all. While being courteous and obliging, which cost nothing, he has never forgotten that he had to act fair and conscientiously to the authorities whose responsibilities he shared to a great extent in attending to all business connected with the railway department. No one can deny that Mr Rumball is an excellent officer, this will be shown from the fact that he has been connected with the railway department for the past 39 years, having filled a similar position to the one he now hold in Victoria. The news of Mr Rumball’s resignation was soon made known and several townsmen immediately took the matter in hand, and a largely signed requisition has been forwarded to the Commissioners praying that they will reconsider their decision. The deputation (Mr J. Lewis J.P., of the firm of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis, and Mr P.L. Killicoat, J.P.) was promised that the request would receive the Commissioners’ best attention. We hope the reply will be favourable so that our old friend will be allowed to remain in our midst to look after the general welfare of the Burra branch of the railway department.’

Mr R. Hogarth addressed the Burra Branch of the National Defence League on Friday last and a fair number attended.

The Aberdeen Ballast Quarries. The reopening has been delayed till next Monday by rain.

The Ministering Children’s League sale was opened by Dr Sangster yesterday. There was a good attendance.

Wild Dogs are likely to be a serious problem in the east this season. Some legislative remedy is required.

Obituary. Mrs E.F. Brady died on Friday at Terowie. She was the second daughter of Mr J.W. White of Burra. [Born Harriet Anne White 7 January 1863 and died Harriet Ann Brady 17 June 1893.]

Obituary. Robert Chester Sandland, second son of Mr J.C. Sandland, died at Kooringa after a short illness, aged 5. [Robert Chesters Sandland born 17 February 1888 and died 19 June 1893.]

Members of Parliament met in Adelaide on Thursday to form a Country Party.

Burra Institute committee has planned for some lectures through the winter months. The first will be by Mr F. Chapple BA, BSc, of Prince Alfred College.

The Fall of the Downer Government is covered in an article of over 1⁄2 column. In the new ministry C.C. Kingston is Premier and Attorney General, F.W. Holder is Commissioner of Public Works, Thomas Playford is Treasurer, John Alexander Cockburn is Minister of Education and Agriculture, John Hannah Gordon, MLC is Chief Secretary, and Peter Paul Gillen is the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

The policies favoured by each of the ministers are outlined.

Burra Town Council

The Town Clerk reported that the Bonds could not be touched without the consent of the parties concerned.

Council will visit the bridge near the smelting works which Mr Packard reports as unsafe.

Mr Kennedy’s lecture on electricity to the Burra Literary Society is reported in a one-column article.

Burra Tennis Club met at the Commercial Hotel on Friday night to arrange the coming season.

Four Members of Adelaide Cycling Club arrived in Burra on Saturday on their way to Koomooloo. They had been invited for some shooting by Mr T. Warnes. They left on Sunday morning over very sticky roads. They were OK until Baldina Creek which they had to be assisted across by J.A. Watt and W.H. Linkson, who had ridden out to assist. They expected to reach Koomooloo by about 4 p.m.

Messrs Kingston, Holder & Gordon & Dr Cockburn were all born in 1850.

Battle of Waterloo survivors in France are now reduced to 8, out of the 69,000 that participated.

Football. At Aberdeen yesterday, on very slippery ground:

Manoora 3.7 defeated Aberdeen 1.5. [Aberdeen’s total changed to 1.6 in the next issue.]

Burra District Council

Election results: Baldina Ward Thomas McWaters (elected unopposed)

Kooringa Ward William Killicoat (elected unopposed)

King Ward P.L. Killicoat (elected unopposed)

A further councillor [for King Ward] is needed. [See XV, 250 (2), 5 July 1893, page 3.]

XV, 250, 28 June 1893, page 2

Obituary. Walter Terry, youngest son of Mary & the late William Terry died 23 June at Copperhouse aged 14 years 6 months. [Born 11 December 1878.]

The Ministering Children’s League is a group of young children who join for 6d and then work to provide money for others. The recent fair raised £21-5-0 with which it is proposed to buy two invalid chairs for the Burra Hospital.

The National Bank in the current depression has, along with twelve others, had to close its doors and suspend banking business. The National Bank has now been reconstructed and has reopened after seven weeks as the National Bank of Australasia.

Football is very popular at present. There is a problem in that having two clubs in the town produces good football in town on Saturdays, but for matches against other towns Burra can produce only one good team. This fact totally disorganised the sport on 20 June. Some of the Aberdeen members visited Clare to help uphold the laurels of the Burra Club, while the Aberdeen Club had a match with Manoora. The result was a heavy loss for both the Burra teams. United we stand, divided we fall.

Clare 7.16 defeated Burra 0.1 and Manoora 3.7 defeated Aberdeen 1.6.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarries. About 20 men were employed at the ballast quarries from Monday, mainly in making them secure. The ballast engine will arrive on 3 July when more men will be taken on.

XV, 250, 28 June 1893, page 3

Mr F. Chapple will give another lecture in the Institute on 5 July:

A talk about the morning star.

Obituary. Walter Terry, youngest son of the late William Terry, died at Copperhouse on Friday after a long illness, aged 14 years 6 months.

Burra Co. MR. Medals for best attendance in 1892 will be presented today to Sgt W. West and Pte Dawes and Pte Byles. (The medals were given by W.H. Linkson and Pte Dawes.)

Railway Accident. A man was run over by the engine of the Broken Hill express on 20 June at Hamley Bridge.

Burra Literary Soc. continues to meet successfully.

The Ministering Children’s League. A more detailed account of their fair is given. [3⁄4 column]

Football. The Aberdeen-Manoora match gets a 1 column report and the Burra-Clare match 1⁄2 column. At Clare the Burra team had 18 to Clare’s 20 players. The heavy rain had made the Clare ground very poor. The trip home took 6 hours!

Rifle Match. Last Wednesday C. Parks defeated A.H. Jennings by 13.

The Adelaide Bicyclists who recently visited Koomooloo had a great time. They left Burra at 9 a.m. and got to Koomooloo about 4 p.m. They had some fun riding their machines around the place, steeplechasing through streams and over mud banks. The next day they were taken over the station by Mr Warnes and enjoyed an afternoon kangaroo hunt. The following afternoon they left for Burra at 3 p.m. and despite considerable trouble with thick red mud and slippery claypans which caused diversions into grass and bluebush, Burra was reached about 6 p.m.

XV, 250 (2), 5 July 1893, page 2 [Number 250 repeated: 251 not used]

Advt. Chat about the Evening Star Burra Institute 5 July by Mr F. Chapple, with music.

Admission free, reserved chairs 6d.

Advt. Foundation stone of St Mary’s School to be laid Wednesday 12 July at 3 p.m.

Editorial on Government Policy.

Burra Co. MR. Honorary member, A. McCulloch has given £5 to be shot for.

J. Rumball. There has been no reply so far to Mr Rumball’s request for leave of absence, though being compelled to do so following the Commissioners’ retrenchment policy, not to the deputation asking for his retention as Stationmaster.

Assault. On Saturday night Mr T.P. Halls, believing W.H. Hardy had besmirched his name to the Railway Commissioners, resulting in his losing his licence and being barred from the station yard with his cab, confronted hardy in the street outside Geake’s shop. Hardy took refuge in the nearest shop, followed by Halls. Both fell and medical aid had to be called in.

Picture of Burra. The Record will issue a coloured pictorial supplement at Christmas: a chromolithographic view of Burra 3’6” x 2’3”.

XV, 250 (2), 5 July 1893, page 2

Burra Co. MR had a competitive drill and firing on Wednesday. Pte Scott’s section came first.

Burra Waterworks. The cost of the new boiler, governing meter, shed etc. at the Waterworks has been:

Material & Carriage £164-13-10

Labour £70- 6- 2

£235- 0- 0

Burra District Council.

J. Kellock was the only nomination for the extraordinary vacancy in King Ward and was declared elected unopposed.

Entertainment. The performance of The Steens at the Institute was hugely successful and they were every bit as mystifying as they had claimed to be.

Robbery. Anok Sangh, an Afghan hawker, was lured into a house in Thames St by two women and was lulled into displaying his goods and having a drink. Having got him merry Claude Henry Jordan and Alfred De Vul St Clair attacked him and stole £2-14-0 before bundling him outside. The victim rushed back, seized the smaller man, and summoned the police. The house was in a frightful state. The beds were old stable straw and the stench dreadful. The women and men were from Victoria and were headed north, only being in Burra briefly. Mr West, manager of the Burra Mine property promptly ordered them off the premises. In court the men were sentenced to two months in Redruth Gaol. After getting drunk at Redruth the women were held overnight and fined the next morning.

The Silver Price has fallen causing the suspension of work at the British Mine in Broken Hill and throwing 500 men out of work.

XV, 252, 12 July 1893, page 2 [No Number 251]

Editorial on The Burra Institute. There is a history of its development.

A meeting in April 1856 determined to have a Mechanics Institute. It was thought £600 was needed and several schemes were devised to finance it, but they fell through. Rev. Ibbetson visited Adelaide and got the encouragement of Sir Henry Ayers, Mr Hamilton, and the then Governor. The next meeting that was held proposed a hall to seat 300 and a dwelling of three rooms. About £130 was soon collected. A letter was received saying the Independent Church was for sale, but ambitious workers were determined to secure a building of their own. £400 had by then been raised. SAMA donated the site in 1856. Eventually there was a substantial donation from SAMA and from the E & A Copper Co. which helped bring the total to £900. It was proposed that the building be called the Burra Burra Mineers and Mechanics Institute. On 28 January 1857 the tender of Messrs Tiver, Cole and Sinnegear was accepted for £446-16-0 for the mason work and Mr Bruse’s offer of £473 to do the woodwork was agreed to. J.W. McDonald, Chairman of the Committee laid the foundation stone on 26 Feb. 1857 and the building was opened on 27 Aug. 1857. There were hymns and pieces sung in English and German. Mr Birbeck was appointed the first librarian and Mr Ibbetson the first secretary. Mr Davey, the present librarian, is the sole remaining resident from the first committee.

At the first AGM on 18 November 1858 it was reported that £20 of books had been procured and 12 months later a further £50 worth.

In 1874 there were extensive alterations. The old building was torn down and a new one erected to suit travelling companies. There is now a Council Chamber, a Reference Library, Amusement Room, Lodge Room, Library, Ante-room, a fine Hall, and two large Dressing Rooms. These last were added after the need had been noted for some time. £270 was raised and the total cost of the dressing rooms together with a fire escape door, a private entrance to the lodge room, verandah etc. was £567-4-11. Today the debt outstanding is only £8-9-7. The total that has been expended on the building is nearly £4,000 and the greatest debt at any time was £627.

XV, 252, 12 July 1893, page 3

Thanks are especially due to long time friend Mr J. Roach, who has done much to augment the Institute funds. Mr J.A. Watt, at the re-opening, got up a concert that realised £21, besides collecting a similar sum. The reading room is kept open at a cost of c. £1 a week.

(Since the balance sheet has been prepared the overdraft has been paid off.)

Baldina Plains School has been closed. For some time 15-20 students have been attending and as the nearest school is some miles away the children cannot without difficulty, if at all, get to it. We hope the Burra School Board of Advice will be able to get it reopened.

Mounted Rifles v. Militia. There is a discussion of the relative merits of these two organisations, concluding that 20 Mounted Rifles are worth 200-300 of the Militia. This has been shown at the annual encampments, though these have been suspended for the last two years due to the depression. The Militia cost £23,521 last year and the Mounted Rifles cost £5,088. Savings could be effected by encouraging the latter with judicious spending at the expense of the former.

‘Whip’ Reports the football from last Saturday when Aberdeen 8 defeated Burra 1, though neither team was fully represented.

Mr Kuchenmeister, World’s End farmer, was thrown from his wagon into a creek on Saturday evening on his way home from Burra. He was discovered semi-conscious on Sunday morning, but though shaken and scratched was put on the way home again.

Mr Chapple’s lecture on The Morning Star at the Institute on Wednesday was an unqualified success.

Railway Accident. There was an accident at Finch’s crossing about 11⁄2 miles from Burra on Saturday morning. Mr Przibilla was driving to Burra from Hanson and managed to cross the line, but behind him Mr J.G. Mann had just got his horse onto the line when it was struck by the goods train from Adelaide. The horse was killed and the cart slewed around violently, throwing Mr Mann under the culvert with the train passing over him. He was badly shaken and bruised. He was taken to the Burra Station by the train and thence to the hospital by cab. He is progressing favourably.

[The suggestion is made that he may not have heard the train as he was wearing a cap with flaps tied down over his ears. The engine driver claimed to have sounded his whistle.]

Adelaide Police have been issued with bicycles.

Court Unity AOF No. 3015 held their half-yearly meeting on 7 July. The balance at the end of the half year was £1,035-16-3 of which £919-5-0 was on fixed deposit. W. Sleeman was elected CR.

XV, 253, 19 July 1893, page 2

Advt. BURRA DISTRESS

THE TOWN COUNCIL having formed themselves into a Committee to relieve Genuine Distress in the town invite persons to call on the Town Clerk and state their case on or before Thursday, July 20. The Committee beg assistance from all those in a position to help in the above desirable object. W. DAVEY Town Clerk

Editorial on the shipping strike going on around Australia.

A Rabbit Shoot at Baldina with 30 shooters was held last Saturday and 688 rabbits were shot between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in an attempt to exterminate the pests. They started from Schmidt’s Farm (formerly the old World’s End Run Head Station) and going north as far as Duldig’s Farm.

Burra Literary Soc. met on Friday and discussed a paper by G.A. Maggs on New Australia. He is a member of the Medindie Young Men’s Society and formerly of the Burra Young Men’s Soc.

Burra School Board of Advice has chosen 2 August as Arbor Day with 50 trees to be planted in the school grounds.

XV, 253, 19 July 1893, page 2-3

Mr Grasby, editor of Garden & Field will give a lecture on Friday 28 July at the Institute on Bugs – baneful, beneficial and beautiful.

XV, 253, 19 July 1893, page 3

St Mary’s. The laying of the foundation stone of St Mary’s schoolroom by Mrs J. Lewis is reported in 2⁄3 column. The committee on the project was Rev. A.G. King, Dr Sangster, Messrs E.C. Lockyer, R.M. Harvey & C. H. Ewins. Messrs Launder & Pearce got the contract for £463. At 3 p.m. Rev. King addressed the congregation. Mrs J.C. Sandland presented the stone in memory of her late son: Robert Chester Sandland.

Rev. King acknowledged this and the gift of Allan Cooper Sandland, youngest son of Mr Thomas Sandland, who had departed but was a former scholar of the school. Under the stone were laid the Parish Magazine, current number of the Church Review, Burra Record & SA Register and a list of all those associated with the building. A collection was taken while all sang Onward Christian Soldiers.

Rose of Sharon Tent IOR held their half-yearly finance meeting at the Institute on 6 July. The balance at the end of the half-year was £1,512-13-10, up from £1,497-8-4. The membership was 166. Thomas Richards was installed as PCR and Henry Harris as CR. The Juvenile Branch has a balance of £317-9-9 and 54 members. The Female, Lily of the Valley Tent IOR had its half-yearly finance meeting on 12 July. The balance was £164-7-0, down £2-15-9. There are 170 members. Sister R.J. Cox was installed as SM.

Rifle Match. At Burra last Wednesday Burra 457 defeated Wasleys 411.

Depression. Servant girls in Melbourne are offering their services at 3/- to 4/- a week to get a home! Many shop assistants there are working a two day week.

Modern Travel! On 17 May 1893 Mr John Snell posted a letter to Cornwall and he received a reply on 17 July. 40 years ago he ‘had to content himself on the water six months’.

W. C. Grasby: a one-column article on the benefits of spraying for disease and pest control.

Burra Town Council, 17 July

The Mayor wanted the Council to form itself into a committee to discuss what to do to relieve distress in the town. Cr Walsh had the matter deferred until after Council business

T.P. Halls wrote wondering why there was no cab stand at the station.

Cr Hardy said there was; it had been declared in Mr Wilkinson’s time. After some discussion the Mayor said he would attend to it.

The auditor reported that the accounts were being well kept, but noted that only one of the slaughtering licences (which ought to have been paid in advance) had been collected.

Robert Voumard applied for a cab licence.

Cr Walsh, as chair of the Finance Committee, reported on amounts owing from rates. Though it was a difficult time on account of the National Bank suspension, matters were now settling down and it was time rates were got in.

There was some discussion over how hard to press for the payment of rates in hard times.

The Town Clerk reminded the Council to be very careful with spending or ‘they’ll run on the rocks before the end of the year’.

Several minor works were approved.

Cr Parks reported that the Waterworks engineer said the works were in a satisfactory state, but the old boiler at the Waterworks is reported to be unsafe to work.

Cr Walsh said something should be done to the boiler: the engineer had a lucky escape last week when a plug shot out from behind the boiler; if it had been in front serious consequences would have followed.

C. Grow applied for water to be laid on.

Cr Linkson complained that (as he had predicted at the time) tree guards stacked at the oval are being vandalised. The problem is that the Council has no safe storage. He thought it worth paying to store them as they had cost £40 to £50, but in the end it was decided to restack them at the oval.

The cemetery was reported to be in a bad state. The curator will work there till the next meeting. [The curator had been ordered to work elsewhere for two days out of three.]

Money was going to be very tight in the coming half-year.

Local Board of Health.

Cr Hardy drew attention to the number of conveyances being driven about in the dark. [Presumably the complaint was that they were unlit conveyances.]

The Town Clerk reported removing T.P. Halls’s cab licence in accordance with the Act.

Cr Parks reported dead fish in the creek near the Bible Christian Church and they were smelling ‘pretty high’.

Cr Linkson reported several dead dogs and cats in the creek near Redruth.

Dead fish are to be removed from the water under the Bridge St Bridge near the Bible Christian Church. Dead dogs and cats are to be removed from the creek near Redruth.

[This report seems to have started something of a feud, but there is nothing obvious in it to account for that.]

The problem of relief for the poor in Burra was then addressed

Cr Harris suggested that each councillor undertake to give or collect £10 to help urgent cases of need in the town. An advertisement to be placed in the Record asking those in urgent need to apply to the Town Clerk. Carried.

[This last item was materially corrected in the next issue.]

Near Drowning. Yesterday afternoon at quarter to five a son of Mr Charles Fuss, returning home from school, fell into the creek while attempting the ford near Roach’s Mill and began to float downstream. He was rescued by a young man named Rosewall who jumped in fully clothed, having been going home with other young men from the quarries. The lad was taken home by C. Grow.

[This would seem to have been Robert Lawrence Fuss as his elder brother Raymond Lloyd, apparently went to Copperhouse School until June 1896.]

XV, 254, 26 July 1893, page 2

Advt. The last general meeting for the Burra Committee for the Industrial School for the Blind will be at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 4 August at 3 p.m. All donations produce and needlework must be delivered on that date.

Ellen M. Sandland, President.

Advt. Mr Henry Taylor will lecture on Friday night, 4 August (at the Institute?) at 8 p.m. in his Land Reform Campaign. Title: Why are we Poor?

Advt. Football. Burra will play Gawler at Burra Oval on Saturday 29 July at 3 p.m. (6d)

XV, 254, 26 July 1893, page 2-3

Editorial on Cr Walsh’s move last meeting to have the Municipal Assoc. meet in different locations rather than only in Adelaide for its meeting two or three times a year. Only 8 country and 11 city councils are members.

XV, 254, 26 July 1893, page 3

Obituary. W. Blott Sen. died suddenly at Baldina on Saturday morning. He was an old Burra resident and leaves a wife and several adult children. [William Blott died 22 July 1893 aged 69.]

Industrial School for the Blind Fair will be opened in Adelaide on Tuesday 15 August by the Governor. Ladies in Burra have been working to make and collect items for it. [See advertisement.]

Correction on item last issue re Burra’s poor.

Cr Harris had received a letter from C. & T. Drew who had spent between £20 and £30 a year assisting Burra’s poor. In the current circumstances C. Drew wrote saying conditions were so bad in Adelaide that he would have to redirect his charity and withdraw his support from the town. As far as is known Mr T. Drew’s support will continue. The £10 mentioned as collected or given by each Councillor should have read £2-10-0.

Burra Literary Soc. had a smaller attendance last Friday due to bad weather. They discussed the need for a State Bank.

The Town’s Poor. By last Thursday only three applications for aid had reached the Distress Committee. The editor feels the Council went about things the wrong way. A public meeting would have been the place to start and the doctors could supply information about where real distress is to be found.

[The Advertiser on Saturday 22 July seems to have referred to distress in Burra, but it probably drew inferences from the Record article and advertisement as the town does not seem to have found local distress to be excessive.]

Dead Fish! The Inspector failed to find the dead fish at the Bridge St Bridge.

The Ministering Children’s League has presented three Dexter platform rocking armchairs and one Austrian bentwood armchair to the Burra Hospital for patient use. 15 volumes of the Pansy Series were also given.

Hon. W. Copley MLC, after a trip to Queensland, believes that its sugar industry needs Kanaka labour.

Court.

Alfred Montgomery riding his bike on the footpath both

before & after being told of the offence 10/-

Thomas Woolacott [sic] allowing cows to stray 7/6

William Bentley allowing cows to stray 7/6

J.W. Jordan having weights of 13 oz to the lb £1

A. Stoddard driving cab round Tiver’s corner

At greater than walking pace 5/-

C. Grow ditto 5/-

J. Goldsworthy ditto 5/-

Fancy Dress Ball at the Institute last night.

XV, 255, 2 Aug. 1893, page 2

Editorial on retrenchment of the Mounted Rifles.

Last Friday notice was received that the Mounted Rifles will be paid for only four drills in the current year instead of eight as previously. The Staff Office cuts are also substantial. The Commandant’s pay has been cut from £1,000 to £600 and the Brigade Major’s from £500 to £340 p.a. Allowances and extras are abolished. Staff Officers will have to provide their own chargers.

Burra Town Council at a special meeting on 25 July found several more cases of real need and decided to provide immediate relief.

Burra Literary Soc. did not meet last Friday to allow members to attend Mr Grasby’s lecture and this week the meeting will be on Wednesday to allow attendance at Mr Taylor’s lecture on Friday.

Burra Co. MR drilled and competed on Wednesday for the prize offered by Mr A. McCulloch of Princess Royal. In good weather, Sgt Field’s section came out the best.

Football. Last Saturday at Burra the Gawler team had lunch at the Commercial Hotel before the match at 3 p.m. Gawler 12.12 (84) defeated Burra 1.2 (8).

The game was followed by a fine spread and social at the Commercial Hotel.

The following is a typical example of the format on such occasions. The toasts of course were accompanied by speeches.

Piano selection

Toast: The Queen

Toast: The Gawler Footballers

Song

Toast: The Ladies

Recitation

Gawler Team sang Maggie Murphy’s Home

Piano selection

Toast: The Parliament

Toast: The Umpire (W.H. Linkson)

Song

Toast: The Chairman (The Mayor, W.T. Rabbich)

Toast: The Vice-Chairman

Toast: The Press

Toast: The Host and Hostess (Mr & Mrs Vivian)

Auld Lang Syne

Mr Grasby’s well-attended lecture on ‘bugs’ gets a one-column report.

Burra Cinderellas held a fancy dress ball in the Institute on Tuesday 25 July. It was a great success. W.H. Linkson was the secretary of the committee and the music was entrusted to Mrs Moody and the ladies provided a fine supper. J.A. Watt acted as MC and dancing continued to the small hours.

XV, 256, 9 Aug. 1893, page 2

Editorial on another fiasco at a Council meeting where Cr George Parks moved that the Council express dissatisfaction with the way th e Record reported the Council meeting of 17 July.

‘Councillor Parks has come to us before now and asked why we gave Councillor Linkson so much space. Well, we replied, as soon as we recovered from the shock, that the first named councillor said something, and he said nothing.’

‘If the so called errors were pointed out to us in a proper manner and we found that we were wrong we would have been pleased to make all necessary corrections, but to move a motion in the Council similar to the one which seen [sic] light on Monday evening and expect us to keep dumb on the matter is beyond the endurance of human nature.’

Work for the Unemployed. Some relief has been given with the onset of shearing and also the opening of the ballast quarries. Stoppages at the Broken Hill mines have seen some old Burra identities putting in an appearance here once more.

XV, 256, 9 Aug. 1893, page 3

Institute Lecture Series. On Tuesday 22 August Rev. R.S. Casely will lecture on Tennyson, illustrated by songs and a glee and a chorus using his poems.

Mr T.F. Robertson has started a parcel express between Kooringa and Redruth. The express leaves Kooringa for the railway station at 11 and 2.30 and parcels between the north and south of the town are delivered at intervals.

Burra Literary Soc. continues successfully with prepared speeches next Friday.

Mr J. Rumball was relieved of his duties as stationmaster on Monday 3 July.

‘It is a week or two since the Commissioners wrote Mr Rumball requesting him to send in his resignation with a view of taking eight months leave of absence which he is entitled to under the regulations of the South Australian Railways. There has as yet been no reply to the requisition from a large number of townspeople that Mr Rumball keep his position. Mr Keitch will take his place, but no one can permanently be appointed till Mr Rumball’s leave of absence expires, and whether he will continue in service remains to be seen.’

Major W.T. Hoskin (Salvation Army) writes about his arranging the 3rd annual meeting of the social wing in SA at the Adelaide Town Hall on 21 August. Chief Justice Way will preside. There is an appeal for funds on behalf of rescue. The work covers: Prison Gate Brigade, Rescued Sisters’ Home, Maternity Home, Police Court Visitation, Samaritan & Enquiry Department and Servant’s Registry.

Burra School Board of Advice visited Booborowie and Leighton schools on 29 July. At Booborowie Miss Murphy had 26 out of 32 present and they acquitted themselves well. Mr Otto Junge at Leighton has been transferred to Nuriootpa after three years. 20 out of 32 were present. Miss Fuller is soon to take over.

Mr Henry Taylor’s lecture on Why we are Poor or Why Farming Doesn’t Pay was delivered at the Institute on Friday to a small group as the weather was very poor.

[The report runs for 11⁄3 columns.]

Burra Town Council.

Some more destitution has been relieved.

Cr Parks moved his motion charging The Record with misrepresenting Councillors and misleading ratepayers.

Cr Harris said that when he read the report he was ashamed of the Council and that people would think we were behaving like schoolboys. It was a good thing the report had omitted what Cr Linkson had said about the quarries.

Cr Walsh thought the only omission was that Cr Parks’s name was not shown as seconder to his motion.

Cr Linkson said ‘It is strange that Councillor Parks has been the real champion of the Burra Record for the past eighteen months, and now turns dog on it.’ He attributed this change to personal motives.

Cr Hardy then got into the act and eventually the motion was carried on the Mayor’s casting vote (supporting Crs Hardy, Parks and Harris.)

Cr Linkson then moved that in future all Councillors would write down their own speeches to be forwarded to the Record for publication, but of course the quartet of Parks, Hardy, Harris and Rabbich would not allow that to pass.

The editor goes on to say that a specially printed pamphlet will be prepared ‘for the memorable event’.

Local Board of Health

T.P. Halls appeared to ask why his cab licence was cancelled and a reply will be given in a day or two.

Arbor Day was celebrated at Burra School last Wednesday when trees were planted, including one by the Mayoress.

Copperhouse School also planted a dozen trees.

XV, 257, 16 Aug. 1893, page 2

Editorial expressing concern at the very limited funds available to Council for the rest of the year, much having already been spent in labour to find employment for those out of work. Now he suggests the dayman be put on half time.

Burra Institute Reading Room has been rearranged to be more convenient.

The Institute Committee has agreed to stage a Flower Show in late October or early November and Mr Hague has been granted free use of the hall for rehearsals and the performance of a drama in return for half the proceeds of the performance.

Primitive Methodist Church Annual Dinner Wednesday 23 August. Rev. J.G. Wright will preach 20 & 23 August as well as address the dinner. The Burra Band will attend on Wednesday afternoon. The newly appointed pastor H.J. Parkinson will welcome all.

Burra Literary Soc. had a successful meeting of prepared speeches.

‘You Know Who’ writes calling for an address and/or a purse of sovereigns to go to Mr J. Rumball in recognition of his 20 years of service at the Burra railway station.

W. Peel Nesbit MB, MRCPE, writes an article on The People’s Problem. This was, he said, to obtain a Government which, in obedience to the sense of justice of the majority of mankind, provides for everyone within its jurisdiction as great a measure of liberty as possible: liberty in thought, in speech, in action.

[This is of interest since he was a regular contributor to the town’s life and its debates when the paper started in 1876.]

XV, 257, 16 Aug. 1893, page 2-3

Obituary. Colin Campbell Watt, youngest son of Mr & Mrs J.A. Watt has died aged 1 year 9 months. [Born 25 December 1891, died 11 August 1893.]

XV, 257, 16 Aug. 1893, page 3

The Season is very promising and even in the east there are encouraging wheat crops.

Rev. S. Marschner (Catholic) of Kooringa, is listed in the August 10 Government Gazette as licensed to celebrate marriages.

Redruth Court, before J.D. Cave & W.R. Ridgway, 9 August.

Thomas Philip Halls was charged with assaulting and unlawfully beating William Dunn of Aberdeen on 28 July.

D.S. Packard for the informant and H.V. Rounsevell for the defendant.

Rounsevell objected that the case was bad in law, but it proceeded. Rounsevell then asked for a cross information for common assault against the informant to be heard together and eventually the information was received.

Dunn is the landlord of the Bon Accord Hotel. He said on the 27 July Halls was using bad language in the bar and when asked to leave began to assault him until he was rescued by Mr Pettman.

Dr J.I. Sangster testified to having attended Dunn for rheumatism and heart disease for some time. Irregular action of the heart was not evident before the fight.

Pettman essentially corroborated Dunn’s story.

Rounsevell said they had failed to establish any link between the effects alleged and the fight and the doctor was only called a week later.

Pettman was unable to swear that Dunn had not tripped Hall who was then trying to release himself.

The case was dismissed without costs and the associated cases were then withdrawn.

Sparks

‘No. 2 Reserve at Redruth is now planted with trees, Councillors Linkson and Walsh paying expenses, which amounted to £1-18-0 less than last year/ This should be looked into, and no doubt it will.

What People Are Asking

‘Why it only cost 12s to replant No. 2 reserve this year?’

‘If it takes a labourer one day and a half to plant No. 2 reserve, how long would it take the dayman?’

XV, 258, 23 Aug. 1893, page 2

Obituary. Elizabeth Bown, eldest daughter of Mr John Bown, died on 12 August, aged 29 years 6 months. [Born 31 January 1864.]

Advt. Entertainment on Wednesday 13 September in the Institute in aid of the St Mary’s Building Fund.

Advt. Burra Military Ball on 30 August in the Institute. Tickets for a Gent and two Ladies 8/-. Dew and Hindes Musicians.

Advt. Three-roomed stone cottage Allotment 18 Millerton is for sale as Mr H. Simmons has removed to Farina.

Editorial on Council Matters.

Cr Hardy asked if the Mayor had seen a paragraph in the Record re the planting of No. 2 Reserve. The Mayor said he had and it was an unfair representation.

At Monday night’s meeting very disparaging if not insulting remarks were passed to Cr Linkson and Cr Walsh in reference to the way in which the trees had been planted.

The Mayor said that last year the trees had been planted properly: this year the ground was ‘pig-muzzled’ and the trees thrown in.

The Councillors for North Ward naturally replied with their opinions about the Mayor’s actions.

Cr Hardy sought leave for an explanation in reference to a paragraph in the Record.

Cr Linkson followed similarly with references to remarks Cr Harris had made.

Cr Hardy moved the suspension of Clause 1 of by-law 1 which orders the Council business be conducted on all occasions with open doors. 2nd Cr Parks.

This was passed on the casting vote of the Mayor and the public were asked to leave.

The three dissenting Councillors then also left; refusing to transact business in secret.

XV, 258, 23 Aug. 1893, page 2-3

The Town Clerk is currently revising municipal rolls and points out that by law aliens are precluded from voting as is anyone in receipt of public relief or alms.

XV, 258, 23 Aug. 1893, page 3

St Mary’s. A fine altar rail was presented to St Mary’s by Mrs John Lewis last week. It was designed and made by Mr J.L. Scott of Mannum.

Mr W. Dunn continues to be confined to bed suffering from a gathered elbow, supposed to be the result of the disturbance which took place in his bar on 28 July.

Mr C.A. Uhrlaub has been appointed judge of the fife and drum contest at Jamestown on 31 August and 1 September in connection with the Public Schools Exhibition.

Burra Literary Soc. was well attended last Friday.

Drawing Class. We visited Mr William Bentley’s drawing class in Kooringa last Saturday. There were about 15 pupils hard at work. The finest picture was an enlarged photo done in crayon on opal glass by Mr E.A. Pearce.

Gun Safety. On Monday we saw an automatic appliance designed by Mr D.J. O’Leary to prevent the accidental discharge of loaded guns. It would avoid many accidents if it can be practically carried out.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor reported that the Finance Committee was satisfied they were in a very satisfactory position.

Cr Hardy asked if the Mayor had seen the report in the Record stating that No. 2 Reserve at Redruth is now planted with trees.

Crs Linkson & Walsh pay in expenses, which amounted to £1-18-0 less than last year.

‘This should be looked into and no doubt it will.’

The Mayor thought it an unfair statement and said a number of trees planted last year were growing.

Cr Linkson said ‘Only ten.’

The Mayor: ‘and the number planted this year is 100 less.

Cr Linkson: 80.

The Mayor considered it unfair representation and maintained that last year the trees were properly planted with proper tools ‘this year it was only ‘pig-muzzled, and the trees were thrown in.’

Cr Linkson disputed the planting methods of both years.

Cr Parks accused Cr Linkson of disparaging the Mayor.

Cr Linkson said he would prove his remarks correct.

The Mayor observed that Cr Linkson had used the words ‘untrue statement’ and thought that was going too far and demanded to be treated with respect.

Cr Hardy then tried to move something at the indulgence of Council, but the reporter could not hear what he was saying.

Cr Linkson then asked to make a personal explanation. He said that last meeting Cr Harris had said that it was a good thing that certain remarks of Cr Linkson’s re the quarries were not published. Cr Linkson considered the words were only used to injure his business – he had said no more than any other Councillor. It would have been better if the assertion of Cr Harris had not been inserted in the Record.

Cr Harris said he was unaware that the Mayor had suggested to the reporter that the quarries discussion not appear in print and he had thought it was done behind the screen.

Cr Hardy then moved they go into committee.

Passed on the casting vote of the Mayor with the support of Crs Parks, Harris & Hardy.

Crs Linkson, Walsh and West left with the public, declaring they would not transact business behind closed doors.

Court.

Two people fined 5/- each for straying cows in Kooringa.

Thomas Philip Halls charged with selling butcher’s meat in Redruth

Halls claimed (a) not to be a butcher and (b) to be selling sheep not mutton. He was selling it by the quarter and not weighing it. He said he was selling it by the whole half or quarter for exactly what he paid for it, making no money on the sale of meat and getting his income from the skins.

He was fined 5/- and he appealed to a higher court.

He was also charged with dressing sheep in unlicensed premises, pleaded not guilty and was fined 10/-

Obituary and Inquest into the fatal accident at Baldina Creek: held at Redruth Courthouse 17 August before W.R. Ridgway JP and a jury of six with W.H. Linkson as foreman.

Daniel O’Brien was found lying under a capsized cart at Baldina creek on the previous day. He was identified by his son Patrick O’Brien of Emu Downs.

William Prosser found the capsized spring cart and the body about 10 o’clock on the 16 August. The horse was lying on its side, alive, and O’Brien was under the cart with his legs protruding.

Michael Francis Moylan & John Sampson had seen the deceased at Kooringa hotel and he had left at c. 5 p.m.

The P-C Robert Mack concluded that that the horse had been trotting round in circles on the bank and then gone down the cutting, the driver being asleep or short-sighted. The damage to the deceased’s head had been done either in the accident or from a horse’s kick.

The verdict was accidental death by capsizing of a spring cart.

[Died 15 August aged 57.]

Baldina Plains School has not reopened and parents are to take action.

Advt. At Jenkin’s Shoe Store in Commercial St on 25 & 26 August

The New Paris Cyclorama. The Latest and Newest Exhibition from Europe

1/- H.K. Becker, proprietor and H.H. Lingard, Business Manager.

XV, 259, 30 Aug. 1893, page 2

Editorial against Cr Hardy’s proposal to impose a £10 annual local licence fee on the auctioneers in Burra.

Burra Co. MR will be inspected by Brigade-Major Stuart today and hopefully a large number of the 34 members will appear in Market Square at 2 p.m. There will be a ball in the evening.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church annual dinner next Thursday at 5 p.m.

Rev. Thomas Piper will preach the following Sunday and at 2.30 p.m. the service of song Little Dot will be rendered.

The New Cosmorama, the latest version of the Cyclorama, was on view last Friday, Saturday and Monday and was very popular. It featured many parts of the world: the Old City of Jerusalem, The Mount of Olives, and Jericho.

Burra Literary Soc. discussed the question Is there a tendency amongst the young of Australia to devote too much of their leisure time to sport?

The verdict was 19 for and 16 against.

Rev. R.S. Casely’s lecture at the Institute on Tuesday evening on Tennyson was largely attended. The lecture for September is to be by Professor Lowrie on Soils and their Cultivation.

‘One of the People’ writes discussing his view that the idea that abolishing the capitalist would improve the lot of the labourer is based on ignorance: each is helpless without the other.

‘Bill Sykes’ writes in dialect. He has, he says, resolved to get into office as a ‘kounseller of the Burra Korporashun’ so that he can ‘suspend every bloomin thing in the shape of orders or rules, and carry on a secret société so that everyone won’t be able to see what capers I cut.’

Pro Bono Publico’ writes accusing Mayor Rabbich of lowering the dignity of the office by insulting the North Ward Councillors and using a term like ‘pig-muzzled’. He would best keep quiet especially following ‘that famous report of his at the beginning of the year’. He is thunderstruck by the Council’s behaviour this year. Cr Hardy never surprises whatever he does. Cr Parks is a puzzle and should take a good look with both eyes ‘and not be led astray by petty jealousy and personal spite’. He gave Cr Harris more credit for shrewdness and sense than he displayed at the meeting of 21 August. The move to clear the room was merely to vent personal spleen on the Newspaper Man as he is called by the mover. He calls on Councillors to act like men, not boys.

‘North Ward Ratepayer’ writes objecting to W.T. Rabbich’s references to the planting of No. 2 reserve. The donors deserve to be thanked not abused.

‘Fairplay’ writes concerning the going into committee by Council. He contrasts Cr Hardy’s move on 21 August 1893 with Mr Hardy’s report on 4 April 1891, when he was the reporter for the paper. Hardy had then reported the move into committee as an idiotic farce and the evening as being ‘wasted over most ridiculous child’s play and claptrap’. ‘If Councillor ________ was not afraid of the press, why did he move to go into committee?’ The writer also quotes from W.H. Hardy writing as Ajax and writing about W.H. Hardy! This is an article in which Hardy managed to praise himself rather highly and in somewhat purple prose. The writer is also sorry to see Cr Parks so easily led astray in supporting such a childish motion.

W. Peel Nesbit’s article The People’s Problem, Part II, was published.

The Bicycle Race at Yongala last Thursday was won by R.D. Morton: Richards being unsuccessful.

Rev. J.G. Wright returned to Burra to preach at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church annual effort on 20 August and again on 23 August, after which the public dinner was held.

Football. Last Saturday the Aberdeens played the Railways.

[The article breaks off in mid sentence without giving the results: ‘and after a fairly good game . . .’

XV, 259 (2), 6 Sep. 1893, page 2 [Number 259 repeated: 260 not used]

Editorial on the farcical Town Council meeting of 4 September which dragged on for an hour, apparently without transacting any business. The Councillors squabbled about going into committee behind closed doors, but eventually the meeting was adjourned sine die.

The editor apologises for the report of the Council, but the readers deserve to know what happened. At the previous meeting Cr Hardy moved the room be cleared. This time Cr Parks moved the motion to reject ‘that awful recorder’.

‘Councillor Parks had the audacity to say that the editor and three Councillors were working in conjunction with each other. This remark is false and utterly without foundation.’

He stated ‘that the Council ought to adjourn and then broke off abruptly by saying, ‘but it is not safe to say to [sic] much.’

We regret that the Mayor does not try to work with all the Councillors. At one stage the Mayor promised he would have to go to the extreme if Mr Davey [the editor] would not clear, but the extreme measures were not resorted to and after an hour’s talk the meeting was adjourned sine die.

A. Gerard was thrown from his horse at New Aberdeen last Monday and rendered unconscious. He was attended by Dr Brummitt who stitched his head.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church special services on Sunday 3 September had Rev. T. Piper from Auburn preach. In the afternoon the service of song Little Dot was performed. The Thursday and Sunday services netted c. £34.

St Mary’s grand concert has been moved from the 13th to the 14th Sep. to avoid a clash with the Bible Christian bazaar on the former date.

Public Holiday on 31 August was not marked by sports in Burra. The Bible Christian dinner was held in poor weather. Some ‘sports’ got in some shooting in the hills.

Burra Literary Soc. last week featured impromptu speeches.

Burra Poultry Show. Until recently this was an annual event, but no longer. Mr Forsyth of Copperhouse has exhibited cages of birds at the Sa Poultry Show in Adelaide on 1 & 2 September, winning 8 firsts, 2 specials and 5 second prizes.

XV, 259 (2), 6 Sep. 1893, page 3

Burra Town Council.

After the minutes were read Cr Parks moved the room be cleared of strangers and the Council then became chaotic as they argued over procedural matters.

There was high farce as the Mayor asked Mr Davey to leave the room and no movement occurred. Eventually the Town Clerk (William Davey) suggested they specify which Mr Davey, as the Burra Record reporter was Mr W.J. Davey. So after consultation with Cr Parks, the Mayor specified that it was Mr Davey of the Burra Record who was to leave.

Cr Linkson asked for that to be minuted and the Mayor objected. Cr Linkson said that the by-laws provided for any Councillor to ask for certain statements to be taken down. Cr Harris then moved the Council adjourn for a fortnight. Cr Parks 2nd.

Cr Linkson then moved that three Councillors [Linkson, West and Walsh] go on with the business of the town.

The Mayor was then taunted by Linkson for not clearing the room:

‘The mayor is frightened to put it into effect.’

This was followed by a call for him to withdraw the remark and further verbal skirmishing.

In the ensuing confusion the amendment appears to have been lost on the casting vote of the Mayor and the motion to adjourn to a date to be fixed passed in the same manner.

Cr Linkson tried to carry on with the Local Board of Health Meeting, but the meeting ended at that point.

Rifle Match. A friendly shoot on Wednesday morning saw Pt Pirie MR 438 defeat Burra MR 381.

Burra Co. MR was inspected by Brigade Major Stuart and Sgt-Major De Passey (from Staff Office) [De Passé?] on 30 August. The result was highly satisfactory and an improvement on last year in both shooting and drill. Capt. J.A. Watt was commended as reliable and painstaking. A successful Military Ball followed in the evening, at the Institute. Refreshments were taken at midnight and dancing continued to the early hours.

Tennis. A proposed match between Gawler and Burra on 1 September did not eventuate.

Sparks: What people are asking

‘Is there a horse in Burra that can travel 17 miles an hour?’

[See the item immediately below.]

‘Is it true that a phonograph has been procured for “urgent business” in Burra?’

[Note that a phonograph could record as well as play, so perhaps the suggestion here relates to leaving one running in the Council Chamber – though with a maximum of 4 minutes running time it was an amusing rather than practical consideration.]

‘Why No. 2 Reserve was not inspected by the Parklands Committee according to the resolution passed at the meeting of the Council held on August 21?’

Redruth Court, 30 August.

W. Murphy, cab proprietor v. C. Grow, cab driver, for £19-19-0 for injury to the plaintiff’s horse.

H.V. Rounsevell for the plaintiff and D.S. Packard for defendant.

Murphy alleged that on 11 August at the Mine Bridge Grow drove such that the wheels of his cab passed over the foot of his off-side horse. Grow he said was travelling at 16 or 17 m.p.h. Rounsevell: ‘My word I didn’t know there were such rapid animals in Burra.’

Plaintiff: ‘Well, his horses were cantering.’

Rounsevell: ‘Oh, well, there is no doubt about their pace after that.’

Murphy said his horse’s hoof was split and the flesh torn away and he had to hire a replacement at 7/6 a day. He valued the horse at £7. Grow offered £4 for it, but he did not accept.

Grow said Murphy wanted an outrageous £12 and later £10.

Thomas Murphy, his brother, gave similar evidence.

The horse had been bought from Bagot, Shakes & Lewis for £4.

C. Grow said they had both started from the standpipe in Market Square. Murphy was ahead and whipping his horses all the way, keeping Grow against the side of the road, ‘we were racing’, ‘if Murphy had given me a fair share of the road the accident wouldn’t have happened.’

The accident occurred when Grow pulled to the near side to allow the passage of a vehicle coming the other way.

Thomas Hastie valued the horse at £5. The verdict was for £5 with each party to pay its own costs.

H. Cooper v. J. Ford in a claim for £5-3-4 wages due.

Henry Cooper claimed Ford had engaged him as a gardener to 26 June and on 28 June as a boundary rider at £1 a week. A week later Cooper said he got a message to save the scalps and a few days later a message by Reynolds to pick up tools and clear. He said to tell Ford he wanted proper notice.

Ford offered £1-5-6, which he told cooper was at the rate of 10/- a week. When examined Cooper admitted receiving some tobacco and 3/-.

Joseph Ford said Cooper had been engaged at 10/- a week in the garden, but he had a row with the men and after a day or two was sent rabbiting. He was employed about two weeks and in that time had 2 lbs tobacco and a dozen boxes of matches. He charged him 4/6 lb for the tobacco. He swore he engaged the plaintiff at 10/- a week. There was then some evidence about Cooper’s interaction with ‘the Chinaman’. ‘He gave the Chinaman an awful fright; he said he would kill him and he made the Chinaman “blacker” instead of “whiter”. (Laughter)

Mr Rounsevell: You didn’t hear him say he would kill the Chinaman, so you must not say that. What has the Chinaman to do with the case?

Defendant: Why, he ran after him and the Chinaman ran for his life. (Laughter)

Mr Rounsevell: Oh we’ll have nothing to do with the Chinaman.’

Later Ford said: ‘if he could frighten all the rabbits like he frightened the Chinaman he would be valuable.

Verdict for the plaintiff for £1-11-6.

[‘The Chinaman’ may have been Pang Sang, known as Jimmy and buried as Ah Shang. He died at Burra in 1905 and had worked for Joseph Ford for about 40 years, but a court case reported in the paper of 6 December 1893 shows Joe Ford also employed Ah Lung in 1893.]

XV, 261, 13 Sep. 1893, page 2 [There is no number 260]

Advt. F. Gebhardt, baker of Kooringa is ceasing business which is being taken over by his brother, William Gebhardt.

Advt. N.J. Tiddy, late of Drew & Crewes, is to open a shop of drapery at lowest prices in Aberdeen, adjacent to Austin’s Butchers, about 5 September 1893.

Advt. Hibernicon and Comedy Co.

[Hibernican is the more conventional adjective for Irish.]

Features Tom Buckley (Great Irish Comedian)

Miss Maggie Coughlan, Champion Lady Dancer of the World, and

The Talented Gardner Family, Brass Band & a Musical Tour of Ireland in Song, Dance and Wit. Burra Institute 19 September.

Advt. Burra Institute Lecture, Professor Lowrie, 22 September: The Horses Foot.

Obituary. Mrs Eli Isam died last Saturday. [Born Louisa Ann Lawn 15 March 1858, died 8 September 1893. Age at death is given as 37 but should be 35 & this accords with age at marriage.]

Bible Christian Bazaar, today.

Weather: rain continues to give promise of a good harvest.

St Mary’s Grand Concert in aid of the schoolroom building fund, Institute, tomorrow.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist social evening in the schoolroom last Wednesday. An evening of songs, dialogues, parlour games and a sumptuous spread.

Lord Kintore is to continue to be Governor till March 1895, but will be on leave from next November to attend to private business in England.

XV, 261, 13 Sep. 1893, page 3

W. Peel Nesbit’s article The People’s Problem, Part III, is printed.

Burra Literary Soc. had an evening with the microscope last Friday.

Unemployment is causing great distress in Broken Hill.

Captain R. Edwards was farewelled at the Burra Hotel last Thursday evening. He is going to South Africa to an important mining position there. He had lived in SA for 27 years, 18 in Burra and 9 in Waukaringa. The 1⁄2 column article effectively says he is a nice guy, but gives little real information about him or his activities.

Burra Town Council Meeting, 12 September.

As soon as the meeting opened Cr Parks moved to have the room cleared of strangers.

Cr Linkson objected saying the move was illegal because in compliance with section 71 of by-law 1 the adjournment at the last two meetings had not specified a date and time for the meeting. The standing orders do not provide for an adjourned meeting taking place except at the date and time of the ordinary meeting.

Excitement followed.

The Mayor ignored the objection and put the motion of Cr Parks, using his casting vote to get it carried.

Cr Linkson pointed out that the casting vote was unnecessary as not all the Councillors had voted.

When strangers were asked to leave no one moved. At length he asked ex-Councillor Sampson to retire and the latter respectfully asked him to define ‘strangers’.

Mr Sampson refused to leave when the Mayor refused to discuss the matter.

The mayor then called upon P-C Thomas to come and remove Mr W.J. Davey from the Chamber as a trespasser, as he was bringing Council business to a standstill.

Cr Linkson then tried to get his objections minuted, but failed (twice).

The police arrived after some 15 minutes.

Cr Linkson asked if the Overseer and Inspector were strangers.

The Mayor said they were officers of the Council.

The constable then removed the editor of The Record.

From the door the editor heard Cr Linkson try again to have his objection recorded.

The Mayor then saw the editor and others by the door taking notes and ordered the Inspector to close it which was done with some difficulty.

By this time ratepayers and non-ratepayers had taken up positions on forms and boxes to get a glimpse inside the Chamber. After a few minutes Crs Walsh, West and Linkson came out, having refused to sit in a closed Council.

The ratepayers decided to call a ratepayers’ meeting and subsequently a large deputation led by Mr J. Sampson called upon the Mayor to call such a meeting and the Mayor said he would attend to the matter.

The mayor and three Councillors then transacted some business as a growing crowd gathered outside.

Legal proceedings are to be instituted against one or two for the illegal ejection of ratepayers and in respect to the letter sent to the police – it being noted that the pre-prepared letter giving the reason for calling the police stated that Mr W.J. Davey was the obstructing person when in fact it was Mr Sampson who had been specifically asked to move.

XV, 262, 20 Sep. 1893, page 2

Advt. Ratepayers’ Meeting called for Wednesday 20 September at 7.30 p.m. in the Institute.

Advt. St Mary’s Church, Friday 22 September, 3.30 p.m. in Mr John Lewis’s schoolroom: an address by Sister Lucy on the work of the Church Extension Society.

On Sunday 24 September the New Schoolroom will be opened with a dedicatory service by Rev. A.G. King. On Wednesday 27 September there will be a public tea in the schoolroom. Adults 1/-, children 6d. Public meeting at 7.30 p.m. with Ven. Archdeacon Dove.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Parsonage and Church Fund

Sale of gifts at the Institute 6 October. Plain and fancy goods.

A good dinner for 1/- from 12 to 2 p.m. and a splendid tea 4 to 6 p.m. for 6d.

Refreshments all day and an evening promenade concert.

Advt. Wesleyan Methodist Church Anniversary 24 September.

Services by Rev. R.S. Casely.

Afternoon sung service: Tom O’Jack’s Lad O’ Pit’s Hoile, Part I with Part II on

25 September at the Public Meeting following the Tea.

Advt. Burra Institute, Thursday 21 September

Dan Barry’s Dramatic Co. presents The Great London Sensational Drama

Foul Play, mounted with Specially Painted Scenery, Limelight Effects,

And full all through of Exciting, Pathetic and Thrilling Incidents.

MIRTH, MUSIC, SONGS, AND DANCES.

Advt. Wirths Bros’ Grand Double Circus is coming Thursday 28 September.

XV, 262, 20 Sep. 1893, page 2-3

Editorial on the forthcoming ratepayers’ meeting.

The editor blames the Mayor and Councillors Parks and Hardy as the principals with Cr Harris getting second prize. He says:

‘There is not the slightest doubt but that the meeting held on September 12 was illegal, therefore all the proceedings were illegal. On that date the assessment for the year 1893-94 was passed, and if the motion dealing with the matter is not rescinded serious consequences will follow.’

‘It is high time the ratepayers took the matter up, and once and for all put a stop to the continual bickering for personal motives.’

XV, 262, 20 Sep. 1893, page 3

Mrs W. West has suffered a relapse and is very seriously ill.

Cr Hardy, on 12 September, withdrew his motion for a £10 tax on auctioneers.

J. Griffy was slightly injured by the premature explosion of a charge at the Aberdeen Ballast Quarry last Saturday.

The Bible Christian Bazaar raised over £30 last Wednesday.

Burra Literary Soc. last Friday held a debate on the abolition of payment for members [of Parliament] and the negative side won 27 to 17.

Accident. Cabby, Mr Thomas Murphy, suffered a broken kneecap on Thursday when his cab slipped over an embankment on the way back from Hampton. He is expected to be in the Burra Hospital for several months.

Annual Terowie Show, on Wednesday 25 October.

‘A Disgusted Ratepayer’ writes expressing his concern at the fiasco of the last Council meeting and his dismay at the illegality of the proceedings on 12 September and the consequences flowing from that.

Letter to the Editor expressing anti-union sentiments in view of the recent shearers’ and maritime strikes.

Letter to the Editor claiming that the culprits in the Council fiasco are Cr Hardy, who is seeking revenge after his humiliation in his failed libel case, and the Mayor who was likewise shamed by publication of his report with all its errors. The writer includes a reminder from the trial of when the Mayor evoked a retort from counsel:

‘If the way in which you have given your evidence is a sample of the manner in which you conduct the business of the Council no one need wonder at the dissatisfaction of the ratepayers.’

The writer believed Cr Parks was merely being used, but admitted that Cr Harris was a mystery as ‘he has not even the miserable pretext of revenge to fall back upon’.

St Mary’s. The concert in aid of the schoolroom was well done, though attendance was disappointing due to the miserable weather last Thursday.

Court. 13 September.

James Mends was fined £2-10-0 under the Width of Tyres Act for driving a wagon which was 2 tons 13 cwt overweight.

J. Fairchild, as owner of the same wagon was fined £1-16-0.

SA National Rifle Assoc. matches in Adelaide saw Captain J. A. Watt take a prize in the Allcomers Match which attracted 198 men. Also a prize in the revolver contest in which there were 154 competitors and another in the short range event. Pte Gemmell won a prize in the Nursery Handicap.

Burra Town Council Meeting, 18 September.

After the minutes had been read Cr Linkson handed the Town Clerk a written protest about the illegality of the meeting of 12 September in respect of By-Law 1 Section 71.

Crs Harris, Parks and Hardy voted for and Cr Walsh against. Crs West and Linkson did not vote in confirmation of the minutes. Cr Parks then moved the Council go into committee and the room be cleared of strangers. Cr Hardy 2nd and the motion passed on the Mayor’s casting vote.

After a final skirmish Crs Walsh, West and Linkson left the room and the others continued with the meeting.

F.W. Holder won the House of Assembly contest and the £1-1-0 prize in connection with the SA Rifle Assoc. matches.

XV, 263, 27 Sep. 1893, page 2

Advt. Wirth Bros. Circus is coming by special train Thursday 28 September.

For one night, with prices to suit the times.

Editorial on the result of the Committee appointed to investigate the feud between The Record and the Council. This comprised five former Mayors (Dr Brummitt and Messrs E.C. Lockyer, P.L. Killicoat, T.W. Wilkinson and P. Lane.) They were to compare the Council minutes with the reports in the paper. The papers from January 1893 to the present were examined and the results appear on page three. The Committee has found the papers reports to be substantially correct. In particular that of the meeting of 17 July published on 19 July which seems to have been the origin of the present troubles ‘does not contain anything which need have been seriously noticed by the Council.’

And was ‘undeserving of serious criticism.’ The Committee did note a change in the tone of the reports after the antagonistic resolution by the Council [following the publication of 19 July]. They conclude it is most desirable for the Council meetings to be with open doors and for reports of the business to be published. The Committee concluded that recent press reports have been objectionable: ‘the action of the Council has led up to and excited animosity.’

We are now free from the charge made against us.

‘It is to be hoped the offending councillors with the Mayor will take the verdict calmly although it may seem hard.’

Professor Lowrie’s lecture on The Horse’s Foot drew a fair audience last Friday at the Institute.

The Pastoralists’ Assoc. of SA & West Darling held a largely and representatively attended meeting of the Burra Branch on Friday 22 September.

Mr Dawes Sen. was driving from Burra on Friday night when the harness broke near Princess Royal Station causing the shafts to fall. The occupants were thrown out. A boy aged 12 was severely injured when he hit his head on the step detaching a large section of scalp and his ear. He was taken to Mr McCulloch’s house and is progressing as well as can be expected.

Dan Barry Dramatic Co.’s production of Foul Play was highly praised as ‘the best that has been staged here for a considerable time.

Burra Literary Soc. continues to meet successfully.

Burra Hospital Board met on 21 September. Bowen’s tender for removing the large ward was accepted for £3-17-6 plus 15/- for extra work. All has been completed successfully.

The Hibernicons played to a crowded house and their performance was much appreciated. The scenery comprised 52 magnificent scenes in Ireland, each of them a work of art, their equal has never before been seen in Burra. £25 was taken at the door.

XV, 263, 27 Sep. 1893, page 2-3

Wirths Bros. provided 1⁄3 column of publicity for their impending appearance. Such publicity articles were a fairly common feature of the paper and were clearly supplied by the more important or at least better organised entertainment companies who were preceded by an agent.

XV, 263, 27 Sep. 1893, page 3

World’s End Wesleyan Anniversary was celebrated on 17 September. The tea meeting was fairly well attended. Services were by Rev. Casely and E.W. Crewes with a song service in the evening.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary was held on 24 & 25 September. Rev. Casely was the main preacher. The service of song was held on Monday. The debt on the church, hall and parsonage has been reduced to £86.

The New St Mary’s Schoolroom was opened with a dedicatory service on Sunday 24 September, when Rev. A.G. King officiated. There is a public tea meeting today.

Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports are expected to be held on 26 December.

Laura Sports on 28 December, and Terowie Sports on 1 January 1894.

Cricket at Aberdeen on Saturday saw the Quarrymen beat Aberdeen by 8 runs.

On 23 September Mt Bryan 116 drew with Hallett 4 for 34.

Shearers have been passing through the town for some time. Gum Creek started yesterday.

Ratepayers’ Meeting.

Ex-Councillor Sampson presented the requisition for the meeting which took place on 20 September in the Institute when Dr Brummitt presided as a very effective chairman.

Mr Sampson said he had attended two or three meetings to see for himself whether the reports in the paper were false and he was thoroughly satisfied they were not. He felt that when debate got heated Councillors said things they were later ashamed to see in print. He could only term them a lot of _____. The meeting of 12 September when such a disgraceful scene took place was reported fairly. [The meeting where the Mayor called in the police.] Mr Sampson alluded to Cr Hardy’s unsuccessful attempt a few months before to sue the editor for libel and when that failed ‘he allowed private spleen to still play a prominent part in carrying out the duties of his public position – ‘the offending councillors and the mayor had allowed their feeling to overcome their judgement sufficiently to make trouble’.

‘The Council meetings and councillors were never more grossly represented than when Cr Hardy used to write the reports. (Laughter)’

Mr Sampson then moved, ‘That this meeting hereby expresses its dissatisfaction at the conduct of the Mayor, and Councillors Parks, Hardy and Harris in conducting the business of the Town Council by excluding ratepayers from the general meeting of same.’

The more he considered matters the more serious it became.

‘On 12 September at a sort of adjourned meeting the assessment of the town was ordered and he would ask the Councillors to retrace their steps and put the town in proper working order. (Cheers)’

Cr Walsh 2nd and expressed dissatisfaction with the way the standing committees were ignored as well as his intention to resign if closed meetings were continued.

The Mayor rose and said he thought Ex-Councillor Sampson’s remarks were uncalled for. ‘He said the councillors were a lot of consummate fools.’

Mr Sampson denied that and Dr Brummitt supported him. The mayor withdrew ‘consummate’. He thought Mr Sampson could not know if reports were true by attending two meetings. (Sampson interjected to say three.) Amid considerable interjection the Mayor tried to defend his record.

‘He was jealous of maintaining the dignity of the town.’

Cries of ‘Oh, oh.’ He felt that Mr Sampson would have been the first to have come down on the editor. (The Mayor kept referring to Mr Sampson as Councillor and was corrected several times so that eventually Sampson interjected: ‘Not Councillor Sampson, please; I do not wish to be mixed up with you lot.’ And later: ‘I am not so thin skinned as you are.’

Eventually Mayor Rabbich moved as an amendment ‘That a committee of five ex-Mayors be appointed to investigate the matter, and to compare the reports as published in the Burra Record with the minute book of the Burra Corporation.’

There was some dissention about the Mayor’s wish to nominate the five, but eventually his nomination of Dr Brummitt, and Messrs E.C. Lockyer, P.L. Killicoat, T.W. Wilkinson and P. Lane was agreed to and they accepted. Cr Parks 2nd.

In his remarks he accused the Record reports of being one-sided, which caused uproar. He considered his actions in the Council were suppressed by the editor. He brought up the question of the stinking fish in the creek when the writer of the Record inferred that what he had said was false.’

Cr Linkson said he was not connected with the Burra Record and had always done the business of the town in the Council Chamber and was much against it being done in committee. He and Councillor Walsh had objected to going into committee even on 15 August when not one ratepayer, not even the editor of The Record was present. They had not been elected to deal with personal grievances.

Cr Hardy had first moved to go into committee under Section 96 and when it was pointed out this was illegal Cr Parks moved at the next meeting the same under Section 33. He had advice that the meeting of 12 September was illegal and as this meeting passed the town assessment it was a serious matter.

Cr Hardy ascended the platform amid confusion and said: ‘I don’t deny that there is a lot of spite attached to this affair.

(A Voice: You admit the truth for once then. Uproar and dissent.)’

The Chair ruled any discussion of spite out of order.

He claimed the Record held gross misrepresentations but he would not go into them. In Mr Holder’s time meetings were not reported as they are now. There had been 22 letters published in the Record and all for the other side.

Asked to withdraw his motion Mr Sampson said, ‘The vital question is whether the business of the town will be conducted with open or closed doors?’

‘Cr Parks (promptly replying) It will be open Council.’

On that assurance and with the consent of the seconder he withdrew his motion.

The Mayor named the committee and the amendment was carried.

Mr Davey had asked to address the meeting, but the chairman asked him to refrain as a committee had been appointed to enquire into the matter.

A comprehensive vote of thanks followed for the chairman.

The Committee of the Five Ex-Mayors

The committee met on Thursday 21 September and examined the Council minutes and the reports in the Record from January 1893 to the present. After 31⁄2 hours the committee adjourned and resumed on Friday night, finally finishing on Saturday afternoon. They sent copies of their report to the Mayor and the Editor of the Record. Their findings were as follows:

Reports in the earlier part of the year were substantially correct, though needlessly detailed.

That of 17 July, published on 19 July, which seems to have sparked the recent problem ‘did not contain anything which need have been seriously noticed by the Council’.

The Town Council on 7 August passed a resolution severely condemning the reporter of the Record for the report of the meeting of 17 July which they considered ‘undeserving’ of serious criticism.

From then on the tone of reports in the Record changed and ‘has been decidedly offensive, caricaturing certain members of Council and holding them up to ridicule’.

‘This mode of reporting cannot be justified.’

‘The headings of some of the reports have also been objectionable.’

‘We cannot express surprise that the councillors who felt aggrieved by these reports sought by some means to prevent their continuance.’

The committee agreed that the Council had a right to sit with closed doors, but felt that it was undesirable for that to be usually adopted.

It also held it desirable for reports of Council business to be published.

In future Council business should be reported simply with any comment reserved for other columns.

Such details of conversations in Council that have sometimes been given could with advantage be omitted as tending to excite ill feeling and promote differences.

While recent press reports have been objectionable a continuation of Council action by recent methods would be disastrous.

XV, 264, 4 Oct. 1893, page 2

Advt. Frances McLagan’s Burra Girls High School will resume on 9 October 1893.

Advt. St Mary’s Sunday school picnic today at Koonoona.

Advt. Terowie Catholic Sports at Gottlieb’s Well today.

Advt. Hallett Sports on 9 November.

Editorial on the depression in SA. And in Australia generally. Marked in SA by:

severe economies, especially in the military and naval departments

a reduction in civil service salaries

the railways working short time

increase in succession and legacy duties and increased taxes on high incomes and on estates over £5,000 unimproved value.

300-400 men are labouring in the swamps at St Kilda for £1-2-6 a week.

Income tax has been increased 50% on incomes between £200 and £1,000 and 100% on incomes over £10,000.

Municipal Elections. Burra is beginning to look for candidates for the next elections.

Burra Institute Reading Room is being repainted.

Wesleyan Sale of Gifts at the Institute next Friday.

A.J. Edmunds SM is ill.

XV, 264, 4 Oct. 1893, page 2-3

JPs are to receive the Government Gazette free of charge as they need it in their work and they are naturally protesting the charge.

XV, 264, 4 Oct. 1893, page 3

W. Smithers-Gadd JP and Ex-Mayor of Fitzroy in Melbourne is visiting Burra, where he was born, though leaving here as a child. His grandfather, the late William Hill James, was the first assayer at the mine. Mr Gadd visited the mine, the Institute, Hospital, State School and the Churches and was received by the Mayor, W.T. Rabbich. He was the guest of his brother-in-law, Mr W.G. Martin, stationmaster.

Wirth’s Circus visited on Thursday and Friday last and drew a large audience on Thursday, but a poorer one on Friday due to very bad weather. The program was very long, but much enjoyed. The five-horse acts, bareback riding, clowns, aerial act and royal pantomime were especially commented upon.

The Collet-Dobson Dramatic Co. performed at the Burra Institute on Monday evening in the drama Shaugrahaun. The performance was greatly appreciated and all parts were well sustained. It was ‘the most amusing drama played in Burra for some time.

Burra Literary Soc. met last Friday and featured mock deputations to the Treasurer and Commissioner of Public works – the first sought £100 for the District Council for a bridge on the road to Copperhouse and the second sought gates at the Bon Accord crossing.

Annual Parliamentary Rifle Match between the Parliaments of Victoria, Queensland and SA. Each team fired on their home ground. Queensland 431 lead from SA 405 and Victoria 341. F.W. Holder scored 64 and the highest scorer was Hon. J.V. O’Loughlin with 77.

Cricket. Last Saturday at cricket the Quarrymen defeated Aberdeen by about 63.

The Dispute with the Council

[Over the last few weeks the paper had reprinted several short comments from other regional papers relating to the problems with the Burra Town Council. Perhaps the best of these was the one this issue from the Kapunda Herald.]

The Kapunda Herald writer speculated that as it had been for F.W. Holder, the paper might be a springboard for W. Davey into SA politics.

‘If the smart young journalist should become a Minister, I would want to be present when his Corporation adversaries of today wait upon him as a deputation.’

St Mary’s Sunday School opening celebrations continued on Wednesday 27 September with a tea social. Ven. Archdeacon Dove gave an address. It is intended that a day school be opened as well as a Sunday school. The total cost of the building was £520, of which some £250 has been paid off. It accommodates 200.

W. Peel Nesbitt’s The People’s Problem, Part IV is printed.

Burra Town Council.

The town assessment was passed [again].

The five Ex-Mayors were thanked for their report.

[The editor appears to have taken the report to heart and the report is brief and matter-of-fact.]

Henry Becker who recently exhibited the Cosmorama in Burra has been held in Adelaide charged with quitting the province with intent to defraud his creditors.

XV, 265, 11 Oct. 1893, page 2

Advt. W.H. Jude appears at the Burra Institute Tonight.

A musical treat by that King of Musicians.

Editorial on Some Socialist Proposals.

This discusses the move to form co-operatives and village societies.

A.J. Edmunds SM continues to be very ill in Adelaide.

St Mary’s Sunday School picnic last Wednesday at Koonoona on grounds kindly lent by Mr W.G. Hawkes.

Burra Institute. The renovation of the public reading room has been completed by Mr D. Jones. A copy Burra News was received and will be laid on the reading room table.

[Is this a short-lived rival of the Record? If it is there are no known extant copies.]

XV, 265, 11 Oct. 1893, page 3

The House of Assembly has rejected the Adult Suffrage Bill.

Terowie Catholic Sports were held at Gottlieb’s Well on Wednesday and were a great success. There was a concert and ball in the evening.

Moonta and Wallaroo Miners are to have their pay reduced on the understanding that a reduction will be made right through the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining and Smelting Co.

The Rifle Match for Mr A. McCulloch’s £3 prize was completed on Wednesday last and was won by: Pte Gemmells first 114

Capt. Watt second 111

Lieut. Blott third 103

Redruth Wesleyan Sale of Gifts on 6 October was organised to meet the requirements of the church and parsonage building fund. The loan is from a fund which requires one fifth of the principal lent to be paid back each year. £40 fell due on 7 October and the sale managed to raise £50. The Burra Band helped by playing in front of the building in the evening.

W. Peel Nesbitt’s The People’s Problem, Part V is printed.

Cricket. In the last season the Burra Cricket Club played 8 matches, won 6 and lost 2

Best batting was J. Drew (av. 108: from six innings for 648 runs) and G. Parks (av. 541⁄2)

Best bowling was G. Parks with 18 wickets for 97 and J. Drew 18 wickets for 108.

At the AGM on 26 September, G. Parks was re-elected Captain and G. Herbert Vice-Captain.

Advt. Collet-Dobson Dramatic Co. at the Burra Institute 31 October will present Our Boys.

Advt. Mr Ernest M. Bennett resumes professional duties for the 4th Term 1893 at Kangaroo St from 2 October on Fridays & Saturdays: Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Piano, Harmony, Theory & Counterpoint.

Those desirous of joining an orchestral class in course of preparation are requested to apply at once.

Mrs Knorr, who is supposed to have visited Burra in April 1892, has been found guilty in Melbourne on Thursday of the wilful murder of two girls. [At least I think that is the gist of a somewhat unclear report.]

XV, 266, 18 Oct. 1893, page 2-3

A Bolt. The horse in George Sampson’s spring cart was frightened by the noise of a sheet of iron on Tuesday morning. The cart was loaded with mutton. Staring from Commercial St, the horse made for Market Square and collided with the verandah post of Messrs A.W. Dobbie’s music warehouse. The cart capsized and broke two shafts and the meat was scattered. No one was in the cart at the time.

XV, 266, 18 Oct. 1893, page 3

Burra Literary Soc. held an evening of impromptu speeches and musical items.

Hon. J.H. Gordon visited Burra on Wednesday and gave a lecture in aid of the Cricket Club.

SAMA, Half-Yearly Report

Receipts include settlement of the case against Mr King of £952-6-6, making total receipts in this case after payment of all legal expenses etc. £10,952-6-6.

Rents received £676-6-9. Sales of ore £23-15-9.

Expenditure, wages, charges, repairs etc. for the half-year £562-5-2.

Undivided profit now £10,956-19-1.

Assets valued at £74,691.

Burra Mine. The mining reporter for the Mt Barker paper considers the Burra Mine not worked out – it not having been explored at depth.

Redruth Court, last Wednesday.

George Highet of Kooringa aged 10 was charged with entering the dwelling of C. Grow and stealing £3-6-0. When caught the lad had £1-14-0 and acknowledged spending 2/6 in sweets. Found guilty and sentenced to 6 strokes by the police.

God Save the Queen

At the concert on Wednesday the last item by Mr Jude was the song Home Boys Home, after which he left the stage. The audience waited and he returned and played an encore and after heavy applause left again and when the audience stayed the secretary then returned to say that after a very heavy season at the Adelaide Town Hall he could not be expected to continue all night. The audience slowly left wondering why he had not played God Save the Queen.

Mr Jude, talented instrumentalist and composer paid a flying visit to Burra on Wednesday and played to a well-filled hall. His much-appreciated performance is reviewed item by item.

‘One of the People’ writes doubting the utility of strikes and citing evidence from the shearing and coal mining industries to suggest they are often counter-productive for the workers.

‘Whip’ reports that the cricket Club lecture was a financial failure. He says the Friendly Societies are preparing for a sports day to include bicycle contests as a special feature as well as the Sheffield Handicap. He comments that bicycling continues to grow in favour with ladies around the world, Mr Grundy notwithstanding.

Burra Town Council, 16 October

Burra DC advises its decision to form and metal 7 chains of road adjoining the western boundary of the Corporation and asking for the Corporation to improve the road on its side. Received.

A series of minor works was approved.

Burra United Friendly Societies were granted the use of the oval on 26 December.

Officers retiring due to effluxion of time:

Mayor W.T. Rabbich

North Ward Cr Linkson

East Ward Cr Hardy

West Ward Cr Harris

Auditor Mr Cave

The Mayor indicated he had no objection to standing again.

Sparks

Fine rain last Friday

‘The wife of Martin Pederson of Kooringa gave birth to triplets on Thursday night last. The mother and trio are in excellent health while the father is proud of his little visitors.’

[Unfortunately this optimism was not justified:

The triplets were born 12 October

Elizabeth Pederson aged 33 died 4 November from pleurisy and pneumonia and the triplets followed from want of breast milk:

Alice died 1 November 1893

Lilian died 4 November 1893

Elizabeth died 20 March 1894]

The Hon. J.H. Gordon’s lecture on Some Servants of Queen Elizabeth is reported and so is the reception accorded him at the Council Chamber. At the time he was the Chief Secretary in the Government of SA.

XV, 267, 25 Oct. 1893, page 2

Advt. To let, at Iron Mine – House and Blacksmith’s Shop, lately occupied by Mr J. Scott.

Advt. St Mary’s Strawberry Fete at Burra Recreation Ground, 29 November.

Advt. Burra Institute, Tuesday 31 October.

Collett-Dobson Dramatic co. in Byron’s Laughable Comedy in Three Acts:

Our Boys.

Advt. Grand Concert in St Mary’s Schoolroom tonight in aid of the piano fund.

XV, 267, 25 Oct. 1893, page 2-3

Editorial on Vermin Problems.

In early winter when the inside country is too cold for feed to grow, but herbage is good in the eastern hundreds and is making rapid progress, the rodent move east. Now they are returning in multitudes. A chief source is the unleased Crown Lands. The editor favoured rabbit-proof fencing.

XV, 267, 25 Oct. 1893, page 3

Mr James Gully’s fourth son met with an accident at Redruth on Monday when Messrs Linkson Bros.’ horse kicked him in the mouth, knocking out several teeth and badly cutting his top lip. He had been trying to get on the horse’s back at the time: the horse not being used to such.

Terowie Show today. Excursion fares apply on the railway. A special will leave Terowie at 5.50 p.m. and should reach Burra about 7.30 p.m.

Burra Literary Soc. 53 people attended on Friday.

The Magnet Surprise Party Troupe will give a concert in the Institute on 27 October to benefit an inmate of the Burra Hospital who has met with a serious accident and is in very distressed circumstances. T.W. Rabbich will preside.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held its Anniversary services last Sunday. The preacher was Rev. Thomas Weatherill of Mallala. Services were fairly well attended. The tea meeting followed on Monday.

SA Parliament has been petitioned to prohibit Tandstickor and wax matches in the colony – after time to allow for shipments actually on the water. They are dangerous and cause bushfires and fires in crops and grass.

State Education. There is a move in Parliament by Mr Giles to charge the full cost of education in State Schools for those attending after the compulsory standard. It is a move intended to establish private sectarian schools – it would also impair the efficiency of country schools and see a drift to the city. Debate has been adjourned to 15 November.

St Mary’s. The incumbent gave the first in a series of lectures on Church History at St Mary’s Schoolroom last Wednesday. Dr Sangster will give the second on a date to be fixed.

Golden Wedding. Last Sunday the Golden Wedding of Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Fuss and Freideriche Christiana Fuss was celebrated. They were married at Neustatt, Harzburg, Germany, on 22 October 1843. They migrated to Australia four years later in the Hermann Von Beckeratt. On reaching Burra Mr Fuss became a miner, but was soon promoted to sole charge of the smelting works charge yard, where he mixed the first and the last charge for the furnace. He has 44 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He is a most successful gardener and when Burra could boast annual floricultural shows Mr Fuss was the principal prize-taker. Even at the present time he takes great interest in gardening operations and his clean neat beds of flowers are admired by everyone. In addition to this he spends much time reading. He had six sons and two daughters, all of whom are married. Mr Fuss is 77 and his wife 76 and both are in excellent health. After the suspension of work at the smelting yards Mr Fuss did a little farming at Springbank for a few years, but he subsequently retired from that operation and has since led a retired life.

Court.

J. Varley was charged with carrying 6 tons 17 cwt on a wagon with tyres only 31⁄2” wide – 11 cwt over his licensed weight. Fined 10/- plus 10/- costs.

T.P. Halls was charged for the second time with taking his cab onto Station property without a licence. The Railway Commissioners have apparently said they will not issue any more licences. His defence was that he was not touting for business as he was a free cab to the Burra Hotel. He was fined 5/- + 10/- costs.

He was also charged with leaving his cab without first chaining the wheels. Fined 2/6 + 5/- costs.

[Unable to pay, he fled to Waukaringa and was brought back to work it off in jail: see XV, 270, 15 Nov. 1893.]

Charlie Grow was fined 10/- + 10/- costs for driving his cab without lights.

Rifle Match. Burra v. Pamattas on Wednesday last on each teams’ home ground. Pamattas 543 defeated Burra 468. [Pamatta was a property, P.O. etc near Carrieton.]

At the rifle range on Wednesday last the Allcomers Sweepstake of 2/6 was won by Pte Gemmell with 94: ten ahead of his nearest rival.

The Faust Family played at Burra last night.

A Measles Epidemic at Broken Hill has caused 53 deaths up to 17 October.

XV, 268, 1 Nov. 1893, page 2

Advt. W.H. Jude [celebrated organist] will give A Descriptive Musical Evening at the Institute.

Burra Flower Show, Wednesday 8 November.

Editorial calls for the revival of the Burra Show.

The Faust Family of Bellringers gave a good performance in the Institute on 24 October to a poor house.

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary next Sunday when Rev. J. Hopkins and Rev. R.S. Casely will preach.

Burra Literary Soc. continues to be lively with prepared speeches next week.

Burra Co. MR visited ‘Monavea’, the residence of R. Field c. 6 miles from Burra. There were drills, cleaving the Turk’s head, and rescue racing, ending with an evening spread in Mr Field’s dining room.

XV, 268, 1 Nov. 1893, page 3

Captain Watt is trying to get some horse sports organised for the Strawberry Fete such as cleaving the Turk’s head, rescue racing and threading the needle race.

Terowie Show. The second annual show was a great success last Wednesday and attracted c. 1,500, including a fair number from Burra who went up on the midday train and returned on the special. The accommodation for the show was not good. The evening concert featured the operetta: Dick Whittington and His Cat. A ball followed.

Obituary. Mrs W. West died at Burra Burra Mines at quarter to ten Thursday evening, 26 October. She was the eldest daughter of the late Edmund Joiner, Inspector of County Police, Petworth, Sussex, where she was born 12 April 1838. In January 1858 she sailed with her sister from London in the Stately and arrived in May 1858. In November 1858 she came to Burra as companion to the late Mrs Mauran and in April 1859 was married by Rev. R.C. Flockhart, Wesleyan minister at Kooringa, to William West, present manager of the SAMA estate at Burra. For some years she and her husband engaged in teaching at Redruth. In 1873 Mr West gave up teaching and became an official on the staff of SAMA. In 1891-92 she was Mayoress of Burra and loyally and efficiently assisted her husband in his duties. On November 30 1892 she christened the new bridge in Aberdeen ‘The Bon Accord Bridge’.

By her gentle demeanour, unostentatious manner, sterling integrity and amiable disposition she made many friends. Her illness manifested itself six months ago and required a severe operation and through the skilled attention of Dr Sangster she recovered from its effects and it was hoped she would be restored to health, but unfortunately about six weeks ago the return of the disease manifested itself. She was buried on Saturday at Kooringa, her funeral being largely attended. Rev. S. Casely officiated. As well as a husband, Mr William West, she leaves five sons and three daughters:

Charles Leonard West (Councillor for West Ward)

Alfred Earnest West (Operator at GPO, Adelaide)

Horace Edmund West (Clerk at the Adelaide Railway Forwarding Goods Department)

Joshua James West (Commercial Master, Whinham College, North Adelaide)

Henry Howard West (Clerk, Jamestown Railway Station)

Mrs R.A. Cilento of Jamestown

Miss Harriet and Miss Alice Emily West (Both at home)

There are eight grandchildren.

The Concert announced for last Friday night, to aid distressed persons, did not come off.

F.W Holder preached at the Kooringa and Redruth Wesleyan Churches on Sunday.

Court.

S. Haywood was fined £5 plus £5-15-0 costs for crossing Caroona Run with cattle without giving notice, contrary to the Stock Disease Act 1888. He had previously paid a similar sum for crossing Mr J. McBride’s run.

XV, 269, 8 Nov. 1893, page 2

Advt. St Mary’s Strawberry Fete, 20 November.

Advt. St Mary’s Grand Concert, Friday night, 10 November.

Advt. Burra Flower show today

Advt. St Mary’s Schoolroom, Church History lecture 15 November.

Advt. Dr Emily B. Ryder will lecture to ladies in the Institute on Monday 12 November: How Not to be Ill.

Editorial on the need for vermin-proof fencing to keep out rabbits and dingos.

Burra Literary Soc. had a somewhat smaller attendance on Friday due to the unavoidable absence of several regular members. The evening featured prepared speeches.

Obituary. Mrs M. Pederson, of Stock St Kooringa, died on Friday after a short illness (Pleurisy). She had given birth to triplets about three weeks ago. Two of the triplets have also died. Rev. R.C. Yeoman officiated and a crowd of people attended the funeral on Sunday. [Born Elizabeth Kellaway 22 May 1860, died 4 November 1893.]

XV, 269, 8 Nov. 1893, page 3

St Mary’s Schoolroom. The second popular 3d concert in aid of the piano fund was very successful on Wednesday night. The next one is on next Friday night.

British & Foreign Bible Society, Burra Branch AGM was held in the Institute on 3 November. Rev. R.C. Yeoman took the chair in place of the President, Dr Brummitt, who could not attend.

Burra Co. MR. Several members under Capt. J.A. Watt left by train with their horses this morning for the grand military sports in Adelaide.

Rifle Match. The Allcomers’ Sweepstake of 2/6 to be fired last Wednesday resulted in a win for Mr T. Bentley with 91, ahead of Capt. Watt 84, Lieut. Blott 83 and Pte Gemmell 80. Another match saw a team of 6 mounted rifles with 426 defeat 6 Civilians 336.

Golden Wedding. On Monday night last in the Wesleyan Hall at Kooringa a social was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Mr & Mrs W. Pearce. The tables were supervised by their great-nieces and were heavy with all kinds of eatables and beautifully decorated. There were musical items and an address from the Kooringa Band of Hope, of which Mr Pearce has been the Vice-President for the last ten years. There was another address from the Kooringa Wesleyan Church. The Mayor addressed the assemblage of 300-400 people and presented a purse of 22 sovereigns appropriate for a golden wedding.

Mrs Pearce nee Coles was born in the village of Wing in Buckinghamshire on 31 January 1820. Mr Pearce was born 9 November 1820 in the town of Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire. They were married in the Parish Church at Wing by Rev. John Felix on 6 November 1843. On 23 November 1847 they embarked on the David Malcolm and arrived at Port Adelaide 24 March 1848. Mr Pearce worked briefly in Adelaide and then formed an engagement with Mr William Pearce of Adelaide to manage a business for him in Burra and has remained here ever since. He was postmaster at Kooringa for three years till the post and telegraph departments amalgamated. He was Councillor for West Ward for two years. He has been a teetotaller for over 53 years and is the longest serving trustee of the Kooringa Wesleyan Church. The couple had eleven children: five sons and six daughters. Three sons died in infancy and one son and two daughters died in 1888. There are 34 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. The late Mr James Pearce, timber merchant, was a brother and 37 call then uncle and aunt. The two families now number 81.

Thanks were extended to the Mayor and Town Clerk for postponing the fortnightly Council meeting to attend.

Rabbits & Lease Cancellations.

On 10 October a Government Circular threatened the cancellation of leases of landholders in the Hundreds of King, Rees and Tomkinson, who had not effectively eradicated rabbits. A meeting was called at the Commercial Hotel in Kooringa last Friday, chaired by Mr T. Warnes. Holders of 263,511 acres attended.

This was all very unfair and the bill before Parliament still had not got the erection of the Morgan to Winninnie [sic] [Presumably actually Winnininnie] vermin-proof fence included. Landholders are to be responsible for vermin-proof fences around all permanent water supplies on their holdings, other than running streams, and such fences must be fitted with gates that are closed for seven months of the year. W.P. Barker said the Government fence was essential: then effective control could be taken.

Mr Bald said the Government circular was an insult when Crown Lands were infested with millions of vermin.

The meeting called for the Government to take a fair share of the destruction of vermin on land adjoining those to whom notice had been given.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School 37th Anniversary last Sunday and in the afternoon the Service of song Our Joe was performed. On Monday evening the public meeting in the church drew only a small number. Due to other services coinciding with this anniversary the financial results were a failure and not half the rent of the schoolroom and other unavoidable expenses was realised. A good sum is hoped for from the tea on Thursday. [The schoolroom at this time was probably the old German Church.]

The Collett-Dobson Dramatic Society drew a poor house.

Lord Kintore, the SA Governor, left on Thursday for a six month visit to England.

Obituary. David Brown, a very old Hallett resident, died in the Burra Hospital last week. [Died 3 November 1893 aged 70.]

A.J. Edmunds SM is slowly recovering from his long illness.

Young Locusts are reported near Clare.

November 5th. ‘Did you see old Guy Fawkes?’ [The only reference this year.]

XV, 269, 8 Nov. 1893, Supplementary slip

Railway Accident.

Wednesday 8 November. A shocking accident occurred last night. A ballast train from the quarry ran over Mr & Mrs Foy as it emerged from the quarry. They were taking a short cut along the road over which the line is erected. Mr Foy was knocked over without significant injury, but Mrs Foy has lost her left leg and part of her right foot and remains in a precarious condition. The driver applied full brakes and blew the whistle, but the pair took no notice. The train pulled up just as the accident occurred.

[Note that this account is nothing like that given at the inquest, see XV, 272, 29 Nov. 1893, page 3, where it is said the train was coming from the station to the quarry and the impact occurred on the bridge over the Burra Creek.]

XV, 270, 15 Nov. 1893, page 2

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports, 26 December.

Sheffield Handicap of 135 yards for £30 and five bicycle races.

Obituary. Frederick Charles Williams, eldest son of Mr & Mrs C.C. Williams, died on 13 November, aged 4 years 9 months. [Born 24 January 1889.]

Municipal Elections. The following retire through the effluxion of time:

Mayor: William Thomas Rabbich

North Ward Cr William Henry Linkson

East Ward Cr William Harrison Hardy

West Ward Cr Alexander Harris

Auditor John Darby Cave

Editorial on Bimetallism.

Wesleyan Sunday School picnic held at Koonoona on the holiday Thursday, 9 November. [Presumably the Kooringa Sunday school as the Redruth one reportedly went to Sod Hut the same day.]

Burra Literary Soc. did not meet last Friday and the next meeting will be in the German schoolroom for a 6d entertainment in aid of the Society’s funds.

St Mary’s. The usual weekly concert in aid of the piano fund was a success.

The Season. Wheat crops are fairly good, especially in the east.

Obituary. Mrs Mary Hosking, aged 74 and a resident of about 35 years has died. [Died 12 November 1893.]

Accident. Messrs J. Andrews and C. Schutz Jun. were thrown from their trap while returning from Clare on the very dark evening of November 9. The accident happened at a creek between McNamara’s and Davieston. The horse bolted and was found next morning about 5 o’clock in Kangaroo St with the horse one side of the fence and the trap the other. No serious damage was done.

W.H. Jude performed on Thursday to a moderate audience.

T. Halls. There is a somewhat oblique article referring to ‘The Prodigal’s Return’ and mentioning only the name ‘Tommy’, but this with the statement of the sum involved makes it clear that Mr T. Halls was brought back from Waukaringa where he had fled to avoid paying the £1-2-6 in fines and court costs recently imposed. He was working the sum off in Redruth Gaol.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Picnic was held in a paddock near Sod Hut on 9 November. The morning was very cold. The day was well done, but the public tea was poorly patronised on account of the poor weather and the measles outbreak in the town.

Measles have now considerably abated and attendance at Burra School is now rising again. On 8 November only 30 of 357 were at school. The school examination has had to be postponed till 4 December.

Burra Co. MR. Those who went to Adelaide have returned after a successful field day.

XV, 270, 15 Nov. 1893, page 3

The Mayor’s Report for 1893.

The total receipts for the year were £739-14-5 (the bank balance on 1 January was £17-16-5) and the bank balance is now £103-16-4.

The assessment last year was £9,577-1-9, but depreciating property values have brought it down to £9,442-1-9.

Interest has been reduced by £15 p.a. as £200 has been paid off the general account and £100 off the Parklands account. The bonded Parklands debt has now been paid off, though an ordinary debt of £90 has been created. In the next four years there is £800 of bonded debt to be paid off.

Only urgent work has been done in public works.

[The accounts show 1 lamp in North Ward cost £5-17-0.

1 lamp in East Ward cost £5-5-0

Lamps in West Ward cost £5-5-0. In view of the costs this last should presumably be singular.]

1,000 trees have been planted in the town. No. 2 Reserve in North Ward was planted at the expense of the Councillors for the ward.

In the Health Budget the main item was for the scavenger at £71-5-0.

Cemetery. Work needed to maintain it has increased due to the increase in size last year. Grass and weeds have not been kept down as much as desired because the year started with a debit balance and the curator has been put to outside work to save funds in this account. The account is now in credit £3-7-10.

Waterworks. Cash in the bank is £68-19-0 and much of the last half-year’s rates are still to come in. The works are in good order.

Town Distress. During the year with the aid of many of the townspeople donations to relieve distress have been forwarded:

To Broken Hill £26-0-0

To Queensland £58-0-0

To locals £6-8-1

Hallett Institute Annual Demonstration. The annual sports were held on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday Holiday, 9 November and there is a detailed report of results etc.

Burra Flower Show. This had a poor attendance on 8 November due to unfavourable weather. The show was a delight, but had it been a fortnight earlier the selection of blooms would have been even better. It was getting too late for the best of the stocks and verbenas. W. Fuss this year secured 14 firsts and 11 seconds. J. Drew won 12 firsts and 4 seconds. Dr Brummitt earned 11 firsts and 4 seconds, Miss Cave 9 firsts, Mr T.W. Pearce 8 firsts, W. Davey 5 firsts, Miss Oppermann and W, Lasscock 4 firsts each, Messrs A. Josling & T. Kitchen 3 each, Messrs J. Lewis, Packard, & W. Pearce 2 each and Miss Wilkinson 1. Roses and ferns were especially noteworthy.

[Personal interest: The wins of W. Fuss:

6 Antirrhinums 2nd 3 Gladioli 1st & 2nd

1 Gladiolus 1st 3 Carnations 1st

3 Sweet Williams 1st 1 Sweet William 1st

Dianthus 2nd 3 Dianthus 2nd

3 Everlasting 1st & 2nd 1 Everlasting 2nd

6 Phlox drummondii 1st & 2nd 3 Phlox drummondii 1st & 2nd

12 Annuals 2nd 6 Bulbous/Tuberous 1st & 2nd

3 Bulbous/Tuberous 1st & 2nd 1 Floral design in stand 1st

1 Floral design in basket 1st 1 Bouquet for table 1st & 2nd

1 Bouquet for hand 2nd 1 Bouquet for buttonhole 2nd

1 Bouquet of native flowers 1st 1 Bridal Bouquet 1st & 2nd]

Burra Town Council met, but nothing of significance was transacted.

Cricket. The Aberdeen club seems to be off to a good start with donations and other support.

Last Thursday at Clare Burra 111 Defeated Clare 75.

Mr M. Eyes lectured last night at the Burra Institute in aid of the Burra Hospital.

St Joseph’s. Special services last Sunday and through this week.

Obituary. Mrs Mary Hosking, the mother of Edwin and Jonathan, who carried on business in Burra a few years ago, has died.

St Mary’s. Dr Sangster’s lecture on Church History has been moved to next Wednesday evening 22 November.

The Foys’ Accident.

The paper prints a truly amazing account of the injuries to Mrs Foy!

‘Dr Brummitt . . . ordered the immediate removal of the sufferer to the Burra Hospital, where her left leg was amputated above the ankle, also part of her right foot . . .

On Friday it was found necessary (on account of mortification setting in) to amputate the right leg further up, midway between the foot and the knee, and now under the skilful care of Dr Brummitt there is every reason to believe that Mrs Foy will recover. The left foot which received injuries is almost well.’

XV, 271, 22 Nov. 1893, page 2

Obituary. Daisy Finch, youngest daughter of Edwin N. & F. Finch, died on 13 November aged 1 year 3 months. [Born 15 August 1892.]

Editorial on Council Matters & the Mayor’s Report.

It praises the role of the Town Clerk and is averse to his salary being cut, though the writer questions why he was paid £10 more than he asked for. He also questions the need for an overseer who was kept on with nothing to oversee in the latter part of the year.

A.J. Edmunds SM who has been ill for some weeks is not expected to live.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Schoolroom public social on Wednesday evening.

M. Eyes gave an electrical and scientific entertainment in aid of the local hospital at the Burra Institute on Tuesday 14 November. There were musical selections on electrical bells, practical demonstrations of the telegraph, telephone and microphone, electrical means of extracting copper and a display of revolving gissler vacuum tubes and electrical fireworks.

Pleuropneumonia has broken out some 50 miles east of Burra and on the northeast track 100 miles from Burra. Losses so far are slight and an inoculation program is under way.

XV, 271, 22 Nov. 1893, page 3

Burra School. Measles. The school attendance is returning to normal with 255 and 261 present on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

The pupil teachers Misses Bampton and Phillips and Mr Lasscock were successful at the recent examinations and Master A. Wilson and Miss G. Harrison passed the entrance to pupil teachers.

Burra Literary Soc. held a well-attended concert in the German schoolroom last Friday.

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting

After some discussion Mr Pinch took the chair. The Mayor then gave his report: substantially as published in the Record.

The Mayor was asked by Mr Sampson if the assessment was passed at the meeting of 12 September. Yes said the Mayor.

Then why was it passed again on 2 October?

The Mayor merely said the one was identical with the other and the chair considered it answered. Mr Sampson didn’t.

Mr Watt also considered the answer unsatisfactory and asked for further explanation.

The Mayor merely repeated himself.

Cr Hardy rose to account for his stewardship, but received considerable heckling – he said he had been boycotted by people in all parts of the town and that was his sole reason for standing again.

Cr Linkson then reported on his role for the year and that North Ward had gone from a £12 debit to a £9-£10 credit balance.

Cr Harris had little to say.

Mr Vivian asked why £18 had been spent close to Cr Harris’s house. It was work needed, but not done to meet his requirements. (Cry of bunkum.)

P.L. Killicoat has agreed to run for Mayor. He had no new policy, but would do his duty and keep strict watch over the town.

W.T. Rabbich also announced he was a candidate – he said the working expenses of Council needed to fall.

How?

He would seek to reduce the Town Clerk’s salary by £10 p.a.

Cr Hardy said he had been asked to come out again for East Ward.

A voice: Who asked you? (Laughter)

He said he could tell some very funny incidents that occurred in Council in the last 12 months, but then decided not to and was then goaded into saying:

‘There were certain monies paid away that should never have been. He would refer to one chief item which had been paid to the Record office (Laughter and dissent) – last year £42-11-9 went to the Record office. – He could make a saving of £100 at any rate – by amalgamation of offices.’

He said the price of water should be reduced or the scale re-arranged and some property values should be decreased – but not SAMA property.

Cr Harris is also to contest West Ward.

Cr Linkson will contest North Ward.

He thought the assessment was 30% too high. He said Mr Davey received less than the Town Clerks elsewhere with less to do than him. He would oppose any reduction in his salary.

Mr Cave would be a candidate again for auditor and with respect to W. Davey ‘Any proposal to reduce his salary could only come from an idiot and a man who knew nothing about business. (Cheers)’

A Review of Council Proceedings

On 5 December 1892 there was a special meeting of the incoming Council and from then on there was a coolness between the Mayor and Councillors.

4 January. Cr Hardy caused the first unpleasantness. Early in the year a breakage at the Waterworks caused the water to stop flowing for a day or two. To publish how long the break was likely to be we asked the Town Clerk who gave the information. Cr Hardy then made a fuss about the Town Clerk’s right to give such information and he tried to make it hot for the engineer as well, assisted by Cr Kitchen. Cr Linkson fell out with the Mayor over one of his rulings and when he was later cut short he moved ‘That the Council be censured for their conduct re the breakage at the Waterworks.’ It was clear that the Mayor could not grasp the situation and since then the Council proceedings have been of a unique and sensational character.

16 January. The mayor produced a report which abused the Record in which the editor was charged with misrepresentation and the Mayor demanded the printing of his report or he would get it done elsewhere and distributed. The paper published it verbatim.

[Because of the many ridiculous errors and the sarcastic comments added by the editor this inflamed the situation.]

Cr Linkson supported the substantial correctness of the paper’s reports and sought that the Mayor’s report be not received.

6 February. Another hot meeting debated the receiving and adoption of the report. Cr Parks moved that it be received, but gave notice that at the next meeting he would move it be expunged from the minute book.

Cr Hardy asked if it was all right for the Engineer to go to the Bon Accord Hotel while the engine was running. This led to an enquiry and two special meetings of Council, but after all, the farce ended in a fiasco and the Engineer, Mr Littlejohn, remains in charge.

20 February. Cr Parks moved to expunge the Mayor’s report. The Mayor ruled the motion informal and refused it. Cr Parks then gave notice for a call of the whole Council on 6 March to expunge the report.

6 March. The mayor was questioned about certain ‘new’ standing orders he had used in his rulings so Cr Walsh asked for a copy. But it transpired they did not exist. The Mayor had been quoting from the Adelaide standing orders. Cr Parks then moved his motion, but the Mayor again refused to accept it. Cr Kitchen asked if the report in the Record of the last meeting was correct. The Mayor said not. He then abruptly adjourned the meeting. Cr Parks moved that Cr Linkson take the chair and the meeting continued amid confusion. The Town Clerk expressed his disgust at this meeting and threatened to resign. The Mayor stood by watching the fiasco.

7 March. The Mayor called a special meeting to pass the pay sheet and sign cheques. Cr Parks queried the legality of the meeting, but was assured all was in order.

8 March. Cr Parks inserted a notice in the paper affirming that the reports in the paper re the moving of the motion to rescind the Mayor’s report were perfectly correct and it was signed by Councillors Parks, Walsh, West and Linkson.

20 March. Cr Parks tried his motion again and failed.

Cr Linkson moved that the Council adjourn as the Mayor refuses to go on with business. 2nd Cr Parks. The Mayor would not put the motion, but the councillors left their seats, ending business for the night amid confusion.

5 April. Cr Harris replaced Cr Kitchen who had left the district. Cr Parks asked if the Mayor had reconsidered his position. The Mayor said no. Later Cr Linkson moved that the Council deems it expedient that a call of the whole Council be held on Monday April 17 with a view to the excision of the Mayor’s report. Council soon after adjourned.

17 April. The motion was brought on and carried.

5 June. There was a stormy discussion re Cr Linkson putting on a man to work in North Ward. He was so amazed at the discussion that he said Cr Hardy was not fit to fill any position.

17 July. There was a further warm exchange involving Cr Hardy and Cr West. Cr West moved that the Municipal Association have movable meetings instead of their always being in Adelaide.

7 August. Cr Parks moved censure on the Record accusing it of misrepresenting Council in its report of the meeting of 17 July and published on 19 July. Cr Harris 2nd.

Cr Hardy made supporting comments. The motion was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. Offence was taken over the reporting of the fish incident and the Inspector was called to be asked if he had talked to the Record. (Cr Parks reported some bad smelling fish under the Bridge St Bridge, but they were never found.)

21 August. A long-running high farce commenced when Cr Harris moved the Council go into committee. 2nd Cr Parks. The object was to remove the Record reporter. This passed on the casting vote of the Mayor. Councillors West, Walsh and Linkson then walked out. Although he is supposed to sign all cheques as chair of the finance committee, Cr Walsh could not do so for several meetings as he would not be a party to transacting business with closed doors.

4 September. Cr Parks moved the room be cleared of strangers. Again the casting vote of the Mayor carried it. Confusion followed as Mr Davey was asked to leave, heightened by the fact he has the same name as the Town Clerk. When he refused to leave, the meeting was adjourned.

12 September. At the Council meeting Cr Hardy moved the assessment for 1893 be adopted for 1894. (Amotion he moved again at the meeting on 2 October.)

Cr Linkson handed in a protest that the meeting was illegal in accordance with by-law 1 section 71 because the adjournment of the 4 September had not stated to what day and hour. The protest was ignored. When asked to leave several ratepayers refused and though others were named Mr Davey was not. The Mayor then produced a pre-prepared note saying that Mr Davey was obstructing the meeting and sent the note to the police. The police cleared the room and the usual three Councillors followed. After the meeting a deputation called on the Mayor to convene a public meeting of ratepayers.

18 September. At the Council meeting Cr Linkson handed the Town Clerk a note saying ‘We the undersigned Councillors of the Town of Burra hereby protest against the minutes just read by the Town Clerk being passed as correct; the business transacted at the meeting held on September 12 being illegal.’ Signed Councillors West, Walsh and Linkson. Cr Parks then asked the Editor of the Record through the Mayor if he would give a fair report. The Editor said it was impossible to give fairer reports in the future than he had in the past. The Councillor then moved the Council go into committee and again the strangers left along with Councillors Walsh, West and Linkson.

20 September. The ratepayers’ meeting decided on a committee of five Ex-Mayors to compare the minute book of the Council with the reports published in the Record, and to report back.

23 September. The report of the Ex-Mayors became available. It found the Record substantially correct.

At the start of the year Cr Hardy and Cr Parks were not on good speaking terms, but later became bosom friends. Cr Parks and the Mayor fell out badly, but are now showing the warmest love. Councillors Walsh, West and Linkson have been the most consistent. Cr Harris entered as an independent, but after a month commenced to waver. Cr Hardy and his actions are so well known no comment is needed.

J.D. Cave writes pointing out that savings at the Waterworks are not really possible. In 1892 income exceeded expenditure by only £1-7-2. Since 1892 there has been an increase in the capital account requiring about £10 additional interest and the interest due to the Government, c. £200 falls due in February. No rates come in before March or April so an overdraft will also be required.

Burra Town Council.

On rising the Council resolved to adjourn till the last Thursday in November.

c. £238 in water rates remain unpaid.

In the general account £59 was owing.

It was resolved to repair the pump in Market Square.

Local Board of Health.

Effluvium had arisen in the quarry in West Ward. No complaints about the material deposited there had been made until recently. Two or three hot days seem to have been the cause. The requisition asking for action contained Dr Sangster’s name and could not be written off as ‘just a bit of spite by one ratepayer’ as Cr Harris was inclined to do. Cr West moved no more refuse be placed in the quarry.

XV, 272, 29 Nov. 1893, page 2

Advt. Painless Dentistry. Mr Mallan RS, MD at Burra Hotel December 9 to 15.

Artificial Teeth. A set from £3-10-0. Single tooth 7/6.

Advt. Strawberry Fete Today. [Anglican.]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Bazaar on Friday 15 December at the Institute and in the evening there will be Music and Tableaux.

Advt. Pastoralists and Graziers Meeting on Friday 8 December at 11 a.m. in the Adelaide Town Hall Banquet Room, to discuss the question of establishing the Frozen Meat Industry in SA. C. Wade, J.J. Reid, J. Lewis, H.W. Hughes, W.B. Sells and A. McFarlane.

Municipal Elections. Nominations for election 1 December 1893:

Mayor: Philip Lander Killicoat

William Thomas Rabbich

North Ward William Henry Linkson

Carl Heinrich Lowe

East Ward William Harrison Hardy

John Sampson

West Ward John Alexander Watt

Alexander Harris Sen.

Auditor John Darby Cave

August Bartholomæus

Editorial on Communal Settlements.

Redruth Court.

Thomas Builder, in the employ of Messrs Bagot, Shakes & Lewis was charged by the Inspector, J.R. Gray with driving loose horses through Commercial St on 18 October between the hours of 10 and 11 o’clock. As Gray did not see them he relied on W.H. Hardy’s witnessing the event and he had laid the information. In the witness box Hardy denied having said Commercial St – it had been Market Square. The case was consequently dismissed with 15/- costs to the Council. Why didn’t Hardy get the summons amended?

Obituary. Sarah Foy died last Friday following the accident with the ballast train on 7 November. There was an inquest Saturday and the funeral that afternoon. She had been a resident for 45 years and has seven daughters and two sons. [Died 24 November 1893 aged 58.]

XV, 272, 29 Nov. 1893, page 3

Burra Literary Soc. held a meeting to discuss Women’s Franchise. Five supported it and sixteen opposed. It was singular that every lady present voted against.

Voting in North Ward is described as being held at the corner of Moorhead St and Best Place – the former premises of the National Bank.

[This seems rather odd as it would seem from other accounts to have been part of the Exchange Hotel by then, but apparently not, though under the same roof, see XV, 272 (2), 6 Dec. 1893, page 3.]

St Mary’s. The Burra Juvenile Oxidentals are credited with a good performance in aid of the picnic fund on Friday. They were apparently a juvenile Christy Minstrel Troupe since ‘Bones’ and ‘Tambo’ are mentioned and ‘Shoo Fly’.

Inquest into the death of Mrs Foy held at the Burra Hospital 25 November. [Though stated in the paper as December 25] at 12 o’clock.

D.S. Packard as coroner and John Sampson as foreman of the jury.

The jury went to the site of the accident and inspected the trestle bridge and roadway.

John Foy:

Did not hear the whistle and didn’t see the train till it was almost upon them. After the accident he went to the deceased to help and then to the railway station to telegraph for his sons and when he returned the deceased was taken to the hospital. He couldn’t say what had hit the deceased first: the engine or truck.

Driver:

On 7 November was driving the ballast train from the station to the quarries and coming out of the station yard he saw two persons between the rails. Tried to stop and blew the whistle, but did not get their attention. Did not think they noticed the train till it was on the bridge. He believed the vibration of the bridge attracted their attention, but it was too late. A man called Gitsham was on the truck that struck Mrs Foy.

Henry Gitsham:

Was guard of the ballast train – saw a man and woman crossing over the waterway and signalled the driver to stop and called out, but failed to make them hear.

Thomas Owens, engine driver, corroborated the above.

Thomas Queale, District Foreman:

The train was pushing 22 empty trucks. Noticed man and woman on the trestle bridge. They were 11 chains away when spotted and the train could not be stopped quickly due to the gradient. The speed was about 3-4 m.p.h. at the time of impact. The place it occurred was railway property and the Foys were trespassing. A northeast wind was blowing to lessen the sound of a whistle. The site is provided with warning signs.

Dr Brummitt:

The left leg was almost detached above the ankle and the right foot was crushed and the toes almost detached. Amputated the left leg and half the right foot. On 10 November gangrene set in and caused the amputation of the right leg. For a week Mrs Foy made good progress, but blood poisoning set in on 18 November and she died on 24 November.

Thomas Keys said he was in the quarry at the time of the accident and heard the whistle.

Verdict was a purely accidental death, no blame being attached to anyone.

Cricket. At Mt Bryan. First match of the season with the wicket in good order, but the grass high on the outer ground.

Aberdeen 116 defeated Mt Bryan 16 & 51 by an innings and 39 runs.

Hallett racing Club. Second Annual Meeting on Wednesday 22 November on Messrs Bowman Bros. Paddock. The main race was the Hallett Handicap over 11⁄2 miles for stakes of £20. M.M. Higgins’s Sentry came 1st and won £15 with T.J. Barrett’s Doric 2nd, winning £5. There was an entertainment in the Institute Hall afterwards.

Court.

Jackey Grow was fined 10/- plus costs for racing his cab between Redruth and Kooringa.

XV, 272 (2), 6 Dec. 1893, page 2 [Number 272 repeated, number 273 not used.]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Bazaar at the Institute, 15 December.

Advt. The Indian Contingent of the Salvation Army will visit Kooringa on Thursday night.

Advt. A Grand Black and White Concert at St Mary’s Schoolroom on Friday night.

Advt. Rev. S. Knight of Ballarat will lecture at the Kooringa Wesleyan Hall on 7 December on: The Nineteenth Century.

Editorial on the Last Meeting of the old Council.

There was further unpleasantness in reference to a letter that W.H. Hardy had published castigating the Inspector J.R. Gray. Cr Linkson sought redress in Council without much satisfaction. He moved the Council censure Cr Hardy for going to the press before raising the issue in Council, but Cr Hardy moved it be deferred until Monday night and that was carried.

If the Inspector is guilty of the alleged offence he deserves to be asked to resign, but if Hardy is guilty of misrepresentation then he needs to be so dealt with as to induce him to keep strictly to the truth in the future. The trouble is over the recent court case of Thomas Builder. Cr Parks resented the Record describing the Town Clerk as the keystone of the Council. No meeting was held on Monday night so the matter will lapse.

Dr J.I. Sangster Jun., the eldest son of Dr Sangster, has passed his final examinations at Adelaide University. His name appears first on the list for the past three years and by taking first honours at this exam he wins the Everard Scholarship valued at £50.

The Salvation Army. Captain Berry and Lieut. McGill who have been in charge here for some months are now removed to greener pastures to be succeeded by Captain Southcott from Willunga and Lieut. Barrett from Clare.

The Salvation Army horse, Neddy, drowned in a dam at Spring Bank on Saturday, having wandered in while Capt. Berry and Lieut. McGill were otherwise occupied.

Rev. S. Knight is visiting Burra to renew acquaintances as part of a fortnight in SA, occupying the pulpit at the Pirie St Church.

Burra Literary Soc. did well on Friday with impromptu speeches and music.

XV, 272 (2), 6 Dec. 1893, page 3

Court.

The appeal by SAMA against the assessment was won by the Corporation.

Ah Lung sued Joe Ford for £21-1-5 for wages, having been paid little for his 40 weeks work which was supposed to be at £1-5-0 per week. Luke Day translated. Ah Chin corroborated. The verdict was for Ah Lung for the full amount. A counter claim for £70 from Ford as Ah Lung was an unsatisfactory worker was dismissed and he was reprimanded for keeping Ah Lung on if he couldn’t do the work.

Burra Town Council Elections

Mayor: P.L. Killicoat 206

W.T. Rabbich 196

North Ward W.H. Linkson 95

C. Lowe 55

West Ward A. Harris 51

J.A. Watt 47

East Ward J. Sampson 89

W.H. Hardy 65

Auditor J.D. Cave 202

A. Bartholomæus 190

Burra Town Council, last meeting of the old Council on Thursday.

Cr Linkson asked if the Mayor could account for the moving of the polling station from Redruth to Aberdeen.

Cr Parks said he didn’t think it right to be dictated to, but Cr Walsh asked for a straightforward answer, though he didn’t get one.

Cr Linkson said it was usual to keep polling stations away from public houses, but here it comes under the same roof – and cost more than the old booth!

Cr Linkson then drew attention to Cr Hardy’s letter to the public press re the Thomas Builder case. Linkson moved to censure Hardy for going to the press before bringing it up in Council, but Hardy moved to defer the matter to Monday and won the issue on the Mayor’s casting vote.

J.R. Gray then asked that the matter be publicly investigated. After 20 years service it was very hard to endure such a charge.

Cr Parks after some discussion drew attention to the Record’s naming the Town Clerk as the keystone of the Council. He felt that the inference that the Overseer was on smoke-oh from 10-11 was libellous.

SAMA’s Assessment

In the court case where SAMA appealed against the assessment the Association gave evidence via Mr W. West, that the property in question was earning only £50 p.a. from mining plus £50 p.a. from depasturage and the outside value of the land would be £3 per acre for 382 acres. But the engine and workshops were included. Mr Bartholomæus had assessed the property at £20,000 in 1890, giving an annual value of £500. In current terms he felt it was about £2,500 less. In 1885 J.D. Cave had assessed it at £1,000 and there was no appeal then. The valuation was upheld.

Court.

Ah Shang v. Luke Day with a claim of £8-5-0 for the sale of a horse. Settled for £1-13-4.

St Mary’s Strawberry Fete was a great success. It was opened by the Mayor. The Mounted Infantry provided good amusement including cleaving the Turk’s head. Lance-Corporal R. Scott winning the prize. There was an evening promenade concert.

Messrs Montgomery & Moreny’s Circus & Wild West Show will appear at the rear of Vivian’s Hotel on December 9, featuring 60 horses, 30 artists and a Grand Military Band of 9 performers.

XV, 274, 13 Dec. 1893, page 2 [Number 273 not used.]

Advt. Dr Ryder, Illustrated Oriental Lecture Entertainment at the Burra Institute,

19 December at 8 p.m. 1/- and 6d. Monday afternoon lecture to Ladies Only:

Little Wives of India, free.

Advt. Wesleyan Methodist Bazaar at the Institute, 15 December.

Advt. The Service of Song: Little Dot, Bible Christian Church, Kooringa,

17 December.

Notice. There will be an Attractive Concert in the German Schoolroom, Redruth, Friday 22 December, in connection with Miss Yeoman’s School. 6d.

Notice. Concert in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday 27 December.

Mrs Oldham, Mr John Roach and Others.

Editorial on Municipal Affairs.

A meeting was held on 4 December to swear in the new Council and immediately afterwards a meeting to elect committees.

In the last year the chairmen of committees have tended not to consult their committees as they should and we hope for better.

Last Wednesday the Town Clerk, W. Davey and Inspector J.R. Gray were re-appointed at their former salaries as were the cemetery curator and the scavenger. Re-appointment of the Overseer of Works was deferred for a month as there is no urgent work and only £2 remains in the Ward funds. Any money saved may be needed later for unemployment relief work.

Snakes are very numerous this year.

Montgomery & Moreny’s Circus drew only a very poor audience on Monday. The acrobatic acts were first class and the performers deserved a bumper house. They had been advertised for Saturday, but circumstances over which they had no control caused the change.

Rev. S. Knight’s lecture on The Nineteenth Century, at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Thursday evening was well attended and much enjoyed.

Mt Bryan Concert tonight in the Council chamber. Mt Bryan Fife and Drum Band and the Burra Juvenile Oxidentals will appear. Proceeds will aid school prizes.

XV, 274, 13 Dec. 1893, page 3

Salvation Army. Many turned out in Market Square for the meeting with Major Musa Bhai of the Salvation Army’s Indian Contingent. Later the meeting at the Barracks was crowded to excess.

Burra Literary Soc. had a successful closing meeting for the year last Friday.

Burra Town Council.

The report of the meeting adds little to the facts in the editorial.

St Mary’s. The Black and White Concert last Friday in the Schoolroom was such as are fashionable at present in England and Europe. Ladies were dressed in white with face and hair powdered. Gents wore black evening suits with hair and face powdered. Both with si devant beauty spots from the time of Louis Quinze. Performers pretended to be Arthur Sullivan, Madame Melba, Madame Patey [sic] [presume Patti], Jenny Lind etc.

Blacks Springs Sports on Christmas Day.

Polo. There was a good game at Aberdeen last Saturday. A match against Mt Crawford is being arranged.

Biographical Sketch of Philip Lander Killicoat.

He was born at Perranwell in Cornwall on 28 August 1844 and landed in SA in 1854. He is a most generous and kind-hearted resident, often helping those in need. He has long been interested in many local meetings etc. Principally a sheep farmer at Abberton Park. Elected Mayor of Burra 1887-88, being unopposed both times, but owing to the pressure of business resigned the 1888 Mayoralty. [Note: this was not the reason given in Council at the time, though it may have been his explanation.] In the Broken Hill strike he forwarded a consignment of fat lambs to the poor of Broken Hill. He has been a member of the Hospital board for c. 8 years.

Biographical Sketch of John Sampson.

John Sampson was born in Cornwall in 1831 and is now 62. He took passage to Australia on 2 July 1847 and after the then fast passage of 84 days reached Port Adelaide and he became under waiter at the Club House Hotel in Hindley St Adelaide. When only 17 he took the first load of copper from Burra to Port Arthur, 10 miles west of Pt Wakefield. In 1857 he took a position with SAMA to look after all the open lands outside the mine property stretching to Mt Bryan. After about 8-9 years he went into business as a butcher for c. 2 years. Since then he has been a commission agent. About 15 years ago he was elected Councillor for South Ward, beating W. Geake by 1 vote. Next term he was unopposed and the one after that he defeated A. Harris. The fourth and fifth terms were unopposed and then he fought off a challenge from A. Harris, J. Pearce and W.H. Hardy for his sixth term. In 1891 Hardy defeated him by 12 votes and in 1893 he beat Hardy by double that. He has been a Councillor for 13 years altogether. When he arrived in 1847 he lived in a tent, there being then no houses except the big cottages fronting the Primitive Methodist Church. Redruth was a patch of grass, but many dugouts were in the creek. In 1857 there were 12,000 inhabitants in the town. He carried the first load of stone for the Bible Christian Schoolroom and the Kooringa Bible Christian church. He was on the committee that arranged with SAMA for the purchase of the Burra Oval. He is of a generous nature and gives freely to those not as fortunate as himself. During the Broken Hill strike he was a friend of the workers, collecting and subscribing large sums to relieve the strikers.

Biographical Sketch of W.H. Linkson.

He was born on 9 July 1865 where the town of Orroroo now stands and his parents moved to Burra a few years later. He was educated at Mr F.W. Holder’s and F.A. White’s schools. As a youth he served five years with the posts and telegraph department. He then went to WA for a short time and on return worked for 8 months at Orroroo with Brockman & Asher, merchants. Upon the death of his father nine years ago he took over, with his brother, the family business. He has always taken a keen interest in town affairs and is a keen sportsman. He is a playing member of the Burra Cricket Club and its secretary. Also he has been secretary to the Burra Football Club for years and of the Burra Racing Club and was a steward at the last meeting. Chairman of the Coursing Club for two seasons, secretary of the Burra Bicycle Club and one of the secretaries of the United Friendly Societies’ Sports. Also much interested in the military and a volunteer for years, he is now a supporter of the Mounted Infantry and a strong advocate for the Friendly Societies. On a committee to frame laws for a female Foresters Court throughout SA and he is PCR of the Foresters Lodge. Actively interested in politics and was joint secretary for F.W. Holder’s election committee at the last two elections. He has borne part of the expense of planting the trees in Redruth Reserve No. 2 and when elected was the youngest Burra councillor ever at under 27 years of age. He has taken great interest in the unemployed both in and out of Council.

Mr A. Harris declined to give any biographical details, though approached.

Mr M. Williams blacksmith of New Aberdeen has given up business.

Burra Co. MR holds drills at Mt Bryan this afternoon.

Respiratory Disease has killed 700 in London last week. [Fog?]

Inspector Gray has acted on complaints re young men swimming in the Burra Creek and has put a stop to their little game.

XV, 275, 20 Dec. 1893, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on 24 December with public tea 25 December.

Advt. St Mary’s School. The Church History lecture will not be given on Thursday.

Advt. Hospital Service Christmas Morning in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church. Rev. R.S. Casely. The Hospital Board, Burra Corporation, and United Friendly Societies will form a procession from the Institute to the church, headed by the Burra Brass Band. Collection for the Burra Hospital.

Advt. Burra Brass Band will serenade Christmas Eve from 11.30 p.m. Jos. Davey, Sec.

Advt. Cricket. Burra v. Prospect at Burra Oval on Christmas Day.

Advt. Athletic Sports at Booborowie on Christmas Day. Ball in the evening.

Advt. Homing Pigeon Club. There will be a meeting at the Record Office on Thursday 21 December at 8 p.m. for the purpose of forming a Homing Pigeon Club.

E.Crewes, convener.

Advt. Concert in connection with Miss Yeoman’s School in the German Schoolroom, Redruth, 22 December.

Advt. Concert in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 27 December. Mrs Oldham, Mr John Roach and Others. The Tableaux Vivant and Action Songs will be repeated.

Advt. The Record will not be published on Wednesday next. [But it was.]

Editorial: Christmas Wishes.

Thomas Bath, a former resident who has returned to live in England for some years, has sent £2-2-0 for prizes for children in State Schools in the district.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church. The Service of Song Little Dot was performed on Sunday afternoon with Rev. R.C. Yeoman giving the connective readings. Unfavourable weather made attendance moderate.

Pleuropneumonia has been found last week in some cattle east of Burra. Two lots of c. 150 have been quarantined by Inspector Needham. Inoculation has been halted because Mr Needham was injured by a nasty kick from a bullock.

Mrs Frances Knorr, on 15 December, was found guilty of murdering an infant child at Brunswick, Melbourne, and was sentenced to death. She is believed to be the woman who came to Burra in April 1892 and posing as a dressmaker duped several tradespeople. [She obtained payment in advance for orders as well as getting materials on credit.]

School Competition. In mid-February 1894 there will be an exhibition of art and schoolwork and a cooking competition in connection with the district. Proceeds will go to prizes for successful competitors of the various schools and other exhibiters.

XV, 275, 20 Dec. 1893, page 3

Rev. Fr. O’Dowling will celebrate a special Christmas Eve service at St Joseph’s.

Arbor Day. Mr West promised two prizes for essays on Arbor Day and on 12 December he went to the Copperhouse School to award the 1st prize to Maggie Forsyth and 2nd to Herbert Cockrum. Ettie Porter received a special prize through the generosity of the late Mrs West.

Kooringa Wesleyan Bazaar last Friday in the Institute. High wind and raised dust did not aid attendance in the morning, but it was reasonable and in the evening the hall was crowded to excess. Tableaux Vivant were presented and the day raised c. £57.

‘One of the People’ writes to the editor. This is one of a series of letters published over many weeks on the subject of capital and labour. The series is rather unusual in that it argues in favour of the capitalist in a quietly well-reasoned argument.

A typical paragraph to give the flavour:

‘The freedom of labour, so bitterly denounced by some would-be working class leaders, constitutes the great charter of the working man, enabling him to make the best terms he can with capital, which, after all has been said and done, is the best friend of labour, for neither can do without the other, their mutual co-operation signifying progress; and their mutual hostility, retrogression.’

[It was more common to see pieces taking a more left wing attitude to the role of capital, or occasionally to see items much more aggressively denouncing unionism.]

Burra Town Council

The Mayor had reports of loose horses drinking at the Aberdeen trough. To be attended to.

Cr Walsh considered it unfair that ratepayers who had not the water laid on to their premises should water stock at the trough. The Water Committee should look into it.

Council accepts the invitation to attend the Christmas Morning Service at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Cr Linkson read the accounts as follows:

General account in credit £97-7-11

Board of Health in credit £12-13-3

Waterworks account in credit £186-1-1 (with £147-2-1 to be collected)

Cemetery account in credit £16-9-10

Parkland account in debit £108-9-11

Main Roads account £21-12-4 [Debit or credit is not stated.]

The Waterworks should have £333, but collection of all the debt was impossible.

The coming Waterworks costs were £209 interest to the Government for the half-year and £150 for incidentals before the rates could come in.

The old boiler needs to be repaired for emergency use.

There was debate over whether it was better to join the Municipal Assoc. or to retain Mr Packard for legal advice. Cr Parks moved to continue membership and this was passed with Cr Linkson opposed.

Local Board of Health

The school urinals need attention.

Cr Linkson asked if any steps had been taken re the boiling down works at Messrs Austin’s and Rabbich’s premises as the stench was almost unbearable.

He moved that the Inspector be instructed to see the suggestions of the Chief Inspector are carried out. [Voting not reported.]

With pleuropneumonia around Cr Linkson was concerned to find out whether all meat killed outside the Corporation area is inspected. To be investigated.

Burra School speech day today at the Institute.

Mrs A.C. Noyes and others will give a concert at the Burra Hospital Thursday afternoon.

Mt Bryan Concert. There was a crowded house for the concert in aid of the Mt Bryan schoolchildren’s prize fund in the Council Chambers last Wednesday. Mr R. Collins Sen. presided. The evening was well arranged by the teacher, Mr Uhrlaub. Proceeds were £4-13-6. Those returning to Burra by trap did so safely, the first arriving c. 12.30 a.m.

A Concert on 15 December in aid of the Ulooloo School prizes was also successfully mounted.

XV, 275, 20 Dec. 1893, Chromolithograph Pictorial Supplement

With this issue subscribers received a pictorial supplement which gave a bird’s eye view of Kooringa and Redruth. 3,000 were distributed around Australia ‘bringing the town into greater prominence’.

XV, 276, 27 Dec. 1893, page 2

Advt. Bath & Pearce advertise that they have engaged the services of an exceptional milliner from Melbourne to take charge of their millinery department.

Notice. Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church. Public Tea 1 January 5 p.m.

7.30 p.m. the Service of Song Ruin & Rescue by the Redruth choir.

Obituary. Edith Pearl Rabbich, second daughter of M.T. & Phoebe Rabbich died 21 December aged 4 years 10 months. [Born 27 February 1889.]

Obituary. James Cox of Hampton died suddenly 20 December aged 60. He had complained of chest pains and a choking sensation before suddenly collapsing and dying. [Registered as Henry James Cox.]

Oriental Lecture. At the Burra Institute on 19 December Dr Ryder gave one of her highly amusing and instructive lectures to a good audience, describing the manners, customs, social and religious life of Parsees and others. 18 local residents donned oriental dress for the occasion.

Hospital Concert. On 22 December Mr A.C. Noyes produced a concert at the Burra Hospital with Mr R.M. Harvey as chairman. The large and appreciative audience heard the Burra Orchestra and a series of songs and instrumental items [listed]. Mr Roach will give a tea and entertainment there on 27 December. The Burra Hospital Board has given a Christmas gift of £3-3-0 to Mr Blight, a patient who whitewashed and painted the hospital internally almost throughout.

[Personal note: Mr W. Fuss made a subscription of 17/-.]

Burra Homing Club. A meeting to consider forming the above was held at the Record office on 21 December. E.W. Crewes presided. J.A. Pearce was elected Secretary with J. Drew as Treasurer and P.L. Killicoat as President. The first race is scheduled for 7 April 1894.

Hanson school prizes were distributed on 20 December preceded by items by the students. Mr W. West distributed prizes and certificates. Certificates went to:

Ruby Roach

Martha James

Hedley Taylor

Wingfield Roach

Amy Rippin

Elsie Taylor

Emma Rippin

John Roach

Walter Roach

XV, 276, 27 Dec. 1893, page 3

Burra High School Speech Day at the Institute.

The school caters to girls, though boys to the age of eight are taken in the primary section. There was along and searching program of items: vocal and instrumental quartets, duets, and dialogues with English and French recitations. The Principal, Mrs McLagan, deserves to be congratulated as does Miss J. Sprod, the popular University Coach, who is assisted by Miss Dawson. Mr Uhrlaub reported on the German classes. He had six students this year. The dux of the school was Miss Nellie Harry and she was the recipient of most prizes. Miss Dawson will be replaced by Miss McKerdy of the Adelaide School of Music. She will take the fourth class and assist Miss Sprod with music.

Central Board of Health Inspection has found that the Local Board was running things efficiently and the scavenger to be doing a good job with the rubbish tip well located and maintained.

The main cause for concern is the number of cesspits in the town – with c. 450 houses cesspits are numerous. There are many wells, but the chief water supply is from the Bon Accord Mine well.

Another problem is the boiling down of tainted bones etc. in ordinary coppers in populous parts of the town at two of the butchering establishments. The Health Act requires this be done using the best possible means to counter the offensive fumes. This is not the case here.

The girls’ cesspit at the school should be emptied during the holidays and the boys’ urinal is in need of attention.

Pigsties at the Bon Accord Hotel need paving and a drainage receptacle for the urinal provided.

The cleanliness at R. Austin’s butchering premises should be improved and all slaughterhouses should reduce the amount of tainted fat around them.

Christmas Eve was kept up on 23 December as Christmas day was a Monday.

There were many vehicles about by 6.30 p.m. and within an hour the town was thronged with old and new faces – though fewer than in 1892. All the tradespeople did very good business. Windows were well dressed. People spilled out onto the roadway as the footpaths were too crowded. The Salvation Army met at the pump and the Burra Band appeared at 8 o’clock in front of J.T. Walker’s shop before moving round to other locations. The hotels were well patronised, but no obscene occurrences took place, although ‘merry lads’ were noticeable. The streets were again deserted by 10.30 p.m.

Christmas Services. Special services were held on Sunday in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church and the usual services in the other churches.

On Monday at 10.30 the Hospital Service took place at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church. The Town Council, Friendly Societies and the Burra Band made a procession to the Hospital for a carol by the Band before going on to the church.

Special Christmas services were also held at St Mary’s and St Joseph’s.

Weather on Sunday was unbearably hot and sultry, but at 7.30 p.m. there was thunder and lightning followed by a gale and steady rain for a few minutes.

The Band. At 11.30 the Burra Band played on the balcony of Vivian’s Commercial Hotel and then went on a night’s cruise to serenade a number of residents including the Mayor, P.L. Killicoat. [It is not clear whether this refers to the night of the 23rd or the 24th.]

Cricket. On Christmas Day at the Burra Oval Burra 162 defeated Prospect 84. The visitors stayed at Mr T. Walsh’s Court House Hotel.

Accident. The only accident reported during the holidays was to a little black boy named ‘Dennie’ who was thrown from a horse and broke his wrist.

4th United friendly Societies’ Sports, on Boxing Day.

The weather was very hot from about 9 a.m.

The day was a great success financially and otherwise.

The procession started at the Institute and went to the Hospital led by the Burra Band, and then to the Oval. All was well organised.

The race of the day was the Sheffield Handicap over 135 yards, with 36 entrants.

There were 9 heats in the 1st round, 5 heats in the second round and two heats in the 3rd.

The final went to F. Williams off 19 yards. He was an Aboriginal from Netley aged 19.

2nd was ‘J.M. Max’ off 21 yards, 3rd was A. Polkinghorne off 171⁄2 yards with 4th A. Yeo off 20 yards. 1st won £20, 2nd £6, 3rd £3 and 4th £1.

There were several bicycle races as well as foot races. These included a slow race over 440 yards which was won by Ownsworth.

The gate took £42.

The grand evening concert was arranged by Mr C. Fuss and was a great success at the Institute.

Burra Record. We found it necessary to publish this week on account of the demand for advertising space.

Burra Homing Pigeon Club has been formed with P.L. Killicoat (Mayor) as the President.

Notice: Dr Mahommedeen from India, Eye and Pile Doctor of 141 Hindley St Adelaide will visit Burra in the next and following weeks.

Characteristics of the paper in 1893

Page 1

Large advertisements, some not local.

Page 2

Smaller advertisements. Local businesses along with sales and public notices.

News sometimes gets a start, but often only a little and it is frequently pushed onto page three before it gets a start.

Page 3

Largely local news and reports from correspondents from surrounding districts. Occasional pieces from further afield and a few items of humour. The ‘Sparks’ column continues to be somewhat enigmatic at times.

Page 4

Larger advertisements, mostly not local.

Numbering of issues in 1893.

1893 began with Volume XV No. 225 on 4 January 1893

And ran to

Volume XV No. 276 on 27 December 1893.

Within this sequence:

250 was used twice and 251 not used.

259 was used twice and 260 not used.

272 was used twice and 273 not used.

XV, 277, 3 Jan. 1894, page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd. Auctioneers

Sandland & co. Auctioneers

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd. Auctioneers

J.T. Walker Bootmaker, Kooringa

M. Pederson Bootmaker, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers & General Storekeepers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Kooringa

Thomas W. Pearce Cabinetmaker, Builder, Undertaker, Ware St

[Wilkinson’s] Kooringa Dispensary Drinks, Cards, Books, Novelties, Spectacles

S. Burns & W. Pearse Shoeing & General Smith, Coachbuilder, Wheelwright

A.J. Parkin (Stock late of T. Kitchen) Kooringa Cash Store

Mr Mallan RSMD Painless Dentistry 1st Tuesday each month at the Burra Hotel

W. Gebhardt Baker & Confectioner, Lower Thames St

Thomas Sandland Agent for Commercial Union Insurance

XV, 277, 3 Jan. 1894, page 2

Advertisements

T. Edwards & Co. Drapers & Clothiers, near Bank of Australasia

T.T. Shortridge Burra Branch of A.W. Dobbie & Co., Pianos, Organs, Watches, Washing Machines, Prams, Seedsowers, Knapsack Pumps

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Galvanised Iron Worker, Tinsmith, Wallpaper

John Harry Engineer, Windmills, Pumps fixed and repaired, Wells timbered

W. Lasscock Saddler & Harness Maker, Commercial St

J. McClusky Burra Hotel

Francis Harris Fruiterer & Grocer, Market Square

N.J. Tiddy Draper, Aberdeen

J.A. Watt Draper & Clothier, Market Square

XV, 277, 3 Jan. 1894, page 4

Advertisements

C & A. Fuss Carpenters & Builders

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmaker, Undertaker & Upholsterer, Queen St.

XV, 277, 3 Jan. 1894, page 2

Obituary. The only son of R.D. & E. Pascoe died on 27 December 1893, aged 14 months.

[Born William Pascoe 29 October 1892, died Willie Pascoe.]

Editorial on The New Year. There are hopes for more action from the Government and more harmonious working of the local Council. At the start of 1893 there were prospects for the restarting of the mine, but that is now as far off as ever. The paper is well supported.

XV, 277, 3 Jan. 1894, page 3

Dr J.I. Sangster Jnr has been appointed a medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital.

Kooringa Methodist Church. Special services were held Sunday last with three services by Rev. R.S. Casely. The afternoon Service of Song was Hiram Golf’s Religion.

Burra Hospital. Last Saturday Dr Hill of Terowie & Dr Sangster Jnr assisted Drs Brummitt & Dr Sangster Sen. In three operations for hydatids, hernia and removal of a portion of bone from a leg.

Note in our for sale columns that Sandland & Co. will offer for sale under instructions from the trustees in the assigned estate of Sara & Dunstan the whole of their well assorted stock-in-trade.

Miss Yeoman’s School held a concert in the German Chapel on 22 December. [The performers and their acts are listed.]

Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports on Boxing Day had some good running. The Aboriginal runner F. Williams contested several heats of the Sheffield handicap of £30. This ‘dark horse’ – very appropriately named in this case – stood almost unconcerned till the shot was heard and then with a pleasant smile came away with wonderful rapidity, passing his opponents as he liked. His running was a treat to witness. In the forced handicap of 135 yards Williams put up a record of 13.2 secs.

The bicycle events were also well contested with entries from Adelaide.

Richards, the local champion, did not show out at all and apparently suffered from too much training. We believe he also makes an error in riding both a racer and the pneumatic roadster. The peddling of each is very different and one confuses the other. He should stick to one if he is to do well. Dun Morton did well in winning the one mile for ordinary bikes.

Kooringa Court, 1 January.

Ted Winders was fined £1 for drunkenness.

Holidays

Christmas and New Year saw beautiful sunshine.

Because 1 January fell on Monday the New Year’s Eve was kept up on Saturday night. The Council had three special constables sworn in and they were largely successful in protecting property. About 9 p.m. it was reported that a foot bridge in Chapel St had been lifted and it was found to be so placed as to tip up the first person who tried to use it. The gentleman who tried to do so escaped uninjured, but his parcels were widely scattered. Several other crossings were removed, making it dangerous for pedestrians on such a dark night. They were replaced on Sunday, but torn up again on Sunday night.

The Burra Band played from the balcony of the Commercial Hotel at 11.30 on Sunday night.

Watch night services were held in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church & the Redruth Primitive Methodist Church and both were well attended.

New Year’s Day saw Kooringa Wesleyan Church hold its picnic at Mr Fradd’s [Sod Hut] and the Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church had a public tea.

The Druids Lodge at Terowie has sports.

Burra Hospital. A concert was held last Wednesday, arranged by Rev. R.S. Casely and led by Mrs Oldham, Mr John Roach & Rev. R.M. Hunter. [Items are individually reviewed.]

Concert. The same principals as in the concert above gave another one at Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 27 December and the large audience was most appreciative.

Booborowie Sports of 25 December 1893 are reported with results.

[F. Williams won the 100 yards maiden race (10/-) and the Booborowie Handicap over 130 yds (£1).]

‘One of the People’ writes again concerning the ineffectiveness of strikes in assisting the working man and how they waste money otherwise going to them.

Sparks

Two cabbies fined £1 each at the Redruth Court last Wednesday.

Polkinghorne who ran 3rd at Burra sports has won the Glenelg Sheffield Handicap.

Williams could have scooped the pool at Booborowie but he said it wasn’t good enough.

Richard & Bottrill divided the 1st & 2nd prizes for the Laura Bicycle Handicap.

Fire destroyed several acres of grass in Mr Gebhardt’s paddock Friday morning.

Women in Melbourne have petitions for the death sentence passed on Mrs Frances Knorr, the Brunswick baby killer, to be commuted.

Obituary. Laura Beatrice Davey (8) and Edward Clarence Davey (2) were burnt to death at Broken Hill on 1 January when a candle was upset. [Beatrice Laura Ellen Davey born 24 November 1886, Jamestown: Edward Clarence presumed born in Broken Hill.]

Advt. More details of the sale of the property and stock-in-trade of Sara and Dunstan are printed.

Advt. W. Pearse announces that owing to an increase in trade he has had to move to large premises situated in Commercial St near T. Edwards & Co.

Advt. H. McCullum has taken over the wheelwright’s shop in Commercial St lately occupied by W. Pearse.

XV, 278, 10 Jan. 1894, page 2

Notice. Burra High School, Frances McLagan, Principal, will resume on 23 January.

Main Road Account is in debit £21-12-4.

Pleuropneumonia is a problem in the area to the east and the District Council are is too large for their Inspector to see every carcase in the various slaughter yards. Could arrangements be made for the Town Inspector to take up this important duty? We do not say out butchers would knowingly sell diseased meat, but it might be in an early stage detectable only to experienced authority.

XV, 278, 10 Jan. 1894, page 3

Fires. On Wednesday a fire started near the Black Waterholes and engulfed about 6,000 acres of grass, fencing, and sheep yards. Its cause is unknown.

On Friday a fire in Mr Warnes paddock half a mile east of Kooringa destroyed 20 acres of grass. This is the fourth in the vicinity without known cause. [But see later inquest in paper of 24 Jan. page 3 and court case in paper of 14 Feb. page 3.]

Waterworks. The Town Clerk has managed to collect all but £38-11-10 of the £141 that was owing on the water rates.

Accident. On Saturday morning Stanley Rabbich was injured in a fall from a horse at Hampton and was spitting blood, but he is now recovering.

The Case of Mrs Knorr, the baby farmer, continues to attract attention. Apparently she killed 13 infants in Melbourne before being arrested in Sydney. She is to be hanged in Melbourne on 15 January. The total number of children she killed will never be known. Oddly enough the hangman, Thomas Walker, aka Jones the Hangman, was said to be intimate with Mrs Knorr and cried when she was sentenced. He later became hysterical and tried to get his assistant, Roberts of Sydney, to do the deed. He has been taunted when people found out he was the hangman and his wife’s temper has also been terrible. On Saturday he cut his throat and died.

Frederick Camp is in gaol for three months for striking his wife while drunk aver the festive season. He was unable to find two sureties of £10 each and £5 from himself, to keep the peace for three months.

The Terowie Druids’ Sports on 1 January attracted c. 700. It was followed by a concert in the Institute and then a ball at which 50-60 couples danced till 5 a.m.

Black Springs Sports on Christmas Day attracted c. 600 in good weather. The following ball ran into the wee hours.

Burra Homing Pigeon Club will run its first race on 7 April from Mt Bryan. South End owners have to register arrival time at the Telegraph Office and North End owners at the Railway Station.

Burra Town Council.

The rates will be as in 1893: General 1/-, Park Lands 3d and Health 3d.

On New Year’s Eve several footbridges in town were torn up. They were replaced on the Sunday only to be torn up again and fixed once more on Monday. The bridge near the Public School was upset into the creek.

Mr Geakes offer to light the lamps at the south end for £3-10-0 per quarter was accepted and Mr Tiver’s for £1-19-0 per quarter for the north end.

[Presumably there were two lamps in the south and one in the north.]

Local Board of Health

The problem inspection of meat killed in the District Council area was discussed. Cr Killicoat, who is also on the DC expected the DC would co-operate readily with any practical scheme. Four butchers slaughter just outside the Corporation boundary: Messrs Austin, Rabbich, Ford, and Sampson & Carpenter.

Pleuropneumonia is spreading in the eastern districts.

Polo. There was a good game at Aberdeen last Saturday.

Sir Henry Ayers has resigned as President of the Legislative Council.

XV, 279, 17 Jan. 1894, page 3

Editorial on the Legislative Council elections. W.R. Rounsevell is to offer himself once more.

Sara & Dunstan. Last Friday Messrs Sandland & Co. commenced the sale of the assigned estate of Messrs Sara & Dunstan of Aberdeen. They sold the working plant of the firm and other miscellaneous articles. Though bidding continued to 6 p.m. they had to begin again on Saturday morning to clear the lot and the Saturday sale ran from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Fire. It is believed a fire in Messrs E.C. Lockyer & Co.’s paddock at 9.05 p.m. on Monday was deliberately lit. Only a few acres of grass were burnt.

Mr W. Bentley has resumed his painting class in oils and watercolours. In a recent exhibition in Adelaide two of his pupils, Edith Thomas and Mary Lane, gained first-class certificates and Mabel A. Killicoat passed very creditably.

Burra Creek. Some parts of the creek, if covered over, would be good places for bathing. Some three or four young females were seen one night last week, protected by a gatekeeper.

Frances Knorr was executed on Monday by Roberts, the Sydney hangman. She confessed to two of the murders and exonerated the man Thompson whom she had previously implicated.

Councillors Parks and Harris are condemned by the paper for seeking the re-appointment of the Overseer when there is no work for him to do. They are, it says, inclined ‘to go for men and not for measures’. The general account from which he would be paid is overdrawn.

St Mary’s. Several young ladies of the Sunday school got together a cake fair on Thursday afternoon which raised £1-9-0, followed by an evening concert which raised £1-1-0. The total will aid Dr Barnardo’s Homes in London.

Shooting Accident. Walter Vivian, the young son of H. Vivian of the Commercial Hotel, accidentally shot one of the housemaids in the arm when a small rifle he was using to shoot sparrows accidentally discharged. The bullet passed cleanly through her lower arm and she is recovering rapidly.

Burra District Local Board of Health has instructed its secretary to call a special meeting if the Burra Corporation communicates any matter requiring attention. [A reference to the inspection of meat issue following the pleuropneumonia outbreak.]

Burra Homing Club will run the first race of the season from Princess Royal on 14 February. The Mt Bryan race has been changed to a Hallett race and the later races will be: 21 April Saddleworth, 5 May Terowie, 19 May Mintaro, and 2 June Tarlee.

Sporting Notes

The 3rd meeting of the Burra Homing Club last Thursday. E.W. Crewes presided. The first race on 14 February will be from Princess Royal. Others planned are:

21 April from Saddleworth

5 May from Terowie

19 May from Mintaro

2 June from Tarlee

Burra Mounted Rifles met at the Commercial Hotel last Friday night with Capt. J.A. Watt presiding to consider holding a military sports and it was agreed to go ahead on 21 February.

Sparks

Coal is reported found near Tarlee.

Burra defeated Aberdeen at cricket last Saturday.

Record almanac issued today.

Dr Mahommedeen is visiting Burra and may be consulted at the Burra Hotel.

Burra Town Council, 15 January.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands advises £275 has been allotted for main roads.

The annual town inspection will be on 5 February.

Cr Parks moved that the re-appointment of the overseer be considered at once. Cr Harris 2nd.

[It having been previously deferred.]

Cr Sampson was opposed – he felt it unnecessary and that the money would be better spent assisting the unemployed in winter instead of squandering it – as had been done last year. Eventually a decision was deferred for a month.

21 water meters have been broken. They will be repaired and legal advice re the cost will be obtained. (Wilful breaking attracts a fine of up to £20.)

Cr Harris recommended closing the Aberdeen trough.

The meeting was adjourned when a cry of ‘Fire’ was heard.

Meeting resumed on 16 January.

There was a long discussion re the Aberdeen trough. A decision was deferred till the town inspection.

Cycling was a major sport of the period and regularly got 1⁄2 column or more of report from Australian and overseas events. Here there is 1⁄2 column.

A.J. Edmunds SM continues to improve slowly.

XV, 279, 17 Jan. 1894, Supplement [A very small slip c. A5 single-sided.]

So placed in the microfilm, but actually not printed with any heading to date it.

Accident. Yesterday T.W. Wilkinson and Dr Brummitt and their families went out for the day to the east. While descending Basin Hill in the Black Hills an accident occurred. Mesdames Wilkinson & Brummitt and their families walked down the hill. Dr Brummitt began to drive down followed by T.W. Wilkinson. The skid on Mr Wilkinson’s hired trap failed to act and he lost control of the horses. He ran into Dr Brummitt’s conveyance, which capsized. Mr Wilkinson was thrown from his trap, which then continued on and was recovered from another hill later with little damage. Mr Wilkinson injured his hip and was brought into Burra by T. McWaters. When examined under ether he was found to have broken his right thigh.

XV, 280, 24 Jan. 1894, page 2

Advt. George Sara Jun. has commenced business on his own account in timber, paints, oils and builders’ ironmongery, in the same premises. [Presumably this means in the former premises of Sara & Dunstan.]

Advt. Miss M.C. Casely, a recent pupil of Mrs Harvey, Hardwick College, offers lessons in oil painting. Apply the Wesleyan Parsonage, Kooringa.

Advt. Salvation Army, Kooringa. Grand Musical Festival, 31 January.

Banjos, Whistles, Auto-harp, Bones, Popgun, etc. also a Hallelujah Wedding. 6d.

Advt. For Sale, a 52” ordinary ball-bearing (all over) bicycle with laced spokes, in thorough good order for £6-10-0. (Cost £23) Been running 18 months.

Orroroo Races will be held 15 February.

Military Sports in Mr Austin’s Paddock on 21 February.

Editorial on the court case brought by Mr J.G. Mann. See later.

Pleuropneumonia. Mr Needham is busy inoculating cattle as the disease is still in the district. 12 lots are presently quarantined.

Wesleyan Foreign Missions annual services were held Sunday and Monday last by Rev. G. Brown DD, to good congregations. The lecture on Monday on New Guinea and New Britain Missions was illustrated with magic lantern slides.

Cemetery. Several mural statues have been added to the cemetery lately. Mrs William West’s grave is very nicely finished. Other fine examples are on the graves of G.L. Hiles and Harry Edwards.

Police. There being no police at Hallett, the Chief Secretary expects the Burra and Terowie police to patrol that town, but the Burra police have only one foot constable at Redruth and two mounted at Kooringa. They cannot reasonably handle Hallett as well.

Tramps. Several tramps are causing trouble in town at present. One tried to gain access by knocking on a door at 2 a.m. last Sunday morning and was with difficulty repelled by a woman who answered the door. On Sunday night the same or another fellow sought admittance at the house stating he was a policeman. Police were called, but the miserable creature had escaped.

Burra Institute Subscribers’ Meeting. C.C. Williams, President, in the chair.

The year began with a debit of £12 and ended in credit £14-16-8. The library has 3,100 volumes (up 70 for the year). Subscribers number 66 which is 1 down. The reading room has been renovated.

XV, 280, 24 Jan. 1894, page 3

The Mann Court Case. There was 3⁄4 column on this in the editorial column and then another 3⁄4 column summary here before almost 2 columns of the actual court report. This was considerable overkill for the event.

J.G. Mann sued the SAR Commissioners for £400 damages. He alleged neglect and unskilful driving of the train on 8 July 1893 in that he was struck by the train when his horse and cart were at a level crossing. He was thrown out and permanently injured.

Andrew Przibilla of Hanson:

Described how between 7 & 8 o’clock he had just got across the line when the train struck the horse of Mann’s cart and killed it, throwing Mann under the culvert. He valued the horse and harness at £20. He had not heard any whistle. He was wearing a cap with flaps (though they were not over his ears) and is near-sighted and the wind was blowing against the train. He swore he had looked up and down the line before crossing.

J.G. Mann:

Said he knew the crossing and approached it slowly. He saw Przibilla signal him to stop, but by then it was too late. He was put in the brake van after the accident and taken to Burra Hospital where he spent 19 days. The cost of the hospital was £2-17-0 and of Dr Brummitt £6-10-0. He has since been unable to work fully and has had to hire a man at £1-5-0 a week and lost the £25 profit from a crop he was unable to plant. He valued his horse and harness at £35. He did not hear a whistle. The driver should have seen them on the road. He estimated his damage at £300.

In cross examination he got rather tangled up about just when he looked for the train first and when he looked later.

Dr Brummitt gave evidence of severe bruising of the ribcage and shoulders and of small scalp wounds.

Harriet Camp and Edward Finch from the crossing site did not hear a whistle, but Finch could not swear it had not blown as trains came so constantly.

The Crown Solicitor asked for a non-suit on the grounds of failure to establish negligence.

Mr Gall, for Mann, said the evidence did show that the driver should have seen the two carts and if attentive could have prevented the accident; it was certainly, he said, a matter for the jury and not for the judge to dismiss.

The Driver:

Swore he blew the whistle at 600 yards. He thought the two were continuing on parallel to the line as the road does that, but when he saw they were going to cross he blew again at 80 yards and braked hard. The train was doing 25-30 m.p.h. and pulled up in 200 yards.

Others on the train verified his statement about the whistles.

The resident engineer gave evidence that the embankment there is only about 6’ high and a person on a cart could see a train coming for a mile or more.

The jury took 15 minutes to find for the defendants and Mann ended up having to pay the costs of both parties.

Cycling from out-of-town is reported in 1⁄2 column.

Inquest into the fire in T. Warnes’s paddock revealing that it was started when James Pens went to the paddock to catch his horse which was kept there. While there he lit his pipe with a safety match and threw it down. The verdict was ‘although his conduct was highly reprehensible we consider it to have been so far accidental, that it was not done either wilfully or maliciously’.

A Dance was successfully held in the Institute last Thursday night.

XV, 281, 31 Jan. 1894, page 2

Editorial wondering why the Burra Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society [The Show Society] is moribund and why Burra can’t manage to produce a show.

Advt. J. Perry, Blacksmith and Machinist of Burra Carriage Factory, has several painted buggies for sale, including express, single seat and spider, from £25.

[There is a report on his work on page three.]

XV, 281, 31 Jan. 1894, page 3

John Dunstan Jun., late of Burra and now residing at Broken Hill, has been appointed a magistrate in NSW and a returning officer for Alma & Broken Hill.

E. Kuchenmeister of World’s End met his creditors and was almost declared insolvent at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday, but it has been decided that arrangements could be made for 12 months grace.

The Weather has been excessively hot for several days.

Burra Co. MR. An encampment is planned for the Easter week at Gladstone with the MR from Burra, and infantry from Gladstone, Pt Pirie, Laura and Crystal Brook. We call for subscriptions to aid the effort which is being funded entirely by the men and any donations received.

Salvation Army. The Hallelujah Wedding tonight at the Barracks has all people guessing the names of the couple, but there are no answers yet.

Dr Mahommedeen Bakhsh, the Indian eye doctor, is visiting Burra for four weeks and may be consulted at the Burra Hotel Monday and Tuesday.

Mr W. West is heading a committee setting up a School and Art Exhibition for about 22 March in the Institute. There will be school, art, musical, cooking and dairy competitions.

William West and his daughter were involved in a nasty incident with a bolting horse brought about through a defective brake last Wednesday evening. Despite a very dangerous drive the party was finally able to get things under control.

Cycling Notes for out-of-town events again extend 3⁄4 column.

Neglected children. Four children of John Fitzgerald have been taken into care as being neglected and sent to the Magill School. Three children of Joseph Christie have been similarly dealt with. This is a particularly hard case as Christie is known to have remarried and simply stopped providing for the children, who were left with a housekeeper, who of course has not been paid.

Redruth Court, Friday 22 Jan., before Messrs W.R. Ridgway and W.T. Rabbich JPs.

Joseph Leigh was charged by Sarah Jane Vivian with stealing a quilt from a box in the dance room of Opie’s Hotel on Sunday, January 20. The prisoner tried to sell the quilt in Aberdeen and although he asked a ridiculously low price for it no one would venture to speculate. Suspicion was aroused and subsequently M-C Mack got on the robber’s tracks and succeeded in finding him in the mine and on the same day the article stolen was found under a tree near Mr A. Fuss’s house. The accused was sentenced to one month hard labour in the Redruth Gaol as a reward for his effort.

Military Sports preparations continue and £30 has been raised for prize money. A meeting made much progress on Friday, at the Court House Hotel, with W. H. Linkson presiding.

Lawn Tennis is getting popular. There is no club at Aberdeen, but M-C Benham has a private court and allows its use.

Kooringa is represented by Messrs R.M. Harvey, A.C. Noyes, A.J. Parkin and P.R. Scott.

Aberdeen by W., G., & M. Dow, H. Preece & W.H. Morton.

Last Saturday Kooringa 117 games defeated Aberdeen 67.

Burra Public School concert will be staged 22 March.

Burra High School re-commenced last Wednesday.

XV, 282, 7 Feb. 1894, page 2

Advt. Fitzgerald Bros. Great Circus and Menagerie at Burra Monday 12 February.

Including 120 horses and ponies and 100 people (20 ladies)

Advt. Offers are invited for homestead blocks near Burra. See [SA Government] Gazette 1 January 1894. Peter P. Gillen, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Advt. H. Bright. At Küchenmeister’s near Lapford, for sale 9 February by warrant of the Redruth Court: one buggy and harness, 400 gallon galvanised iron tank, 200 gallon ditto, 3 furrow stump-jumper plough, winnower, ladder, cask, hay forks, blacksmith’s vice, and tools, lot of milk pans, shovels, old riding saddle, 20 fowls and 6 ton stack of hay.

Advt. Burra Institute, 9 February, return of the Great Hibernicon Co.

Songs, Dances, Beautiful Scenery, Peter Crow the Versatile Negro Comedian.

Reduced prices due to the depressed state of the times. 2/- & 1/-.

XV, 282, 7 Feb. 1894, page 3

Salvation Army. At the Hallelujah Wedding Major Hoskin officiated at the marriage of Captain Southcott and Miss McGrath before a full hall.

Mr & Mrs A. McCulloch leave Burra today for England for a visit. They were serenaded at Princess Royal last night by the Burra Band and were given an illuminated address.

St Mary’s harvest thanksgiving service last Sunday.

Redruth No. 2 Reserve’s trees are growing well despite being pig-muzzled in the ground according to the then Mayor.

The Railways apparently sent a new horse from Adelaide to replace steady old ‘Brit’ who had done the job for some months of shunting trucks around the quarry under his young master. The new animal, ‘Joey’, looked impressive until he got to the end of the rope and had to take the weight of the truck: he then stopped. It seems likely ‘Brit’ will soon be back plodding on in his reliable style.

Drovers’ Union. Local drovers met in Burra on 25 January at the Burra Hotel to form a union to protect themselves from outside competition. W.A. Baker took the chair and T.T. Shortridge attended by invitation and acted as Hon. Sec. They objected to outside drovers engaging with purchasers at reduced rates outside the jurisdiction of the salesmen. The salesmen are to be asked to assist local drovers in securing employment and to ask all future engagements of drovers should be made through them.

‘One of the People’ writes again in one of a series of letters. He argues this time for the free interplay of supply and demand in the fixing of wages.

The bicycle is threatened by the appearance of the pneumatic skate. Each skate will have only two in line wheels.

Burra Homing Club’s race from Princess Royal on 14 February has attracted 10 entries.

Mr A.J. Parkin, who recently purchased the business of Mr T. Kitchen, celebrated his birthday at a fine social evening at the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday 30 January.

Cycling News from out-of-town takes up 1⁄2 column.

Burra Town Council.

A deputation led by P. Lane with a requisition signed by 122 people waited on the Council asking for the re-appointment of Mr J. Jenkins as overseer. There were apologies from Dr Brummitt, W. West Sen. and W. Geake. Spoken support was given by Messrs Rabbich, Launder, O’Leary, T.W. Pearce, J. Pearce and W. Pearce Sen.

The Mayor said that at present they were paying 8% on an overdraft of £89-16-6 and no one on the Council had spoken against Mr Jenkins: it was simply a matter of lack of necessary work and available money.

Local Board of Health

A deputation of three is to wait on the Burra DC on Saturday to discuss the matter of inspecting slaughtered cattle.

Fitzgerald Bros. Circus. At the circus this afternoon, the male Nubian lion attacked the tamer. This lion had made a terrible onslaught on the tamer in Sydney recently and was behaving sullenly. After exercising the females the tamer entered the cage armed with an iron fork which the attacking lion despatched with a swipe of its paw. The captain then fought the lion unarmed and fought him to the back of the cage. Then though entreated to get out by Mr Fitzgerald and assistants he renewed the struggle. After a struggle of eight minutes the tamer was rescued by assistants using a long iron bar through the bars of the cage. His clothing was shredded and his arms lacerated, but overall he was not seriously injured. The lacerations were however, deep to the bone on the right arms etc. [Having read this far the readers discovered they had been conned by a publicity piece from the circus. This is merely a reprint from the Albury Daily News of 27 September 1893.]

Cricket. Last Wednesday.

Mt Bryan 39 & 19 (58) was defeated by Burra 39 and 1 for 65.

[Why Burra kept on batting for so long after getting the winning runs is not explained.]

Rabbits are again troublesome out east.

Obituary. M. Quinn, an old Burra resident, died last Monday. [See next issue.]

Unemployment is serious in Adelaide and the unemployed have voted that the Premier, Hon. C.C. Kingston should be called upon to resign after refusing to see a deputation of the unemployed.

XV, 283, 14 Feb. 1894, page 2

Obituary. Esther Jones, wife of P. Jones of Jamestown, died at her mother’s residence in Redruth on 10 February, aged 21. She was a daughter of Bridget Gentel. [Registered as dying 9 February: born Esther Bridget Gentle 31 July 1873.]

Editorial on the trial of James Penns for causing the fire in T. Warnes’s paddock.

Advt. For Sale: the assigned estate of Mrs G. Camp, two miles southwest of Kooringa.

7 horses, harness for six horses, wagon and frame, 3 cows, calf, 7 pigs, 20 fowls, 2 sets of harrows, 2 double ploughs, mower, horse-rake, seed-sower, sheep trough, 20 ton haystack, 6 tons firewood, household furniture and effects.

Burra Institute Committee meeting. President J. A. Watt, Vice-President Harvey, Hon. Sec. Moore, Messrs Furniss & Williams. Others on committees were Messrs Jennings, Lasscock, Packard, Wilkinson, Roach & Dr Brummitt.

James Penn: report on the trial which is reported further in court reports.

XV, 283, 14 Feb. 1894, page 3

Fitz Gerald’s Circus arrived Monday and drew a big crowd in the evening. The riding was very good as were the acrobatic and juggling acts. Major McCabe, the lion tamer was the most sensational act. The best circus seen for many years in Burra. £90 was taken at the gate.

Burra Drovers’ Association deputation was favourably received by the salesmen who promised to help where they could. Moves were put in train to formalise the association, to elect a committee and to take subscriptions. W.H. Baker as chairman, R.J. Ockenden as Hon. Treasurer, T.T. Shortridge as Hon. Sec. Charges to be 5/- on entrance and 6d a week.

Obituary. John Quinn who died on Sunday 4 February was born at Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland 24 June 1819, the son of John Quinn, a gardener. He was educated in the Catholic Parish School. He married Mary Lynch of Rockhill in 1844 and came to Port Adelaide in 1856 in the Blue Surplice. He worked first on the Hill River Station and then for himself as a gardener. In 1873 he came to Burra. He had been confined to bed since a stroke four years ago. Rev. Father Marshner SJ officiated at the funeral. He is survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters and many grandchildren. [Death registered as John Quin aged 75.]

Burra DC is content to allow the Corporation Inspector to be appointed to inspect meat in their district during the pleuropneumonia outbreak if the Town Council will fund him.

Cycling from out-of-town occupies 1 column.

‘One of the People’ writes again on the topic of falling wages and the argument in favour of the untrammelled interplay of supply and demand.

Letter on a call to invite tenders for a waterworks engine driver who should be obtainable in these depressed times for £2 a week when the Council is said to be paying £3 a week. Labourers are now getting only 4/- to 6/- a day. [i.e. £1-4-0 to £1-16-0 a week.] Make the saving and allow the water rates charges to be dropped.

‘A Quarryman’ writes re the extortionate price for bread at 3d for a 2 lb loaf. A bag of flour is 15/- and makes 135-140 loaves giving a profit of £1 per bag or £14-10-0 a ton, which costs them only £7-10-0.

(The editor comments that a 2 lb loaf in Burra commonly sells for 21⁄2d.)

Redruth Court.

James Penn was charged with smoking in open air with a pipe insufficiently covered in a paddock containing vegetable product, viz. inflammable grass, on 5 January. He said he went to the paddock to get his horse. The witness Alfred Jacka went with Penns who told him not to say anything about the pipe after the fire had started. Police evidence gave the circumstances of the fire. Penns was fined £1 with 18/- costs.

Mr & Mrs McCulloch’s valedictory social on the occasion of their departure for a tour of England and Europe is reported in 3⁄4 of a column.

Paxton Square. There is an account of an attempt to recover valuable malachite samples supposedly hidden under the floor of one of the cottages forty years ago. A large hole was dug in one house and then in its neighbour. A third hole was dug and though many items of rubbish were found including old sheep’s bones, there was no treasure.

Burra Homing Club has its first race today, from Princess Royal.

(After writing this the author heard that three of the would-be racers had been destroyed by hawks.)

XV, 284, 21 Feb. 1894, page 2

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving Service 25 February.

Afternoon service of song: Israel’s God Her Glory.

Monday lecture by Rev. J. Hopkins: A Trip from the Clarence River to Sydney.

Advt. Bible Christian Church Anniversary 25 February.

Afternoon service of song: Frozen to Death. Sale of gifts Monday.

Advt. St Mary’s Schoolroom: sale of produce and afternoon tea next month.

Baldina Plains School. The appeal for a teacher to reopen the school has so far been unsuccessful. When it closed there were only 4-5 attending, but now there are 15 of age, but they cannot get to a school.

XV, 284, 21 Feb. 1894, page 3

Obituary. Mr A.J. Edmunds, Burra’s esteemed Special Magistrate, died in Adelaide on Thursday after a long illness from which at times it seemed he was recovering. [Arthur Joseph Edmunds died 15 February, aged 58.]

The Jubilee Fisk Singers will return to the Institute after a long absence for Thursday and Friday next. Their tour has been an unprecedented success. The program is of old favourites, Negro plantation songs, Jubilee choruses, first-class secular and comic songs. Also hear Miss Mattie Allan, the world’s only lady tenor. 3/-, 2/-, 1/-.

‘Resident’ who says she is ‘a poor woman’ of Market Square, writes to complain that girls are throwing stones on her roof night after night.

Burra Public School has made good progress in the last twelve months under Mr J.A. Kennedy and staff despite the disruptions of a measles and an influenza epidemic. 164 new scholars were enrolled and the average attendance for the year was 286 (not counting the epidemic months.) The annual examination for results was postponed and eventually abandoned on account of the epidemic, though exams for the Compulsory Certificate and promotion were held. 196 out of 239 were promoted and 20 Compulsory Certificates awarded. Arbor Day was a success. 1⁄3 of a column is devoted to examples of mental arithmetic used in exams at different levels.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Parks, Chairman of the Public Works Committee, moved that on account of the 43 contracts let for road metal and other work it is desirable to proceed with the appointment of an overseer. Cr Harris 2nd. There was a long discussion and the motion was finally lost on the casting vote of the Mayor who gave a lucid account of his reasons.

Local Board of Health

The board decided it could not proceed with appointing the Inspector, J.R. Gray, to inspect meat in the DC area as agreed to at a recent meeting with them. Gray was then asked to take on the job without pay and declined.

Cycling matters from out0of0town are reported in 3⁄4 column.

Burra Homing Club. The race from Princess Royal last week saw a win to H. Tiver’s Hard Up at an average 1,028 yards per minute.

Lawn Tennis. A tournament is being played between Aberdeen and Kooringa using a handicap system.

The Primitive Methodist Cake Fair and Sale of Goods on 16 February raised £25.

XV, 285, 28 Feb. 1894, page 2

Advt. R. Cook, Fruiterer, Redruth. Fresh fruit almost daily from his Watervale Garden. Table grapes 11⁄2d lb.

Advt. Grand recital and concert at the Institute on 13 March.

Walter Bentley, Miss Isabel Webster, Mr R. Nitschke, Mr A. Duncan and Miss Mary Bancroft.

Editorial on the Burra Military Sports. With so little Government support it is a wonder the Mounted Rifles continue. The sports can only infuse more spirit into the force.

XV, 285, 28 Feb. 1894, page 3

Accident. The Mail Cart horse shied at some children playing on the Mine Bridge on Saturday afternoon and broke through into the plantation, where it fell over. Messrs Carey Sen. and G. Dow got out unharmed and righted the horse which was not seriously hurt.

Capt. J.A. Watt, who was seriously hurt at the Military Sports, is still in much pain and he is being carefully watched and is now somewhat easier.

Accident. Three children of W.T. Rabbich made an experimental ‘boiler’ from an old tin can. When fired up it burst, badly scalding their lower parts.

The Bible Christian Anniversary Services were shared by Rev. R.C. Yeoman and Rev. R.S. Casely. The report at the public meeting showed that the church debt had been reduced by £25 in the last year as it had each year for the last six.

Cycling from out-of-town gets another 1⁄2 column report.

‘One of the People’ writes again. The writer blames poor people who buy cheap for creating or maintaining sweatshop wages. Such low wages, he argues, wouldn’t exist if people didn’t seek to buy for 1d goods worth 2d. [The letter is a plausibly argued bit of sophistry.]

Burra Military Sports.

The Mounted Rifle Company was founded about two years ago with Government inducements and numbers at one time reached about 40. A short time ago the Government cut military expenses and the Mounted Rifles suffered along with others. The cost to volunteer rose and some had to drop out. It is to the company’s credit that they have journeyed to Adelaide and other centres for exercises. Captain Watt decided a few weeks ago to organise an afternoon of sports for 21 February. Col. Gordon was elected Patron and Mayor Killicoat the President. The day brought perfect weather and businesses in Burra closed promptly at noon. A parade was held from Market Square to the Hospital and then to Redruth and Aberdeen, led by the Burra Band and finally to R. Austin’s paddock in Aberdeen. By late afternoon at least 1,000 had assembled at the ground. Preparation for cleaving the Turk’s head saw Pte Schutz’s horse collide with Capt. Watt’s. The Captain was thrown forward and with difficulty regained his seat, but couldn’t get his feet back in the stirrups before the horse bolted. In attempting the road fence the horse struck a post and broke it off; both horse and rider fell. The horse got up, but the Captain was almost unconscious and his nose and upper lip were badly cut, each needing three stitches. He was taken to the doctor’s and Lieut. Blott took over the rest of the day. The events contested were:

Best Drilled Section Tilting at the Ring

130 yd Handicap Foot Race, Boys <17 Cleaving the Turk’s Head

Tug-of-War, Mounted Bareback Tent-pegging

Race with Polo Balls 1⁄2 mile Camp Race

Thread the Needle Race 135 yd Handicap Foot Race

Rescue Race 3⁄4 Mile Flat Race

Afterwards there was a social evening at the Commercial Hotel. The accident to Captain Watt saw this somewhat curtailed with no musical items after the toasts and most left about 9.30 p.m. The ball that followed saw only a fair attendance.

XV, 286, 7 Mar. 1894, page 2

Advt. EMU FACTORY Mrs Humphris has taken over the premises of Mr R.H. Birt (who is leaving the district) and has purchased his Aerated Water & Cordial Making Business. Stocks of Aerated Water, Cordials, Tomato & Worcestershire Sauces, Australian Lime Fruit Relish, Dandelion Ale, Hop Beer, Sparkling Fruit Cider. Wholesale Only.

Editorial on several Terowie residents that are again working the Ulooloo Goldfields. About 25 are presently there.

2nd Leader on the School, Musical, Art and Cookery Competition of 21 March.

St Mary’s Schoolroom funds were increased by £19-4-0 from a sale of goods last Friday.

Mr Jefferson Stow is the new Special Magistrate for the northern districts. He comes from Mt Gambier to replace the late A.J. Edmunds.

Obituary. Mrs Batchelor died at Commercial St Kooringa last Saturday, aged 66. She conducted business here for many years. [Died 3 March: born Elizabeth Franks Miller.]

Obituary. Stanley Rabbich, aged 12, 2nd son of W.T. Rabbich, died as the result of a scalding received recently from the explosion of steam in an oil drum. [Registered as born William Stanley Rabbish 11 August 1881: died William Stanley Rabbich 5 March 1894.]

Capt. Watt is recovering slowly, but is still unable to eat solid food.

XV, 286, 7 Mar. 1894, page 2-3

Walter Bentley, the noted actor of the Bentley-Webster Co. performs in Burra tonight. His recitations will include Tam O’Shanter, Dream of Eugene Aram. He also appears in the comedietta Is Marriage a Failure? Mr R. Nitschke baritone and A. Duncan tenor also appear. 3/-, 2/-, & 1/-.

XV, 286, 7 Mar. 1894, page 3

Cycling from out-of-town gets a further 3⁄4 column article.

Burra Co. MR Sports were a complete success and produced a healthy profit. Only Captain Watt’s accident marred the day.

Burra Town Council.

Council decided not to accept the conditions of the Railway Commissioners for the piece of land near the Bon Accord for road purposes.

Council has decided not to recognise the claim for £2-2-0 from Mr P. Pendlebury (lawyer) as costs for handling the assessment appeal cases, in excess of the £1-1-0 already paid.

It was resolved not to offer reduced water charges for the Hospital.

Florieton Races will be held on 14 March.

XV, 287, 14 Mar. 1894, page 2

Advt. John Sampson is today selling the household furniture and effects for Mr R.H. Birt. Sale by auction on the Redruth premises known as Mr Dunstan’s.

Advt. School Art Musical & Cooking Exhibition on Wednesday 21 March to be opened by P.L. Killicoat.

Advt. Cricket, Burra v. Clare on Good Friday and Burra v. Combined School Teachers from Adelaide on Easter Monday.

Also Monday Sweepstake Sheffield Handicap.

Advt. Douglas Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday 18 March. Preacher Rev. H.J. Parkinson. Public Tea Wednesday 21 March.

Editorial. Closing of Redruth Gaol.

Despite the heading the first half column is concerned with the low prices prevailing for wool, cattle and sheep.

[The closing of the Gaol did not seem to have merited any mention in the paper until it actually happened so perhaps it came without warning.]

The editor suggests it be turned into a freezing or chilling works and be connected to the railway by a spur line.]

Captain Watts continues to improve.

The Bentley-Webster Co. appeared last Wednesday, a week before they had been expected and so although they were very good they played to only moderate patronage.

XV, 287, 14 Mar. 1894, page 3

Travelling Stock Roads. The Government has decided to cut up the TSRs near Burra and a meeting has been called at the Institute on 16 March to protest this decision.

Baldina Plains School. After nearly six months the Minister of Education has finally replied to the request of the Burra School Board asking that the Baldina Plains School by reopened. It is to remain closed.

Pleuropneumonia has almost been eliminated east of Burra by inoculation and quarantine.

The Bible Christian Conference has sent Rev. R.C. Yeoman, who has been in Burra for 3 years, to Kapunda and Rev. E.J. Kemp is to come here from Wirrabara. Rev. Yeoman leaves in about three weeks.

Burra Institute Committee Meeting on Monday decided the Chrysanthemum Show would be on 2 May. R.M. Harvey took the chair as Mr Watt was unable to attend due to his accident.

Burra Homing Club next race is 131⁄4 miles from Farrell’s Flat on 21 March.

‘One of the People’ writes in similar vein again.

XV, 287 (2), 21 Mar. 1894, page 2

[Second use of 287. No. 288 not used. The date on page 1 is incorrectly 14 March.]

Advt. Mr Thompson, Dentist from Edinburgh, will visit Burra from the evening of 22 March till afternoon of 23 March at Burra Hotel. Laughing Gas administered.

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary 25 & 26 March.

Advt. House to let adjoining the Township of Redruth, occupied lately by R.H. Birt.

[Possibly still owned by J. Dunstan Jun. as J. Dunstan Sen. of Mt Bryan East is cited as the agent.]

Editorial on the [Co-operative] Village Settlement Schemes.

These have been seen for some time in Victoria and NZ and now nearly 1,000 men, women and children have gone to the same along the River Murray under an Act passed in 1893. This requires 20 or more over the age of 18 and such associations may be granted up to 160 acres for each villager on perpetual lease. Most settlements so far are communistic – all property owned or acquired being held in common, not individually. There are some problems in getting through the early years before fruit crops can produce. People who are long unemployed nevertheless are finding it attractive.

XV, 287 (2), 21 Mar. 1894, page 3

Burra Show Society. There is at last a move to get the Show going again with a meeting at the Commercial Hotel tomorrow night.

Travelling Stock Roads. Cutting up these roads for workingmen’s blocks is a bad move. Such blocks may be very well in their place, but we have not seen any good result e.g. on the reserve between Booborowie and Farrell’s Flat which was cut up only one or two are doing much and adjacent farmers have acquired most – a point to think of when the Baldina reserve is considered. Our copper mine is idle and wheat at a very low price. Burra is however, the largest stock market except for one in the world with three sales monthly bringing in many people who also shop in the town. Friday’s main street is ample proof of the importance and cutting up the stock roads threatens the quantity of stock that will arrive for market.

Ulooloo Diggings. Six local men are leaving for the diggings owing to the scarcity of work here.

St Patrick’s Day passed quietly last Saturday with special services at St Joseph’s.

Rain. This week excellent rains fell with 1.660 points [sic] since Monday and it extended to the east country. [It was, of course, 1.66”]

T.W. Wilkinson visited his shop on Tuesday, after nine weeks away as a consequence of breaking his thigh in an accident travelling out east. He is still on crutches.

Exhibition. Tickets for the School, Art, Musical and Cookery Exhibition which opens today at the Institute are 1/- or 1/6 for a double ticket to the exhibition and the evening concert for tomorrow. The Burra Band attends this evening.

Burra Homing Club’s pigeon race has been postponed till 31 March.

Capt. Watt has recovered sufficiently to take charge of the men going to manoeuvres at Gladstone tomorrow. 15 of the Mounted Rifles will make the trip with their horses.

Travelling Stock Roads.

P.L. Killicoat presided at a meeting at the Institute last Friday night re the closing of travelling stock reserves. J. Lewis JP spoke first. In 1860 it was found necessary for pastoralists to have wide roads for travel and in 1861 a petition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands asked that all new surveys be provided with 20 chain routes. Up till then only 1 chain width roads had been provided. The later Hundreds thus had 20 chain routes. In 1886 some people petitioned for such routes to be cut up and added to their properties with some bad consequences. In 1889 a committee chaired by Hon. J.J. Duncan sat for 13 days on the matter and concluded that the routes should be retained for their original use and recommended that stock roads be dedicated as travelling stock reserves. The road now particularly in question is between Baldina Creek and Apoinga. The petition to cut it up is based on vermin and noxious weeds in it, but the income from commonage on it more than meets the cost of controlling vermin and weeds by the DC. The present Government favoured 3 chain roads. Lewis did not agree – they would result in animals of poorer condition with poorer wool. When forced onto made roads stock create great damage, especially in winter. Railing sheep costs £40 per 1,000 compared with £10 or less for droving. Cutting up the roads would see very few new landowners and the idea of workingmen’s blocks between Baldina and Apoinga was an absurdity. The Advertiser writer was quite wrong to assert that the move met with general support. Mr Lewis moved the Government be asked to remove from sale all land used and known as Travelling Stock Reserves. [And a whole paragraph more of detail.] Burra would decline greatly if the advantages of travelling to the markets there were removed. When Liston, Shakes & Co. first started a good sale saw 4,000 sheep. A few years later they had sold 40,000 sheep and 1,200 cattle in one day.

Mr Alford supported the above.

10,000 sheep on a 3 chain road meant only the front sheep got feed.

J. Melrose of Ulooloo gave support in a letter.

E.W. Crewes was puzzled to know who expressed the support claimed in the Advertiser! He moved that where such reserves have been let on miscellaneous lease so much as necessary for travelling stock be cancelled. Mr Scott 2nd and cited a nearby case where much harm had been done by the loss of the reserve with little benefit to anyone in return.

Mr Nobes, manager of Parnell & Bowman, Moonta, was a heavy buyer of stock at Burra and agreed that if routes go the town’s popularity as a market would decline.

Mr Alford moved the Government allow holders of workingmen’s blocks on stock roads to exchange the same for other lands if available and agreeable to present holders. 2nd J. Lewis and carried.

Cycling news from out-of-town gets 1⁄2 column.

Teetulpa Goldfield now has nearly 100 men.

The Catholic Bishop O’Reilly of Pt Augusta is dangerously ill from overwork.

Migration. There is a substantial flow of people to WA [and its goldfields]. This year to March 10 SA lost 1,535 to WA.

Holder Village Settlement near Morgan was formed last week with 70 adults.

Burra Town Council

A letter from T.W. Wilkinson as trustee of the Wesleyan Church says that the work done near the manse was not ordered by the Wesleyan authorities and they refused to recognise the amount claimed by the Council.

J. Jenkins was appointed dayman at 6/- a day.

Cr Linkson expressed concern at the number of Afghan hawkers around the town.

XV, 289, 28 Mar. 1894, page 2 [There was no number 288.]

Advt. Burra Football Club meeting at Commercial Hotel 28 March.

Advt. Mr E. M. Bennett class for violin, 2nd term 1894 starting 3 April. £1-1-0.

Advt. Mr C.A. Uhrlaub’s German classes resume 7 April at the High School Redruth.

Cricket. The match organised for Good Friday fell through when Clare failed to arrive due to the bad weather. Instead Burra played Aberdeen.

R.H. Birt has, after 35 years, sold his cordial manufacturing business to Mrs Humphris and left the district. He came to Burra as a boy and was connected with the Kooringa and Redruth Primitive Methodist Churches for many years. He will live in Adelaide.

World’s End Creek. The Commissioner of Public Works, Hon. F.W. Holder, visited Burra on 21 March to enquire into water conservation at World’s End Creek. About six years ago Mr Porter of the Water Conservation Department found a site he thought suitable for a reservoir. Mr Holder visited the site on 20 March and was favourably impressed with its potential.

Burra School Concert on Thursday night at the Institute was very well presented by Mr J. A. Kennedy, headmaster. A full report is printed.

XV, 289, 28 Mar. 1894, page 3

The School Art Musical & Cookery Exhibition was opened on 21 March by the Mayor, P.L. Killicoat. There were 162 entries in a wide range of categories. There were also some special prizes. Miss Josling exhibited a quilt of some thousands of pieces of silk. The 1st prize winners were:

Music: Solo voice ladies Miss Yeoman

Solo voice under 15 J. Kelly [R. Fuss 2nd]

Piano duet in D, under 15 Maria Killicoat & R. Forder

Violin solo Miss A. West

Flute solo (men) Mr Uhrlaub

Recitation – boys at school R. Fuss

Recitation – girls at school A. Steele

Ladies Miss Clark

Spelling Bee: Under 13 J. Kelly

School Exhibition: Child’s pinafore Rosalie Forder

Fancy Work M. Maylon

Map of Australia 18” x 20” A. Riggs

Writing in large hand Master C. Thomas

Writing in small hand P. Sara

Freehand drawing from

Squares & circles Ailsa McLaren

Painting: Any subject, oils, adult, amateur Miss Casely

Ditto; water colour Miss E. Thomas

Ditto; sepia or mezzotint Miss A.E. West

Ditto; crayon for over 15 Mr E.A. Pearce

Best collection at least 10 varieties of ores Mr W.C.L. West

Best collection on rock formation, Burra District Miss Meyer

Letterpress printing Burra Record

Best hand & buttonhole bouquet for lady’s dress Ettie Baker

Modelling in plaster L. Walker

Punched work in wood L. Walker

Fretwork L. Walker

Any manual work, boys under 15 (bamboo table) C. Lasscock

Teaching appliances Burra School

Cookery: Best sponge cake & Swiss roll Mrs T. Nevin

Pound cake E. Wise

6 Scotch scones & 6 fancy scones Mrs W.C.L. West

12 eggs & 3 lb fresh butter M. Wise

Bag of chaffed hay F. Fairchild

4 types of vegetables W. Lasscock

‘One of the People’ writes again in favour of freedom of [individual] contracts for labour and against unions. Also against the 8 hour day.

Cricket on Good Friday. After Clare failed to appear a match began at 3 p.m. in which Aberdeen 78 defeated Burra 49.

On Easter Monday at Burra the United Schoolteachers from Adelaide 239 defeated Burra 62. The huge gap was attributed mainly to the very poor fielding of the Burra team.

During the afternoon at the match the Handicap Sheffield was run and won by B. Knevitt.

Burra High School 2nd Term begins 2 April, Mrs McLagan, Principal.

Burra Show Society.

T. Sandland presided over a meeting at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday to resuscitate the Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society. It was decided to hold a show in 1894. W.J. Davey was appointed to take the minutes. W. West was to be approached to be the secretary. [And later agreed.] The first committee meeting is next Friday.

Cycling from out-of-town gets another 2⁄3 column.

Burra Co. MR. 18 men eventually went to the Gladstone encampment and returned Monday after a few days hard fighting. They left Burra about 9 a.m. Thursday and reached Gladstone about 6.30 p.m. There was a long drill Friday morning amid heavy showers. Another afternoon drill and an unexpected call-out at 9.30 p.m. About 200 men attended in all so picket and outpost duties fell a bit heavily on the same men. The exercise Battle of Rocky River was held Saturday night after field firing Saturday afternoon. There was a Fife and Drum Band entertainment before bed at 10 p.m. The bugle was to announce an attack at some unknown hour. The Mounted Rifles were victorious about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. It was all very successful, the only dampener being the loss of J. Pearce’s horse which broke a shoulder when it panicked on returning from being watered and tried to jump a fence. It is likely the Government will compensate Mr Pearce.

Rev. H.T. Burgess returned to Burra to preach on 25 & 26 March and was warmly welcomed.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary on 18 & 21 March was well attended and proceeds exceeded £11.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held on 25 & 26 March when Rev. H.J. Parkinson preached and in the evening the service of song was The Dairyman’s Daughter.

Obituary. Mrs Paul Killicoat’s funeral was held last Tuesday afternoon.

[Death notice in next issue.]

Sale at Sod Hut. There was a sale in the assigned estate of J. Fradd. 220 sheep and 9 cattle and the usual farm equipment was offered.

Advt. The Salvation Army Guards’ Band will visit Burra on 5 April and play in Market Square at 7 p.m. and the Barracks at 8 p.m.

XV, 290, 4 Apr. 1894, page 2 [On page 1 the month is given as March]

Birth. To W.J. Davey & wife on 30 March at Kooringa, a son.

Obituary. Louisa Elizabeth Wilkins, daughter of Henry Wilkins, died at Mt Bryan East aged 18 yr 3 months. [Born 1 January 1876: died 24 March 1894.]

Obituary. Whilhelmina (Minna) Killicoat, wife of P.M. Killicoat, died on 25 March at Kooringa, aged 25. [Born Wilhelmina Gebhardt 15 April 1869.]

XV, 290, 4 Apr. 1894, page 2-3

Editorial on the cutting up of the Travelling Stock Roads.

A large adverse petition is being prepared. The editor favours the arguments against cutting up the roads.

XV, 290, 4 Apr. 1894, page 3

Minor Earthquake at Baldina on Tuesday.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church gave a farewell social to Mr & Mrs R.H. Birt on their leaving Burra for Glenelg. About 60 attended. Mr Parkinson presented an illuminated address.

Burra Show Society. The first committee meeting last Friday was at the Commercial Hotel. The show will be held on a date to be named in September. The site will be chosen from two or three possible. The next meeting is 13 April.

Football. The first general meeting of the Burra Football Club for 1894 in the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday evening.

Burra Homing Club’s next race will be from Farrell’s Flat to Burra on 11 April. A program for future events has been arranged.

Burra Town Council met and transacted routine business. A bridge will be built across the creek near the gaol.

T. Warnes writes saying how little has been done to honour Sir Henry Ayers for his fifty years of service to the colony. He proposes an address from the people of Burra and encloses £1-1-0 to start the ball rolling.

George F. Herbert writes re the Temperance Party. He feels that SA is weakened by its multitude of parties that fragment both society and Parliament. He sees this party as a very small, but loud group of people better referred to as the ‘immoderate party’.

‘One of the People’ writes again to condemn movements like ‘New Australia’ and the co-operative villages.

Obituary and Inquest.

Hilda Mann died as a result of a gunshot wound on Sunday.

Mr & Mrs Mann and family went to chapel except for Hilda aged 19 and Emma who stayed home to prepare dinner etc. Hilda completed her work and went to the room of a lad named Karl Petergelt who was sewing his trousers.

Miss Mann picked up a gun which was loaded and the accident followed. The lad immediately informed the parents and they returned to the scene and informed the police.

Frederick August Mann’s evidence confirmed the above account.

Carl Petergelt [sic] said he was sitting sewing when Hilda entered. After a couple of minutes she took up the gun and asked if it was loaded, he said ‘very likely’. He kept on sewing without looking at her and then the gun went off. He picked her up and sat her on a box and went to tell her parents.

The verdict was that the death was purely accidental.

[Neither birth nor death appear to have been registered.]

Mushrooms by the thousand have appeared at Baldina.

The Aberdeen Ballast Quarry has been closed for the time being.

Cycling news from out-of-town takes another 3⁄4 column.

XV, 291, 11 Apr. 1894, page 2

Advt. Polo: sports and match 21 April.

Editorial on the Political Campaign for the Legislative Council.

There are seven candidates for three places.

Qualifications for a vote:

Ownership of freehold of £50 p.a. above all charges and encumbrances.

Holder of a registered lease of £20 with at least 3 years to run, or right of purchase.

Occupation of a dwelling house of clear £25 annual value excluding rates and taxes.

Check the rolls now.

Burra Oval needs attention. Some trees need maintenance and the seats need repair. The gate is now kept closed to keep out horses that damage the trees.

Farewells at Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom were held for a number of people who were leaving the town.

Rev. J. Hopkins is going to a new circuit at Magill.

Mr G. Sara is going to WA.

Mr & Mrs T. Young are going to Victoria.

Mr & Mrs G. Mitchell are going to Adelaide.

A spread was arranged for 5 p.m.

Burra Institute Committee has voted £25 for new library books.

Chrysanthemum Show will be on 2 May.

A Bolt. The horse in J. Carey’s mail cart bolted just as he finished harnessing it for delivery of the midday mails to the north on Friday. Mr Carey just managed to snatch his young grandson from the cart as the horse took off up Thames St. It ended up at the house of Mr Bartholomæus in Redruth where it was caught by George March. There was virtually no damage done and the mails were subsequently delivered on time.

Fraud. Recently two respectably dressed men put up at the Commercial Hotel for a week and went about the town posing as piano and organ tuners. They then departed without paying the bill. A warning to publicans – they were last seen heading towards Farrell’s Flat.

Sara & Dunstan. This was a famous old Burra firm which built many of the town’s most impressive buildings, and was very nearly responsible for building all of Terowie, Yarcowie and Yongala. For example at Yongala they built two hotels, the public school, the Institute and the railway goods shed. At the time Sara & Dunstan employed over 200 men and for a number of years it was over 150. They built the Gladstone Gaol, which cost £22,000 and at that time work to the value of £50,000 was in hand. For five years the business did work of £50,000 p.a. Through the depreciation of property and other factors the firm decayed and the numbers employed fell to 3 or 4 and a few weeks ago the whole stock in trade was sold by public auction. Mr Dunstan has gone to Broken Hill and Mr Sara left Burra on Monday to visit WA. He goes with best wishes for future success.

XV, 291, 11 Apr. 1894, page 3

Rev. Yeoman preached a farewell sermon in the bible Christian Church on Sunday night and leaves today for Kapunda.

Salvation Army. Captain Creed, Lieut. Hunt & Cadet Carr of the Cavalry Fort are on a visit to Burra. They visit outlying districts and give help where needed. They travel the colony in a nicely constructed van.

Burra Show Society. Last Monday the committee inspected the Burra Oval, the Smelting Works and the Mine Stores to select a site for the intended show. The committee meets at the Commercial Hotel on Friday to discuss the proposals further.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis were busy in Burra last Friday. They offered 12,480 sheep and 60 cattle and the lease of 2629 acres in the Hundred of Hallett besides sheep and farm stock from the estate of Collins and Ullmann. Also on offer were properties in Burra and Terowie in the assigned estate of Sara & Dunstan, but all those were passed in except for one house and a piece of land in Terowie.

Accident. On Thursday Mr W. Pearce Sen. broke his right thigh when he was crossing a small bridge at the back of his premises in the dark. He slipped and fell heavily into the creek. He is aged 74. Because he had said he was going to hear the Guards’ Band he was not missed and it was almost two hours later that a granddaughter went out and heard his groans. She told her father who found the old gentleman in the creek, virtually unconscious. He remained unconscious for some time after being carried to his room.

Burra School Board of Advice elections are due on 28 April 1894.

A Concert was held in St Mary’s Schoolroom last Wednesday, chaired by Mr W. West.

Burra Co. MR held its annual meeting in the Commercial Hotel last Friday. Captain Watt presented his report for 1893 which started with 30 members, since when 2 have resigned and 1 was struck off, but with 8 new recruits the total is now 35. There were 28 fairly well attended drills for the year. Class firing needs improvement. The 1893 inspection was well attended and on 9 November ten men attended the Adelaide encampment. The public has been supportive and the uniform fund was in credit £34-14-1. The annual subscription was 1/6.

‘A Bad Mother’ earns a 1⁄3 column report devoted to the activities of this alcoholic resident of Kooringa and her long-suffering industrious husband.

The Guards’ Band visited Burra. They were met on arriving from the north by the afternoon train. The reviewer was very impressed. The band is an amalgamation of their previous No. 1 & No. 2 Bands and comprises the best from both.

Football. The Aberdeen Football Club met at the Royal Exchange Hotel on 3 April and the meeting was well attended. Elected: Patron W. Killicoat, President W. Neville, Captain T. Hirschausen, and Vice-Captain F. Sellars. Three matches are to be arranged with Burra for 28 April, 19 May and 16 June.

Polo match and sports on 21 April is likely to see a team from Broken Hill to challenge the locals.

Mining. The group of men who went to Ulooloo have returned empty handed, but a couple who have been fossicking in the Burra Creek for copper are getting a bit.

XV, 292, 18 Apr. 1894, page 2

Advt. Grand Concert at St Mary’s Schoolroom Tonight and Toy and Fancy Fair there on 24 May.

Editorial on the Agent General of Sa in London. This discusses the changing role of that office and person through the history of the colony.

XV, 292, 18 Apr. 1894, page 3

Burra Co. MR. Lance-Corporal Pearce has been compensated for the loss of his horse while at the Gladstone encampment.

Mr W. Pearce Sen. has not yet regained consciousness and remains critical.

[This is a somewhat puzzling statement since later in the same paragraph he is reported as seeming a little easier and able to partake of light nourishment.]

Rev. G. Kemp, the new Bible Christian minister, preached on Sunday last.

Obituary. John Baynes, farmer of Leighton, died in the Burra Hospital on Wednesday 11 April and had a large funeral the following day. [Aged 50.]

Vandalism. J. Glasson, who is working at Baldina, had to come into Burra last Thursday night and while he was away someone burnt his tuckerbox, horse feeders and other items.

Burra Literary Soc. began a new season on Friday with a meeting at the German Chapel. Mr C. Fuss was elected President with W.T. Rabbich and T. Queale as Vice-Presidents.

Burra Show Society. The committee reports that the Burra Oval is clearly the best site for the show and accordingly the secretary will seek permission from the Council. A general meeting will be held in the Commercial Hotel on 27 April. (The Town Council has since granted the request to use the oval.)

Cycling from out-of-town gets 1⁄2 column.

Burra Town Council.

The Burra Show Society was granted use of the oval for a date in September.

Burra Oval was granted free of charge to W.H. Hardy for Wednesday afternoon sports.

Cr Linkson moved: ‘That all fruiterers, and others, not ratepayers of the town, wishing to dispose of their produce, should pay a fee of 5/- per year as a licence to do so’.

Cr Parks 2nd and the motion was stood over to the next meeting.

Burra Homing Club. J. Pearce’s Bluelight won the race from Farrell’s Flat last Wednesday at 871 yards per minute.

Football. Burra and Aberdeen footballers practised on Saturday.

Polo is played nearly every Saturday afternoon. [But is rarely reported.]

Burra Coursing Club met at the Royal Exchange Hotel on Friday 13 April with W.T. Rabbich presiding. Sec. G. Parks. The annual meet at Gum Creek will be held on 5 June and will be a 32 all-aged stake with the winner to receive £30.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church held its 23rd Anniversary on 15 April. The church was packed. The public meeting on Monday had a gloom cast over it by the death of Miss Fairchild in the Burra Hospital that morning. Miss Fuller played the organ.

St Mary’s Vestry Meeting on 5 April revealed the debt on the schoolroom had been reduced to £197-18-3. The general account is 9d in deficit.

Inquest. On 17 April Mr W. West sat as coroner at an inquest into the burning of two haystacks at Iron Mine at Mr Norman Morrison’s.

Norman Morrison:

Left to go to a funeral at Burra on Thursday at 1.15 when the stacks were OK. They contained about 100 tons.

F.A.S. Field, farmer:

Saw smoke about 2.25 on 12 April. First thought it was stubble, but soon realised it was Morrison’s haystacks. It was impossible to save anything.

The jury found there was insufficient evidence to show how the fire started.

XV, 293, 25 Apr. 1894, page 2

Editorial on the Legislative Council elections after nine years and also discussing how to effect economies at the top by cutting ministerial salaries and reducing the number of judges. There needs to be free education for the poor, but for others as well. The editor clearly has doubts, but does not spell out a satisfactory position.

W. Pearce Sen. remains in a critical condition.

Birth. On 18 March [sic] at Aberdeen, to the wife of T.H. Woollacott, a son.

Obituary. Mary Catherine Woollacott died on 14 April at Aberdeen after a long illness, aged 1 year 9 months. She was the only daughter of T.H. Woollacott. [Born 11 June 1892.]

Obituary. John Baynes, husband of Emily, died on 11 April, aged 50, leaving 2 sons and 2 daughters.

Burra Show Society committee continues to meet on Fridays.

Thomas Cook, the celebrated evangelist, will visit Burra from 26 May to 1 June for the Wesleyan Church.

Burra Literary Soc. was well attended last Friday for impromptu speeches.

Charles Stewart, the noted water diviner is still in Burra and can be consulted at the Temperance Hotel.

Mr [H.C.] W. Fuss has grown some large pears. We were shown 3 last Saturday that weighed 41⁄2 lb and were delicious.

Legislative Council Elections on 19 May.

Accident. On Saturday morning a young man, Mr A. Midwinter, was thrown from his horse and received head injuries on the road between Kooringa and Redruth.

Accident. W. Gerard, a driver for F.T. Robertson, was carting copper from the Burra Mine to the railway when the pole of the trolly broke near the old stamps. The three horses then bolted, but the trolly swerved into a ditch and the off-side horse fell and was pinned by the wheel of the vehicle. Though extricated, it will probably have to be destroyed.

Election Meeting at the Institute last Wednesday. Six candidates drew a reasonable attendance, though the poor weather deterred many from the ‘outside country’. P. Lane took the chair. Each speaker was allotted 20 minutes.

Mr Basedow:

Came to the colony in 1848 and represented the District of Barossa 14 years in the House of Assembly. The cause of the current depression is world wide low commodity prices and also the loss of banks in adjacent colonies and our own extravagance. The Government had paid too much for improvements on land now lying idle. Discord with labour was a problem. He was against increased land tax. Retrenchment in the public service was needed and the cost of ministers, judges and the Government also needed cutting.

Theo. Hack:

Was SA born and had been a Member of the house of Assembly for Gumeracha. Labour was not to blame for the depression. Prices for staple products were too low. The main causes of the depression lay outside SA. All departments of the civil service were overstaffed. The general scramble for office in SA was also detrimental. He favoured elective ministries. He could not support a wealth tax which would be impossible to administer. He did support bimetallism and irrigation settlements.

Mr Patrick:

In 1883 the population was 304,000 and now it was 340,000 and should have been 370, 000 but for out migration. In the same time the area under cultivation had fallen from 2.7 million acres to 2.6 million. Mineral production has also been falling and debt per capita has risen. He was a free trader and in favour of retrenchment, starting at the top. He opposed a wealth tax or a property tax and favoured a state bank. He was against progressive land tax and for reduced customs duties. He opposed land grant railways.

W.B. Rounsevell:

The colony was in a bad way. Labour and capital needed to go hand in hand. He favoured land and income tax, but was against a progressive land tax and against a single tax. He was for retrenchment from the top. The Education Department alone could lose £140,000. It was not fair that those whose taxes paid for public schools should also pay for private schools. He would cut wages to Members of the House of Assembly and abolish payment for Members of the Legislative Council. He would not pay for improvements on leases. He supported local industries, free trade and federation.

Mr William Russell:

Was a farmer near Jamestown and had been in the colony 27 years. He had spent time in the District Council and the Farmers’ Assoc. Further taxation was needed. He was never a member of the National Defence League. They scorned him as he favoured progressive land tax. The Legislative Council had been too conservative in the past. Farmers had not been fairly represented in Parliament and not one sat in the House of Assembly. The extra tax should come from properties of over £5,000 – the large sheep runs – not from farmers. He was for the payment of members, but for cutting their income from £200 to £150.

Mr Martin:

Was a colonist of 47 years and he had helped the farmer when possible. Labour troubles were largely responsible for the present crisis. Unions were a major cause and other aspects of it involved extravagance. He favoured protection. The demonetisation of silver was another problem. He opposed progressive land tax and was for federation. He was not in favour of easing the requirements for voting in Legislative council elections or of shortening the length of Legislative Councillors’ terms. He was for water conservation.

Chrysanthemum Growers. There is a report on the gardens of the champion chrysanthemum growers in the district: Messrs Cave, Lewis and Harvey. There was a wonderful display of flowers for the Adelaide Show which will leave Burra by the afternoon express. Mr Cave is to exhibit c. 120 and Mr Lewis c. 80.

Court.

George March was fined 10/- for going round a corner in Redruth too fast in his cab.

XV, 293, 25 Apr. 1894, page 3

Polo and other sports on 21 April. The fence between Austin’s Paddock and Gebhardt’s was cut for the occasion to make the course for racing.

The half mile handicap flat race was won by W.A. Murray’s Briget. (£5-5-0)

The polo Ball Race – each rider to knock a polo ball for a quarter of a mile and then turn and run home was won by W. Murray (£5-5-0 trophy)

Tandem Race was in several heats and a final which was won by Mr Whenan’s Pearl & Mischief. (£5-5-0 trophy)

Burra 6 goals 5 behinds defeated Broken Hill 2 goals 3 behinds in the polo match.

A Reserve Race for the Burra Co. MR ended the day and was won by Pte W. Gillett. (£1-10-0)

Advt. Dr Mahatma Billasingh BA and LM&S, Eye, Ear, Throat and Chest Specialist may be consulted at the Burra Hotel. Brahmin Licentiate of the University of Bombay.

XV, 294, 2 May 1894, page 2

Obituary. Joseph Hiles, eldest son of George Hiles of near Hallett, died on 24 April aged 51. He was the former manager of Caroona Station and leaves a wife and three children.

Theft. Beware someone in the town is stealing geese.

Burra Show Society. The committee met on Friday at the Commercial Hotel. The secretary, Mr West, reported that support has been promised from a number of gentlemen. He has had to resign as secretary due to ill health and has been replaced by J. McLaren.

XV, 294, 2 May 1894, page 3

Burra Literary Soc. had 37 at their last meeting for songs, music and recitations.

Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show. J. Lewis secured 1 prize for the best two chrysanthemums in the show.

Mr Cave was not so successful as in the past but obtained

2nd for best 6 Japanese chrysanthemums

2nd for best 12 Japanese chrysanthemums

1st for best 3 yellow

2nd for best 6 yellow

1st for best anemone

R.M. Harvey was the most successful amateur exhibitor, winning 3 firsts from 5 exhibits.

Redruth Court.

A. Clode was fined 15/- for allowing his ‘chock’ to remain in the roadway: the stone in question having been used to allow his horse a spell in going over Breakneck Hill.

G. Alfred Maggs wrote a letter in reply to ‘One of the People’ on the question of New Australia. The letter quotes more favourable reports from Paraguay from the Register of 7 April and the Advertiser of 11 April and makes an attempt to state the movement’s principles in a more favourable light.

‘One of the People’ writes on the role of ‘ability’, saying success comes not merely from land, labour and capital, but that ability is vital.

‘A Working Man’ writes to ask why the workingmen’s blocks near Burra are not open for selection. Tenders were called and then silence – the area is well suited – along the creek northwest of the Burra Railway Station.

The editor undertakes to investigate the cause of the delay.

Election Meeting, 24 April at the Institute was addressed by Mr Willcox, Mayor of Adelaide. W.T. Rabbich took the chair.

The speaker opposed both a progressive land tax and a single tax. He thought an all round property tax with an exemption of £500 and exempting farmers’ implements and mechanics’ tools was better. He opposed an income tax and thought the transcontinental railway [to Darwin] was a waste of money. He favoured a land grant system to see the railway carried on to the Northern Territory. He was for Intercolonial free trade and believed the duty should be removed from tea, coffee, cocoa and kerosene. (The free breakfast argument.) He was for cutting ministers’ expenses and reducing the number of members in the House by half. He opposed a state bank, would encourage mining. There was a great problem at present of land being ‘thrown up’ – some 60,000 square miles which cost the Government £76,000 compensation for improvements. He favoured fixity of tenure. He was against the female franchise and believed 6/- [a day] a fair wage.

Football. Saturday, Burra 3.12 defeated Aberdeen 2.3

Burra Football Club loses a good player as the Kooringa Bank of Australasia has transferred E.S. ‘Jacky’ Wayland to Broken Hill. His friends gave him a send-off on Monday night with a silver-mounted pipe, tobacco pouch and a nice address.

Sport report ‘By Whip’

Bikes are becoming popular in Burra.

On Wednesday afternoon sports on the Burra Oval saw J. Smith win the Sheffield Handicap (£1). P. Scott won the hop, step & jump. W. Richardson was 1st at kicking the football.

Tramps are numerous at present.

W. Pearce Sen. remains in a critical condition.

XV, 295, 9 May 1894, page 2

Advt. Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary 13 & 16 May.

Advt. Burra Coursing Club meeting at Gum Creek Estate with permission of Hon. J.J. Duncan MLC, 5 & 6 June. Limited to 32 dogs. 1st £30, 2nd £15.

Nomination 30/- and Membership 10/6.

Advt. New Aberdeen Lime Kiln. Charles Rawlings advises business as usual in his absence.

Birth. A daughter to the wife of Garrett Barrow on 7 May.

Obituary. Elizabeth Lawler, relict of Edward Lawler died at Aberdeen, aged 78. A resident for over 40 years. [Died 1 May.]

Editorial on the Chrysanthemum Show.

XV, 295, 9 May 1894, page 3

Burra School Board Election. W.H. Hardy 47 defeated W.H. Linkson 43, but Linkson is seeking a fresh election as the box at Hanson was closed at 3 p.m. when it was advertised to be open till 7 p.m. The paper discusses the desirability of the ‘outer schools’ being able to nominate a member of the board as it is felt they can never be represented at an election where they have to compete against a candidate from the Burra School. The Governor is to be asked to nominate a candidate from the outer schools.

Obituary. Mrs Clark died suddenly at her Thames St home, aged 70. [Registered as Eliza Clarke died 4 May aged 72.]

W. Pearce Sen. is somewhat improved and is now conscious and conversing with his family.

Burra Literary Soc. held a discussion on Village Settlements on Friday night.

The Wesleyan General Conference in Adelaide from 10 May will send two members to visit Burra: Rev. Dr Watkin next Sunday and Rev. Joseph Bowes the following week.

Sparrows. 174 towns are included in a list in the Government Gazette last Friday as coming under the Sparrow Destruction Act of 1889 which allows for a 2d in the £ rate for sparrow destruction or up to 6d with ratepayer consent.

Cycling news from out-of-town runs to 1⁄2 column.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show.

Messrs Cave, Lewis and Harvey were the main exhibitors. Cave’s exhibit of 24 blooms was the best ever seen in Burra. It was all the more surprising as he had culled 150 of his best blooms for the Adelaide Show. He also exhibited some beautiful dahlias. A full prize list is printed.

Burra Town Council

The Council decided to attend the Burra Hospital Service at St Mary’s on 20 May at the invitation of Rev. King.

The plan of New Aberdeen was ordered purchased to assist the Town Clerk in naming the streets in that portion of the town.

‘A Parent’ writes complaining of the amount of homework given at the Public School - an estimated 2 hours worth and children often have other chores to do that prevent them starting before 7 p.m.

Burra Homing Club. The race from Manoora last Wednesday was officially won by E. Lewis’s blue c. Buffalo Bill at 12501⁄2 yards/min., but it is thought that E. Crewe’s Prosperity may have been faster, though the time keeper failed to see it arrive and it was found in its loft later.

‘Whip’ Sporting Notes

The Burra Homing Club race from Manoora last Wednesday was won by E. Lewis’s bird, but the result is marred by the failure of the timekeeper to notice the arrival of E.W. Crewes’s Prosperity, which quite likely got in first and was only later found in the loft by its owner.

Today’s intended race from Riverton has fallen through because several birds sent to Riverton for a training race last Wednesday have not returned.

Since writing this the wing of Mr Crewes’s Prosperity has been found between Saddleworth and Manoora, attacked by a hawk.

Football

Burra Juniors played Aberdeen Juniors. The aggravation mounted through the game, which ended abruptly with threats of violence and in one or two cases they were carried out after most had departed.

[No scores or other details are given here, but elsewhere on the page there is the brief note: last Saturday Burra Juniors defeated Aberdeen Juniors. This however, does not match up with the report in the following issue when both the day and result seem to be at odds with the above!]

The Blyth-Gladstone Railway has been completed.

New Australia is reported to have failed in telegrams from Paraguay.

Charles Rawlings’ brick kiln will carry on during his absence.

Adelaide Statues. Sir E.T. Smith has had a statue of the Queen made for presentation to the City of Adelaide and a statue of Robert Burns was unveiled on North Terrace last Saturday.

C.A. Uhrlaub contributes an original poem: The Mount Bryan March, which has been set to music by Inspector Clark.

XV, 296, 16 May 1894, page 2

Editorial on the Legislative Council Elections.

St Mary’s Schoolroom Toy and Fancy Fair will be opened at 3 p.m. by the Mayoress, Mrs P.L. Killicoat.

Rev. Jospeh Bowes, Secretary of the Queensland Wesleyan Conference will preach at Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Sunday.

XV, 296, 16 May 1894, page 3

Recognition. Moves are under way for presentations to be made in recognition of the services to Burra of Sir Henry Ayers and Mr John Rumball.

Obituary. Mrs John Morgan of Baldina died at Glenelg last Friday, aged 48. [Born Mary Ann Turner 13 November 1845 in Wiltshire: died 11 May 1894.]

Burra Literary Soc. last meeting had an evening of music, songs, duets, recitations and readings by the ladies.

The Bible Christian Sunday School held its Anniversary last Sunday with the public tea today with the Burra Band in attendance.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church celebrated its Anniversary last Sunday. In the evening the service of song was Whiter than Snow. There is a public meeting today with a knife and fork supper.

Accident. On Monday near Roach’s Mill the bellyband broke of a horse pulling a cart and the horse became frightened. In plunging and kicking it did considerable damage to the cart. The driver was a lad, W. Lane, who was thrown out, but not hurt.

Legislative Council Elections.

Candidates for the Northeast District. (Three to be elected.)

M.P.F. Basedow Journalist

Theodore Hack Agent

James Martin Engineer

William B. Rounsevell Gentleman

William Patrick Auctioneer

William Russell Farmer

Charles Willcox Merchant

Broken Hill Chrysanthemum Show

Last Thursday J.D. Cave was a judge and J. Lewis and P.M. Harvey sent 48 blooms each to compete in the class for flowers grown out of the district. Mr Lewis came first and Mr Harvey 2nd. (Mr Cave did not judge this section.)

Central District WCTU held its 3rd Annual Convention in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall at Kooringa on 8 May. Its work is reported in some detail over 3⁄4 column.

Football. The first match for the season between Burra Juniors and Aberdeen Juniors was held last Wednesday and Aberdeen 5 defeated Burra 1. [This disagrees with the previous week’s report.]

Gold. There has been a good find of gold at [Hd of] Wonna [at Teetulpa] and the report on it reached the discoverers when they were at Ulooloo which gave rise to an unfounded story that the rich gold find was there.

Obituary. Dr William Peel Nesbitt died at Salisbury on 12 May, aged 44. He was the son of Dr Pearce R. Nesbitt and was born at Northampton on 3 June 1849. He was educated at Bruce castle near London, Guy’s Hospital and Edinburgh University, during which time the disease which has now claimed him first appeared. He was a Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery. He visited South Africa, America and New Zealand before coming to Burra in 1875 and stayed here five years. In his time here he was a Warden of St Mary’s, President of the Institute, Member of the School Board of Advice and Mayor for a year. With Dr Brummitt he worked to establish the Burra Hospital and was one of its first two medical officers. He left Burra in 1880 for a North Adelaide practice and was given an address and silver plate in appreciation when he left. He was an Honorary Medical Officer at the Children’s Hospital and for a time a Resident Medical Officer there. He later became Medical Officer for Yatala Labour Prison, but had to retire due to illness 6-8 months ago. For the last 18-19 years he lived with his sister, Miss Nesbitt.

Cycling news from out-of-town takes up 1⁄2 column.

Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

From the North 6.52 a.m. 6.57 a.m.

3.26 p.m. 3.31 p.m.

From the South 11.45 a.m. 11.49 a.m. [sic]

8.03 p.m. 8.08 p.m.

XV, 297, 23 May 1894, page 2

St Mary’s. The Hospital Service last Sunday was preceded by a procession of the Friendly Societies and the Burra Band. Archdeacon French of Petersburg preached.

Rain has fallen in the last few days: about 0.5”

Football. Saturday Burra 4 defeated Aberdeen 2. [There were an unspecified number of behinds as well.]

Burra Literary Soc. had a moderate attendance for short essays at its last meeting.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 13 May had the Rev. E.J. Kemp (Bible Christian) as the preacher. The service of song Whiter than Snow was presented in the afternoon and Rev. H.J. Parkinson officiated in the evening.

Rev. Thomas Cook’s mission at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church takes place next Sunday. He is one of the church’s most successful missionary preachers ever and has been heard in Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa.

XV, 297, 23 May 1894, page 3

The Wesleyan Conference has declared itself in favour of Methodist Union.

‘One of the People’ writes on the reason why strikes generally fail.

Cycling from out-of-town runs for 1 column.

Burra Homing Club race from Mintaro on 16 May resulted in only two birds getting home within the disqualifying time, due to wet weather. G. & E. Lewis’s bl. c. Buffalo Bill came first at 1,004 yds/min.

Football. A Leighton & Iron Mine Football Club is being formed.

Legislative Council Election. Burra Division results.

Basedow 390

Hack 306

Martin 409

Patrick 202

Rounsevell 363

Russell 403

Willcox 197

835 of 1,265 electors voted. There were only 30 plumpers in all.

Redruth Court, last Friday. A Chinese Puzzle, before the new SM, Mr Stow.

Lock Sing sued Charlie Fie, claiming the defendant owed him £48-12-0.

Charlie Fie is described as a vegetable grower of Burra.

The matter was complicated and made further so by the problems of language.

Lock Won lent Charlie Fie a sum of money.

Lock Won owed Lock Sing a sum of money.

To discharge his debt to Lock Sing, Lock Won made over his debt to Lock Sing.

This meant Charlie Fie was to pay his debt to Lock Sing.

Mr Snell was engaged to collect 12/- a week from a store in Kooringa until £51 had been paid.

Lock Won called a meeting of his creditors and when Charlie Fie heard this he told Luke Day who was renting the store to stop paying Mr Snell on the pretence that Lock Won had declared himself insolvent.

In letters it had been alleged that Lock Sing was a myth, but he was real enough. The agreement which could be produced covered everything and Charlie Fie was well acquainted with the facts therein.

Charlie Fie had paid £2-8-0 to Mr Snell under this agreement without demur.

Joe Tie interpreted for Lock Sing.

The agreement allowed all the rent on the shop, dwelling and premises occupied by Luke Day, known as Mr W. Henderson’s and let for 12/- a week, until £51 be paid without interest. It was signed by I. Lesso and Luke Day as witnesses on 24 January 1894.

It was not signed by Fie which is what the defence counsel worked upon, but Mr Stow said it was quite clear Fie was cognisant of the fact he owed £51 and was perfectly aware he had to settle it by requesting Mr Snell to collect the money from Luke Day. He found for the plaintiff with full costs.

[This case is one of the few records that disclose the names of a group of Chinese in Burra at the time. Presumably all the witnesses were local, though the interpreter, Joe Tie, came up from Adelaide according to another case reported in the paper of 20 June 1894. Those named were Gong Wong, Lock Sing, Ah Fat, Ah Sing, Lee Sue, Charlie Fie, and Lock Won. We are told Lock Won was known as Lee Won before his marriage and that Lock was his wife’s name. Charlie Fie is said in the second case to have been renting the garden from Mr Short opposite the Railway Station. Ah Fat and Ah Sing were, or had been, shopkeepers in Kooringa.

The court appears to have been very patient when hearing the case with all its language difficulties, but the newspaper report is quite racist, making fun of the language difficulties, Chinese names and also ridiculing the swearing process.]

XV, 297 (2), 30 May 1894, page 2 [Second use of No. 297]

Advt. John Hunter has taken over the business of Martin Pederson and will retain his services while restocking the store with a grand assortment of boots.

XV, 297 (2), 30 May 1894, page 2

Editorial on The Elections.

The National Defence League favoured Basedow, Martin and Rounsevell. When Wilcox entered the race he split the votes with Rounsevell and both lost out.

The editor found the results generally satisfactory.

May 24 Holiday passed quietly in Burra with only the usual private picnics and a scratch football match.

Election Results. Final figures showed:

Basedow 2,341 from Martin 2,100 and Russell 1,803.

Burra Literary Soc. on Friday featured prepared speeches.

Burra Show Society committee continues to work towards a September show.

Rev. Thomas Cook, the evangelist, preached three sermons in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church last Sunday to packed congregations. The crusade continued Monday and Tuesday.

Football. A spillover of feelings from recent matches resulted in a fight on Saturday night followed by a second, but it all ended with the whole group singing Auld Lang Syne.

Offences.

C. Parks, T. Woollacott & Fred Bourmen were fined 7/6, 6/- & 6/- respectively for allowing their cows to graze in public streets.

Alfred Gerard, driver of Fred. Robinson’s express parcel van was fined 6/- for speeding around the Morehead St Best Place corner.

Three cabbies did the same and George March & J. Drew were each fined 6/- while Charlie Grow was fined 11/-.

Newly Elected MLCs.

M.P.F. Basedow was born in Hanover in 1829 and arrived in SA early in 1848. He spent two years on a R. Murray Station and in 1856 established a school in Tanunda. In 1864 he bought the Süd Australische Zeitung in Tanunda which he managed until 1874 when it merged with the Adelaide publication Australische Zeitung of which he is one of the proprietors. He entered Parliament representing Barossa in 1876 and was Minister of Education in 1880.

James Martin was born in Cornwall and arrived in SA in 1847, aged 26. He worked as a wheelwright for John Ridley and in 1848 got his own blacksmith and wheelwright’s shop in Gawler. In time this became Messrs Martin & Co. Ltd. employing hundreds with workshops extending over 8 acres. The business constructs locomotives etc. He became an Alderman of Gawler in 1857 and Mayor in 1860 for four years. In 1865 be became the Member for Barossa, but retired after three years. In 1885 he was elected to represent the Northeast District in the Legislative Council.

William Russell was born in Glassford, Lanarkshire on 20 October 1842. His father died when he was young and he went to work on a farm. In SA he worked for four years as a labourer at Alma Plains before selecting land near Gulnare. In 1873 he moved to Caltowie where he farmed for 15 years and then at Belton and Belalie. He has been a member of the Caltowie and Euralia DCs and a member of the SA Farmers’ Association and it Vice-President for two years. He was a prominent agitator for getting seed wheat to struggling farmers in 1890 and stood for the District of Newcastle four years ago.

St Mary’s Schoolroom Piano Fund benefited from a Toy & Fancy Fair held on Thursday 24 May. The fair was opened at 3 p.m. and offered a substantial tea at 6 p.m. after which there was a musical evening ‘in which the nigger element was very much in evidence.’ The proceeds were more than enough to complete the purchase of the piano.

Electric Lights have been installed in Murray St in Gawler.

W. Pearce Sen. is gradually improving.

XV, 297 (2), 30 May 1894, supplement

Cycling notes from out-of-town occupy 3⁄4 column.

XV, 297 (3), 6 June 1894, page 2 [Third use of No. 297]

Editorial: Settling People on the Land.

There is a suggestion that the Government should buy Analby [sic] Estate of 65,000 acres to cut it up into 500 and 250 acre blocks. It was offered to the Government for £2 an acre – what it cost 30 years ago without improvements.

[Presumably this is a reference to Anlaby – a portion of which was eventually bought for this purpose in 1905. It began with a section 16 km NNE of Kapunda.]

Rev. Thomas Cook ended his crusade with 150 converts – 11 more than his target.

Redruth Wesleyan Church Anniversary Sunday & Monday. The afternoon service of song was Dan’l Quorm. The public tea was held in the German Schoolroom and was well attended and after that the service of song was repeated with fair attendance.

Burra Literary Soc. had a small attendance on Friday to an evening of impromptu speeches in very boisterous weather.

XV, 297 (3), 6 June 1894, page 3

Mr Peter Waite, the well-known SA pastoralist says that in 1892, 1,256 wild dogs were killed for £314 and in 1893, 1,420 were killed for £356-18-0. Northeast of Burra much of the land is not leased and large areas are leased by ruined leaseholders. Here dogs are so numerous on hundreds of square miles of Mutooroo Run that we have been unable for years to keep sheep there. The dogs and rabbits he estimates reduce production in the 100-120 northeast of Burra by £50,000 p.a.

Hon. F.W. Holder has replied to queries on the delay in releasing Burra Working Men’s Blocks. He says the area can only be purchased after a resolution in Parliament and so nothing could be done during the recess. The Commissioner of Crown Lands considers the offers so far sent in are too high for blockers to live on and pay the rent. He will try to meet the wishes of the memorialists.

Rain in the last week has yielded just less than 2” and this gives some hopes of a good season for both pastoralist and farmers.

Mice are in plague proportions on Yorke’s Peninsula.

A Ulooloo Letter warns against going there for gold. Several months of work having yielded nothing: ‘not even earned my tucker’.

Bicycle Race. A meeting on Saturday 2 June at Aberdeen decided to hold a 20 mile bicycle road race on 20 June to Mt Bryan and back. To start at Drew & Crewe’s. 16 entrants are expected to compete for a gold medal.

Burra Homing Club race from Mt Bryan on Wednesday afternoon for birds under 6 months was won by J. Pearce’s b. c. h. Regal at 1,542 yds/min.

Football. Bad weather has forced the indefinite postponement of the match Burra v. Clare which had been scheduled at Clare on Saturday.

Cycling notes for out-of-town events occupy 1 column.

W. Pearce Sen. is still improving.

Ulooloo Goldfields have about 40 men at work and the Hallett correspondent says some are making good wages while others are scarcely getting enough for food.

XV, 299, 13 June 1894, page 2 [Though if the numbering was really being brought back into line it should have been 300.]

Advt. £50 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction for the theft of 200 ewes and 200 lambs from the paddocks of Mt Bryan Run.

Advt. Mr Eyes’s Electrical, Scientific and Musical Entertainment in Aid of the Burra Literary Society, Friday 15 June.

Editorial on the Opening of the 14th SA Parliament.

There is little new offered by the Government.

There is a proposal for a railway from Herrgott Springs to Kopperamanna [On the Birdsville Track.] and another from Tailem Bend to Wow Wow Plains [NE of Coonalpyn.]

Woman’s suffrage will be considered –

‘We are of the opinion . . . it will be a step in the wrong direction.’

‘Ninety-nine out of every hundred would exercise her franchise in precisely the same direction as her husband, and in this case we would only have a larger electors’ roll with the same results.’

The vermin problem will also arise again.

Burra Co. MR continues to have regular drills.

Burra Literary Soc. had a good attendance for their variety program last meeting.

Burra Town Council met on Monday to consider applications for work from the unemployed and a cheque was drawn to pay those already helped with road work.

XV, 299, 13 June 1894, page 2-3

Ho. T. Playford, SA Agent-General in London has asked the Colonial Secretary to appoint the Chief Justice as Acting Governor when Lord Kintore’s term expires and to allow a lengthy interregnum.

[This was clearly a money-saving ploy. The gap was from 10 April to 29 October 1895.]

XV, 299, 13 June 1894, page 3

Obituary. H.J. Walker died at his daughter’s home in Kooringa last Monday, aged 61. He came to Burra aged 16, from England and worked as a teamster. He had three sons and three daughters and is survived by sons Messrs John, Harry & James T. Walker and by the daughters Mrs W. Harris and Mrs S. Fuller. [Henry John Walker died 11 June aged 61.]

C.W. Ullmann, late of Burra, is now in a management position in London with British Electric Light Co. which is rapidly providing electric lighting in London. They have spent £1,000,000 in plant and buildings in three years.

Burra Town Council has granted the Burra Football Club free use of the oval for 25 June.

Cr Linkson’s motion in reference to hawking was passed and now goes to Parliament.

Football. Last Saturday a team comprising 8 men from the Aberdeen team and 12 from the Burra team went by express to Tarlee and thence by road to Kapunda. After some practice the match started at 1.30 p.m. Burra 4.10 defeated Kapunda 2.3. They left for home at 3.45 and arrived back at 8.15.

Cycling from out-of-town is given almost 1 column.

Burra Coursing Club. Last Wednesday the meeting was brought to a finish when the required number of courses could not be run and the money was divided. D. McMichael’s Firefly, C.A. Gray’s Maori and D. Crosby’s Kaiser each earned £12-5-0. D. Brown’s Mortlake and A. Bosisto’s Robina each got £6-12-6, and other dogs earned lesser amounts.

Burra Homing Club’s race from Saddleworth today was cancelled due to a lack of birds.

Mushrooms are currently very plentiful.

Obituary. Mr E. Fitzgerald dropped dead while working on the road in Chapel St on Tuesday morning. He was 61 and leaves a wife and grown up family. [Registered as died 12 June aged 62.]

XV, 300, 20 June 1894, page 2

Advt. Burra Show 19 September 1894.

Mr Eyes’s entertainment at the Institute in aid of the B. Literary Soc. was not largely attended, but was very enjoyable.

The Ministering Children’s League sale will be held on or about 1 September.

‘Razors in the Air’ is the headline on a somewhat veiled account of rather violent altercations in Paxton Square which the writer thinks might in time appear before the court. Aided by some alcohol the ‘principal in the 59th Act said “Come out you ____ : I will break every rib in your ____ body; you ____ ; I’ll tear ____ , I’ll smash your ____ ,” and so on.’

Henderson’s Whistle sounded at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday night and though it was a cold and windy night several plucky residents turned out to the supposed danger call, but the only fire was in the furnace, being heated to generate steam for the following day’s blacksmith work.

H. J. Walker’s funeral on Wednesday was largely attended.

Obituary. Edward Fitzgerald’s funeral left his home on Thursday for St Joseph’s at 2.30 p.m. He was a resident of 40 years, having worked in the Burra Mines and at the Smelting Works. He was constant in his church attendance and leaves four sons: John, Thomas, Edward and William and three daughters, Mrs G. Dawes (North Adelaide), Mrs E.J. Bradley (Adelaide) and Miss Ellen who lives with her mother.

XV, 300, 20 June 1894, page 3

Accident. On Thursday Billy Gebhardt was delivering bread on Mt Pleasant Rd when the horse took fright and dashed up a deep incline with Billy sitting right on top of the cart. Encountering a corner, the cart, Billy, and the bread, were spilt on the ground. He injured his instep and will be laid up for a few days.

Cycling news takes almost 11⁄4 columns and though most is not local; there is a preview and tips for the 20 mile race to Mt Bryan to be run today.

Football. Last Saturday on Burra Oval Burra 5 defeated Aberdeen 4.

(Aberdeen had to borrow 5 players from Burra.)

Blyth-Gladstone Railway is to open on 29 June.

The late H.J. Walker married a sister of Cr John Sampson. She died 24 years ago.

Tom Playford, SA Agent-General in London, is to have his pay reduced.

Redruth Court, Chinese Puzzles.

[The story is quite difficult to piece together from the evidence, but it appears to be something like what follows.]

Lock Sing seized a horse, cart and harness from Charlie Fie.

[Lock Sing had recently been awarded £48-12-0 from Fie in a court case.]

Then Billy Short claimed that the horse was not Charlie’s, but his, because he had bought it from him when Charlie had needed money to send to China.

Though his evidence was far from clear he said he gave £6-10-0 for the horse.

(Although Fie had owed him £2 for rent of his garden it was not deducted from the sum for the horse.)

It appears that Sampson had seized the horse. (Presumably acting as agent for Lock Sing.)

Short then bought it and returned it whence it had come.

Last month when Fie lost his court case against Sing he lost everything and gave up renting the garden from Short, who then let it to Ah Gow who had previously been employed by Fie.

Jimmy Gully was then sworn as a witness to the sale of the horse from Fie to Short.

August Fuss also gave evidence he had signed the receipt as a witness, but had not actually seen money change hands.

Charlie Fie was then sworn and admitted selling the horse to Short, but also admitted using it for his own purposes afterwards.

Ah Gow said he used to work for Fie for £1 a week, but now he was employing Fie for 15/- a week.

Mr Downer, for Lock Sing said the whole story was a sham to cheat his client out of the fruits of his claim. No one could believe either Short or the Chinaman [Fie].

Mr Packard for the complainant did not speak.

Mr Stow SM endorsed Mr Downer’s views and gave a verdict in favour of Lock Sing with costs for Joe Tie, the interpreter from Adelaide.

Lock Sing v. Charlie Fie. (Downer for Sing & Foster for defendant.)

This was an interpleader case where L. Day was the principal. L. Day sought to recover £14 from Charlie Fie. The sum was realised when Mr Sampson sold a horse, cart and harness at auction to Sam Sing. Sam Sing , when he appeared, said he was now Ah Gow. After Fie had the judgement against him a month ago, Day took away Fie’s horse, cart and harness, claiming they were his property. The ownership of the property of the Chinamen seems hard to establish. Day acted on advice to sell the horse and harness as soon as possible, but the bill of sale was never registered. Sampson sold the things, but as no bill of sale was presented he objected to hand over the proceeds. The bailiff soon after received instructions to seize the items, but having sold them Sampson kept the money and paid it into court. The point being debated was whether he should have done that or paid the money to Day. The SM gave the verdict to the executor creditor. Mr Foster advised he intended to appeal to the Supreme Court. SM Stowe said he would require him to find a security for £25 for expenses – to be paid to the clerk of the local court within 2 days of hearing of the case and the case to be filed 14 days later. (Ah Gow is said to talk very fair English.)

[An interpleader case is one between two parties to determine the matter of a claim or right on which the action of a third party depends, especially to determine to which of them payment ought to be made.]

Luke Day v. J. Sampson for £14, being the proceeds of the sale of a horse and harness. This was non suited after much evidence had been taken.

XV, 301, 27 June 1894, page 2

Advt. A Grand Concert will be held in the Kooringa Wesleyan Hall on Friday 29 June. 6d.

Advt. The Jubilee Singers will appear at the Institute Friday 6 July for one night only. This will be their last performance in Burra before leaving the colonies.

Advt. There will be a Vocal, Instrumental and Dramatic Entertainment Wednesday 11 July in aid of the needy.

Railway Timetable Change

The morning express to Adelaide will leave 1 hour 29 minutes later.

The evening express from Adelaide will arrive 30 minutes later.

This will suit the cabbies, being not so early in the morning, but perhaps not the public so well.

Bible Christian Church will have a service by Rev. C. Tresise next Sunday. He will meet old friends.

Rain over the last few days has been generally quite good with 2.12” for the month.

XV, 301, 27 June 1894, page 3

Football. The Aberdeen v. Spalding match last Sunday at Booborowie was cancelled due to the wet weather.

Cycle Race. The 20 mile cycle race last Wednesday started from the Bon Accord Bridge. Kelly of Copperhouse won, but was given too great a handicap advantage with 25 minutes. He would have won given 5 minutes!

Football. The Clare team arrived last Monday in a Hill & Co. bus. The game was played in a high wind with a little rain. Burra 13.11 defeated Clare 0.1

Obituary. Robert Giles has died from apoplexy at Redruth at the age of 60. He was born at Vetna, Isle of Wight in 1834 and arrived in SA as 3rd mate on the Star Queen. After a few months he came to Burra in 1855 and farmed at Leighton for 11 years. For the past 20 years he has been a local preacher in the Redruth Wesleyan Church. For five years he was 1st Chairman of the Booborowie DC. He was then clerk for 17 years. His father was the Rev. Edward Giles. He leaves two living sister, but two brothers are dead. He is survived by a wife and grown up family of six daughters and five sons. The funeral produced one of the longest processions seen in the town for many years. Rev. D.S. Wylie officiated.

[Died 22 June.]

Burra Town Council.

The Show Society is to be allowed to charge 1/- for admission to the oval for adults and 6d for children.

Cr Parks moved that John Jenkins be appointed overseer of work at 7/- a day. Not 2nd.

Cr Parks then resigned as Chairman of the Public Works Committee. Accepted.

Cr Harris moved and Cr Sampson 2nd that Mr Littlejohn’s services as Waterworks Engineer will not be needed after one month. This raised much discussion, but eventually the motion was withdrawn.

Cr Sampson resigned as member of the Waterworks Committee. Accepted.

Cr Harris resigned as Chairman of the Waterworks Committee. Accepted.

[The ill feelings towards Mr Littlejohn go back to 1892 when there was a bungled attempt to oust him that resulted in his re-employment at an increased salary. This apparently rankled with some and attempts to replace him continued through 1893. See particularly the ugly events concerning charges of leaving the engine while it was running and of drinking on duty.]

Sir John Bray, who has been SA Agent-General in London, but resigned on account of ill health, has died in Colombo on his way home to SA. [Born SA 31 May 1842.]

XV, 302, 4 July 1894, page 2

Advt. Entertainment at the Institute 11 July. Program includes Romberg’s Toy Symphony and that most popular of all farces Box and Cox. 1/- & 6d.

MOONLIGHT.

St Mary’s. The Bishop of Adelaide will conduct Confirmations next Sunday.

XV, 302, 4 July 1894, page 3

Burra Literary Soc. last held a Question Box Lecture.

Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Friday was the venue for a very successful concert in aid of alterations to the hall.

Luke Day has closed his doors and says he anticipates a trip to China or somewhere and the Burra Chinese in general have renounced the law courts after their recent costly experiences.

Obituary. William Roy Turley aged three months died at the home of William Henderson in Chapel St. [Born 21 March 1894: died 2 July 1894.]

Mrs Goode & Miss Adamson of the Land Settlement Aid Soc. will lecture at 4 p.m. on 9 July in the Institute to explain the position of village settlers in SA.

Obituary. Mrs John Lewis died at her residence in Kooringa after a long illness, aged 47. She was born in London in 1847, the youngest daughter of Mr Thomas Brook, Supervisor of Excise, Bristol. She was a sister of the late James Brook of Way & Brook, Solicitors of Adelaide. She sailed for SA when aged 6 and landed at Pt Adelaide in December 1853 from the ship Cotfield. In 1877 she married John Lewis and came to live in Burra. As a mark of respect shutters were put up on shop windows of every store in town when the news became known. She was a generous and tireless worker for those in need. On 12 July 1893 she laid the foundation stone for St Mary’s schoolroom. She leaves a husband, four sons and two daughters. There is a special service at 2 p.m. today and a procession to the cemetery. [Martha Ann Lewis died 3 July.]

Cycling from out-of-town gets a further 3⁄4 column.

Burra Homing Club ran a squeakers’ race last Wednesday from Farrell’s Flat, but only two got home within the time allowed. First was A. Josling’s b. c. c. Blair Athol at 8931⁄2 yds/min. and his b. c. c. Sir William III came 2nd.

New Railway Timetable from 2 July.

XV, 303, 11 July 1894, page 2

Advt. At Burra Institute for one night only on 13 July, Smith & Kennedy Comedy Co. presents the return of the favourite Mr E.A. Stacey in the latest London success: Gold Dust.

Obituary [Richard] Andrews, husband of Ellen Andrews died on 4 July at Ayers St, Kooringa, aged 49.

Editorial on the SA Parliament, especially on the rents paid on Crown Lands and the proposal to decrease the Agent-General’s pay from £1,500 to £1,250.

XV, 303, 11 July 1894, page 3

Village Settlements. After the address on Village Settlements at the Institute on Monday a committee was set up to collect subscriptions to assist those on the settlements.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers on Friday gave a first class performance and gained much applause, though the audience was not as large as on there last visit.

[In another place the audience is described as ‘a poor house’.]

Women’s Suffrage. A Bill has been introduced into the Legislative Council to allow women’s suffrage in SA. But, ‘Until otherwise provided by Act no woman shall be capable of being elected to Parliament as a member of either House thereof.’

‘Ahem! We shouldn’t think so!’

Burra Town Council

On 20 June war was declared on the Waterworks Engineer and on Monday the attack was followed up. The engineer however escaped after 31⁄2 hours of talking.

Obituary. Richard Andrews who died at his Ayers St residence on Wednesday, aged 49, arrived in Burra 20 years ago and worked in the mine for two or three years until it closed and then for the Burra Town Council. He was a member of the Oddfellows Lodge and a large procession of its members marched to the cemetery. The Mayor, all Councillors and Inspector Gray also attended.

St Mary’s. The Anglican Bishop of Adelaide preached three excellent sermons to very large congregations last Sunday and at the 11 o’clock service confirmed 13 candidates.

Burra Institute half-yearly meeting of subscribers failed to get a quorum. The library has over 3,000 volumes with orders out for over 100 new books. There are now 64 subscribers. The debt at present is £20-17-7 and this will soon vanish when in a few days the Government subsidy of members’ subscriptions brings in £47-9-6.

Football. At Booborowie on Saturday. Aberdeen began the two hour drive from the Royal Exchange at midday. At half time Aberdeen 1.10 led Spalding 0.0 and at full time Aberdeen 2.14 had defeated Spalding 1.0. Three cheers were given to C. Grow for conveying the players to and fro gratis.

Cycling notes give 3⁄4 column of out-of-town news.

Mrs John Lewis’s funeral on Wednesday last saw a long procession from St Mary’s to the cemetery pass through a main street with all businesses closed and the town as quiet as midnight. The list of those who attended is very long and includes most people of importance in local government, local business, the pastoral industry and many others. Many of the poor whom she helped also attended.

Burra Town Council

There was some discussion about employing a lad named Daniels who was in poor circumstances. He had been employed at the quarry for 2/6 a day and later by Cr Harris for 3/- a day. Cr Parks said we will give him 5/- a day, but Cr Linkson wondered why he was suddenly worth more. Cr Harris said he had ‘growed’ since he had employed him.

Cr Sampson congratulated the Town Clerk on his ability to get in the rates.

There was a report from Cr Parks that Mr Rogers’s kerbing in Redruth was not up to specifications and he should not be paid until it was.

Cr West had seen it and agreed.

Cr Sampson agreed that it needed to be re-laid.

The Mayor agreed with the judgements of the others.

There was a somewhat heated exchange over a shortage in the metal that had been paid for near the Recreation Ground.

There was a long and quite acrimonious discussion about the Waterworks Engineer, but the actual issue in contention is not stated.

Obituary. Miss McCorkindale of Copperhouse was buried on Saturday afternoon.

[Christina McCorkindale died 6 July 1894 aged 74.]

Frost was the most severe for the year on Saturday last, covering the ground till 9 a.m.

XV, 304, 18 July 1894, page 2

Advt. AMP Society’s Mr Derrington will lecture at the Institute on 20 July on Life Insurance, Rhabdomancy and Hypnotism. [Rhabdomancy is the use of a divining rod.]

Advt. At the Institute on 19 July the Standard Orchestral Variety Co. will present a Grand Concert and Dance, 2/- & 1/- for the concert. Dance 2/6 (Ladies free).

Advt. SA Chamber of Manufactures. Exhibition of Art & Industry in March & April 1895 at the Exhibition Buildings, Adelaide – Send for a prize list.

Advt. A Public Meeting is called at the Institute on 21 July to consider the provision of work for the unemployed.

Advt. Record Office has a large assortment of Double Memoriam Cards.

XV, 304, 18 July 1894, page 3

Editorial on the new arrangements for loans to farmers in Victoria.

The Smith-Kennedy Comedy Co. last Friday at the Institute performed to a very poor house due, no doubt, to the very poor weather. They staged Pygmalion & Galatea.

J.A. Watt has returned to Burra after spending some weeks at Glenelg recovering from his accident. He is walking with the aid of a stick and is recovering.

Mr W. West has also returned after a month on the Peninsula to recover his health, which has much improved.

Good Rain over the last few days has boosted chances of a good harvest with 2.79” recorded.

Burra District Council for 1894-95.

Old members: W. Killicoat, T. McWaters, P.L. Killicoat.

New members: J.C. Sandland, E.C. Lockyer, W.P. Barker & E. Kickebusch

[i.e. Kiekebusch] J.C. Sandland was elected President.

Court.

Edwin Boulton was in court for the third time in a short period.

Once charge was that with Charles Schutz Jun. they had held up the baker’s van by shouting ‘Whoa’ at the horse. This was dismissed on a technicality.

There was a charge of using indecent language in a public place which cost him 10/- plus 15/- costs.

He was also charged with using threatening language towards L-Cpl Thomas, but the witness got so confused in the box that the charge was dismissed.

Football. The match versus Clare was cancelled due to bad weather, but should take place next Wednesday.

Mr A.C. Noye’s Concert to aid the poor was successfully staged last Wednesday and despite a cold night the hall was crowded. The concert id reviewed item by item, but the sum raised is not given.

New Stock Road. Travelling stock has been a problem on main roads in the District Council area for some time. A new stock route has been proposed. Much preliminary work has been done to minimise the problems and when the District Council and the Town Council met last Monday evening at the Institute there were no objections from the Town Council area and only one from the District Council area. Notice of the road was gazetted on 24 May 1894 and the new road was declared except for the parts numbered 14 & 15 on the plan in the Hundred of King where the old road will be used.

Snow fell at Hallett and Mt Bryan last Sunday.

Mr W. Pearce rescued a lad called Vivian from the Burra Creek when he fell off a footbridge yesterday.

XV, 305, 25 July 1894, page 2

Advt. Grand Concert at the Institute in aid of Village Settlements, 17 August.

Advt. F.W. Holder will preach at Kooringa Wesleyan Church at 11 a.m. on 29 July and at the Redruth Wesleyan church at 6.30 p.m.

Advt. A.G. Downer will give a free address on ‘Our Pastoral Industry’ in the Institute on 26 July.

Stock sales: 27 July 2152 cattle, (comprising 1136 cows, 876 bullocks & 140 prime cattle) and 5,000 sheep. [This number of cattle is unusual for a Burra sale.]

3 August, 7,550 sheep and 60 cattle.

XV, 305, 25 July 1894, page 3

Editorial on Sparrow Destruction. A Bill is now in force, but in fact the poison available is too costly by far.

2nd Leader on Unemployment in Burra; supporting the reopening of the Ballast Quarry as a means of providing work.

Obituary. Mrs Michael Murphy of Booborowie died 17 July. [Mary Murphy aged 54.]

Obituary. Rhoda Turner, the young daughter of Mr T. Turner of Hampton has died.

[Born Rhoda Gillien Turner 4 August 1891: died Rhoda Gilian Turner 21 July 1894.]

Mr Derrington’s lecture was listened to with pleasure, though bad weather reduced the audience. [On Life Insurance, Rhabdomancy and Hypnotism.]

Weather. The last six days have been very windy with much damage to roofs and outbuildings. Monday however, was frosty. So far this month at Kooringa 3.79” has been recorded to bring the year’s total to 10.73”.

43 Camels arrived at Burra on Saturday afternoon from Bourke, en route to Pt Adelaide and thence to WA for work in connection with the goldfields. Camels at present are worth £30-£50 each.

The Standard Orchestral Variety Co. presented a first class program to a very poor house in very rough weather. It is reviewed.

Hallett & Kooringa Bible Christian Circuit held its quarterly meeting at Petherton House, Mt Bryan on 11 July with Rev. E.J. Kemp presiding. New ministers, Kemp & Lee were welcomed.

Burra Show Society has collected a prize list amounting to £150 for the show on 19 September. For visitors a special carriage has been added to the luggage train leaving Burra for the south at 5.25 p.m.

Sport. 26 men and boys went on a shooting party from Reed’s Creek on 14 July at 9 a.m., over the hills to Spring Gully where T. Sandland provided a good dinner. They returned to Reed’s Creek by 6 p.m. and a total of 930 rabbits were shot. On the same day another group of 8 men and youths worked north from World’s End and back for the day, shooting 250 rabbits.

Court. Again Charlie Grow drove round Tiver’s corner too fast and was fined 5/- + costs.

Burra Town Council

[At the last meeting of Council, after the most acrimonious of discussions about the Waterworks Engineer, the Council resolved itself into a Waterworks Commission to give all orders for the running of the Waterworks.]

There was a discussion on the basis and standing of the Waterworks Commission and the Waterworks Committee of Council. The Mayor is to get some legal answers. Burra is said by the Town Clerk to be the only Corporation in SA that is in charge of its Waterworks.

Faulding & Co. will supply their poisoned wheat for 17/6 a bushel – this price was deemed absurd.

Public Works Committee will inspect the kerbing work redone by Mr D. Rogers.

Trees to be ordered this year: 120 for East Ward, 75 for North Ward, 55 for West Ward.

Unemployment Meeting at the Institute last Saturday. The weather was very rough, but a good number attended. Cr W.H. Linkson took the chair.

The discussion centred upon restarting the ballast quarry. A resolution called on the Commissioner of Public Works to do this.

W. H. Hardy moved that the Mayor ask the Commissioner of Public Works how many Burra men might get work at the Gumbowie water supply works and when. Carried.

W.T. Rabbich moved that the Mayor be asked to transmit these resolutions to the district’s members as early as possible. Carried.

The Mayor arrived at his point, having thought the meeting was for 8 p.m. and not 7.30.

Mr Holder sent a telegram on Tuesday afternoon saying that he and Mr Lake had seen the Commissioner who had said 25 Burra men would be sent to Gumbowie next week with others to follow. There was as yet no decision on the ballast quarry.

XV, 306, 1 Aug. 1894, page 2

Editorial on Mr A.G. Downer’s lecture on the pastoral industry.

Perpetual Leases. Over 250 petitioners from the district have asked the Commissioner of Crown Lands for greater fixity of tenure and longer leases. [They were hoping for perpetual leasehold.] The Commissioner’s offer for them to come under the Pastoral Act of 1893 does not meet their request.

George Nelson has injured his back in a fall at the Ulooloo Goldfields and is in the Burra Hospital. ‘The injuries are not likely to prove fatal.’

Unclaimed letters at the Kooringa post office include those addressed to Luke Day, Charlie Fie, Hong Sing, Lock Sing and Bocket Singh.

XV, 306, 1 Aug. 1894, page 3

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry is expected to resume by the end of August or early September.

Mr Frank Wilkinson DMD, surgeon dentist, will visit Burra in the last week of August. He was born in Kadina in 1869 and is the eldest son of T.W. Wilkinson of Burra. He was educated at Burra Public School and Prince Alfred College and is a graduate of Harboard [sic] University in America, and practised in Boston. [Harvard?]

Football. Last Wednesday Burra went to Clare, leaving Harry Vivian’s at 9.30 and reaching Clare by 12 after a pleasant drive. Lunch was taken and the game started at 2.45 p.m. The description of the game is not very clear but it seems that neither side score in the first quarter. Burra got 1 goal in the second quarter. In the third quarter both sides scored 1 goal and in the final quarter Burra scored 1 goal.

Burra thus seems to have won 3 goals to 1, but it is likely unmentioned behinds were also scored.

A.G. Downer’s lecture on the pastoral industry is reported.

He discussed the amount of land on leases that have been surrendered and which now lies idle. He also considered the low stocking rate, drought and vermin. (Rabbits & dingos.) Many runs have failed and he attributed much of the difficulty to lack of fixity of tenure. He also considered the failings of the Pastoral Act of 1893.

Advt. Fillis’s Great Circus and Menagerie will perform at Burra on 9 August at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tents will be behind Perry’s Blacksmith’s Shop.

Madame Fillis & 95 educated horses and ponies & The Great Feeley Family Troupe.

Also a Herd of Elephants, four Nubian Lions, the Spotted Leopard, the Black Panther, the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Hairless Horse, the Horse with Five Feet and Royal Performing Bears. 4/-, 3/-, 2/- & children half price. [They failed to appear: see XV, 308, 15 Aug. 1893, page 3.]

XV, 306 (2), 8 Aug. 1894, page 2 [Second use on No. 306 and page 3 dated 1 Aug. There is no use of No. 307]

Advt. Ministering Children’s League Bazaar 3 September.

The Victorian Government has sacked 600 men in its retrenchment policy.

XV, 306 (2), 8 Aug. 1894, page 3

Unemployment. Last Wednesday the unemployed single men met at the Exchange Hotel with Mr P.L. Killicoat. They resolved that if Burra’s married unemployed do not fill the Gumbowie quota then Burra’s single men get next priority and that single men get priority at the Ballast Quarry if married men get the full quota of Gumbowie jobs.

Burra Co. MR. Lieut. Joseph Blott resigned a few weeks ago and has been replaced by Lieut. F. Field. Lieut. Field was born in Hamilton, Victoria in 1863 and came to Burra as a young child. He was among the first to volunteer when the Burra Mounted Rifle Co. was formed and soon rose to L-Cpl and then a month or two later passed his exam to Corporal and then to Sergeant and Sgt-Major and now to Lieutenant. The annual inspection of the company is due soon. Capt. J.A. Watt is still very weak and not able yet to fulfil his duties.

Football. The results of the first half of the Clare match on 25 July were sent back by carrier pigeon.

Last Saturday the first round of the second three tests between Aberdeen & Burra at the Burra Oval resulted in Aberdeen 3 defeating Burra 2.

Cycling from out-of-town gets 1⁄3 column.

Burra Town Council, 1 August.

Mr Rogers’ kerbing was finally approved.

Several head of cattle are grazing on the oval. [The tone suggests they were uninvited.]

Letter from R. Adderley of Gladstone asking to be considered as Waterworks Engineer as he had heard they were dissatisfied with the present one.

Tenders for a new assessment were opened and held over for consideration. W.H. Hardy’s was £14-10-0 and A. Bartholomæus was £25.

Work is to be found in North Ward for two very needy cases of unemployed men.

The Mayor reports that the Waterworks Engineer is carrying out his duties well.

Cr Harris complained that Mr Littlejohn did not flush every fireplug along the main.

The Mayor said that at the last meeting a list of work for the Engineer had been submitted and one Councillor commented it would take three months to do it all. It has been done in a fortnight and still dissatisfaction is expressed.

6 August.

The Council received legal advice that it should have filled all vacancies arising from resignations from committees and not have been left with only two committees. Advice was to record all motions of the meeting of 4 July and fill vacancies in the normal way. It was decided not to make any assessment.

[There is no report of a meeting of 4 July. The paper of 11 July reports on for 9 July and the paper of 4 July could not report a meeting of that date.]

‘At the last meeting of the Council Councillor Walsh, one of the straightest, conscientious and peaceful men that has ever sat in the Burra Town Council, intimated that he would not be in the Burra Town Council next year. Now North Ward ratepayers, be loyal to him, who has been loyal to you, and induce Councillor Walsh to alter his mind.’

Bishop Kennion, [the Anglican Bishop of Adelaide] is reported to be going to leave Adelaide on 29 August, having been transferred to the See of Bath and Wells.

XV, 308, 15 Aug. 1894, page 2 [No. 307 not used.]

Advt. John Morgan has been appointed by the District Council of Burra as Inspector under the Sparrow Destruction Act of 1889. All occupiers are required to destroy all sparrow eggs and nests and do everything reasonable to prevent sparrows increasing in number. Failure to do so can allow the Inspector to take necessary steps at the cost of the occupier.

Advt. Wed. 29 August at the Institute the Cantata Mildred & Patty. An English Christmas Story in Sparkling Song and Dialogue for 36 voices. Directed by Miss Amy Wylie. 1/6 (Reserved), 1/- and 6d. To aid the Redruth Wesleyan Church deficiency.

Advt. Burra Institute, Wednesday 22 August, Mr Walter Howchin FGS will give a free lecture: The Geology of the Burra Hills. Free, (chairs 6d.)

Primitive Methodist Annual Dinner, today.

Editorial on the Colonial Budgets and that of SA in particular.

F.W. Holder as Treasurer delivered the Budget on Thursday. Despite a £185,000 shortfall in estimated revenue the budget was not in deficit. Since 1887 the old deficit which then stood at £1,100,000 has been reduced by over £400,000. There has been a surplus every year since 1887 till last year when there had been a deficit of £200,000. The income was expected to be down this year due to falling land values. Expenditure would be cut as much as possible, but there was little left to trim after last year’s cut of over £113,000. Military cuts would be £10,000 and an excise of 2d a gallon would go on Colonial Beer – yielding £30,000 p.a. and the duties on imported beer, spirits and dried fruits would rise in line with Victoria’s.

XV, 308, 15 Aug. 1894, page 3

Advt. Mr D.S. Packard & F.J. Packard, legal practitioners have entered into partnership.

Obituary. Mrs Jane Finch, relict of the late Richard Finch who was killed at the railway crossing a mile or two south of Burra Station many year’s ago, died last Friday 10 August, aged 83.

Arbor Day at Burra Public School today – 25 trees are to be planted.

Kooringa Methodist Church will hold its Annual Dinner tonight. There will be suckling pig, turkeys, ducks, fowls and an unlimited supply of the choicest desserts, all for 1/-.

Fillis’s Circus failed to appear. They by-passed Kapunda, Burra and Petersburg and opened instead at Broken Hill, but say they will appear here on their return trip.

Ethel May Bruse, born 4 October 1877, daughter of H.M. Bruce, carpenter, has been praised in Adelaide for her singing at a concert there: ‘a thoroughly rich, pure contralto, with ample range, splendid quality, and it was utilized with artistic taste hardly to be expected from one so inexperienced.’ (Register)

Mr Watt has resigned from the Presidency of the Institute due to ill health. The committee expressed sympathy for his long illness and asked that he allow himself to retain the position.

Cycling from out-of-town takes 1⁄3 column.

Football. Burra will be represented in next Saturday’s football match in Adelaide, when North meets South, by Messrs Arthur Williams and Parkin.

Letter from Pyap Village Assoc. Seeing that the people of Kooringa and neighbourhood are collecting for the benefit of this settlement, I thought perhaps they would like to know a little about us and our ways. The settlement comprises about 350 men, women and children working in co-operation. It is managed by five trustees elected annually. The revenue comes from improving the land on which the Government has lent 5% of its total value. All are living in tents since arriving four months ago. 235 acres have been cleared and grubbed. 60 acres are planted in wheat and 14 in potatoes and vegetables. Several thousand almond, peach, apricot and rooted vines and an enormous quantity of vine cuttings are being planted as quickly as possible. Rabbit proof fencing has been erected. We have an irrigation pump capable of delivering 300 gallons per minute, and a saw bench. The great wants are horses and dairy cattle to provide an income while the vines and trees grow, also sheep and pigs.

Coolgardie (WA) reports further extraordinary finds [of gold].

Adult Suffrage has been opposed by Hon. James Martin and the editor says the comment that ‘the time was not ripe yet’ was ‘quite right’.

‘Sparks’ column has a supposedly humorous comment naming some of the local Chinese as Charlie Fie, Ah Som and Gong Wong.

XV, 309, 22 Aug. 1894, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, 28 August: The Payne Family

‘Vocalists, Pianistes, Violinistes, Flautists and Bellringers.’ 2/-, 1/-.

Editorial on The Town Council.

At the last meeting on Wednesday afternoon all went smoothly until Cr Harris moved that the engineer, Mr Littlejohn receive notice ‘that his services would not be required after the expiration of one month’. There was a heated discussion before the motion was carried. Crs Harris, Sampson, West and Parks voting for and Walsh and Linkson opposed. The circumstances surrounding the case of the unfortunate engineer are very strange and until there is a public investigation the facts will not be known.

On 20 June Crs Harris and Sampson complained of the work done by the engineer and subsequently they resigned from the Waterworks Committee. A meeting or two later Cr Sampson moved and Cr Harris 2nd that the whole Council constitute itself a Waterworks Commission with the Mayor as Chairman and ‘the engineer take all orders through the Mayor’. A long list of work was prepared and every item carried out. Still complaints followed and a second list was prepared and this was so long that one Councillor thought it would take the engineer three months to attend to all items. Again the Mayor reported all the work had been completed satisfactorily. Again complaints were received in defiance of the Mayor’s favourable reports. We believe the engineer will ask for a public investigation into the matter. If the charges against Mr Littlejohn are true he deserves no consideration, but if they are not the Councillors who brought them should be dealt with by extreme measures.

2nd Leader on continuing shearing troubles, especially in Queensland.

Burra Co. MR is drilling in preparation for the inspection in September.

XV, 309, 22 Aug. 1894, page 3

30 Unemployed Men from Burra have gone to Gumbowie water scheme and ten more will probably go in a few days.

St Mary’s Schoolroom. A lantern slide show of a trip from England to India on Monday 27 August. 1/-

Obituary. Charles Stewart, the water finder who visited Burra on 4 March, died three weeks ago in the Kapunda Hospital from a cold which settled on his lungs. [Died 28 July aged 54.]

St Joseph’s Fancy Fair and Concert in the Burra Institute. Fair 12 & 13 and Concert on 14 September.

The Cantata, Mildred & Patty has been postponed from 29 august to 5 September.

The Ministering Children’s League Bazaar has been changed into a social and promenade concert on 31 August instead of a bazaar on 3 September.

Concert to aid the Pyap Village Settlement last Friday gained a fair attendance. As well as songs and musical items the farce Box and Cox was repeated by special request.

Rain in the last week was good with 440 points on Monday, but it did not extend east.

[Note that usage at the time makes this 0.44”. A fall of 4.40” would have resulted in spectacular floods!]

Primitive Methodist dinner on Wednesday afternoon was well patronised and the Burra Band attended.

Reluctant Horses. After a ball at Booborowie last Wednesday one unfortunate party returning in a bitterly cold morning found their horses halted at every hill and they had to get out and help push the vehicle up each slope to their vast annoyance. The last effort being at the Bon Accord crossing from where it was fortunately downhill. To be sure they will choose different horses next outing! The ball followed a concert which featured several vocalists from Burra.

Burra Town Council. Matters discussed as reported in the editorial.

Football. Burra went to Manoora last Wednesday on the midday goods train and there Burra 3.12 defeated Manoora 2.4

In the Adelaide match Norths 3.10 defeated Souths 3.7

Cycling from out-of-town gets 1⁄3 column.

Burra Homing Club’s eighth race was from Terowie to Burra on 15 August and was won by J.A. Pearce’s r. c. hens Wildfire & Wildflower which did the 36 miles 1,300 yards in 81 minutes.

Arbor Day was postponed suddenly last Wednesday until today.

XV, 309 (2), 29 Aug. 1894, page 2 [Second use of No. 309, 310 not used.]

Advt. Burra Institute, Cake & Fancy Fair 12 & 13 September in aid of St Joseph’s Church & School.

With Concert & Ball on Friday 14 September.

Advt. Burra Institute 3 September. Grand Vocal & Instrumental Entertainment by the

Blind String Band and Choir. Also at the Hallett Institute on 4 September.

Advt. Burra Institute 5 September. Grand Musical Entertainment Including Root’s Popular Cantata Mildred & Patty. An English Christmas Story in Sparkling Song and Dialogue by 36 Voices.

Directed by Miss Amy Wylie in Aid of the Redruth Wesleyan Church Deficiency.

Advt. Grand Variety Entertainment on Show Day Night, 19 September. Organised by Mr J. Roach.

Advt. Burra Show Wednesday 19 September.

Advt. Terowie Show 24 October.

XV, 309 (2), 29 Aug. 1894, page 3

Advt. SAMA offering to sell or lease Plan Sections 6 & 7 of the Burra Special Survey of c. 160 acres.

Rains totalling 1.4” has fallen since the last paper.

Accident. Last Monday morning Sgt Ullmann’s horse was run over near his residence by the ‘cabbage train’ from Adelaide.

W.H. Turner, a resident of 30 years is selling his furniture and moving.

St Mary’s Schoolroom magic lantern show of ‘An Overland Trip from England to India’ was shown to a small audience due to the wet weather, but it was much appreciated. It will be repeated on Thursday for the children for 3d.

The Blind Performers will return to Burra for a concert of Band, Quartets, Duets & Trios on 3 September.

Burra Co. MR will drill in Kooringa on 5 September at 2.30 and on 17 September at 3 p.m. at Mt Bryan which will be their last practice before the inspection on 26 September.

Redruth Wesleyan YPSCE started on 8 May and is proving very successful.

Obituary. John McDoole (‘Red Jack’) died last Sunday aged 77. He was born in Dublin and joined the 85th Foot Regiment. He came here when pensioned to farm near Booborowie. He got money and returned to Ireland and then returned and took to shepherding. For some time he has been paralysed and was taken in by the priests of St Joseph’s. Father Haendl officiated at the funeral yesterday.

Registered as John McDowell died 26 August 1894.]

Pt Pirie Court.

One of the local businessmen who was out of pocket when Fillis’s Circus failed to appear and also refused to pay its debts, bought up other accounts owed in the town and so got a large enough sum to procure a warrant. He sued them in the Pt Pirie Court and won the full amount.

Burra Homing Club’s ninth race was from Saddleworth to Burra on 22 August. Only three birds got home within the time limit. First was J.A. Pearce’s blk c. c. Nil Desperandum which covered the 30 miles 1080 yards in 63 mins.

Arbor Day at the Burra Public School had been deferred, but eventually took place last Wednesday 22 August when about 25 trees were planted, watched by members of the School Board, Burra Corporation and the DC. W. West, President of the School Board of Advice presided. A series of prizes were then offered for botanical collection, essays and needlework.

Shearing violence has broken out at a shed c. 40 miles from Wilcannia in a fight between unionists and non-unionists. Two shearers were wounded by police and one free labourer was also wounded by unionist fire. The steamer Pooncarie was boarded on Sunday and set alight. Sheds have also been fired in Queensland.

Mr Howchin’s lecture on ‘The Story of the Burra Hills’ at the Institute on Wednesday drew a large and appreciative audience despite the bad weather.

Court.

F. Bagg & W. Pearce each fined 2/6 + 5/- costs for driving too fast round a corner.

Burra DC. Mr Morgan has resigned as ranger and the Council advertises for a replacement.

XV, 311, 5 Sep. 1894, page 2 [No use of No. 310]

Advt. Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary will be held on Sunday & Monday 16 & 17 September.

Advt. British & Foreign Bible Society Annual Services will be held 9 & 10 September with the annual meeting on 10 September at Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Advt. The cantata Mildred and Patty by Root will be performed at the Institute 5 September in aid of the Redruth Wesleyan Church Deficiency.

Advt. Mr J. Roach will present a variety entertainment on Show Night, 19 September.

Advt. St Joseph’s Cake & Fancy Fair at the Institute 12 & 13 September with a concert and ball on 14 September. MOONLIGHT.

Advt. Burra Show 19 September.

Advt. Terowie Show 24 October.

Advt. District Council of Burra advertises for a Ranger. His duties include Inspector under the Vermin, Sparrow, Noxious Weeds and Health Act. He will need to keep not less than two horses. £100 p.a.

Sparrows. There are complaints that boys with pea rifles, supposedly shooting at sparrows, are discharging them carelessly within the town.

Pigeon thefts are taking place in the town. E.W. Crewes has lost several fine birds.

Football. Last Monday a friendly game was played on the Burra Oval when Manoora arrived by the midday train for a game starting at 2 p.m. Burra 9 defeated Manoora 1.

Northern & Midland Public Schools Floral & Industrial Exhibition was held at Jamestown last Friday & Saturday. This annual event was a great success.

The Ministering Children’s League Social & Promenade Concert in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Friday drew only a moderate attendance in poor weather. £6 was raised.

W.H. Linkson is off to WA.

XV, 311, 5 Sep. 1894, page 3

Blind Performers appeared last Monday.

The Payne Family drew a very fair house.

Mr Littlejohn has asked for a public enquiry into the charges brought against him.

On the Monday Holiday over 500 rabbits were shot in the Burra district with one party getting 300 and another 100.

XV, 311 (2), 12 Sep. 1894, page 2 [Second use of the No. 311]

Advt. Offers invited up to 30 September of land suitable for Homestead Blocks in the neighbourhood of Burra. Vide SA Government Gazette 13 September.

Advt. Monster Demonstration Show Day by Salvation Army.

Dinner in the Barracks 11.30 p.m. 1/-

Tea 4.30-7.00 p.m. 1/-

Great Salvation Meeting 7.30 p.m.

Supper 6d

Burra District Council appoints John Morgan as Ranger.

XV, 311 (2), 12 Sep. 1894, page 2-3

Editorial on Municipal Affairs.

These are again drifting into danger. The last Council meeting was wasted on trivial [procedural] matters.

Cr Parks wanted to know by whose authority a load of wood was ordered for the Waterworks.

The Mayor said he ordered the wood.

Of course he did, and he should have: he was placed in the position of Chairman of the Waterworks Commission.

Does Cr Parks think he needed to call a special meeting of Council to order a load of wood!

Cr Linkson sought to have a call of the whole Council to expunge the motion sacking the engineer and substitute one calling for a committee to investigate the charges against the engineer.

The Council then digressed into legal opinion and trivia. Regardless of any legal technicality, Mr Littlejohn deserves the justice of an inquiry. The wave of technical objections makes one think that the Councillors made rash statements without the slightest foundation, and that they will not allow the man to have his request granted at any price if they can possibly avoid it.

XV, 311 (2), 12 Sep. 1894, page 3

Burra Co. MR has had its inspection deferred till 3 October.

Rabbits. Last Friday a large party of farmers etc. travelled from World’s End to the boundary of Kooringa and back, shooting over 1,270 rabbits in the day. During the time a young man, F. Schumacher, was accidentally shot, but not seriously. Lunch was provided by T. McWaters.

The Ministering Children’s League Concert raised only £5 and as this was insufficient to work with the committee has placed it in the Savings Bank until goods on hand can be sold.

Burra Town Council

The report of the meeting gives a somewhat fuller account, but is essentially the same as in the editorial.

Mr & Mrs W.H. Turner were given a valedictory social at the Bible Christian Church last Monday. They are residents of 30 years with 28 years connection with the church. A substantial meal was followed by speeches at a public meeting attended by over 100 with Rev. E.J. Kemp in the chair. They were presented with an address and an enlarged photo of each.

A Firing Match at World’s End last week saw 5 civilians narrowly defeat 5 members of the Burra MR.

The Cantata, Mildred & Patty is reviewed in over 1 column and highly praised. The Institute hall was crowded.

School Floral & Art Exhibition prize list is printed.

Bible Christian Church Trustees for the last seven years have paid £25 p.a. plus the interest, leaving a debt of £225 on the large church.

XV, 311 (3), 19 Sep. 1894, page 2 [Third use of the number 311]

Editorial on the first Burra Show for a number of years.

The editor praises the work that had gone into the preparation and those who raised and donated the more than £150 in prize money.

XV, 311 (3), 19 Sep. 1894, page 3

World’s End Church Anniversary last Sunday & Wednesday. There were good congregations. March’s cab was chartered for Wednesday and several young people went out from Kooringa. There was excellent attendance at the tea meeting. The tea was the gift of Mesdames McWaters, & Bown and the young men of the church, aided by Misses McWaters, Broad, Phillips, Lawn, Birt and Küchenmeister.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday. The financial report showed a debt of only about £50 on the entire church property including the Lecture Hall and parsonages. Christian Endeavour membership (junior and senior) numbered 45. Membership in the circuit had risen by 12.

The Editor published one of five letters expressing disgust at the Council proceedings – it reveals one of the charges brought by Cr Harris – that the engineer neglected his duties in several ways – ‘among others that he was informed that the engineer was in a certain blacksmith’s shop for four hours.’ The writer felt an investigation was called for to discover the truth.

St Joseph’s Cake & Fancy Fair was a great success on Wednesday and Thursday at the Institute. [Fancy items listed included cushions, smoking caps, coseys, (sic) & wool work mats.] The fair, concert and ball raised c. £80. There is a 1⁄2 column review of the concert.

Burra Homing Club’s 11th race was from Hanson, a distance of c. 7 miles and was flown on 12 September. Mr E. Crewe’s b. c. h. Constance and m. c. Rattler was first in 91⁄2 min.

Burra Town Council, 17 September

The Mayor tendered legal advice that he was a member of Council and was entitled to vote as he did to rule that standing orders be suspended.

Cr Linkson then proceeded to move to rescind the motion ending the engineer’s appointment as the charges against him had not been proved and Councillors should have carefully checked the facts before condemning the engineer in the manner they had done. ‘Fancy councillors stating that the man was drunk.’

Cr Harris: ‘That was not the charge.’

Cr West: ‘Yes it was.’

Cr Harris: ‘No, it was one of general neglect of duty.’

Cr Linkson said the engineer was stated to have been in a certain place for four hours and on this charge had received a month’s notice. Since then he had received three letters. There was some discussion about whether the three letters should be read.

Cr Linkson then said Littlejohn was on duty:

11-12 at Hosking’s, 12-1 at Miller’s and 1-2 at J. Edwards’s and yet it was from11-2 that he was supposed to be neglecting his duty. Further the statement he was neglecting his duty was made by one ratepayer and one non-ratepayer and the latter was a person who had been after his job for a long time and would do anything to get it.

Cr West said he would 2nd the motion as he had also found out the engineer was not guilty of the charges. He now believed an investigation should be made.

Crs West, Walsh and Linskon voted for the motion and Crs Parks & Harris opposed. Cr Sampson was absent so the required four were not voting.

The mayor expressed his sense of insult to the Council that Cr Sampson should have just walked out at this point. He declared the motion carried, three Councillors and the Mayor having supported it.

Cr Walsh also said he was surprised and disgusted.

Cr Parks moved dissent from the Mayor’s ruling and asked permission to leave for a moment, which was granted.

When he returned Cr Harris 2nd the motion under clause 48, but the motion was lost with only Crs Parks and Harris supporting it.

Cr Parks then moved that Mr Littlejohn’s letter be received and his request granted.

Cr Sampson [apparently having returned un-noted] 2nd and it was carried unanimously.

Cr Sampson then moved for a public hearing at a special meeting on 25 September.

Council then squabbled over the reading of the minutes or not and when they eventually were read Cr Linkson moved their confirmation which was carried with the dissent of Cr Parks and three abstentions.

The Mayor put the question again and this time three were for and three against and it was declared carried.

Other business:

Cr Harris moved ‘That applications be received from persons willing to fill the position of engineer of the Burra Waterworks at £2-10-0 per week.’

The Mayor objected to put that motion – it was noted and not put.

Cr Linkson then tendered his resignation as he was leaving for WA.

Cr Walsh moved the resignation be received and the fine be not imposed.

It was resolved that nominations for a replacement Councillor be received on 1 October.

Forgery. Several forged cheques were presented to the Bank of Australasia in Kooringa, supposedly from E.C. Lockyer & Co. of Burra. Apparently two months ago a G.P. West worked for the Unicorn Brewery and was paid by cheque and from that sought to forge Mr Lockyer’s signature. He passed a number of cheques so forged: £1-1-0 to the Salvation Army as a donation to a dinner, £3-8-0 for a gold locket from C.H. Lowe, £4-16-0 to Mr McClusky of the Burra Hotel, £2-7-0 to Mr Schutz for horse hire, £3-18-0 to Drew & Crewes. On Monday he cleared out for Adelaide. He is described as aged 22-23, 5’6” tall, of dark complexion, dark hair, personable and unassuming. The police are seeking him.

XV, 311 (4), 26 Sep. 1894, page 2 [Fourth use of No. 311]

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell 16,100 fat & store sheep (in the wool) on 5 October at the Burra Market.

Advt. Mr Alfred Fairbairn’s Concert Party will give a Grand Evening Concert at the Burra Institute Wednesday 3 October.

Featuring Albert Fairbairn the new English baritone, Miss Guli Hack, Miss Ethel Hack, Herr Heinecke (solo violin), Arthur Lumsden of Edinburgh (solo piano & accompanist)

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Church and Parsonage have an annual loan instalment due in October. There will be a Sale of Gifts and a Dinner at the Institute 5 October, with musical entertainment in the evening, directed by Amy Wylie.

1/- to be returned in goods, or 6d not returned. Knife & Fork Spread from 12 to 6 p.m.

Advt. November 12 Hallett Annual Athletic Sports.

XV, 311 (4), 26 Sep. 1894, page 2-3

Editorial on the Wonderful Reports of Gold Finds in WA.

It is wonderful how depressions so often lead to mineral discoveries: Burra, Moonta, and Broken Hill. Such discoveries must give a wonderful impetus to WA which has languished for so long. But it is found in a very inhospitable country and for every one person who makes a great find probably one hundred will suffer terrible loss. While we will not benefit directly as we did in the case of Broken Hill, yet we may see a growing market for hay, chaff, preserved meat and other products as well as an opportunity for surplus employment.

XV, 311 (4), 26 Sep. 1894, page 3

Burra Co. MR. After the inspection on Wednesday there will be a social in the Burra Hotel. Fall-in is at 2 p.m. in Market Square.

Wool is arriving at the Burra Station – so far from Oakvale and Caroona.

T.F. Robertson has come forward as a replacement for Cr Linkson: nominations close on Monday.

Burra Homing Club race from Petersburg on Wednesday last was a failure with none of the birds getting home in the time limit. Mr Crewes’ Britisher was attacked by a hawk on the way and came home on Thursday night with a torn crop, but he seems to be recovering.

The Salvation Army Demonstration coinciding with the Burra Show was a great success. There was a meeting at the Showgrounds followed by a well patronised tea. The evening meeting was also well attended. The demonstration realised about £22. The Barracks were opened on 15 April 1885 and cost c. £700, most of which has been paid off.

Forgery Case. George West was arrested in Adelaide four days after leaving Burra. He was arrested for drunkenness and when taken in charge was discovered to be the man wanted for larceny in Adelaide on 26 July. This earned him 3 months. It became known then that he was also wanted in Burra for the forgery of six cheques and so he was despatched on Friday night. [The evidence given echoes the previous report of the crime.] He was committed for trial at the Criminal Sittings in Adelaide.

Burra Show 1894.

The last show held by the Burra & North-Eastern Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Society was in 1885. This year the society was resuscitated and a great deal of work went into restarting the society and holding a show. J. McLaren was appointed Secretary and proved invaluable. The weather was excellent and about 2,300 visited the show. Gate takings were £70. Excursion fares were available from north and south and attracted distinguished visitors. The mayor, Mr P.L. Killicoat and Messrs T. Sandland and J. Lewis met Hons. F.W. Holder MP, G.H. Lake MO, W. Haslam MLC & W. Russell MLC, who were driven to the showground and entertained at lunch. The school was closed all day and the shops from noon. Sideshows were in evidence, but Cheap Jack was conspicuously absent. A lady boxer was there who gave exhibitions of boxing.

Surprisingly agricultural produce was poorly represented.

(T. Bailey 1st, T. Fairchild 2nd in chaff & T. Bailey 1st with 4 bushels of wheat.)

10 entries in dairy produce – in butter Miss Turner 1st & Mr T. McWaters a close 2nd.

Poultry was well represented with 80 quality entries. S. Dennison of Auburn did best with fowls.

Pigeons were well represented.

Horses were divided into draught, blood and roadster stock.

Cattle were a bit disappointing in quality.

Dogs. Best sheep dog was H. Rabbich’s. ‘Bob the Railway Dog’ was the greatest attraction. [‘Bob’ travelled many thousands of miles on locomotives in SA and was widely known to travellers in the colony.]

Sheep attracted about 40 entries. Mr G.A. Gebhardt had the champion Merino ewe and Blight Bros. of Hallett the champion ram.

There were few pigs entered.

Mr C.F. Newman nearly scooped the pool for vegetables and but for Ah Ching would have done so.

[Ah Ching is probably a.k.a. Ah Chin a.k.a. Chin Young.]

It was not a good time for flowers.

[Personal interest:

Only four results for flowers are printed and no Fuss features in them.

Ah Ching got prizes for 3 cabbages, 6 red beet, not less than 6 varieties of vegetable and not less than five varieties of salad vegetables.]

A full prize list is printed.

The evening entertainment was very successful, with standing room only. Program:

Overture Burra Orchestra conducted by W.J. Davey

The Lost Chord Miss A. Pearce

Ask Me Again & I Will Not Say No Miss Fuller

March (Noyes) Mr Noyes

Gypsies Laughing (Trio) Miss A. Wylie, Rosalie Forder, Mr Kinso Ewins

Noses Comic song of all comic songs Will Ewins

How Rafferty Won the Mile (Encore) Will Ewins

My Soul’s Delight and Treasure Miss Wylie

On the Banks of the Clomon (Encore) Miss Wylie

Ventriloquist Act Mr A. Josling

How Rubenstein Played the Piano (Recitation) Mr J. Roach

A Ditty on Babies (Recitation encore) Mr J. Roach

Interval

Overture Burra Orchestra conducted by W.J. Davey

The Jap (Recitation) Mr J. Roach

D’ye Know Me Now? (Farce) Messrs C.H. Hague, A.W. Jennings, W. Ewins, T. Nevin (35 minutes)

The Burra Band also played outside between 7 & 8 p.m.

XV, 311 (5), 3 Oct. 1894, page 2 [Fifth use of No. 311] [Some copies apparently numbered 312]

North Ward Election.

Nominations to fill the vacancy created by resignation of William Henry Linkson, North Ward Councillor. Nominations closed 1 October.

Theodore Frederick Robertson

William Harrison Hardy

Election to be held in German Schoolroom Redruth Monday 8 October.

Advt. Burra Market. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis, 5 October.

17,125 fat & store sheep and 90 cattle.

Editorial on the Fiasco of the Special Council Meeting, Tuesday 25 September.

At a previous meeting Cr Harris stated with assurance that he was told the engineer was in a certain blacksmith’s shop drinking for four hours. This resulted in the motion ‘that the engineer receive one month’s notice’ being passed. The engineer of course demanded an investigation. When Harris was called on by the Mayor to introduce the charge he went away from the point and tried to introduce three new charges of being negligent, extravagant and incapable. The Mayor insisted on his addressing the specific charge whereupon Harris had to admit it was all hearsay. Even had the Mayor allowed the three new charges to be discussed Harris would have got no further. He complains that the engineer uses too much grease and candles etc. What Councillor is qualified to say how much is too much grease? And candles are used at 11⁄2d per day! The engineer has to work at night to supply the town with water and can hardly do so in the dark! The other charges are equally laughable. After half an hour the Council adjourned.

Shearing progresses satisfactorily in this district. T. Warnes at Koomooloo started on 16 August under the 1894 agreement and finished on 20 September. 10 shearers were needed and over 30 applied. Several made excellent wages and of the ten, six cut over 100 on 5 October. The leading shearer cut 995 sheep in 9 days – cutting 1101⁄2 per day at 18/- per 100. So non-unionists are reaping the rewards while unionists are depriving themselves.

XV, 311 (5), 3 Oct. 1894, page 3 [Some copies apparently numbered 312]

Burra Oval. There is a movement for some permanent cover at the oval. Now that the Show Soc. and the Friendly Societies’ Picnic Fund both have a credit balance the Corporation might see their way clear to erecting a pavilion for the use of sports and exhibits at show time. The hire of tents by users of the oval would erect such a building.

Terowie Show, 24 October. A special carriage will be added to the 5.52 goods train from Terowie for the benefit of those attending the show.

Mr A. Josling and a group of others gave a concert at the Burra Hospital on 25 September for patients.

Burra Co. MR. The inspection today starts with an assembly at 2 p.m. in Market Square. Captain Watt’s illness over the last seven months has been a disadvantage, but Lieut. Field and others have done an excellent job.

Burra Show Soc. met at Neville’s Hotel last Friday and found that after all accounts were paid etc. there was a credit balance of over £100 in hand. It was decided to pay the secretary an honorarium of £10-10-0. The concert had nett takings of £20-14-6.

Burra Town Council, 25 September.

The more detailed report of the meeting confirms the account of it in the editorial and shows Cr Harris twisting and turning to try to find another way of attacking the engineer – an effort in which he seems to find an ally in Cr Sampson.

1 October.

Cr Sampson took exception to the minutes of the last ordinary meeting, but after a long and acrimonious discussion they were confirmed as were those of the special meeting.

The Town Clerk was appointed to rewrite the assessment for 1894-95 for the sum of £5.

Crs Harris, Sampson and Parks voted not to accept the engineer’s report leading to another heated discussion on the engineer and his work. Other more routine business was then transacted before adjourning.

Sir Henry Ayers was presented with an illuminated address in Adelaide on Wednesday at the Mayor’s Reception Room by the Hon. F.W. Holder. Sir Henry retired last year from active politics. The address was prepared by A. Walmsley of Norwood and is beautifully illuminated.

The Terowie Flour Mill burnt down on 22 September.

XV, 312, 3 Oct. 1894.

The bound volume of the paper from the Record office has another copy of the paper of the 3 October 1894 numbered 312. Presumably this is a correction made for a 2nd edition or rather a 2nd print run.

XV, 312 (1 or 2), 10 Oct. 1894, page 2

Advt. Burra Institute, popular lecture: Hon. F.W. Holder MP, Treasurer of SA.

The Battle of the Standards. Friday 19 October, with music and song. Free – chairs 6d.

Advt. Warners Merry Moments, First Appearance at the Institute 12 October.

With Oscar Smith, ventriloquist; Miss Sophia Hart, charming cantatrice* & soubrette‡; Miss Lilian Lester, character artist; Fred T. Norris, champion trick and fancy skater; Dennis Keenan, pianist & vocalist. 2/- & 1/-. MOONLIGHT.

[* A cantatrice is a professional female singer.

‡ A soubrette is a pert or flirtatious character, often the part of a lady’s maid.]

Editorial, on the fourth annual inspection of the Burra Co. Mounted Rifles which is as numerous now as when founded despite the continued reduction in the defence budget which has cut the allowance paid to maintain the company. ‘But the men cannot be expected to continue their good work at their own expense.’

Albert Fairbairn Concert Co. played at the Institute on Wednesday night to a poor house. It was a first class show which deserved a bumper house.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 14 October. In the afternoon the service of song Kitty will be repeated by special request.

XV, 312 (1 or 2), 10 Oct. 1894, page 3

Rain in the last week has been splendid with 2.11” since last Friday.

North Ward Election.

Results: W.H. Hardy 60

T.F. Robertson 58

A Children’s Bazaar was held at Dr Brummitt’s house last Wednesday in aid of Dr Stephenson’s Children’s Homes. £4 was raised. The stalls were presided over by Miss Ida Brummitt, Miss Kathleen Roach and Elliott Brummitt. The charge of the distribution of flowers, the refreshment table, and the bran tub was in the hands of Misses Vera Wilkinson, Dorothy Roach and Masters Tarlton Phillips, Charlie Osborn and Robert Brummitt (all of Prince Alfred’s College).

Floods. The recent rains had so swollen Gum Creek that four shearers in a spring cart were swept away in the flood. Fortunately they all landed on a small island from which they were rescued with the aid of ropes. The horse and cart were not recovered until below the station where the horse seemed little worse for its experience, but the cart was destroyed.

Female Exercise. A celebrated physician says re exercise for women that the best thing is walking. ‘Tennis he declared to be violent and too much of it is likely to lengthen the arms and make the height of the shoulders uneven. Cycling renders women awkward in their walk; they gradually come to move with a plunging kind of motion, the reverse of graceful. Riding is one-sided, and women who have habitually ridden for years usually have one hip higher than the other. Croquet really does not give exercise.’

‘[Walking] ought to be preserved even in bad weather, and particularly in winter. It is the cheapest and safest exercise.’

Burra Institute Committee is to draft specifications for alterations to the roof over the stage and for the ceiling: to be submitted for approval next meeting.

Burra Homing Club. The club’s champion race was flown from Roseworthy on 3 October. First was Mr Josling’s b. c. h. Blair Athol & b. c. h. Atholine. Flew 60 miles 360 yards in 951⁄2 minutes at 1109 yards/min.

Redruth Wesleyan Church sale of gifts and dinner on 5 October at the Institute was a great success. The weather was not good, but over £40 was raised which was over the target set. The entire cost of the church and parsonage properties was £2,010 of which £1,260 has been paid and £750 is owed, of which £190 was from the loan fund which is repayable in instalments of £40 interest free. Music in the evening was directed by Miss Wylie.

Burra Co. MR. The annual inspection was on the flat near the old rifle range last Wednesday by Col. Gordon & Sgt-Maj. De Passey. There was a parade from Market Square, an inspection of horse and accoutrements, then manoeuvres and firing. They received the highest % of any company yet inspected and the men received high praise from the Colonel. A social at the Commercial Hotel followed with J.D. Cave in the chair. He was a former member of the Volunteer Force and a Captain for four years before resigning only because of the amalgamation. The usual toasts were drunk and the evening included musical selections, songs, readings and recitations and concluded at 11.30 p.m.

Ketchowla Sunday School Anniversary services are reported.

XV, 313, 17 Oct. 1894, page 2

Advt. Sandland & Co. will offer at the Bon Accord Yards 12,660 fat & store sheep on 19 October.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 14,100 fat & store sheep (10,000 from Momba Station) at their saleyards on 26 October.

Advt. The Cathedral Choir Concerts at Burra Institute 10 & 12 November.

New Councillor. Contrary to the usual courtesy when all Councillors assemble for the swearing in of a new member of Council, on Tuesday night, 9 October, when W.H. Hardy was sworn only Cr Parks was present and a JP had to be hunted up. The new Councillor received a cool reception at the Council meeting on 15 October.

Weather lately has been wet. A storm delivered 0.5” in half an hour last Saturday afternoon and since then 2.34” has been recorded. Falls have extended to the east.

Primitive Methodist Anniversary services last Sunday were not well attended. The weather was bad and the tea scheduled for Monday was postponed to Friday.

Clare Show last Wednesday was a great success.

XV, 313, 17 Oct. 1894, page 3

P.L. Killicoat burnt his hands putting out a fire in the bed hangings of one of his young children who was unwell and being watched over. He cannot use his hands for some time, but is recovering.

Warners Merry Moments Co. gave an excellent performance and the Institute was ‘well filled – with chairs and forms’ people were sparse.

Miss Roney who once kept a confectionery business in Market Square was one of those rescued when the Rodondo en route to Fremantle from Pt Adelaide, foundered on Pollock’s Reef. They were landed at Pt Malcolm.

XV, 313, 17 Oct. 1894, page 3

Burra Town Council, 15 October.

The Mayor was absent due to the accident to his hands.

The Town Clerk showed that all wards except West Ward were in debt and suggested the Corporation would end the year with an overdraft of c. £40.

Cr Sampson said the overdraft was due to unemployment relief work and it was good durable work which would not have to be done next year. He hoped no other work would be needed in 1894.

Cr Walsh said the £11 overdraft in North Ward was due to relief work which had been so beneficial to the unemployed during the year.

Deputation from the Sports Committee [Of the friendly Societies?] asking for assistance in building a cycle track at the oval.

Council will visit the oval and discuss the matter with the committee.

Cr West reported that part of Mr Roger’s kerbing near Forder’s Row in Redruth had fallen down.

The engineer’s report was read and received.

Cr Harris said: ‘We had better make arrangements for another engineer to look after the outside work; everything is going to rack and ruin.’

Cr Sampson: ‘Oh, let him have a spell.’

It was resolved to get a competent man from Adelaide to assess and inspect all the Waterworks machinery.

Sending a letter of sympathy to the Mayor regretting his accident was supported by all but Cr Harris.

Salvation Army. Rev. E. J. Kemp (Bible Christian) conducted a magic lantern service at the Barracks on Friday night in aid of the self-denial fund.

Editorial comment on Cr Harris.

‘Cr Harris, at the last meeting of the Burra Town Council, said he hoped the newly elected member would prove a better man than his predecessor. Dirty work! Fancy saying that when he is hundreds of miles away. He wouldn’t dare say it to his face, but its [sic] only Alex. Harris, you know. He is a professional at that sort of business.’

[This comment by the editor would seem to give grounds for a possible court case and in the issue of 7 November he wishes to ‘unconditionally withdraw every reflection in the paragraph and apologise to him for having published it.’]

XV, 313 (2), 24 Oct. 1894, page 2 [Second use of No. 313]

Advt. Burra Institute Popular Lectures, 2 November.

Vine Growing by Professor Perkins & Farming by Professor Lowrie MA, DSc.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd sale on 26 October will offer 14,962 fat and store sheep.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd sale on 2 November will offer 19,300 fat & store sheep.

Dr. Brummitt will be asked to stand for Mayor for 1895 in a requisition being prepared.

210 Rabbits were killed by sportsmen last Saturday east of Burra. They are again becoming numerous out east and generally.

Salvation Army Self Denial Fund raised £20-1-0 in the week 13-19 October, with some more yet to come in. (Across the colony part of this fund is used to finance a pension scheme for officers who are past their days of active duty.)

Rita Vivian, aged 3, was painfully burnt playing with matches behind the Commercial Hotel (of Mr H. Vivian) on Saturday last. Her clothes caught alight and burnt her left leg, arm and ear, but she will recover without disfigurement.

XV, 313 (2), 24 Oct. 1894, page 2-3

Obituary. Mrs T. Warnes of Koomooloo died at Kooringa on Thursday afternoon, aged 58, having lived in the district for 33 years. She was born in Somerset near Bath and came to SA when 17 with her parents who farmed near Pt Gawler. She was married to Thomas Warnes in 1861 by Rev. Ibbetson at Stony Gap and then went to Princess Royal where Mr Warnes first began sheep farming and more lately to Koomooloo. She leaves five sons and four daughters with several grandchildren. She had been ill for some time. Rev. R.S. Casely officiated at a large funeral on Sunday.

[Born Rachel Flower 1836 in Somerset: died 18 October 1894 aged 58.]

XV, 313 (2), 24 Oct. 1894, page 3

Snakes are about.

Terowie Show today.

St Mary’s Sunday School Annual Picnic at Johnson’s Creek last Wednesday. There was a special service at 9.15 before starting out. After sports and games a substantial tea was served and a scramble for oranges etc. Home was reached about 5.30 p.m.

Obituary. Thomas Jones, aged 18, disappeared on 13 October and was found last Sunday drowned in Palace Creek near Booborowie. He recently came from Melbourne and had been employed for three weeks by Mr Skews.

Burra Homing Club. The Champion Race for birds under 4 months was run from Manoora to Burra in unfavourable conditions. First was C. Wilkinson’s b. c. c. Catechu and b. h. Sassafras. The 24 miles 1,040 yds was done in 51 mins.

World’s End School annual picnic and sports was held at Burra Creek on 17 October in good weather. 150 persons attended and a good day of sports was had by all.

A Deputation waited on the Treasurer, Hon. F.W. Holder, last Friday in the Burra Council Chamber seeking a special grant of £25 to erect two culverts on the road between Kooringa and Aberdeen. The argument mounted was that they were a necessity which could not be met from the road grant of £225, which had been reduced from last year’s £250. Burra had rarely asked for special grants. Holder agreed and said the only one he could recall was for the Bon Accord Bridge. The best he could do was to sanction the £25 now and try to avoid deducting it from the next grant, but that he could not guarantee as the appropriation for the main roads vote had yet to be taken.

F.W. Holder addressed a large audience at the Burra Institute on Friday evening on the subject of bimetallism. His argument is reported in c. 11⁄3 columns.

Moonta Co. Mounted Infantry has been disbanded by the Government.

XV, 314, 31 Oct. 1894, page 2

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd. will offer 15,300 fat and store sheep on 2 November.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd. will offer 10,920 sheep on 16 November.

Terowie Show last Wednesday was a great success.

Football. Burra Football Club met on Monday night at the Commercial Hotel to review the season and had won all this year’s matches. They score 33.50 to their opponents’ 7.11. Their income was £14-15-91⁄2 and expenditure £13-2-4 leaving them in credit £1-13-51⁄2.

Burra Flower Show will be held on 14 November.

Salvation Army in SA raised £1,720 in self-denial week.

XV, 315, 7 Nov. 1894, page 2

Advt. The program for the visit of the Cathedral choir on 10 & 12 November is printed.

Advt. Madam Ridges American Circus will appear on 9 November.

Editorial on Professors Lowrie’s & Perkins’s lectures.

Abject apology from the editor for the potentially libellous paragraph reflecting on Cr Harris’s character in the paper of 17 October.

Christian Endeavour Society of the Bible Christian Church held a social with over 100 guests in the schoolroom last Wednesday.

XV, 315, 7 Nov. 1894, page 3

Fire. A fire broke out in the kitchen of the Commercial Hotel early Wednesday morning about 12.30 a.m. It is thought a spark ignited some sheets spread for airing. Two clothes stands and 18 sheets were burnt along with the wooden ceiling.

Guy Fawkes Night was celebrated on 5 November with large and small fires everywhere. An accident in the afternoon rather spoiled the fun for one group of enthusiasts for a while when, on turning Henderson’s corner, their makeshift carriage carrying Guy disintegrated and he lost not only his stuffing, but his hat and mask. Repairs took an hour or so before he was again ready to be consigned to the flames.

Burra Town Council

A letter from the Engineer in Chief’s Department said that if the Council wanted an expert to look at the Waterworks engines etc. they would have to pay all expenses.

Cr Harris thought it could stand over as it was so near the year’s end.

The Mayor indicated he would not seek re-election.

Tenders were received for two culverts on the main road: £8-10-0 for one near Mr Harvey’s and £8-18-0 for one near St Mary’s.

£200 is still owed on water rates.

The Court of Appeals on the assessment was fixed for 26 November.

The engineer’s report was received.

Municipal Elections.

Dr Brummitt has agreed to stand for Mayor for 1895.

W.T. Rabbich will stand for North Ward.

Professors Lowrie and Perkins had a fair attendance for their lectures at the Institute on Friday. The report runs for 1 column.

Burra Homing Club. The 15th race was from Tarlee on 31 October and 1st place went to T. Nicholl’s m. h. Minion & b. h. Nonpariel, covering the 43 miles 880 yds in 70 mins.

XV, 316, 14 Nov. 1894, page 2

Notice. Burra Town Council, retiring on 1 December 1894:

Mayor P.L. Killicoat

North Ward T. Walsh

East Ward G. Parks

West Ward W.C.L. West

Auditor T.T. Shortridge

Advt. For Sale Allotments 31, 32 & 33 New Aberdeen, apply National Bank of Australasia, Kooringa.

Editorial on the Lake Bonney Settlement Bill.

XV, 316, 14 Nov. 1894, page 3

Madam Ridge’s American Circus performed on Friday & Saturday to poor houses. It was well worth seeing with excellent tumbling and horse riding and an excellent performance from Salvanse (the boneless wonder) and from Madam Leontine on the trapeze.

The Prince of Wales’s Birthday Holiday on Monday passed without organised amusement except for the Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School picnic at Sod Hut.

Private picnic parties preferred Princess Royal.

Some went to the sports at Hallett.

A Wager. Last Monday one of W.P. Barker’s sheep was backed to be heavier than Harry Vivian, host of the Commercial Hotel. When put to the test the sheep weighed in at 181 lb, but Harry managed 182 lb.

Accident. Reanie Crewes, aged 11⁄2, fell 12’ from the Bridge St West footbridge on Friday evening. She was unconscious when the doctor arrived and remained so for several hours, but is now recovering.

The Cathedral Choir last Saturday provided a program of favourite Negro and plantation songs, duets, trios etc. There was a fair attendance considering that shops were open till 9.00 p.m. There was a far better house on Monday.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary on Sunday & Monday last. The afternoon service of song was Adrift.

Ketchowla Sunday School Picnic was held four miles east of Ketchowla last Wednesday, 7 November.

Tennis. The town courts are being tarred.

The one where most matches are played is in front of the hospital. A private court is also being tarred.

Last year a tournament was started which is continuing yet. Scott is believed to be in the lead.

Polo. The team is practising for matches against Adelaide and Mt Crawford to be played at Burra.

Burra Town Council.

In answer to queries published elsewhere the Town Clerk, W. Davey, supplies the following comparisons of Council costs.

1883 1893

Salaries £173-15-0 £95-0-0

Office expenses, advertising etc. £114-8-4 £41-19-11

Rent £20-0-0 £12-10-0

Other costs in 1893:

Management was £149-9-11

Repayment of the 1882 loan £250 (Annual instalment £200 plus £50 interest.)

The assessment in 1883 stood at £14,450 and in 1893 was £9,578

This meant a 1/- in the £ rate in 1883 would bring in £722-10-0

In 1893 it would yield £478-18-0

Burra Homing Club. On 7 November a race was run for new members, from Mintaro to Burra. 1st was R.D. Pascoe’s m. c. Rattler at 1,011 yds/min over the 18 miles.

Anyone caught shooting or detaining homing pigeons is liable to a fine of £2 per bird.

One of Mr Josling’s birds returned badly shot recently and had to be destroyed.

XV, 317, 21 Nov. 1894, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Circuit of Wesleyan Church will hold its Annual Christmas Snowball Fair at the Institute 12 & 13 December.

Tableaux, Action Songs, Ventriloquism, Music, Snowball, Dolls, Needlework, Fancy Goods, Produce, Strawberries & Cream. MOONLIGHT.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Tea & concert tonight at the church.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was held on 11 November when the Wesleyan Rev. A. Grewar of Terowie preached. The tea meeting was well patronised on Wednesday. Proceeds were nearly £8.

Burra Homing Club’s 17th race was from Yongala on 17 November in hot rough weather. 1st was A. Josling’s b. c. c. Sir Thomas covering the 46 miles 1010 yds in 94 mins.

Burra Floricultural Show was held on 14 November. Despite the recent hot weather it was a great success. Mr [H.C.] W. Fuss was the most successful competitor. Mr Fuss can perhaps boast the best laid out garden outside Adelaide and his collection cannot be beaten anywhere. The old gentleman is now feeling the result of declining years and very much of the garden work falls to his sons. The best vegetables came from C. Oppermann and Miss Oppermann also had fine exhibits of flowers as did the Misses Baker. As usual Dr Brummitt was also well represented. [The Oppermann’s were Mr Fuss’s neighbours in Llwchwr.] There was music in the evening from the Burra Orchestra and the Misses Sprod and Parkin played piano selections. The Burra Brass Band played selections outside for half an hour.

[Personal interest: W. Fuss’s prizes:

3 Gladioli 1 & 2 1 Gladiolus 1 & 2

3 Pelargoniums Zonales 1 & 2 6 Phlox drummondii 2

12 Pansies 2 3 Pansies 2

1 Pansy 1 & 2 6 Annuals 2

3 Annuals 1 1 Flower grown outdoors 1

6 Bulbs or tubers 1 & 2 3 Bulbs or tubers 1 & 2

6 Delphiniums 1 3 Delphiniums 2

3 Stocks 2 1 Stock 2

Bouquet for table, stand or basket 1 Bouquet for hand 1

Bouquet for table grown outdoors 1 Bouquet of native flowers 1

Bridal bouquet 2]

XV, 317, 21 Nov. 1894, page 2-3

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting. All the Council was on the platform.

The Mayor’s Report.

Though there is presently a credit balance of £18-1-9, amounts due before the year’s end will result in a deficit. Much of the difficulty has been due to unemployment in the town for which some relief has been necessary. H. F.W. Holder has helped by sending a number of men to work at the Gumbowie waterworks and the crowds of idle men on street corners have ceased to exist. In 1894 a bond of £200 and a coupon of £40 have been cleared off, £291-11-9 has been spent in public works. Rent of the office cost £6-5-0 and lamp lighting £16-7-0: for a total of £554-3-9. Rates have yielded £446-11-2 and the Government grant-in-aid £116-18-6: total £563-9-8.

Incidentals and salaries have been obtained from sources other than the rates. In three years the bonded debt will be extinguished and the whole of our income will be available for current expenses rather than so much going to pay off old debts.

[Note that the lamp in North Ward cost £5-17-0.

The lamps in East Ward cost £5-5-0, but that ‘s’ must be an error.

The lamp in West Ward cost £5-5-0.

The north end lamp was at Tiver’s corner and in the south one was in Market Square, but the other’s place is uncertain. The Kingston St Bridge was a later site and so was the Commercial St Bridge area.]

The show was a great success and Cr Harris has undertaken to provide funds for a pavilion at the oval without interest for five years. But it should be borne in mind that income from the oval this year has been £2-2-0 and expenditure £49-5-7.

The Cemetery account shows a credit of £54-11-7.

Waterworks. Assessment in 1888 was £12,132 and in 1893 was £9,578.

The rates brought in £489-17-10. Interest on the lease was £406-2-2 and the engineer was paid £132.

The Local Board of Health reported no major problems for the year.

Cr Walsh then spoke of his two years as a Councillor overseeing works in the North Ward to see them done economically and judiciously. At the start of his term the ward had a deficit of £14 when Cr Rabbich retired. There was a credit of £2 at the end of last year and now there was a debit of £11, due mainly to relief work, though the recent extraordinary election had cost £4. Councillor Walsh then ‘blamed’ Mr Rabbich for bringing Mr Hardy out for the election and canvassing for him.

Mr Rabbich: ‘It’s an untruth.’ If he had time he would contest the election.

In the recent unpleasantness about the Waterworks engineer Cr Walsh thought it his duty to demand an enquiry. Had he been guilty I would have been the first to say ‘send him going at once’ the Councillor said. Cr Walsh was of the opinion that an expert from Adelaide should be got to find the irregularities so much spoken of. He was thanked by acclamation.

Cr West then briefly spoke of his two years, saying he had always worked with honesty and straightforwardness.

Cr Parks thought it unnecessary to go into details after the Mayor’s report. He had started the year as Chairman of Public Works, but without an overseer had found it too time consuming and resigned. He was sorry about any friction that occurred. The greatest concern was over the Waterworks. He believed that Cr Harris and Cr Sampson were justified in their steps. ‘Councillor Walsh seems to reflect on the way in which the matter was dealt with. The charge was not one of drunkenness.’

The Mayor: ‘Yes, certainly it was.’

Cr Parks: ‘No, it wasn’t.’

Mr W. Killicoat: ‘Yes it was one of drunkenness and you know it. You have been the cause of nearly all the irritation in the Council.’

Uproar ensued and the East Ward Councillor had to appeal to the chair to restore order.

‘The Mayor: . . . Councillor Harris went to the Town Clerk and tried to rake up things that occurred six years ago.’

Uproar.

‘Cr Harris: That’s lies, lies, lies.

The Mayor: Allow Councillor Parks to speak.

Councillor Parks: The charge _____ .

A Voice: Sit down, get off the platform.

The mayor: I would ask everyone to allow Councillor Parks to proceed.’

After some unprintable remarks from the floor Cr Parks wound up his remarks briefly.

Dr Brummitt was asked to speak as a candidate for the Mayoralty.

He was going to accept the nomination and recalled that last time he was Mayor 10 or 11 years ago in difficult times it took up too much of his time then and he was not prepared to accept the office if there was to be a repetition.

Mr Rabbich said he was standing for North Ward and would pursue a policy of economy. He thought the offices of Town Clerk and Inspector could be amalgamated. 10-12 years ago the Town Clerk was also overseer of works. They could pay a good wage; say £150, thus saving £30 p.a.

A Voice ‘Nonsense.’

Mr Rabbich: ‘At present the Town Clerk receives £120 p.a.

Town Clerk: ‘No – I get £50 or 19/3 a week.

Mr Rabbich: ‘Anyhow he receives £120 for all his work and the Inspector £60.

Town Clerk: ‘I defy anyone to carry out the two positions. When Mr Holder was Town Clerk the Waterworks were not in existence. The engineer should be paid £2-10-0 a week not £3.’

A Voice: ‘Give him fair play first.’

Cr Parks, as candidate for East Ward, said he was against the amalgamation of the Town Clerk and Inspector.

Cr West offered himself for re-election with a policy of honesty, straightforwardness and economy and would not interfere in the present arrangement of offices.

Mr Shortridge was again standing as auditor a position he has held for 8-9 years.

Dr Brummitt said he would like to see a pavilion at the oval, but would need to see how it would work first. He did not think a reduction in rates possible until the whole of the bonds were repaid in 1897.

XV, 317, 21 Nov. 1894, page 3

Burra Town Council, 19 November.

Cr Sampson objected to an article in the Burra News. It had been written by a member of Council and he found it his duty to object in strongest language to the article which stated that the whole Council had squandered the ratepayers’ money in providing for billets for personal friends, which meant the Mayor and Councillors were dishonest.

‘The councillor who wrote the article . . . is not fit to sit with.’

‘He would challenge the councillor – the writer of the article – to prove one single instance where any councillor had been guilty of providing fat billets for personal friends.’

Cr Hardy rose on a point of order asking if Cr Sampson could prove that a Councillor wrote the article.

Cr Sampson: ‘Will you deny it?’

After some altercations Cr Hardy objected to the assertion that ‘a councillor wrote the article.’

Cr Sampson moved that a vote of censure be passed on the writer of the article. Cr Walsh 2nd.

Cr Harris thought ‘The article seems to fit a few of the Councillors.

Cr West: It ought to fit you.

Cr Harris: I am clear.’

The motion was put and supported by Crs Sampson, West and Walsh with Crs Hardy, Parks and Harris opposed. It passed on the Mayor’s casting vote.

The Town Clerk reported that about £170 of the water rates remained to be collected.

The tender from the Burra Record of £2 to print the rolls was accepted. T. Nicholls had tendered £2-18-0.

Local Board of Health.

SAMA to be approached about the purchase of a piece of land at the south end of Kooringa for a rubbish depot.

The Town Clerk wrote another letter denying that his last letter had manipulated the data for his own purposes and showing that the writer of objections is himself ignorant of the meaning of the figures in the Government Gazette.

Polo. The practice match last Saturday was quite good.

XV, 318, 28 Nov. 1894, page 2

E.F. Brady has returned to Burra and intends to carry on a business as a tinsmith and ironworker and all orders left at the shop next to C.H. Ewins in Kooringa and at his residence lately occupied by I.W. Goss, Aberdeen, will receive prompt attention.

Municipal Elections will not be needed this year as all candidates nominated were elected unopposed.

Mayor Dr Brummitt

North Ward W.T. Rabbich

East Ward G. Parks

West Ward W.C.L. West

Auditor T.T. Shortridge.

Rabbits are a problem out east.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry. Work was resumed on Monday and about a dozen men were taken on with more likely to follow.

The Strawberry Fete [St Mary’s] will be held at the Institute this year on 5 December. A Punch & Judy is being imported from Adelaide. 6d & 3d.

At the University of Adelaide Miss Ethel May Bruse passed first in the first class for singing and Miss Alice McBride was second in the second class.

Court.

W. Henderson v. C. Fie for power to evict.

Henderson let some land to Fie. Fie erected a store and then sublet to Fung Sang and Luke Day. The latter took possession some 18 months ago. Day paid Fie rent and Fie paid Henderson, getting a receipt. Henderson now says he did not give permission for Fie to sublet and so the agreement is broken.

Luke Day was in possession during the year, but the premises are presently unoccupied. Fie carried on a separate business in Aberdeen as a gardener. The verdict was in favour of the defendant as Henderson having received the rent had waived his rights.

[Note that this places Luke Day in Kooringa in mid 1893, rather earlier that the family research in the book on his life suggests.]

XV, 318, 28 Nov. 1894, page 3

Hallett Races were held last Thursday. The attendance was not large and gate takings were £9. The main race was the Hallett Handicap which was won by J. McAskill’s g. m. Quimbo, carrying 8 st 4 lb and ridden by Webb. (£10)

Second was J.F. Humphries’ g. g. Nankipoo, carrying 7 st 4 lb and ridden by Humphries. (£2)

Tennis. Last Saturday at Burra the Jovials from Glenelg 33 games, were defeated by Burra 48 games in great heat on McBride’s court.

XV, 319, 5 Dec. 1894, page 2

Editorial on the State Advance Bill – a Bill to provide state loans to farmers on easy terms.

Grasshoppers are growing in numbers around Hallett.

Hotel Keepers in Burra have met and agreed to raise the price of all imported ales and all spirits. This is partly in response to the 2d duty per gallon on beer recently imposed.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 25 November heard Rev. R.S. Casely (Wesleyan) preach.

Court.

Charley Grow again fined for the old problem of going around the same corner in Aberdeen too fast – ‘cost 20 rides to and from the railway station’.

Burra Town Council held the last meeting of the old council with surprising goodwill and pleasantness all round on 30 November.

XV, 319, 5 Dec. 1894, page 3

Obituary. The Rev. R.M. Hunter died at Kent Town last Thursday aged 55 from a brain tumour. He was in charge of the Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit for three years. Robert Morris Hunter was born 13 December 1839 at Edinburgh and was an only child who was orphaned at 12. He then was taken to sea by his uncle Captain Neil McEachern of the Royal George. He sailed round the world twice. About 1855 McEachern went into business in Melbourne taking Robert with him. Subsequently Mr Hunter worked in several Melbourne merchant houses and became a lay preacher at Scotch Church, St Kilda. In Scotland he had been close to Rev. James Morrison, the famous Scottish Armenian. In Melbourne he became a loyal Methodist. Mr Hunter’s first station in SA was at Brompton. In 1881 he went to Moonta and in 1884 was appointed Superintendent of the Pirie St Circuit and in 1887 to the Kent Town Circuit. He came to Burra in 1890 and in 1893 transferred to Archer St North Adelaide. After only one year he went to Broken Hill. His body was brought to Burra for burial as it was while here that he lost his first wife and a son and his wish was to be laid in the same ground. [Died 29 November 1894.]

Burra Homing Club’s 17th race [The last was also called the 17th!] was from Gawler on 28 November when J.A. Pearce’s b. c. Bendigo, b .c. h. Bendimere & b. c. c. Blueleap covered the 65 miles 1,520 yards in 160 mins.

Mr John Lewis is visiting WA.

Mr F.W. Holder is very ill. He has felt severely the death of one of his young children and he also has a racking cough. His colleague and brother-in-law, Mr Lake, has had to go to Tasmania because of severe illness.

Burra Cemetery. Why do so many young people prefer taking a walk to the cemetery rather than any other place on Sunday afternoon?

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 4 December.

The new Mayor, Dr Brummitt, was warmly welcomed amid protestations that efforts would be made to make Council affairs flow more smoothly in 1895.

Cr Sampson moved that Council meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings in the month. Cr West 2nd.

Cr Harris amended to Tuesday and Cr Hardy 2nd.

Cr Sampson suggested there was something behind the move, but the amendment was carried.

Resolved that the Public Works Committee comprise Crs Sampson, Harris & Hardy.

Resolved that the Finance Committee comprise Crs West, Rabbich and Parks, with Cr Parks as chairman.

Cr Harris proposed that Cr Hardy be Chairman of the Public Works Committee.

This was met with silence. After about one minute the Mayor asked ‘Is that seconded?’

No answer.

After adjourning to another room for seven minutes the committee returned ‘not able to agree’.

Thursday afternoon was appointed to settle the matter.

Resolved that the Waterworks Committee comprise Crs West, Parks and Harris.

The Town Clerk was reappointed at £110 p.a., a reduction of £10.

Applications were invited for a Ranger/Inspector at £50 p.a. and for an Engineer at £2-10-0 per week.

The Scavenger was appointed at £7 per month, the Working Overseer at 6/6 a day and the Cemetery Curator at 6/6 a day.

XV, 319 (2), 12 Dec. 1894, page 2 [Second use of No. 319]

Advt. Burra High School Grand Variety Concert with proceeds to provide Christmas Cheer for children of the unemployed. 6d.

Obituary. Athol Stuart Dawes, eldest son of James H. & Clara F. Dawes of Princess Royal Station, died of croup and convulsions, aged 7 years 5 months. [Born 25 June 1887: died 7 December 1894.]

XV, 319 (2), 12 Dec. 1894, page 2-3

Editorial on the fiasco of the first meeting of the new Town Council.

There are mysteries already in the new Council – why the move to Tuesday meetings? Why Cr Rabbich was allowed to carry a motion to reduce the Inspector/Ranger’s salary to £50 – a mere 3/3 a day when previous meetings of Council agreed Mr Gray was a man of unusual ability doing a great job? Why was it not offered to Mr Gray rather than being advertised? No one is better equipped for the job. There is also inconsistency in Mr Rabbich’s proposal to save £10 from Mr Gray’s position, but immediately to lose most of it by raising Mr J. Jenkin’s pay from 6/- to 6/6 a day. 6/- is a fair wage and Mr Rabbich would have retained some credibility if he had left things at that. The curator is also to lose grave fees: 6/6 a day + 2/6 a grave in the past. Also the position of the Engineer calls for further concern. The editor also raised the question of the legality of the Council’s actions, citing clauses for appointment and removal of officers. Generally the editor holds grave fears for the running of the Council in 1895.

XV, 319 (2), 12 Dec. 1894, page 3

Burra Co. MR. F. Field has passed the exam for Lieutenant after being on probation for six months.

Grasshoppers have appeared in Burra.

Burra Town Council. At the meeting last Thursday to settle the Chairman of the Public Works Committee Cr Harris’s proposal of Cr Hardy was 2nd by Cr Hardy and declared carried without being put to a vote. Presumably Cr Hardy would have voted for himself so winning two to one.

There was a meeting to deal with the specification of the duties of officers.

Cr Sampson wanted the Waterworks Engineer to be able to repair meters and the duties were amended to read: ‘repair, clean, regulate and read all meters.’ Cr West 2nd.

Cr Rabbich thought it demanded too much. Cr Harris supported Cr Sampson and the amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor.

Cr Hardy moved the Inspector return all fees received for weights and measures to Council. Not 2nd. His duties remained unchanged.

After some discussion including legal questions it was decided to allow all officers to occupy their position during the pleasure of the Council.

St Mary’s Strawberry Fete was a huge financial success at the Institute last Wednesday. There was light patronage in the afternoon, but it was crowded at night and 250 lb of strawberries were despatched. The Burra Band played in the afternoon. The sum of £55 was raised.

Cycling notes about out-of-town events occupy 1⁄3 column.

XV, 319 (3), 19 Dec. 1894, page 2 [Third use of No. 319]

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary will be held on Sunday 23 December and Christmas Day with the public tea 5.30 p.m. Christmas Day.

Editorial on Town Council Matters.

At the last meeting all offices were declared vacant and subsequently all but the Town Clerk’s filled. This was inadvertently overlooked, so at present there is no Town Clerk. As a reward for faithful service Mr J.R. Gray has been sent about his business and Joseph Snell appointed Inspector. While there is nothing to be said against Mr Snell, he does not have the qualifications Mr Gray holds – the diseased meat question for instance. We must have an inspector who can deal with that. We have no public health officer. We are not surprised at the dismissal of the Engineer of the Waterworks.

The editor calls for a public meeting to instruct the Councillors what to do.

[The oversight with respect to the Town Clerk’s position was actually corrected before the editorial went to press.]

The Cantata Night of Glory will be given in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Christmas Night by children of the Ministering Children’s League, with proceeds going to the Burra Hospital.

Advt. Burra Friendly Societies’ Demonstration on Boxing Day, 26 December with a grand concert and distribution of prizes in the evening.

Burra Public School prizes will be distributed at the school at 2 p.m. Thursday. About £10 worth will be awarded: the proceeds of a concert earlier in the year.

Weather. The heat coming so soon after the recent rain has caused some shrivelling of the wheat.

Burra Town Council. Some further mysterious aspects of the actions to save money.

£10 has been taken from the Town Clerk

£7-10-0 has been added to the Overseer.

£1-14-0 has been spent to advertise positions

£10 has been taken from the Inspector

10/- a month extra goes to the Cemetery Curator, and pays him 6/6 instead of 2/6 for Sunday funerals. About £12 p.a.

In all officers lose £20, but additional salaries come to £23-10-0.

Ratepayer writes saying Cr Rabbich is again trying to pose as the working man’s friend, but first slashes salaries. They pay Mr Jenkins 6/6 a day and the Engineer £2-10-0 a week or just 7/- a day. (For a 10 hour day seven days a week.) While Jenkins works an 8 hour day six days a week. Where’s the justice?

Court.

G. Fisher & J. Gully fined 5/- and £1 respectively for not sending children to school the required number of days a quarter.

XV, 319 (3), 19 Dec. 1894, page 3

The Wesleyan Snowball Fair was held at the Institute last Wednesday in aid of circuit funds. It was quiet in the afternoon, but busy in the evening when the Burra Brass Band attended. They raised c. £43

Burra Town Council, 17 December.

The Council accepted Rev. Casely’s invitation to attend the Christmas service in the Wesleyan Church.

General business went through fairly smoothly.

Cr Rabbich moved that all printing for the Council be done by the [Burra] News office. Cr Harris 2nd.

Cr Sampson amended it to call tenders, 2nd by Cr West. Amendment lost.

The Council then went into committee.

R. Thomas appointed Cemetery Curator.

Eleanor Andrews appointed Scavenger.

J. Jenkins appointed Working Overseer.

J. Snell appointed Inspector.

J. Lapidge appointed Waterworks Engineer. (Chosen from 12 applicants, including Mr Littlejohn.)

Special Meeting 18 December.

Called to appoint the Town Clerk.

Tenders to be called for lamp lighting.

Burra Homing Club. The last race for the season was from Riverton on 17 December. First was C. Wilkinson’s b. c. Santonine (imp) doing the 35 miles 1,480 yds in 771⁄2 mins.

A Christmas Tree for the children of the unemployed is being held on the tennis court behind the mill today.

XV, 320, 24 Dec. 1894, page 2

Advt. Salvation Army Monster Demonstration on Boxing Day.

Lunch at 11 a.m., 1/-. Tea at 4 p.m., 1/-. Supper 6d.

Advt. Christmas Night, 25 December, the Cantata Night of Glory, will be presented by the Children of the Ministering League in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa.

XV, 320, 24 Dec. 1894, page 3

Editorial on the Inspector fiasco.

The replacement of Mr J.R. Gray by Mr J. Snell created so much protest from the ratepayers that the Councillors were forced to retract their decision. A special Council meeting was called on Friday night to achieve this. They offered Mr Gray his old position at £50, but he refused. Had his application been fairly considered initially he would have accepted £50, but now he would accept only at £60. The Councillors agreed. So through this blunder the Council has lost another £10 p.a. We don’t condemn the reinstatement of Mr Gray, but the way the Council is transacting business is unsatisfactory. The ratepayers have no alternative but to call a public meeting to compel an account of their conduct to be given, after which the Councillors should resign at once and allow gentlemen to fill their places who will act in a straightforward manner. The reinstatement of the Inspector is not the only issue here and is insufficient to do away with the need of a special public meeting.

Obituary. Mrs F.J. Packard died suddenly at her home at Redruth, last Sunday. She will be buried in the Blakiston Cemetery. [Near Mt Barker.] [Born Jane Davison: died 23 December aged 49.]

Bible Christian Christmas Fair at the Institute will be opened by the Mayor, Dr Brummitt, at 3 p.m. today.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Christmas Day Service will be conducted by Rev. R.S. Casely following a grand procession of the Friendly Societies and the Town Council from the Institute. It will aid the Burra Hospital.

Christmas Holidays. Shops will be closed on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held last Sunday bur was not well attended due to wet weather. The public tea is in the schoolroom on Christmas Day at 3.30 p.m.

Salvation Army. Captain Joe Perry held a limelight service in the Barracks on 18 December which was not as well attended as it might have been. Some of the views were very beautiful. Two recitations Little Jim and In the Signal Box were accompanied by their pictures. There were views of Tasmania, various Salvation Army Rescue and Prison Gate Brigade Homes, showing inmates making mats, knitting garments, gardening etc. Most striking was one of an old English Mill in moonlight with snow falling most naturally.

The Council’s Printing.

This article refers to the way in which the question of the Town Council’s printing was settled. The writer refers to ‘That poor specimen of humanity erected on two sticks with the outward resemblance of a man’ who claimed that the Record received £38 last year for printing, when in fact it was £25-5-0. Last year the lamps cost £21-16-0 and tenders are to be called for lighting them in 1895, but the printing is to go to someone else ‘at all hazards’.

A Disgusted Ratepayer writes to condemn the handling of the Inspectorship issue. He then goes on to condemn the way the printing contract was disposed of without reference to costs ‘on a par with Cr Rabbich’s usual mode of doing things.’

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting Friday 21 December.

This was a private special meeting as before the meeting began Cr Hardy moved the Council go into committee to which Cr Sampson strongly objected. The meeting reappointed Mr Gray as Inspector at £60 p.a., as elsewhere reported.

Burra Public School prize giving this year was without the usual concert, there being no time to prepare for it. Early in the year measles broke out and for a month or two attendance was almost nil. Then influenza struck and caused the annual inspection to be postponed. The concert was foregone to allow for preparation for the postponed examination. The list of prize-winners is printed.

Burra High School presented a concert at the Institute on Monday night which included the cantata Beauty and the Beast. Proceeds to give Christmas cheer to the children of the unemployed. 6d. The annual school prizes were given out at the end of the concert and the prize list is printed.

Characteristics of the paper in 1894

These are essentially unchanged from 1893.

Page 1

Large advertisements, some not local.

Page 2

Smaller advertisements. Local businesses along with sales and public notices.

News sometimes gets a start, but often only a little and it is frequently pushed onto page three before it gets a start.

Page 3

Largely local news and reports from correspondents from surrounding districts. Occasional pieces from further afield and a few items of humour. The ‘Sparks’ column continues to be somewhat enigmatic at times.

Page 4

Larger advertisements, mostly not local.

Numbering of issues for the 1894 paper

1894 began with Volume XV No. 277 on 3 January 1894

And ran to

Volume XV No. 320 on 24 December 1894

However, in this series the following numbers are used for two issues:

287, 306, 309, 312* & 313

297 & 319 appear on three issues

311* on five issues

The numbers 288, 298, 307 & 310 were not used

• Although 311 appeared on five issues some copies of 3 October were numbered 312 suggesting a correction on a second edition or later print run.

[The National Trust’s bound hard copy carries No. 312. for 10 October.]

Some collections might thus suggest 312 was used on 3 & 10 October while others might suggest it appeared only on the latter date.

XV, 321, 2 Jan. 1895, page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd Auctioneers, Adelaide, Kapunda, Kooringa & Broken Hill

Sandland & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa & Jamestown

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers, Adelaide, Pt Adelaide, Kooringa, Pt Augusta, Kapunda, Jamestown, Broken Hill & London

J.T. Walker Bootmaker, Kooringa

M. Pederson Bootmaker, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Sara & Dunstan Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor, Market Square, Kooringa

Clarence Forder agent for SA Fire Insurance Co. Redruth

[T.W. Wilkinson] Kooringa Dispensary

W. Pearse Coachbuilder & Wheelwright, Commercial St

Drew & Crewes Drapers, Grocers, Ironmongers & General Importers

XV, 321, 2 Jan. 1895, page 2

Advertisements

C.H. Ewins (Late T. Edwards & Co.) Drapers and Clothiers

Commercial St, near the Bank of Australasia

T.T. Shortridge Branch of A.W. Dobbie & Co. – Pianos, Organs, Sewing Machines, Watches, Mangles, Washing Machines, Wringers, Seedsowers & Spray Pumps

J.A. Watt Clothier & Draper, Market Square

W. Gebhardt Baker & Confectioner, Lower Thames St

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith & Galvanized Iron Worker

N.J. Tiddy Toys, Dolls & Fancy Goods, Aberdeen

E.M. Bennett Music Teacher at Burra on Fridays

John Pearce Carpenter, Builder etc., Chapel St

E.F. Brady Tinsmith Iron Worker, etc., Commercial St, in late H. Pearce’s shop & in Aberdeen in late I.W. Goss’s residence

J. McClusky Burra Hotel

A. Williams Cash Boot Shop, Market Square, next to the Burra Hotel

A.C. Noyes Teacher of Music

W. Pearse Wheelwright, etc.

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd Auctioneers

XV, 321, 2 Jan. 1895, page 4

Advertisements

A.J. Parkin Grocer, Ironmonger, Crockery, Cash Store, Kooringa

W.J. Davey Burra Record, Commercial & General Printing, Market Square

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmakers, Undertakers, Upholsterers, Queen St

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders etc., Aberdeen

XV, 321, 2 Jan. 1895, page 2

Advt. United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration has been postponed from 26 December 1894 to

9 January 1895. Grand Concert in Evening. 1st race on the arrival of the midday train from Adelaide.

XV, 321, 2 Jan. 1895, page 3

Editorial. Looking Backwards.

1894 was nothing we can boast about; still the depression, which affected everyone, might have been worse. Wool & wheat had fair seasons, though the prices were low. Parliament has achieved little. The town has done fairly well. If there were no great improvements, it has held its own. Sanitary arrangements are good. The mine remains dormant with some hopes when copper prices rise again.

Streetlights. C.G. Tiver will attend to the Aberdeen lamp for £7-15-0 p.a. and W. Geake will attend to the two in Kooringa for£13 p.a.

Weather. Rain fell on 23 December when 187 points were recorded and on the 24th a further 94 were measured. The Boxing Day sports had to be postponed. So far for the month we have had 336 points.

[Presumably this means in the past month: not in January.]

Burra Hospital. The Kooringa Methodist Christian Endeavour gave an excellent entertainment at the Hospital on the afternoon of 27 December.

Obituary. Mr Garrett Barrow died at his residence in Kooringa on Saturday, aged 32, following a cold and inflammation of the bowels. He was ostler at the Commercial Hotel. He was a member of the Hibernian Lodge and leaves a widow and family. [Died 29 December 1894.]

Ourselves. We again repudiate false statements ‘by the man Hardy’ that we drew cheques from the Corporation for £38 for printing in 1894, a figure he later raised to £39-7-0. Of this total £12-8-0 was for work done in 1893 and the amount drawn in 1894 was £25-5-0.

Rev. King, Anglican minister of Kooringa, visited Tomkinson in the last week in December and is the only clergyman to have done so in the last three years.

Kooringa Court, 22 December.

James Pickering was fined 5/- for being drunk, and 10/- for disturbing the peace in Paxton Square.

Robert Nelson was fined 5/- for being drunk.

24 December.

Duncan McGregor was fined 5/- for being drunk.

Christmas in Burra.

The habit of decorating shop fronts with green boughs seems to be dying out and only two or three did so. Chinese lanterns were in great demand. Some shops did good business, but others not so well. The rowdy element was largely absent. Burra Brass Band played at various places and later went on carol playing throughout the night. The Bible Christians held a fancy fair at the Institute and raised £25. Christmas morning service at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church gave the proceeds to Burra Hospital. Lodges and Councils attended. The afternoon plans were somewhat upset by the rain and the Primitive Methodist Anniversary was carried on with some difficulty with few takers for the public tea.

Boxing Day Sports were postponed to 9 January, but to satisfy those who came in for the day a 3-mile and a 1-mile bike race were run. A. Boyes won the former and Toms the latter.

The Salvation Army had ‘all day meals’ in the Barracks with special meetings throughout the day.

Mr C. Fuss, promoter of the concert in aid of the sports decided it would go ahead in the evening and a good number attended. ‘Mr Fuss deserves much credit for arranging such a variety programme.’

The Adult Suffrage Bill has passed through all its measures. [Giving the vote to women.]

Obituary. Florrie Aitkin, aged 12, died in the Burra Hospital on Christmas Eve as a result of being scalded at Yarcowie. She lived with her parents in Paxton Square a few months ago.

[Death registered as Florence Hykin.]

Terowie Friendly Societies’ Sports held their third annual meeting successfully on 1 January.

New Year’s Eve was quiet except for the tearing up of a few footbridges and generally the rowdy element was conspicuously absent. Midnight services were held in the Wesleyan Church and the Burra Brass band played on the balcony of the Commercial Hotel. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School held a picnic at Sod Hut on 1 January in good weather.

XV, 322, 9 Jan. 1895, page 2

Weather. On 3 January 1” of rain fell in 20 minutes.

Obituary. Mr E. Benny [sometimes Benney] was killed at the Zeehan Mine in Tasmania on 3 January. He was well known in Burra, having been some time in business here and was a brother-in-law of E.W. Crewes. He was aged 40 and intended going to England next month. [Edward H. Benney was a butcher in Kooringa in the 1880s. He sold out in 1885 and then moved to Cockburn.]

Burra Burra Lodge met on Monday and has been forced to reduce sick pay from £1 to 16/- a week. For the year ending in November last £780 had been paid out resulting in a loss to the funds of about £375 for the year.

Ulooloo Gold. Men are fossicking for fair results. W. David, a prospector, has made some good finds and there is a move to form a syndicate to work the vicinity.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes advocating a small dam on the Newicke Creek with associated pipes and channels to convey water to several blocks of land east of the Duffer Gate in the Hundred of Rees, where farmers further west have leased some land.

St Mary’s. A meeting on Monday decide to form a St Mary’s Cricket Club. Elected: President, J.D. Cave; Captain, Mr Jennings; Vice-Captain, George Herbert; Sec. & Treasurer, W.B. Page.

Redruth Court, 2 January.

Councillor West fined 7/6 for stray horses.

W. Killicoat fined 7/6 for a stray horse.

Burra Town Council.

J.R. Gray accepts the position of Inspector for £60 p.a.

Other minor matters attended to.

Joseph Snell, former Inspector asks for compensation for breach of agreement. Referred to Finance Committee.

XV, 322 (2), 16 Jan. 1895, page 2 [Second use of No. 322]

Editorial on The Rabbit Question.

In recent years the rabbit has played havoc with crops and no solution has proved effective. In 1879 the Rabbit Suppression Act was passed, but oddly in the event of the owner or occupier neglecting to carry out the Act no fine appears to have been provided. The provision allowing the Government to take action at the owner or occupier’s expense proved unworkable. Fines were provided for in the Vermin-proof Fencing Act 1890. This complicated matters at court last Wednesday. T.H. Pearse was served with a notice to destroy rabbits on 10 July and began operations, which have since continued. Because he was not on a particular section when the Inspector arrived to examine it he was summoned and fined. We consider all should be done to destroy rabbits, but when a person spends £130 in three months to do so and is still fined we consider him harshly dealt with. Simultaneous action across the district is, we believe, needed. The manager of Princess Royal was similarly dealt with. The law appears to say one thing and mean another.

Ulooloo. We understand a syndicate to exploit the field is being formed in Burra.

Vandalism. Bark has been cut from trees near the Mill in The Avenue.

XV, 322 (2), 16 Jan. 1895, page 3 [Second use of No. 322]

Burra Town Council.

Last Tuesday the Council went into committee so that its meeting was screened from the press and the public. If ratepayers allow this to go on they are easily satisfied in view of the serious financial blunders made at the start of the year.

A Newfoundland Dog has been attacking people near the Burra High School [Bleak House] and several people have been hurt. It should be either chained up or destroyed.

Burra District Council has notified landowners that February has been set aside for a simultaneous and united effort to destroy rabbits.

IOR, Rose of Shannon Tent meeting on 3 January. Income for the year was £815-5-3 and expenditure £382-7-8. There were 170 members good on the books. There were 35 junior members with funds of £350.

Bible Christian Church. Last Sunday Dr Torr visited and preached two excellent sermons. The church was filled to capacity for the first time in some years. Dr Torr came first to Burra with his parents when he was aged two and was educated here, first under A.H. Forder of Redruth and then under N.D. Bennett & F.R. White. He was Secretary of the Bible Christian Sunday school and the Band of Hope for several years. At 16 he left Burra to take charge of the Stanley Grammar School, but ill health forced him to Tasmania for three years. In 1873 he returned and started a school at Ulooloo and three years later went to Grote St Model School for training as a teacher. He subsequently took charge of Moonta Mines Model School with upwards of 1,000 students. Three years later in 1885 he was offered the position of Principal of Way College. He then studied for five years at Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin Universities, obtaining his MA, BCL at Oxford, a BA at Cambridge and LLD at Dublin. He was called to the bar and is a barrister of Inner Temple, London. He returned to SA and took charge of Way College with c. 500 pupils.

Burra District Council, 12 January.

Mr Nevin’s application for gravel at Copperhouse Schoolyard was granted.

The old brand of diamond 01 has been allotted to Copperhouse Pound.

‘Spectator’ writes that the Burra Sports were rather monotonous, with long waits between events. A much greater variety of entertainment should be possible, rather than just races. Perhaps tug-of-war, high jump, long jump, pole-jumping, putting the weight, or even a greasy pole. He also wonders whether large prizes that bring in outside competitors are really worthwhile.

Redruth Court, 9 January.

The rabbit cases already discussed are reported.

T.H. Pearse fined £5-12-0 (with costs)

Mr Yobel fined £3-12-0

F.A. Mann fined £4-12-0

J.H. Dawes fined £3-12-0

Burra Sports, postponed from the 26 December, were held successfully. £31 was taken at the gates and attendance was good. Results are printed in about 12⁄3 columns.

Burra Institute, AGM on 14 January. There are 3,153 books in the library, though there are a number of worn books to be removed. Elected: President, R.M. Harvey; Vice-President, Mr Jennings; Treasurer, Dr Brummitt; & Hon. Sec., J.F. Moore.

Burra Town Council, 15 January.

Moved Cr Harris and 2nd Cr Rabbich that Council go into committee.

Cr Sampson objected, saying that they were sent to attend to ratepayers’ business in an open manner.

Cr West also objected to the move, but the motion was carried.

The press later learned that in committee Cr Sampson moved that Council proceed with open doors. Cr West 2nd. Motion lost, but after further consideration a similar motion moved by Cr Rabbich and 2nd Cr West was passed.

Consideration of Joseph Snell’s letter was deferred.

The rates were declared: General 1/-, Health 31⁄2d (down 1⁄2d), Parklands 21⁄2d (down 1⁄2d).

The Town Clerk is to procure assessment books for the Waterworks and make arrangements for the transfer of the Waterworks property to the incoming engineer.

XV, 322 (3), 23 Jan. 1895, page 2 [Third use of No. 322]

Advt. Military Sports in connection with Burra Mounted Rifles will be held in Mr R. Austin’s Paddock near Copperhouse on Wednesday 20 February. Burra Brass Band will attend. 16 events. Admission 6d.

XV, 322 (3), 23 Jan. 1895, page 3 [Third use of No. 322]

Editorial on ‘More Hankey Pankeys’.

The editorial revisits the last Town Council meeting and says that while in committee Cr Sampson told the guilty Councillors what he thought of them, but at first Crs Harris and Rabbich persisted. Crs Sampson and West then signified their intent of leaving the chamber. The junior North Ward Councillor then moved the doors be opened. And eventually this was agreed to, whereupon Cr Harris left, leaving four Councillors to conduct the business. Until recently we did not have any idea of why Cr Harris behaved in this way. We now hear he did not wish to have ‘every little twiddle-twaddle reported’. If he would keep the twiddle-twaddle within himself he would have no need to be ashamed of what was reported. There is further trouble ahead and if Councillors are not careful they will be plunged into difficulties.

Ulooloo Gold Fields. 50 men have formed a syndicate (£2 each) at a meeting at the Institute on 16 January. Directors are: E.C. Lockyer, W. Pearce jun., J. Melrose, G. Parks (Sec.) & R.M. Harvey (Treasurer). A lease of 20 acres has been applied for.

Obituary. Edward Benney was working at the Queen Mine in Zeehan at Chalmer’s and Benney’s tribute and was commencing to put up a rise near the end of the drive when several tons of debris pinned him to the ground and death must have been instantaneous. He was buried after a large funeral two days later with over 1,000 people in the procession. The Cornish Carol Choir sang three old Cornish Hymns on the way, assisted by the Wesleyan Choir. [Further details are printed.]

Miss Rebbeck has taken charge of World’s End School.

Redruth Court

W. Henderson v. C. Fie with Harris Scarfe & Co. interpleaders. Bailiff applied for an order for £2-10-0 for his fees and interpleader summons. Order made against Fie for that amount.

XV, 325, 30 Jan. 1895, page 2 [Numbers 323 & 324 not used]

Marriage. St Bartholomew’s Church, Norwood, 24 December 1894.

William West, son of the late Joshua West, Kennington, Surrey, England, married

Elise A. Meyer, 3rd daughter of the late F.A. Meyer, Norwood.

XV, 325, 30 Jan. 1895, page 2-3

Editorial on Federation.

Federation is the most important question facing the Australian colonies. Victoria wants federation at almost any price. NSW wants it, but only with free trade. Electoral franchise must be uniform for the Federal Parliament. There are a host of issues to be settled. The next convention to consider it should be elected by the people and not by the various Governments.

XV, 325, 30 Jan. 1895, page 3

2nd Leader on the Burra Hospital.

The figures just released show it to be conducted on more economic terms than any other similar institution in SA. In the last 12 months 912 were treated and 52 died and of those, half were from accidents. A patient is fed, nursed and receives medical attendance for just over £1 a week. In 1894 only £152 was received from patients. £148-0-7 came from subscriptions and £1,478-0-11 from Government subsidy. The daily occupancy for three years has averaged 33.

Political Meeting. Following representations from ratepayers, Mr Holder will address a meeting at Kooringa in about two weeks.

Fire. A fire in Mr J. Lewis’s paddock near Copperhouse last Thursday burnt about 2 acres of grass.

[See later charges relating to Thomas Jones in XV, 326, 6 Feb. 1895, page 3]

Cricket. On 23 January at Victoria Park: St Mary’s 50 v. 7 for 71 & Burra 120.

Saturday last at Victoria Park: Mt Bryan 32 & 5 for 33 v. Aberdeen 242.

Burra Homing Club AGM 23 January.

Elected: President, John Hammer; Secretary, J.A. Pearce; Treasurer, J. Drew.

F.W. Holder preached at Redruth Wesleyan Church last Sunday evening to a large congregation.

XV, 326, 6 Feb. 1895, page 2-3

Editorial on ‘The Fiendish Swagman’

A swagman named Jones set fire to grass in the Hundred of Apoinga several days ago. He was taken prisoner by W.G. Hawkes of Koonoona. He started three fires in a short distance of each other and but for timely assistance all Koonoona Estate could have been consumed. Jones is a young man who seems not to care whether he is in jail or on the tramp.

XV, 326, 6 Feb. 1895, page 3

Accident. Last Sunday a fine stallion, the property of Mr Thomas Woollacott of Redruth, grazed too close to the top of the Aberdeen Ballast Quarry and fell to its death.

A Concert & Fruit Social was held at the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall last night.

Central Standard Time was introduced last Friday and clocks were set back 14 minutes to correspond to ‘zone’ time.

Burra Waterworks. On 1 February Mr J. Littlejohn handed control to Mr Lappidge. The injector failed just before the handover, which has caused some consternation.

St Mary’s. A concert in the schoolroom on Wednesday was successful. It was held to raise funds for the St Mary’s Church Cricket club.

Thefts. Some boys have been stealing fruit from garden trees in the town and eating it.

Redruth Court, 30 January.

Emanuel Frederick was fined 2/6 + 5/- for a stray cow.

John Jenkins of Sevenhills was fined 5/- + 5/- for rounding a corner in Redruth at more than walking pace.

Thomas Gattrell was fined 2/6 + 5/- for a stray cow

Mrs S.A. Short was fined 2/6 + 5/- for a stray cow

The father of Donatus & George Herbert brought a case against them for failure to support him. The case was dismissed upon their agreeing to do so.

Thomas Jones was charged that on 30 January he set fire to grass in the Koonoona Paddock. His behaviour showed he was familiar with the inside of courthouses and how to behave there.

W.G. Hawkes: Gave evidence of being at the north end of Porter’s Lagoon on Tuesday when he saw smoke rising and then found fire near John White’s house. He then saw a second fire near the main road on Fisher’s farm. He met J. White and Joseph Webb, who said a swagman had lit the fires and gone on towards Black Springs. Went after the prisoner and found the grass alight on their run. Tried to extinguish the fire and then went overtook the prisoner. He said I would have to prove it as no one saw him lighting the fires. Also said later it would be a good job if all the farmers were burnt out.

J. Fisher: Gave evidence of seeing the prisoner 15 yards from the fire. Asked him to help put it out, but he made no reply. Saw him go onto my property, saw him stoop and a fire started.

John White: Gave corroborative evidence. Saw the third fire on Koonoona.

Jones was committed to stand trial at the next criminal sittings on the charge of setting fire to grass near J. White’s house and on a further charge relating to the fire at J. fisher’s.

Evidence also given showed he had only been out of Adelaide Gaol for a month and was at the site of a fire in J. Lewis’s paddock near Copperhouse a few days ago and is likely to face a charge in relation to that also. [See XV, 328(2), 27 Feb. 1895, page 3]

Polo is growing in popularity and a good crowd watched last Saturday’s practice.

Cricket. Saturday: Aberdeen 87 defeated St Mary’s 84.

Wednesday: St Mary’s 235 defeated Burra Juniors 63.

Obituary. Louisa Sophia Doretta Schultz died at Petersburg on 1 February and an inquest decided her death from cancer might have been accelerated by some irritant administered under the direction of Dr Alfieri. The doctor and a companion recently visited Burra as ‘The Roman & American Specialists’. It is believed police will take out a warrant for Dr Alfieri’s arrest for manslaughter.

[Registered as Schulz, died 2 February 1895 aged 40. Born Roennfeldt.]

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church gave a public dinner in the classroom on Friday and three special services were given on Sunday by J. Scott and Rev. H.J. Parkinson.

Burra Town Council, 5 February.

Cr Harris said he would not have moved the last meeting be in committee if he had known the reporter had only come to give a fair and impartial report.

The editor interpolates that such was always the intent, though he has been charged with reporting too extensively.

The Mayor reported on the inspection of the town and that he had received a requisition for Mr Holder to address the public on the ‘Work of the Past Session’. Mr Holder had agreed to do so.

A committee was appointed to look into a new by-law for hawkers.

Cr Harris moved that Mr Snell not be compensated for the wrong he believed was done to him and after some debate it was so resolved.

Cr West thought Snell should receive some recompense even if the Councillors concerned dipped into their own pockets.

Financial position at the beginning and end of 1894:

The General Account began 1894 +£22-9-2 and ended it –£22-4-1

Board of Health –£8-19-5 –£16-18-2

Park Lands –£109-13-4 –£56-19-11

Waterworks +£239-18-5 +£186-16-7

Cemetery +£26-15-4 +£53-12-1

Main Roads –£21-12-4 –£1-15-11

XV, 327, 13 Feb. 1895, page 3

Editorial on the Work of The Past Session.

This is a commentary on Mr Holder’s speech on the subject.

He spoke in his best form for about two hours.

The Adult Suffrage Bill had received Royal Assent.

The editor said ‘we don’t believe the franchise given to women will make one particle of difference to the political aspect of South Australia, either morally or socially.’

The best thing the Government did was to come out on the right side with finances.

The contract of a former Government for the supply of 92 locomotives from Messrs Martin & Co. was a folly.

We are in the midst of a severe depression and it is good to hear the Government is considering no new taxes and that producers will be aided.

Rabbits. Simultaneous destruction within the Burra DC area began on 1 February and has seen a satisfactory result with phosphorized pollard as the chief bait. The Hundred of Apoinga program will begin on Friday.

Cricket. At Riverton on Wednesday last: Riverton 99 & 162 defeated Burra 77 & 114.

Work of the Past Session. Report of a speech by F.W Holder in c. 21⁄2 columns.

The Queen had that day assented to the Women’s Suffrage Bill. Women were given equal voting rights with men and allowed to stand for Parliament.

The Government’s ability to produce a budget with a small surplus had gained them confidence with the English money markets.

The levy of 2d a gallon on beer was fair.

He discussed various other tariff matters.

He mentioned the heavy cost of the Happy Valley Water Scheme and the contract with Messrs Martin & Co. for 92 locomotives.

He turned then to some issues with the pastoral country and thought in future more consideration would be given to the export of compressed fodder, wine, live meat and canned fruit.

He was disappointed with the yield this year of an av. of 4 bushels per acre for wheat. Aid for farmers would be available.

He spoke of guaranteeing money lodged with the Savings Bank.

XV, 328, 20 Feb. 1895, page 2

Advt. Polo Match on Saturday 23 February on the Polo Grounds. Burra v. Adelaide.

F.W. Whyte, Hon. Sec. Burra Polo Club.

XV, 328, 20 Feb. 1895, page 3

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday. Rev. W.A. Langsford of Mintaro preached.

Beware of Rabbits. Phosphorized pollard has been very widely distributed in the district and as it takes up to a week to act, consumers of rabbits should exercise caution because the eating of affected rabbits could lead to unpleasantness or even death. It is not safe at present to catch rabbits for consumption.

Obituary. Mr J.B. Taylor, for some months in charge of the Hallett School was attacked with paralysis a few days ago and died on Monday in the Burra hospital. He was connected with the Hallett Institute and took a prominent part in town and district affairs. He leaves a widow and family.

[John Bernard Taylor died 18 February 1895 aged 48.]

Kooringa bible Christian Church holds its 35th anniversary on Sunday 24 February when the Rev. Thomas Allen will preach twice. The service of song in the afternoon will have connective readings by Rev. E.J. Kemp, the circuit minister. The tea meeting is on Wednesday.

Redruth Court, 13 February.

Robert McBride sued Patrick Burns for unprovoked assault at Gartrell’s Hotel on 8 February.

Burns failed to appear, but T.P. Halls corroborated McBride’s account and Burns was charged £1 + £2-5-0 costs.

Military Sports Today. Burra Band leaves Market Square at 12 o’clock with the first event at 1 p.m. Shops will close at noon instead of 1 p.m. and school children will have a half-holiday with admission for 2d. There will be a social in the Burra Hotel at 8 p.m.

Cricket. At Mt Bryan on Wednesday: St Mary’s 74 defeated Mt Bryan 37.

XV, 328 (2), 27 Feb. 1895, page 2 [Second use of No. 328: Incorrectly dated 20 Feb. on page 1 only.]

Advt. J. Jefferies begs to inform that A BOAT has now been placed on Porter’s Lagoon and can be hired by now applying to him. Cabs will run from Burra Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased and arrangements made at Drew & Crewes, Kooringa.

Notice. Harriet Highet cautions those casting aspersions injurious to he daughter’s character, Harriett (Cissie) Highett by publishing & circulating slanderous reports concerning her chastity – the same being untrue and without the slightest foundation, that they risk legal proceedings.

[The spelling anomalies in the names are as in the original]

XV, 328 (2), 27 Feb. 1895, page 3

Editorial on the Military Sports.

Everyone must feel pleased with our local defenders. When the Burra Contingent was being formed great advantages and encouragements were being held out. Each recruit must supply his own horse and inconvenience himself in various ways. A year or two ago when the Government grant was higher this was not objected to, but now it is so low it is impossible for several to continue. Other advantages have been removed to that the defence forces of SA are not encouraged as much as they should be. We are proud that despite this the Burra Mounted Rifles keep together. Sgt-Major De Passey complimented the men for the standard of their work on Wednesday. Arrangements for a team of eight from the Lancers and Gawler Mounted Rifles to come, fell through when the railways objected to making concessions for transport. They deserved better.

2nd Leader extolling the virtues of Porter’s Lagoon as ‘a splendid source of recreation and a healthful resort second only in importance to the charming seaside itself.’

‘A pleasant drive of an hour and a half or less through hilly scenery scarcely inferior to that of the Mt Barker district, near Adelaide, would land them alongside a sheet of salt water five miles long and two miles wide, which in many parts is 20 to 30 feet deep, teeming with wild fowl of all descriptions, the cool almost sea breeze from which would be a welcome relief after our summer heat, and in whose waters they can lave and enjoy a “dip in the briny”.’

Bible Christian Church’s 35th anniversary last Sunday. Rev. Thomas Allen of Bowden preached twice. The service of song in the afternoon was Babes in the Basket.

Accident – Obituary. At the 29-mile crossing between Gawler and Roseworthy on Saturday a train ran into a buggy killing Mr L.S. Burton and injuring Mr George Warren JP. Mr Warren died from his injuries on Monday. He was a relative of J.D. Cave and Mrs P.L. Killicoat. [Leonard Samuel Burton died 23 February aged 71 and George Warren died 25 February aged 74.]

Adelaide Criminal Court, Friday.

Thomas Jones was tried for setting fire to grass in the Hundred of Apoinga on 28 January. Evidence was given that Jones was seen to stoop and soon after a fire was seen. Some 250 acres of grass was burnt and some fencing, while property worth £3,000 was endangered. The prisoner denied his guilt and said ‘You can’t prove it, no one saw me do it.’

He was found guilty and sentenced to three years.

Military Sports last Wednesday were a great success. A crowd of over 1,000 attended. The procession headed by the Burra Brass Band set out from Market Square at 12.30. Descriptions of events and the results are printed.

Events Winner

Best Drilled section

Tilting at the ring with lances. Pte Chapple

100 yds foot race for boys under 17 G. Lewis (off 8 yds)

Cleaving the Turk’s Head Bugler Dawes

Tug-of-war (on foot)

Race with polo balls G. Lewis

Thread the needle race Cpl Gillett

Cigar & umbrella race* Pte Builder

Handicap foot race R. Irlam

Trotting match over 11⁄2 miles C. Fisher’s Jack

Rescue race Cpl Gillett

Flat race over 1 mile J.A. Watt’s Darkey ridden by Builder

• An accident marred this race when a boy about 9 years old, A. Bowen, was knocked down by a horse and suffered a compound fracture of the thigh.

Over 50 sat down at the social at the Burra Hotel.

Burra Town Council, 19 February.

There is a lengthy report of about 21⁄3 columns.

Cr Hardy introduced a new by-law re hawkers.

Cr Sampson thought it was the same as Cr Linkson’s of the previous year, and that had been judged ultra vires [Beyond their legal power] by the Crown Solicitor. Consequently he objected to the adoption of the committee’s report.

Cr Rabbich said it was not ultra vires: in fact it was in operation at Wallaroo.

Cr West agreed with Cr Sampson.

The mayor read the Crown Solicitor’s opinion of last year’s effort, which said that:

The fine was too large

Exemptions in favour of ratepayers were not allowed

Cr Rabbich admitted the fine was too large.

The report was finally received and will lie on the table.

Cr Sampson took up the question of the new stock road, which he said the DC had undertaken to fence and hand over free of expense to the Town Council. [i.e. that part within the Town Council area.] The road had now been opened, but this part of the agreement had not been honoured.

The Mayor read the minute, which did not refer to fencing the road.

Cr Sampson said that nevertheless there had been an agreement to do so.

Cr West substantiated Cr Sampson’s views about the fence.

The Town Clerk said he had spoken to the Chairman of the DC who had said it was not understood the fencing was to be done.

A motion was passed asking the DC to carry out the fencing.

Cr Rabbich then introduced a deputation from North Ward complaining about the way carting in North Ward was being carried out. They said it was being done by people from outside the ward. H. Pinch presented a requisition with 44 signatures. The Mayor was surprised if that were the case.

Mr Pinch said locals had not always been used.

There was also a dispute over Cr Rabbich having authorised work in Taylor St without the approval of the overseer and the Public Works Committee. This provoked a rather heated exchange between Crs Rabbich & Sampson. The latter wanted Mr Tiver to be paid his £1-2-0 for cartage out of Cr Rabbich’s own pocket. Finally the pay sheet was passed for payment.

Local Board of Health.

Mr Thomas to be written to as a consequence of Cr Sampson drawing attention to the larrikins sitting on the black bridge near Henderson’s on Sunday afternoons. ‘The language used by them was disgusting and it was not safe for females to pass by.’

Polo. On Saturday at the Burra Ground there was a fair crowd to see Adelaide 6 defeat Burra 4.

XV, 310, 6 Mar. 1895, page 2

[Note the anomalous use of No. 310, which through another anomaly had not been used in its proper sequence in 1894!]

Advt. R. Cook, Fruiterer, has opened a shop in Commercial St, Kooringa. He thanks customers for support during the last 12 years and says he will have fresh fruit five days a week.

Advt. Mr J. Littlejohn, Aberdeen, is prepared to execute all work in connection with pumps, windmills, laying on of services, etc. Tinsmith work done at lowest rates.

Advt. New Lime Kiln. M.C. Woodruff, Lower Thames St.

Advt. Professor B. Hermann

French Specialist of 41 Collins Pl. Melbourne runs a series of advertisements re

‘Lost Manhood from youthful folly, excesses or any other causes. Guaranteed CURE.’

Also ‘Woman’s Salvation. The Wife’s welfare within her own control.’

Along similar lines Mr Garfield of West Collins St, Melbourne, was an agent for:

‘Oriental Female Pills Triple Power. Restore regularity without fail. Any cause. Sure and safe.’

Advt. Concert in Burra Institute 15 May a895.

To welcome the District Officers of Court Unity. 1/- and 6d.

Obituary. William Henry Williams died 27 February at Burra Hospital of inflammation of the brain, aged 37. He was the husband of Annie Maria Williams. [Born 16 May 1857 registered as William Henry Catterel Williams.]

Editorial on the Agricultural Bureau of SA annual report for 1893-4. It reports 130 papers and the editor wishes for a more active branch in Burra.

Advt. Lake Bonney Scheme. Lecture by Mr T. Hack at the Institute on 8 March at 7.30 p.m.

Fire destroyed the wood and iron house of C. Klaffus, farmer of World’s End last Tuesday morning. Nothing at all was saved. Mrs Klaffus was not home and Mr Klaffus was working some distance away while the children were down at the creek. The cause of the blaze is a mystery. There is a subscription list, which so far has £10.

XV, 310, 6 Mar. 1895, page 3

James Reed sustained a broken leg on Tuesday last when he was kicked by a horse he was mounting at Pine Ck in the Hundred of Ketchowla.

Obituary. Mr W. H. Williams died on Wednesday in the Burra Hospital after only three days’ illness. On Sunday he developed an ear-ache and though he received medical attention, including an operation, he died from inflammation of the brain. He was a member of the AOF whose members formed a procession for the funeral.

Cricket. Last Wednesday: St Mary’s 126 defeated Burra 124.

Last Saturday: St Mary’s 192 defeated Aberdeen 52.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarries. Work resumed on Monday.

Burra Town Council

The Treasurer has declined to make a special grant of £30.

C. Grow applied to be paid for 2 hours of cab hire.

Cr Parks said it was 1 not 2 hours.

Cr Harris said they had departed after 3 p.m. and were back by 3.40 p.m.

The Mayor said that if the cab was booked for a certain time and not used it should still be paid for.

Cr Harris denied it had been so ordered.

The account was paid.

Cr Hardy said he was in possession of information that would put them on the right track for a new by-law concerning hawkers.

A deputation waited on Council seeking their aid in sending children to the Adelaide Exhibition.

Council will co-operate with the Burra School Board of Advice in this matter.

Various tenders for road works accepted.

Waterworks.

They are running well at present.

Cr Hardy asked if any payments had been received for water taken from the standpipes in Aberdeen or Kooringa.

The Town Clerk said no.

It was resolved to lock the standpipes, as water had (at least) been used in conjunction with the building of a house near the station.

J. Wilks granted a slaughtering licence.

Advt. Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary will be held on Sunday 10 March with the tea meeting on Wednesday.

XV, 310 (2), 13 Mar. 1895, page 2 [Second use of No. 310]

Obituary. James Symes, aged 18 years 6 months, died 24 February at North Broken Hill of inflammation of the brain. He was the youngest son of John & Theresa Symes.

[Born 2 August 1876.]

XV, 310 (2), 13 Mar. 1895, page 2-3 [Second use of No. 310]

Editorial on The Lake Bonney Irrigation Scheme.

XV, 310 (2), 13 Mar. 1895, page 3 [Second use of No. 310]

Accident. The good qualities of a Rochester Lamp were demonstrated at Bath & Pearce’s store on Saturday when one fell from the ceiling to the floor and immediately extinguished itself. An ordinary lamp would have produced serious results.

The National Defence League will hold an important meeting in J. Lewis’s schoolroom next Friday at 7.30 p.m.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary last Sunday heard two excellent sermons from Rev. H.J. Parkinson.

Rabbit destruction efforts in Apoinga DC will end on Friday. Burra DC has extended its effort.

The Midland Licensing Bench granted liquor & billiards licences on Wednesday to:

Sarah Jane Gattrell Opie’s Hotel

J. McClusky Burra Hotel

M.F. Moylon Kooringa Hotel

W. Neville Royal Exchange Hotel

W.H. Vivian Commercial Hotel

T. Walsh Court House Hotel

And a storekeeper’s licence to: Bath & Pearce

Luisa Goldsworthy was granted a Railways Refreshment licence on plans for approval.

Redruth Wesleyan Fruit Social in connection with their Harvest Thanksgiving was held at the German Chapel on Monday evening. Rev. D.S. Wylie presided.

North Central Battalion Volunteer Militia Reserve Force will hold a military encampment at Gladstone over Easter at the volunteers’ own expense. As costs are considerable the assistance of the public is sought. It is expected 20 from Burra will go. Donations of chaff, flour, bran, potatoes, jams, milk etc. are welcomed.

An altercation. Mrs ____________ accused Mrs ____________ of stealing her parcel of tea in Henderson’s Yard on Friday. An investigation found no evidence of the tea and the woman accused grew very angry and an unpleasant altercation followed.

Adelaide Exhibition. The School Board and the Town Council will investigate the possibility of a special train to Adelaide for the school children. (Ordinary trains will take special groups of not less than 25 for 50-100 miles for 1/6 each with 1 teacher or a guardian for 3/-.)

Iron Mine Annual Sports were held last Wednesday and drew a good crowd. Events were keenly contested.

Porter’s Lagoon is becoming a favourite resort for pleasure seekers.

The Three Methodist Conferences have concluded:

Rev. E.J. Kemp goes from Burra to Gawler.

Revs H.J. Parkinson, R.S. Casely & D.S. Wylie remain in Burra.

World’s End Creamery. A meeting on Saturday 9 March of about 30 people at Mr E. Duldig’s decided to erect a creamery. Mr T. McWaters presided. When the idea was first mooted Mr Duldig wanted to form a company and issue shares, but as this was not popular he said he would start one himself. As support was unanimously promised with a signed agreement, the project will now go ahead.

XV, 311 (6), 20 Mar. 1895, page 2-3 [Repeat of number from Sept. & Oct. 1894, where it was already used 5 times]

Editorial on statistics issued by and commented on by Mr Hayter, the Victorian Government statist.

XV, 311 (6), 20 Mar. 1895, page 3 [Repeat of number from Sept. 1894]

Accident. Mrs Wahlert’s infant was badly scalded on Tuesday when an older child pulled a teapot over.

Burra School. Miss Georgina Temperley Harrison has been appointed pupil teacher in place of Miss Clode who resigned. Miss Gertrude Jordan is a paid monitor from 1 March 1895. Master Gilbert Lewis has passed his examination for the agricultural scholarship and will go to Roseworthy College.

Fire. On Wednesday last at 8.20 a.m. a fire burnt about 400 acres of grass on Booborowie Station. Stock and fences were saved.

Dr Sangster Sen. Sails for England on the 10 April to recover his health. He expects to be away about 7 or 8 months. St Mary’s congregation will give him a farewell on 3 April. At the meeting of the Hospital Board on 14 March he was given leave of absence and proposed his son, Dr J.I. Sangster jun. as his locum tenens and this was granted unanimously.

Court Unity Concert to welcome District Officers is reported.

Obituary. The death of Doctor Dale is reported from London. [But with no indication of why it was reported.]

Obituary. Mrs Bown, an old resident of Baldina, died on Monday at Kooringa.

[Martha Bown died 17 March aged 60. Born Martha Bosence.]

National Defence League met on Friday, chaired by Mr John Lewis. It was largely attended. A committee was appointed to secure the enrolment of women voters in the district.

Pastoralists Assoc. of SA & West Darling met on Friday at Burra. They decided to continue the 1894 shearing agreement.

Cricket. On Wednesday: St Mary’s 107 defeated Aberdeen 53.

Burra Town Council, 19 March.

Letter from the DC re fencing the stock road was received.

Cr Sampson said the Town Clerk’s letter had been misconstrued and he moved a committee investigate the matter.

Cr Harris 2nd as it was distinctly understood the DC would fence the new road.

Cr Parks said the DC Chairman had been asked directly if that portion of the road was to be fenced and had said yes.

The motion was carried and a deputation will wait on the DC.

The new by-law re hawkers was presented.

Cr Sampson opposed it. He thought it was a fad worked up by Cr Hardy. Who, he asked, had asked for it? Why would ratepayers want to pay more for fish, fruit etc.?

Cr Parks supported it, because hawkers paid licences in other towns.

Cr Sampson said the hawkers would simply get over the requirement by canvassing for orders.

Cr Rabbich supported the by-law.

Cr West opposed.

Cr Harris supported.

Cr Hardy gave notice he would move to rescind by-law 26 and replace it with the new one.

Waterworks.

Resolved the water rate for 1895 be 3/- per 1,000 gallons up to the price paid for rates and then 2/6.

Local Board of Health.

Henry Roach wrote to the Board formally complaining of Messrs Rabbich & Sons boiling down establishment adjacent to their butchering premises. He had lived nearby for three years and had been almost continuously annoyed. He was satisfied that if a complaint were made to the Central Board the matter would be speedily resolved and ‘I will not hesitate to make such complaint,’ he wrote.

Cr Sampson said the same question had cropped up when Mr Holder was Mayor and the Central Board had given instructions.

Cr Hardy asked if anyone else had complained.

The Inspector said some years ago 6 or 7 had signed a requisition and there had been complaints since. He had served a notice on 14 March.

Cr Rabbich felt he had been singled out as other boiling down establishments were just as bad.

The Mayor said that was not the question: they had to deal with the letter received.

Cr Harris said the smell came also from Austin’s

Cr Rabbich said he would restrict boiling down to winter and further fit a tight cover with a flue into the chimney.

The mayor said that would not do.

Cr Sampson moved that boiling down be not allowed within the Corporation limits. Cr Parks 2nd.

[The next issue gives the voting as Sampson, Parks, Harris & West for with Rabbich and Hardy against.]

XV, 311 (7), 27 Mar. 1895, page 2 [7th use of No. 311] [Wrongly dated 20 March on page 1 only.]

Advt. Burra Institute 1 April, Grand Entertainment by Quintrell Family, Vocalists, Instrumentalists and Bellringers. Special appearance of the SA Contralto Miss Jennie Opie.

XV, 311 (7), 27 Mar. 1895, page 3 [7th use of No. 311]

Editorial on the Boiling Down Question.

Every few days Aberdeen and Redruth people have had the stench of boiling down operations. It has been complained of repeatedly and been before the Central Board of Health more than once. We are glad to say that following a complaint now no boiling down can be legally done within the limits of the Burra Corporation. ‘Councillor Rabbich would have taken a manly part in the discussion had he fought his own battle and refrained from dragging his brother slaughtermen into the mire.’

There has never been a complaint against Messrs O’Leary and it is very hard they should be debarred from boiling down their waste meat. The penalty under the Act is £1-£2 a day. The Central Board advises that the local board has abundant power to deal with and suppress the nuisance. We congratulate the Mayor [Dr Brummitt] on the firm way he dealt with the awkward question. He has long been seen to conduct the affairs of Council in an admirable manner and we commend the Council for its decision. Within 24 hours an untenable [sic] house nearby was let.

[Presumably the word in mind was untenantable, if the word is admissible.]

Grasshoppers are appearing in winged form at Baldina and World’s End and if cold weather does not come soon they will become a problem in the town.

Salvation Army. Colonel Bailey and Major Spratt visited on Friday in connection with the annual effort on behalf of the Army’s social work. An open-air meeting in Market Square at 7.30 was followed by one in the Barracks. Proceeds were £10.

Cricket. Last Saturday: Burra 318 defeated Clare 80.

‘Sparks’ column says Mr Fang Sang’s sale will start on 3 April at 2.30 o’clock.

[Given the time mentioned this sounds like a sale of his business or property, but there seems to be no other reference to it.]

XV, 312 (2 or 3), 3 Apr. 1895, page 2 [Repeat of number from Oct. 1894, where it had already been used once or twice.]

Advt. ‘A Grand Night with the Fairies.’ Burra Institute 19 April.

Advt. For Good Friday

Arrangements have been made for a consignment of Fresh Murray Cod to be delivered to my store in Market Square on Thursday 11 April. Absolutely necessary for orders to be in before April 6.

Francis Harris.

Advt. Train Timetable altered for winter.

Weekdays:

Present 8.40 a.m. train from Adelaide to the north will start 7.40 a.m. and stop all stations.

Present 7.09 a.m. train from Terowie to the south will depart 8.43 a.m. and reach Adelaide 1.51 p.m.

This means that for Burra passengers:

The Terowie train for the south leaves Burra 10.02 instead of 8.27 a.m.

The train from Adelaide arrives at Burra at 11.41 a.m. instead of 11.54 a.m.

XV, 312 (2 or 3), 3 Apr. 1895, page 3 [2nd or 3rd use of No. 312]

Obituary. Jane Godson, wife of William Godson, died at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire on 11 February, aged 65. She was formerly of Redruth SA.

Mrs Godson lived in Redruth for many years before leaving for England some 18-20 years ago.

World’s End Creamery. F. Duldig’s Creamery is being built. Tenders for milk collection are called.

The Cantata, An Hour in Fairyland, will be given by Miss Wylie and her juvenile friends at the Institute on 19 April and in the second half they will repeat the popular Mildred & Patty.

Dr Sangster Sen. Will be given a social tonight at the Institute. On Sunday scholars of St Mary’s gave him a silver-mounted walking stick and pair of pince-nez mounted in gold. On Friday evening he will receive an illuminated address from the town.

Mr A. McCulloch has returned to Burra after 12 months holiday. He contributed articles to us while away under the pen-name of A Traveller.

The Quintrell Family of Bellringers etc. played to a fair audience on Monday. Miss Jennie Opie (contralto) was strongly applauded.

Cricket. Wednesday last: St Mary’s defeated Mt Bryan.

Porter’s Lagoon is becoming a popular place of amusement.

Copperhouse Primitive Methodist Church calls tenders for painting.

Obituary. A. Haykin died at the Burra Hospital on Sunday. The family used to live in Paxton Square, though more recently of Yarcowie. [Arthur Haykin died 31 March aged 40.]

Gumbowie Reservoir. ‘Several of the hardworking toilers at the Gumbowie reservoir works were rough on ‘Billy’ Hardy last week. We understand that he has now decided to forsake the working class, but it will be alright when the wind changes. However it would be a good job for that portion of the community if all tyrants were bagged up.’

Boiling Down? Why has that ‘smell’ not been stopped?

Adelaide Exhibition.

The children enjoyed a day at the Chamber of Manufacturers’ Exhibition on Friday. 122 went from Burra, 28 from Copperhouse, 17 from Booborowie and 8 from Leighton. The children marched into the carriages in good order to the strains of the School Brass Band. Many had never travelled by train before. They were met at Adelaide Station by Dr Cockburn, minister of Education. They marched to the zoo where they were given a bag of grapes and a period of freedom before a bugle call assembled them for their visit to the Exhibition. There was a period of free visiting before an assembly for lunch, followed by further time at the Exhibition before assembling for the return to the station. Here there was some trouble as some children were staying on in Adelaide and the tickets had been issued as whole tickets for two children instead of half tickets for each. These then had to be split and a large official document attached to each half. In future care should be taken to issue each child a ticket to avoid this tiresome task. After all expenses have been paid it will be possible to refund 2d to each child.

Redruth Court, 27 March.

James Gully fined 7/6 for a stray cow.

Maurice Higgins was unable to pay his fine for having an unregistered dog and was imprisoned till the rising of the court.

Fred Bernhardt was fined 7/6 for a stray cow and so was W.J. Williams.

James Loudon was fined 10/- for driving too fast round a corner.

G. Ford was fined 12/6 for not having his name on his dray.

Thomas Richards was fined 7/6 for stray calves.

James Gully fined another 7/6 when his cows strayed again.

‘Fang Sang feedee horsee too muchee and allowed it to run round the corner too fastee. Fined 5s and 5s costs.’

Petersburg Autumn Flower Show reported from the previous Wednesday. It included flowers, fruit, vegetables, preserves, trials of winnowers and separators, bicycle races and horses in action.

Burra Town Council, 3 April.

This was a very acrimonious meeting.

Cr Hardy’s report on Public Works was not received and complaints of the smell from boiling down in Aberdeen continue to be received. The central Board of Health has ordered it stopped within 24 hours. The new by-law was severely criticised.

Full report next issue.

XV, 312 (3 or 4), 10 Apr. 1895, page 2 [3rd or 4th use of No. 312.]

Editorial on The Rabbit Nuisance.

The DC Burra took five landowners to court on Wednesday and fines ranged from £5-17-6 to £8-4-0. Negligent owners cannot be condemned too strongly for the unjust ways they have deceived the DCs. The only way we can see for the DC to overcome this difficulty is to put men on to do the work at the expense of the landholder. Fines are useless.

2nd Leader on Council Proceedings.

The spiteful and unfair remarks which predominated from some councillors go to prove ‘that a body of men have emerged into positions who should never have filled them’.

Apparently two ratepayers exchanged some heated words and when Cr Hardy heard of it he took it upon himself to bring the matter before Council, which in the opinion of the Mayor and some Councillors was improper, so the report was rejected. This led to an exchange of bitter and offensive words.

Hardy was prepared to drag Mr Launder into the mire. It is well known why Hardy brought the matter into Council. We have heard complimentary remarks for the way Cr Sampson drew attention to it and of the Mayor’s objecting to accept it.

The key issue is rather the spending of £20-£30 in Ware St where there is little traffic, while more important places have been neglected.

3rd Leader on Cr Rabbich and that smell. Cr Rabbich stated at Council that he ‘never attempted to drag other butchers into the smelling question’. He says he did not defy the Council and the reference to the house, which seemed untenable [sic], was false. The writer of the article asserts that Rabbich is wrong on all three.

May Sangster was farewelled at Burra High School [Bleak House] on 2 April. She accompanies her father to England.

‘Mr H.C.W. Fuss. The many friends of this gentleman both in the town and district will be very sorry to hear he has been confined to his bed during the past few days. Mr Fuss is a very old and respected resident, and how many are there in Burra who have not heard of or seen the beautiful flowers grown by him? We trust we shall be able to speak more favourably as regards Mr Fuss’s health in our next issue.’

Burra Chrysanthemum Show will be held on 1 May.

Bible Christian Church Sale of Gifts on Wednesday last in the schoolroom was fairly well attended. The Burra Brass Band played and proceeds were very satisfactory.

W.T. Rabbich has been elected unopposed to the Burra School Board of Advice.

Rev. E.J. Kemp will preach his farewell sermons on Sunday at Kooringa and Mt Bryan. After 12 months in the circuit he goes to Gawler, to be succeeded by Rev. T. Flood.

The Primitive Methodist Church will hold a picnic at Princess Royal on Good Friday in connection with the Sunday school. The Burra Brass Band will attend. Refreshments will be taken in a large shed.

Encampment. Probably 27 men from the local company will spend four days at Gladstone over Easter. Col. Gordon will command.

Dr Sangster was given a social at the Institute last Wednesday by the congregation of St Mary’s, left Burra on Monday and sailed for England yesterday.

Iron Mine Church Anniversary last Sunday was largely attended with the tea meeting the following day. Nett proceeds are over £10.

Gumbowie Reservoir work has almost been completed. Most labourers from Burra returned last week and were loud in their praises of the treatment received and strenuously denounced the actions of ‘the man Hardy’ in publishing and circulating uncomplimentary remarks concerning their boss and they intend having the matter sifted to the last letter. A deputation of workers waited on Hardy on Saturday to get some particulars about the matter, but they received anything but satisfaction.

XV, 312 (3 or 4), 10 Apr. 1895, page 2-3 [3rd or 4th use of No. 312.]

Dr Sangster’s reception at the Institute on Friday, when he was presented with an illuminated address is reported in 3⁄4 column. Dr Brummitt, the Mayor, presided. Speakers beside Dr Brummitt were: W. West JP, P. Lane JP, Rev. R.S. Casely, and E.C. Lockyer. The address, which carried about 100 signatures, is printed.

XV, 312 (3 or 4), 10 Apr. 1895, page 3 [3rd or 4th use of No. 312.]

Burra Town Council, 2 April.

Cr Hardy read a report in which a ratepayer’s name was mentioned as having interfered with the work of Council.

Cr Sampson urged it not be received; at least until a portion of it had been erased. It was not a report of the Public Works Committee, but an effusion of Cr Hardy.

Cr Hardy rose and said it was not a report of the Public Works Committee [By which he apparently meant it was a report of its Chairman.]

Cr Sampson objected to Cr Hardy trying to dress down a ratepayer under the shelter of Council.

The Mayor wanted the Public Works and the references to a ratepayer separated.

Cr Parks said the ratepayer in question appeared to have made himself very officious and dictated to employees of Council how kerbing should be done, and used unbecoming language. If he had a complaint it should be brought to Council. He 2nd the motion to receive the report.

Cr Sampson tried to speak, but was interrupted by-

Cr Rabbich who accused him of only ‘quivelling’.

The Mayor sought clarification on whether it was a report of the Committee.

Cr Parks said it was a report of the Chairmen of the Committee.

Cr Sampson said it was not an official document.

Cr Rabbich said it was a report of Public Works to all intents and purposes.

The Mayor was sorry it contained statements about abusive language.

Cr Harris then said that the report about works was true and Mr Launder told him the parts about expressions used were true.

Cr Sampson said that none of the Councillors was present and if they were the Council should not be dragged into it.

Cr West objected that the report contained falsehoods about himself. It said he wanted the work stopped, which was untrue.

Cr Harris and Cr Sampson had a nasty exchange and the Mayor called for order.

Cr Sampson objected to Cr Hardy being allowed to write with venom and spleen and slander ratepayers under protection of Council. If it continues it would be better for all Council to resign and he was disgusted at Cr Harris’s support for the report.

After some further acrimonious exchanges the Mayor said it would not be fair to accept the report and finally he refused to put the motion, as the severe condemnation of a ratepayer was for acts and statements not specifically stated and for which no evidence had been advanced and to which the person in question had no opportunity to reply.

After some further verbal sparring a committee was formed to attend to clearing away dead trees and prepare for new plantings.

Cr Sampson drew attention to the damage done by young boys to the oval wall.

There was another acrimonious discussion on the new by-law affecting hawkers.

Cr Sampson said it was only a fad of Cr Hardy’s.

Hardy objected to ‘fad’, so Sampson withdrew it in favour of ‘mania’.

Hardy accused Sampson of telling deliberate lies in outlining how the by-law came about.

Sampson said Hardy had presented the by-law as drafted and prepared by him, but it had come from Wallaroo. No one had asked for such a law in Burra: it was merely Cr Hardy’s mania.

Cr Parks supported Hardy.

Cr Rabbich supported the by-law after Sampson had given the example that a few weeks ago they had to pay 4d to 6d a pound for meat, but it fell to something like 2d a pound once outsiders advised they were prepared to supply meat.

Cr Sampson believed the by-law would lead to higher prices.

Cr West opposed the by-law.

Hardy said it was not introduced to suit any ratepayer, but to compel hawkers to pay something towards expenses as well as storekeepers.

Eventually the Mayor ruled it be dealt with at the next meeting.

Waterworks.

The Mayor said he has seen in the press that the Council and Government were negotiating for the latter to take over the old boiler, but officially he knew nothing of it. He was then told that Mr Moncrieff had inspected the boiler and the works and there was a possibility of the boiler being taken over by the Government.

Local board of Health.

D.J. O’Leary advised he would be glad if Council could find another site for their rubbish dump.

There was a letter from nine ratepayers complaining of the putrid smells from boiling down operations in Aberdeen and asking they be abated.

The Mayor said the matter had been dealt with at their last meeting and notices had been served. To ensure a sound basis in case law another order had been prepared by the Central board of Health to be passed by this meeting. This was then done.

Cr Rabbich then called attention to the press reports as mentioned in the third leader. The Mayor in reply cited Mr Rabbich’s statements, which deflated the Councillor.

Redruth Court, 3 April.

Rabbit cases: neglecting to destroy rabbits as required.

J.P. Heggie (Hundred of King) postponed to 16 April.

Joseph Ford fined £3 + £3-4-0 costs

William Killicoat, £5-17-0 in all.

J.F.W. Woithe, £6-9-0 in all.

Cockrum & Pearce, £8-4-0 in all.

XV, 313 (3), 17 Apr. 1895, page 2-3 [Repeat of number from Oct. 1894, where it had already been used twice.]

Editorial. What War Costs. About 11⁄3 columns on war’s contribution to the UK national debt.

XV, 313 (3), 17 Apr. 1895, page 3 [3rd use of No. 313.]

Lunacy. A Hindu hawker was reported as going mad at Mt Bryan on Monday, armed with a knife. He was captured and brought to Redruth for questioning.

Encampment. 25 officers and men went from Burra Mounted Rifles to the Easter encampment at Gladstone. Private Builder’s horse fell near Booborowie on the return and he was severely shaken.

Grasshoppers have appeared in large number.

Davieston Harvest thanksgiving annual tea meeting was held on 22 April. Rev. D.S. Wylie gave an interesting address on the Tonguese [sic] and Fijians. Proceeds over £6.

World’s End Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary on 7 & 10 April. Mr Burns of Kooringa preached to good congregations.

Burra Show Soc. Met at Burra Institute under President, P.L. Killicoat on Thursday. They resolved to hold the local show on 18 September. The secretary reported they had no liabilities and had £137-12-5 in the bank.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School had a very successful picnic at Princess Royal on Good Friday. The Burra Brass band led a procession of vehicles at 9.30. Games of all sorts were indulged in and at 3.30 there was a public tea followed by the return to Burra.

The Bible Christian, Christian Endeavour Soc. Held its first annual picnic at Johnson’s Creek on Good Friday. A variety of games were pursued and a good afternoon tea enjoyed.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary services were held on Easter Sunday & Monday. Revs E.J. Kemp & R.S. Casely officiated. The children’s tea and the public tea were well attended. The income was £14-£15.

Porter’s Lagoon was well patronised over Easter, with at least 120 people there on Monday. Games, picnics, paddling and boating were all enjoyed along with refreshing dips.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary was held on Easter Sunday & Monday with services by Rev. R.H. Lee (Bible Christian). The children’s and public teas were on Monday. Proceeds were up on the previous year.

Cricket. Easter Monday at Victoria Park: Teachers’ Assoc. 5 for 239 defeated Burra 167.

Redruth Court, 16 April.

J.P. Heggie fined £6-10-0 for failure to destroy rabbits.

Fie v. Henderson for £1-17-6, adjourned.

H.C. W. Fuss. ‘On going to press we learn that Mr H.C.W. Fuss was much worse.’

Obituary. Mrs Stow, wife of J.P. Stow SM, died on 8 April from the effects of the capsizing of a trap. [The next issue says a dog rushed out at the trap.] [Jourdiana Maria Stow, born Brodie, died aged 58.]

Rev. E.J. Kemp was given a farewell social last night in the Bible Christian schoolroom.

Supreme Court, Adelaide.

Charles Henry Hayes & William Brown got two years hard labour for obtaining £1 by false pretences with intent to defraud Johannes Gottfried Mann of Hanson. They stated they were going to erect a Barrier Mutual Economic Smelter.

XV, 314 (2), 24 Apr. 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number from Oct. 1894.]

Editorial on ‘An Iniquitous By-Law’

The editor writes at length (1 column) against the new hawking by-law which has passed Council, but now need Parliamentary approval. He objected because:

It is so complicated that the real working of it is unfathomable.

It has not been asked for by ratepayers. (Except those in business who will benefit.)

Cr Hardy intimated recently ‘That if the inspector did not catch woodcarters he need not deal with them.’ This surely implies that the law is aimed at certain hawkers only, so that two or three ratepayers can benefit at the expense of the rest.

Now is the time for ratepayers to act. They need to request a public meeting.

XV, 314 (2), 24 Apr. 1895, page 2-3 [2nd use of No. 314.]

2nd Leader on the opening of the Government Export Stores & Refrigerating Chambers at Port Adelaide on Wednesday last – aimed at boosting SA exports to the UK by eliminating middlemen and agents. The writer goes on to look over the many ways in which Government has now extended its role into commercial activity, citing the post office, railways and education.

XV, 314 (2), 24 Apr. 1895, page 3 [2nd use of No. 314.]

Weather. Last Friday there were very high winds, which did damage to outbuilding, fences etc. There has been 2.175” recoded in the present month.

Obituary. Mr John Dunstan Sen. Has died at his residence at Mt Bryan on Monday morning last, 22 April, aged 96*. He had worked in the Burra Mine in the early days and was very successful in getting the largest amount paid to any tributer. He later took to farming. He leaves a wife and adult family.

He died from cancer of the tongue.

• In the next issue this age is corrected to 69. [Born June 1826.]

Poison. A small poisonous plant ‘not unlike stinkwort’ has appeared to the eats and has been the cause of the mysterious deaths of sheep and cattle – some of which deaths have been blame don phosphorised pollard. One farmer lost 33 sheep recently.

Burra Town Council, 18 April.

Various road repair matters were attended to.

Cr Sampson was not satisfied with the standard of work done in Queen St.

Tree planting was brought up and referred to a committee.

Damage to the oval wall was again considered.

Cr Sampson said the Show Soc. Had appointed a committee to confer with Council re a permanent structure at the oval to accommodate the public and moved the Council appoint a committee to discuss the matter with them.

Cr West 2nd. Cr Hardy opposed the motion until the committee appeared before Council.

Cr Rabbich agreed: they should not go out of their way to meet the committee – the committee should wait on the Council. Motion lost.

The new By-Law.

Cr Hardy moved the old by-law be rescinded and replaced by the one read last meeting.

Cr Harris 2nd.

Cr Sampson opposed it as iniquitous, unfair and not asked for. He outlined his objections along now familiar lines.

Cr Rabbich cut off the speech by moving the house divide. Not 2nd.

But the Mayor put the original motion.

For: Hardy, Harris, Parks and Rabbich.

Opposed: Sampson & West.

Cr Rabbich moved the by-law be printed.

Cr Sampson gave notice he would move at the next Council for a call of Council to rescind the minute of 17 December 1894, which gave all printing for 1895 to the News office.

[He favoured sending it to tender.]

Local Board of Health.

W. West advised that a piece of ground was available for rent as a rubbish depot for £3 p.a. at Bunce’s.

The Gladstone Encampment is reported in 3⁄4 column. 250 attended, of whom 89 were mounted riflemen. Drills and a mock night attack are described.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show is next Wednesday. There is an article on the town’s keenest chrysanthemum gardeners, which lists the varieties for which they are particularly noteworthy. The gardeners cited are: J.D. Cave, Mr John Lewis, Mr R.M. Harvey and Mr W. Pearce Jun.

Miss Amy Wylie’s production of the two cantatas, An Hour in Fairyland and Mildred & Patty, made for a very pleasant evening at the Institute on Friday and was a brilliant success. Both were carried out by children. Proceeds aid the Redruth Wesleyan Church deficiency and were satisfactory.

Polo. Burra was defeated in Adelaide last week

XV, 315 (2), 1 May 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number from Nov. 1894.]

Obituary. Myrtle Hilda Queale, 2nd daughter of T. & M.E. Queale, died 23 April at Burra, aged 7 years 6 months. The headmaster of Burra School lined the children up on either side of the road near the Kooringa Post Office to pay their final respects on Thursday afternoon, as the largely attended funeral passed by. [Born 20 October 1887.]

Editorial on the Apoinga Council’s failure at Redruth Court in a number of rabbit cases, on a technicality. The new Act is complex and the editor is not in favour of its operation, however commendable its intention.

Chrysanthemums. This year J.D. Cave and J. Lewis were trumped at the Adelaide Chrysanthemum Show by Mr W. Taylor of Magill.

The Hawkers’ By-Law. A memorial protesting the new by-law is being widely signed.

Evangelistic Services were held on Sunday last in the Wesleyan Church by two lady evangelists appointed by the Methodist Conference: Miss Green and Miss Nesbitt. Meeting continue each night this week except for Saturday. They will move on to World’s End next week.

Tramps. A number of tramps have appeared of late: one in particular complained that he was given tea that was not as hot as he would have liked.

The Ministering Children’s League has provided six tables for the Burra Hospital.

Obituary. Mr Osborne died at Burra Hospital last Sunday, aged 76. He left London in the first ship that ever visited Australia, found his way to Burra and had there a ‘two-roomed house’ in the creek and worked for years in the mine. [Henry Osborne died 28 April aged 72.]

[The ‘first ship’ statement is clearly wrong. The ships bearing settlers to set up SA in 1836 arrived between July and December. The Duke of York on 27 July 1836. Lady Mary Pelham arrived 30 July, John Pirie on 16 August, Rapid on 20 August, Cygnet on 11 Sept., Emma on 5 October, Africaine on 3 Nov., Tam O’Shanter on 20 Nov. & Buffalo on 28 Dec. Research suggests Osborne arrived on the Cygnet. Before the settlers there were sealers active along the SA coast after 1803 when Pendleton of the Union exploited seals on Kangaroo Is. Grant in the Lady Nelson had run along the southeast coast in 1800. Flinders & Baudin in HMS Investigator & Géographe explored the coast in 1802. In 1809 the Eliza found sealers living on Kangaroo Island and trade in skins and oil from Kangaroo Is. was established from 1814. And that is without considering earlier Dutch or Portuguese landfalls. See: Ronald Parsons, Southern Passages, 1986, Wakefield Press, Adelaide.]

St Mary’s Vestry Meeting attended to the usual business last Wednesday. On 12 May two new stained glass windows will be unveiled in memory of Mrs John Lewis and Dr Nesbitt.

A Home Reading Circle was formed at a meeting held at the Burra High School [Bleak House] on Saturday evening. Mr J. Sandland presided. Mr J. A. Kennedy was elected President and J.E.H. Winnall, Secretary.

Weather. Splendid rains have now fallen and farming operations are in full swing. The fall was general and prospects at present are excellent.

XV, 315 (2), 1 May 1895, page 3 [2nd use of No. 315.]

‘Averted’ writes re the formation of the Anabama Vermin District, which was a good thing for the pastoral leases concerned and for the toilers earning their hire building it and carting materials etc., but not so for those on the outside. One line of fence will run north from NW corner of County Burra to Winnininnie and one east from there to the boundary of SA. This will prevent dingoes going to Anabama, Mutooroo etc. The dingoes will now strike the fence, turn west and there will be much traffic along it at the corner and they will partake of the hospitality of all. We will have to shepherd the flocks even within the Hundreds and camp our sheep in dog-proof yards. At present dingoes are more numerous east of Ketchowla than they have been for some years. We cannot form a Vermin District and run the fence to Morgan, because then we would have to pay for half the cost of the NW line of the Anabama fence as well as all of that to Morgan. He goes on the hope that the problem will be ‘Averted’.

Obituary. Charles Price died suddenly on Thursday, aged 86. Many years ago he had the Black Waterholes Garden near Burra and then took land at Mt Bryan East and then at Banbury. At the time of his death he was gardening at Hallett. [Died 25 April 1895.]

Obituary. It is our painful duty in this issue to record the death of Mr H.C.W. Fuss, which took place at his residence, Redruth, on Thursday morning last after a few weeks illness at the age of 79 years. The deceased gentleman was a very old and respected resident of Burra, having arrived in S.A. in 1847 in the good ship Herman Von Beckeratt. Hearing so much at that time of the famous Burra Burra Mine, Mr Fuss visited the town, and fortunately found employment as a miner, but he only filled the position for a short time, when he was promoted to one higher, having sole charge of the smelting works charge-yard, and he mixed the first and last charge for the furnace. After the smelters ceased operations Mr Fuss followed the occupation of farmer at Springbank for a few years, and then retired to a private and comfortable life.

The deceased gentleman never took any active part in public matters, but has always been known as an intelligent and industrious gardener, and in years gone by he was very successful at flower shows, and his generosity in imparting valuable knowledge concerning the growth and cultivation of all kinds of plants won him the respect and admiration of everyone who had transactions with him. On Sunday, October 22 1893, the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Fuss was celebrated at Redruth. They were married at Neustatt, Harzburg, Germany on October 22, 1843. Six sons and two daughters is the result of the marriage, all of whom are married, and in addition to these 46 grandchildren and two great grandchildren have been born. One brother of the deceased gentleman is still living in Germany. Up to the time of his late illness Mr Fuss had enjoyed exceptionally good health. Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family, especially for Mrs Fuss who has reached the age of 79 years, but still enjoys fairly good health.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon and was largely attended, the burial service being conducted by the Rev. A.G. King. [Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Fuss, born 1 March 1816, died 25 April 1895.]

Burra Homing Club. The first race of the season was from Ulooloo on 24 April when 28 birds of 11 owners competed. Mr J. Drew obtained the best results.

Redruth Court, 24 April.

F.J. Carey stray cow in Kooringa 2/6 + 10/-

W. Gebhardt stray horse in Kooringa 2/6 + 5/-

Thomas Parks stray horses in Kooringa 5/- + 5/-

William Thomas Rabbich stray cow in Aberdeen 2/6 + 5/-

Thomas Sandland stray cows in Kooringa 5/- + 5/-

H. Roach stray cow in Aberdeen 2/6 + 5/-

R. Reed stray cow in Redruth 2/6 + 5/-

E. Wilcox stray goat in Kooringa 2/6 + 5/-

Thomas O’Sullivan, farmer of Kerry Hill near Burra, had given a bill of sale on 15 May 1893 to William Pearce and Thomas Sandland for three stacks of hay amounting to 163 tons. He retained the right to sell it, but was to give them £1 per ton if he did. 90 tons of the hay had disappeared, presumed sold, but no money had been handed over to Pearce and Sandland who had O’Sullivan charged under Section 37 of the Bill of Sales Act of 1886, with concealing 90 tons of hay. After considerable evidence had been taken the defence claimed there was no ‘concealment’ within the meaning of the Act. The bench agreed there was no case to answer and dismissed the case.

XV, 316 (2), 8 May 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number from Nov. 1894.]

Gale Singh, an Afghan hawker, was found lying in an old house about 3 or 4 miles from Mt Bryan and thought to be dying. Police were contacted and brought him in to the Burra Hospital.

XV, 316 (2), 8 May 1895, page 3 [2nd use of No. 316.]

The Memorial against the new by-law has received over 200 signatures.

Frost on Sunday despatched the grasshoppers.

Mushrooms are plentiful.

Rev. John Reginald Harmer is the Anglican Bishop-designate of Adelaide to replace Dr Kennion.

Salvation Army. Captain West & Lieut. Whitton will be farewelled at the Barracks next Sunday. ‘Our Girls’ have proved very earnest in their work and won the respect of friends and supporters of the Army.

Kooringa Christian Endeavour celebrated its 3rd anniversary on 24 April in the Kooringa Methodist Lecture Hall.

Burra Branch of Pastoralists Union of SA & West Darling held a meeting in the Institute on Friday afternoon re railway stock charges. P.L. Killicoat produced statistics to show the SA tariff was much higher than in any other colony. Similar meetings were held at Jamestown & Pt Augusta. The value of stock had fallen. Some years ago 40,000 sheep could be sold at one market, but now it took six sales to clear that number. The tariff for various colonies was read.

An example from it:

Prices for travelling 100 miles. Qld NSW Vic. SA

Cattle per head 6/4 7/01⁄2 8/2 9/61⁄4

Sheep per head 7d 71⁄2d 83⁄4d 81⁄2d

A motion asking the Commissioners of Railways to reduce the charges was passed.

The Govt. has advised that it is not its intention to resume any more stock roads.

Burra Chrysanthemum Show was held last Wednesday.

A prize for the best 48 chrysanthemums went to R.M. Harvey with J.D. Cave 2nd. (Mr Cave had sent 70 choice blooms to Adelaide a few days earlier.)

J. Lewis was a strong contender.

Best six blooms to Miss H. Baker. Miss M. Oppermann excelled in bouquets and Mr Oppermann in fruit. 12 pears grown by the late H.C.W. Fuss weighed 181⁄2 lbs and called for special mention on account of their large dimensions.

The complete prize list is printed.

‘Whip’ in sporting notes reports on the growing prominence all over The Continent of the ‘gasoline bicycle’.

Burra Mounted Rifles. After a long silence at the local range Capt. Watt’s team 223 defeated Sgt Dawes’ 197.

Burra Coursing Club met on Monday at the Royal Exchange Hotel and elected: President, F. Treloar; Chairman, G. Parks; Sec. & Treasurer, D.A. Crosby; Patrons, Messrs J.J. Duncan, G.H. Lake, W.B. Rounsevell & W. Waite.

Next meeting to be held at Gum Creek Estate on 25 & 26 June.

Football. Saturday last at Burra Oval Aberdeen 7.7 defeated Burra 2.3.

Burra Town Council, 7 May.

Mr J. Lewis wrote re the work done in Ware St.

A long and warm discussion took place re work done in North Ward without Council authority.

A full report next issue.

XV, 316 (3), 15 May 1895, page 2 [3rd use of No. 316.]

World’s End Church. Special services were conducted by the Misses Nesbitt & Green last week and they are now doing the same at Redruth where they will remain for a fortnight.

Women’s Franchise. We understand c. 2,000 names have so far been received in this district. The word ‘occupation’ seems to be causing the most trouble.

XV, 316 (3), 15 May 1895, page 3 [3rd use of No. 316.]

Rev. D.S. Wylie was returning from Leighton on Sunday when he saw a child of 2 or 3 coming towards him. He saw it go close to the water of a dam and soon afterwards on looking back could see only its hands above the water. He rescued the child, which was then taken home.

Salvation Army. Farewell addresses were given last Sunday by Capt. West and Lieut. Whitton and a farewell social was tendered them on Monday night.

The Children’s Ministering League met on Tuesday 7 May to elect officers. President, Mrs J.C. Sandland; Secretary, Miss A. Barnett. Since its foundation 3-4 years ago over £50 has been spent on valuable articles for the comfort of the Burra Hospital and the balance on the poor of the town. Mrs J.H. Kennedy was thanked for her services as President. The League started with 8 members, but since then over 100 have appeared on the roll.

Burra Hospital has received six bed tables from the Ministering Children’s League.

Editorial. Burra Town Council wasted a great deal of time last meeting. The meeting started at 7.30 p.m. and went till 10.25 p.m. Work in the North Ward that was not authorised was objected to.

Cr Rabbich objected to the word ‘gentleman’ instead of Councillor in a reference to himself.

Cr Hardy was equally wroth at the use of Mr instead of Councillor in reference to him.

Foolish and perplexing interjections were common. It is amazing that the Mayor did not unceremoniously adjourn the meeting until the councillors were prepared to conduct the business in a proper manner. We find that a complaint was received by ‘the skin of its teeth, with the determination that no further notice be taken of it. Isn’t it a glorious age we live in, and are we not blessed (?) with a queer Council?’

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday and Monday. Rev. H.J. Pope preached three eloquent sermons. The tea meeting was fairly well patronised.

Football by ‘Whip’

The old Burra Club has altered its name to Kooringa and the northerners have stuck with Aberdeen. When outside matches are arranged a 20 will be selected from the two clubs. The second match for the season on Saturday resulted in a draw when Aberdeen and Kooringa scored 4.0 each. Test matches between the two clubs are scheduled for 18 May, 15 June, 7 July, 27 July and 17 August.

Obituary. Richard Berryman died at Springbank on Friday last, aged 73. He was a resident of 40 years. He was born at St Breague, Cornwall, and arrived in SA in the Peakingham on 22 March 1849. He worked at the Burra Mines for 4 years and then went to Victoria. Being successful there, he returned to SA and became a farmer. He leaves a widow, 3 sons [sic] and 5 daughters with 34 grandchildren: R.H. Berryman (Yongala), T.E. Berryman (Yongala), J. Berryman (Hanson), W. Berryman (Yongala), Mrs J. Russell (Hallett), Mrs D.T. Robinson (Mannanarie), Mrs J.T. Walker (Kooringa), Mrs M.M. Birt (North Adelaide), & Miss A. Berryman (Springbank). [Died 10 May.]

Burra Town Council, 7 May.

The Show Society was granted the use of the Oval for a Show on 18 September.

J. Lewis wrote concerning the work in Ware St. He says the road was all that was required, but after the work the approach to his back entrance is spoiled and left in a dangerous condition.

The kerbing on the side next his wall was far too high.

The kerbing is taken too far south, making the approach to and from his back yard dangerous, especially at night.

A quantity of stuff was left on the footpath against his wall, tending to destroy it and spoiling the footpath.

The crown of the road has been raised to an unnecessary extent making it almost impossible for a heavily loaded wagon or dray to travel over it and difficult to get out of his yard.

Some loose stones are left on the part of the work uncovered.

The entrance for floodwater to the culvert is left in a dangerous state.

Had a few pounds been expended in repairing the road and paths in Kangaroo St it would have been more judiciously used.

The footpath near his schoolroom he says also needed attention. Last winter there was a pool of water there, quite 4” deep for over a week after rains. There are other places in West Ward where money could have been spent to greater advantage.

The Mayor saw no disrespect in the letter, but Crs Hardy & Parks certainly did and did not want to receive it, but eventually agreed as Cr Parks said ‘We can receive it and take no further notice of it.’

Cr Sampson objected to the passing of the pay-sheet, as it included amounts for work not authorised by the Council. He objected to work done in Ellen Terrace [Helen Terrace], gravel near Mr Bentley’s and work near Mr Bartholomæus’.

Crs Rabbich and Parks interjected.

Cr Rabbich said several small jobs were ordered by Council and those done were included and the money expended was well spent.

Cr West asked who ordered the work.

Cr Hardy said that near Bentley’s was ordered when the stonework in the creek was done and that near Bartholomæus’ was ordered last council meeting and the Ellen Terrace work some time ago.

Cr Sampson called for the order to be shown in the book.

After further discussion the pay-sheet was passed.

The Public Works Report was then given by the Chairman, verbally. Cr Rabbich moved it be received. Cr Parks 2nd.

Cr Sampson objected to the report.

Cr Hardy said it was a statement and he didn’t care if it was received or not.

Cr Sampson said it didn’t include all the work done. He gave them credit for more.

Cr Rabbich said Cr Sampson’s statement was false.

Cr Sampson called for a withdrawal.

Cr Rabbich withdrew ‘false’ and tried to substitute ‘not correct’, but the Mayor disallowed any substitution.

Cr Sampson said the statement was so mixed that one did not know if the work had been done in Burra or Gawler, but on looking at the pay-sheet we find it was done near Bentley’s etc.

Earlier Cr Rabbich had objected to being called a gentleman and now when Cr Sampson referred to Cr Rabbich and Mr Hardy, it was Cr Hardy that objected to the ‘Mr’.

Cr Sampson said ‘Oh well I’ll say councillor. If the pair can go on ordering work they should pay for it out of their own pockets and who is Hardy – ’

Cr Hardy again objected and Cr Sampson amended it to ‘Mr Councillor Hardy’.

Various routine matters were also dealt with.

The Park Lands Committee will consider how best to approach the sparrow nuisance.

Local Board of Health.

Mr John O’Leary wrote agreeing to terminate the agreement concerning the rubbish depot.

Cr Rabbich then tried to move a motion he had forgotten to move earlier in General Business.

Cr Sampson protested that it was impossible to resume General Business without notice being given and finally it was deferred to the next meeting.

St Mary’s. Special sermons last Sunday were preached by Ven. Archdeacon Dove of Adelaide and in the morning two memorial windows were unveiled in memory of Mrs John Lewis and Dr William Peel Nesbitt. Dr R. Brummitt, who was a particular friend of both families, performed the ceremony of unveiling. The windows were made in Adelaide by Messrs Montgomery & Grimbly.

That in memory of Martha Ann Lewis illustrated Our Saviour with Mary at his feet and Martha serving by his side.

That in memory of Dr William Peel Nesbitt illustrates the Beloved Physician, St Luke.

Burra Homing Club held its second race of the season on 8 May, from Terowie. 29 birds flew and first were Mr J. Edward’s birds with a velocity of 1,144 yds/min, followed by Mr J. Drew’s Glenora at 996 yds/min.

XV, 316 (4), 22 May 1895, page 2 [4th use of No. 316.]

Mrs W. West has been appointed to the Burra School Board of Advice.

Salvation Army. A farewell service of song was performed on Wednesday last for Capt. West and Lieut. Whitton. This was the first service of song by the Army in Burra.

XV, 316 (4), 22 May 1895, page 3 [4th use of No. 316.]

Accident. The cab bringing the Aberdeen footballers back from Kooringa on Saturday narrowly escaped an upset when one of the leaders managed to get slightly mixed up in the tackling and the front wheels mounted the footpath. Various occupants made hasty escapes as the vehicle teetered, but finally all was set to rights.

Football. On Saturday at Kooringa: Kooringa 4 defeated Aberdeen 3

‘Lexicon’ writes concerning the latest Council report. He considers Cr Rabbich was quite justified in objecting to being called a gentleman. To do so is tantamount to calling him names – and no one likes to be called names.

Redruth Court, 21 May.

Henderson v. Fie in an unsatisfied judgement summons for costs. Fie was ordered 10 days in Gladstone Gaol. [The next issue corrects this: the names should be the other way round and it was therefore Henderson who was ordered the 10 days at Gladstone.]

Burra Town Council, 21 May.

The Mayor said he had received a memorial signed by 216 ratepayers asking that the decision concerning the new by-law be reconsidered.

Cr Hardy moved that he would take steps at the next meeting of Council to rescind the motion referring to it.

Cr Rabbich charged that Inspector J.R. Gray had ‘told a ratepayer that Cr Hardy and himself [Cr Rabbich] supported the acceptance of the lowest tender for carting gravel and he was surprised at the ratepayers supporting such men.’*

The accused said he was prepared to tell the truth at the proper time.

Town Council and the District Council will meet to inspect the disputed point about the fencing of the new stock road.

Launder & Co.’s tender of £9 per chain for building a wall against a footpath in East Ward was accepted. (D. Rogers had tendered £6.)

Launder & Co.’s tender of £2-5-0 per chain for kerbing was also accepted ahead of D. Roger’s of £1-19-0.

• This may seem to be an unexceptional comment, but probably the implication was that the North Ward Councillors were in favour of accepting a lower tender if it came from another Ward whereas North Ward ratepayers would expect the tender to go to a local man, even if it cost somewhat more. There had been some debate over this in the past.

XV, 316 (5), 29 May 1895, page 2-3 [5th use of No. 316.]

Editorial on The Lamented By-Law

Last year one of the North Ward Councillors tried to introduce a new by-law, but it came to grief on unforseen rocks. This year another effort was made and now the opposition of 216 ratepayers has led to a decision to rescind the new by-law. Really they had no choice because the whole proceedings were ultra vires and the by-law was framed in such a reckless manner as to contravene the Hawker’s Act 1863. [The paper then prints parallel texts of the two measures to prove the point.]

[The editorial uses a clumsy extended metaphor about launching boats to deal with the by-law.]

XV, 316 (5), 29 May 1895, page 3 [5th use of No. 316.]

2nd Leader on the ‘Absurd Charge’ against Inspector Gray. Cr Rabbich appears to be grasping at straws to get even with the Inspector and the evidence before the committee is amusing and ridiculous in the extreme. The action of Cr Rabbich cannot be too severely condemned.

[It is not said what Cr Rabbich is getting even over, unless there were issues relating to the recent banning of the boiling down establishments in town.]

3rd Leader. Municipal Matters

At the last meeting of Council Councillors Sampson and Parks, as representatives of East Ward, got some work passed for Ayers St. The following day they got a dray and two men to work and a few hours later Cr Hardy appeared and instructed the overseer to tell ‘those fellows’ to stop work by order of the Chairman of Public Works. The overseer, thinking he was under the power of this would-be conspicuous personage, acceded to the request, but the workers used their own judgement and carried on till 5 p.m.

Crs Sampson and Parks were justified in proceeding with the work: it was unlike work done recently in North Ward without the sanction of Council, yet there was nothing said about that, simply because Cr Hardy was implicated. Cr Hardy had no more authority than anyone else to interfere and had the labourers knocked off a serious accident would have resulted, as on the road were placed loads of metal making it impassable. Cr Hardy’s excuse at a Public Works Committee meeting on Friday night was to the effect that he had not been consulted.

[To which the editor’s comment is ‘Great Caesar!’]

Mr Uhrlaub has had to postpone his concert at Mt Bryan due to the illness of Mrs Uhrlaub, which it is feared will prove fatal.

Council Tenders.

People are expressing dissatisfaction that Council departed from its specifications for the building of a dry stone wall to protect a footpath in East Ward and so expended money that could have been saved. Had Mr Rogers known that tenders were required for a lime and sand wall he would have submitted one, but he was boycotted and the work let for £2-5-0 a chain that could have gone for £1-19-0 a chain.

Burra Show Society

The prize money this year has been increased to £222 and school children will get a section. The sub-committee that is to see the Council about the erection of a suitable pavilion at the oval is empowered to offer £30 as the society’s share.

The New By-Law

The wording of the recent memorial to Council on the subject of the new by-law is printed.

Princess Royal Rabbits

Six gentlemen went out to a shooting party on Princess Royal as guests of Mr A. McCulloch. After a substantial repast they set out for about five miles and returned by another route. By about 5 p.m. they had accounted for 238 rabbits. In the past few months Mr McCulloch has been doing extensive work with phosphorised pollard and ploughing up burrows.

Burra Homing Club. 3rd race of the season took place from Jamestown on 22 May.

22 birds were nominated and best were those of J.A. Pearce, flying the 38 miles 125 yards in 62 minutes at 1,080 yds per min.

David Rogers of Hampton writes concerning Council tenders. Tenders were called for a dry stone wall in Bridge St and 41⁄2 chains of kerbing in the same street. I tendered according to specifications for £6. The other tender was for £7-16-0 or with lime and sand for £9. This last was accepted.

My tender for kerbing was for £1-19-0 per chain and the other was £2-5-0 per chain, which was also accepted. The difference on these two small jobs was £4-7-0. This is very unfair between Council and the ratepayers. I have tendered for work with the Burra Corporation for years and always received fair play until lately and the books will show I have given every satisfaction. I would ask Councillors to act fair and then no one would complain.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor reported a memorial signed by 216 ratepayers protesting against the new by-law and asking Council to reconsider. It was addressed to him and he did not bring it to Council because there were words in it that might be criticised. He thought it should have some consideration.

[No doubt the words he was referring to were: ‘to express our unqualified disapproval and entire dissatisfaction at the conduct of certain councillors in advocating the addition of a new by-law’.]

Cr Hardy asked if the book containing the names of the streets, which was sent to Adelaide some time ago had been returned.

The Town Clerk said it had not been sent.

Cr Rabbich made a personal explanation of the charge he had laid against Inspector J.R. Gray. He said that after the last Council meeting Gray had told a ratepayer that ‘Crs Rabbich and Hardy tried all they knew to accept the lowest tender for the carting of road metal, and he was surprised that working men in particular could support men like then’.

The Inspector asked if Cr Rabbich had heard him say anything about him.

Cr Rabbich refused to say.

Cr Sampson said Mr Gray should not be called on to make a statement without a definite charge being lodged in writing with the Clerk.

Cr Rabbich then wrote out the charge.

Mr Gray said he was prepared to speak the truth when Cr Rabbich produced his witnesses.

Cr Sampson queried the propriety of Councillor publishing the charge before it was preferred or proved.

Messrs J.C. Sandland (Chairman of the DC) and P.L. Killicoat waited on the Council concerning the fencing of the new stock road within the Corporation boundary. It was resolved that deputations from both Councils meet on the ground to resolve the matter.

A committee was formed to meet on Friday night to investigate Cr Rabbich’s charge against the Inspector.

The debate surrounding the resolution allowing the work on the road in Ayers Street is printed. It includes reference to work done by a Councillor in North Ward that was not authorised by Council.

The tender of Messrs Launder & Co. for a lime and sand wall in East Ward for £9 was accepted. (Not per chain as stated in the last issue.] (Or £7-16-0 for a dry wall.) The other tenderer was D. Rogers; for £6. Messrs Launder & Co. tendered £2-5-0 for kerbing, which was accepted. The other tender from D. Rogers was for £1-19-0.

The Mayor said he disliked the situation where the Public Works Committee comprised the whole Council except for Cr West. It was resolved that the committee comprise the whole Council.

Cr Hardy gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of Council that the motion that had the effect of adopting the new by-law be rescinded.

Cr Parks asked if the Mayor considered bylaw 26 was workable or was ultra vires.

The Mayor said he understood the Crown Solicitor had decided it was not workable.

Cr Sampson moved that applications be received from unemployed men requiring work on the main roads.

The Charge Against Inspector Gray.

The investigation by the Council Committee on Friday night last.

Cr Parks tried to exclude the press and public.

Cr Sampson was prepared for a public enquiry and Cr West supported him and this was finally carried. The Mayor read the charge and Mr Gray said it was untrue. [See council meeting notes.]

Cr Rabbich then delayed matters by trying to get sworn evidence when as Cr Sampson pointed out they had no right to demand such evidence.

Eventually the request for sworn evidence was withdrawn.

Cr Rabbich then made a rambling statement that said he had been told someone had made the remarks objected to and he had subsequently found out it was Mr Gray.

Mt T. Woollacott was the person who had told him and who had named Mr Gray.

Mr Thomas Tiver had also told him what Mr Gray had said. Cr Rabbich had not personally heard anything said by Mr Gray.

Mr Thomas Woollacott was the first witness. Mr Gray had spoken to him about the tenders for gravel and that all carters had received 100 yards at 9d per yard and asked him what he thought of the working man’s friend now? Crs Rabbich and Hardy wanted to accept the lowest tenders of 7d and 71⁄2d per yard. Cr Sampson had moved the amendment for 9d per yard.

The witness had told the Inspector there was not much of a working man’s friend about that.

Cr Rabbich asked: ‘Don’t you remember telling me that Mr Gray was no friend of mine?’

No I didn’t say so.

Gray asked the witness if he had told the latter that Hardy and Rabbich did their level best t get the lowest tender accepted. Witness said: ‘No.’

Thomas Tiver was called. His evidence turned out to be unacceptable as hearsay.

There was much further discussion, but mostly it came down to whether the admitted statement as above constituted an offence.

The committee withdrew to consider its finding and later decided:

That Inspector Gray had given an incorrect impression of the business relating to the tenders for carting road metal at the meeting held on May 7 having evidently misunderstood what occurred.’

Football. Burra Association’s, first match was played against a team from Broken Hill. The visitors arrived by morning train on Monday, having played a match against Petersburg on Saturday. They were conveyed to the royal Exchange Hotel for refreshments and after an hour they went on to the Commercial Hotel in T. Halls’ coach with four horses. There they had a substantial repast. The game began at 2.30 p.m. At halftime the scores were Broken Hill 3.3 and Burra 3.1, but at fulltime Burra 7.7 had defeated Broken Hill 5.4.

Cricket. A special game was played in Mr Lockyer’s Paddock at the North End of Town last Saturday. Captain Winnall’s team 58 defeated Captain Kennedy’s 38.

Winnall’s Team Kennedy’s Team

Mrs West jun. 3 Mrs West 10

Miss Wylie 2 Mrs Oldham 0

Miss M. Killicoat 3 Miss Bachelor 2

Miss Both 0 Miss Cave 0

Miss West 5 Miss Killicoat 4

Miss Pearce 0 Miss Packard 0

Miss D. Roach 0 Miss A. Lane 2

Miss Dow 0 Miss Sprod 9

Miss A. West 6 Mr West 0

Mr Winnall 27 Mr Lockyer 2

Mr Builder 0 Mr Uhrlaub 1

Mr Packard 10 Mr Watson 2

Mr Roach 2 Mr Kennedy 6

Total 58 38

Redruth Wesleyan Church held their 21st Anniversary last Sunday & Monday when the preacher was Rev. W.A. Langsford of Mintaro. There was a service of song in the afternoon. This year there was no tea, but a public meeting was largely attended. The treasurer reported that the debt on the building was being gradually liquidated. Rev. R.S. Casely gave a lecture on three American poets: Lowell, Whittier and Holmes.

Obituary. The Hon. G.C. Hawker died last week of inflammation of the lungs.

[George Charles Hawker died 21 May aged 77.]

The Royal Illusionists performed on Friday & Saturday to poor houses, though the shows were cleverly done.

Salvation Army. Captain & Mrs Scoones from Wentworth have taken charge of the local corps.

XV, 316 (6), 5 June 1895, page 2 [6th use of No. 316.]

Marriage. At the residence of the bride’s uncle, W.J. Beal of Broken Hill, on 14 May.

James Wilson, youngest son of the late James Wilson of Adelong, NSW, and

Maud Dearlove, 2nd daughter of Richard Dearlove of Burra.

XV, 316 (6), 5 June 1895, page 2-3 [6th use of No. 316.]

Editorial on the SA Parliament.

The editor hopes the Parliament will pass the Pastoral Bill, but fears this last session before an election will be all talk aimed at voters. He also hopes for some cheaper money for farmers to tide them over their present stresses, and for the encouragement of exports.

XV, 316 (6), 5 June 1895, page 3 [6th use of No. 316.]

Burra Show Society has asked for a gate in the SE corner of the oval to enable arrangements to be made for cattle exhibits. At other times this would allow pedestrian and vehicular traffic to be separated to the greater safety of both.

The Electoral Roll. We understand that 4,628 persons have sent their names for the electoral roll for the Burra District. 1,809 women and 2,819 men for the House of Assembly. 173 women and 1,305 men for the Legislative Council. (To 31 May 1895.)

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School held its anniversary last Sunday. The services were conducted by Rev. T. Flood and Rev. Lee. Attendances were good. The public tea is today at 5.30.

Burra Mine. For two or three month’s exploration near Stock’s Shaft in the main excavation has been looking for the iron lode known to exist. The assay has shown about 1⁄2 oz of gold per ton. This should enhance the value of the copper ore if operations are resumed.

Junior Foresters were entertained with a Magic Lantern show on Monday evening by J.A. Watt. The pictures ran from the comic to the sentimental.

Birthday Honours.

‘Three or four highly elevated and self-esteemed great thinkers (about themselves), and qualified humbugs in Burra’ are disappointed at their omission.

Frost has been a visitor on Monday & Tuesday.

Bread has risen from 2d to 21⁄2d for a 2 lb loaf.

W.R. Ridgway’s Creamery started operations last week.

Messrs Elder, Smith & Co. will soon offer in Burra a sale of 40,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle.

The Gawler Bunyip says recently ‘The Burra Corporationists have more rows and pantomimes than any other half dozen municipal bodies in the colony. The Burra Council Chamber is a veritable public laundry.’

Chinese. Someone dug up a Chinaman’s coffin in Dimboola cemetery recently, evidently expecting to find money. ‘We don’t think anyone will trouble about our Chings’ remains with a view to getting money.’

Burra Town Council, last night.

At 7 o’clock the minutes were being read when Cr Hardy demanded of the Mayor that Cr Sampson withdraw something he had said to Cr Parks. The Mayor asked what the words were. Cr Hardy said that Cr Sampson had said: ‘You’re a d______ cocktail.’

Cr Sampson grew indignant and said it was a lie and added ‘I’ll smack you across the nose if you tell such deliberate and designing lies about me.’

Cr Parks also assured Cr Hardy he was mistaken.

The Clerk then continued to read the minutes.

Cr Rabbich then moved they go into committee and they did.

Cr Sampson told the Councillors they were not worthy to represent the ratepayers and Cr Rabbich had broken the record for any Council in SA through calling in the police to oust ratepayers. He said the Burra Town Council was the most disgraceful organisation in the colony.

Meanwhile the ratepayers were out in the cold. The press reporter was shivering and had started to sing Let Me Like a Soldier Fall when duty intervened and he endeavoured to take notes by the light from the keyhole. At 10 to 8 Crs Sampson and West left the room when a motion to conduct the business in public was lost. They handed a written protest to the Town Clerk.

Cr Harris appeared to find the staying officers, but managed to collect only the Inspector.

A memorial asking the Council to construct a ford over the creek opposite the railway goods shed was received and council will report on it next meeting.

A resolution was passed expressing Council’s strong feeling that it was ill-advised and unjustifiable for an officer of Council to make comments on the action of Councillors.

A requisition is being prepared which will ask the Mayor to call a ratepayers’ meeting on the advisability of requesting the Councillors to resign.

XV, 316 (7), 12 June 1895, page 3 [7th use of No. 316.]

Editorial on Cheap Money.

The Treasurer last week raised a loan of £311,200 at 31⁄2% locally without going to London for it. The term was for 25 years. How is it that there is such a lot of money around for so low a rate? Why has it not been invested at a higher rate? The answer lies in the low price of wool and stock. There is no margin for the owner. Farming is in the same position. Prices are low and no one has the confidence to borrow. The problem is the worldwide depreciation in prices and till that changes we can hope for no permanent improvements.

2nd Leader on The Need to Reform the Town Council

Their problems include the acceptance of a tender for a lime and sand stone wall when a dry stone wall was in the specifications. Another is the acceptance of a higher tender for kerbing. Reform at the next election is absolutely necessary.

3rd Leader: Acting on the Quiet.

After the closed session of Council last week the Councillors have said: ‘Oh we don’t care if you call 50 ratepayers’ meetings, we won’t resign.’

They are unfit to represent ratepayers. ‘The Council was never in a worse position than now, and a change is absolutely necessary.’

Weather. Splendid rains this month have resulted in 95 points at the local post office.

The Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary continued with sports on the oval on Wednesday afternoon and a public tea meeting followed.

L-C Thomas will soon move to Adelaide after 8 years here.

St Mary’s Hospital Sunday last weekend was not largely attended due to the weather. Still, a satisfactory amount was collected. Rev. A.G. King officiated.

A possum was captured after being chased by a cat on Friday night. It still awaits release.

George Ramhit has been summonsed for assaulting Frederick Page at Mt Bryan Station on 4 June. The former is the cook there and the latter a visitor. The cause is as yet unknown, though Page is in hospital with a wounded arm.

A Fractious Horse. A horse attached to Drew & Crewes’ trolly caused considerable concern in Market Square on Tuesday when it became disturbed. It threw itself to the ground and then got up and dashed at the Record Office. R.D. Pascoe rescued a bicycle from its path. It then went under the verandah of P. Lane’s and Wilkinson’s shops, but rushed out again before damage was done.

Obituary. The New By-Law, which was born on 5 February 1895 with a weak constitution, which caused much uneasiness among its friends, has finally died despite all medical attention. It died on Wednesday last: the Town Clerk conducted the funeral service and 216 ratepayers followed its remains to the grave.

Redruth Court, 5 June.

J.H. Riggs was fined £2 + £3-2-0 costs for failure to destroy rabbits.

J.M. McBride charged with failure to destroy rabbits had his case adjourned.

Burra Town Council

Further from the closed meeting of 4 June.

Cr Parks asked if by-law 26 was legal.

The Mayor said the Crown Solicitor’s opinion was that it was ultra vires on two grounds.

Cr Rabbich asked questions about the ratepayers’ memorial of the matter.

The Mayor said it was open to criticism and he preferred not to irritate any Councillor by reading it.

Cr Sampson complained that Crs Hardy and Rabbich said he had supported the by-law last year. He denied having done so.

Cr Harris moved acceptance of the tender of Launder & Co. of £2-5-0 per chain for kerbing in Church St. D. Rogers had tendered £1-19-0.

Cr Hardy moved for a call of the whole Council on Wednesday to rescind the new by-law. Carried.

Special Council Meeting on Wednesday.

The minute adopting the new by-law was rescinded.

Names of 24 men requiring work on the main roads were received and arrangements were made for putting on 16 for four days each at 6/- a day. The remaining 8 to be put on in turn.

Burra District Council, 8 June.

A committee that was appointed to wait on the Corporation of Burra about the fencing of the west side of the stock road reported and it was agreed to have the boundary between the two Councils defined, after which a decision would be made.

Football. On the flat near the old White Hart on Saturday South and North junior footballers played to a draw in favour of South, who kicked 16 behinds to North’s 14.

Obituary. Mrs James Littlejohn died at Aberdeen on Monday 10 June, aged 54. She came to Burra in 1890 from Gladstone and was a daughter of Mr Henry Hambly of Camborne in Cornwall. She was a sister-in-law of W.J. Littlejohn of Broken Hill. [Hannah Littlejohn.]

Burra Homing Club. The race for P.J. Payne’s Trophy from Petersburg on 6 June saw 27 birds released. The best were those of J.A. Pearce with a velocity of 1,355 yds per min.

XV, 316 (8), 19 June 1895, page 3 [8th use of No. 316.]

Obituary. Miss Edith Lane, 4th daughter of P. Lane JP died at the age of 22 at her parents’ home on 17 June. [Born 24 November 1872.]

Mr G.H. Lake MP seems likely to have to resign his seat. He is suffering from a curious impairment of memory apparently brought on by great worry.

The Primitive Methodist Church held a public meeting on 13 June in aid of Mission Work.

Poisonous Weed. At a recent sale Mr H.S. Dunn bought several hundred sheep, but lost c. 170 on the way to Wollongabba to the east of Burra. At first phosphorised pollard was suspected, but it has now transpired that it was the poisonous weed frequently mentioned.

A Foot Race took place on Saturday afternoon between Tommy Halls and J. Conway on a 100-yard stretch of metalled road between the railway gates and the station. Conway conceded 10 yards, believing that because Tommy weighs about 17 stone and he only about 9 stone 10 lb he could expect to win. Tommy got in by a couple of feet and so won the £1 wager.

Football. North Played South on Saturday and Aberdeen 9.18 defeated Kooringa 2.2.

Burra District Council Elections.

The Nominations

Kooringa Ward Edward Catchlove Lockyer

Gottlieb Gustav Clemm

William T. Rabbich

Baldina Ward Thomas McWaters (elected)

There follows a humorous article in which the candidates are described as if participants in a horse race. From this it would seem that there was also a nomination for King Ward for which there is a reference to ‘Phil’.

The editor then takes up more serious comment on the nomination of W.T. Rabbich.

[It is no surprise after the actions of Rabbich in the Town Council lately that the editor is opposed to his candidacy. He reprints Rabbich’s evidence before the Commission on Main Roads in 1892, which tends to make Rabbich appear as a fool. He says this is relevant because looking after roads is one of the main functions of District Councils.]

The editor says:

‘The public will have no difficulty in estimating from this evidence the peculiar claims this gentleman (?) will have on the unanimous support of the ratepayers; they will be able to recognise his statesmanlike grasp of the whole subject; his intimate acquaintance with the fact of what are main and what are other roads, his truthful statements as to the traffic, his lofty sentiments as to the claims of residents outside the Corporation, boundary and the eternal debt of gratitude which would have been his due from the ratepayers of the Burra, Hanson, and Booborowie Councils had he succeeded in taking the road from the Burra Station to Hallett’s woolshed and the branch to Leighton, altogether over fourteen miles in length off the schedule of main roads and putting on instead a miserable twenty-eight chains within the Corporation boundary, at the same time throwing the repair of the north road from the railway-station by the new bridge to the north end of Ford’s property on the funds of the Corporation.’

Rabbich requests a road be added as a main road: that running west from the Bon Accord, and is asked why he requests it. [Copperhouse St]

Rabbich: The road although within Council boundaries ‘is not used by the ratepayers of the municipality’. We have maintained it because it is an approach to the town and not simply as a convenience to ratepayers, but to the public that comes into the town. The road we ask for is the ‘main entrance to the town’ and from the town there is a great deal of traffic. It drains the country from the west and also ‘from the east and from the north country’ though this is not so much settled as it is to the west. There are of course two mills at the north end of town and the stock sales. Farmers from the west bring wheat to the mills and the station and stock to stock sales and vehicle traffic ‘all go over this road’. A large number of sheep for sale go over this road. Considering that the road is used more by the outside public than by the ratepayers it is right that the public generally should maintain it and not ‘the people of the town, who do not use it at all’.

[He then goes on at some length about how the sheep cut up the road.]

Mr Lake asked how much it cost p.a. to maintain the 28 chains and was told £10-£15.

[Rabbich then gets vague about how many farmers there were to the west who used the road and also said in answer to a question that he thought there were about five miles of main road within the Corporation.

Commissioner: But all the main roads leading into Burra, into Kooringa and Redruth, are main roads, are they not? ‘No.’

Commissioner: The road from the east is on the schedule? The road from Kooringa east is on the schedule, and the one from Aberdeen?

Rabbich: The one leading south is not on the schedule.

Commissioner: Not towards Sod Hut? ‘No.’

Commissioner: Past the Hospital: south from the Hospital? ‘Yes; I beg your pardon, I think it is.’

Commissioner: Do you know whether Hanson is asking for the extension of their road to Gum Creek: ‘Yes.’

Is it necessary to have two roads on?

I could not say, there is a good deal of traffic on both.

Which is the more important road, which would you most prefer?

‘Personally I would prefer the one we are applying for.’

Commissioner: How many miles are you applying for?

‘Only 28 chains, that is all.’

Hon. J.V. O’Loghlin: Do I understand you to say you ask for 28 chains, and you do not want to go to Gum Creek at all?

‘We have nothing to do with the road to Gum Creek’

But this is in the direction of Gum Creek?

‘Yes, it is in that direction.’

You do not want this road to stop at the 28 chains and go no further?

‘We have nothing to do with it any further.’

Burra Town Council. Another confused meeting was held last night.

As soon as the minutes had been read Crs Rabbich and Hardy again asked the Mayor to clear the room and ratepayers again made a slow, but loud march to the door.

A discontented group of ratepayers surrounded the reporter near the keyhole.

Cr Sampson castigated Crs Rabbich and Hardy for using mere personal spite in clearing the room. All ratepayers could go to Council and listen, but W.J. Davey must stay away. He also accused Cr Hardy of false reporting and Cr West told Cr Harris he should practice what he preached.

At 7.40 a deputation of Messrs P.L. Killicoat, W.G. Hawkes & T. Sandland sent a message into the Mayor and a few minutes later the public were admitted. Mr Killicoat admirably advocated the needs of the Show Society and then there was again a call to clear the room of strangers.

Through the door it appeared that the highest tender for a shed to cover the night cart was £4 and the lowest 14/- and it was finally awarded to Mr Morrison for £2-10-0. A tender for painting woodwork along the roads went to Mr W. Geake for £3-15-0.

After much acrimonious discussion it was decided to call tenders for a new assessment. Council adjourned at 10.20.

Redruth Court.

The rabbit case against J. McBride has been withdrawn.

Mr James Littlejohn left Burra for Broken Hill on Monday, having secured a good position with one of the mines.

XV, 316 (9), 26 June 1895, page 2-3 [9th use of No. 316.]

Editorial on the coming District Council elections. Without mentioning any names the editor says that for the Kooringa Ward two of the nominees have merits ‘in unison with those whose desire it is to see the district advance while that of the other is very peculiar and changeable.’

XV, 316 (9), 26 June 1895, page 3 [9th use of No. 316.]

2nd Leader discusses the New Assessment.

The writer wonders if the Council expects by this means to get more or less income. Surely the former, as bonds and coupons amounting to £215 will have to be paid this year. The amount owing on the general account is £645 and the last instalment of £205 is due by July 1897. It would make no sense to reduce rates for 1896 and then have a special levy in 1897 of double the amount. He also wonders what sort of job they would get done at the sweatshop rate of £15 as suggested by Cr Hardy.

The Oval. The proposal for accommodation at the oval is quite different from that of Alex. Harris’s offer, which was rejected a short time ago. Parallels should not be drawn. This time the Show Society is offering £30 and we understand that the Friendly Societies’ Demonstration Committee would add £10. In the interests of the town it is to be hoped Council will give it serious and impartial consideration.

Burra Town Council. More on the last meeting.

Crown Lands Dept. advises that no action will be taken on the by-law following the last request of Council.

The Public Works Committee will consider a request for kerbing in Kangaroo St.

Tenders will be called for a new assessment.

A Grand Entertainment on Monday last was organised by friends of the Catholic Church and it was followed by dancing till the small hours. Dr Brummitt presided over the entertainment, which drew a crowded house and the whole event was a great success both financially and otherwise.

Football. A team from Norwood Alberts’ Football Club came to Burra on Saturday evening and were entertained at McClusky’s Hotel. Rain on Sunday made for a slippery surface on Monday, but the weather was fine.

Burra 1.3 2.7 3.9 6.11

Norwood 1.4 2.5 4.4 5.5

Unicyle. An article describes the invention of a unicycle machine with a wheel 6’ diameter and weighing 185 lb. It cost £120 and there is a proposal for one of 58 lb costing £40. Motion appeared to be achieved by shifting the centre of gravity.

Fire. On Monday a fire occurred at the Wesleyan parsonage at Redruth in the absence of Mr & Mrs Wylie. Miss Wylie had visited her father’s study with a candle and half an hour later she noticed smoke issuing from it. She managed to check the progress of the fire until neighbours arrived and subdued it. Damage and loss of books and papers is put at £30.

Obituary. Mr Matthew Henry Furniss, who died at Walkerville Rd in the city on 19 June, was an early resident of Burra. He was born at Leeds in Yorkshire and educated at Durham College. He migrated to SA when 26 in 1851 on the John Oldham with his first wife, a sister to Mr W. West of Burra. He came immediately to Burra and was employed by SAMA as an accountant for 21 years before being promoted to mining manager. He left their service in 1874 and then worked for the National Bank in Adelaide until retiring 10 years ago. When he left Burra in 1874 he was presented with a magnificent illuminated address. He is survived by a widow, a son and a daughter. He was a brother to Mr C. Furniss, manager of the National Bank, Kooringa. He was highly respected for his integrity and general demeanour. He was a keen observer of life and had a great sense of humour. A few years ago some very humorous articles appeared in the Wallaroo Times. One was The Cornish Sermon and another The Passon’s visit to the miner’s cottage. He did not enter into public life, but frequently supplied columns to the daily and provincial press on items of current interest.

[Registered as Mathew Henry Furniss, died 19 June aged 70.]

Methodist Church Union.

There is a lengthy report on a meeting in Melbourne on Wednesday that had been chaired by the Lieut.-Governor of SA, Chief Justice Way. He said there were no doctrinal differences to overcome. The differences lay in church government. The biggest change would in fact be in the name. The advantages would lie in the greatly simplified executive functions. Four executives would be reduced to one. In rural areas overlapping Methodist denominations would cease and various schools and colleges would cease to compete with each other. Methodists could speak with a united voice on ethical questions. The surplus of ministers created by union could be accommodated in missionary enterprise. Debts could be consolidated.

Mr S.J. Larke from Canada spoke of the success of Methodist Union there.

Rev. H. Heathersaw spoke for Primitive Methodists in support of Union.

The motion calling for Union was carried unanimously.

Burra Homing Club. The 5th race of the season was from Ucolta on 19 June and a bird of C. Wilkinson came in first covering the 51 miles 40 yds in 62 minutes at 1,448 yds per min.

Football. At Terowie on Monday Terowie Juniors defeated Burra Juniors 6 to 1.

L-C Thomas, who has been in charge of Kooringa Police Station, was presented with an illuminated address today, prior to his departure from the town.

The Primitive Methodist Young Peoples Christian Endeavour Society also gave the Thomas family a farewell social on Monday evening.

M-C Benham now takes charge of Kooringa Police Station.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarries. The foreman received instructions to suspend operations yesterday, throwing several men out of work.

XV, 316 (10), 3 July 1895, page 2 [10th use of No. 316.]

Editorial on the Railway Commissionership.

There has been a change from three to one commissioner for the railways and the passing over of the senior Commissioner J.H. Smith in favour of the previous Traffic Manager A.G. Pendleton has caused comment. The Government was criticised for giving Mr Smith short notice, but Sir John Downer has now said in Parliament that Mr Smith made it known that he would not accept the position at £1,500 p.a. (His previous salary was £2,500 p.a.) He thus had knowledge of his fate from at least December last when the act was passed. Mr Pendleton has long experience and undoubted ability and integrity.

XV, 316 (10), 3 July 1895, page 3 [10th use of No. 316.]

Redruth Court, 26 June.

Fines of 2/6 + 5/- costs were imposed on each of the following for allowing cows to stray:

J. Edwards E. Crewes F. Carey

C. Woodruff S. Burns J. Pearce

C. Voumard F. Bourman

R.L. Goldsworthy was fined 5/- + 5/- for driving too fast round a certain corner.

George Ramhit, cook at Mt Bryan Station was charged by Frederick Page, labourer, with assault. After evidence of assault by both parties and a claim from Ramhit that his assault was in self defence, the court rules that it was indeed self defence, but he had used unnecessary violence and fined Ramhit £1 + 15/- costs.

L-C Thomas was presented with an illuminated address at the Council Chamber on Wednesday night last. Cr W.T. Rabbich took the chair in the absence of the Mayor. Other speakers were Cr Parks, W. Davey (Town Clerk), Rev. H.J. Parkinson, J. Lane (Postmaster) & Cr Hardy.

‘Would Like to Know’ wonders why a doctor was not called to give evidence in the Page v. Ramhit case.

Burra School. Prizes associated with Arbor Day are listed.

Burra District Council Elections.

Kooringa Ward G.G. Clemm 44 elected

E.C. Lockyer 42 elected

W.T. Rabbich 12

(The defeated candidate’s total included 6 plumpers.)

R. Irlam, mail driver, had a nasty accident at World’s End a day or two ago and is in Burra Hospital. The injuries are not serious.

World’s End Creamery. The plant arrived at Burra on Friday and Mr Duldig expects to be able to receive milk in 2-3 weeks’ time.

Burra Town Council, 2 July.

After the minutes were read North Ward Councillors asked for strangers to leave the room.

Cr West asked on what grounds, but no discussion was allowed.

Cr Sampson emphatically protested against general business being conducted in committee. He could get no answer why the Council went into committee.

He moved the Council be conducted with open doors. Cr West 2nd, but the motion was lost.

Kerbing near the National Bank did not meet with Cr Sampson’s approval, but Cr Harris thought it a good job.

Council agreed to erect a suitable building at the oval if the Show Committee paid half the cost.

XV, 317 (2), 10 July 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number from Nov. 1894.]

Notice. Tenders called for the erection of a show shed of stone and iron at the Burra Oval. Specifications at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Notice. Tenders called by the Show Society for 100 straight barked posts 8’6” x 7” diameter delivered to Burra Recreation Ground by end of July, also for 100 posts 5’9” x 5” diameter, 200 stakes 5’ x 21⁄2” and 12 rails 8’ long.

Advt. Salvation Army Barracks, Limelight Service, Sunday & Monday 21 & 22 July.

30,000 miles by Land and Sea, Wreck of the Wairapara and many other interesting views will be shown.

Notice. John F. Warnes of Koomooloo calls tenders for wool-carting.

Editorial on Sanitary Matters.

The Chief Inspector of the Central Board of Health, Mr Farrell, visited Burra a few days ago. After a thorough inspection he was almost entirely satisfied. His only real complaint was the boiling of offal etc. at the premises of Messrs Rabbich & Sons, butchers, without any of the precautions required by the Health Act to prevent the escape of offensive fumes etc. This is not a new complaint and has been before the Local Board of Health on different occasions. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr J.R. Gray, the local Corporation Inspector, for the admirable way he looks after the sanitary condition of the town.

2nd Leader on the secret nature of Council proceedings and specifically on the matter of an account that was queried by Cr Sampson. Councillors are not to receive any financial advantage from Council and an account for wood (for the Waterworks) was from A. Harris on printed billhead, but with ‘junior’ hand-written in. The genuineness of the account was queried and Cr Harris then withdrew it and asked for the return of the wood. BUT if the account was genuine, what authority had Cr Harris to withdraw the account and so do A. Harris jun. out of the amount due?

XV, 317 (2), 10 July 1895, page 3 [Second use of No. 317.]

Kooringa Bible Christian Church trustees have received £50 from the estate of the late Rev. James Way.

Mr Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo has a newly patented machine capable of making and cutting up pollard baits for rabbits at the rate of 1,000 per minute.

A Bolt. Mr H.S. Dunn tied his horses to a post in front of the Kooringa Post Office on Wednesday. For some reason the horses, which were attached to a buggy, took exception to staying there and bolted along the road to the north and after negotiating several nasty corners were found by their owner at the railway yard. Only one strap was broken.

Accident. A young man named Symes from Broken Hill was admitted to Burra Hospital on Tuesday suffering from serious spinal injuries after an accident at Broken Hill. He is a brother to Mrs W.G. Neville of Aberdeen.

Mr L. Casely, son of Rev. R.S. Casely of Burra, lost his draper’s shop and contents in a fire at Petersburg on Monday. Several other buildings were also destroyed.

Burra Mounted Rifles were put through a capital drill on Wednesday last. They assembled at 2.30 in Market Square and then went through several manoeuvres on cemetery flat and at 7 p.m. reassembled for foot drill and a sham fight. Captain Watt’s team attacked from the north and Lieut. Field’s defenders engaged them near the old smelting works. Though it was a bloodless conflict it rather disturbed three tramps, who had settled in the premises for the night. In their escape they were mistaken for the attacking party and drew pursuit from the defenders.

Football. Third test between North and South teams was played on Saturday.

Aberdeen 7.19 defeated Kooringa 1.4

Burra District Council Elections.

In Kooringa Ward ‘a candidate who would like to have got home first was handsomely defeated’.

His defeat was apparently helped by the campaigning of a woman because the paper reports:

‘Through some little difference between the two parties the woman put her shoulder to the wheel and worked with a will against the anxious candidate. So well did she accomplish her task that there is a likelihood of a duel taking place between the two, but the fair one has signified her intention to toe the mark at any time.’ (Thus in column 1.)

Then, in a humorous report on the election by ‘Spec’ in column 3:

When ‘Spec’ went to see ‘The Butcher’s’ dearly-loved trainer to ask what ailed him ‘he told me that he thought he had taken an overdose of a mixture called the ‘Copperhousmail’ and Kentrophyllum lanatum combined’.

Further on he says: ‘The lady canvasser is the superintendent of the yards – commonly known as the pound.’

[Personal interest: these two comments make it clear that the woman concerned was Ellen Sanders, my great-grandmother.]

Burra Town Council.

There is further on the matter discussed in the 2nd leader.

After the objection of Cr Sampson to the wood account Cr Harris signified his surprise at his conduct and his audacity in opposing the account. Cr Hardy however, found a clause in the Act and showed it to Cr Harris, to the effect that his seat could be declared vacant if it could be shown he received any benefit from Council.

When the Board of Health’s business had been dealt with Cr Hardy tried to bring forward something concerning the Inspector, but the Mayor said the Board’s business was completed and he would not entertain further reference.

When Cr Hardy persisted the Mayor told him firmly to take his seat and then explained why he had decided not to allow the matter to be brought forward.

Cr Hardy displayed vexation and told the Mayor that he would not be snuffed out by him or anyone else and went on dealing with irrelevant matter, to which the Mayor calmly listened till the speaker completely ran down. Then His Worship quietly dressed Cr Hardy down and told him bluntly that if he (Hardy) meant what he said in reference to the snuffing out, it was a falsehood; he (the Mayor) claimed to be an impartial chairman. This remark brought forth hear, hear, from all the councillors, who were of the opinion the castigation was richly deserved. The Mayor continued to give Cr Hardy words of advice and a lecturette on etiquette and truthfulness, and the meeting adjourned.

Christian Endeavour Rally. A very successful meeting was held in connection with the above in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Monday. Officers elected were: President, Rev. R.S. Casely; Vice-President, Rev. D.S. Wylie; Secretary, Mr H. Preece; Treasurer, Mr J. Scott. There are over 200 members on the roll.

Burra Homing Club. The 6th race for the season was from Oodlawirra on 3 July. 20 birds were released and first home were J.A. Pearce’s, covering the 56 miles 125 yds in 841⁄4 mins at 1,171 yds per min.

Obituary. Mr John Edwards, an old Burra resident, died recently and was buried on Tuesday afternoon. [Died 8 July aged 54.]

XV, 318 (2), 17 July 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number from Nov. 1894.]

Advt. New Lime Kiln in Lower Thames St. Mr C. Woodruff. Amounts from 1 bushel upwards.

Advt. Salvation Army Barracks. Limelight Service Sunday & Monday 21 & 22 July

Sunday: a collection at the door and Monday 6d.

30,000 miles by land and sea, wreck of the Wairarapa etc.

Advt. Entertainment at the Institute on Friday 19 July. In aid of the Oval Improvement Fund.

Obituary. John Edwards aged 50, husband of Mary, died on 8 July at his residence in Kooringa after a long and painful illness. He is survived by a widow and 8 children. [Aged 54 on registration.]

Obituary. Charlotte A.L. Pearse, wife of T.H. Pearse of ‘The Gums’ died at Kooringa on 13 July aged 34. She was the youngest daughter of Mr George Hiles of ‘Petherton House’ Hallett.

[Born Adeline Louisa Hiles 13 June 1861.]

Editorial on the Reduction on the Carriage of Stock.

Recently a deputation waited on the Government to seek lower rates for the carriage of stock, especially since SA rates were the highest of the colonies and stock prices were so low. The Government have now announced substantial reductions and producers moving stock from 50 to 400 miles will be advantaged. Burra Market can expect to benefit.

Burra Mounted Rifles. The 4th inspection of the Mounted Rifles will take place today. Members will assemble at 2 o’clock in Market Square and then proceed to the old drill ground near the cemetery for inspection by Col. Gordon. The Public are warned against crossing the line of fire between 3 and 4 o’clock. A Military Ball will be held in the Institute at 8.30 p.m.

XV, 318 (2), 17 July 1895, page 3 [2nd use of No. 318.]

Miss C.H. Spence will give a lecture at the Burra Institute on 25 July on Things I have seen and people I have met in recent travel around the world. After the lecture she will illustrate the system of ‘Effective Voting’. [Proportional Representation.]

Obituary. Mrs Charlotte A.L. Pearse, wife of T.H. Pearse, the manager of ‘The Gums’, died at a friend’s house in Kooringa on Saturday last. She was 34 and had been ailing for a long time. She was the youngest daughter of George Hiles of ‘Petherton House’ Hallett.

Burra Town Council. How We Got the News.

‘We have invented a machine by which we can now get reports from headquarters without the slightest difficulty, and we intend to further explore the little games which are being carried on. Extreme uneasiness has prevailed on account of us merely mentioning the fact that an account for wood had been introduced but rejected, etc., consequently there are razors flying in the air.’

World’s End Creamery.

Yesterday the new creamery at World’s End was opened. Operations had previously been carried out at F. Duldig’s residence. Mr Duldig has erected an Alexander’s Cream Separator with a capacity of 200 gallons of milk an hour. The machinery is driven by an oil engine. After being measured the milk runs into a large vat and thence through a heater to reach about 86°F and then into another large vat for separation of the milk and cream. The skimmed milk is carried through the top of the roof by aid of a force pump and taken to a large tank. The cream is conveyed to a large cellar to be cooled.

Cartage Rates.

[Many more details are given, but the following conveys the main idea.]

The reductions apply to Class B sheep vans (carrying c. 90 sheep in full wool) and classes Q & K cattle vans for the carriage of cattle, calves, pigs and horses.

Rates are per vehicle.

Mileage 50 100 200 300 400

Formerly 37/6 66/8 108/4 133/4 158/4

Now 29/2 54/2 91/8 116/8 141/8

Approx % reduction 22 19 15 12 10

District Council of Burra

The New Council met comprising Crs Barker, Klemm, Kiekebusche, Killicoat, Lockyer, McWaters & Sandland. Cr Lockyer was elected Chairman.

Cr Killicoat reported a conference between the District Council committee and the Town Council on the ground where the dividing line of the Councils had been pegged out and the idea of fencing the new stock road was allowed to lapse.

Fred Page of Canowie thanks all at Burra Hospital for the attention he received while there.

R. Brummitt (Mayor) writes explaining the load of firewood that Cr Harris sent to the Waterworks. On the morning of the last public holiday a burst pipe had emptied the town reservoir. Wood was needed to pump water in to refill it, but although some had been ordered, it had not yet arrived. Cr Harris supplied the wood in this emergency upon being appealed to by the engineer. There can be little if any profit to Cr Harris.

The editor responds to the above by commenting that the explanation does not alter the fact that Cr Harris supplied the wood, rendered an account and expected to be paid and then withdrew it. There were six other wood merchants in the town, some of them closer to the Waterworks, but they were not appealed to.

Burra Town Council, 16 July.

Council accepted the tender of A. Bartholomæus (£25) over that of R. Snell (£18) for the new assessment.

Pearce, Launder & Co.’s tender for the erection of a shed at the oval was accepted for £91. (O. Bartholomæus’s tender had been £97-10-6.)

Local Board of Health.

The Central Board of Health calls the Local Board’s attention to Section 64 of the Public Health Act 1873 and urges them to compel Mr Rabbich to comply.

Obituary. The young man named Symes, who was admitted to the Burra Hospital from Broken Hill, died last week. The funeral on Sunday was largely attended.

[Registration gives John Syme, died 12 July aged 21, of myelitis.]

XV, 319 (4), 24 July 1895, page 2 [Repeat use of number already used three times in Dec. 1894.]

Advt. W.J. Davey for Ormonde, James’ & Allards’ Cycles.

2nd hand cushions from £8-10-0 to £18

Solids at £5-10-0, £6 & £7

2nd hand pneumatics (really good) from £14 to £18.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will offer for sale the Flagstaff Estate of c. 3,400 acres comprising:

Hundred of Kooringa sections 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 51, 50, 188, 190, 187 & 189.

Hundred of Ayers sections 157, 173 & 176

Hundred of Hanson sections 788, 796, 797, & 798. Total 1852 acres

Firewood Creek Paddock Hundred of Kooringa sections 122, 123, 124, 125, & 3034. Total 568 acres.

Mt Horrocks Paddock Hundred of Kooringa sections 163, 126 & 164. Total 965 acres.

Also leasehold area 25 miles east of Burra, Hundred of King comprising sections 153E, 150, 151, 170, 153W, 12, 145, 146, 154, 155 & Hundred of Rees sections 11 & 12A – under a variety of lease arrangements of which details are printed.

Also a house of 8 rooms at Mt Lofty occupied at present by Mr B. White.

[From a comment in ‘Sparks’ column it would seem this was under instructions from Mr W. Killicoat.]

XV, 319 (4), 24 July 1895, page 3 [4th use of No. 319.]

Advt. Relief Concert at Burra Institute 31 July. 1/- admission to all parts.

In aid of the Catastrophe at Broken Hill, to help widows and children of the men killed at the South Mine last Thursday 18 July.

Advt. Friday 9 August at Burra Institute. Henry J. Byron’s Drama Blow for Blow.

In aid of Burra & St Mary’s Cricket Clubs.

Mr C.H. Uhrlaub will be given a send-off social at the Kingston Hotel at Mt Bryan after living at Mt Bryan for 5 years.

Snow began to fall about 9.40 p.m. on Friday last and soon covered the surface. Few saw it, as the night was very dark. The fall was preceded by boisterous weather and rain. On Saturday a second fall at about 6.30 a.m. was generally seen and many a snowball fight ensued. A heavy fall was reported from Mt Bryan.

Obituary. Charles Greenwood died at Burra Hospital a few days ago. He was born 20 May 1849 at Duckhill, Wandsworth, Parish of Halifax in Yorkshire. Before falling ill the deceased had worked for Mr H.S. Dunn. [Died 6 July aged 46.]

Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 30,750 sheep at their Friday sale.

Fire broke out in the underground workings of Block 11 of the Proprietary Mine at Broken Hill on 21 July and remains out of control.

Broken Hill Catastrophe. Eight men were killed apparently by a great concussion of air when ground fell in at South Mine and two others were seriously injured. One of these has subsequently also died. [At least six of the dead were miners from the Kadina& Moonta area of SA.]

The Oval Improvement Fund Concert on Friday drew only a fair audience due to bad weather.

Burra Mounted Rifles were complimented by Col. Gordon when he inspected the unit last Wednesday. There had been a great improvement in their drill. Captain Watt was particularly congratulated on his work. The Military Ball held afterwards had about 30 couples dancing from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Football. At Manoora on Wednesday: Burra 2.7 defeated Manoora 0.4.

The Salvation Army’s limelight service was very impressive and Capt. Coombes is to be congratulated on his systematic and thorough work since arriving in the town.

Burra Homing Club. The race from Nackara on 17 July for R.K. Boothby’s Trophy was won by J. Drew’s birds covering the 63 miles 1385 yds in 803⁄4 mins at 1390 yds per min.

Obituary. Lady Parks died at Annandale on Thursday aged 34. Sir Henry is 81.

Advt. Burra Show Society calls tenders for the erection of cattle yards at the Recreation Ground.

XV, 319 (5), 31 July 1895, page 3 [5th use of No. 319.]

Advt. Rev. J.S. Wright [sic] will preach at Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday 4 August. There will be a public dinner on Wednesday 7 August at 4.30 p.m. and at 7 .30 p.m. Rev. J.G. Wright will deliver his popular lecture 50 Years of My Ministry.

[The report in the paper of 14 August confirms Rev. J.G. Wright did both.]

Editorial on The State Advances Bill, which proposed loans to primary producers at low interest rates. The editor was opposed at he did not believe it met the real needs of farmers.

Miss Helen Spence delivered her interesting lecture at the Institute to a good audience considering the weather.

Robbery. Mr J.A. Watt’s drapery store was entered between 9.30 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. Monday. Mr Watt did not notice anything unusual till he sought his cash box at about 8.30 a.m. and found it gone. It held about £15 comprising £6-10-0 in gold, 5 or 6 £1 notes, a cheque and a postal note. Subsequently he also missed 1 Berlin Coat, 1 black suit, 3 imitation silk handkerchiefs, 1 towel, several shirts and beaver moles. The burglar appears to have gained admittance through the front door by key. [Beaver mole = a form of woollen trouser.]

Robbery. A man named Dempter pitched his tent near the Elder, Smith & Co. saleyards at Aberdeen on 26 July and spent the evening with friends. During his absence a mate from another tent took all his possessions and left by the express for Adelaide before the victim discovered his loss. The accused is expected to be captured before long. On the same day Mr Westwood lost his overcoat from a peg in a passage at the Bon Accord Hotel.

Football. Saturday the test between the north and south end of town ended in a draw.

Aberdeen 3.9 and Kooringa 3.3.

‘Ratepayer’ writes condemning strongly the activities of the Town Council in meeting behind closed doors. He refers to the audacity and effrontery of a person [Cr Rabbich] asking respectable ratepayers to leave the room. He mentions several examples of expenditure he clearly feels were injudicious.

The Dayman’s pay was increased from 6/- to 6/6 a day.

The Inspector’s salary was reduced from £60 to £50 and the job given to R. Snell. Then confusion set in and the decision was cancelled and the job given to Mr Gray at the old salary of £60.

Then there was the fiasco of the Hawkers By-Law.

And the awarding of a kerbing contract to Messrs Launder & Co. despite Mr Roger’s lower tender.

The writer then recounts the events of the Waterworks and the appeal by the Engineer to Cr Harris for wood. Surely either the Waterworks Committee or the Council is guilty of neglect in not seeing that there was a supply of wood on hand.

‘A Resident of Copperhouse’ writes complaining of the mail arrangements. The present contractor announced that he would be changing arrangements to suit his own convenience. The authorities responded to a petition saying no change would be made unless to the advantage of residents. The old system that had been in force for 16 years had the mail closed in time for the afternoon train to Adelaide and on return brought back the northern mail. Now the northern mail stays at the Aberdeen PO for about 21 hours instead of 10 minutes. Also the conveyance of the mail is sometimes entrusted to a boy under the age of 12 years.

The editor comments that this is a matter for the Postmaster-General, but he (the editor) has received another lengthy letter in similar vein.

XV, 320 (2), 7 Aug. 1895, page 3 [Repeat use of number from Dec. 1894.]

Obituary. Elizabeth Killingbeck, wife of William Killingbeck, died 20 July at Plympton of cancer aged 62.

Editorial on the British Elections.

Federation. The Australasian Federation League of SA passed a resolution in it inaugural meeting in the Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday declaring the time was ripe for federation and pledging to do all it could to promote it.

Vandalism. Water was turned on at the oval on Saturday in full force and allowed to run for hours until noticed about 8 a.m.

Fire. The Broken Hill mine fire continues, but seems to be gradually decreasing.

SAR. A petition has been forwarded requesting the Broken Hill express arrive in Adelaide early enough in the day to allow a reasonable amount of business to be transacted [before catching the afternoon train back] and so increase its use.

State advances Bill. The petition against the Bill is printed. It will probably be presented today by the Treasurer the Hon. F.W. Holder.

Football. 30 players and supporters travelled to Broken Hill on Friday evening by the express. On Saturday they played Broken Hill.

Burra 1.1 2.6 3.6 4.8

Broken Hill 1.3 1.3 3.4 3.5

Burra Homing Club. The 8th race for the season was from Yarcowie on 31 July. Mr J.A. Pearce’s birds came in first covering the 31 miles 656 yds in 41 mins at 1342 yds per min.

Broken Hill Relief Concert was well patronised.

Obituary. Bob the Railway Dog has died. He is to be stuffed for the museum.

Advt. Nigger Minstrel Entertainment, St Mary’s School-Room, 13 August 1895.

XV, 321 (2), 14 Aug. 1895, page 3 [Repeat use of number from Jan. 1895.]

Advts. Entire Horse Season

Thomas Hastie’s King William. (£1-10-0 with allowance for more than one mare.)

James Nicholas’s Maelstrom.

Editorial on Dodgery in Council.

The editor condemns Cr Parks’ attempt to rescind a vote giving two contracts to Mr Rogers. This was a move contrary to standing orders, which would require a call of the whole council duly made expressly to consider such a motion. Also he condemns the conduct of Cr Harris, who moved the lowest tender be accepted for kerbing in Kangaroo St, only to attempt to amend this when he discovered Mr Roger’s tender had not yet been opened.

Rev. W.F. James gave an interesting lecture in the Bible Christian Church on Monday evening, chaired by the Rev. T.M. Flood.

Mr J. McClusky of the Burra Hotel is to leave after three years, to be replaced by Mr Fletcher from Waterloo.

The National Defence League held a meeting in Mr Lewis’s schoolroom on Friday.

Mr C.A. Uhrlaub, who has been the Mt Bryan schoolteacher for 5 years, was given a social at the Kingston Hotel last Wednesday with a moderate attendance.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held their annual effort last Sunday & Wednesday and the popular Rev. J.G. Wright preached three times to large congregations on Sunday and again on Wednesday before the public dinner. He gave the evening talk on Fifty Years of My Ministry. Total takings for the effort were c. £31.

Miss Sprod has received a letter from her 12-year-old pupil May Sangster, who left some time ago to visit the old country with her father. It is an interesting account of her journey extending for some 40 pages.

Mr Grow’s horses bolted from outside the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday when frightened by passing horses. The ‘cabe’ was badly damaged in a collision with a corner guard and a tree.

Burra Town Council, 6 August.

Tree guards are to be lent to St Mary’s at the request of the church warden.

The work of planting trees towards the cemetery is proceeding.

4 tenders were received for carting rubble from the Aberdeen Government Quarry from 1/- to 1/1.

It was decided to divide the work evenly. Messrs Tiver were given the tender for the south end at 111⁄2d.

Cr Harris, before tenders were opened moved that 1 chain more of kerbing be added in Kangaroo St to complete its full length.

Tenders of Short & Prior £2 per chain, J. Snell £2, Launder & Co. £1-17-6.

Cr Harris moved acceptance of the lowest tender.

Cr Rabbich pointed out one was yet to be considered.

Cr Harris: ‘Whose?’

Cr Rabbich: I think there should be one from Mr Rogers. And there was: for £1-16-0.

Cr Hardy moved the lowest be accepted. 2nd Cr Rabbich.

Cr Harris moved Launder & Co.’s be accepted. Not 2nd.

Tenders for North Ward kerbing were then opened.

The same four tendered as above, except that Mr Roger’s was this time £1-14-0.

Cr Hardy moved acceptance of Mr Roger’s. 2nd Cr Rabbich.

Cr Harris was disappointed in his attempt to prevent this.

Cr Parks then tried to rescind the Kangaroo St decision.

[Strangely no one seems to have pointed out for some time that this infringed standing orders.]

After some discussion Cr Parks gave notice he would so move at the next meeting.

Waterworks Commission.

Cr Hardy asked if ‘that wood’ had yet been returned.

Mr Lapidge, the engineer, said it had not, but that Mr Nankivell would throw it off at Cr Harris’s when he brought the first load in.

Local Board of Health.

Cr Hardy called attention to the dangerous houses owned by SAMA and suggested they be asked to pull them down and thus save on rates.

Cr West said that if he waited a day or two he would see someone repairing them.

Blow for Blow was a great success when performed on Friday night. It is reviewed in c. 3⁄4 column.

‘Fair Play’ writes concerning money from rates spent on public works, saying that after citing the figures comment is superfluous.

Burra District Council: rates raise £405-3-3. Spent on public works: £288-4-7 or 71%.

Burra Town Council: rates raise £686-3-11. Spent on public works: £301-19-4 or 44%.

Obituary. August Davidson, a native of Sweden and most recently a miner at Ulooloo died on 11 August at Hallett of Bright’s disease. [Kidney failure.] [Aged 40.]

The Broken Hill Mine Fire is extinguished.

XV, 322 (4), 21 Aug. 1895, page 2

[Repeat use of number from Jan. 1895 where it was used three times.]

Advt. Mr A.C. Noyes, because of the generous support accorded over the last five years will not return to England as anticipated, but will continue his musical profession in Burra.

Notice. Reuben Hoare seeks the return of the chairs taken from his property at Firewood Creek, or legal proceedings will be taken. The parties are known.

XV, 322 (4), 21 Aug. 1895, page 3 [4th use of No. 322]

Obituary. Joseph Fogg died in Adelaide on 14 August aged 75. He was a colonist of 50 years.

Mr Fogg arrived in Burra in the early days and was variously employed as a schoolteacher, Town Clerk, District Ranger and Secretary to the local branch of the Hibernian Society. He was buried in West Terrace cemetery, Adelaide. [Registered as aged 74.]

‘Resident’ writes condemning the practice of cabs carrying parcels. It is surely against the law, as it is for the parcel van to carry passengers. It is a practice detrimental to the parcel carrier and also to the passengers of the cabs who suffer from the dirt etc. from boxes and parcels and also from the worn and torn cushions they cause in cabs.

Burra Homing Club. The 9th race of the season was from Ucolta on 14 August. The birds had much trouble with hawks and some were drawn to take refuge in farmhouses and 1 or 2 were caught. The best times were by J. Edwards’ birds that covered the 51 miles, 570 yds in 87 mins at 1,038 yds per min.

Kooringa Masonic Lodge. A meeting at the Institute last night, chaired by Mr W. West, unanimously decided to recommence active operations.

XV, 322 (5), 28 Aug. 1895, page 2 [5th use of No. 322]

Advt. F. Duldig notifies the public he has commenced business as a butter manufacturer at World’s End Creamery. Messrs drew & Crewes have been appointed agents from whom fresh butter can always be obtained. He also begs to inform he has opened a store at the creamery where he can supply groceries etc at the lowest prices.

Obituary. Alfred Stewart, 2nd son of Alexander Stewart of Mannahill, died at the Burra Hospital on 26 August aged 36. [Born 28 February 1859.]

Editorial against the State Advances Bill.

2nd Leader on the Corporation Finances.

Council has about £10 to cover the rest of the year. An overdraft is therefore inevitable. For the year North Ward had £71-7-9 to spend and has already exceeded that by £11.

East Ward has spent £72-16-2 of its £82-15-7.

West Ward had £82-15-7 and retains £7-7-0 plus £12-11-10 carried over from last year.

Sir john Downer will be asked to Burra to talk on political matters.

Sales. The freehold of c. 3,400 acres near Burra and an 8-roomed house at Mt Lofty along with three allotments at Albert Park and a small residence at Aberdeen went to Mr J.M. McBride for £5,750.

Other leases in the hundred of King totalling 2,846 acres went to Mr Henry Scott for £400.

The other leases etc. were not offered.

XV, 322 (5), 28 Aug. 1895, page 3 [5th use of No. 322]

Mr Nathan will lecture tonight at the Institute on Caponising.

Elliott Wise (6), son of John Wise, sustained serious injuries to his right arm when a dray capsized as a result of a horse bolting at Cartapoo yesterday. There is a compound fracture above the elbow and a simple fracture above the wrist.

Hon. F.W. Holder, Treasurer of SA, spoke at the Institute to a large gathering on Friday night last. He spoke for over two hours, principally on the State Advances Bill. He began by welcoming the ladies for whom he had worked to obtain the franchise. The intent of the Government was to make money available at low interest to primary producers. It was not intended they take over the Savings Bank. His argument is reported in 2 columns of detail.

Burra Town Council, 20 August.

A letter from F.J. Carey complained of harsh treatment by the Inspector. Mr Carey implied in his complaint that various infringements relating to a stray cow were insignificant and the cow was within 100 yards of its destination when they occurred. The Inspector’s book showed that Carey had been summoned 7 times in 10 years and that far from being near home the cow was apprehended in various parts of the town. The letter to lie on the table till next meeting.

The financial situation as stated in the 2nd Leader above was then revealed.

The state of finances was largely due to the Council having provided as much work as possible for the unemployed.

Cr Parks failed to give formal notice of his foreshadowed motion and so it lapsed.

Cr Sampson complained that a Councillor had rushed into print (in the Advertiser) criticising the new assessment even before it came before Council. He thought this very wrong and moved that Council declare it very undesirable. Cr West 2nd.

Cr Hardy asked if it could be proved that a Councillor had written the item.

Cr Sampson said he could not exactly do so, but guessed very closely that it was Cr Hardy.

Cr Parks supported the general point of the motion, but was under the impression that the item was written by Cr Hardy in a private capacity and as such he was justified in commenting on the assessment as a public matter.

Cr Rabbich said it was absurd. The fact that the newspaper’s correspondent was a Councillor did not prevent his commenting on public matters. The whole issue was trifling. He moved the house divide.

Cr Hardy then admitted writing the paragraph. And said he would continue to write on public matters as a pressman and not as a Councillor. He had only reported what people had told him.

Cr Harris accused Cr Sampson of making a practice of raking up trivial things and turning an hour’s meeting into three hours’ work.

Cr Rabbich’s motion to divide was lost.

Cr Sampson then continued to state his case, but when his motion was finally put, it was lost.

Waterworks Commission.

Cr Sampson asked if the Mayor had given permission for Mr Littlejohn’s diary to be removed from the Waterworks office.

Neither the Mayor nor the Town Clerk had done so.

Cr Hardy said it was another mare’s nest. He had it.

Cr Sampson wanted to know why Cr Hardy had it and why he was exhibiting it to ratepayers round the town – misleading them by pointing to Sampson’s name in the book and drawing erroneous conclusions.

Cr West supported the statements of Cr Sampson and Cr Sampson then moved that Cr Hardy return the book. Cr Hardy 2nd saying he intended to do so anyway. When put to the vote however, Hardy voted against it and the motion only passed on the casting vote of the Mayor.

A deputation met the SA Treasurer, Mr Holder, while he was in the town on Friday and sought work for the unemployed. They were hoping for work at the Ballast Quarry to be resumed. He said that anticipating the request he had seen the Railways Engineer-in-Chief before coming and was told there was little likelihood of work there being soon resumed. He undertook to do what he could.

Cricket. 1st AGM of the Burra Cricket Club at Vivian’s Commercial Hotel on 26 August. Elected: Patrons, Hon. F.W. Holder & Hon. W. Russell MLC; President, P.L. Killicoat; Hon. Sec. & Treasurer, J.A. Pearce; Captain, G. Parks; Vice-Captain, M. Rabbich.

XV, 322 (6), 4 Sep. 1895, page 3 [6th use of No. 322]

Editorial on Poultry Breeding.

The editor supports the efforts of the Government in employing a well-qualified person to lecture on improving the poultry industry in SA and pointing out the potential for the export of frozen chickens. This is an industry in which people could become established for relatively little capital. 1/3 will send a fowl to England where they can realise as much as 5/- each. In addition to this there is egg production to consider.

2nd Oval Improvement Concert in the Institute on Friday night was creditably presented to a moderate audience.

Tennis. On the court in front of the Burra Hospital: Burra beat [Terowie] Rovers by 6 games.

Bible Christian Church held their annual effort on 1 & 2 September. Rev. Hugh Beggs of Dunedin preached twice. The service of song in the afternoon was The River Singers. Financial results were c. £30.

Monday Holiday passed quietly. The weather was annoying with high wind, raised dust and flying gravel.

Mr Nathan’s lecture on raising poultry for export is reported in c. 11⁄2 columns. Mr A.H. Forder, Secretary of the local branch of the Agricultural Bureau presided.

Hallett Races were held last Monday. Results are printed.

Burra Homing Club. The race for Mr Welch’s trophy from Paratoo on 28 August encountered strong head winds. 1st home were J.A. Pearce’s birds, covering the 73 miles 125 yds in 169 mins.

XV, 322 (7), 11 Sep. 1895, page 3 [7th use of No. 322]

Advt. Grand Vocal & Instrumental Concert, Wednesday 18 September Burra Institute.

The program is printed.

Editorial on the Burra Show.

The editor predicts a great success given good weather and he stresses its importance in infusing energy into the various industries. The prize list has been increased in value by £60 to £200. A new shed has been erected for perishable goods. A new gate allows for the entrance of cattle. The society is in a sound financial position.

2nd Leader on Vermin. A meeting in the Institute on Friday considered the advisability of bringing the Burra District under the Fencing Act of 1892. Under this Act the Government assisted landowners to protect themselves from rabbits at the cost of £14 per mile for fencing with the Government picking up half the initial cost, repayable at the rate of 6%. Though this may seem expensive the losses and expenses of coping with rabbits is greater. It is hoped the Government will acceded to the Council’s request.

Redruth Court, last Wednesday.

James Gully was fined 2/6 for failure to send a child to school the required number of days in the quarter.

Mr Kennedy resigned from the Institute Committee upon his leaving the town.

Vermin Proof District Meeting. There is a further report on the meeting covered in the 2nd leader.

Another aspect of coming under the act was that the erection of a vermin proof fence as a dividing fence with another landowner allowed the landowner erecting the fence to reclaim half the cost from the adjoining occupier: payable within three months, or if the sum exceeded £20, within 5 years plus 6% p.a.

Burra Town Council.

Some minor work in Stock St was dealt with.

An account for £91 from Pearce, Launder & Co. for the erection of the shed at the oval was passed for payment. (Half the cost to be found by the Show Society.)

J. McLaren was permitted to run a flock of sheep on the oval for a few days before the show as long as they were supervised and not left overnight.

Council decided the Inspector was justified in the case of Mr Carey’s cow.

Wattle Blossom Fait was a great success. £70 was raised to meet the instalment of £40 due to the Redruth Wesleyan Trust Fund.

[The report runs to c. 2⁄3 column and of personal interest: M. Fuss took part in the Maypole Dance. This is probably Muriel rather than Myrtle seeing that her brother Ray and company sang songs and choruses from HMS Pinafore and he also sang a duet with Amy Wylie.]

Burra Homing Club. The race from Yunta on 4 September was won by J. Edward’s birds, which covered the 85 miles 130 yds in 1761⁄4 minutes with a strong head wind.

Cricket. St Mary’s Parish Cricket Club AGM is called for John Lewis’s schoolroom tonight.

XV, 322 (8), 18 Sep. 1895, page 3 [8th use of No. 322]

Police. Last Friday’s Government Gazette carried a notice that the Burra Corporation would be liable for £68-8-0, being half the cost of a foot-constable for the year. The Council has spent almost all its money and this is an unacceptable change, especially as the Treasurer advised a month ago that there would be no charge. A letter from Mr Holder has since confirmed that there will be no charge due to the removal of the foot-constable from Kooringa. The mistake came from basing the charges on last year’s arrangements.

Obituary. Andrew Przibilla Senior died at Burra Hospital on Thursday aged 62. He had long resided at Farrell’s Flat and for the last 8 years at Baldina, where he was a farmer. He was buried at Baldina cemetery. He arrived in SA 52 years ago and leaves a wife, 13 children and 1 great-grandchild. [Sic, there is no mention of grandchildren.] One son, Mr Andrew Przibilla jnr and one daughter, Mrs Jeffrey of Schomburgk, are married. [Hundred of Schomburgk has been Hundred of Maude since 1918.] [Registered as Andrew Pryzibilla died 12 September 1895 aged 60.]

Burra School. The head teacher, Mr J.A. Kennedy, has been transferred to Glenelg and Mr Bennett from Salisbury comes here. The School Board of Advice expressed its best wished to Mr Kennedy.

IOR held a social gathering at the Institute on the occasion of the visit of District Officers on Monday evening. The three branches all took part and Dr Brummitt presided. The members of the order in the town almost total 400 with funds nearing £2,600.

Obituary & Inquest. Frederick Bagg, a farmer residing just over the boundary of the Hundred of Kooringa, shot himself at about 6 a.m. last Thursday 12 September. [Died 12 September aged 48.]

Dr Brummitt was sent for and arrived to find him on a sofa in a dying state. He had lived in the area for many years and two months ago decided to build a new 7-roomed house about 1⁄2 mile from his old residence. A tender by Pearce, Launder & Co. was accepted for c. £400. The money was in the bank and work was started. About three weeks ago he suddenly became possessed of the idea he would need the money for other things and tried to stop the work. The contractors said it was too far advanced to stop. Although his subsequent behaviour was sometimes strange, no one supposed he was of a mind to harm himself. Wednesday night passed as usual and on Thursday morning he rose at 6 a.m., dressed, went into the adjoining room and shot himself.

Dr Brummitt described the scene on his arrival and the nature of the wound. He had been consulted once about two or three weeks earlier, but had gained the impression that the concern over the building costs was a passing annoyance rather than a serious difficulty. He had no reason to think the deceased was likely to commit suicide.

Sidney Benham, police trooper, reported going out when advised by Walter Bagg that his father had shot himself. He produced the gun and had informed the coroner of the death.

John Casey, employed by the deceased, said when he arrived on the scene the deceased was fully conscious and said he had shot himself ‘to put myself out of misery’. Casey said he had never heard deceased express any thoughts of that sort before. He had worked there about one month.

Mary Elizabeth Bagg gave details of what she had done on hearing the shot. She had sent word to John Carey, Mr Launder (who was working on the new house) and to Dr Brummitt.

Walter Edgar Bagg, eldest [surviving] son of the deceased was the first on the scene, which he described in some detail.

The verdict was of suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.

The deceased leaves a wife and six children, the youngest of whom is – years old. [The blank space in the paper should be filled with the number 11. Note that Walter Edgar Bagg sadly died 21 Apr. 1896 of phthisis (TB) aged 20.]

R.S. Casely writes saying he had written to Sir Henry Ayers drawing attention to the wretchedly small earnings of tributers working on tailings in the Burra Creek and in some exposed places in the mine. They were getting £1 a week, from which 5/- was deducted by the company. Sir Henry has said he will ask the directors to consider ‘whether the tribute can be slightly increased’.

Cricket. The St Mary’s Cricket Club AGM was held on 11 September at Mr Lewis’s schoolroom. Of 9 games played in the last season 6 were won and 3 lost. Best batting was by J.J. Blott with an av. 29.2. Best bowling was by E.F. Lockyer with 32 wickets at an av. 5.26. Financially they were a few shillings in debt. Election: President, J.D. Cave; Captain, A.H. Jennings; Vice-Captain, J.E.H. Winnall; Hon. Sec. & Treasurer, W.B. Page.

Burra Homing Club. The 11th race was from Yunta on 11 September and was won by A. Pearce’s birds, which covered the 84 miles 1,445 yds in 104 mins at av. 1,435 yds per min.

Shearing. There are presently many shearers about the town.

XV, 322 (9), 25 Sep. 1895, page 2-3 [9th use of No. 322]

Burra Show.

After its revival 18 months ago vigorous work by the society has produced a phenomenal success. £73 was taken at the gate and £45 in entries. The new shed was a great improvement and so were the arrangements for cattle.

Agricultural produce was well represented, though some grain was not clean and some farmers need to secure new improved machinery for cleaning wheat if they expect to receive top price.

Butter and eggs were well represented. Ham and bacon drew few entries, but they were of good quality. Mr Duldig’s butter was complimented.

Poultry was one of the big attractions. Entries came from as far as Broken Hill and Adelaide. Pigeons increased both in quality and quantity.

Draught stock was a fair representation

Blood stock drew few, but good quality entries, while roadster stock drew a good number.

Cattle numbers were fair, but quality was generally not good.

Dog entries were few, but included some good ones.

Sheep produced a fine display with impressive entries from Mr Collins, J.H. Riggs, G.A. Gebhardt, Koonoona Station and Kadlunga Estate among them.

Only one pig was entered.

Agricultural implements were conspicuously absent.

Vegetables were impressive with Mr C. Oppermann of Redruth particularly notable.

Flowers had been damaged by rain just before the show and the date falls awkwardly between seasons, but there were still some choice blooms.

School class entries were good.

The concert in the evening was the most successful ever, financially and otherwise. Over £32 was taken.

[Of personal interest:

Ah Chin won the collection of salad vegetables.

In flowers the description credits Mr Fuss with a fine collection of 24 varieties, but in the prize list it is Mrs Fuss who is named as winning 10/- for 24 cut flowers and 5/- for 6 cut flowers.

We can assume this was Mrs H.C.W. Fuss as H.C.W. had died on 25 April 1895.]

XV, 322 (9), 25 Sep. 1895, page 3 [9th use of No. 322]

Sir John Downer spoke at the Institute on Friday on:

The Pastoral Industry

The Conduct of the Government

The State Advances Bill

The New Zealand Treaty

He began by predicting a triumph soon for the conservative forces due to the failure of the Liberals to deliver a more flourishing colony.

He spoke of the need to encourage pastoralism.

He spoke against the State Advances Bill.

On a free trade treaty with New Zealand he said it would not be to our advantage and would be detrimental to the interests of other Australian colonies and thus an impediment to federation.

Obituaries. William Ryan, late of Burra, had been working in Broken Hill and on hearing that his father was dangerously ill he decided to come to see him. In endeavouring to move from one carriage to another on the train near Thackeringa he slipped between the carriages and was completely mangled. His father died in the Burra Hospital yesterday afternoon.

[Michael Ryan died 24 September aged 55.]

XV, 322 (10), 2 Oct. 1895, page 2 [10th use of No. 322]

Advt. Cake and Fancy Fair at the Burra Institute 2 & 3 October in connection with St Joseph’s Church, Kooringa. On Friday 4 October a Drama in 2 Acts: Meg’s Diversion.

XV, 322 (10), 2 Oct. 1895, page 3 [10th use of No. 322]

Editorial on The Wool Sales.

The prices for wool show a gratifying rise. Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo realised 71⁄2d lb against 61⁄2d last year. 13,783 bales were offered and 12,856 were sold at an av. of 1d to 11⁄4d per lb.

Unwise management of the colony has not seen our sheep numbers rise while those in other colonies have done so.

2nd Leader on the State Advances Bill. The writer agrees with Sir John Downer that it is a mistake and will not achieve what is claimed for it. The Savings Bank is offering £200,000 at 41⁄2%, on better terms than the proposed bill and yet people are not taking it up. The management of the proposed money to be made available is also questioned.

E.W. Crewes lost a mare valued at over £20 by snake bite at Baldina last week and a very young foal of four weeks is left orphaned. An attempt is being made to rear it by hand.

Hon. W. Haslam MLC delivered an interesting lecture on the Northern Territory at the Burra Institute on Friday night. It was illustrated with the aid of a powerful lantern.

D.S. Packard was taken seriously ill last Wednesday evening and has remained unconscious ever since.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary was held last Sunday and Monday. Rev. A.H. Carn officiated. The congregations were good. The usual tea meeting was held on Monday.

Mr J.A. Kennedy was presented with an address on Friday 20 September before his removal to Glenelg, in recognition of his work at Burra. On the morning he left the School Fife & Drum Band farewelled him at the station.

Burra Homing Club. The Champion Club Race was flown on 25 September from Mannahill, but was spoiled by rain so that only 6 of the 24 birds homed within the time limit. The winning birds of J.A. Pearce covered the 105 miles 1,445 yds in 2543⁄4 minutes.

XV, 322 (11), 9 Oct. 1895, page 3 [11th use of No. 322]

Editorial on The Absurdity of Absurdities.

Cr Hardy must be condemned for his wrangling in connection with the new assessment. Hardy has badgered the Council for two years to get a new assessment. At last they agreed and Mr Bartholomæus was the successful tenderer. He had scarcely begun his work when it became known that Cr Hardy was for some reason terribly enraged and rushed into print condemning the assessor and his work. The assessor than had an uncomfortable time from some ratepayers as Cr Hardy had poisoned their minds against him. Hardy was severely reprimanded. Now that the assessment is completed the same Councillor who wept for it is now weeping to have it rejected and says he doesn’t care if it is thrown away: ‘the wonder to us is that he has not been thrown away instead of the money long before this’. If the Council does not accept the assessment it will have none. It can refer it back to the assessor for correction, but the assessor has the final word on that. If Cr Hardy has the town’s interests at heart he will try to pacify the ratepayers rather than add fuel to the fire.

World’s End Creamery has to date treated 14,430 gallons. The greater part of the cream is sent to Broken Hill and Adelaide as well as finding a ready sale here.

St Joseph’s Fancy Fair was very fairly attended and the proceeds were satisfactory.

Baldina Plains Private School went on a picnic to Mr Arnold’s paddock on Monday in commemoration of the annual examination. All kinds of sport were indulged in, though the weather was most unpleasant.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church had a visit from Rev. J. Nairn on Friday. He preached in the afternoon and in the evening delivered his popular lecture on Tam o’ Jack’s Lad, the Lancashire miner. He will return at Christmas time for a week.

The anniversary services were held on Sunday 6 October and Rev. H. Wilkinson of Terowie officiated. The afternoon service of song was The Christian Voyage. The public tea on Monday was only moderately patronised.

The State Advances Bill has been much modified with the removal of clauses referring to the Savings Bank. We understand the Government will now urge the establishment of a State Bank and thus make use of the remaining portions of the Bill.

Methodist Union. A meeting on Methodist Union was held at the Bible Christian Church last Monday night. Speeches in favour of Union were delivered by Rev. W.H. Fitchett (President of the Victorian Methodist Conference) and Rev. John Watsford of Victoria. Rev. R.S. Casely and Rev. W.F. James also spoke.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. Annual Meeting was held at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on 3 October. The President, Dr Brummitt, presided. There was an address by the deputation, Rev. W. Gray. Election: President, Dr R. Brummitt; Vice President, T.W. Wilkinson; Hon. Sec. W. Davey.

Burra Town Council, 1 October.

The Finance Committee is to devise a scale of charges for the use of the oval and shed.

St Mary’s Cricket Club will be allowed to keep equipment in the shed.

Expenses of the shed are to be shared with the Show Society.

Financial position of each Ward to be ascertained for next meeting.

There was a rather petulant exchange between Cr Hardy & Cr Sampson over the filling of some ruts.

The Mayor reported the completion of the assessment and the Town Clerk reported that it was done according to the agreement.

Cr Hardy moved the Council reassemble on 8 October to consider the assessment ‘when it would be most likely that other councillors would object to sanction the assessment at all’.

The Mayor asked if they were just to throw it away.

Cr Hardy ‘didn’t care whether it was thrown away or not’.

Cr Sampson pointed out they had no alternative but to accept it.

Cr Rabbich moved it be allowed and alterations dealt with at a Court of Appeal.

Cr Sampson 2nd, saying if it were rejected the Council would have no assessment at all.

Eventually the motion was carried with Cr Hardy predicting that ‘half the townspeople would appeal’.

Waterworks.

A hole is to be dug for wastewater.

Burra Hospital

A lot of statistics are published on the cost of running the hospital for the year 1894.

For that year there were 299 patients, of whom 245 were discharged, 21 died and 33 remained at 31 December.

The average numbers of patients were 5 female and 27.5 male.

The average cost per bed per annum was £54-14-2.

The cost per annum per bed including staff was £43-14-0.

Wages per annum £404-0-0.

Officers cost £254-4-0.

Cost of foods.

Meat, bread, tea, sugar, & vegetables: £232-9-0

Milk: £118-16-0

Others £148-1-0

Beer, wine & spirits £25-16-6

Drugs £218-2-2

[Other figures are given.]

XV, 322 (12), 16 Oct. 1895, page 2 [12th use of No. 322]

Advt. Sandland & Co. will conduct a clearing sale of household furniture etc. for Mrs R. Bartle of Taylor St on 16 October.

XV, 322 (12), 16 Oct. 1895, page 3 [12th use of No. 322]

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will offer 31,250 sheep on 25 October.

Editorial on the sensational Dean poisoning case in Sydney.

2nd Leader on the fiasco of the parcel delivery system of the railways.

Recently tenders were called for parcel deliveries and suddenly the cost of getting a parcel delivered rose from 3d to 6d. The contractor gets 1d and 5d goes to the revenue of the colony – this is in addition to the fee already paid for carriage on the railway. To make is all the sillier, if the receiver refuses to pay the exorbitant charge the parcel is returned to the railway station where he can collect it himself without further charge. The whole thing is grossly unfair to both the customer and to the contractor, who has been put to expense of a horse and dray to operate a system that has failed as most parcels are now marked ‘to be called for’.

Dr Sangster has left the UK and is expected here about 17 November.

Cr Hardy is spreading lies about the assessment. He has rushed into print and says John Lewis is assessed at £20 and Dr Brummitt at £42. In fact the former is assessed at £50 and the latter at £42. ‘Another proof of our previous assertion, viz, figures are beyond the noted “Billy”.’

‘Nevertheless it is a scandalous thing for him to use his “inability” to hoodwink the ratepayers.’

Accident. A lad driving Mr Klemm’s buggy ran off the road and upset its occupants over an embankment on the way home from Sunday school. Fortunately there were no serious injuries, but the buggy and harness were considerably damaged.

A.C. Noyes of this town has written a catchy piece of music called The Cyclist’s Schottische. It opens in the key of F, followed by the key C, the trio being in B flat. Copies will shortly be available from the composer.

‘Kingston St, Paxton Square’ writes complaining of Rowdyism on Sunday nights about the time the Army goes to the Barracks. ‘We seldom see him [“our worthy trooper”] up this way, especially when wanted.’

Burra Homing Club. The race from Saddleworth on 9 September was for birds rung after 1 June 1895. It was won by J.A. Pearce’s birds, which covered the 30 miles 320 yds in 393⁄4 mins at a velocity of 1,336 yds per minute.

Paddy Curtis met with an unexpected accident on Monday when his horse slipped on the road between St Mary’s and the Mine Bridge. After a struggle the horse got up, but in the process kicked Paddy in the ankle, breaking it.

Sparks Column.

‘The new assessment is going to be a “queer thing” if ratepayers listen to obnoxious councillors.’

‘Is it right for a councillor to condemn the assessment and then act as judge afterwards?’

Salvation Army. Service of Song on Sunday will be Home Sweet Home. Connective readings by Capt. Scoones.

What people are asking:

‘The name of the councillor who cut out matter referring to himself and inserted something about another person?’

XV, 322 (13), 23 Oct. 1895, page 2 [13th use of No. 322]

Advt. Frank Harris can supply fresh fish for summer. Fresh Murray Cod available after the express every Thursday evening.

Advt. Douglas Primitive Methodist Church, 27 & 30 October. The Bible Christian Rev. T.M. Flood will preach. Tea at 4.30 and public meeting at 7.30 on Wednesday.

XV, 322 (13), 23 Oct. 1895, page 3 [13th use of No. 322]

A Ladies Political Meeting in John Lewis’s schoolroom on Tuesday drew a good attendance. Miss Nesbitt spoke on the importance of women’s franchise.

Broken Hill Fire. A fire in Block 10 that started yesterday is believed under control. The fire that started in Block 11 on 21 July is not yet entirely extinguished.

Hanson School. C. May Taylor and Walter Roach received the prizes awarded by Mr & Mrs West for the best collection of native flowers.

Frederick Gebhardt has been bound over to keep the peace for six months as a result of a domestic dispute resulting in information laid by his wife. [This is not the actual court report, which is found elsewhere. It is a typical piece of rather laboured humour that dresses the event up in flowery language. The writer quite often does this and sometimes with rather poor judgement about the underlying seriousness of the event at the core of his wit. The activities of intoxicated residents are not infrequently portrayed in elaborate metaphors about ships having difficulties in stormy seas, or other such fanciful flights of hyperbole. The use of English by Chinese residents is also apt to provoke an outburst of such wit.]

Weather. Of late it has been very hot and dusty and it was so bad last Sunday that wild birds were seeking shelter inside houses. Wheat has often not reached a foot in height and many of the crops will produce only miserable hay this year. To the east many crops are so poor that they will not repay the cost of reaping. Stock has been turned onto them as feed is so scarce. Wheat is now beyond the help of rain if it were to come.

Burra Town Council, 15 October.

Various minor works were dealt with.

Ward finance figures were produced.

North Ward is £18-3-11 overdrawn.

East Ward is £5-19-1 overdrawn.

West Ward is £9-12-0 overdrawn.

The finance committee recommended a charge of £2 for the use of the oval and £2 for the shed.

Cr Sampson thought that £4-4-0 for the use of the oval and shed was exorbitant.

[This suggests that the recommendation was in guineas rather than pounds.]

He moved that the charge for the oval and shed be £3 per day where gate money is taken and £2 for the shed alone. Sunday schools to have use of the oval for free and of the shed for 10/-. Carried.

Redruth Court, 16 October.

Frederick Gebhardt was charged on the information of his wife with leaving her without adequate means of support. He pleaded not guilty.

Mrs Gebhardt said he had not given her any food for a fortnight and she had been dependent on neighbours. There were five children (two from his first wife) aged 10, 8, 5, 2 and 8 months. On 11 October after the summons was sent the defendant came and smashed crockery and her sister’s box and took away all the bedding. She had to take the children with her to Mrs Moore’s.

Ellen Moore, wife of Ezra Anthony Moore gave evidence of Mrs Gebhardt’s coming to her faint from want of food. She had fed her and the children too. She was a witness to the husband’s actions on 11 October. The bench finally ordered Gebhardt to pay his wife £1 a week if she remained away and if she returned, as she agreed to do if protected, ordered him to keep the peace for six months on a bond of £50 with two sureties of £25 each. Gebhardt had a heated exchange with the bench during this, which very nearly had Mr Ridgway imposing a gaol sentence of 14 days for contempt of court. Charles Woodruff and John Parker entered into the necessary bonds.

Burra Homing Club. 14 race of the season was from Olary on 16 October. 1st home was F. & E. Pearce’s bird, which covered the 125 miles 430 yds in 2131⁄2 minutes at 1,032 yds per minute.

Sparks Column.

Influenza is rife in Burra.

Obituary. A young man named Nosworthy was killed at Lucindale last week when his gun exploded while he was getting through a fence. [Frances Edmund Nosworthy died 15 October 1895 aged 16.]

‘Outsider’ writes with tongue firmly in cheek that W.H. Hardy, W.T. Rabbich and Tommy Halls, as leading men of the town, should be sent to Adelaide as a group to greet the new Governor, Sir Fowell Buxton, when he arrives in SA.

XV, 322 (14), 30 Oct. 1895, page 3 [14th use of No. 322]

Advt. Wanted: A Good General Servant. Must be able to Milk. Apply Mrs Brummitt.

Editorial on the Village Settlements.

The editor never believed in the movement, but refrained from disparaging the settlements pending the report on their trial. This report now indicates the most unsatisfactory results. The principles upon which villages are expected to work are bad and in some instances the land was unsuitable. The writer is strongly against the co-operative system.

The Bible Christian Church Special Services will be held on 3 November when Rev. Hugh Begg of Dunedin will preach.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church will have special services on 3 November when Rev. H. Parkinson will officiate.

Railway Parcel Delivery. There has been no official resolution of the problem. Mr Geake has decided to have nothing more to do with such risky speculation. T.P. Halls is ‘keeping the kettle boiling until some other arrangements are made’.

Marriage. Sir Henry Parks (80) has decided to take a third wife, three months after his second wife died. He will marry his housemaid. The cook has left and so has Miss Parks.

Theft. Two men apparently hired two horses from Mr Fletcher at the Burra Hotel, but did not return them when due. Mr Fletcher eventually recovered his horses from Cockburn. A warrant for the arrest of the two men has resulted in one being arrested at Albury.

Redruth Court, 23 October.

The following were fined 2/6 plus costs for owning straying cows.

T. Woollacott J. Oleson C. Schultz

W.T. Rabbich Mrs Kearns

Failure to kill rabbits on their properties resulted in fines for the following persons:

D. McDonald £4-19-0

R.J.M. McBride £6-10-6

A. McCulloch £4-12-0

E. Gebhardt £4-12-0

A Billiard Tournament has been started at the Burra Hotel.

Cricket. The season opened on 23 October when Burra 100 defeated St Mary’s 29.

Burra Homing Club. The 2nd race for young birds was flown from Stockport on 23 October. First back were J. Drew’s birds, covering the 46 miles 171 yds in 571⁄2 minutes at 1,437 yds per minute.

‘Paul Pry’ writes expressing amusement at the way Cr Hardy had to climb down at the Court of Appeals. But for him, there would have been no assessment and the town would have saved £25. Then he found his pet tenderer was not to get the job and he turned on the successful tenderer. Finally he gave notice of several appeals in his own name ‘but the most glaring abuse of his position was when he undertook to appeal against the assessments of Messrs Elder, Smith & Co., The Burra mine, [sic] and Mr P.L. Killicoat without complying with the requirements of the Act, under which he has been acting for a number of years, the poor fellow was to be pitied when he had to stand up, acknowledge his ignorance, and withdraw the appeals.’

Sparks Column.

‘A big sale Friday last.’

One Squatter in the east is killing his sheep, saying the skins are worth more than the sheep.

Court Unity intends to start a female lodge.

The drought to the east is bringing kangaroos and emus close in to Burra. Rabbits are marching onwards by the thousand.

Obituary. Mr Jobson’s only son died at Booleroo Centre last week.

[Christopher Jobson born 13 August 1880, died 25 October 1895 aged 15.]

XV, 322 (15), 6 Nov. 1895, page 3 [15th use of No. 322]

Editorial on The Court of Appeal.

Sixty-three appeals were sent in and eight were withdrawn at the last moment. In the remainder reductions totalling £33 were made: the largest being one of £5. Cr Hardy wrote out a number of the appeals and not one of those appellants put in an appearance. This is a queer coincidence, but ‘ratepayers can expect nothing else while they allow such representation in the Council’.

A better plan would have been for Council to have made a reduction all round and to have saved £25. ‘It was monstrous and unworthy of the position of councillor to make himself officious in getting ratepayers to appeal.’

‘As we have pointed out before Cr Hardy has always wanted a new assessment made, but he wanted it made so as to lower the properties of his friends and raise others.’

Blow for Blow was very creditably repeated on Wednesday night in aid of the Burra Oval Improvement Fund. There was a good attendance.

Redruth Wesleyan Church will hold a picnic at Princess Royal next Monday. Cabs will run to and from for 6d and tea will be 9d for a total of 1/3.

World’s End School held its annual picnic in Mr Degenhardt’s Paddock last Wednesday. The results of the sports are printed.

‘Witless Heedless Howler’ writes about Cr Hardy and the Appeals. Paul Pry spotted the amusing side of the events, but he did not comment on the illegal action of one of the councillors in attempting to be both advocate and judge in several cases. Cr Sampson questioned whether a councillor who signed a notice of appeal could adjudicate upon the case. The Mayor said he could not.

Cr Hardy played the role of advocate and one would have supposed that he would therefore have taken no part in the decision-making, but no he remained in his place and acted as one of the judges.

[The writer goes on at some length to decry this ‘perversion of first principles of justice.’]

The Court of Appeals

When the court opened Cr Sampson objected to the Councillor who had written a number of the appeals sitting as an adjudicator. His Worship thought that where Cr Hardy had shown any interest in the appeals he should not be allowed to adjudicate upon them.

When the appeal of Messrs Elder, Smith & Co. was called Mr Winnall appeared for them with a letter authorising him to defend them and saying they had not received the direct notice required under section 233 of the Municipal Act 1890. Cr Hardy then withdrew the appeals against the properties of SAMA, Elder, Smith & Co. and P.L. Killicoat, which he had asserted were assessed below full and fair value.

The full list of the appeals and the results of them is printed.

Redruth Court, 2 November.

George Rickards was charged with being the bailee of a buggy and pair of ponies being the property of W. Fletcher of the Burra Hotel. The prisoner had hired the buggy, harness and ponies on 15 August with a promise to return them the following Saturday, but had failed. There was subsequently an agreement to extend the hire from a month to a longer period. On 19 August he told Fletcher at Riverton that they would be returned on 28 August. It appears that Rickards gave possession of the ponies etc. to Godfrey at Black Rock and police enquiries found the turnout at Mannahill, where they were recovered by Fletcher, who confirmed this account. Rickards asserted that it was his partner Godfrey who had got him into the mess.

[There is an involved story about this partnership and the court was eventually adjourned till 5 November to enable more evidence to be presented.]

When the hearing resumed Rickards produced some evidence of the agreement of Fletcher extending the hire, but Isabella Schrader, wife of George Schrader of the Terowie Hotel gave evidence that Rickards had offered the turnout to them for sale. He left Terowie for the north, borrowing £4 with the buggy and ponies as guarantee. He did not return and a cheque sent he sent for £4-10-0 to clear the debt was signed by Godfrey, but turned out to be worthless.

There was considerably more evidence presented over money changing hands, but eventually the bench decided there was not sufficient evidence to sustain the charge.

Mr Winnall has agreed to a requisition asking him to stand as councillor for the West Ward.

Mr Lockyer has accepted the request of a deputation from North Ward to stand as councillor.

John Sampson is the subject of a requisition being circulated to ask him to stand as councillor for East Ward.

Sparks Column.

Sir Henry Parks’ wife is said to be 28.

XV, 323, 13 Nov. 1895, page 3

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports, Grand Annual Demonstration.

Thursday 26 December at Burra Oval.

Cr Sampson has agreed to the requisition to stand again as councillor for East Ward.

Dr Brummitt has agreed to stand for Mayor again.

George Rickards was arrested in Adelaide the same day he was acquitted here. He was charged with false pretence on Thomas James Barrett, licensed victualler of Petersburg. He has been committed for trial, but has been allowed bail.

Guy Fawkes Night was celebrated with vigour on 5 November. A number of frightful figures were hawked around the town and some lads were punished for returning home with the destruction of various parts of their wearing apparel.

Appeal Court. Another aspect of the Appeal came to light when the Overseer put in a claim for 3/- pay for the afternoon he attended the Appeal Court on his own case. Apparently he was authorised by Cr Hardy.

‘Who gave Cr Hardy the authority to make a “weapon” of the overseer, and also would the latter have attended the Court of Appeal if he had thought or knew that he would lose half a day?’

Obituary. Mrs McDonald, wife of Mr Alexander McDonald farmer and grazier of Hallett, succumbed to influenza, aged c. 70.

She and her husband have lived in Hallett district for 33 years: 25 years on their own property and 8 in the employ of the late Joseph Gilbert of Mt Bryan. Previously she lived 8 years at Utalpa and in SA for a total of 41 years. [Catherine McDonald died 8 November aged 71.]

Burra Show Soc. After a prize list of £175 and costs of the cattle yards and half the cost of the shed at the oval, the society has nearly £100 in hand.

The Drought. The country east of Hallett is the worst it has been for 26 years. As well as drought the rabbits are sweeping crops off wholesale.

Hallett Sports on Monday were held to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Institute. Results are printed.

Edward Linkson writes complaining of the praise extended to Cr Walsh for eliminating North Ward debt in his term of office, yet no mention was made of his colleague in North Ward at the time: Cr Linkson. [Walsh & Linkson shared the representation of North Ward from December 1892 to November 1894.]

Cricket. At Clare Monday last: Clare 243 defeated Burra 135.

At Saddleworth on Monday: St Mary’s 141 & 82 (223) defeated Saddleworth 71 & 41 (112).

Advt. Shepherd wants Permanent Job on Station. Experienced: middle age.

Alfred James Jones, Kooringa.

XV, 324, 20 Nov. 1895, page 2

J. Drew has declined a requisition asking him to stand as councillor for East Ward.

XV, 324, 20 Nov. 1895, page 3

Cricket. On Saturday Juvenile Foresters defeated Juvenile Rechabites by 119.

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting

Mayor’s Report for 1895 by Dr Brummitt.

The year began with the general account in debt £22-4-1 and at present it is in credit £4-12-1, though that will be expended by the end of the year. The desire to provide work for the unemployed has seen each ward account end in debit. £435-0-4 was received in rates and the Government subsidy was £112-14-3. £226-7-7 was spent on public works and £230 went on the redemption of a bond and on interest. Two bonds remain to be paid, each of £200: one due in 1896 and the other in 1897. Interest will be £20 in 1896 and £10 in 1897. After that it will be possible to reduce the rates materially. A new assessment has been made by Mr A. Bartholomæus at a cost of £25. This reduced the rateable value of the town by £539 to £8,736-19-0. Wards are overdrawn as follows:

North Ward £21-16-8

East Ward £7-1-1

West Ward £11-13-7

Park Lands and Oval

This year gaps in the street trees in the town were filled and the avenue near the cemetery was extended. Unfortunately the dry year saw most of the open rooted pines die. The buckthorn, white cedars and gums have been more successful. Gross vandalism to trees has been a problem with many of them simply ripped up and others have been cut or barked.

At the oval a large show shed has been erected for £91, of which the Show Committee paid half. An attempt to find the other half through concerts etc. has so far been financially disappointing, but efforts will continue. The overdraft on the Park Lands account is £91-4-5.

The cemetery account is £43-9-7 in credit.

Waterworks.

The problem here is that the income is based on the assessment of the town and this has fallen from £12,132 in 1888 to £8,736 at present. This seriously affects the income of the Waterworks. Expenditure has been cut to £704 from £800 last year, but the capital account debt remains immoveable. Mr Lapidge replaced Mr Littlejohn as engineer early in the year and has proved a valuable officer. The present balance in the bank is £86-17-9.

Main Roads.

The Government grant this year was £217 compared with £275 the previous year. The grant has been usefully expended very nearly all in labour at a time when work was scarce.

Local Board of Health.

The town is in a satisfactory sanitary condition. A new rubbish depot has been secured and a shed built. By increasing the rate to 31⁄2d the debt on this account has been reduced from £16-18-2 to 10/3.

The report was adopted.

Thomas Davies asked questions about the awarding of work to higher priced tenderers and the giving of work to certain favoured ratepayers.

The mayor said that in the particular case referred to the highest tender was accepted on his casting vote and he believed the money was well spent. He would repeat the choice.

He would not elaborate on why Mr Bartholomæus got the assessment job over Mr Snell.

Mr Davies said that only a year or so ago the court had upheld the value of SAMA’s assessment as being c. £100 higher than the new assessment. He queried whether the assessor had done a good job.

Mr C. Fuss warmly protested Mr Davies questioning of the Mayor’s honesty. He believed the Mayor had done his work in a straightforward and conscientious manner.

The retiring councillors were invited to speak.

Cr Hardy said that he had little to say and would address his own ward in a day or two.

He defended the North Ward overdraft, saying they had got value for money. He believed the Mayor had acted conscientiously in voting for the highest tenderer.

Cr Harris thought the Mayor’s Report was good and explained the workings of the Council well. Had there not been a new assessment his ward would have ended in credit.

[The £25 cost of the new assessment was split evenly between the wards.]

He expressed concerns about the increasing cost of the Waterworks in the future.

Cr Sampson also congratulated the Mayor on his report. He believed all the councillors acted according to their consciences. He strove to be fair to all. He had not thought a new assessment to be necessary. Though the Waterworks was being operated efficiently he feared there would be problems ahead.

Dr Brummitt said he would stand again for Mayor and though he was willing to devote as much time as possible to the job, he would not be able to preside at so many outside meetings. Until the town debt had been paid off he could not see a way to reduce the rates. They had to have a Town Clerk and an Inspector. He thought the Waterworks needed a sinking fund to meet emergencies from time to time.

Cr Sampson said he would stand again.

Mr J.E.H. Winnall said he would stand for West Ward in response to a large requisition.

Mr Snell asked if present and intending councillors favoured conducting Council business with open doors.

The Mayor, Cr Sampson, Mr Winnall & T.P. Halls said yes. Cr Hardy said at times no.

Cr Rabbich said ‘he had voted to go into committee to prevent malicious falsehoods being circulated as was done by the Burra Record.’

This was greeted ‘with pronounced opposition and he had to submit to hooting and cries of “bury yourself”’.

Editorial comment on the Ratepayers’ Meeting.

The Mayor and present and intending councillors took seats on the platform except for Councillors Rabbich and Parks, who took chairs in the body of the hall. Throughout proceedings this resulted in cries of ‘hear, hear’ from the floor and sounds of support for councillors’ speeches, which at first appeared to be coming from the general audience, but upon examination were seen to emanate from Crs Rabbich & Parks. Other ratepayers’ found their performance quite amusing and ‘removed buttons in trying not to laugh too loud’.

Cr Rabbich trotted around the hall relieving himself of a whisper to one and then another. When he said he had often run away from his tea to get to a Council meeting it could not be swallowed by the audience. ‘Whoever heard of the infatuated Tom shying clear of good things to eat. Not Much!’

‘Cr Hardy filled the part of “Can Can Billy” in a creditable style and evoked considerable laughter. He said he had nothing to say about half a dozen times, and as often told the ratepayers he was reserving his most mysterious and sensational antics until a more convenient season.’

Mr T.P. Halls, who is running for West Ward almost, brought the house down when he told ratepayers they would see his views when he got into Council.

Mr Winnall made a favourable impression.

Cr Harris was subjected to cries of ‘That Wood’ from the floor: indeed he is often referred to by that epithet. He said he would not again trouble the ratepayers.

Cr Sampson had a minor altercation with one questioner, but escaped uninjured and the meeting dispersed about 9 o’clock.

Burra Homing Club. The Champion Squeaker Race was run from Roseworthy on 31 October. First home were J. Drew’s birds, covering the 59 miles 171 yds in 913⁄4 mins at 1,150 yds per minute.

XV, 324 (2), 27 Nov. 1895, page 3 [Second use of number 324] [Dated 20 Nov. on page 1 only]

Editorial on The Western Australian Goldfields.

The editor takes the reports with a deal of scepticism, but admits that if only a small fraction of the reports are true then WA will be transformed and the whole of the Australian economy will benefit. Trade with WA will increase and surplus labour from other colonies will have a place to go.

National Defence League. Mr E.F. Brady replaces Mr R.M. Harvey as Secretary of the local branch.

Francis Patten was charged with being idle and disorderly on Saturday morning and sentenced to one month in gaol.

Dr. J.I. Sangster has arrived back from England after a six-month holiday looking well.

M-C Mack, who has been in charge at Redruth Police Station for 4 years, has been moved to Wallaroo Mines and L-C Noble from Gladstone will come here.

Harry Rickards, who recently appeared at the Redruth Court, has now been tried at Gladstone Court for getting money under false pretences. On Saturday he was sentenced to six months in gaol.

Municipal Elections

Mayor: Dr R. Brummitt elected unopposed

East Ward John Sampson

Thomas Phillip Halls

West Ward John Edwin Hyde Winnall elected unopposed

North Ward Edward Francis Lockyer

William Harrison Hardy

Elections will be held in East & North Wards.

It was later found that T.P. Halls’ nomination was informal.

[But for some reason the election went ahead anyway.]

Obituary. Mrs William Henry Richards died at her residence near Hallett on Thursday aged 58, from influenza and inflammation of the lungs. She had lived in Burra for about 15 years before moving to Hallett, where she had resided for the last 25 years. She was a daughter of the late Mr Edward Godden and sister to Mrs Richard Collins of Mt Bryan and to Mrs J. Statton of Terowie. She leaves 9 children and 19 grandchildren: Henry Richards (Chairman of DC of Coglin), T.E. Richard (Hallett), Horace Richards (Hallett), Mrs W. Summers (Terowie), Mrs W.H. Mill (Broken Hill), Mrs F. Rittberger (Broken Hill), Mrs Holmes (Adelaide), Mrs R. Simmons (Ulooloo) & Miss Edith Richards (Hallett). The deceased arrived in SA in the Prince Regent in 1849 and was a colonist of 45 years.

[Elizabeth Richards died 21 November 1895 aged 58. Born Elizabeth Godden.]

The Municipal Elections. This is a humorous report that sees the contestants as entrants in a horse race. The most interesting comment concerns W.H. Hardy:

‘“Billy the Great” is training under great difficulties, and is already suffering from the effects of his trainer’s spurs, they being used too frequently on the sluggard. The race starts at 8 o’clock on Monday next, and the betting is 100 to1 against Billy.’

Cricket. On Wednesday Burra 2nd Eleven 186 and St Mary’s 2nd Eleven 5 for 97.

Mr Wicklein was asleep in his workshop in Market Square last Sunday morning when he was awakened by sounds at the back of his shop that sounded like burglars. He got hold of a pistol and loaded it and went around to the back where he encountered another person on top of the fence. After a short confab they proceeded and eventually encountered Mr J. Drew’s horse old Creamy, which had lost his mental facilities and was rushing about the yard crashing into things. Old Creamy was shot and Mr Wicklein and friend returned to bed.

The Municipal Election. An error crept into the Register yesterday, which we believe could harm Mr Lockyer’s chances at the election. We think it only fair to say that he has never been a member of the National Defence League and the same applies to Mr J.D. Cave. [Cave was standing for the position of auditor. It would be interesting to know if W.H. Hardy was the correspondent for the Register at this time, as he was Mr Lockyer’s opponent.]

Burra Homing Club. The final race of the season was flown from Gawler on 13 November. First home were R.D. Pascoe’s birds, covering the 65 miles 510 yds in 1121⁄4 minutes at 1,024 yds per minute.

XV, 325 (2), 4 Dec. 1895, page 3 [2nd use of No. 325, previously used in Jan. 1895.]

St Mary’s Annual Strawberry Fete was held on Wednesday at the Burra Oval. The weather was excellent. In the afternoon a fancy dress cricket match was played. About £60 was realised.

Municipal Elections.

North Ward E.F. Lockyer 86

W.H. Hardy 77

East Ward J. Sampson 58

T.P. Halls 28

Auditor C.G. Tiver 137

J.D. Cave 177

Cricket, Wednesday: Burra 99 defeated Mt Bryan 61.

Assault. Mr R. Cox of Redruth was unharnessing the horses from a trap in Messrs Elder, Smith & Co.’s yard in Kooringa on Monday night when he was brutally assaulted by a man named T. burns who lives in Paxton Square. The matter is in the hands of a solicitor.

Weather. Last Friday there was a severe thunderstorm in Burra, but it was much heavier in Kooringa than at Redruth. The downpour lasted 20 minutes and caused all the creeks to run. The arch bridge near Mr C. Grow’s stables in Ayer St [Deadman’s Bridge] overflowed for the first time in 30 years. A nearby footbridge was washed away. The main creek ran for an hour or two and was cleaned out. At the cemetery the creek near the front gate overflowed and the flow entered the front gate and down to the back gate, creating considerable extra work for the curator. Residents on Mitchell Flat were almost washed out and two cows feeding in a gully were carried 300 yards before struggling out of the flow. The Kooringa Post Office recorded 67 points, but it is believed up to three times that fell in some parts. At Redruth there was only a sharp shower. The storm path passed to the east where the Deep Creek ford was washed away. All other fords in the area were damaged except the Baldina Creek ford. At Mongolata 2” fell and it is estimated that over 5” fell at King’s Well.

Sparks Column.

Bike races on the oval tonight.

Limelight service at the Salvation Army Barracks tonight.

XV, 325 (3), 11 Dec. 1895, page 3 [3rd use of Number 325] [4 December on page 1 only.]

Editorial on Municipal Matters.

The editor applauds the election of new councillors, which will break up the clique that had made the old council so notorious. He goes on the say that the ‘impartiality which predominated and characterised the whole business last year will be entirely abandoned, and the needs of ratepayers, whether they are friends or foes of councillors, will not be overlooked, but will receive that consideration which they are justly entitled to.’

[Presumably the writer meant to use ‘partiality’ where he used ‘impartiality’.]

The books clearly refute the statement made recently at Redruth by Cr Rabbich, which appears to have been merely aimed at influencing the election, and to prejudice Mr Cave’s chances of election.

Continental.

A pleasant evening was spent at the Oval on Wednesday night last when a great military display and gran open-air concert took place with the proceeds going to aid the Corporation in liquidating the debt on the shed. A procession headed by the Burra Brass Band left Market Square at 7.30. Military exercises began the evening. A one-mile bicycle race was contested with W. Tiver the winner. The large shed was lit for the occasion and a concert followed. £8-7-6 was taken at the gates.

Municipal Election. The writer reviews the campaigns of candidates. The North Ward campaign was enthusiastic and in East Ward the vote went ahead when T.P. Halls’ supporters refused to acknowledge that his nomination was nullified by the failure to have it signed by two bona fide ratepayers. [Details take 3⁄4 column.]

Burra Town Council, Friday last.

The meeting began with congratulations all round.

Committees were appointed for the coming year.

The appointment of officers was held over till next meeting.

The auditors, J.D. Cave & T.T. Shortridge wrote a strong letter to Council complaining that at a public meeting of North Ward ratepayers W.T. Rabbich had criticised the position and actions of the auditors and said the last audit was a ‘mere farce’ and was not concluded until March 1895. As the last payments for 1894 were not signed for till the Council meeting of 5 January 1895, the accounts could not be ready for the auditors till 7 January 1895. The audit was then done and the balance sheets were presented at the next Council meeting on 25 January. The auditors considered the statement of Cr Rabbich to be defamatory and asked for a minute to be recorded stating that all due diligence was made by the auditors in auditing last year’s accounts.

Cr Rabbich tried to move that the letter be not received, but Cr Sampson said the auditors have every right to refute the statements of Cr Rabbich and he moved it be received.

The Town Clerk produced the books showing the audit was actually completed nine days before it was required by the Act.

Cr Winnall 2nd the motion and Cr Sampson added that Cr Rabbich’s attack was very unfair at a time and place where the auditors were not present to defend themselves.

There were reports concerning two bridges and the recent flood. The one near Mr Finch’s was not damaged, but that near Mr Newman’s was washed away. A committee was appointed to confer with the District Council on what can be done with the road to Princess Royal.

Redruth Court, 4 December.

Thomas Byrnes was charged with brutally assaulting Robert Cox on the evening of 1 December. The defendant pleaded guilty, saying, ‘I don’t remember a word of it.’

Robert Cox gave evidence of the unprovoked assault and Byrnes was sentenced to two months in gaol.

5 December.

Patrick Byrnes, brother of Thomas Byrnes, was sentenced to 10 days in gaol for being drunk and disorderly.

10 December.

Charles Klaffus was charged on the information of his wife, Matilda Klaffus, with assaulting Agnes Frahm aged 14, daughter of the complainant, on 8 December.

Matilda Klaffus.

On Sunday morning between 5 and 6 a.m. my husband came to my house, got undressed and got into bed. He immediately began swearing at my daughter and me and when I got up he threatened to burn down the house. He wanted to strike my eldest boy aged 9 and then struck me on the face. (The bruise showed prominently at the hearing.) I had a little bottle in my hand and struck him on the forehead, in order to save my life. He tried to put me in a tub of water, beating me all the while. I cried out for help and my daughter came and hit him over the head with something. [A broomstick.] He then caught me and threw me down. I got away and he struck my daughter. She got away and joined me at Mrs Nankivell’s. He later said he wanted his pipe and she went back with me to find it. He took up a large stone and threw it at her. She fell down senseless.

Mrs Bullen saw the stone throwing and the girl fall. Agnes has not yet been able to get up. She is in bed and is constantly vomiting blood. He said he was sober, but I couldn’t say whether he was or not.

Rosa Bullen gave evidence confirming the stone throwing.

Klaffus was remanded for three days on two sureties of £25 each and of himself in £50.

[There is a great deal more evidence reported, but this is the essence of it.]

Cricket. On Wednesday last at Burra Oval: Burra 185 defeated St Mary’s 110. J. Drew scored 115 (retired) for Burra.

William Pratt, a porter at the Burra Railway Station was bitten on the thumb by a brown snake 31⁄2’ long on Monday. He is getting on satisfactorily.

Sparks Column.

Large hail fell with the rain last Monday.

A small fire at the Hospital a day or two ago did little damage.

F.W. Whyte, manager for Elder, Smith & Co. at Burra, has been promoted to a higher position with the firm in Adelaide.

Advt. Dr Sangster will give a lecture in St Mary’s Schoolroom on 18 December at 7.30 p.m. in aid of the School Building Fund on the subject: Reminiscences of a Visit to England.

XV, 327 (2), 18 Dec. 1895, page 3 [No. 326 not used in this sequence.]

[2nd use of No. 327 previously used Feb. 1895]

Editorial on Men and Manners in Parliament.

The writer is concerned about the effect on Parliamentarians when the reporting concentrates on the men rather than the measures being discussed. Lack of discipline is, however, perhaps the most prominent feature of the SA Parliament and men speak on subjects they are not masters of. Debates go on far too long.

Dr Sangster’s lecture on his trip to England has had to be postponed due to his ill health.

M-C Noble, who was stationed in Burra some 25 years ago has returned and taken up duties at Redruth.

The National Defence League met in the Institute last Friday with several ladies among the audience. Mr John Lewis presided. Mr Hogarth gave an address.

Burra Hospital Board met on 12 December.

Dr Sangster advised of his return to the colony and his resumption of duties.

Rev. R.S. Casely invited the Board to the special Hospital Service on Christmas Day and with the Board’s approval, to an entertainment and tea given to patients on 27 December.

Burra Town Council, 16 December.

Rev. R.S. Casely invites the Council to a special Hospital Service at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church on Christmas morning. Accepted.

The bridge that was washed away recently in East Ward will be replaced as soon as possible for c. £8.

The Council will inspect a small creek in the North Ward near the Chinaman’s garden on Wednesday.

Cr Sampson referred to the auditors’ letter about Cr Rabbich’s statements at the North Ward Ratepayers’ Meeting. The statements not only affected the auditors in their position as Council auditors, but in outside work as well. He moved the Council had the fullest confidence in the ability and diligence of the auditors in carrying out their duties.

Cr Rabbich supported the motion.

He said the statements made in the letter were false, but Cr Winnall, having heard Cr Rabbich make use of certain remarks, differed.

Cr Rabbich then opened fire on the Town Clerk, but ‘His Worship distinguished [sic] the luminary at the proper time, so that it did not do any serious damage.’ [Extinguished perhaps?]

Motion carried unanimously.

A discussion was held on whether the officers ought to be appointed for terms from 1 June to 31 May, rather than for the calendar year. The engineer and scavenger were appointed to 31 May 1896, when new arrangements will be made.

Cr Rabbich said it would be better to have 3 scavengers to distribute the money more widely.

Cr Sampson said it would lead to three Town Clerks and three overseers etc.

The Waterworks were discussed at length, but resolution of the issues was deferred.

Redruth Court, 13 December.

The Charles Klaffus case was adjourned for a further 7 days as the girl concerned is now in hospital. Bail continued as before.

Cricket. At Farrell’s Flat on Saturday: Farrell’s Flat defeated St Mary’s by 24.

Burra 2nd Eleven 115 defeated St Mary’s 2nd Eleven 106.

Sparks Column.

Salvation Army: exit Captain Scoones and enter Captain Mayne.

E. W. Crewes returned to Burra from Tasmania on Monday.

Kate Hayes recently married a young man named George Henderson aged 17 and there is a great to do in the family of the latter. [There is no indication of where this occurred.]

William Geake Senior is seriously ill and there is little hope of his recovery. He is 65 and a colonist of 42 years.

Obituary. Dick Edwards died in South Africa about six weeks ago. He was an old resident of Burra who left here to take charge of a mine in South Africa.

XV, 327 (3), 25 Dec. 1895, page 3 [3rd use of No. 327]

Editorial on The Festive Season. It begins on the theme of the fleeting nature of time and carries on with familiar platitudes about not wasting time, making peace, burying hatchets etc.

Mr Beckwith’s horses grew excited as he was unharnessing them on Wednesday last. One got away and went home. The other collided with E.C. Lockyer’s fence breaking all the spokes in a wheel.

Redruth Court, 18 December.

Morris Higgins was fined £2 + 10/- costs for having an unregistered dog.

J. Griffiths was fined 10/6 for a stray cow.

A.J. Berriman was fined £2 + £1-12-0 costs for leaving a diseased beast near Saddleworth.

A similar charge against Sydney Kidman was dismissed.

The Charles Klaffus Case.

[Apparently Mrs Klaffus did not appear at the start of the hearing and M-C Benham withdrew the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in favour of one of common assault.]

The defendant pleaded guilty under provocation.

Agnes Frahm gave evidence. [The evidence is protracted and reported at length. The defendant put a number of questions in cross-examination.]

On the morning of the 8 December Mr Klaffus came home at c. 6 a.m., undressed and went to bed. He began cursing her mother and her and said he had a good mind to set fire to the house. He said he was going to hit my brother. He took a dish of water from the table and tried to put my mother’s head in it. She cried for help and I hit him across the head with a broom. He continued to beat my mother and then let her go and caught me. He threw me on the ground and commenced hitting me. Soon he let me go and I ran away. Some time later he called for his pipe and mother told him to get it himself. He said he was the owner of the house and she should get it. She went in and I followed and when I was coming out he picked up a stone and threw it at me. I fell over a two-wire fence, which I ran to in order to get away. I became unconscious.

The defendant claimed not to remember his actions after being hit with the bottle by his wife and a broom by Agnes.

Matilda Klaffus repeated her evidence as previously reported, but added that later, at Fletcher’s Hotel, Klaffus had threatened to ‘shoot [Agnes] and the jolly lot of them’.

Mrs Bullen repeated her evidence.

[The detailed evidence is reported much more fully.]

The defendant prayed for mercy and was dealt with leniently, being sentenced to 3 months in gaol.

Burra Racing Club held a meeting at the Burra Institute on Saturday and it was stated that the old club had £40 in the bank. It was decided to have a race meeting with £100 in prize money for a seven race meeting on 18 March 1896.

Burra State School had its prize distribution last Friday. W. West as Chairman of the School Board of Advice presided. Addresses were given by Rev. R.S. Casely, Mr W. Bennett (Teacher in charge since Mr Kennedy left) and T.W. Rabbich. The prize list is printed.

St Joseph’s School. The scholars put of a concert for the break-up festivities on Friday night. The items were well rendered. The program is printed.

Sparks Column.

Rev. H.J. Parkinson will leave Burra for Two Wells in April.

There will be a Grand Demonstration in connection with the Salvation Army tomorrow.

‘Whips of tucker at a cheap rate.’

‘Grand musical festival in the evening.’

Characteristics of the paper in 1895

Characteristics essentially unchanged from 1893.

Page 1

Large advertisements, some not local.

Page 2

Smaller advertisements. Local businesses along with sales and public notices.

News sometimes gets a start, but often only a little and it is frequently pushed onto page three before it gets a start.

Page 3

Largely local news and reports from correspondents from surrounding districts. Occasional pieces from further afield and a few items of humour. The ‘Sparks’ column continues to be somewhat enigmatic at times.

Page 4

Larger advertisements, mostly not local.

Numbering of issues in 1895.

Numbering of issues in this year was chaotic. Volume XV continued from its start on 7 December 1892 and ran for the whole of 1895.

Numbers began with 321 on 2 January

And ran to 328 on 27 February and in this sequence 323 & 324 were not used 328 was used twice and 322 was used three times.

On 6 March the number sequence jumped backwards to 310 which had not previously been used in Volume XV. 310 was used twice and then the sequence continued to 327 by 25 December, but with extreme irregularity.

The issues are numbered as follows. In this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the total number if times used in Volume XV to the end of 1895 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

310 (2) [1, 1894]

311 (7) [5, 1894]

312 (3 or4) [1 or 2, 1894]

313 (3) [2, 1894]

314 (2) [1, 1894]

315 (2) [1, 1894]

316 (10) [1, 1894]

317 (2) [1, 1894]

318 (2) [1, 1894]

319 (5) [3, 1894]

320 (2) [1, 1894]

321 (2) [1, 1895]

322 (15) [3, 1895]

323 [Not previously used]

324 (2) [Not previously used]

325 (3) [1, 1895]

326 [Not used in this sequence]

327 (2) [1, 1895]

XV, 328 (3), 1 Jan. 1896, page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd Auctioneers

Sandland & Co. Auctioneers, Kooringa & Jamestown

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers etc. Port Adelaide, Kooringa, Port Augusta, Kapunda, Jamestown, Broken Hill & London

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

John Pearce Timber Merchant, Kooringa

D. Spencer Packard Solicitor

A. Bartholomæus Agent for SA Fire Insurance Co.

[T.W. Wilkinson] Kooringa Dispensary

W. Pearse Coachbuilder & Wheelwright, Shoeing & General Smith’s Shop, Commercial St

Drew & Crewes Drapers, Grocers, Ironmongers and Shearing Requisities [sic]

XV, 328 (3), 1 Jan. 1896, page 2

Advertisements

C.E. Ewins (Late T. Edwards) Clothes & Hats etc., near the Bank of Australasia, Commercial St.

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith, Galvanized Iron Worker, Wallpaper

N.J. Tiddy Draper & Clothier, Aberdeen

T.T. Shortridge Agent for A.W. Dobbie & Co. (Branch establishment)

Pianos, Organs, Sewing Machines, Watches, Washing Machines, Mangles, Perambulators, Seedsowers & Spray Pumps

J.A. Watt Draper & Clothier, Market Square

A.C. Noyes Teacher of Music: Organ, Piano, Harmony, Counterpoint & Singing

P. Pendlebury Solicitor of Terowie attends Burra Courts if retained.

E.M. Bennett Music Teacher of Riverton: in Burra Mondays

John Pearce Carpenter & Builder, Paint Supplier, Timber Merchant, Glass, Chapel St.

E.F. Brady Tinsmith, Ironworker, Commercial St

T.T. Shortridge General Press & Commission Agent

W. Fletcher Burra Hotel (Late of Wirrabara & Waterloo)

O. Bartholomæus Carpenter, Builder etc., Redruth

Frank Harris Fresh Fish for Summer – Murray Cod

F. Duldig World’s End Creamery, Butter available from Drew & Crewes

H.S. Dunn Agent in Burra for ‘Rough on Rabbits’

L.L. Wicklein Watchmaker in Commercial St next to Drew & Crewes

XV, 328 (3), 1 Jan. 1896, page 4

Advertisements

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmakers, Undertakers & Upholsterers of Queen St

C. & A. Fuss Carpenters, Builders, etc., Aberdeen

XV, 328 (3), 1 Jan. 1896, page 2 [3rd use of No. 328, first used in Feb. 1895]

Advt. The Seymour-Forde Opera Co. under the Management of Erskine Scott will present at the Burra Institute on Monday 6 January: Girofle Girofla and on Tuesday 7 January, Maritana.

Advt. DC of Burra calls tenders for the repair of fords and washaways on the main roads east of Burra. John D. Cave, Clerk.

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church held its Anniversary 22 & 25 December, when Rev. T.M. Flood. The tea meeting was on Christmas Day and financial results were satisfactory.

Mr Holder is very highly praised for his comprehensive knowledge of all subjects in the Parliament, his ability to pick up the work of any colleague who may be absent and his intelligence and ability to construct a well-reasoned argument. From an article by ‘Autolycus’ in the Mt Barker paper.

The Holidays have come and gone, but the toy trumpets in particular seem to have come to stay, unfortunately. The main activities locally were picnicking and fishing.

Cricket. At Mt Bryan on 25 December Mt Bryan 3 for 92 defeated Mt Bryan East 83.

Christmas Eve was fine and business did good trade and the usual trumpets sounded the glad tidings to the delight of youngsters. The Burra Band made the proceedings lively by playing selections in front of various places and the Salvation Army had a great set-to in Market Square. Public Houses did well, but no unpleasantness arose through the effects of drink. The police were on active duty, but had an easy night.

Christmas Day was observed as a strictly religious occasion with no sports. Special services were held in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

On Boxing Day the usual United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration took place. Private picnics were held at the Lagoon and Princess Royal. The Salvation Army held what might be termed an ‘all day feed’ at the Barracks. In the evening they held an open-air meeting followed by a meeting at the Barracks and a grand finale in the shape of a supper.

The Annual Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports was held on Boxing Day at the Oval. The weather was warm. The Burra Brass Band led a procession of the lodges from the Institute at 9.30 a.m. The bicycle track was not in very good order. Complaints were also heard that the scoreboard showing the number of laps was not conspicuous enough for riders to see clearly.

Carter of Pt Pirie scooped the pool by winning all the races he entered with comparative ease. The pedestrian events were well contested and local men were eliminated early, leaving visitors to carry off all the money. J. Power won the Sheffield. There was a successful concert in the evening at the Institute. The results of event are printed.

Cricket. At Burra on Monday: Burra 102 & 2 for 29 defeated Clare 69 & 61.

Burra Hospital patients were given an entertainment on 23 December by permission of the Board. The program is printed.

‘The Bridge of Sighs’ has been repaired and a good job made of it. [The next Council meeting report suggests this refers to the footbridge at the Pig & Whistle crossing.]

SAR. Heavy rail traffic has disarranged the timetable recently.

John Kelly, a patient at the Burra Hospital, was charged with being a pauper lunatic on 29 December and was sent to Adelaide Asylum on the certificate of Dr Brummitt.

The 1896 Calendar has been delayed by pressure of work, but should be delivered with the next issue.

XV, 328 (4), 8 Jan. 1896, page 2 [4th use of No. 328.]

J. R. Lockeyear [sic – perhaps Lockyer?] has written a 16-page short story, which is available from T.W. Wilkinson.

The Record 1896 Calendar is distributed with this issue. It is printed in three colours and additional copies are available from the office for 6d.

Salvation Army. Four converted Maoris visited Burra on Thursday – two men and two women. The two men conducted an open-air meeting, after which there was a set-to in the Barracks. Captain Nicholls (the interpreter) was in command. Lieut. Maria Tamater and Cadet Hera Tarena are splendid vocalists. Sgt Wini Kerei, a saved drunkard and ex-policeman etc., and Lieut. Aterea, a converted comic and former athlete, related interesting incidents. Their visit was highly successful.

Princess Royal. Mr A. McCulloch has decided to close and lock the White Gate – the first to allow the public to enter Princess Royal Estate. This is because the road is not public and the bridge, which is said to be dangerous, cannot be repaired by funds from the Burra DC. We understand the road is the property of SAMA. If nothing is done the public will be much disappointed at not being able to spend an hour or two under the beautiful trees and alongside the gurgling river.

XV, 328 (4), 8 Jan. 1896, page 3 [4th use of No. 328.]

Entertainment. A varies program of songs etc. was presented at the Institute on 26 December. Performers received a fair hearing. It is notable that a local vocalist appeared under a nom de plume and ‘dressed up in the dress of a nigger with the necessary “burnt cork deception”’ and was well received. Even friends, who wouldn’t have applauded him for sovereign, indulged in a really hearty call for an encore. We all too often find a reluctance to applaud local talent while visitors of equal or inferior talent are encored.

New Year’s Day saw many picnics at Sod Hut, Princess Royal and, most popular of all, at the Lagoon. The day was beautifully fine. No sports were played here, but St Mary’s Cricket Club went to Manoora and returned victorious. New Year was welcomed with very little activity from the larrikins. No special constables were appointed. Some guns were fired and 1896 was ushered in with the usual congratulations.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church. There was a special Hospital Service on New Year’s Day, conducted by Rev. R.S. Casely. On Friday after that Miss Cave and members of the Christian Endeavour Society provided an entertainment and tea for patients and invited friends at the Hospital.

On 29 December there was a service in the Lecture Hall in aid of the Sunday school. New Year’s Day saw the usual Sunday school picnic at Sod Hut on grounds kindly lent by Mr W.J. McBride. Cabs and trolleys conveyed the children. Dinner and tea formed no inconsiderable part of the day and an entertainment afterwards drew a splendid gathering to the Lecture Hall.

Cricket. At Manoora on 1 January: St Mary’s 148 defeated Manoora 65.

On 18 December: St Mary’s 231, Burra 2 for 56. [Though the score card for St Mary’s would seem to add up to 221.]

Burra High School broke up on 18 December. Prizes were distributed by Mrs Sangster. Miss Sprod will remain for 1896 to take the 5th and 6th classes. There were 33 pupils this year. The prize list is printed.

Power, who won the Burra and Terowie Sheffield Handicaps, was disqualified at Glenelg, but I have not heard why.

The Seymour-Forde Opera Co. is very favourably reviewed.

Burra Town Council.

There was a conference with the District Council over the Cemetery Road. It was decided that it was desirable if it can be arranged to have a road from the south end of Ayers St to the cemetery and along its eastern side to Mr McCulloch’s gate dedicated to the local bodies concerned.

Lamp lighting tenders accepted: W. Geake’s for two lamps in Kooringa at £13 p.a. and C.G. Tiver’s for one lamp in Aberdeen at £7-15-0 p.a.

It was reported that the bridge leading to Mitchell’s Flat was completed and also the ford across the creek at Aberdeen.

Rates for 1896 will be: General 1/-, Health 4d and Parklands 2d.

Sparks Column.

Hot and Destructive winds last Sunday.

Princess Royal is being fenced with wire netting.

The Burra Comedy Co. produced Meg’s Diversion at Manoora.

Obituary. T. Pedlar, an old Burra resident, died on 31 December at Broken Hill.

Obituary. The only child of Rev. A.G. King died last week.

XV, 329, 15 Jan. 1896, page 2-3

Editorial on The Sparrow.

This is a satirical look at the possible enforcement of the provisions of the Sparrow Act, which required each landowner to eradicate sparrows upon the serving of an order to do so. The editor does acknowledge that the bird is a pest and deserves to be eradicated.

XV, 329, 15 Jan. 1896, page 3

Seymour-Forde Opera Co.’s presentation of Maritana to only a moderate audience is favourably reviewed.

Obituary. Hugh Anderson died on 4 January in Sydney as a result of burns received while extinguishing has bedclothes and curtains on 20 December 1895. His arms, legs and face were very badly burned. He leaves a wife and three children. The deceased, who lived in Burra for many years, left the town some time ago for Sydney. He was brother to Messrs David, William, George and John Anderson.

Burra Gold Mining Syndicate with a claim at Paratoo has sent samples to Adelaide for assay.

No. 1 sample yielded 7 oz 6 dwts per ton of gold and 8 dwts of silver.

No. 2 sample yielded 2 oz 10 dwts per ton of gold and a trace of silver.

No. 3 sample yielded 2 oz 10 dwts per ton of gold and a trace of silver.

Samples were taken from a depth of 106’ on a 3’-wide lode.

A five-ton bulk sample will soon be sent.

Migration to WA. Many Burra residents have gone to WA in the past months and most have succeeded in getting fairly good positions. Several others are preparing to go, having considered it useless to wait here any longer.

The Pastoralists’ Assoc. of SA local branch met at the Commercial Hotel last Friday and heard a review of the past season. P.R. Scott was elected secretary and replaces Mr Whyte who has left the district.

Rabbits. There is an article on ‘Ruff on Rabbits’ – a poison made by W.J. King of Balhannah.

Cricket. At Mt Bryan last Wednesday: Mt Bryan 61 defeated St Mary’s 25.

The Wheat Harvest for 1895 has in many parts of SA failed due to a combination of unfavourable weather and rabbits. Around Burra returns were light and to the east farmers have turned their stock onto crops that would not repay reaping. They will petition the Government for seed wheat. A meeting was held on Thursday at Mr Rhodes’ at Baldina to discuss the very depressing state of affairs.

Obituary. Mr J. Littlejohn, former Burra Waterworks engineer, died suddenly at Broken Hill last Monday.

Sparks Column.

Weather terribly hot of late.

Several people selling up to move to WA.

Baldina farmers petitioning for seed wheat.

G.H. Lake does not intend to stand again for the district in the coming House of Assembly elections.

XV, 329 (2), 22 Jan. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 329]

Notice. DC of Burra. The Council Ranger has been instructed to take proceedings against residents who do not comply with sparrow destruction notices about to be issued.

Advt. The Taylor-Carrington Co. will present the Sensational Musical Irish Drama Ould Ireland.

Burra High School will resume on 27 January. Frances McLagan, Principal.

Burra Creek. A fish has been reported in the Burra Creek near the Bible Christian Church and anglers have been trying to land the handsome specimen said to live in a pool just below the pond where the ‘smellin’ high’ fish were detected. So far only an old kerosene tin has been landed.

XV, 329 (2), 22 Jan. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 329]

Princess Royal. The White Gate has been unlocked and picnickers are again able to visit The Royal.

Sparrow Destruction. Poison wheat, spread to kill sparrows on Monday, spelt the end of a number of sparrows, but also of six fine geese.

Burra Town Council, 20 January.

The Burra DC advises it will discuss the matter of sparrow destruction with the Town Council.

It also advises it is issuing notices to destroy sparrows to its residents.

Launder & Co. will repair the damaged bridge in Ayers St for £5-10-0.

Cricket. At Burra Oval on Wednesday: St Mary’s 92 defeated Burra 55.

XV, 329 (3), 29 Jan. 1896, page 2 [3rd use of No. 329]

Advt. W. Develain’s farm in the Hundred of Kooringa, of 324 acres of good agricultural land, fenced with a six-roomed house and sheds, is for sale.

XV, 329 (3), 29 Jan. 1896, page 2-3 [3rd use of No. 329]

Editorial on the coming elections.

The next House of Assembly elections will probably take place in April. On this occasion women will be able to vote and how that will affect the campaign and voting is unknown. New and progressive legislation is required.

The National Defence League held a successful conference last week.

XV, 329 (3), 29 Jan. 1896, page 3 [3rd use of No. 329]

Obituary. The husband of Mrs George Theuff has met his death at Quondong last Friday. Details are not yet to hand. The deceased was well known in Burra and leaves a wife and two children.

[See next issue for details.]

Obituary. John Anthony Simbowski, aged 15, died of a fractured skull when his horse put a foot into a hole and fell with him on Sunday. He was riding home from bathing with a friend in the Hundred of Bright. He died within 12 hours of the accident. [Died 26 January 1896.]

Professor F.M. Lewin, world-renowned phrenologist, passed through Burra this week and will now go to WA.

Mr S. Edwards, well and favourably known in Burra, has opened a shop dealing in York Ham and other smallgoods and poultry. The business is situated next to the Bank of Australasia.

The Taylor- Carrington Co. produced Ould Ireland before a large and appreciative audience last Thursday.

Mr J.A. Watt, after 18 years here, has decided to move on to greener pastures. On about 1 March he intends to go to Moonta Bay and carry on a drapery business there.

Mr J. Roach, wishing to reduce the debt on the Burra Oval, will ‘come home’ on 4 April with a team of cricketers to try conclusions with one of the local teams and follow it up with a concert in the evening. The team members are all employed by Mr Roach in his Adelaide office.

Redruth Court, 22 January.

Straying stock caused each of the following to be fined 7/6.

John Pearce W. Gebhardt Thomas Bevan

H. McCullam [sic] Jane Gully T. Woollacott

23 January.

Walter James, aged c. 20, a lazy and indolent young man, was charged with entering Roach’s Mill on 21 January.

H. Roach reported leaving about 10.30 p.m. on the evening of 21 January and locking up securely. In the morning he found a window broken and noticed some stamps on the floor. Nothing had been taken from the safe, but 1/- worth of coppers was missing. There were footprints in flour whish corresponded exactly to those of the prisoner.

L-Cpl Noble, stationed at Redruth, gave evidence of questioning the prisoner and of matching his footprint to those at the mill. The prisoner comes from Clare and his real name is John Walker.

W.R. Ridgway, storekeeper at Aberdeen, said the prisoner had paid for a box of figs with nine single pennies at c. 9 a.m. the following morning.

The prisoner was remanded till 24 January for medical examination.

When the case was resumed on 24 January it was dismissed.

John Walker was then charged with being an idle and disorderly person and having no visible means of support. He was sentenced to 14 days hard labour.

Burglary. A number of beggars have been around lately and they use their time to examine premises, which they return to at night to plunder. On Monday 20 January someone entered the Brewery Cellars and apparently looked for money. On Wednesday night H. Roach’s Mill was entered, though only about a dozen coppers were taken. [The article then continues to retell the court case against John Walker.]

National Defence League. Its policies for the coming election are printed.

Tax: it was against a single tax, absentee or progressive taxes and against any increase in land tax.

Federation: in favour and in favour of free trade between states.

Electoral Laws: Against any easing of the freehold property qualifications to vote for the LC, in favour of easing the leasehold qualifications to Crown lessees with improvements of £200and of extending the occupying qualifications to joint occupiers if their respective qualification is over £25 each.

Land Settlement: in favour of liberal land legislation to promote agricultural use of pastoral land in appropriate areas and for the sale of Crown lands.

Northern Territory: for the development of the territory and the introduction of suitable labour, for mining and pastoral development and for handing the territory over to the home government.

Government: for reduced Government expenditure, the abolition of payment for members of the LC, the discontinuance of free education and for reducing the cost of railway service.

F.W. Holder preached twice in Burra last Sunday.

XV, 329 (4), 5 Feb. 1896, page 2 [4th use of No. 329]

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd will sell by auction all the household furniture etc., also an express buggy and harness, spring dray and harness etc. for E. Gebhardt who is going to Broken Hill.

[This is a typical example of many advertisements of a similar nature about this period.]

Advt. J. Sampson will sell the household furniture and effects of J.A Watt on 12 February.

Advt. The District Council of Mt Bryan has an advertisement offering to pay 1/- per 100 for sparrow eggs and 1/6 per 100 for sparrow heads.

Advt. The District Council of Burra calls tenders for the reconstruction of the Deep Creek ford on the Eastern Road.

XV, 329 (4), 5 Feb. 1896, page 3 [4th use of No. 329]

Tramps are about at present appropriating goods from backyards etc. [Or as the paper calls them: ‘Light fingered gentry.’]

Redruth Lime Kiln. Mr A. Clode has taken over the kiln from Charles Rawling, who is leaving for Broken Hill.

The Seymour Forde Opera Co. put on The Bohemian Girl on Monday and drew an enthusiastic and larger crowd than on their last visit. They repeated the show on Tuesday night.

John Harris, who is 58 and has resided in Burra for 39 years, is very seriously ill following an apoplectic stroke about seven weeks ago.

Drew & Crewes have been appointed agents for ‘Ruff on Rabbits’.

Obituary. Mrs Elizabeth Domsch has died at Emu Downs adjoining the Koonoona Run. She was born 23 October 1804 in Germany and died on 23 January 1896 at the residence of her grandson Mr Frederick Scuppan [sic]. She arrived in SA with her husband and daughter 38 years ago and they settled at Hope Valley. She began work with stoic determination, thrashing wheat with a flail and after 16 hours work carrying home firewood on her back. She continued to work until the last few months. There is a son with descendents in Germany and in SA one daughter, Mrs Schuppan [sic] Senior, 12 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren, the eldest of them 8 years old. Local relations include Mrs F. Duldig of Baldina (a granddaughter) and Messrs F. & A. Schuppan of Emu Downs (grandsons).

Accident. Mr Duncan Blair and another teamster arrived in Burra from Mongolata on Wednesday morning with a load of wood. They unharnessed their horses in Market Square and fed them and an hour later recommenced their journey to Leighton. After about 21⁄2 miles Mr Blair fell from the wagon shafts on which he had been sleeping and the wheels of the wagon passed over both legs just above the ankles. M-C Benham was sent for and found Blair conscious, but in great pain with two badly broken legs. He is 65 and on account of his age it is believed he will be in hospital a considerable time and the injuries will require careful watching.

Obituary. Mr George Theuff died at Quondong on 23 December. [Registered as born George Herbert Theeuf 27 December 1865.]

A telegram was sent to his mother on 24 December from Mannahill, to which a messenger rode over 50 miles to convey the sad news. Mr Theuff had lived for many years in Burra before going to Broken Hill where he married Miss Titcombe. After several years he got a position nearer home and accepted that of manager for Mr H. Scott on his Quondong Station, where he has been for the last 21⁄2 years. The Wednesday mail brought details. On 23 December he and his brother Charles and another man went to rectify problems with a pump at a well. The deceased had been down the well before and decided to go again. He was lowered in a bucket. One knock was to denote a safe arrival at 225’ and 4 was the signal to haul up. The one knock was heard and noises in the pipe gave the impression work was proceeding. After 10 minutes with no sound being heard they hauled him up. When they could see the deceased he had one leg in the bucket and his body hanging over. He was brought to the surface much disfigured and the body was taken to the house in the evening as the heat was intense and the distance some 7 miles. Charles Theuff had to make a coffin and the deceased was buried there in the presence of his wife, brother and two station hands. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and a good son. He was a staunch adherent of the Salvation Army. Police deemed an inquest unnecessary.

Advt. Wanted: 200 LIVE HARES (Uninjured). For Price and particulars apply

P.C. Treloar, c/o Drew & Crewes, Kooringa.

‘Elector’ writes protesting an attempt by election candidates to get free travel while campaigning.

Burra Town Council, 3 February.

A new lamp is to be obtained for Henderson’s Bridge.

The Mayor & Cr Sampson were appointed to enquire into the cost of working a fire brigade.

The necessary steps were taken to declare the municipality a sparrow district.

Other routine matters were dealt with.

XV, 329 (5), 12 Feb. 1896, page 2 [5th use of No. 329]

Advt. Grand Entertainment at Burra Institute 19 February in Connection with the Military Sports.

The Last Appearance of Jock Watts in the beautiful comedy Written in the Sand and the most laughable farce ever written, Billy Doo. Front seats: double 2/6, single 1/6, back doubles 1/6 and singles 1/- with children half price.

XV, 329 (5), 12 Feb. 1896, page 3 [5th use of No. 329]

Obituary. John Harris died at his residence on Thursday morning 6 February.

[Died 6 February 1896 aged 58.]

An Aboriginal skeleton was found by Thomas Warner at Mt Horrocks a few miles west of Burra while he was digging out rabbit burrows for J.C. Sandland. M-C Benham visited and confirmed it was an old Aboriginal burial. The bones were then reburied.

W. Dunn, who has had the supervision of the Bon Accord Hotel for 4 years, joins the number of residents leaving the town. He has been in ill health for some time. He is presently at Houghton and it is thought doubtful wether he will recover. However, we wish him well so he may again be able to enjoy the pleasures of life.

Burra Homing Club. W.F. Knight, a well-known homing fancier of Victoria visited the various home lofts in Burra last Wednesday. [There is a 1⁄4 column paragraph about Mr Knight.]

Bible Christian Church. The 20th Annual District Meeting was held at Burra on 4 February. The meeting resolved that since the Bible Christian Church has accepted the basis of Methodist Union offered by the General Wesleyan Conference of 1894, the Bible Christian Conference should take no further action until the SA Wesleyan Conference has declared its intentions and definitely pledged itself to the principle of union.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held thanksgiving services last Sunday, but unfavourable weather meant numbers attending were not much above normal services.

Burra District Council, 8 February.

A letter from SAMA said the proposed road to Princess Royal would be agreed to; a plan of it is to be submitted for approval. Council has decided to ask executors of the late A. McCulloch if they would consent to picnics being held there as heretofore in the event that the road was gazetted a public road.

Cricket. Burra Oval last Wednesday: Burra 103 defeated Mt Bryan 63.

Man Missing. News was received on Monday morning that Mr Keutchemeister [sic] of Baldina was missing. He went with his daughter and a lady friend to the train on Friday morning, when the two women took the train to the north. He stayed in town till Saturday night and then started for home from Redruth, but failed to arrive. The horse and trap were found on Sunday at Mr Pryor’s and a search revealed no trace of Mr Keutchenmeister [sic]. The search so far has not found him. He is 51 and has a wife and 11 children. Some time ago he put his friends to similar trouble when he got out of his cart in a ‘sleepy’ condition and selected a small creek in which to pass a few quiet hours to refresh himself. On that occasion he was found peacefully asleep.

Polo is again in full swing with a practice match last Saturday.

Sparks Column.

Burra residents are still leaving for the West.

Obituary. Mr M. Tier died in Adelaide on Friday last. He weighed 22 stone

[There is no indication of a Burra connection.]

[Registered as Leon Michael Tier died 8 February 1896 aged 48.]

XV, 329 (6), 19 Feb. 1896, page 2-3 [6th use of No. 329]

Editorial on a strike at Messrs Martin & Co.’s foundry at Gawler.

XV, 329 (6), 19 Feb. 1896, page 3 [6th use of No. 329]

Obituary. Mr W. Dunn has died at Houghton on Sunday 16 February.

[William Dunn died 16 February 1896 aged 43.]

Messrs Browne of the Booborowie Estate have donated £50 to the Booborowie Wesleyan Church. Some time ago they said that when half the debt then existing was paid off they would donate the other moiety. The conditions having now been met, the cheque has been handed over.

WA Gold. In the past year 27,000 persons passed through Port Adelaide bound for WA. A lot of them came from other colonies, but the majority were South Australians. Last week over 2,000 passengers left Pt Adelaide. The general advice of WA diggers, who flooded the city at Christmas, was that it would be foolish to throw up a good job and seek work in the gold regions, but for those out of work and with a little cash the advice was ‘go’.

The Guards’ Band visited Burra on Thursday. Their number has been reduced, but the quality remains. On Thursday afternoon they played for Burra Hospital patients. A successful open-air meeting in Market Square and subsequently a ‘£7-10-0 house’ greeted the performers. They left Burra the following morning for the north.

Burra Hospital Board.

T. Sandland was appointed Chairman in place of the retiring Chairman, R.M. Harvey.

Mr Keutchenmeister’s [sic] Adventure. His trap and horse were found at Mr Pryor’s on Sunday 9 February. On Tuesday the police were called in and a blacktracker came from Gladstone on Wednesday. Keutchenmeister seems to have left his trap after travelling 7 or 8 miles from Burra and to have then made for the ranges. A man, believed to be him, was seen to pass the eastern side of Princess Royal head station. He avoided all houses till arriving at Mrs Speckman’s on Monday c. 11 o’clock. He asked the way to Farrell’s Flat railway station. She sent him to Jeffrey’s. There, in conversation with one of the sons, he said he lived at Baldina near Pryor’s and was in a hurry to catch a train at Farrell’s Flat. Jeffrey’s brother identified the man as Keutchenmeister. The blacktracker traced him across the ranges and along the Black Springs Road, headed for Farrell’s Flat. No reasons for his actions have been given, but it would appear that being in straightened circumstances he was fleeing poverty at home. On Saturday night police received news that he had been at Snowtown, but after that nothing is known.

J.A. Watt’s farewell social was tendered at the Commercial Hotel on Friday by the Burra Mounted Rifle Company. J.D. Cave presided. Eulogistic speeches are extensively reported in c. 11⁄2 columns. Speeches are reported from J.D. Cave, Cr Sampson, H. Vivian, Lieut. Field & Sgt Dawes. They are along the lines that Burra was losing a fine gentleman who had done much for the public life of the town and had been the mainstay and lifeblood of the foot volunteers and then the Mounted Rifles and was a great supporter of efforts to help the poor and needy. Captain Watt responded suitably.

Obituary. John Harris. On Sunday Rev. R.S. Casely preached a memorial sermon for John Harris in the course of which he said Mr Harris was born on 11 November 1837 at St Agnes in Cornwall and became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Gunnislake, Devonshire when c. 20 years old. He then became a Sunday school teacher and came to SA in the Gillmere in 1857 and came directly to Burra. Except for a few months in Victoria he lived for about 39 years in Kooringa. He was closely associated with the Wesleyan Church. He was a class teacher at Springbank and for the last 7 years of a Sunday morning class in the Kooringa church. He was also a church trustee. About 7 weeks before his death he had an attack of apoplexy from which he seemed to rally briefly, but gradually grew worse and died on 6 February.

Cricket. Wednesday at Burra Oval: St Mary’s 104 defeated Burra 28.

Burra Town Council, 3 February.

Concerning use of the Oval by the Show Society, Mr W. West, manager of the Burra Burra Mines, suggests an agreement be drawn up for the approval of directors. It was resolved no further steps be taken at present in respect of sparrows, but poisoned wheat be laid in various reserves. Other routine matters were attended to.

Sparks Column.

Harvest Festival was held at St Mary’s last Sunday. Rev. R.B. Webb preached.

XV, 329 (7), 26 Feb. 1896, page 2 [7th use of No. 329] [19 February on page 1 only.]

Notice of Removal. A. Williams, Boot and Shoemaker of Market Square, informs customers he has moved to the shop lately occupies by Messrs Kitchen & Jordan next to Mr John Snell.

Note. Yankee Doodle Tobacco is a new brand just available: from R. Dixon & Co. of the Conqueror Tobacco Works.

A Narrow Escape. While the polo match was in progress on Saturday at Aberdeen a lad named Gully gave some of those assembled an exhibition of jumping and after clearing a ditch or two he tried to jump over a shaft, but ended up 20 feet down it. A pair of reins was used to haul him up, after which he made a retreat homewards.

The Sunbeam Circle put on an entertainment at St Mary’s schoolroom on Thursday evening and raised £1-1-0 to be remitted to ‘Uncle Harry’ as a donation for the new crèche to be erected in North Adelaide.

XV, 329 (7), 26 Feb. 1896, page 3 [7th use of No. 329]

J.A. Watt paid a farewell visit to the Burra School on Friday morning to wish students a good future and say goodbye.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. C. H. Schafer of Quorn preached. The tea meeting was on Monday. The Treasurer, John Snell, reported that £75 had been paid off the debt, leaving at present a church debt of £150.

Third Annual Military Sports for the Burra Military Company were held in Mr Austin’s paddock on Wednesday in excellent weather. Businesses had a half-holiday from 12 noon and at 12.30 p.m. a procession of horsemen headed by the Burra Brass Band left Market Square for the grounds. As soon as they arrived The Best Military Section was contested and won by Cpl Gillett’s Section.

Other events (& their winners) were:

Tilting at the Ring with Lances Private Drew

Handicap Foot Race of 100 yds for Boys under 15. B. Hill (13) off 7 yds

Cleaving the Turk’s Head Private Trevilyan

Cigar & Umbrella Race on Bicycles J. Richards

Thread the Needle Race Cpl Gillett

Pick-a-Back Race, 100 yds Cpl Gillett

Sheffield Handicap 135 yds Private Irlam off 4 yds

Cigar & Umbrella Race, Mounted J. Laity

Tilting at the Ring on Bicycles G. Bailey

Tug-of-War on Foot Finch’s Team

One-Mile Flat Race H. Cockrum’s Flashlight

Tug-of-War, Mounted Cpl Dawes’ Team

Rescue Race by Half Sections Cpl Gillett & Private Treloar

One-Mile Pony Race (Under 14-1) P.R. Scott’s The Laird

Tent Pegging by Sections Cpl Gillett’s Section

Two-Mile Trotting Match C.J. Fisher’s Jack

Rescue Race, Single Cpl Gillett

In the evening the comedy Written in Sand was performed at the Institute, followed by the farce Billy Doo, in which Mr Watt gave a farewell performance in the title role. The second overture was a composition by Mr Noyes dedicated to Mr Watt.

Mr J.A. Watt was given a grand send-off at the Town Council Chamber on Thursday afternoon with a large gathering representing all classes in the town. The Mayor gave a speech regretting the loss of such a prominent citizen after 18 years. Mr Watt had taken a keen interest in military affairs and he believed the very existence of the Burra Mounted Rifles was due to Mr Watt’s enthusiasm. Mr Watt had also contributed greatly to many a charitable effort. He handed to Mr Watt a purse of sovereigns. Other speakers to endorse and extend the Mayor’s remarks were: Cr Sampson, Mr W. West (As Chairman of the Burra School Board of Advice), Mr T.T. Shortridge (For the Foresters), Mr W. Davey (Town Clerk), Mr P.L. Killicoat, Rev. R.S. Casely, Mr H. Roach & Mr R.M. Harvey (Manager of the Bank of Australasia).

Mr Watt was also thanked for his efforts in arranging concerts in aid of St Joseph’s at a pleasant evening in the schoolroom on Tuesday 18 February.

He was further farewelled when a group of 30-40 gentlemen assembled at the Courthouse Hotel on Thursday evening last.

Obituary. Mrs John Roach, widow of the late John Roach Sen. of Aberdeen, died on Saturday 22 February aged 79. She arrived in SA with her husband in the Cressy in 1847 and came at once to Kooringa. In 1854 the family moved to Penwortham, where they lived for 20 years. In 1874 Mr Roach built the Burra Mill and they lived near it in Aberdeen until his death in 1881. Mrs Roach remained there till her death. Mrs Roach leaves three sons: John & Thomas of Adelaide and Henry in Aberdeen. There are two daughters: Mrs W. Haslam (Jamestown), & Mrs R. Brummitt (Kooringa).

[She was born Jane Hosking.]

Obituary. Mrs Elizabeth Howse died at her son-in-law’s (Mr E. Cox) residence in Aberdeen on 18 February. She was born in Hereford, England, in 1821 and came to Australia in 1865. She came directly to Burra and has remained here ever since. For a considerable time she carried on business as a dressmaker and milliner, but had lived for several years a retired life in Kooringa with her daughter, Mrs G. Parks. She leaves three sons: Messrs Henry, George & Joseph Howse (All of Broken Hill.) and two daughters: Mrs E. Cox (Aberdeen) & Mrs G. Parks (Kooringa). She was a sister to Mr B. Preece of Aberdeen. [Mrs Elizabeth House died 18 February 1896 aged 74.]

Polo. At Aberdeen on Saturday there was a drawn game between Burra & Adelaide at 6 goals each. The Burra players were: H. & E. Bowman, W.G. Hawkes & G. Lewis.

Adelaide players were: T. Barr-Smith, A.J. Barker, J.T. Love & F.W. Whyte.

Sparks Column.

Mr Keutchenmeister has not returned home yet.

XV, 329 (8), 4 Mar. 1896, page 2 [8th use of No. 329]

Advt. Sandland & Co. will sell for Mr A.M. Wilson, who is leaving for WA, the whole of his household furniture and effects at Wildotta on 11 March.

XV, 329 (8), 4 Mar. 1896, page 3 [8th use of No. 329]

The Strike at Martin & Co. at Gawler continues.

Fishing in Burra Creek. Those seeking the ‘schnapper’ in the Creek have so far caught a tin, the corpses of a cat and a fowl and on Saturday a tortoise.

House of Assembly Elections. Nominations for this District:

Hon. F.W. Holder of Glenelg

Thomas Pascoe of Terowie

W.T. Rabbich of Burra

C.R. Goode of Jamestown

C.H. Reade and H. Boucaut of Jamestown have withdrawn.

An Entertainment at Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday last was presided over by the Mayor and drew a fair audience to assist church funds.

Cricket. Burra Oval, last Wednesday: Manoora 128 defeated St Mary’s 92.

Redruth Court, 26 February.

The following were fined 5/- + 5/- costs for ‘allowing their stock to peregrinate the Queen’s highway’.

J. Blott Charles Grow Charles Woodruff

T.H. Woollacott

William Bush was fined 5/- + 5/- costs for a horse that ‘waltzed around a public street corner at more than andante time’.

Arthur Rigby was fined 10/- including costs for failure to register his dog.

Burra Town Council.

S. Edwards was allowed to erect a signboard across the footpath in front of his shop.

The cemetery wall is to be repaired and the mortuary painted.

Cr Sampson reported on the costs of a fire brigade and could not recommend its adoption by the town as being too costly.

Bible Christian Conference has appointed Rev. T. Flood to take control of the Burra & Hallett Circuits. Rev. R.H. Lee, previously in charge of Hallett goes to Pt Elliott.

Spark Column

Obituary. Matthew Burnett died in England the other day.

The Seymour-Forde Company failed to appear in Burra on Thursday night as expected due to other engagements.

XV, 329 (9), 11 Mar. 1896, page 3 [9th use of No. 329] [4 March on page 1 only.]

The Burra Syndicate working the Paratoo Claim received an assay a day or two ago showing the lode carries 7 oz 11 dwts 23 gr of gold. It is proposed to forward a bulk sample of 5 tons as soon as possible to thoroughly test the value of the mine.

The Midland Licensing Bench granted licences last Wednesday as follows:

Burra Hotel W. Fletcher

Kooringa Hotel Mary Kearns

Royal Exchange Hotel W. Neville

Opie’s Hotel J. Reynolds

Commercial Hotel W.H. Vivian

Courthouse Hotel T. Walsh

Storekeepers’ Licence Messrs Bath & Pearce

Railway Refreshment Room Licence Louise Goldsworthy

A Ruse. A tramp wrote a series of notices advising that a lecture on the coming elections would be given opposite the Burra Hotel the other night. A number attended and did not notice anything sensational as had been announced in the notices, but did observe a vigorous collection being taken up. The lecture was an immense success from an amusing point of view.

Cricket. St Mary’s 8 for 88 defeated Mt Bryan 84.

Sparks Column.

Rev. T. Theobald has been appointed to the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Circuit.

‘Ruff on Rabbits’. A short original poem on the subject is printed.

XV, 329 (10), 18 Mar. 1896, page 3 [10th use of No. 329]

Burra Races. The first race meeting for five years will be held today in Mr R. Austin’s paddock. The ‘tote’ will operate on the ground.

Redruth Court, 11 March.

Thomas Pearce of Leighton was fined £2-19-6 for having hauled heavy material, the body of a horse, otherwise than on a wheeled vehicle.

[Elsewhere on the same page the District Council of Burra report reveals he hauled the horse for 9 miles along a metalled road and then left it to rot in a creek near the road and only buried it at the instance of the Ranger.]

The Strike at Martin’s at Gawler has been temporarily called off and negotiations resumed.

Railway Accident. A man fell from the platform of a carriage travelling at 33 m.p.h. near Mannahill on Friday. The train stopped, but he could not be found. Amazingly he regained consciousness on Saturday morning and was picked up by a passing train and sent to Adelaide with a badly cut face, but otherwise without serious injury.

Burra Homing Club. The program for the 1896 season is printed.

Obituary/Inquest.

Edward Edwards committed suicide on 10 March aged 54. He leaves a wife and eight children.

An inquest was held on 12 March with James Tiver JP as coroner and J.H. Richardson as foreman of the jury.

Ada Edwards, wife of the deceased.

Husband was a labourer living at Nelson Town. At 8 a.m. on Tuesday he said he was going to have a yarn with Charlie and Sid Forder who were making a dam. When my daughter came back from watering the cows at Firewood Creek I asked if she had seen her father and she said no. Checked with Forder’s boys and they said they saw him about 10 a.m. and he had gone up the creek towards Hampton. I could not find him and told his sister, Mrs Baker. Noticed nothing peculiar in his manner and he never threatened to destroy himself. Missed a little bottle marked poison, but the contents were insufficient to kill him. He suffered from asthma and had money in the bank.

[Elsewhere the paper reports he had c. £500.] He was not ill on Monday.

Charles R. Forder reported speaking to the deceased about 8 a.m. He said when Mrs Edwards came looking for him she expressed the concern that he was going mad, in that he was becoming obsessed with talking about work.

Forder further said he believed the deceased was troubled about not getting employment, though he believed Edwards and his wife lived comfortably together.

L-C Richard Noble described how the search party, comprising John Henry Richardson, August Mill and himself, had found the deceased apparently sitting down against a corner post with his head against the wire fence on section 3031 of the Hundred of Kooringa. He was hanging by the neck be the rope given him by Charles Forder.

[Evidence was given that the rope was returned to him from a horse Forder had shot for the deceased.]

The body was in a state of decomposition and had apparently been dead about two days.

The verdict was that death was by strangulation while in a state of temporary insanity.

Sparks Column.

The man who fell from the train near Mannahill was called Connelly.

Burra Town Council, 16 March.

Crown Lands Dept. has paid £150 to the Main Road Account.

D. Roger’s tender for some kerbing at £1-13-0 per chain was accepted.

The problem caused by stagnant water in the creek was left to the Mayor.

XV, 329 (11), 25 Mar. 1896, page 2 [11th use of No. 329]

Notice. Cricket Match at Burra Oval 4 April at 2 p.m.

Roach Bros & Staff v. Burra Corporation. 6d admission: in aid of the Oval Improvement Fund.

An Entertainment in the evening at the Burra Institute by Messrs Roach & Staff and others from the City. 2/- & 1/-

XV, 329 (11), 25 Mar. 1896, page 3 [11th use of No. 329]

SA Elections are called for 25 April.

Obituary. John Elliott aged 15 was killed on 19 March at Baldina when run over by a wagon loaded with hay. He had been accompanying the wagon driven by Wilhelm Mann, son of August Mann and appears to have been trying to get onto the shafts from the offside when he slipped and two wheels passed over his body. He died shortly afterwards. Mr J. Rogers JP, after making enquiries in the company of M-C Benham, deemed an inquest unnecessary.

Burra Hospital Board, 12 March.

The pump on the water tank is to be moved to prevent the noise bothering patients.

Floodwater at the back is to be diverted onto the first garden.

The fireplaces are to be relined with bricks.

Burra Races were held last Wednesday. The course was in splendid condition. The attendance was less than expected, but those who attended got a good day’s sport. The Totalizator was very poorly patronised with only about £116 passing through it. The Burra Band attended. There were six races of which the main race was the Burra Handicap over 11⁄2 miles. It was won by H. Gillett’s Coorie. First prize was £25 and 2nd was £5.

Local Court, 17 March.

W.G. Neville, landlord of the Royal Exchange Hotel, was charged with having in his possession a bottle of brandy alleged to be less than 25% underproof.

Over half a column of evidence in detail is reported showing that the Inspector was unable to explain the procedure for deciding if it was less than 25% underproof and the case was dismissed with costs.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes that the coming election campaign should see attention directed to the state of the stock roads. Within the Hundreds they have been much mutilated by the creation of working men’s blocks and further reduced by the letting of commonage by Councils. The width of the roads allowed in Counties outside of Hundreds is only 10 chains and this is insufficient in saltbush country. See for example the road between Thistlebeds and Duffer gate in the Hundred of Rees. The completion of fencing here will see the road quite bare of feed after the passage of the first flock of the season. The pegged line will be still worse. 40 chains is the width needed.

Sparks Column.

Rev. H.J. Parkins preaches his last sermon in Kooringa next Sunday. (Primitive Methodist.)

XV, 330, 1 Apr. 1896, page 2

Election Notice. Mr Holder will address electors at Burra Institute on Tuesday 7 April at 8 p.m.

On Wednesday other candidates are invited to the platform as well when the speakers will be Messrs Carter, Goode, Holder, Pascoe & Rabbich.

XV, 330, 1 Apr. 1896, page 2-3

Editorial on the Coming Elections.

The editor urges people to attend the meeting at the Institute to hear from the five contenders for the two local seats so they can make up their minds on the policies espoused. He was of the view that the women’s vote would have little effect, as 90% of them would vote as their husbands did.

XV, 330, 1 Apr. 1896, page 3

St Mary’s Bazaar & Entertainment held in the schoolroom last Friday raised £23.

Mr Snell’s Garden in Kooringa is producing very large and delicious peaches.

A Christian Endeavour Rally was held at Redruth Wesleyan Church on Friday 27 March. Revs. R.S. Casely, D.S. Wylie, H.J. Parkinson and T.M. Flood took part. The Union of Christian Endeavour Societies was a representation of the following groups: Redruth Primitive Methodists, Kooringa Bible Christians, Mt Bryan Bible Christians, Hallett Bible Christians, Iron Mine Primitive Methodists, Glenora Household, World’s End Wesleyans, Kooringa Wesleyans and Juniors, Kooringa Primitive Methodists and Juniors and Redruth Wesleyans and Juniors.

Redruth Magistrate’s Court, 25 March.

Joseph Davey was charged by E. Crewes with the larceny of 18 bags of chaff and the embezzlement of 10/4. The cases lasted nearly all day, but were ultimately dismissed.

Sparks Column.

Mr F. Treloar is to continue the management of Gum Creek Station. His many friends will be pleased to hear this.

XV, 330 (2), 8 Apr. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 330.]

Cricket. Last Monday at Burra Oval: Burra played Teachers Assoc. 399, but did not get to bat.

At Mongolata last Wednesday: Mongolata 32, Burra 2nd Eleven 122.

At Manoora last Wednesday: Manoora 127, Burra 5 for 162.

Redruth Court, 1 April.

H. Lawn was fined 10/- + £3-12-0 costs for cutting timber on Crown Lands without a valid licence.

The Holidays.

The Primitive Methodist Sunday School picnic was held at Princess Royal under the beautiful gums near the woolshed. Some indulged in crayfishing and others in rabbiting and many took advantage of the waterholes.

Bible Christian Endeavourers had a picnic on the eastern side of the creek.

Others went duck shooting at The Lagoon and in several cases some fine game was bagged.

Cricket. Roach Bros Staff 146, Burra Corporation 7 for 113. The Burra Band attended.

The concert in the evening drew a good attendance and they saw a good show. During the interval a dust storm sprang up and filled the hall with dust, but rain fell and immediately cleared the air.

Kooringa Methodist [Wesleyan?] Sunday School held its 48th Anniversary on Easter Sunday & Monday. Rev. R.S. Casely preached morning and evening and with the latter brought his ministry here to a close. He goes to Pirie St in Adelaide and Rev. J.G. Simpson follows here and is expected to begin on 19 April.

The Serialised Novel: Two Men and a Woman by ‘Wirrildah’, author of Picturesque Desolation and A Tragic Misunderstanding’ etc. began.

Sparks Column.

Sports at World’s End last Monday.

XV, 330 (3), 15 Apr. 1896, page 2 [3rd use of No. 330.]

Advt. Sandland & Co. will sell the household furniture and effects of Mrs D.S. Packard, who is leaving the district, at the residence at the Smelting Works on 29 April.

Advt. John Creswell of Waymouth St Adelaide will buy in any quantity: Full grown hares 5/- each and Leverets for 1/- each.

XV, 330 (3), 15 Apr. 1896, page 3 [3rd use of No. 330.]

Rev. R.S. Casely was farewelled at a tea and public meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 7 April. Presentations were made to Rev. Casely and to his three daughters.

Weather. It has been very wintry of late and in the district considerable damage has been done to gardens, fences and telegraph lines. There has been little rain in Burra, with only 76 points for the month. Some better falls have been recorded to the east.

Obituary. The wife of John Rowe of Cockburn and third daughter of M. & W. Owers died at her parents’ residence in Burra on 9 April aged 25, leaving an infant son. [Elizabeth Rowe was born Elizabeth Owers 26 June 1871 and died on 9 April from septicaemia and her son, John Basil, who was born on 3 February at the Burra Mines died on 20 May.]

Mr Thomas Warnes, aged 60, is very seriously ill at Glenelg. Though suffering for the last two years he has been practically confined to his room for the last two months. He is an old resident of the district and has a well-deserved reputation as a woolgrower.

Burra Racing Club. The club ended the recent meeting in credit over £20, which is considered highly satisfactory. A protest by Mr Murphy against the performance of Mr J. Cockrum’s Flashlight in the Maiden Race was upheld. The Burra Hospital gets £2-18-3 as a result of the fractions from the toatalizator.

Central Board of Health. The Chief Inspector has severely condemned the state of one of the slaughterhouses in the District Council area.

Obituary. James, eldest son of Mr James Tiver JP of Aberdeen, has died at the age of 42. He arrived in SA on the David Malcolm in 1855. The funeral on Sunday was one of the largest ever seen here.

[James Hugh Tiver died 10 April 1896.]

Election Meeting, Tuesday 7 April. The Mayor, Dr Brummitt, chaired a meeting addressed by Hon. F.W. Holder. His two-hour speech is reported in just less than two columns.

Three years ago he had thought the Government deficit would be £60,000, but it had become £200,000 and since then revenue had fallen sharply in all lines to make the situation worse. This year railway income was down over £1⁄2 million and customs income was down £1⁄4 million. In the last 5 years taxation per head had been cut from £2-12-8 to £2-4-1, though admittedly income tax had risen. He then went on to outline the reasons for a new loan of £839,500 – largely to fund obligations entered into by the previous Governments. He felt that the present indications were for rising revenues and that things were improving.

He spoke of the Village Settlement Schemes.

He dealt too with changes to the Pastoral Act, which removed from the Government the obligation to pay for improvements and passed that duty on to the incoming lessee.

He spoke too on the Butter Bonus Act, the Mining Act, the Workman’s Lien Act and the 1894 Conciliation Act to remove the disastrous effects of strikes. He also referred to other Acts like the Factories Act 1894, Vermin Districts Act 1894, The Homestead Act, Adult Suffrage and the State Advances Act as well as the Federal Enabling Bill. He praised the operation of the Export Depot and favoured the reduction in qualifications for voting for the Legislative Council.

[Some farmers had lost their L.C. vote because land values had fallen.]

He supported the idea of a capitation grant [i.e. a payment per student to non Government schools], but would not support reading the Bible in schools.

Thomas Pascoe. [Check what’s going on here as advertising suggested Holder spoke on 7th and the others on 8th.]

He made a personal explanation of his withdrawal from the previous election campaign. He favoured an adequate, but small public service. He did not believe in a single tax policy and was a strong advocate of a wealth tax rather than land and income taxes. He was a free trader and in favour of Federation. He was for the retirement of one member of the district at each election rather than both of them. This move would provide continuity and do away with plumpers. All classes should be represented in Parliament, especially farmers and producers. Education should be free up to the compulsory standard. Beyond that those who could pay should pay. He did not favour the capitation grant. He was not present to advocate the requirements of the National Defence League.

Thomas Carter was for the State Bank and the Government Export Depot. He would not advocate changing the present educational system – though he would support any better arrangement if it were proposed as long as it preserved equity. He supported the present land and income taxes and thought a wealth tax would be too easily evaded by the wealthy. He favoured the payment of Members of both Houses of Parliament. He was for reducing the L.C. voting qualification to £15 and the LC term to 6 years. He was not in favour of referendums except to resolve deadlocks between the two Houses of Parliament.

W.T. Rabbich.

He had lived in Burra 41 years and had been brought up in the town. He had travelled widely in SA and had always taken a keen interest in politics. He had been connected with the Town Council for 7 years and filled other important positions. He favoured a reduction in the qualifications for L.C. electors. He would do away with 1⁄3 of the Members of Parliament. He believed Members of L.C. should be paid. He was for free compulsory education and for a capitation grant to private schools equal to what their existence saved the State. He favoured referendums and liberal land legislation. Land south of Goyder’s Line should be reserved for agriculture. Improvements on leases should be paid for by the incoming tenants (less an allowance for wear & tear.) He would support repurchase of good land for closer settlement. He was in favour of Federation and believed the Government should assist in the opening of mining ventures.

C.R. Goode.

He had worked in Burra in his youth. He had been largely connected to the Pastoral and Central Land Boards. He felt it was good for the Government to sell the outside country and use the money to buy up arable land and settle people upon it. He did not favour the present secular education. He wished children to be brought up with a knowledge of the Bible in denominational schools. He was for capitation grants and against referendums. He favoured absolute Sunday closing and was for payment of Members of Parliament, but would reduce the level.

Rev. R. H. Lee was given a farewell social at Hallett before he left for the Pt Elliott Circuit.

World’s End Sports were held on Easter Monday for the first time and they were well supported despite the unfavourable weather. W. Hagen fell in the Sheffield Handicap race and broke his collarbone in two places. Results are printed.

XV, 330 (4), 22 Apr. 1896, page 3 [4th use of No. 330.]

Notice. This gives the wording for the three referendum questions to be put on 25 April 1896.

Are you in favour of the continuance of the present system of education in State Schools?

Are you in favour of the introduction of scriptural instruction in State Schools during school hours?

Are you in favour of a Capitation Grant to Denominational Schools for secular results?

Birth. On 21 April at Heathmount, Kooringa, to the wife of Thomas Sandland, a son.

[Keith Chesters Sandland.]

Obituary. Mary Anne Dowser, relict of the late William Dowser, died at her residence at Copperhouse on 16 April aged 79. [Registered as Mary Annie Dowser. The evidence strongly suggests she was the Mary Ann Peters who married William Dowzard in 1878. He died as William Dowzer in 1887. If so she was born Mary Ann Kessel.]

Editorial on The Election.

The editor compliments the candidates for the creditable and courteous way they are conducting their campaigns. He concludes that while Mr Holder is assured of a win, the second member is quite impossible to predict.

Chrysanthemum Show. The decision not to hold a show this year will disappoint some, but was taken in view of the recent bad weather that has totally destroyed the flowers in several nice gardens.

Accident. On Monday the horse in the Mail Cart fell when opposite the National Bank. The driver, A. Rabbich, was thrown out, but was not much hurt. A young lad in the cart, E. Bartholomæus, sustained concussion and is getting along as well as can be expected.

Obituary & Railway Accident. Last Sunday night [19 April] at the Grand Junction [Road] crossing at Dry Creek a train ran into a trap containing four men, killing them all. The cause is presently unknown. The dead are: E.J. Sheridan 23, Arthur Hall 24, W. Thompson & W. McCombe 23.

[Edward James Sheridan was born 29 September 1871 and William James Campbell McCombe was born 24 September 1871. W. Thompson was William James Thompson.]

Burra Town Council, 21 April.

The Mayor handed over a cheque from Mr J. Roach and Staff of £16-18-6 towards the Oval Improvement Fund. It was decided to join with the DC in getting the road from Kooringa to Princess Royal surveyed and dedicated to both Councils.

Redruth Court, 21 April.

J. Lewis sued a lad named Opitz £1 for leaving his employment without notice. The plaintiff had kept a week’s wages and the bench authorised its retention and reprimanded the lad.

C. Woodruff claimed £2-1-10 for milk sold and delivered to W.H. Hardy. After evidence was taken a verdict for 5/- was given the plaintiff.

XV, 330 (5), 29 Apr. 1896, page 2 [5th use of No. 330.]

Advt. Sandland & Co. will offer for sale at the next Monthly Market:

A Grand Prize Poultry Sale of Langshans, Minorcas, Andalusians & British Games.

All direct from Imported Stock and Winners of First Special Prizes at Leading Shows in SA.

From the Copperhouse Poultry Yards.

XV, 330 (5), 29 Apr. 1896, page 3 [5th use of No. 330.]

Editorial on the Election Result. [But saying very little of substance.]

Election Results.

The Treasurer, F.W. Holder was returned with a substantial majority and the second seat went to C.R. Goode. Women attended to their duty in earnest.

The first women voters in Burra were Mrs A. Harris, Miss E. Forder and Miss F. Lane.

Results:

Candidates Votes Plumpers

Holder 2086 33

Goode 1215 163

Pascoe 1168 240

Carter 839 37

Rabbich 515 21

Informal 58 494

3218 out of 5050 on the roll voted. [63.7%]

Referendum Results

Yes No

Question 1. 1862 685

Question 2. 514 1527

Question 3 677 1469

E. Bartholomæus is progressing favourably after his accident.

XV, 330 (6), 6 May 1896, page 2 [6th use of No. 330.]

Obituary. Sir Henry Parks, the NSW statesman, died 27 April aged 80.

J.D. Cave has some remarkably fine chrysanthemums on show despite the recent bad weather. Some are enormous blooms and some are new additions to his stock. Messrs Harvey, Lewis and Pearce also have some fine examples.

Kooringa Wesleyan Christian Endeavour, 4th Anniversary was held on 30 April with a program of addresses, recitations, music, singing, convenors’ reports and refreshments. (In the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall.)

Burra Town Council, 4 May.

George March writes complaining of the poor condition of the Redruth cabstand. [Aberdeen?]

Other routine matters were attended to.

Waterworks.

The SAR has discontinued taking water from the Waterworks and the account for water supplied to date is to be rendered.

Leigh Creek Coal Co. offer coal for the waterworks at 18/6 a ton delivered to the Burra Railway Station. The Engineer will be asked to report on the offer at the next meeting of Council.

Football. A general meeting of the Burra Football Assoc. on 30 April at the Commercial Hotel elected: President, P.L. Killicoat; Chairman, George Parks; Captain, A. Wade and Secretary, H.L. Austin.

Burra Homing Club. The first race of the 1896 season was flown from Saddleworth on 29 April and was won by J. Edwards’ birds at 1,274 yds/min.

XV, 330 (7), 13 May 1896, page 2 [7th use of No. 330.]

Advt. F.J. Carey, agent for Leigh Creek Coal, can supply any quantity in ton lots for £1-4-0.

Notice. Burra Gold Mining Syndicate. Shareholders’ Meeting at Royal Exchange Hotel, Aberdeen, 14 May at 7.30 p.m. W.T. Rabbich, Secretary.

Birth. On 10 May at Kooringa to the wife of W.J. Davey, a son. [Harold Davey.]

The Season. The country to the east is in a wretched state with not even a blade of grass to be seen for miles around and the bush has practically been eaten to the ground.

XV, 330 (7), 13 May 1896, page 3 [7th use of No. 330.]

J.D. Cave was judge at the Broken Hill Chrysanthemum Show last week. A collection of his blooms, not for competition, was much admired. Mr R.M. Harvey of Burra secured two prizes for cut flowers.

Vandalism. Who smashed the lamp on Henderson’s Bridge one night last week?

Mr Paynter some time ago purchased and erected machinery in one of the large sheds at the Smelting Works for the purpose of crushing the Burra slag to extract copper. The venture did not succeed and the machinery was old. Mr Paynter did not have the capital to expend, but we understand he is to persevere by floating a company to get the latest machinery.

Burra Young Men’s Club. A meeting of young men on Monday 4 May decided to form the Burra Young Mens’ [sic] Club, open to all young men to promote the mental and physical culture of members by means of papers, essays, debates etc. and gymnastic classes. A second meeting on 11 May adopted rules and elected: President, Rev. J.Y. Simpson; Vice-Presidents, W. Bennett & J. McLaren; Secretary & Treasurer, J. Drew; Assistant, J.A. Pearce; Librarian, T. Kitchen and a committee comprising: A. Harris Senior, W.H. Hardy, E.W. Crewes. The group will meet in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Sparks Column.

Mushrooms.

T. Warnes, owing to continued ill health, has been compelled to resign as Chairman of the Mt Bryan DC.

XV, 331, 20 May 1896, page 2

Burra Young Men’s Club. The opening of the club will be held in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall tonight. Rev. J.Y. Simpson will address the meeting.

Rain. A half an inch has fallen in the last week.

Burra Show Soc. The Government subsidy of £31-15-6 has been received. The society at present has £100 in the Savings Bank and £7 in the Bank of Australasia.

Obituary. Ann Johnson was found dead in a back bedroom of a tumbledown tenement in Geelong, having evidently received no attention for a week and the bed was a mass of filth. Many readers will remember her husband, who was a bottle gatherer who plodded about and created periodical farces in Burra some time ago. He was too drunk to give evidence at the inquest and was lodged in the Geelong watch-house to sober up.

XV, 331, 20 May 1896, page 3

Mrs S.A. Short thanks all those who subscribed to the fund that enabled her to purchase a roof for her house.

Burra Gold Mining Syndicate met at the Royal Exchange Hotel on Thursday with B. Butterworth as chairman. W.T. Rabbich, Secretary, reported on activities. It was decided the mine was worth fuller development and a call of £3 per share was decided upon. Both the secretary and chairman resigned because they were leaving the district.

Shooting Accident. Joseph Smith aged 18 was taking a gun from a trap after an outing at Yarcowie on Sunday, when it discharged. The shot entered his hand and narrowly missed his body. He was transferred to the Burra Hospital on Monday morning and it now seems likely that amputation of the thumb will not be necessary.

Burra Agricultural Bureau has decided to set up a question box at the office of Mr John Lewis. The best authority will answer questions deposited. The bureau has been in existence several years, but has been little heard of.

‘Whip’ reports that three Burra women are negotiating to buy bicycles, so it is likely machines will soon carry fair ones in Burra.

Football. Saturday: Kooringa 7 goals defeated Aberdeen 1 goal.

Burra Town Council, 12 May.

It was decided after all not to lease the Best Place Reserve. [Page 3 reveals the reason was that the young trees were not yet beyond the reach of stock.]

A query re water use at the police station was disallowed and no reduction in the charge will be allowed.

Other routine matters were dealt with.

18 May.

The District Council of Burra advises it is willing to join with the Town Council re the road to Princess Royal with both councils paying expenses within their own boundary.

Burra Football Association applied to use the oval and the shed and charge admission with 1⁄3 of the gate to go to the Council.

R. Reed applied for permission to fence the piece of road between allotments 72, 73, 74, 89 & 90 in Aberdeen.

There is a need for rates to be paid now as bonds and interest fall due in July.

The Waterworks are going well. The engineer reported on the Leigh Creek coal sample given him and said it was deficient in oily hydrocarbons, is practically flameless and leaves a great deal of ash. It would not do for winter, but would be satisfactory in summer if used with wood.

Sparks Column.

J.D. Cave had a nice collection of chrysanthemums at the Petersburg Show last week.

David Weinstein, the notable who was heard of in Burra at eh beginning of 1896, has been declared insolvent.

Women Voters.

At the recent election, out of 3,209 votes the females registered 1,378 and the males 1,831.

In the Kooringa polling station there were 522 male & 441 female voters.

There were 762 males and 671 females on the roll.

Burra Homing Club. In the 2nd race for 1896 from Tarlee on 13 May the winning birds belonged to S. Edwards. They covered the 42 miles 500 yards in 40 minutes 45 seconds at 1,826 yards per minute. [See XV, 260, 27 Jan. 1897, page 3 where it is reported as the best speed in SA for 1896.]

XV, 331 (2), 27 May 1896, page 2 [20 May on page 1 only.]

Advt. Burra Institute, 22 June. Miss L. Carrigg (The Auburn Nightingale) & Miss A. Carrigg (Composer of the Auburn Waltz) will take part in Francis A. Mitchell’s famous Farce:

Mad as a Hatter. Produced in Burra for the first time. 2/-, 1/6 & 1/-

Advt. Sandland & Co. will sell on 3 June, for Mr B. Butterworth, who is leaving Burra for Adelaide, his furniture and household effects.

XV, 331 (2), 27 May 1896, page 3

Queen’s Birthday Holiday on Monday saw no amusements in Burra, but many people went on picnics in excellent conditions, though one party that went out east took the wrong road back as a short cut and so got lost, finally arriving in Burra about midnight, ‘cold frightened and shivering’.

Sparrows will be attacked with poisoned wheat in Burra shortly, so take care of your fowls or other domestic birds. The Council will not be responsible for the deaths of any such who eat the poison baits judiciously laid in reserves and the cemetery.

Chrysanthemums. On Saturday Mr J. Lewis took a collection of cut chrysanthemums from J.D. Cave’s garden to Lady Victoria Buxton and on Monday the ADC to the Governor sent a complimentary letter to Mr Cave.

Burra Young Men’s Club was well attended on Wednesday at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall. There were musical items and recitations as well as an address by Rev. J.Y. Simpson. Mr Winnall has consented to take charge of a gymnastic class on Tuesday evenings.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church held its Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. D.S. Wylie preached in the morning, Rev. J.Y. Simpson addressed the children in the afternoon and Rev. T. Theobald preached in the evening. J. Davey conducted the special singing. The children’s tea on Monday was followed by the usual adult tea meeting with a variety of speakers.

Redruth Wesleyan Church held its Anniversary last Sunday & Monday. Preachers were Rev. T.M. Flood and Rev. J.Y. Simpson. The latter also delivered the address at the largely attended tea meeting on Monday, where he gave an amusing and instructive lecture on Crotchety Grumblers.

XV, 341, 3 June 1896, page 2 [Note the leap in numbers from 331 to 341.]

Advt. Burra Institute 19 June. Grand Night with the Children. A Grand Musical Entertainment.

30 Voices, directed by Miss Amy Wylie.

Editorial on The New SA Parliament and the State of the Colony.

The writer saw the new Parliament as ‘the best we have had for many years’.

He is pleased to note the direct representation of commercial interests and in general a good cross-section of all classes and interests. The outlook for the season is not too encouraging. To the south the season has opened all right, but to the north and east rains have been light and the stock is dying. The labour market has eased with the exodus to the West and so unemployment is comparatively low. There is a move to form a new political party – something between the Capitalists, whose interests are reflected in the National Defence League, and the Trades and Labour Council.

Internationally things are uncertain. German diplomacy is tortuous in its ways and a general European War could yet come to pass over South Africa. The USA is estranged from England – largely over the silver question. The demonetisation of silver and the resulting low prices for it have caused bitter feelings.

An Entertainment at St Mary’s Schoolroom in aid of St Mary’s Parish Cricket Club on Wednesday was largely attended and much appreciated.

XV, 341, 3 June 1896, page 3

Football. At Clare on Saturday: Burra 2.12 defeated Clare 2.4.

Sparks Column.

Lots of mushrooms about.

Burra Contingent in Adelaide.

Miss Margaret Walsh was given a farewell in St Joseph’s Schoolroom last night.

SA Supreme Court.

There is a long report of a civil case: William Killicoat v. The National Bank of Australasia Ltd.

Essentially the case arose from a mortgage the bank gave Killicoat and on which it foreclosed. Killicoat made ten rather lengthy claims in his case against the bank, but the core of the matter were the claims they had exceeded their power to sell, had included charges that were neither reasonable nor legitimate and had sold greatly more stock than they were entitled to, so causing him considerable financial damage. He entered a claim for £3,554.

Among the complaints was that he had not received an adequate statement from the mortgagee in possession. After hearing a lot of evidence Mr Justice Boucaut said that the Bank had sold in excess of its claim and ordered the disclosure of accounts. He then gave an opinion that if counsel were agreed on this point they would be well advised to settle before returning after an adjournment he had to make because of criminal sittings the following week.

[Mr J.H. Symon, appearing for Killicoat, said the bank had sold £1,300 worth of sheep, when their claim at the time was for £350.]

Burra Town Council, 1 June.

No further action has been taken re the Princess Royal Road.

Various routine matters were dealt with.

XV, 342, 10 June 1896, page 2

Burra Agricultural Bureau will meet at J. Lewis’s office on Friday afternoon.

Obituary. Mr Robert Lane’s death is reported in Wednesday’s Register. He was a collar-maker, for some time employed by J.F. Rosenfeldt of Laura and died at Morchard, having gone there a fortnight ago for a change of air. He was brother to P. Lane JP of Burra. [Died 31 May aged 63.]

Marriage. Last Wednesday Miss Margaret Walsh married Mr E.P. Hammet.

Lecture. On 17 June Rev. J.Y. Simpson will deliver his humorous Scottish lecture on Scottish Characteristics at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Amusement at Burra Institute in aid of St Mary’s Church. This is described as a unique entertainment involving living statuary.

‘The statuary to be represented will no doubt be much appreciated.’ Also limelight views, songs etc.

Lady Cyclist. ‘On Friday last the first lady rider in Burra made a run through Redruth and Kooringa very nicely, and seemed to be “monarch of all she surveyed”. On Monday a travelling Salvation Army lassie was to be seen about the town.’

Football. On Saturday: Kooringa 2 goals defeated Aberdeen 1 goal.

Sparks Column.

A good downpour of rain is reported from the east.

E.J. Davey’s furniture sale has been withdrawn.

XV, 342 (2), 17 June 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 342.]

Advt. Sandland & Co. under instruction from A. Johnson offer for sale on 19 June:

Crown Lease No. 7745 of section 228, 233, 236, 237, 244, 245 & 246 in Hundred of Wonna comprising 2929 acres of good grazing land. Annual rent £8-0-2 with right of purchase.

Term of 21 years from 22 May 1894. With pine house of 4 rooms, 11 miles east of Terowie.

Advt. Burra Young Men’s Club. Wesleyan Lecture Hall, 24 June. Dr Brummitt will give Science Talk No. 1 on The New Photography. Light – Photography – Röntgen’s Rays.

XV, 342 (2), 17 June 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 342.]

Obituary. James Alfred Langton aged 7 was drowned last Wednesday in the waterhole in the Burra Creek just south of the footbridge by the Bible Christian Church. He was going home from school with his friend James Hoare and was crossing a footbridge near Benjamin Newman’s house when he tried to get a branch out of the water and fell in. Hoare raised the alarm and F. Hornhardt stripped and retrieved the body, but it had been in the water for 20 minutes and life was extinct. Only two months ago the family buried a young infant. [J.A. Langton was born 2 June 1889 and died 10 June 1896. The infant referred to was Edward Leonard Langton born 18 November 1895: died 11 March 1896.]

[The Return Thanks notice adds that he was the son of James Langton of George St, Kooringa and thanks Master F. Hornhardt for his brave attempt to save the boy.]

Obituary. Thomas Walsh died at Burra Hospital on 15 June after four days’ illness, aged 34. He was the husband of Ellen Walsh of the Court House Hotel. He was suddenly seized with inflammation of the bowels on Friday and was sent to hospital on Sunday. Drs Brummitt and Sangster performed a successful operation on Monday, but he died several hours later. He was much liked in the town on account of his unassuming manner and straightforwardness. He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1862, a son of Richard Walsh who survives him. He was educated in Ireland and studied to be a schoolteacher. He conducted a school on his own account. At his sister’s request (Mrs O’Keefe, who resides near the Burra railway station) he came to SA. Later he went to Sydney where he had a school. Subsequently he left there and had a similar position in Wilmington. In 1890 he arrived in Burra and took a lease on the Court House Hotel. In 1893 he was elected Councillor for North Ward and fulfilled the job creditably for two years. He was also a member of the Hospital Board and a generous donor to those in need. His death deprives the town of a sterling and conscientious resident. He is survived by a wife and young child.

Obituary. Daniel Spencer Packard JP, solicitor of Kooringa, died at North Adelaide Private Hospital on Saturday morning. He was the youngest surviving son of the late Rev. Daniel Packard, formerly Rector of Middleton, Suffolk, England and afterwards incumbent of St Andrew’s Walkerville. He was born at Darley SA [Paradise] in 1852 and was thus aged 43. He was educated at St Peter’s College and was articled to his brother, Mr F.J. Packard, solicitor of Naracoorte and Penola for a short time. He then completed his studies with Messrs Symon & Bakewell and was called to the Bar in 1877, but remained some years with the firm. He married the daughter of the late David Randall and began work in Burra in 1879 and built up a good practice. His health broke down a few months ago and he was compelled to go to Adelaide for nursing and medical treatment. While in Burra he was Mayor, a Member of the Burra School Board of Advice, a Warden and Choirmaster of St Mary’s and a participant in many activities in the town. He succumbed to paralysis of the brain on Saturday morning, leaving a widow and four children aged between four and thirteen. The brothers of the deceased are: J.H. Packard (Surveyor) & F.J. Packard (Solicitor), while his sisters are Mrs Fitz-William Evans (UK), Mrs Unwin, Mrs Percy, Mrs Marshall & Mrs Archer.

[Registration gives 13 June 1896 as date of death aged 44.]

Birth. On 8 June to the wife of Thomas McWaters at Spring Farm, World’s End, a son.

[Ray Percival McWaters.]

Editorial on the Opening of the 15th SA Parliament.

Lok Won, a countryman of Luke Day’s entered Day’s shop on Monday afternoon, took a seat and announced he had come to stay. Luke winked the other eye and said, ‘I no savee’. Lock then became troublesome and prevented Day from carrying on his normal business, but said he would agree to leave if given £5. Luke was immovable and the demand was dropped to £1, but still to no avail. Eventually he was taken to ‘the House of Correction’ where he undressed and begged the constable to shoot him. He has been remanded until this morning for examination.

SAR. The Broken Hill express on Monday was over 61⁄2 hours late when a ballast train dropped a number of truckloads of ballast at once. This blocked the line and broke the plough attached to the following brake-van.

Miss E, Elliott’s Entertainment in the Institute on Friday did not draw a large audience and the quality of the program deserved better. It was a mixture of items by adults and children.

[Personal interest: ‘Mr Jennings & Mr Fuss gave excellent recitations entitled Face Upon the Floor and The Gambler’s Wife.

The Governor’s Speech at the opening of the SA Parliament is printed.

District Council of Burra. Nominations for 1896-97.

Kooringa Ward Gustav Gottlieb Klemm elected unopposed

John Chester Sandland elected unopposed

Baldina Ward Emil Kickebusche elected unopposed

King Ward William Pitt Barker elected unopposed

Auditor Thomas T. Shortridge

Charles Goodwin Tiver

Election required for auditor.

XV, 342 (3), 24 June 1896, page 2 [3rd use of No. 342.]

Hospital Sunday. Special services were held at St Mary’s last Sunday when Rev. T. Worthington of Pt Wakefield preached. Representatives of the Lodges, Town & District Councils and the Hospital Board attended.

Rev. J.Y. Simpson drew a good attendance to his lecture on Scottish Characteristics on Wednesday evening in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Burra Show Soc. Has received a letter indicating the intention of the Governor to attend the show on 23 September.

XV, 342 (3), 24 June 1896, page 3 [3rd use of No. 342.]

Burra Town Council, 15 June.

Arrangements have been made conjointly with the District Council for a survey of a road to Princess Royal.

A letter of condolence was sent to the family of ex-Councillor Walsh.

Local Board of Health.

There was a report that cloths from the Burra Hospital used in dressing wounds etc. were being washed at a well near the slaughterhouse and reused. The Mayor reported that in fact clothes picked up by poor people at the Council Depot were washed at a well in Kooringa before being used. No cloths had been sent to the Depot from the Hospital.

Miss Amy Wylie presented an entertainment entitled The Grand Night with the Children at the Institute last Friday. It was very well conducted and is reviewed item by item.

[Personal interest: ‘Master Ray Fuss and his sisters and his cousins and his aunts came forward and sang I’m the Monarch and When I Was a Lad. (From HMS Pinafore). This little fellow has a clear and firm voice, of which he has a good command, the vocalization being unually [sic] good.’

‘After interval T. Bentley and Master Ray Fuss proved a very acceptable item on the programme.’]

St Joseph’s Entertainment on Monday night in aid of St Joseph’s Schoolroom was held in fine weather and drew a large attendance. £15 was raised. The performances are reviewed and Miss Laura Carrigg comes in for particular praise. A very successful ball followed the concert.

Football. At Burra last Monday: Burra Assoc. 14.16 defeated Norwood Alberts 3.3.

Burra Juniors 5 goals, defeated Petersburg Juniors nil.

Burra Coursing Club. Winner of the Coursing Meet was W. Frost’s w r s Facevalue. (£18.)

XV, 342 (4), 1 July 1896, page 2 [4th use of No. 342.]

Obituary. Margaret A. Dow, daughter of the late John Dow, died on 24 June at her mother’s residence in Redruth aged 34. Though indisposed for some time no fatal results were apprehended.

[Margaret Ahern Dow was born 27 January 1862.]

Burra Young Men’s Club. Dr Brummitt’s lecture on Röntgen’s Rays was very interesting on Wednesday night and he exhibited some beautiful pictures taken by this newly discovered measure, lent by Messrs Faulding & Co. [William Konrad Röntgen had only discovered these rays, better known now as X-Rays, in the previous year.]

British Medical Journal has published opinions from leading physicians in favour of women riding bicycles.

XV, 342 (4), 1 July 1896, page 3 [4th use of No. 342.]

Redruth Court, 24 June.

W. Nankivell of the Hundred of Baldina was fined 10/- + 10/- costs for failure to destroy rabbits.

J.M. McBride on a similar charge pleaded not guilty and was fined £5 + £2-17-0 costs and gave notice of appeal.

Burra Homing Club. The 3 most recent races:

From Wasleys - 561⁄2 miles, won by J. Drew’s birds at 1,169 yds per minute.

From Roseworthy – 59 miles, won by C. Wilkinson’s birds at 975 yds per minute.

From Salisbury – 76 miles won by J.A. Pearce’s birds at 1014 yds per minute.

Sparks Column.

Bread now 31⁄2d a loaf.

Heavy frosts last week.

Good rains in the last few days.

‘bike fever’ is raging in Burra.

Several had lucky escapes when there was a fall of earth at the Aberdeen Ballast Quarries last Thursday night.

We hear Cr Rabbich will resign from Council as he is leaving the District.

XV, 342 (5), 8 July 1896, page 2 [5th use of No. 342.]

Obituary. Henry Howard West, youngest son of William and the late Frances West of Burra Burra Mines, died at Jamestown on 1 July of typhoid fever. [More details next page.]

An illuminated address is being prepared for W.T. Rabbich, who is soon leaving Burra for the West.

Obituary. Margaret Lyons, an old lady residing at Redruth, died suddenly in a neighbour’s house on Saturday. She was visiting Mrs Allan Morrison and the latter went to attend to one of her children in bed and while there she fell asleep. When she awoke in the morning she found her visitor had died. Dr Brummitt certified the cause as heart disease. [Died 4 July aged 62.]

A Children’s Bazaar at Dr Brummitt’s house on Friday raised £5-11-9 for Dr Stephenson’s Homes for Children in London.

XV, 342 (5), 8 July 1896, page 3 [5th use of No. 342.]

Obituary. Henry Howard West died at Jamestown last Wednesday [1 July] at 3 p.m. aged 19. He was the youngest son of Mr William west and the late Frances west, who died about three years ago. He was born at the Burra Burra Mines on 4 July 1877 and educated at Burra. He was a bright and intelligent youth of great promise. He was appointed a junior clerk in the SAR about four years ago and sent to Jamestown. He was taken ill on 21 June with a severe attack of typhoid fever from which he never recovered. The funeral in Burra was largely attended.

Burra Town Council, 6 July.

£92, the balance of the Main Roads Account, has been received.

The Burra Show Soc. Asks for co-operation in receiving the Governor on Show Day. Council will form a committee to deal with the matter.

Cr Rabbich tendered his resignation as the North Ward Councillor, but it was resolved to give him three months’ leave of absence.

Other routine business was transacted.

District Council of Burra. T.T. Shortridge won the election for auditor.

XV, 343, 15 July 1896, page 2

W.T. Rabbich received two beautifully illuminated addresses from the Town Council and the Citizens of Burra at the Institute last night. He is leaving for the Golden West.

Advt. Furniture sale today 2.30 p.m. sharp, of household furniture and effects, at the home of W.T. Rabbich, Aberdeen.

Miss Elliott’s living statuary performance drew a much bigger attendance when it was repeated on Friday at the Institute. The constant applause proving that the exhibition was greatly appreciated.

Obituary. Mrs William Bruse died at the Burra Hospital on Wednesday morning as a result of typhoid fever. She leaves a family of five young children, three of whom have also been suffering from typhoid. [Registration of death says she died 8 July 1896 aged 24. Marriage records says she was born Ellen Devlaing, but birth records have Ellen Mary Devlin born 26 September 1873.]

Rain has been recorded generally in the district in good soaking falls. The weather has been exceptionally cold with snow at Mt Bryan, Hallett & Sugarloaf and as far north as Pt Augusta, but not in Burra itself, though Saturday morning’s train arrived covered in enough to fuel snowball fights.

XV, 343, 15 July 1896, page 3

Burra Hospital Board recorded its appreciation of the work of the recently deceased Thomas Walsh and sent a letter of condolence to Mrs Walsh.

Mr Arthur Williams, who is leaving for the Golden West, was given a smoke social at the Commercial Hotel. Mr P.L. Killicoat JP, as President of the Burra Football Assoc. took the chair and about 25 attended. Mr Williams was one of their most prominent footballers and after a series of speeches he was presented with a purse of sovereigns.

District Council of Burra has been advised of the withdrawal of Mr McBride’s appeal against his conviction under the Rabbit Act.

Hallett correspondent reports a heavy fall of snow on Friday night, which was still evident Saturday morning, giving a glorious view in the morning sun looking west towards Tommy’s Gap Ranges with dense black clouds behind them.

Burra Homing Club. 6th race of the season was from Dry Creek on 8 July and was won by J. Drew’s birds at 1,606 yds per min.

Sparks Column.

Obituary. Mr M.E. Purcell, who married Miss Curgenwen, a Burra girl, was killed at Dickenson Shaft, Broken Hill, last week. In December last he insured his life for £100, which will assist the widow and her three children. [Marriage records say Michael Purcell married Mary Elizabeth Curgenven and suggest his year of birth was c. 1862.]

XV, 343 (2), 22 July 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 343]

Advt. St Mary’s Church: Rev. James Sunter will hold a Seven Days’ Mission beginning 7 September.

Obituary. Thomas Warnes of Koomooloo died 15 July at College Park aged 58.

[See details next page.]

Gold has been discovered near Watervale.

Rt Rev. Dr Harmer, Anglican Bishop of Adelaide, visited Burra last Sunday and in the morning conducted a Confirmation Service for 28 candidates. In the evening he preached to a full church and William B. Page, choirmaster, was presented with a liberally filled sovereign case in recognition of his services. 10 candidates were also confirmed on Monday evening at Black Springs.

XV, 343 (2), 22 July 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 343]

Rt Rev. Dr Harmer held a confirmation service for four candidates at Hallett Institute on Saturday morning.

Football. The much-publicised game between Burra & Manoora on Saturday at Burra Oval failed to take place when the Manoora team was unable to come.

A. Williams, who has left for the West, gets a paragraph extolling his football prowess.

Obituary. Mr Thomas Warnes, well-known and successful pastoralist and woolgrower, died at College Park on Wednesday. He had been ill for some months. He arrived in SA in 1855, going first to Mt Gambier for a few months before returning to Adelaide and then making his way north. He did different kinds of work till 1862 when he leased the Princess Royal Block from the Burra Mining Assoc. and started sheep farming. He lived there for 24 years and in 1868 he also took a pastoral block, which he named Koomooloo in 1875. Later this became Old Koomooloo and in 1872 he sank the first dam there and gradually improved the property year by year. In 1885 he and his family moved to Old Koomooloo to live, but when the lease expired in 1891 he did not renew, but moved to Koomooloo and formed another station with new buildings etc. He was a very successful woolgrower, taking highest prices at Adelaide for many years and winning first prize for wool at Adelaide Shows. At the Adelaide Jubilee he got the first two awards for wool from saltbush country and the following year at the Sydney Centennial Exhibition carried off the gold and silver medals for rams’ and ewes’ wool. He was a member of the Vermin Board and in 1890 joined the Central Land Board for three years. He also served on the Burra and Mt Bryan District Councils and for a time was a director of the Alma Gold Mining Co. In summer he and his family lived at Glenelg, where he was an active supporter of the Commemoration Day Carnival. He was a judge at the aquatic sports there and a member of the Holdfast Bay Yacht Club and the Austral Club. Mrs Warnes died about two years ago. He is survived by five sons and four daughters. He was buried in Burra on Friday.

Cr W.T. Rabbich was given a farewell at the Institute on 14 July. He received an illuminated address signed by over 80 citizens and another from his Council colleagues. The Mayor was unavoidably absent and Mr A. Harris presided. Mr Harris made a few well-chosen remarks, having known Mr Rabbich nearly 20 years and found him ‘pushing and energetic and at the present time Burra could ill-afford to lose one of its residents of so much importance.’ He was sure that if Cr Rabbich had been as well known outside Burra as he was in it, he would have won a seat at the last House of Assembly elections. [The texts of the illuminated addresses are printed.]

Other speakers included:

Cr Parks, who spoke words of fulsome praise.

Cr Winnall said he hoped Cr Rabbich would prosper in the West.

Town Clerk, W. Davey, had known Mr Rabbich from a boy and had always found him to be pushing, especially in the Council: ‘Whatever he had to do he would throw his whole energy into the matter.’

‘Words of his would fail to express the good qualities of Cr. Rabbich.’

He hoped he and his family would meet with unqualified success.

Mr F.E. Opie-Lapidge wished him well and said the addresses spoke volumes for the respect and esteem in which he was held.

Mr C. Fuss spoke in eulogistic terms, as a ratepayer of North Ward, for the work done by Cr Rabbich on ratepayers’ behalf and thanked him for past services. He expressed hopes for a pleasant voyage and success in WA.

Mr W.H. Hardy rose with much pleasure to express his respect and said Rabbich had always been ‘a real live councillor’ who had accomplished good work in his term as Mayor. He wished him well and hoped one day to see him again.

Other speakers endorsing the above sentiments were W. Neville, P. Lally, S. Burns & C. Tiver.

W.T. Rabbich responded. He had come to Burra 30 years ago when a lad and remained ever since. He was educated, married and raised a family there and had seen many ups and downs for the town, but was proud of the advancement made in the past few years – the beautiful trees, good roads and pathways. He thanked them and though there were those who politically could not see eye to eye with him, he believed he was leaving the town without a single enemy.

Robbery. Mr Shakespeare, commercial traveller for D. & W. Murray, has had several articles stolen from the sample room of the Burra Hotel over the past month. On Monday night samples similar to those taken were found in J.M. Blackwell’s box at Mr Arthur Rigby’s House, where he had been boarding. Blackwell was remanded to appear today. He is a painter by trade and apparently came here from Petersburg some time ago.

Jim Gaffey, who is well known in Burra, having lived here for a short time some years ago, was looked on then as a respectable and well-behaved young fellow. He has now been arrested on a charge of horse stealing in Queensland. [Given the arrest was apparently in Sydney and the court appearance in Cobar, the offence would seem to have been committed in NSW.] He was captured a month ago about 18 miles from Hillston [Central NSW], but escaped by riding his horse over a five-rail fence into thick scrub. He was pursued over 118 miles in 18 hours, but eluded police with blacktrackers and was eventually captured in Sydney, having bought a passage on a steamer for Auckland. He is to appear in court at Cobar.

XV, 345, 29 July 1896, page 2 [No. 344 not used.]

Advt. ABERDEEN HOTEL

Mrs W. Dunn, late of the Bon Accord Hotel, has taken the above hotel, previously known as Opie’s.

Good stabling and stockyards.

Advt. Sale by Auction. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis, on instructions from the Public Trustee in the Estate of the late E.A. Woodroffe will offer the part allotment No. 77 in Kooringa 50’ x 219’ in depth on Commercial St with improvements thereon comprising a Paint Shop etc. as occupied by Mr D. Jones.

Advt. John Sampson and Sandland & Co. will sell on Friday 7 August at 1.30 p.m. on instruction from Mrs Dow, who is leaving the town, her household furniture and effects.

Advt. Rev. C. Bice will give a lecture on Melanesia illustrated with Lantern Views on Tuesday 4 August in St Mary’s Schoolroom. Collection in aid of Foreign Missions.

XV, 345, 29 July 1896, page 3 [No. 344 not used.]

Editorial on The Land Boards Bill.

Redruth Court, Wednesday last.

Mr Blackwell defended himself against a charge of theft. He at time completely baffled the prosecutor and produced bills for each article except one vest and also other documents to his innocence. The Bench nevertheless committed him for trial at the Adelaide Criminal Sittings.

Obituary. Mr Sampson Vivian was killed in an accident at South Mine, Broken Hill, on 21 July. He was a brother to Mr H. Vivian of the Commercial Hotel and was well known in Burra. He arrived here over 40 years ago and has since reared a family. The inquest failed to explain just how he met his death.

Samuel Walter Cherry said he left the deceased on the 3rd platform near the chute and ascended to the 4th platform. Soon after he called for Vivian to hand up some wood. Receiving no reply, he shouted down to the other men if they had seen Vivian and they said they had not. He was found bleeding and unconscious at the bottom of the chute. Other evidence showed that the top of the chute on the 3rd platform had been securely covered with laths that morning and was the same immediately afterwards. One theory is that one 10” lath was dislodged and Vivian had fallen through and when another miner noticed the missing lath it was replaced without him knowing anything of the accident. The deceased’s pipe was however, found on the second flat, suggesting he had gone down there for some unknown reason and the accident happened there. The mystery remains unresolved.

[The marriage records of his marriage 10 September 1865 suggest he was born c. 1841.]

Obituary. Richard Roscoe died on Friday. In the early days of Burra he had charge of the mail horses at different stages between Kapunda and Burra. He arrived in SA in 1854 in the Sir William Prowse as a young man and took up his quarters here shortly afterwards. After some time he had a serious accident which disabled him from working for the rest of his life. He had a great memory for the early days and a great facility for recounting incidents from them. He died in the Burra Hospital leaving a wife aged 86 who is in very poor circumstances and deserving of the kindness of some of our philanthropic friends. [Registered as Richard Roscrow died 15 August aged 76.]

Redruth Court, 22 July.

Inspector J.R. Gray brought a case about a stray cow against E.W. Crewes. The defendant denied he owned the cow in question. The conflicting evidence is reported in c. 11⁄4 columns and the case was eventually dismissed without costs.

The case against John Martin Blackwell for stealing clothes from a sample room, as previously noted, is then reported at much more length in an article a bit more than 1 column in length.

Burra Homing Club. 7th race was from Mt Lofty over 911⁄4 miles and was won by J.A. Pearce’s bird at 853 yds per minute.

Mr E.F. Brady is off work for a few days following an accident on Tuesday. He was repairing a bisulphite tin at his Commercial St Shop when it exploded, burning his neck and right side of his face. Luckily his right eye escaped serious injury. Dr Sangster attended.

XV, 345 (2), 5 Aug. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 345.]

Marriage. On 29 July at Mr George Kellock’s, Thistle Beds.

John Morgan, 2nd son of John Morgan of Thistle Beds and

Edith May Wood, 2nd daughter of William Wood of Adelaide.

James Gaffey, who was charged with stealing six horses in NSW, appeared at Cobar last week and committed for trial.

W.H. Evans delivered a very interesting lecture on From the Coalpit to the Palace of the King: or the Life of Peter MacKenzie, in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Thursday before a fair audience. A satisfactory collection was made.

XV, 345 (2), 5 Aug. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 345.]

Burra Homing Club. Members suffered severe losses in the recent race from Mt Lofty. Many of the birds lost had flown from there before and in adverse conditions, so the extent of the loss is something of a mystery. Every competitor lost birds.

Vermin Fencing in the N-E.

A meeting of leaseholders of land in County Burra and County Kimberley (and some to the east of that) was held at Murkaby on Tuesday 28 July. Mr H.S. Dunn took the chair with C.B. Warnes as secretary. Those present were anxious to have a vermin proof fence erected to protect their holdings from rabbits and wild dogs coming from the unused country beyond them to the boundary of the colony and north of the River Murray. It was decided after discussion that it was desirable to erect a line to extend from the River Murray to the vermin fence already erected in the north.

The route arrived at was from the river along the eastern boundary of Hundred of Stuart and thence north varying as necessary to include the holdings of Lockyer, Watson, Pens, Escott, Gibbes, G.G. Klemm and another piece of land and then north to a fence already erected within c. 6 miles of the northeast corner of County Burra.

The Government will be asked to erect the fence to be 70-75 miles long. It would protect c. 160 [sic] square miles of country, none of it more than 20 miles west from the county line, while about 480 [square] miles lies east of it.

[The figure of 160 is clearly an error – could it be 1,600?]

Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF

About two years ago Mr George Parks was elected secretary, treasurer and sick pay officer and all seems to have gone very well until just recently when a brother mentioned casually to a trustee that he had received his sick pay in cash, rather than as a cheque. This led to an investigation and the trustees demanded to see the books and all documents. This did not happen until compulsory measures were taken under the MUIOOF Act of 1874. On examination it was found that the secretary had not banked or accounted for £22-11-0 taken at the last lodge meeting and a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of embezzlement. On Saturday he appeared before Mr P. Lane JP and was remanded to Tuesday on bail of two sureties of £150 and himself in £100. On examining the office used for the lodge work between £20 and £30 was found and lodge cards were produced with the secretary’s signature, but without the amount received entered in the cashbook or ledger. Mr W. Davey is doing an audit.

The accused is c. 33 and for a considerable time his father carried on the well-known business of Thomas Parks and several years ago it was transferred to his son George, who proved to be an industrious and energetic businessman. In 1891 he was elected Councillor for East Ward, which position he has held ever since. He was an active member of the Burra School Board of Advice and has been secretary to many sports clubs with his honesty never challenged. In Lodge affairs he was trusted implicitly. On Tuesday he was specifically charged with embezzling:

10/- received from H. Pinch

19/10 received from J. Snell on a/c Vouden

11/8 from L. Grow

11/8 from L. Grow on a/c C. Grow

The case was adjourned to 12 August.

Sparks Column.

Mr Brady is recovering though the right eye is still inflamed. He hopes to resume work at the end of this week.

XV, 346, 12 Aug. 1896, page 2

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Annual Dinner will be held on 19 August at 4 p.m.

At 7.30 p.m. Rev. R.J. Daddow will lecture on Looking Forward or The Church in the Twentieth Century. On Sunday 16 August he will preach at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 6.30 p.m.

The evening service will be a pictorial service using a powerful lantern.

Rev. J. Bice gave an interesting lecture on 5 August at St Mary’s Schoolroom aided by a powerful lantern, on Missionary Work in the South Sea Islands, where he spent 25 years as a missionary.

XV, 346, 12 Aug. 1896, page 3

The serialised novel: Two Men & A Woman, came to a conclusion.

Ada Delroy’s Company drew a larger audience than any other travelling company has for a considerable time at the Institute on Monday evening and the crowd was kept in almost convulsive laughter from start to finish. The show ran almost to 11 p.m.

XV, 347, 19 Aug. 1896, page 2

Obituary. Mrs E. Ellery, an old Burra identity, died at her son’s residence in Quorn. She was buried at Burra last Monday afternoon. [Ann Ellery died 15 August aged 79.]

Professor Alex Macully MA will give a recital in St Mary’s Schoolroom on Wednesday 2 September. He is highly spoken of as an able elocutionist.

Burra Hospital Board. The Chief Secretary has notified the Board of the appointment of J.F. Moore to it, to replace Mr Walsh, deceased.

XV, 347, 19 Aug. 1896, page 3

Supreme Court Adelaide, 11 August.

John Matthew Blackwell (31) was charged with stealing between 1 & 17 July 1896, a quantity of clothing from the Burra Hotel sample room with the total value of £4-13-0, being the property of D. & W. Murray.

When arrested Blackwell produced all the goods except for three and listed the places where he had got them. The prosecution was unable to establish any positive identification of the items and as a result the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Redruth Court, 12 August.

Edward Williams was fined 5/- for driving around the corner of Kingston St and Paxton Terrace.

[This is interesting, since the two streets named do not meet and run approximately parallel!]

George Parks was charged with embezzling the Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF.

J.R. Anderson for the defence and J.E.H. Winnall prosecuted.

The charge of embezzling £22-11-1 was withdrawn.

He was further charged with embezzling other moneys received from persons who had paid off several amounts of interest. Evidence of the payment of such moneys from John Wise, Ambroze Edwards and Mrs H. Mills for Henry Mills was tendered. William Davey as trustee of the Lodge said he could find in the books no record of the receipt of these sums.

When he took possession of the books and cash from Mr Winnall he found in the safe and the office £27 in cash and had received some money since. Several sums were lying around the office carelessly. Mr Parks banked at the end of the last quarter and as a matter of fact then paid in £5 too much. The Lodge by-law did not specify when the money had to be banked, but the amounts in the information had been neither banked nor entered in the cashbook. Some sick pay had been paid in cash contrary to the request of the Lodge, which asked that all sick payments be by cheque. The £27 found did not match the amount missing. The deficit was £136-2-1.

Amounts paid in sick pay appear to have been £11-4-8.

Mr Winnall submitted there was a prima facie case and asked that the prisoner be committed for trial.

Mr Anderson admitted gross carelessness, but said they had failed to show the prisoner had feloniously stolen any money and appropriated it to his own use, as required by law.

There was no law requiring him to bank the money by any particular date. This was odd and should immediately be altered, but that was how it stood. At the last audit he had actually banked more money than he had received. He attributed the prisoner’s position to gross carelessness and agreed he was not fit to hold the position and the trustees should have dismissed him when they found he was not giving the attention to his duty that was required. When he was arrested it was for not banking £22-11-1. Mr Davey admitted there was money all over the shop in a very loose manner. He asked for a dismissal.

On being recalled Mr Davey said that on 30 July with Mr Snell he went to Mr Park’s house and told him they wanted the books and cash of the Lodge. He refused and said he would go to the office after dinner and pay all the moneys into the bank before 3 o’clock. Neither happened.

Mr Snell gave further evidence over the handling of sick pay.

After a consultation the Bench committed the prisoner for trial at the Criminal Sittings in Adelaide about 5 October and allowed bail of £400 with two sureties of £200.

He was further charged with embezzling several small amounts paid to the Lodge by members, which appeared on the cards, but were not accounted for.

J.E.H. Winnall, acting for the trustees had requested of the prisoner all books, moneys and keys. The prisoner had given up the keys of the safes, but retained that of the office, promising to hand over everything in the morning and he would bank all money before 12 o’clock on Saturday 1 August. He failed to do so and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was committed for trial on this charge too.

He was then charged with embezzling £13-13-9 in contribution money received on 3 June and £1212-3 received on 17 June. Mr Anderson contended there was no proof of embezzlement, but he was committed for trial on this charge as well.

He was also charged with falsifying the books of the Lodge as follows:

Actual contributions Contributions as recorded by Parks

17 June £17-15-0 £12-12-3

1 July £18-14-7 £28-0-0

3 July £13-13-9 £24-13-8

15 July £9-9-9 £8-18-9

29 July £12-11-7 £22-11-1

[Total £72-4-8 £96-15-9]

The errors in addition here led members to believe more money was received than actually was the case.

Mr Anderson said in the bustle and confusion at the end of a Lodge, errors in addition were not unexpected. In most cases Parks had robbed himself and it could not possibly be attributed to wilfully falsifying the books.

The Bench agreed and dismissed this charge.

Burra Town Council, 17 August.

Cr Parks tendered his resignation as Councillor for East Ward. Accepted and the fine not enforced.

Nominations were called for 29 August with an election on 11 September if required.

Other routine business was transacted.

Burra Homing Club. 8th race for the season was from Nairne on 5 August over 94 miles and was won by S. Edward’s birds at 1,365 yds per minute.

Sparks Column.

Probate was granted on the will of Thomas Warnes for an estate sworn as under £9,235.

XV, 348, 26 Aug. 1896, page 2

Advt. House of five rooms to let opposite the Redruth Post Office. Garden & Plenty of Rain Water. Apply J.R. Gray.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church annual dinner was held on Wednesday and was a great success, also being highly satisfactory financially. Rev. Daddow’s lecture on Looking Forward was delivered to a crowded house.

St Mary’s Choir Social on Wednesday was a very pleasant evening and the ‘boys’ now recognise that their efforts are appreciated.

British & Foreign Bible Soc. services were held last Sunday. The deputation, Mr A.H. Bryson, preached at Redruth Wesleyan Church in the morning and at Kooringa Wesleyan in the evening. A united Sunday school service was held in the Bible Christian Church in the afternoon. The annual meeting on Monday was in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church.

XV, 348, 26 Aug. 1896, page 3

Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall Concert last Friday was very successful and aided Sunday school funds.

Redruth Court, 19 August.

Burra District Council Ranger v. J. Farley for entering the Hundred of Baldina with 800 sheep without notice. Fined £4-17-0.

G. Kidman accused J. Ford of entering Block 77W of 13,914 acres in Co. Burra and with breaking fences and driving sheep thereon, which ate, destroyed and injured grass. Claim for £17-14-0.

Verdict was for Kidman in the sum of £5.

James Fletcher sued his brother William Fletcher for £47 in wages.

James Fletcher said he had been manager of the Bon Accord Hotel from 19 July 1895 to 13 July 1896, when he was dismissed by the licensee W. Fletcher. He had given up a position of 151⁄2 years as timekeeper with the SAR. He had no money to invest, but his brother had said come anyway and share the profits of the business. In February when the tax returns were done his brother instead made up his account amounting to £40 for him and between £20 & £25 for his wife, who had served as a waitress. He had nothing to do with the banking or the financial side and from February regarded himself as a servant. He had received sums from his brother amounting to £23-15-0 and £1 since his dismissal. His wife was dismissed one week later. Other than this sum he had received only an occasional glass of beer, plus 6d now and then for a hair cut and 3d for shaves. He said he received £130 p.a. as timekeeper for SAR.

Catherine Fletcher, his wife, had thought her husband was in partnership with William Fletcher until February when she was put on wages of 10/- a week. She had been a waitress before and considered 10/- a week very low. She did not have access to the till and very seldom served at the bar.

William Fletcher said he had offered a partnership initially for £50. His brother said he couldn’t, but offered by letter to put in £30. His brother had access to the till and ordered beer on his own account. Did not consider he owed anything. It was not necessary to employ the defendant and his wife’s services were unnecessary. He did not dismiss his brother, but said one of them would have to go out of the business.

The SM said no agreement had been signed, nor was the plaintiff’s name on the licence. He found no evidence that any partnership was ever intended and gave a verdict with costs for the full amount claimed.

Drew & Crewes v. J. Reynolds.

Drew & Crewes had used J. Sampson, bailiff, to seize a horse to satisfy a claim against Mr Reynolds for £6-4-11. Mr Reynolds claimed the horse was hers. George Parks said he had sold her the horse for £10-10-0 and identified the horse in question. The receipt had been made out in her name.

Mildred Reynolds said it was her horse, paid for with her money and entered in the Burra Races in her name. She had engaged the jockey.

A.E.A. Hobby, horse trainer, said Mr Reynolds had spoken of it as his horse and told Hobby it was his and only in his wife’s name so it could not be seized. [Other evidence was given of Reynolds paying other costs associated with the horse.]

The SM said in such relationships separate ownership had to be very distinctly proved which had not been done convincingly enough. The verdict was for the execution creditors with costs.

Earthquake. Last Saturday at about 12.17 a severe earth shock occurred in Burra. It was the worst ever felt here. It appeared to travel from west to east. Two after shocks were felt in the afternoon. The post office building was cracked in a couple of places and the dressing rooms at the Institute. Every second-floor ceiling at the Royal Exchange Hotel was cracked. Several chimneys in the town lost bricks onto roofs and in four private houses walls opened about 2-3”. On Sunday at 9 p.m. a similar shock occurred and similar damage was reported.

The World’s End correspondent reported five tremors in 48 hours, but no serious damage.

Burra Homing Club. The 9th race was over 101 miles from Murray Bridge on 19 August in fine weather. It was won by J.A. Pearce’s birds at 1216 yds per minute.

W. Davey has been elected Secretary of the Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF, in place of George Parks.

Football. Saturday: Kooringa 4 goals defeated Aberdeen 3 goals.

XV, 348 (2), 2 Sep. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 348]

Advt. Sandland & Co.: Genuine Clearing Sale for W.E. Pearse, Coachbuilder of Commercial St, who has sold his business to Mr T. Harris (late of J. Perry, Adelaide)

The whole of his Stock of New & Second-hand Vehicles etc.

XV, 348 (2), 2 Sep. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 348]

Mr Martin Pederson was elected unopposed on Saturday last to the vacancy for East Ward Councillor caused by the resignation of Mr George Parkes.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church held its annual effort on Sunday and Tuesday last. Rev. T. Theobald took the morning and Rev. J.Y. Simpson the evening service. The afternoon service of song was Left Alone. The tea meeting was yesterday.

Rain. Good soaking rains have been reported all over the district.

‘Uncle Harry’ visited members of the Kooringa Sunbeam Soc. on Wednesday afternoon. He broke his journey on the way to Broken Hill. [He was the organiser of the Sunbeam Soc. for SA.] He said there were 5,400 members on the roll. He spoke of the need to raise £900 for the Adelaide crèche, of which £600 had been raised by the Sunbeam Soc. He also spoke of ‘Our Boys’ Institute’, which is to cost £4,000 and urged the society to work towards providing books for it and also toward supporting Dr Barnado’s Homes in London and the Ragged School Union in London.

Burra Homing Club. The race from Coonalpyn in connection with the Burra Show was flown on 26 August. S. Edwards’ birds came in first at 1060 yds per minute.

Sparks Column.

Mr Crewes’ Newfoundland dog took 3rd prize in the Adelaide Dog & Poultry Show.

The Governor will be the guest of Mr A. McCulloch when he visits the show.

XV, 350, 9 Sep. 1896, page 2 [No. 349 not used]

Methodist Union. Papers were distributed at the Methodist churches last Sunday to let members say whether Methodist Union will be adopted in Burra or not. Results will take some time to collect.

Professor Macully gave a successful recital in St Mary’s schoolroom last Wednesday with selections from Dickens, Hood, Shakespeare & Byron interspersed with instrumental and vocal items.

Redruth Wesleyan Church held a Wattle Blossom Fair in the Institute last Friday with a concert in the evening. The total amount raised was, we understand, £50.

St Mary’s Church Mission began last Monday and runs through the week, conducted by Rev. J. Sunter assisted by Archdeacon French.

John Harry (16) son of George Harry of Mt Bryan received a shot in the leg just above the knee when a muzzle-loading gun discharged when his elder brother was fitting a cap on the nipple. He is recovering in Burra Hospital.

XV, 350, 9 Sep. 1896, page 3

Vermin Proof Fence. H.S. Dunn presided over a meeting at the Commercial Hotel on Friday. A petition was largely signed calling for a fence between the County of Burra and the East. Vermin fences now being erected at Paratoo and Winnininnie would throw the vermin into the country in question. Nine gentlemen were elected to form a deputation to present the petition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on 18 September.

Mt Bryan Ratepayers met at the Mt Bryan Council Chamber on Saturday afternoon when Mr C. Bowman presided to consider the advisability of West Ward being separated from the Eastern Wards for the better working of the district. This follows a decision at the last meeting of the Council for future meetings to be held at Mongolata, where a room has been obtained. West Ward Councillors objected to going so far, especially as Mt Bryan had every convenience for meetings. The Council Chamber was erected before the Eastern Wards joined the Council. 90% of business transacted deals with West Ward. Travelling expenses of East Ward Councillors swallowed up all the revenue. Cr Griffith Harry moved the separation of West Ward from East and Middle Wards and Mr C. Dawson 2nd. A delegation was chosen to present a petition to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

[Considerably more detail of the case is reported.]

Burra Town Council. Cr Pederson was appointed to the Public Works Committee.

It was resolved that the 1896 assessment be adopted for 1897.

Sparks Column.

Obituary. Sam Tembly, a young man of Kapunda committed suicide last week by hanging himself due to financial difficulties.

[Samuel James Temby was born 22 August 1869 and died 31 August 1896.]

Burra Quadrille Assembly wound up at the Institute last night with dancing to the wee hours. The ladies will reciprocate on Tuesday evening next.

XV, 350 (2), 16 Sep. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 350]

Advt. The Lynch Family Bellringers – organised in 1867. Burra Institute 18 September only.

The Glassophonists & English Specialists.

Advt. Burra Young Men’s Club. Dr Sangster will lecture on Germs on Wednesday 16 September.

Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall.

Advt. Burra Show Soc. The Reception Committee has a few tickets spare for the official luncheon at which His Excellency the Governor and visitors will be present. 5/-. J.E.H. Winnall, Hon. Sec.

XV, 350 (2), 16 Sep. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 350]

Joseph Fogg, late secretary of the St Joseph’s Branch of the Hibernian Society, Kooringa, died some time ago. He was mainly responsible for founding the branch and was its first secretary until poor health forced his resignation. To mark their appreciation members set up a subscription list and have now erected a headstone with a suitable inscription over their late Brother’s grave in the West Terrace Cemetery.

Theft. Mr A. McCulloch engaged a man named John Cushion to drive his pony and trap from Adelaide to Burra. While having a drink with H.J. Riggs at Gawler he ‘nipped’ Riggs’ watch and chain. The property was recovered at Burra and though Cushion claimed it was a joke, he was committed for trial on Thursday at Gawler and was allowed bail.

Methodist Union.

Voting in Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit. (Kooringa, World’s End & Baldina.)

Papers issued 125

For 79

Against 23

Informal 1

Not used 22

Majority for Union 56

Primitive Methodist, Kooringa Circuit:

(Kooringa, Redruth, Copperhouse, Iron Mine, Douglas & Hacklin’s Corner.)

Papers issued 134

For 92

Against 25

Returned unused 3

Not returned 14

Majority for Union 77

Burra Homing Club. 6th race of the season, 2 September, 153 miles from Coonalpyn. First were R.D. Pascoe’s birds at 928 yds per minute.

The Governor will arrive on Tuesday by the midday train with Miss Mabel Buxton, Mr Harrold Buxton and Captain Guise. They will be guests of Mr A. McCulloch.

On Show Day the Governor will proceed to the showgrounds about noon for an official lunch after which there will be an official welcoming address.

‘A Local Grower’ writes complaining that as in the past, locals will have to compete with fruit from outside the district, even though the rule is that it must be grown within 20 miles for entry at the Burra Show. The Editor urges anyone detecting fraud to report it to the committee.

St Mary’s Anglican Church Mission has been declared a great success. It was run by Rev. James Sunter of St Paul’s Church in Adelaide, assisted by Archdeacon French of Petersburg and the incumbent, Rev. A.G. King. Many Methodists also attended the series of services.

Sparks Column.

St Mary’s Cricket Club met last Wednesday night.

XV, 350 (3), 23 Sep. 1896, page 2 [3rd use of No. 350]

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will hold a genuine clearance sale on Friday 25 September for Mr E.F. Brady who is going to WA. Stock-in-trade of a Tinsmith, Household Furniture, etc.

Advt. Sandland & Son will hold a genuine clearing sale on 30 September for Mr Seabury who is leaving for the West. They will sell Hampton allotments 3 & 4 of c. 1 acre with a substantial 4-roomed stone cottage with iron roof over shingles. Two outside rooms, cellar, & underground tank of 4,000 gallons with pump. Coach House and stone wall around house with flagged backyard.

Large Hawker’s Van and set single harness etc. A Lot of Drapery & Groceries & 3 tons of cut firewood.

Advt. Monday 5 October at Burra Institute. Rev. J.W. Mouland will give the popular lecture Nature’s Fingerpost. ‘Phrenologically pointing to suitability for Business, Professional and Matrimonial Life. Brilliantly illustrated by LANTERN VIEWS, Pictures, Model Heads and Skulls.

The Lynch Family Bellringers appeared to a good house last Friday and received many encores.

XV, 350 (3), 23 Sep. 1896, page 3 [3rd use of No. 350]

Mr E.F. Brady was presented with a Bible from the teachers and scholars of St Mary’s on Sunday and the boys of the choir presented him with a church hymn and prayer book.

Obituary. Mr J.A. Hartley BA, SSc, died last week [15 September]. News arrived as we were in press last week. A few days before he was knocked unconscious in a bicycle accident. He recovered enough to recognise a few friends, but died soon afterwards. The funeral was very largely attended. A poem in memory of J.A. Hartley, Inspector-General of Schools by D.S.W. of Aberdeen is printed.

[John Anderson Hartley died aged 52. The whole of the matter of the accident and its consequences is reported in detail in Colin Thiele’s Grains of Mustard Seed, Ed. Dept. of SA, 1975, in the Prologue, while his achievements are assessed in Chapter 4.]

Burra Young Men’s Club. Dr Sangster’s talk on Germs on Wednesday was well attended.

H.E. Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Governor of SA, arrived yesterday by the midday train and was met by A. McCulloch Esq.. He was taken to Princess Royal Estate and there entertained.

X-Rays. There is an article on a new method of using X-Rays that was invented by Thomas Edison: the fluoroscope.

Methodist Union. Results from the Redruth Wesleyan Circuit.

For Against

Redruth 43 5

Westbury 4 0

Stony Gap 9 1

Leighton 13 0

Davieston [Hanson] 11 3

Booborowie 3 0

Total 83 9

Unrecorded 12

Burra Homing Club. 11th race for the season from Bordertown on 16 Sept. 2081⁄2 miles, won by R.D. Pascoe’s bird at 918 yds per minute.

Cricket. St Mary’s Parish Cricket Club 1895-96 season.

Best batsman was:

J.E.H. Winnall 12 innings for 285 runs, highest score 63 and av. 23.9

J. Kellaway 11 innings for 203 runs, highest score 64 and av. 18.5

E.F. Lockyer 6 innings for 63 runs, highest score 59 and av. 15.3

Best bowling:

J. Kellaway bowled 501 balls, 17 maidens, for 231 runs and took 27 wickets at av. 8.15

G. Herbert bowled 786 balls, 23 maidens, for 348 runs and took 38 wickets at av. 9.6

A.H. Jennings, who has been operator at the Kooringa Post Office for 12 years, is about to transfer to Adelaide GPO. He has been connected with the Burra Institute, is Minister’s Warden at the church and was interested in chess and cricket.

Obituary. Hon. P.P. Gillen MP for Stanley and Commissioner for Crown Lands died suddenly in Cabinet on 22 September. [Peter Paul Gillen died 22 September 1896 aged 38.]

Obituary. T.G. Gattrell [sic], late of Opie’s Hotel, Aberdeen, died at Broken Hill on 21 September.

[Hoad says Thomas James Gartrell had Opie’s Hotel 1895-96.]

XV, 350 (4), 30 Sep. 1896, page 2 [4th use of No. 350]

Advt. Public Notice. My wife having left her home without just cause, I will not be Responsible for any Debts contracted by her after this date. A. Rigby, September 24 1896, Kooringa.

Advt. Aenach Mor Gaedilge at Burra Institute: The Great Irish Fair will be opened 15 October by the Lord Bishop of Pt Augusta, Rt Rev. James Maher DD and continues 16 & 17 October.

In aid of liquidating the heavy debt on St Joseph’s Church, School & Convent.

Methodist Union. Burra & Hallett Bible Christian Circuit. Up to 27 September returns are in from about two thirds of the members with the voting so far:

For union 59

Against union 2

XV, 350 (4), 30 Sep. 1896, page 2-3 [4th use of No. 350]

Redruth Court.

E. Bowman sued F.T. Jones for £31-11-8 as part cost of a wire netting fence in the Hundred of Kingston. There was considerable dispute over the true nature of the fence and whether it was, or should have been vermin proof, or merely a netting fence on an old fence. The evidence extends for over 1 column and eventually the verdict was for the amount claimed.

XV, 350 (4), 30 Sep. 1896, page 3 [4th use of No. 350]

Redruth Court.

Packard v. Packard. This case is reported at length and runs to c. 11⁄2 columns. It concerns the claim of the widow of the late D.S. Packard against her brother-in-law, Frederick Joseph Packard to recover damages, certain documents and other property. The dispute arose because when his brother was in failing health F.J. Packard went into partnership with D.S. Packard and apparently, as the partnership continued to the death of D.S. Packard, F.J. had retained documents and furniture etc., which the widow claimed she had a right to. The verdict was for the plaintiff in the sum of £95, made up of several parts. The proceedings were stayed for 12 days to allow of appeal.

George Parks was charged on the information of J. Snell, Chairman of Trustees of Burra Burra Loyal Lodge, with forging the name of J.H. Cockrum to a document for £2-16-0 and of forging the name of T. Martin to a document for £5-4-0 and with embezzling the sum of £6 received from Mrs H. Mills.

He was committed for trial at the next Criminal Sittings. Bail was allowed.

John King was charged by J.T. Walker with stealing two pairs of boots from his shop on 24 September. The prisoner denied all knowledge of the affair, but was sent to gaol for three months.

Burra Annual Show. The 3rd annual show of Burra & North Eastern Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Society was held last Wednesday and was a great success with record attendance and the gate up £10-£11 on last year. The weather was not good with intervals of drizzling rain and high wind. People nevertheless came in large numbers. Preparations had been excellent.

Elaborate preparations had been made to receive the Governor, who was to attend and open the show. He duly arrived on Tuesday and was a guest of Mr A. McCulloch at Princess Royal. But on that afternoon a wire was received announcing the sudden death of the Hon. P.P. Gillen, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and the Government advised the Governor to fulfil no public engagements on the following day, much to the disappointment of many people.

The sumptuous luncheon was well patronised, supervised by Mr S. Edwards. It was held in a large marquee. The side shows did good business and the Burra Band played selections in the afternoon. 150 people took part in the show, producing 778 exhibits.

The Agriculture exhibits were very competitive.

Dairy products suffered from a bad season, though the bacon and hams were of excellent quality.

Poultry produced some of the finest birds ever seen in Burra.

E.W. Crewes ‘scooped the pool’ with his fine lot of canaries in that section.

Horse entries were not numerous, but were of good quality.

Cattle produced some good quality competitors.

Ten greyhounds were prominent in the dog section.

Sheep were fairly well represented, but more could come from owners of flocks of under 2,000.

Pigs were better this year.

Implements were few.

Vegetables drew few competitors, but the quality was fine. This section was dominated by C. Oppermann & S. Baker.

Flowers were better than ever. Mrs A. Nykiel was the chief prize-taker.

[Personal interest: no mention of any Fuss entries this year.]

Cookery & needlework were rather neglected this year.

The School Class was well represented.

[Personal interest: Muriel Fuss got a 2nd for best finished plain sewing by a girl under 16.]

The evening concert was well patronised.

XV, 350 (5), 7 Oct. 1896, page 2 [5th use of No. 350]

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd, under instructions from Mr Sam Edwards, who is leaving Burra will auction on the premises in George St, Kooringa, on Friday 9 October:

Household Furniture and Effects, including two Cases of Splendid Collection of Broken Hill Ore Specimens. Also Stock-in-trade of Ham Shop, Comprising Pickles & Preserved Meats & large quantity of Sundries.

Advt. FOR SALE: TWO MAGNIFICENT SPECIMEN CASES

With a first-class collection of Broken Hill Specimens, which cannot possibly be beaten.

For price and particulars apply S. Edwards, George St, Kooringa. Inspection Invited.

Public Notice. Mr Packard, Solicitor etc. [Frederick Joseph Packard]

HAS REMOVED to the office next the Burra Record Office.

Obituary. Mr Charles Drew died 3 October. [Aged 60.]

He was taken ill about 13 days ago with influenza and on Friday blood poisoning set in. He had been in ill health for several years. He was brother to Messrs John & Thomas Drew.

XV, 350 (5), 7 Oct. 1896, page 3 [5th use of No. 350]

Rev. J.W. Mouland’s audience on Monday was small, but appreciative.

John Newcomb, a well-known identity in Burra, was charged in Adelaide with obtaining from C. Moore & Co. by means of a valueless cheque for £5, goods to the value of £4-18-7. The outcome is not yet to hand.

[There are two earlier references to a John Newcomb, the first in VIII. 617, 4 Feb. 1887, page 2, where it reports that the confidence man, John Newcomb a.k.a. Charles Hope, who has been tried in Adelaide, has been sentenced to six months hard labour. The second is very different and may not refer to the same person XIII, 1091, 11 May 1892, page 2:Last Tuesday John Newcomb left The Gums Station with his two-year-old daughter for medical treatment, but before he reached Mr Bell’s place at Baldina the child died and his horse was knocked up. On examining the child Dr Brummitt said she had suffered convulsions caused by falling on a bottle with which she had been playing. About six weeks ago the family had been travelling through Baldina on foot in a terrible state, not having had food for several days. They were helped by Mr Kiekebusch who fed them and took them to The Gums where Newcomb found work. For the outcome of this case see XV, 253 (2), 9 Dec. 1896, page 2. ]

Redruth Court, 30 September.

Mary O’Connor, grazier of the Hundred of Hanson, was fined 5/- + 15/- costs for depasturing 200 sheep on section 1003 Hundred of Hanson without a licence or lawful authority. She has a licence for certain lands, but not including section 1003.

Burra Town Council, 2 October.

Mr West, manager for SAMA will forward the plan of the proposed road from Kooringa towards Princess Royal, for the approval of the Board.

Other routine business was transacted.

Burra Homing Club. 12th race of the season was held on 30 September from Serviceton, Victoria. Birds from three members arrived at 1.18.

R.D. Pascoe’s birds at 1119 yds 2’ 9” per minute.

J.A. Pearce’s birds at 1119 yds 2’ 2” per minute.

S. Edwards’ birds at 1119 yds 1’ 6” per minute.

XV, 350 (6), 14 Oct. 1896, page 3 [6th use of No. 350]

Royal Dramatic Co. arrived in Burra on 6 October and played five consecutive nights to very small audiences. The pieces were fairly well done, including: Saved from the Sea, The Lancashire Lass, Collen Bawn and Fun on the Bristol. Saturday night drew a bigger audience and the company managed to get away on Monday.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church benefited from an Ivy Fair on 7 & 8 October in the Lecture Hall. It was opened by the Mayor, Dr Brummitt. Nett proceeds were £24-15-3.

Aenach Mor Gaedilge. The Great Irish Fair to be opened tomorrow aims to reduce the heavy church, school and convent debt, which is over £1,000.

Obituary. (Murder/Suicide)

News arrived on Tuesday that Joseph Thyer, a farmer of the Hundred of Cavenagh had, on the previous day, killed his wife and family and then hanged himself. [Initially it was reported that three children had died, but later this was amended to five. See details next issue.]

Supreme Court Adelaide, 7 October.

George Parks was charge with forging and uttering a sick pay receipt in the name of J.H. Cockrum on 23 May 1896 for £2-16-0. It was alleged he had appropriated the amount and then sought to make it up by deductions from the contributions of members.

J.H. Cockrum gave evidence that the signature was not his and he had not received any money.

The Treasurer, Hon. F.W. Holder & Rev. R.J. Daddow gave character references.

The defendant said he never signed a voucher for sick pay in his life. He was ill at the time and his office was ransacked and things taken away he knew not of.

The jury found him not guilty.

8 October.

George Parks was charged with embezzling £6 & £5 respectively while acting as clerk and servant of the Burra Burra Lodge of the Order of Oddfellows.

Elizabeth Ann Mills gave evidence of paying £6 for interest due from her husband in December last and of getting a receipt for it.

W. Thomas similarly produced a receipt for £5.

W. Lasscock, saddler and auditor for the Lodge, said he could find no corresponding entries in the Lodge books. W. Davey said he could find no entry to correspond either.

The Prisoner said people often paid him in the street and when they called for a receipt he would write it out in a hurry without filling in the heel. At audit time he would make the entry in the heel. He denied any fraudulent intent.

Mr Anderson for the defence said that his client was not intentionally a defaulter, but had been guilty of carelessness, mainly owing to the excess of work apart from his duties as lodge secretary.

The jury found him guilty and the judge sentenced him to three years’ hard labour.

Burra Hospital. Statistics for the 1895 calendar year are published.

In the year patients treated 243

Patients discharged 189

Died 26

Remaining at end of year 28

The cost per bed per year per patient was £55-0-51⁄2

[Costs of many other aspects of the operation are printed.]

XV, 350 (7), 21 Oct. 1896, page 3 [7th use of No. 350]

Notice. Mrs F.S. Packard begs to notify that Mr J.E.H. Winnall is now carrying on the business of my late husband, Mr D. Spencer Packard. And in the offices lately occupied by him.

Editorial on the Burra Mounted Rifles.

After 41⁄2 years of valuable service this corps has been forced to disband on account of compulsory and unnecessary measures introduced by the Government. The vote against continuing was unanimous. Previously each man had the chance of making from £4-£5 p.a., now, however hard they work and at however much inconvenience they can get only £3-10-0. The company could boast 40 good and active men and at every inspection they were eulogised for their general appearance, drill, shooting etc.

To become a member it is necessary to keep a horse and with chaff at between £3 and £4 per ton the game is not worth the candle. Even if most members are farmers they have to resort to the haystack on account of the bad season. The amount received from the Government went in shoeing and in buying extra ammunition to become a first-class shot in order to get the £5. The gradual economies introduced have been submitted to, but the most recent have proved too much. The company was being compelled to have one lieutenant, one sergeant, a shoeing smith, one bugler and two corporals. The city company can boast 251 men and 131 officers. The proposal was to stick Lieutenant Field here with 25 or as many new members as could be induced to join. He would have had to have travelled 200 miles p.a. to attend drills and would be fined for not doing so. While this travelling has always been a requirement there were previously no fined for non-attendance.

‘The least the Government can do is to show their appreciation in another and better form to encourage our noble defenders to fight for their hearth and home.’

The Sunbeams will produce Little Red Riding Hood tonight in St Mary’s schoolroom to raise money for local charities.

Burra Young Men’s Club. T.W. Wilkinson’s address on Botany at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday drew a very fair and appreciative audience.

G. Wills & Co. have offered £500towards a fund to assist farmers in distress due to the bad season. The Treasurer said recently that the Government had not yet enough information to enable them to formulate a policy on seed wheat and could not promise a £ for £ subsidy on donations.

St Mary’s Sunday School picnic was held on Wednesday last at Koonoona.

Lady Cyclists. A medical friend advises that there is a danger that lady cyclists will develop an enlarged foot.

XV, 350 (7), 21 Oct. 1896, page 2-3 [7th use of No. 350]

Bible Christian Burra & Hallett Circuit. At the quarterly meeting Rev. T.M. Flood received and accepted an invitation to remain for another year.

86 voting papers on Methodist union were distributed to members.

64 voted for union and 2 against.

15 trustees attended 5 trustee meetings and all voted for union. The quarterly meeting unanimously endorsed Methodist union.

XV, 350 (7), 21 Oct. 1896, page 3 [7th use of No. 350]

Adelaide Criminal Sittings.

John Cushion was charged with stealing a gold watch and locket valued at £15-15-0 and a chain valued at 10/- from Henry J. Riggs at Gawler on 3 September as previously reported. He pleaded not guilty, claiming the whole thing was a joke and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Burra Creek. A smelly stagnant pool lying opposite the properties of Dr Brummitt, W. Pearce, J.F. Moore & E.C. Lockyer has been drained into the main creek and the disagreeable matter covered with sand etc.

Hartley Memorial Fund. The newly formed Teachers’ Union will co-operate with the committee of the Hartley Memorial Fund to raise £1,500 or more to establish scholarships for public school children or some other suitable scheme to perpetuate the memory of the late Inspector General.

Obituary – Murder - Suicide: The Cavenagh Tragedy.

On Monday the two eldest sons of the Thyer family at Nackara returned home and found their father hanging from a gallows erected for slaughtering cattle. In the house they found the bodies of five children and their mother. Some of the victims had their heads battered in and others their throats cut. The deceased are: Elizabeth Thyer 36

Florence Thyer 12

Edward Thyer 9

Alexander Thyer 7

Charles Thyer 6

Roy Thyer 4 months

The perpetrator, Joseph Thyer, was the eldest son of James Thyer, owner of Wabricoola Station and of a freehold property between Lancelot and Petersburg. He had always been a pastoralist and was a hard worker, an affectionate husband and a kind father. He had no money troubles, but for the last six months had been troubled and on two or three occasions had attempted suicide.

The jury concluded he had committed the murders and suicide while of unsound mind.

The late Mrs Thyer was a sister to Mrs J. Ellery and to Mr C. Collins of Gum Creek Station. Thyer had often visited Burra in charge of stock and Mrs Thyer was also a periodical visitor, the last occasion being only a few weeks ago.

The funeral took place at Dawson. There were five coffins with the two boys put in two and two. Mrs Thyer and the children were buried in one grave 7’ x 7’ and Mr Thyer was buried apart.

Aenach Mor Gaedilge: The Great Irish Fair had a very successful three day run from 15 October at the Institute. It was opened by Rt Rev. James Maher DD, Lord Bishop of Pt Augusta. Financially the result was highly satisfactory.

Burra Town Council.

The proceeding dealt with routine affairs.

The Mayor, Dr Brummitt indicated he would not stand again for 1897.

Local Board of Health.

It was resolved to make a trough in the bed of the creek near the footbridge leading to Mitchell Flat and also opposite St Joseph’s to drain away smelly stagnant water. The Mayor was given power to act.

Sparks Column.

Rev. H.T. Rush preached Mission Services at Kooringa Bible Christian Church last Sunday.

Mr E.F. Lockyer was injured trying to stop a runaway horse and trap on Monday and will have to remain at home for a few days.

XV, 351, 28 Oct. 1896, page 2

Marriage. Kooringa Wesleyan Church, last Wednesday.

Catherine Jenkins married T.B. Hancock of Petersburg.

F.W. Holder, the Treasurer, is still gathering information to formulate a policy on the seed wheat question for farmers in distress.

Burra Creek. Work on draining stagnant water continued last week and the sanitary condition has much improved.

The Season will be a disastrous one. Feed is already drying up in all parts and water is becoming very scarce. Crops locally are light and short. The hay harvest has commenced, but will not even be as good as last year. A few late sown crops could still benefit from rain.

Cricket. The Burra v. St Mary’s game on Wednesday did not come off.

Advt. For Sale or To Let: Butterworth’s Mill, New Aberdeen. Price £150 or £10 p.a.

For particulars apply to Henry Roach, Aberdeen.

Advt. Elder, Smith & Co. will sell on account of G.G. Klemm, the whole of his Eastern Country known as Old Koomooloo.

Miscellaneous Lease 5515 of 30 square miles & Pastoral Lease 273 of 19 square miles: to be sold as one block. Also pastoral lease 102, Hideaway, of 102 square miles.

XV, 351, 28 Oct. 1896, page 3

Mr E.W. Crewes’ Newfoundland bitch whelped 8 fine pups to Nero on Saturday morning. All are strong and healthy. We understand all have been sold.

Cricket. Hallett 133 defeated Mt Bryan 19 & 5 for 29.

An Entertainment at Black Springs on Wednesday last raised money for the organ fund of the Anglican Mission Church.

Burra Homing Club. 11th race of the season was 46 miles from Stockport on 21 October and was won by R. Pascoe’s birds at 826 yds per minute.

Sparks Column.

Mr W.P. Cummins was elected to replace P.P. Gillen, the deceased member for the District of Stanley.

Mr W.H. Hardy left Burra on Monday for Kalgoorlie.

Mr G. Burt left Burra on Tuesday for Bunbury.

It is rumoured that Mr Holder’s family is preparing to go to London at the start of next year and he is to become the next Agent-General.

XV, 352, 4 Nov. 1896, page 2

Salvation Army. The local corps have raised £13-8-0 in their self-denial effort this year compared with £20-6-5 last year – an indication of ‘the depressed state of the local money market’.

William Cameron & Co. have a new line in tinned tobacco: Main Top Navy Cut.

Distressed Farmers’ Fund. The fund is being well supported. The continuing dry weather makes for a very bad outlook. Everyone is concerned to know the intention of the Government in this matter. Several local citizens have donated substantial funds.

Burra Hospital. A group of local gentlemen gave a concert on Wednesday evening for patients. A.W. Dobbie & Co. very kindly lent a piano.

Arthur Bagg aged 16 had a lucky escape on Sunday afternoon when riding from Redruth to Kooringa with John Killicoat. Near Jubilee Fountain a dog rushed at the horses causing Bagg’s to fall down cutting its knees and ruining it for future work. Bagg was lucky to escape being crushed. We understand that Mr Bagg intends to take proceedings against the dog’s owner unless it is destroyed.

Kooringa Wesleyan Christian Endeavour Soc. held its half-yearly business meeting and social at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 30 October. About 40 attended.

XV, 352, 4 Nov. 1896, page 2-3

Guy Fawkes. Young lads have been assiduously canvassing the town with Guy for money to get fireworks for tomorrow night.

XV, 352, 4 Nov. 1896, page 3

Redruth Court, 28 October.

J.A. Riggs fined £2 + costs for failure to destroy rabbits in Hundred of Kingston.

C.E. & A.G. Gebhardt fined £2 + costs for failure to destroy rabbits in Hundred of Kingston.

Joseph Ford fined £2 + costs for failure to destroy rabbits in Hundred of Kingston.

J. Lomman escaped a charge of illegally depasturing sheep on a road within the limits of Mt Bryan District Council on a technicality and costs against the Council amounted to £4-1-0.

G.K. Jenkins hotly contested a charge of not keeping in a direct line with a mob of sheep while travelling from Terowie to Burra within the Booborowie DC area. After much evidence was taken he was fined £9-8-6.

J.A. Riggs, W.J. McBride and W.P. Barker were each fined £2 + costs for failure to destroy rabbits in Hundred of Kooringa.

Obituary – Murder.

Bessie Mann, whose father is an old and respected resident of Hallett and who for some time kept the Hallett Hotel, has been committed for trial in Adelaide for murder. The jury at a recent inquest found she had thrown her child into the Torrens in Adelaide, where the body was later found.

The child, a boy aged 3, had been looked after for about two years by Mrs John Anderson of Hallett for about 5/- to 7/- a week, but the mother had recently (13 October) said she was taking the child to North Adelaide where Mrs McKenzie of Argent St [sic] [Archer St?] had offered to adopt it. She claimed she had given Frank to Mrs McKenzie on North Terrace near Government House on Tuesday together with £5. The jury found that Frank Mann died on 14 October by drowning in the Torrens and that his mother, Bessie Mann, had placed him there. The accused is well known in Burra.

[Frank Horace Mann was born 20 September 1894.]

[See XV, 253 (2), 9 Dec. 1896, page 2 for the outcome of the trial.]

Burra Town Council.

North Ward ratepayers petitioned to be allowed to run cattle on Corporation roads except the main street. It was resolved not to prosecute for this except for the main roads and Young St.

It will also be allowed in East and West Wards except in East Ward for main roads and Thames St to Stock St and in West Ward for Chapel St to Bath St and Kangaroo St to Queen St.

[This last exception doesn’t make sense, as the two named streets do not intersect. What might have been intended was Kangaroo & Queen Streets to Bath St. Though it does not say so, this relaxation of the by-law was probably a temporary concession to the bad season.]

Council leased Best Place Reserve to W.G. Neville for 30/- p.a. to be used for horses only.

Other routine business was dealt with.

Local Board of Health.

The channels made in Burra Creek have considerably improved the sanitary condition of the creek.

Sparks Column

There is going to be a big sensation in Burra shortly id dame rumour doesn’t lie.

XV, 352 (2), 11 Nov. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of number 352.]

Advt. Terowie Sports: New Year’s Day.

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration: Boxing Day, 26 December.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held on Sunday. Rev. T. Theobald preached in the morning and Rev. J.Y. Simpson in the evening. Rev. D.S. Wylie gave the connective readings for the afternoon service of song.

Burra Creek. The cutting of several channels has conveyed the stagnant water away and the result has been very satisfactory. Dead dogs, cats and poultry have been removed to more suitable locations, but a good flood would be most welcome.

The Monday Holiday passed quietly in Burra with picnics to Princess Royal and the Lagoon the main activity. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School picnic was held in one of the Koonoona paddocks. Burra cricketers were successful at Clare.

Guy Fawkes was burnt with enthusiasm on Thursday evening last. Guy was first hawked around town in wheelbarrows, handcarts, trucks and even perambulators.

[Several humorous stories are told of events supposedly occurring on the occasion.]

XV, 352 (2), 11 Nov. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of number 352.]

The Seed Wheat Bill. The main provisions of the Government’s Bill to aid distressed farmers by supplying seed wheat are printed. It was basically a loan at 5% with the local government giving out the wheat and also being responsible for repaying the loan!

‘Clod’ writes complaining of the District Councils’ granting exclusive right of use of stock roads on lease to individuals and doubting whether in fact the act allows the granting of exclusive leases of stock roads.

Cricket. At Clare on 9 November Burra 237 defeated Clare 141.

Sparks Column.

A requisition will ask the Mayor to stand again.

XV, 353, 18 Nov. 1896, page 2

Advt. Genuine Clearing Sale by Sandland & Co. for Mr E. Newman who is leaving for Adelaide.

Household Furniture and Effects on Friday 27 November Next to the Wesleyan Parsonage in Kangaroo St, Kooringa.

Ghost. Some young lads made a ghost out of wood and paper on Wednesday and placed it on a footpath where it rather alarmed two young women.

XV, 353, 18 Nov. 1896, page 3

Redruth Court, 11 November.

Another rabbiting case involving James Martin McBride was strongly contested and exhaustively reported in c. 12⁄3 columns. The verdict was again given on a technicality and costs of £6-12-0 awarded against the Burra District Council.

Burra Town Council, 16 November.

Routine matters were dealt with.

The Mayoralty.

Following representations from various prominent residents and others the Mayor, Dr Brummitt, has consented to stand again for the office.

XV, 353 (2), 25 Nov. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of No. 353.]

Mr John Sampson who has been bailiff for many years has retired: ‘and a man even more Noble than he had emerged’.

A son of Mr A. Fitzpatrick is recovering from head and other injuries incurred on Monday when working in a quarry at Leighton when a considerable amount of debris fell on him.

St Mary’s Strawberry Fete at the Institute last Friday was very well patronised. The fruit was of excellent quality and the total raised was £72.

XV, 353 (2), 25 Nov. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of No. 353.]

Ratepayers’ Meeting, Burra Institute last Friday.

Only about six ratepayers were present at the advertised starting time of 7.30 p.m. A few more had arrived when proceedings started at 8 p.m.

The Mayor’s Report.

The year began in debt £40-0-8 and is presently in credit £42-2-8, which compares with a credit of £4-12-1 at the same time last year. Most of the credit balance will go by the end of the year, but the Ward accounts are in credit.

The rates received were £403-5-11, about £32 down on last year. The Government subsidy was £113-0-4. Public works used £169-0-8. (Lower than last year because of beginning in debit.)

We have also paid £220 for the redemption of a bond and interest. In 1897 the last of these bonds for £200 with interest of £10 will fall due.

The first bonded debt was incurred in 1879 and amounted to £400. Other sums were borrowed in 1882, when the total indebtedness stood for some time at £2,700. In 1885 a further £500 was borrowed. These amounts have been paid off in instalments of between £100 and £300 p.a. and no less than £699 has been paid in interest. And by next year this will be £709, irrespective of interest paid on overdrafts.

I do not presume to criticise those who incurred these liabilities in the past and who expended the money on the roads, footpaths, bridges and other works we have used, but it will be a great relief to be free of the encumbrance of debt.

With some revision the assessment for 1897 is that of 1896, but the total rateable value of the town, at £8,659-9-0 is £116-10-0 down on the value of the previous year.

[The figures of income and expenditure are then printed in some detail.]

The Waterworks.

These have been carried on satisfactorily through the year and at a lower cost than in recent years: £628 to 2 November compared with £704 to the same time in 1895 and £800 in 1894. Receipts from rates have fallen off seriously by no less than £84, but this has been offset by the significant sales of water to SAR in the last summer. Mr Lapidge has maintained the works in good order. His task has increased by the enlargement of the reservoir and the wilful waste of water by some consumers.

Main Roads.

The Government grant of £242 was an increase of £25 and all but £3-12-4 has been expended.

Local Board of Health.

The sanitary state of the town has been fairly satisfactory. A few cases of typhoid occurred early in the year. Drought led to stagnation of water in the creek and attendant foul odours. The draining of a number of the stagnant waterholes has very much improved its condition. The account began in debit £12-17-0 and is presently in credit £17-13-2.

The Parklands have received relatively little work this year, although some dead trees have been replaced and the oval has been improved. This account began the year in debit £81-19-10 and is now in debit £39-1-6.

The cemetery has a credit balance of £31-4-6, which is gradually dwindling year by year.

After the Mayor had read his report Alexander Harris wanted to know if there had been any difficulty in procuring wood for the Waterworks.

Council had just agreed to take 25 tons at 13/- a ton.

Mr Harris wanted to know why the price had risen from 10/- to 13/- a ton.

The Mayor said that the cost of feed for horses had considerably increased and in Adelaide carters’ prices had risen 6d a day.

Mr Harris started to make a statement, but was constrained by the chair to asking questions only.

When he tried to suggest that the price was unfair the chairman suggested that perhaps the unfairness lay elsewhere.

The Mayor said Mr Nankivell, the contractor, had been bringing in wood from 20 miles at 10/- a ton at a positive loss and so in fairness the Council had decided to give him a 25-ton order at 13/-.

Mr Crewes moved the adoption of the report and Mr C. Fuss 2nd.

Mr Harris said he thought they were spending public money in a different manner from how they would spend their own.

Cr Sampson said the Waterworks had seen a saving of £100, so there wasn’t much to grumble about: ‘there was a certain person in the room who didn’t care who went under the water so long as he kept on top’. (Applause)

He thought 13/- a fair thing.

‘Mr Harris: Would you give it?

Cr Sampson: Yes, do you think I’m like you? – (Laughter)

You are only giving 7s per ton for wood. (laughter)

Mr Harris: That is nothing to do with you. (Laughter)

A voice: Yes, certainly it is.’

[The exchange continued somewhat longer.]

Mr West was the only candidate present to give an account of his stewardship. He said the accounts spoke well for the economic management of the Council. The year had been a peaceful one and the Mayor and Councillors had worked harmoniously together.

The Mayor said he had reluctantly consented to stand again. The next year would see them out of debt and then rates might be reduced. His action with respect to the wood was the same as it would have been had he been dealing with it in private life. This coming year would assuredly be his last in office. He apologised for the absence of Cr Pederson, who was ill in hospital, but Cr Pederson would contest the election if it were the wish of ratepayers.

Cr West would stand again.

Mr H.S. Dunn would be a candidate for North Ward. He had no great policies, but would deal with whatever came before Council to the best of his ability.

Mr Snell thought the high rates were driving people to leave the town.

There were some further exchanges over rates and the meeting closed.

Municipal Nominations for 1897.

There will be no need for elections this year as all nominees were elected unopposed.

Mayor Dr Brummitt

East Ward Martin Pederson

West Ward W.C.L. West

North Ward H.S. Dunn

Auditor T.T. Shortridge

Sparks Column.

‘Fresh developments have taken place in the anticipated sensational incident: from the present appearances it only requires time to mature.’

XV, 354, 2 Dec. 1896, page 2

Gun Accident. George Bailey, a young man living at Gum Creek with his parents, had a loaded gun in a buggy last week when the hoses became restless. He placed the gun in the bottom of the buggy and tried to calm them, when it discharged, shattering his right arm between the elbow and shoulder. It is not yet certain whether the arm can be saved.

XV, 354, 2 Dec. 1896, page 3

Cricket. Last Wednesday St Mary’s 62 defeated Burra 51.

Burra Town Council, 30 November.

Routine matters only were dealt with.

Sparks Column.

Thomas Reed, the new Mayor of Clare, was born in Burra.

It is probable that a woodcarters’ union will be formed in Burra shortly.

James Thyer, the father of Joseph Thyer, who murdered his wife and five children, died in the Asylum last week.

Two girls, Emma Boswel and Louie Weismeyer, aged 16 & 17 respectively, cleared from the Reformatory on Thursday evening.

Obituary. Mrs H. Turner, 2nd daughter of Mr W. Killicoat, has died in Broken Hill. She was only married a few months ago.

[Mabel Ann Killicoat was born 27 February 1877 and married 15 August 1896.]

The Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School scholars presented Miss Newman, who is leaving Burra with her parents, with a nice Bible suitably inscribed.

Rev. A.J. Burt, a former Primitive Methodist minister in Burra, is seriously ill in a WA hospital with rheumatic fever.

XV, 253 (2), 9 Dec. 1896, page 2 [Note the complete break in the series of issue numbers.]

[2nd use of a number previously used in this volume in July 1893]

[Note: the sequence in 1893 is orderly to 259 which is then used twice then there is no 260 then matters proceed in order to 272 which is used twice 273 is not used then in order to 276 which ends the year]

Advt. St Mary’s Church, Sunday 13 December. Archdeacon Dove will preach.

The morning offertory will be in aid of the Distressed Farmers’ Fund.

Fire. A fire on C. Radford’s bedroom at Spring Bank on Friday morning destroyed the room, but the house was saved.

Terowie School children will receive a picnic today and a first-class concert will be presented this evening.

Kooringa Wesleyan Methodist Church will hold a special hospital service on 20 December instead of on Christmas morning. The Hospital Board, Council and Friendly Societies have been invited to attend.

St Joseph’s Concert for the School, Church and Convent debt fund was held on Friday at the Institute and drew a good audience, which enjoyed a very pleasant evening. [Reviewed in c. 1⁄3 column.]

XV, 253 (2), 9 Dec. 1896, page 3

[2nd use of a number previously used in this volume in July 1893]

SA Supreme Court, Adelaide, 2 December.

John Newcomb (45) was charged with obtaining by false pretences articles from Charles Moore & Co. valued at £4-18-7 on 17 September. He had represented himself as a lawyer practising at Quorn and passed a cheque that proved valueless. Newcomb defended himself and claimed that it was a post-dated cheque, which constituted therefore no forgery, nor was it illegal. He also claimed it was not illegal to set oneself up as a solicitor without being on the rolls as such. The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to 18 months hard labour.

[See XV, 350 (5), 7 Oct. 1896, page 3 for the explanation of the local connection.]

Bessie Mann (23), single, was charged with murdering Frank Mann at Adelaide on 14 October.

The deceased had been found about 8’ from the bank of the Torrens east of the St Peter’s boatshed. He was a male child aged 2-3, 261⁄2 lb and 2’10” tall.

Eliza Anderson, Wife of John Anderson, gave evidence of having cared for the child for 7/- a week for the 1st 12 months and for 5/- a week after that. On Thursday 13 October the accused said she was going to take the boy to Adelaide and ‘put him in the destitute’, but added that she had an alternative of giving him to a woman in North Adelaide to adopt.

Marcella Mann, wife of William Mann of Hallett and sister-in-law of the accused, corroborated the above concerning the plans of 13 October.

After further evidence the jury retired, but could not agree and were discharged.

A new trial was commenced on Monday and the same evidence was presented.

This time when the jury returned they said they had ‘determined to give the prisoner the benefit of the existing doubt, and find her not guilty’.

[See XV, 352, 4 Nov. 1896, page 3, for the beginning of this case.]

Short Story: Who Had the Laugh? By ‘Wirrildah’, to be concluded next issue.

Burra Town Council.

Cr Dunn welcomed as the new Councillor and the Mayor was congratulated upon his re-election.

Mr Clode’s offer to rent No. 2 Reserve was not entertained.

Committees for the coming year were elected.

Robberies.

On Monday night Mr Luke day’s shop in Thames St was entered through a small window on the eastern side by breaking the glass and removing a bolt. They damaged the till, but failed to open it. Its back drawer was locked and rather ingeniously made. They stole a variety of goods which included: 5 lb tobacco, 2 bottles of pickles, 2 bottles of sauce, 2 bottles of scent, 2 bottles of eucalyptus, 1 bottle of eye lotion, 1 lb tea, 12 lb sugar, 11⁄2 dozen packets of cocoa, 3 pairs of scissors and some sardines. There were no signs of a light having been struck, so it seems the robbery was all done in the dark. Suspicion falls on three tramps who have been living in Paxton Square for a few weeks and who left town very early on the morning of the robbery.

The same night the office at H. Roach’s Roller Mill was entered through the front window after an attempt at the back had failed. Some stamps and a breach-loading gun were stolen.

[Later other items were also missed.]

XV, 253 (3), 16 Dec. 1896, page 2 [3rd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1893]

Editorial on a Dispute at the Adelaide Hospital.

Alfred E. Builder, eldest son of Mrs Builder of Burra, has been promoted to manage a WA branch of Messrs Crooks & Booker of Adelaide and Pt Adelaide. He was made several presentations prior to his departure for the West.

The Recent Robberies.

The tramps suspected of the robberies at Roach’s and Day’s have been arrested at Eudunda.

Weather. There was a dust storm that made Friday very disagreeable.

Burra Hospital Board accepted an offer from the Burra Minstrel Group to perform for patients and a gift of books from the Sunbeam Circle was acknowledged.

XV, 253 (3), 16 Dec. 1896, page 3 [3rd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1893]

Redruth Court, 15 December.

Those arrested were: John McDonald (44), labourer born in SA

David Poulston (36), painter born in England

James Emsell (34), labourer born in Tasmania

They were charged with entering Luke Day’s shop on the night of December 7/8 and stealing a list of items of total value £1-18-0.

August Herman Heinrich, farmer of Robertstown, gave evidence of buying from them a piece of solder, a soldering iron, a plane, a pair of snips and a rasp for 2/6 and later 1⁄2 lb of tobacco and a bottle of eucalyptus for 2/-.

McDonald admitted selling the items to him.

M-C William P. Treloar of Eudunda gave evidence that he saw Carl Thylie at Point Pass, who had bought a comb and pair of scissors from them.

Luke Day gave evidence about locking his shop on 7 December about 9.30 p.m. and finding it had been entered when he returned the next morning.

The accused challenged Day’s identification of the items.

They were remanded to Thursday to allow for the arrival of witnesses from Robertstown.

Who Had the Laugh? was concluded.

St Mary’s Church. The special service by the Ven. Archdeacon Dove of Walkerville on Sunday morning resulted in a collection of £6 for the Distressed Farmers’ Fund.

Burra Institute Committee complained that items have been cut out of several magazines and papers. Steps will be taken against any person found to be cutting or injuring periodicals.

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will sell Household Furniture and Effects for Mrs W.E. Pearse on 24 December at the house, nearly opposite Dr Sangster’s. Mr Pearse is in Kalgoorlie and Mrs Pearse is going there at once, so all must be sold.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyans will hold a Grand Christmas Medley in the Burra Institute on 24 December.

Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Stalls, Toys, Music & Amusements

Proceeds will aid the Circuit Deficiency.

XV, 255 (2), 23 Dec. 1896, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Editorial on Christmastide.

This extends the usual general good wishes and expresses a feeling that Australia is blessed by being remote from the wars and other troubles that afflict other nations, particularly in Europe and that despite a poor season and depression SA had been dealt with mercifully by God or Providence.

2nd Leader dealt with the recent robberies. The police were urged to keep a closer watch on such tramps and to move them along if they had no visible lawful means of support.

‘The Curlews’ are a new entertainment group who have been practising for an entertainment at Robertstown on 28 December. Mr A.C. Noyes is the conductor, T.T. Shortridge is manager and C.F. Packard is the secretary. There are 11 performers. In the afternoon they will play a cricket match v. Robertstown.

XV, 255 (2), 23 Dec. 1896, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Kooringa Wesleyan Church, Hospital Sunday drew a large attendance.

Redruth Court. 17 December.

The charges against McDonald, Poulston & Emsell were amended from housebreaking to larceny, so they could be tried under the Minor Offences Act and so save time and the expenses of the witnesses having to go to Adelaide.

H. Roach gave evidence about the missing gun and various other items later found to be missing, including a plane and soldering iron. He was able to positively identify the gun from markings on it.

Gilbert Day, blacksmith of Robertstown, gave evidence of having bought the gun and of getting a receipt signed ‘Henry Roe’, but he recognised McDonald as the vendor.

Julius Mildea, storekeeper’s assistant of Robertstown, purchased an expansion bit from McDonald and witnessed ‘Roe’ signing the receipt.

Augusta Werner, store assistant of Robertstown bought stamps worth 3/8 from Emsell and a model ship for 3/-. [Later in the sentence it says ‘he bought’, so this was probably August Werner.]

Frederick Allen, labourer of Redruth in the employ of H. Roach, recognised the plane, expansion bit and soldering iron, but could not swear to the rasp or piece of solder.

McDonald made an unsworn statement that they had found a bag under the footbridge to the east side of the Burra hospital with the gun etc. in it.

The charges in the Luke Day robbery were similarly amended.

Carl Thiele, blacksmith of Point Pass, bought tobacco, scissors and two combs from McDonald, but could not swear they were positively the items in evidence, though they were very similar.

Dorothea Schmidt had bought 6 packets of cocoa for 1/6.

Luke Day identified the brand, but had no personal marks on the items.

Lack of positive identification of the items caused the Court to dismiss the Day case, but on the other case a sentence of three months in Adelaide Gaol was imposed.

Miss Both’s School held its break-up in the Redruth schoolroom last Thursday evening. [The German chapel?] A long and interesting program was presented. Mr C. Fuss presided and distributed the prizes. The program and performers are printed.

1st prize in Class V to Fred. Pearce.

1st prize in Class IV to Ida Cox.

[Personal interest: Myrtle Fuss & D. Woollacott played a piano duet.]

Burra High School held a concert and prize night in St Mary’s Hall. The program is printed, which included the Casket Scene from The Merchant of Venice.

Miss Davidson will be joining the staff for next year and Miss Sprod will continue to take Class V.

Cricket. St Mary’s 5 for 120 defeated Manoora 82.

Burra Town Council.

Routine business only is reported.

Waterworks: tenders for supply of wood ranged from 12/- to 16/- a ton.

Mr Nankivell was awarded 20 tons at 12/- a ton.

Messrs Woollacott, Bewley & Clode were awarded 10 tons each at 12/- a ton.

Characteristics of the paper in 1896

Characteristics essentially unchanged from 1893.

Page 1

Large advertisements, some not local.

Page 2

Smaller advertisements. Local businesses along with sales and public notices.

News sometimes gets a start, but often only a little and it is frequently pushed onto page three before it gets a start.

Page 3

Largely local news and reports from correspondents from surrounding districts. Occasional pieces from further afield and a few items of humour. The ‘Sparks’ column continues to be somewhat enigmatic at times.

Page 4

Larger advertisements, mostly not local.

Numbering of issues in 1896.

Numbering of issues in this year was chaotic. Volume XV continued from its start on 7 December 1892 and ran for the whole of 1896.

Numbers began with 328 (3) on 2 January, the number having been used twice in 1895, and ran to 331 on 27 May.

In this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 27 May 1896 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

328 (3) [2, 1895]

328 (4)

329 (11)

330 (7)

331 (2)

On 3 June the series leaps to No. 341 and then runs to 354 on 2 December. In this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 2 December 1896. (The numbers 332 to 340 are not used.)

341

342 (5)

343 (2)

344 not used

345 (2)

346

347

348 (2)

349 not used

350 (7)

351

352 (2)

353 (2)

354

On 9 December the numbers jump back to 253 and then run to 255 on 23 December.

In this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 23 December 1896 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

253 (3) [1, 1893]

254 not used in this sequence

255 (2) [1, 1893]

XV, 257 (2), 6 Jan. 1897 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Page 1

Advertisements

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis, Ltd. Auctioneers

Sandland & Co. Auctioneers

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd. Auctioneers

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

John Pearce Timber Merchant, Kooringa, Carpenter & Builder, Chapel St

A. Bartholomæus Agent for SA Fire Insurance Co.

Thomas Harris Coachbuilder, Wheelwright, Shoeing & General Smith, Commercial St

Kooringa Dispensary [Wikinson’s] Drinks, Cards, Choice Novelties

J. Perry Aberdeen Carriage Factory

Drew & Crewes General Store [An Advt. with an interesting list of goods.]

Page 2

Advertisements

W. Lasscock Agent for United Firs Insurance, Commercial St

John Pearce Carpenter & Builder, Chapel St

A.C. Noyes Teacher of Music, Visits Redruth & Aberdeen on Monday & Thursday

O. Bartholomæus Carpenter & Builder, Redruth

P. Pendlebury Solicitor of Terowie, attending Burra Courts if retained.

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith, Galvanised Iron Worker, Commercial St

N.J. Tiddy Draper, Aberdeen

T.T. Shortridge General Press & Commission Agent, Commercial St

Luke Day Fruiterer, Vegetables & Groceries

L.L. Wicklein Watchmaker & Jeweller, has moved next to R.D. Pascoe, Hairdresser

Eskell & Tattersall Dentistry at Commercial Hotel every month

H. Morgan & Son Bakers etc, Trenbath St [sic] Redruth

Page 4

Advertisements

M.H. Bruse & Son Cabinetmakers, Undertakers & Upholsterers, Queen St

XV, 257 (2), 6 Jan. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Advt. Fitzgerald Bros. Mammoth Circus, 7 January on the vacant block opposite Rabbich’s butcher’s shop Aberdeen.

Obituary. Mary Ann Wall, relict of the late Charles Wall of Hampton died in 25 December, aged 76. She was a resident of Hampton for over 30 years and leaves three sons: E. Wall (Booborowie), T. Wall (Hampton) and George Wall (Blyth). [Born Mary Ann Shepherd in England.]

Obituary. James T. Taylor died on 28 December at his mother’s house in Burra, aged 24.

[Registered as born James Taylor 7 May 1892: died James Fleming Taylor.]

Provision of Seed Wheat.

There will be a special meeting next Saturday to sort out applicants for seed wheat as arranged by the Burra District Council.

Mr Howard Phillips (Nephew of Rev. J.Y. Simpson) is on a visit to Burra and met with an accident during a day’s shooting when he accidentally shot himself in the foot.

Weather has been very hot, dusty and dry with little feed about and people have had to dispose of stock.

Burra Hospital is crowded at present with a number of typhoid cases.

XV, 257 (2), 6 Jan. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

The Holidays

Christmas Eve

Trumpets and a thousand and one other musical (?) instruments greeted Christmas in the afternoon of the 24th. The weather was fine, but the crowd was smaller than in previous years, despite which businessmen did a good trade till well past normal closing. The Burra Band enlivened proceedings. Boys threw coloured matches about, which threatened to cause horses to bolt and one such was only narrowly averted through prompt action. Hotels did a good trade without incident. Stores were decorated.

Christmas Day came in quietly and celebrations were confined to home and the usual picnic places.

Numerous picnic parties went to the Lagoon and Princess Royal on Monday, when there was rain at intervals.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Sunday School celebrated its anniversary on Christmas Day with a public tea.

United Burra Friendly Societies’ Boxing Day Sports on the Burra Oval were a success financially and otherwise. They were well patronised in good weather for the morning, though rain threatened later. The strong morning wind subsided later. The procession left the Institute about 10 a.m. headed by the Burra Brass Band. This year the Maiden Race was scrapped in favour of one for Allcomers. Results are printed.

The evening concert was fairly well attended.

Numerous picnic parties went to the Lagoon and Princess Royal.

The New Year

Kooringa Wesleyan Church held a Watch Night Service on New Year’s Eve that was well attended. The New Year was greeted with guns and whistles. There was no great hooliganism, though a few footbridges were upset and some gates and vehicles removed. No great damage was done, though one pedestrian was tripped up by a gate left across a footpath.

Several shops were open to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

On New Year’s Day there was the usual Wesleyan Picnic at Koonoona and numerous private picnics in the country around the town.

Cricket. On Christmas Day at Burra, Wadnaminga 54 & 98 was defeated by Burra 183 declared. [Wadnaminga was a run south of Mannahill.]

Foot Races. A few nights ago at the Burra Oval W. Lasscock met P. Treloar in a 135 yard sprint. Lasscock gave Treloar 6 yards. Walter was never seen by Percy. A second race was then run in which Percy gave Walter 6 yards and hopped away from him. Walter has given up running and Percy is thinking of entering the Sydney Cup.

Detailed rainfall figures are given for the last nine years. Totals were:

1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896

11.84 27.86 26.13 13.34 19.61 21.63 23.01 15.67 12.77

Burra Town Council

Tender from C.G. Tiver to light the lamp in North Ward for £1-18-9 a quarter.

Tender from W. Geake jun. to light the two lamps in Kooringa for £13 p.a.

Train Timetable

Arrive Depart

From the North 6.07 a.m. 7.13 a.m. [sic: though 6.13 seems more likely.]

3.26 p.m. 3.31 p.m.

From Adelaide 11.42 a.m. 11.48 a.m.

8.36 p.m. 8.41 p.m.

XV, 258 (2), 13 Jan. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Burra Curlew Amateur Minstrels are still practising. Recently they had a successful performance at Robertstown where they also played a cricket match, but were less successful in that activity.

Meteorologists are predicting a good year.

Obituary. John Fogarty, an inmate of the Burra Hospital for the last three years, died on Sunday and his remains have been sent to Terowie. [See details papers of 27 January & 3 February.]

Seed Wheat Scheme. Most applicants for seed wheat reside at Baldina. There were 15 applicants with requirements of from 30 to 165 bushels making a total of 875 bushels.

[They were required to make a refund when possible.] Page three reports it had been arranged at a special meeting of the Burra District Council on 29 December from the Distressed Farmers’ Fund and the Seed Wheat Act of 1896.

Fitzgerald’s Circus on Thursday was a first class show which drew large crowds despite a dusty, windy day.

Weather. On Friday there was lightning and a severe dust storm with gale force winds. Roofs were torn from several outhouses and some paling fences flattened.

M-C Brenhan is about to be transferred.

A Bolt. James Bentley, with Drew & Crewes dog cart, had an unpleasant experience when the pony bolted in Queen St, dashed into Commercial St via the verandah of the shop lately occupied by Mr Brady. The driver was eventually forced off, but the horse stopped at a second verandah.

Vandalism. Periodicals in the Institute have been mutilated and a £5 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction. If the trouble continues the doors of the reading room may be shut to all but subscribers.

XV, 258 (2), 13 Jan. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1893.]

Copper. The world’s copper mines are being taxed to their utmost to supply the copper wire used in the application of electricity.

Drought Distressed Farmers’ Fund has reached a total of £5,107-8-7.

Obituary. Fred Lovis, aged about 3, choked to death at Baldina on 8 January.

[I can find no records of birth or death.]

XV, 259 (3), 20 Jan. 1897, page 2 [3rd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Advt. Burra Show Society General Meeting January 22 at Burra Institute.

Editorial on the problem of how and when to distribute the money in the Distressed Farmers’ Fund. Also seed wheat is available from the fund at about 5/7 a bushel to which the Government has added 6d for carriage to bring the cost to 6/1 on which the farmer must pay 5% interest. The farmer could borrow money on better terms. When the fund started it was thought the money would buy seed wheat for free distribution. In the election the impression was given that the farmer could get a loan of up to one-third the value of improvements. Now the farmer cannot get anything like that amount. A farmer asked for £150 on £600 security and was offered £75.

Burra Rifle Club. Mr F. Field proposes to start a Rifle Club in Burra and has almost the 30 members needed. The Government will supply an allowance of ammunition free and more at a cheap rate. There will be no drills or horses to keep.

XV, 259 (3), 20 Jan. 1897, page 3 [3rd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Fire. The two young children of Mr R.D. Pascoe, Vera (3) and Joseph (11⁄2), had a lucky escape when a candle apparently set fire to clothing in their bedroom. The fire was noticed just in time to save them and to be extinguished before spreading. Part of the floor and most of Mr Pascoe’s clothing along with that of the four children was destroyed. The damage is estimated at £12-£13.

Burra Waterworks. The assessment for 1896 was adopted for 1897. Legal opinion is being sought on the right to charge for water at the two police stations.

Mrs Andrews will be offered the scavenging work at the same rate as for 1896.

Cricket. Last Wednesday St Mary’s 100 defeated Burra 79.

Advt. Burra High School starts on 26 January. Miss Sprod will teach this quarter. Miss Davidson, undergraduate of Melbourne University joins the staff to teach drawing and painting. F. McLagan, Principal.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church. Hon. F.W. Holder will preach next Sunday morning.

XV, 260, 27 Jan. 1897, page 2

Advt. L.L. Wicklein has moved to larger premises recently occupied by Mr J.E.H Winnall, next to R.D. Pascoe, Hairdresser in Commercial St.

Advt. House to let of five rooms opposite Dr Sangster in Commercial St. Apply to Miss Coglin.

Obituary. John A. Fogarty, husband of Elizabeth Fogarty of Terowie, died 10 January at Burra Hospital aged 36 after a long illness. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Fogarty of Launcelot.

[Born 4 August 1860.]

Thomas Harris (wheelwright etc. of Commercial St) showed us on Tuesday morning a special cart made to order for F.E. Bromley, butcher of Broken Hill. It is a light cart made of the best kauri pine and VDL stringy bark, set on three springs allowing the tail board to drop down and swing. [Other improved features are listed.] It is painted in Victoria lake and lined with vermillion with wheels and spokes in cream lined with blue and red. The wheels are riveted at every spoke and the tyres are exceptionally strong. Mr Harris invites inspection.

Burra Mine. For several weeks there have been rumours we would soon see the old mine working again, but so far only talk. We now hear Mr Brookman of Great Boulder WA fame has an idea the mine can be worked with the latest improvements for treating ore. Even if no more than a rumour, the residents feel a pleasure in talking of future prospects for the now-obsolete mine.

A Polo match is to be played at the Aberdeen ground next Saturday: Adelaide versus Locals.

Messrs Smith, Downer, Murray & Bagot will take on the locals; two Bowmans, Hawkes & G. Lewis.

Redruth Court, 25 January

Ellen Gay was fined 1/- plus £1 for damages following damage to the Burra Station refreshment rooms. Given one month to pay or in default 7 days.

XV, 260, 27 Jan. 1897, page 3

Burra Homing Club, Annual Report

In 1896 sixteen races were flown. Average entries were c. 20 birds. Average winning velocity was 1142 yards per min. The best speed was 1,826 yards per minute, which was also the highest for the year in SA. [Details of individual races and achievements then follow.]

Most successful members for the season were:

R.D. Pascoe 54 points

J.A. Pearce 41

J. Drew 24

C. Wilkinson 16

Sam Edwards 14 (including the winning velocity)

J. Edwards 12

Burra Institute, AGM on Monday

President R.M. Harvey took the chair. The year began with £60-19-6 in the bank and ended with £75-8-8. 113 volumes were added to the library, which now houses 2,660 books. There has been some annoyance by people mutilating or removing portions of papers and magazines and a £5 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction. The financial position is very satisfactory.

Subscriptions: At 5/- per quarter 19

At 3/- per quarter 51

Total 70

This represents a decrease for the year of one.

Elected were: President: J.F. Moore

Vice-President J. McLaren

Treasurer Dr Brummitt

Secretary W. Bennett

XV, 261 (2), 3 Feb. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Obituary. John Fogarty [who died 10 January] has worked as a blacksmith and wheelwright at Messrs Statton & Henderson of Kooringa and was well and favourably known in the neighbourhood. After completing his apprenticeship he worked elsewhere in Burra before going to Jamestown and then Terowie where he married Miss Putt and had six children, of whom the eldest is now 14. ‘Little Jack’ (9) is at present in the Burra Hospital with an affection of the eyes.

XV, 261 (2), 3 Feb. 1897, page 2-3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in Sept. 1893.]

Mount Bryan District Council ratepayers have petitioned the Government to reduce the number of Councillors in Middle and East Wards from two to one. Middle Ward contributes only £23-6-8 and East Ward only £13-9-6. This is expended in travelling expenses leaving little or nothing for working expenses in these wards so that the whole burden of costs falls on West Ward which contributes £158-5-1.

XV, 261 (2), 3 Feb. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Cricket. Last Wednesday St Mary’s 174 defeated Burra 2nd Eleven 29 & 27.

Burra Rifle Club. The meeting in the Institute on 29 January drew a fair attendance and it was resolved to have another soon to make final arrangements. Mr F.A.S. Field was appointed President with P. Treloar as Secretary.

Federation: What It Is. A one column article by Sir Richard Chaffey Baker KCMG, President of the Legislative Council.

It discusses the differences between unification, federation and confederation and outlines the roles of the House of Assembly and the Senate in a federation. He stresses the need for a strong Senate to protect states’ rights if the smaller colonies do not wish to become provinces of Victoria and NSW.

Polo. Saturday at Burra before a fair crowd. Burra 6 defeated Adelaide 2, with three of Burra’s goals coming in the last quarter.

The Burra Record has won the tender for the Town Council’s printing.

Hon. F.W. Holder gave a lecture last night at the Institute on Federation.

Farrell’s Flat Annual Races, 17 March.

XV, 262 (2), 10 Feb. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Advts appear for the following candidates for the Federal Convention:

R.C. Baker, J.H. Symon & C.H. Goode.

Advt. Australasian National League Committee invites members and their friends (including ladies) to a Social at the Burra Institute 19 February 1897, to honour J.J. Duncan on his retirement from representation of the N-E District of the Legislative Council. John D. Cave, Secretary.

Burra Public School. At the Pupil Teachers’ Exam in December Mr Arthur T. Lasscock was again successful in passing first class.

Stock Road. J.M. McBride and others are asking for a stock road to be opened through country NE of Burra along a track which has been used for years. It is opposed by Messrs David Radford, Herbert S. Dun and W.H. Halford who protested to the Acting Premier, Mr O’Loughlin. He suggested they exchange other surveyed roads through their runs for the opening of the old track and said they had been making matters difficult by getting feed on surveyed roads on their runs eaten off. They could not agree to this proposal and were sent off to settle it among themselves – if not it must come to court.

XV, 262 (2), 10 Feb. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Hon. F.W. Holder’s speech on Federation at the Institute on 2 February gets a two column report.

Cricket. Last Wednesday St Mary’s 122 defeated Burra 112.

XV, 263 (2), 17 Feb. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Burra Racing Club will meet at the Institute on 19 February to decide on a race meeting for 1897.

Agricultural Census. Police have been ordered to take the agricultural and stock statistics for the Burra District. It is four years since the last count.

Broken Hill’s prosperity can be seen from the population figures. Last December it had 25,117 Europeans and 60 Chinese: up from 22, 325 & 61 12 months earlier.

In the year there were 13 inquests into mine deaths. The mines employ 5,600 hands.

The Weather has become very changeable with lots of thunder and lightning in the past month with big changes in temperature. Last Wednesday there was a dust storm in the east and last Saturday a downpour just out of town sent a flash flood down the Burra creek which lasted only about an hour, but had the effect of removing all the accumulated filth and rubbish and though it released a foul effluvium into the air it resulted in increasing the health prospects of the town by a good percentage. Almost no rain was received in the town itself.

XV, 263 (2), 17 Feb. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in September 1893.]

Federation: Its Advantages, the second article by Sir Richard Chaffey Baker.

Many speakers concentrate on patriotic and sentimental advantages. In the long run federation is the best prevention of war between neighbours.

There is also the saving of expense in not maintaining separate military establishments.

The Federal Government will be able to borrow more cheaply than the colonies do.

There will be free trade benefits between the states.

Only a federated Australia can be a White Australia.

Federated Australia can extend control of marine resources beyond the three mile limit.

Naturalised subjects will be British subjects in all Australia and not just in one colony as now.

There will be greater economy in managing posts and telegraphs.

The Northern Territory will cease to be a white elephant for SA.

There will be uniform quarantine regulations.

There will be uniform lighthouse provision.

Copyright will be Australia wide.

Immigration of criminals will be able to be better controlled.

Judicial rulings will be applicable nationwide.

Uniform laws on marriage, divorce, insolvency and bankruptcy will apply.

Water resources and inland navigation will be better controlled.

There will be better preservation of law and order.

Cricket. At Mt Bryan on Wednesday St Mary’s 136 defeated Mt Bryan 33.

J.E.H. Winnall unfortunately had his nose split by a ball while wicket keeping. The rough state of the pitch resulted in many receiving nasty blows to the body.

‘Whip’ said to play on such a pitch gave no pleasure, is unwise, and dangerous.

Burra Waterworks. Legal advice has been given that Police Stations could be charged for water and a mode of procedure was suggested and will be implemented.

Typhoid continues to be very bad all over the north and is pretty bad in Burra.

XV, 263 (3), 24 Feb. 1897, page 2 [Third use of No. 263]

The Cinematographe. Mr Wybert Reeve will present Leimiere’s Wonderful Cinematographe at the Burra Institute on Friday 26 February for one night only.

The first series of 20 pictures at 8 p.m. and the second series at 9 p.m.

There will be scenes from life, sea, street, labour, military pageants, domestic pictures, Royal Pageants and comic scenes. The Melbourne Cup from start to finish.

Episodes in the Czar of Russia’s Coronation.

[Unless there was a showing in 1896 this would seem to be the first moving picture show in Burra.]

V.L. Solomon will address electors on Federation at the Institute on Wednesday evening: he is a candidate for the Federal Convention.

Kooringa Bible Christian Church Anniversary was held on Sunday last when services were fairly well attended. Rev. T.M. Flood, Rev. J.Y. Simpson and Rev. T. Theobald officiated. The tea meeting was held on Monday

XV, 263 (3), 24 Feb. 1897, page 2-3 [Third use of No. 263]

Mr J.J. Duncan’s Social on his retirement was held at the Institute and was a great success. After his 18 years in the legislature members of the Australian National League arranged the social to farewell their friend. People with different political views assembled on this occasion. Mr Duncan fought hard against the female franchise. Mr J. Lewis, as President of the local branch of the League, took the chair and others on the platform included Mr Haslam MLC, Mr Warren MLC, W.G. Hawkes, R. Hogarth, M. Burgess, Dr Brummitt and J.J. Duncan himself. He was elected in 1871 for the District of Wallaroo and re-elected in 1875. From 1884-1890 he represented the District of Wooroora. It was 25 years since he entered Parliament and though he lived elsewhere his well-kept station of ‘Gum Creek’ was in the district. Mr Duncan was an independent member who voted on issues as he saw them and spurned ministerial office. Mr Duncan spoke of his House of Assembly seat of 12 years and his Legislative Council seat of 6 years. (He did not seek election in the intervening years.)

[The report extends for about 21⁄3 columns.]

XV, 263 (3), 24 Feb. 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 263]

Thomas Mitchell, a candidate for the Legislative Council drew only a small attendance for an address at the Institute last Saturday. He said he aimed to represent the farmers’ interests. He was for federation, and for the present tax system. He opposed a single tax and thought it unfair to put all tax on land. The Legislative council term should be cut from 9 to 6 years. Qualifications for a vote in the Legislative Council should drop to £15 or £20 [annual value] or £150 of improvements. He was for payment of members, a State Bank, fixity of tenure and a peppercorn rent for pastoral lands now unoccupied. Good land now in sheep runs should be given over to agriculture. He was against a wealth tax.

The Cinematographe is described and prices are quoted at 3/- front seats, 2/- second, 1/- back seats.

Martindale Athletics Meeting, 31 March.

Farrell’s Flat Races & Sports, 17 March.

Burra Racing Club, meeting postponed to allow the secretary to find the dates of other meetings and avoid clashing.

Sir Richard Chaffey Baker, writes another article on Federation: Its Disadvantages, but he finds few and instantly seeks to disarm them.

Cost: but the economies to be achieved in many areas like customs, postal services, telegraphs, etc. should match or exceed costs.

The loss of prestige for the local Parliament.

Injury to the present capitals, but this has not been the experience in Canada, USA or Switzerland.

Customs tariff decisions will be made federally and not by the SA people, but the only ones with something to fear might be those local manufacturers disadvantaged by internal free trade. Surveys suggest few in SA fear this.

There will be a transfer to the Federal Government of certain subjects, but it will all still be democratically decided and only three areas of social importance will move to federal jurisdiction:

a.) Customs tariff & excise

b.) Naval & military affairs

c.) Aliens and coloured races

Professor B. Freimann will appear on Monday 1 March at the Commercial Hotel. He is a famous medical specialist – a medical clairvoyant and medium and a professor of psychology who speaks 12 languages. He gives advice on investment, law suits, speculations, and domestic troubles.

Flood. The recent flood down Baldina Creek was one of the biggest for many years and the recently made ford stood the test very well.

XV, 264 (2), 3 Mar. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

The Wesleyan Conference in Adelaide last week carried the motion in favour of Methodist Union 69 votes to 26.

The Federal Convention election is next Saturday with 32 standing for the 10 positions.

The Cinematographe last Friday was very popular with every chair occupied ahead of time. The writer was most impressed by the realism of the arrival of the Calais train in Paris. Sea bathing and the running of the 1896 Melbourne Cup were impressive as was the marching of the Guards to St James’s Palace and a charge of the French Cuirassiers.

Sir Richard Chaffey Baker again on Federation: The Disadvantages of any Other Form of Union.

Confederation: the citizen remains a citizen of the state and not of the confederation. The citizen does not directly elect the Union Government, having an influence only indirectly through elections to his own state. Federal bodies which may be formed (and none are essential) such as an executive or a judiciary, would be weak/powerless as the states control all revenue. Confederation does not reduce the points of friction between the component states, but rather exacerbates the problems. Confederations have worked when the union confronted a foreign threat, but when the external threat goes internal strife followed. In a way Australia is already confederated with a powerless and miscalled Federal Council.

XV, 264 (2), 3 Mar. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

Legislative Council Election. Mr Charles Wilcox addressed electors on Saturday evening at the Institute. He was a farmer with interests also in industry.

He was in favour of:

Federation

Free trade within the Federation

The present tax system

A wealth tax with a £500 exemption

A transcontinental railway

A peppercorn rent on pastoral land

Increased money for roads.

He thought the State Bank a failure with no advantages over other banks.

XV, 264 (3), 10 Mar. 1897, page 2 [Third use of No. 264]

Advt. Genuine clearing sale, today, on the farm about three miles north of Burra. Sheep, cattle, horses, traps, harness, farm implements, seed wheat, furniture and effects.

Sandland & Co will sell by auction as above on account of Mr J. Cockrum who has sold his farm and is going to WA.

Advt. J. Lenord Van-Wyhe S.Sc. L.A., London of the Society of Science, Letters & Arts, London & of Science of the Art Depot, South Kensington, will see patients etc at the Burra Hotel, March 20 –22, Diseases of the ear, throat, nose, eye, chest, digestive organs, brain and genito-urinary apparatus.

Holdfast Bay Model Brass Band of 20 players plan to visit Burra at Easter.

Burra United Friendly Societies Demonstration Committee met on Friday to close the affairs of the 1896 sports meeting. The balance from 1895 was £7-12-6, the 1896 gate was £57-19-1, and the concert brought in £14-14-6 to total £80-6-9 which with other receipts came to £117-13-3. Expenses were £103-17-5 to leave £13-15-10 carried forward for the next demonstration.

A Carpet Snake 9’6” long and 16” in girth has been captured by Messrs J.C. Sandland & A. McBride at Amphitheatre, 23 miles east of Burra, and sent to the Adelaide Zoo.

XV, 264 (3), 10 Mar. 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 264]

Legislative Council Elections.

So far in the count for the Burra District Mr Wilcox, 2,581 is leading Mr Mitchell, 1,589.

Federal Convention Election.

Though some votes are yet to be counted, they cannot alter the positions of the top ten candidates who are: Kingston 22,710

Holder 22,393

Cockburn 21,242

Baker 20,488

Gordon 20,337

Symon 19,820

Downer 19,001

Glynn 18,990

Howe 18,228

Solomon 17,236

Sydney Wesleyan Conference has rejected Methodist Union.

Obituary. Sir Thomas Elder died at Mt Lofty last Saturday. [Died 6 March aged 78.]

W. Kelly Jun. who has been arrested at Broken Hill for embezzlement was on of the best boys at the Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School.

XV, 265 (2), 17 Mar. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

Larrikinism. A group of small boys has been making a nuisance of themselves by throwing stones onto roofs and at doors and windows. Last Wednesday they broke windows at the rear of Drew & Crewe’s shops and stole what they could lay their hands on. A large window at the rear of the Record office was broken. We offer £1 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Sir Thomas Elder has left £155,000 to various charitable, religious and educational institutions. £25,000 goes to establish a workmen’s club.

XV, 265 (2), 17 Mar. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

Obituary. Mrs Collins, the wife of R. Collins of Mt Bryan, has died aged 56. She was the youngest daughter of Mr Edward Gordon, an early resident of Burra, and her eldest sister is Mrs Statton of Terowie. [The death notice in the issue of 24 March says her father was Edward Godden.]

[Jane Collins born Jane Godden died 16 March.]

Court.

Henry Walhert fined 2/6 on each charge for failing to send his daughter Hetty (9) and a son (11) to school for the required number of days per quarter.

Frederick Gebhardt was fined 7/6 for a similar offence relating to his son Fred.

XV, 266 (2), 24 Mar. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

Advt. Luke Day has been appointed agent for T.R. Meinrath, Bottle Merchant of Adelaide, to buy marine store goods – bottles, bones etc.

[The advt. also denies that ‘a man named Lewis’ has any right to operate in my [Day’s] name – ‘I have no connection whatever with him.’ It would be interesting to know if this Lewis was the Aaron Lewis, a coloured man and marine store dealer, who featured so prominently in a court case in 1893: see the paper of 3 May 1893.]

H. Nankervis has taken over the Burra Hotel from W. Fletcher.

William Kelly has had one of the embezzlement charges against him withdrawn, but others are still pending. Kelly’s parents lived in Burra some years ago and Kelly is well known here.

XV, 266 (2), 24 Mar. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

A cryptic paragraph says that a ‘coloured individual, who is well, but not favourably known, in the town’ has arrived and that Luke refused to act as this ‘coloured fellow’s agent.’ [There is a reference to this person as Aaron, so in view of the advertisement on page 2, he seems likely to have been Aaron Lewis.]

Cycling. An enthusiastic cyclist of Baldina has laced his bike tyre with greenhide to protect it from damage and he rides the rough country while others are sidelined repairing their Dunlops.

C.R. Good MP for this district has accepted a position as manager of the Canowie Estate.

St Patrick’s Day passed quietly except for special services at St Joseph’s.

Lower Thames St Bridge needs examining before winter sets in.

Bicycling. There have been attempts to form a Burra Bicycle Association, but so far with little success.

Farrell Flat Races were very successful with good crowds and the gate was up £3 on recent years.

XV, 267 (2), 31 Mar. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

William Kelly has been committed for trial on the second charge of embezzlement at Broken Hill. Other charges were then dropped.

XV, 267 (2), 31 Mar. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in October 1893.]

Burra School Board of Advice. New members are: John Morgan, grazier of Thistlebeds; John Quinn Hogan, farmer of Leighton; and S. Burns, blacksmith of Kooringa.

The Federal Convention is meeting in Adelaide, but ‘practically nothing has been done – except the payment of salaries.’

Mr Carruthers: ‘No country on the face of the earth was so over-governed as Australia was. For four millions of people there were seven Governors, seven Agent Generals, fourteen Houses of Parliament, seven Postmasters-General, and seven Supreme Courts.’

Apoinga D.C. was the cause of 25 tons of chaff and 5 tons of pollard arriving at the Burra railway station on Monday & Tuesday, to be used as relief for 25 distressed farmers in Bright, Bundy and Apoinga – it also gave work to a number of teamsters.

Burra Show is set for 22 September.

XV, 267 (3), 7 Apr. 1897, page 2 [Third use of No. 267]

Advt. There is a wonderful advertisement for the Viagra of the 1890s:

Dr De Reiger’s celebrated Passion Pills. A certain and permanent cure for impotence, lost manhood, spermatorrhoea, night losses, weakness, nervous debility. The only cure for those who suffer from excess or the follies of youth. Course of 100 pills £1. Sole agents in Australia: The Parisian Drug Co. of 161 Phillip St Sydney.

Advt. O. Bartholomæus, Carpenter, Builder, etc. Has commenced business in Redruth.

Advt. Eskell & Tattersall, Dentists, visit Burra every six weeks and may be consulted at Vivian’s [Commercial] Hotel. Extractions 2/6, Gas 1/- extra.

Advt. Easter Holiday – Holdfast Bay Model Brass Band will visit Burra.

Advt. Cycling & Athletic Sports at Burra Oval, Easter Monday 19 April.

XV, 267 (3), 7 Apr. 1897, page 3 [Thirduse of No. 267]

Mrs Ann Lewis of Hampton was taken to the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum on the recommendation of Dr Brummitt.

Josiah Statton, a former resident of Burra, but now of Terowie had a serious stroke last Saturday. He is 66.

Redruth Gaol is being converted to a Girls’ Reformatory by the Government, at a cost of £300, because the Adelaide buildings cannot meet the demand.

The Children’s Ministering League presented a very nice ambulance to the Burra Hospital last Wednesday afternoon. Mrs J.C. Sandland (President) made the presentation. It was procured from England for c. £9.

Burra Town Council. The reports for 1897 have largely been reduced to a single short paragraph revealing little and generally comprising statements like ‘other sundry works were attended to’.

XV, 267 (4), 14 Apr. 1897, page 2 [Fourth use of No. 267]

Advt. R. Cook, Fruiterer, Aberdeen. Table Grapes 3/- a case; 30 lb tin of honey 8/6.

Advts. Legislative Council election advertisements for William Haslam & John Warren.

Advt. W.J. Davey Photographer: stereoscopic views a speciality. Views of Burra from the Record office. Inspection invited.

XV, 267 (4), 14 Apr. 1897, page 3 [Fourth use of No. 267]

Lutheran Church. Rev. J.E. Hansen will conduct a special service in the old church at Redruth on 25 April at 10.30 a.m. It is some time since a service has been held in the town.

Burra Town Council has of late been taking up old wooden crossings and putting down stone ones to improve the town’s footpaths. No doubt the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations have something to do with the alterations.

The Drought continues and farmers are at their wits end to keep stock alive. There have been clouds and a few drops, but no real rain and the outlook is for more cloud with some hope of rain.

A Bolt. Mr F. Field started from ‘Monavea’ in a buggy on Saturday, but when about 3⁄4 mile from the polo ground he got down to take off a piece of broken shoe from one of the horses and the horses bolted before he could get back into the trap. They cleared the corner of the Chinaman’s garden just behind the railway station, lost the buggy at a nearby yard and came to grief at a barbed wire fence, fortunately without doing themselves much harm.

Burra Hospital. Plans are being drawn up for the addition of two rooms with nurses’ quarters and lavatory in between for use in isolating infectious cases. A padded room is also to be provided.

William Kelly Jnr’s charge of embezzlement was dealt with at Broken Hill on Thursday. He was accused of embezzling the sums of £3-10-0, £3 and £2 from his employer, Henry Roach. Mr Roach estimated his deficiency to be £16 in all, but Roach has refused to allow any audit of his books. Kelly’s father gave evidence of asking for an audit in February and being refused. The report in the Barrier Miner says the judge’s summing up was adverse to Kelly, but the jury found him not guilty.

Polo. Last Saturday at Aberdeen Mt Crawford 9 defeated Burra 1.

Obituary. Mr Josiah Statton died at Terowie last Friday. [Josiah Joel Statton died 9 April aged 64.]

XV, 268 (2), 21 Apr. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

Young Men’s Club. The inaugural meeting was held last week in the club rooms, but due to a small attendance the meeting was adjourned to Monday 25 April at 8 p.m. [Despite the use of the work ‘inaugural’ this was actually an attempt to revive a club as it later says: ‘A full attendance of members is earnestly requested so that if possible the club may be put in working order once more’.

Mounted Rifle Companies. A special train arrived with members of various Mounted companies in the North. 28 Spalding defenders joined them for the trip to Adelaide. The Burra Co., being defunct, of course was not represented.

Rev. Father O’Dowling SJ is leaving after a stay of 13 years. He has won the respect and esteem not only of his own flock, but also of all with whom he came in contact. He goes to Norwood and will be succeeded by Rev. Father Deikel. [Actually Dietel.]

Easter at Burra.

Good Friday passed quietly with picnic excursions to Princess Royal and the Lagoon. The Holdfast Bay Model Brass Band arrived on the midday train and played several selections at the Hospital with a sacred concert at the Institute in the evening.

On Saturday they went to Princess Royal and played and in the evening gave a concert on the balcony of the Commercial Hotel.

On Sunday afternoon and evening they played at the Wesleyan Church and subsequently gave an open-air concert in Market Square.

On Monday they played at the sports and in the evening at the Institute before leaving for home on Tuesday morning.

[A list of the items they played is printed.]

The Primitive Methodist Sunday School picnic was held at Princess Royal Woolshed. On the return from the picnic Albert Williams, son of S. Williams, jumped off the trolley at the Kooringa Hotel and failing to clear the vehicle its wheels ran over his toes, breaking the large one and crushing the others.

The Bible Christian Sunday School picnic was held at Johnson’s Creek on the same estate. [Check as the creek name is illegible.]

On Easter Monday there were sports at the Burra Oval. The weather was windy and dusty. W.C. Neville was in charge of the liquor. The main events were the cycle races, but there was a 100 yard foot race as well as races for youths and girls, a tug-of-war and a hop-step-and-jump. The results of the cycle races:

1 mile handicap J.A. Bagg (105 yds) 1st

H. Tiver (160 yds) 2nd

3 mile handicap A.R. Baggs (400 yds) 1st

James Richards (400 yds) 2nd

1 mile A.R. Baggs (120 yds) 1st

H. Bentley (100 yds) 2nd

R. Baynes (120 yds) 3rd

10 miles A.R. Bagg (5 mins) 1st

James Richards (41⁄2 mins) 2nd

[Note the reporter swaps back and forth between Bagg and Baggs.]

F.W. Holder will preach at Kooringa Wesleyan Church next Sunday.

XV, 269 (2), 28 Apr. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

Advt. Legislative Council Elections for North-East District. There are advertisements for: William Haslam, John Warren and Thomas Jeffs.

XV, 269 (2), 28 Apr. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

Burra Town Council. Tenders called for road metal from the Hospital, Oval and Waterworks Quarries.

Rain fell on Monday, about 0.7”, but more is needed.

The Prince of Wales Hospital Fund has been established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s reign and will fund the London Hospital’s gap between ordinary receipts and ordinary expenditure. The Bank of Australasia will forward amounts of not less than 10/- free.

Burra Mine. There are again rumours of the sale of the old mine.

Princess Royal Mine. We understand a party of men from Tothill’s Creek are working there and are well satisfied.

Burra Young Men’s Club had a successful meeting at the clubrooms on Monday. President Rev. J.Y. Simpson was re-elected with Messrs McLaren and Bennett as Vice-Presidents. William Pearce is secretary and P. Nicholls his assistant with P. Treloar as librarian. In addition Messrs Noyes, Drew and A. Davey comprise the committee. Literary meetings will take place on Tuesdays. Mr Bennett gave notice of a motion ‘That ladies be admitted as associate members.

M-C Benham, in charge of Kooringa Police Station is to be replaced by M-C Jamison, presently at Clare. M-C Jamison has suppressed Clare’s notorious larrikinism in the eight years he has been there. [In a brief report of his activities the name is spelled ‘Jamison’ four times and ‘Jemison’ once: subsequently it usually appears as ‘Jemison’.]

Rev. Father O’Dowling was farewelled on Thursday evening when he was presented with a Gladstone bag and a purse of sovereigns. He has been very ill for several weeks, but has hopes of a speedy recovery. There was a large attendance at the schoolroom including Rev. F. Norton of Petersburg and Father Lee of Marrabel as well as Father Deitel*, the new incumbent. The Choir presented an umbrella and other gifts and there were suitable gifts from scholars at the school. Father Christen spoke followed by Mr D.J. O’Leary who recounted at some length the achievements of the last 13 years, during which time the residence at the church had been provided. Father O’Dowling had collected the money for that before it was built and he had also raised large sums towards liquidating the debts on the church, school and convent. He had also taken much interest in the Hibernian Lodge. [*Actually Dietel.]

[The residence had previously been in Manoora]

XV, 270 (2), 5 May 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

Advt. Sealed tenders are invited for the construction of isolation wards at the Burra Hospital.

XV, 270 (2), 5 May 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

J.D. Cave sent a fine exhibition of chrysanthemums to the Adelaide show on Wednesday last, but failed this year to secure a prize.

Obituary. Mr John Hutson died in Thames St Kooringa last Wednesday 28 April. He was a resident of over 40 years. For some time he was a wheelwright in the town. He was aged 84 and leaves three sons and two daughters.

Burra Town Council.

It was resolved that at present the overseer and curator work week for week. Main road work is waiting for some rain.

Burra Waterworks. A letter from the Conservator of Water asked if it was feasible to supply the Redruth Gaol with water and the length of main required to do so. The Council decided that laying the main is feasible, but on the condition that its cost not be added to the capital account.

Frosts have been severe lately.

Willowie sports on 21 June.

M-C Jemisen has arrived in Burra.

XV, 270 (3), 12 May 1897, page 2 [Third use of No. 270]

Redruth Reformatory. We understand a telephone line will be installed between the gaol and the police station when the former re-opens as a Girls’ Reformatory. About 30 girls will be accommodated.

XV, 270 (3), 12 May 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 270]

Court.

Five women were charged with riotous behaviour in Kingston St 2 May: Agnes Gully, Mabel Bradley, Annie Ah Chin (Married), Crissie Smith and Selina Smith. (Smith and Gully are local, Bradley has been recently released from Adelaide Reformatory School and has since conducted herself satisfactorily – nothing is known of Ah Chin.) Ah Chin and Gully pleaded guilty and the others not.

Witness Richard Moore saw the fracas – saw Bradley hit Gully and heard Gully use disgusting language. About 30 people were present. Did not see the Smiths take an active part. The bench ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict. Gully and Chin were fined £1-1-0 including costs.

Agnes Gully was also charged with using abusive language. The language was written down and handed to Gully who admitted ‘without a blush’ to having used it. The document was handed to the Bench. The constable demanded a gaol sentence rather than a fine. Defendant said the others had used equally bad language. The Bench replied that that did not make her case any better. Fined £2-10-0. Gully (aged 18) was given a week to pay.

Legislative Council Elections: address to electors by Messrs Warren and Haslam. Dr Brummitt presided over a small gathering of electors.

Warren:

Was for federation, as long as SA was treated fairly. Opposed free, secular and compulsory education. Mainly it was the secular aspect he disagreed with as he believed its injurious effects had been demonstrated in Victoria and France. He favoured free education but also in church schools for those who wished it. He was against any reduction in the franchise provisions for the Legislative Council. He would rather see it abolished than have that. He was for the construction of the Central Australian Railway as proposed by the Anglo-French Co. with the line constructed in sections, all of iron and steel to be made in the colony and to employ only white labour, in return for a 99 year lease on lands to be fixed by a committee of three Government and three company men. [He also seems to have been against payment of members.]

Haslam:

Did not think they were taxed heavily enough. He was for strict economy and the development of mining and agriculture. Economy and retrenchment should precede any increase in taxation. If times grew harder taxes should rise, but only for those in a position to pay and whether they should be on land, income or death duties he couldn’t say. He favoured a reduction in the qualifications for the LC franchise. For the fair representation of labour, pastoral, commercial and agricultural interests in Parliament. But it would not be in SA’s interests if labour achieved a majority. He generally favoured federation – if SA interests were protected. He had supported the State Bank’s foundation, but now regretted it. He thought something had to be done soon about the NT.

Football. The Aberdeen Football Club met on Thursday at the Royal Exchange Hotel with C.F. Packard in the chair. He was appointed secretary. J. Murphy was appointed Captain with F. Sellars as Vice-Captain. P.L. Killicoat was elected President. There will be a match v. Allcomers on 15 May.

Point Pass Sports arranged for 24 May.

An Earthquake was felt on Monday 10 May in the afternoon. It was the most severe ever felt in the colony and in Adelaide it rang bells and shook for two minutes. It was worst at Robe where chimneys and walls fell and the ground opened up. The tremor in Burra was mild.

Typhoid has broken out and there are 14 persons in the Burra Hospital at present, though some are from Broken Hill and Hallett and two or three from east of Burra.

XV, 271 (2), 19 May 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

The Earthquake of 10th May was followed by 11 tremors that shook Kingston (SE) on Thursday 13th. In Robe cracks several chains in length opened and in one part of the town land has subsided a metre or more. The fissures have filled with water in some places. [A comment on page 3 says over 100 aftershocks were registered.]

XV, 271 (2), 19 May 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in November 1893.]

The Weather remains very dry and in the past week there was much wind and raised dust.

Editorial on the fire on Saturday morning at the Waterworks. Mr Lapidge the engineer was roused from his sleep about 2 a.m. and told the yard was ablaze at the Waterworks. The wood, about 16 tons, was burnt to ashes and the engine-house was only saved by the courageous efforts of the engineer with three or four helpers. We have before urged the desirability of having a suitable hose in readiness, but so far to no avail. The expense of a fire brigade has always been considered too great.

Football. The Burra Football Assoc. met at R. Pascoe’s rooms on Tuesday evening 11 May. P.L. Killicoat was elected President with H.L. Austin, Chairman, J. Murphy, Captain and T. Nicholls as Vice-Captain. C.F. Packard is Secretary. Colours are blue and white.

Fire. At 2 a.m. on Saturday Mr Lapidge, the Waterworks engineer, was roused by Mr P. Roach who resides close to the Waterworks, and told that the place was on fire. Knowing where to put his hands on the necessary appliance and having the full force of the water he was able to save the building. When they arrived the blaze was curling almost over the engine-house building and it was impossible to save any of the woodheap. The hose was kept playing on the roof inside the building. The large gate was thrown open to assist in protecting the workshop and tying an old coat over his head Mr Lapidge rushed through the flames to unlock the street gate and pull the works cart from its shed which was by then ablaze. By this Mr Roach had roused Messrs Gurry and Lawler who worked hard to save the other buildings. Mr Davis then arrived and was sent to inform the police and the Mayor. By dawn nothing but glowing cinders remained of the woodheap and water had to be applied till about noon to put out all traces. A high north wind made it all the more dangerous. The only damage to the building was a scorched facia board. About 16 tons of wood was lost and more had to be purchased for the engine to start on Saturday. Pumping had stopped on Friday at 12 o’clock so there was a lapse of about 12 hours from the stopping of the engine to the starting of the fire the origin of which is a complete mystery.

Mutton has risen to 4d lb.

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee gives the children an extra week’s holiday next week.

Rain set in on Monday evening and has continued with so far 0.31” recorded.

XV, 271 (3), 26 May 1897, page 2 [Third use of No. 271]

Redruth Gaol/Reformatory repairs proceed slowly.

XV, 271 (3), 26 May 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 271]

Burra Town Council, Special Meeting 21 May.

The work of the scavenger is to be increased. Watertabling in the main streets is to be cleaned out periodically to improve the town’s cleanliness. Tenders to be let and dealt with at a special meeting on 31 May.

The Waterworks burnt fence to be replaced by O. Bartholomæus for £5-18-0.

Legislative Council Elections for Burra last Saturday. Results known so far favour the sitting members: Bleechmore 251 plumpers 73

Haslam 373 plumpers 17

Warren 422 plumpers 30

Of 1494 voters, 582 voted. Of 216 women on the roll only 41 voted.

The results from Manoora, Renmark and Jamestown are not yet to hand.

Rain is still needed. The recent fall has paradoxically been killing sheep. Many with heavy wool are too weak to carry the load of a wet coat and consequently fall over and die by degrees. On Sunday a nice soaking rain delivered 0.41” and the wind blew a hurricane on Monday with more rain on Tuesday. In all 1.1” was recorded in Burra.

The London Dental Institute, of 111 King William St, Adelaide, is to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by providing free of charge sixty sets of artificial teeth (valued at £5-5-0 a set) to as many poor women of the age of 60 years and over. A condition being that ‘the beneficiaries shall be deserving’.

Football. On Monday in boisterous weather Burra 2nd 20 scored 3.9 to defeat Petersburg 2nd 20, 2.6

XV, 272 (3), 2 June 1897, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume Nov. & Dec. 1893.]

The Salvation Army Social on 10 June will be associated with a public meeting chaired by Rev. W.A. Langsford (Wesleyan) and Rev. T.M. Flood will also attend.

Annual Catholic Entertainment, Burra Institute on 21 June.

XV, 272 (3), 2 June 1897, page 2-3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume Nov. & Dec. 1893.]

Recent Obituaries: J. Hutson at 84, Thomas Rosewall (Senior) at 86 and now A.W. Lott has died at 84 and on 26 May Mrs C. Kiekebusche, mother of Mr E. Kiekebusche died at Baldina.

[John Hutson died 28 April, Thomas Rosewall died 19 May, Adolph August Wilhelm Lott died 27 May and aged registered as 80 and Mrs Charlotte Henrietta Caroline Kiekebusche, registered as Kickebush was 81.]

XV, 272 (3), 2 June 1897, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume Nov. & Dec. 1893.]

Obituary. Mr John Pearce died in his residence in Chapel St last Friday [28 May aged 94]. He was born at Torrenton in North Devon in 1803 and arrived in SA in the Santiphore on 16 October 1848. He was a mason by trade and worked for Mr Shepherd and later at Mintaro. After a trip to the Bendigo goldfields he returned to take up farming at Gum Creek 33 years ago. About 19 years ago he sold the farm and took land at Baldina. He retired 15 years ago. He leaves four sons: John (H. of Pirie), Henry (Mt Bryan Flat), Samuel (Leighton), Richard (Burra), of whom all but Richard are married. Mrs Tickle, late of Yongala is his eldest daughter and mother of Mrs E.W. Crewes of Kooringa. Ann and Emma are unmarried and live at home with Richard. Four sons and two daughters came from England and Emma was born at Mintaro. He also leaves 35 grandchildren and 70 great-grandchildren. Rev. Simpson (Wesleyan) officiated at the funeral.

[An addition to the above in XV, 273, 9 June 1897, page 3, a report said that a sister of John Pearce was still alive in Melbourne and though 100 was of sound memory and intellect and able to get about. Only about 12 months ago she bought a house in addition to the one she has lived in for a number of years.]

Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday. Rev. T.M. Flood, Rev. Thomas Theobald (Primitive Methodist) and Rev. W.A. Langsford (Wesleyan) will preach. Public tea meeting Monday.

The Season. The break afforded by the recent rains looks very promising and farmers are busy. The high price of chaff (£7-10-0 a ton) places it beyond the reach of many.

R. Brummitt, Mayor, writes a letter suggesting that to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee Burra establish a Benevolent Society for the poor of the town and he calls a meeting for that purpose at 3 o’clock in the Council Chamber on Thursday afternoon.

Advt. Mr Wybert Reeve announces two showings of the Cinematographe at the Burra Institute on Tuesday & Wednesday 8 & 9 June. 3/-, 2/- & 1/-.

Featuring films of:

The Queen’s Jubilee

The marriage of Princess Maud [5th child of Prince of Wales: married Haakon VII of Norway 22 July 1896.]

Empress of Russia, driving in state

The Czar & Czarina entering Paris

The Crown of Hungary: National Fete

Street scenes, continental scenes, life scenes, sport and military pageants

XV, 273, 9 June 1897, page 2

Advt. Grand Entertainment in aid of St Joseph’s Church 21 June. 2/-, 1/6, 1/-

Advt. Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society Grand Concert 22 June. 1/-, 1/6 reserved

Advt. Show Society General Meeting, Burra Institute, 11 June.

Advt. Mrs Noble offers to teach typewriting:

1hour per week for £1-1-0 per quarter, 2 hours £2-2-0 and 3 hours for £3-3-0.

Payable in advance for a quarter of 12 weeks.

XV, 273, 9 June 1897, page 3

A Public Meeting called by the Mayor last Friday to decide on a form of public action to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee decided on a treat for the children of the town on 22 June. About £18 was collected at the Institute on Friday for that purpose.

The Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary drew fair congregations.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society was formed at a meeting last Thursday with Dr Brummitt as President, Miss Coglin as Secretary and J.F. Moore as Treasurer.

Court.

James Gully fined 2/6 for each of two children who failed to attend school as required.

Sophia Bennett was fined 2/6 on a similar charge, but David Kemble got off by proving his son was over age.

XV, 273 (2), 16 June 1897, page 2 [Second use of No. 273]

Advt. The program for the Jubilee Benevolent Society Concert is printed.

Advt. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at Burra Recreation Ground, 22 June 1897.

10 a.m. children assemble at the school with cups and mugs.

Jubilee medals will be presented and there will then be a procession to the oval led by the Burra Brass Band. Sports will follow, and then luncheon will be distributed to scholars.

There will be a public refreshment booth at the grounds.

Admission to oval 3d (children free), Vehicles 6d. (No horsemen)

Mt Bryan District Council. After several petitions the Commissioner of Crown Lands has approved the request of residents that the number of councillors for Middle and East Wards be reduced from two to one in each case.

Rain. It has been cold and windy with a nice steady rain setting in on Tuesday.

Burra Show Society. A committee meeting on Friday at the Institute decided to cancel the 1897 show on the grounds of the phenomenally bad season.

Juvenile Foresters met at the Institute on Monday to see a beautiful collection of magic lantern slides of Bro. J.E.F. Opie-Lapidge.

United Protestant Sunday School Service (less the Anglicans) is to be held to celebrate the Jubilee in the Kooringa Bible Christian Church, 3 p.m. 20 June. Rev. J.Y. Simpson (Wesleyan) will preside. There will be addresses by Rev. W.A. Langsford (Wesleyan), Capt. Dearden (Salvation Army), Rev. Flood (Bible Christian) & Rev. Theobald (Primitive Methodist). The participation of the Town Council and Friendly Societies is invited. School will meet in Market Square and march in procession to the church headed by the Burra Brass Band. The precedence as determined by lot: Primitive Methodist, Salvation Army, Bible Christian, Redruth Wesleyan, Kooringa Wesleyan.

XV, 273 (2), 16 June 1897, page 3

Burra Hospital has granted the matron two months holiday after five years service.

Obituary. Sir Henry Ayers’ death is reported. [Died 11 June aged 76.]

The Cinematograph was poorly patronised: people haven’t got the money to attend it.

Mr O. Bartholomæus has won the contract to erect the new room at the Burra Hospital.

XV, 274 (2), 23 June 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in December 1893.]

Rain. Splendid falls were recorded last week, starting on 14 June which have revived hopes for a good harvest after all. The sheep have survived the cold, better than expected, but cattle and horses have been worse hit and can be seen dead in every direction. Several farmers have lost every horse.

The Special Jubilee Service at the Bible Christian Church was a complete success. Parents and friends as well as children turned out and filled the large building to capacity. Special services at St Mary’s with the afternoon one devoted to children were also well attended.

Court.

On the information of M-C Jemison, George Buchanan and John Arthur Riggs were charged with furious riding in Kingston St on 4 June. Mr Winnall appeared for the defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Alex. Harris Jun. swore he saw them ride up the street at 16 m.p.h. from in front of his father’s shop. William March thought them both a bit merry when they emerged from the Kooringa Hotel and lined up their horses for the start. He said they rode at least at 15 m.p.h.

John Arthur Riggs said they cantered as far as Geach’s house when he saw his father in a trap and slowed to a walk to allow it to overtake them. He was quite sober – did 4-5 m.p.h.

Buchanan essentially confirmed the above as did evidence from J.H. Riggs.

The case was dismissed as was the further charge against George Buchanan of using indecent language.

Willowie Sports attracted so few cyclists that those races have been cancelled and foot races substituted with a new date to be fixed some time in September.

Children’s Sports went off very well at the oval on Tuesday.

Football. At Burra on Monday Burra 8.11 defeated Terowie 0.5, but Terowie could muster only 10 men and had to borrow 10.

St Joseph’s Concert on Monday night was well patronised.

Tennis. On Monday at Clare Burra 5 sets defeated Clare 4. Burra won by one game.

XV, 274 (3), 30 June 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 274]

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society. 40 cases needy persons were aided on the day of the Diamond Jubilee, receiving wood, clothing, boots etc.

C.C. Williams announces he is now able to effect repairs to bicycles and supply fittings of all kinds, so machines no longer have to be sent to the city.

Jubilee Celebrations at Burra Oval are reported.

Mr W. Bennett drilled his large congregation of children at 10 a.m. at the school and they were then addressed by the Mayor who made appropriate reference to the Queen’s reign. The medals were distributed and the children then set off behind the band to the oval. Dozens of races of various kinds followed. These never had fewer than 40 contenders and the majority had at least 150. Handicapping was done remarkably quickly with a few questions about age and who they could beat, and then it was off – often still fully clothed in heavy winter wear and clutching apples, rolls or lollies, some of which ended up decorating the grass. In the tug-of-war ‘country’ beat ‘town’. About 750 children attended representing not only the town, but the country schools in the district.

St Joseph’s Entertainment on 21 June was excellent and the hall was crowded – local talent was augmented by visitors from Adelaide: Miss B. Pflaum and Messrs B. Maegraith and W. Howard. Pflaum & Maegraith played a piano duet and Pflaum later followed with a song. Mr Howard also sang later with a clear alto voice. The local talent rose well to the occasion.

The Jubilee Concert on 22 June filled the Institute Hall. The second part of the program was taken by the Curlew Minstrels, but their performance on this occasion was below their former standard and disappointing. The jokes of the two end men were unsuitable for the audience – especially for the children present. If they appear again they should select their material more carefully.

Willowie Sports have been rescheduled for 8 September.

XV, 275 (2), 7 July 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in December 1893.]

W. Davey will be given a social at the Institute under the auspices of the Burra Burra Lodge of Oddfellows in recognition of his long and valued service to the order.

Burra Show Society. Given the marked reversal in prospects for the season, farming members of the society have called another special meeting for 9 July to consider whether a show is possible after all for 1897.

The Weather continues good with green grass everywhere and prospects now encouraging for a good season.

Mr F.W. Holder was recently accused in the House of Assembly of embezzling money, though the word was later withdrawn. 12-15 months ago Mr Holder was given a cheque to settle some business for the late Mr C. Drew, but for obvious reasons the amount was not paid over until quite recently – well at least he paid it into his own account and kept it 15 months without authority. The matter has now been settled.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The Hon. Sec. Mr R.M. Harvey says receipts to date are £69-7-1 and the cost of the treat for the 667 children and prizes for the races came to only £36-11-3. The balance will be handed to the Jubilee Benevolent Society. Donations amounting to £4-4-0 have yet to be collected.

Marriage. On Tuesday 29 June at St Mary’s Mr J.E.H. Winnall, solicitor married Miss Jessie Sprod, niece of Mr W.T. Sprod of Melbourne. She has been a Burra resident for six years. The reception was held at ‘Bleak House’ with about 70 of their friends. [There follows a list of presents extending 1⁄2 column.]

XV, 275 (2), 7 July 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in December 1893.]

Marriage. Last Wednesday 30 June at St Mary’s, Mr W.J.C. [William John Charles] Ewins, eldest son of C.H. Ewins of Burra married Miss Louie [Louisa] Vivian, second daughter of the popular and pioneer landlord of the Commercial Hotel. The wedding breakfast for 50 guests was held at the Commercial Hotel.

Burra Town Council.

The Mayor reports that the town’s bonded debt has been paid off since the last meeting.

In future the Recreation Ground will be known as Victoria Park.

Burra District Council. Elections last Monday in Baldina Ward saw T. McWaters (21) defeat F. Duldig (3) and for auditor W. Davey (20) defeated C.G. Tiver (0).

St Mary’s Schoolroom was the site of a successful concert on Friday night.

Mr Holder is under pressure to agree to a select committee over the Drew’s agency affair.

XV, 276 (2), 14 July 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in December 1893.]

Rain. Falls this week totalled 1.55”, but many cattle and horses have died around the district, though stock is now beginning to improve.

Burra District Council for the year 1897-98:

President: Mr Lockyer

Kooringa Ward Mr Bowman, Mr Lockyer & Mr Sandland

Baldina Ward Mr Kieckebusch & Mr McWaters

King Ward Mr Barker & Mr P.L. Killicoat

Auditor W. Davey

Mr Winnall’s services as solicitor have been retained.

SAMA. Following the death of Sir Henry Ayers Mr W. West has been appointed secretary. He has been an officer of the mines here for twenty-four years.

Burra Institute half-yearly meeting with President Mr Moore in the chair.

Dr Brummitt as Treasurer read the balance sheet.

The opening credit was £75-8-8 and receipts were £77-0-6 to total £152-9-2. The expenditure for the half-year was £116-2-1 leaving a balance of £36-7-1.

76 volumes have been added to bring the total in the library to 2,736. There are 80 subscribers.

Burra Show Society finally resolved against holding a show in 1897 at last Friday’s meeting.

Rev. J. Cowperthwaite of North Adelaide will give a lecture on 20 July in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Nansen and the North Pole. The silver coin admission will aid the Home Mission Fund.

Redruth Gaol/Reformatory. John Pearce has won the tender for building at the gaol to convert it for use as a girls’ reformatory. The work should be done by October.

XV, 277 (2), 21 July 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in January 1894.]

Mr E. Salas of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission is visiting the district soliciting donations for the Mission’s building program in Wright St, Adelaide. £722 was needed, of which £500 has been raised.

Rain. A further 0.88” has been recorded at Kooringa since Monday.

Oddfellows Lodge Social at the Institute was presided over by Dr J.I. Sangster, to acknowledge the work of W. Davey over many years. Over forty people attended. The evening began with an excellent spread followed by the usual speeches interspersed with music and songs. Mr Davey has been connected with the lodge for the past forty years. He was presented with a purse of sovereigns. In replying he gave an outline of the origins of Oddfellowship in London in 1710, though the Manchester Unity Lodge only came along in 1809. The Burra Burra Lodge was formed in 1849 and has a membership of 293 and funds of £5,349. In the quarter ending May last £145 was paid as sick pay (Representing £2 per day to 40 members.) [This would seem to be saying that members got 1/- a day sick pay.]

Mr Davey joined the lodge on 3 August 1859 and became secretary in 1869, resigning after 91⁄2 years. He had also been an auditor for 12 years and a trustee for 7. Mr S. Burns represented the Rechabites, Mr Davis the Freemasons and Mr Shortridge the Foresters.

Methodist Union. A meeting of circuit officials of the Methodist Churches in Kooringa, Redruth and the surrounding area was held on 16 July to consider the rearrangements of circuits that will be needed in view of Methodist Union. A resolution coming from the similar meeting of 1895 was for three circuits: Kooringa, Redruth and Hallett. An amendment now proposed two with Mt Bryan East and Hallett going into the Terowie Circuit. After much discussion the amendment was withdrawn and the motion was passed. Circuits decided on were:

Kooringa – Baldina – World’s End – Douglas.

Redruth – Copperhouse – Leighton – Ironmine – Booborowie – Hanson – Stony Gap – Hacklin’s Corner

Hallett – Mt Bryan – Mt Bryan East – Ulooloo

XV, 277 (3), 28 July 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 277: number 278 not used in this sequence.]

Court.

‘Saff’ [Sapho] Halls was charged with carnally knowing a girl named Edith Lihou, who is under the age of 16. The charge was heard behind closed doors and is expected to be of a most unsavoury nature, involving several lads. Proceedings were adjourned for a fortnight.

Police Court, Kooringa 22 July.

William Taylor fined 5/- for drunkenness.

24 July

John Nelson fined 5/- for drunkenness.

XV, 279 (2), 4 Aug. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in January 1894.]

Annual Effort Fund Entertainment at the Redruth Wesleyan Schoolroom on Wednesday was well attended. It comprised songs, musical selections, choruses, recitations, readings and tableaux.

Burra Mines. On Thursday the directors of SAMA inspected the mine property. They were F. Rymill (Chairman of the Board), Hon. Samuel Tomkinson MLC, Mr F. Bullock & Mr H.L. Ayers. They were met by Mr West’s trap and conveyed to the Burra Hotel for dinner before inspecting part of the township and mines. They decided that some boring should be done to test the mineral value of the site. Mr West said they would probably use diamond drills to get to 1,500 or 2,000’ if necessary in a series of bores. No decision has yet been made on the location of the bores, but the first may be near the old crusher and other sites could be at Bunce’s and Beck’s. It is twenty years in October since the mine ceased operations. At the time it was thought a three year halt might see prices rise and mining resume. What price is copper now? We received £47-10-0 per ton for the last lot. So copper is still sent away? Yes, there are a few tributers at work – principally overhauling the stuff thrown out in the original working.

Burra Hospital Annual Report. Some facts and figures are printed for 1896.

Football. Saturday at Farrell’s Flat Burra 4.9 defeated Farrell’s Flat-Mintaro 3.7

Burra Town Council.

The account for water at the police stations, which provoked much correspondence and finally went to cabinet, has at last been settled.

XV, 280 (2), 11 Aug. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in January 1894.]

A. Abbott has discovered Aboriginal remains while digging a cellar on his property at Hanson about 14 miles from Burra.

SAMA Directors at their meeting in Adelaide last week decided on making test borings at the mine.

British & Foreign Bible Society Annual Meeting was held in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on 9 August.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary Services were held last Sunday when the Wesleyan ministers gave the sermons. (Revs. W.A. Langsford & J.Y. Simpson.) Attendance was only fair in poor weather. Public tea meeting today at 4.30 & 7.30 p.m.

Advt. Burra Institute tonight. First appearance of the American Cinematographe Co. with all new pictures. This is the only machine of its kind in SA. Special engagement of the celebrated actor vocalist Charles Waite and Musical Director Mr Will Parsons.

25 beautiful pictures will be shown. See Niagara Falls, a burning stable, hurdle race, charge of cavalry and Paris street scene.

Obituary/Accident. Last Sunday John Wall (71⁄2) and George Camp (15) found an old unused revolver at Camps premises and went to another house to try experiments with what they thought was a broken weapon. Unfortunately when struck by a hammer a charge went off entering Wall’s forehead. He died three hours later. An inquest was considered unnecessary as the sad event was purely accidental. [John Wall was born 26 March 1889 and died 8 August 1897 and was therefore aged 8.]

Court.

Sapho Halls was charged with carnal knowledge on the information of H.W. Lihou.

Mr Lihou, butcher of Kooringa said Ethel Maria Lihou was his daughter and would be 16 on 17 August. Halls was a cab driver for his brother and the cab stables were in Lihou’s back yard. Lihou cautioned Halls for hanging around.

Mary Ann Lihou said she saw Halls on 5 March at her daughter’s window and followed him down to his house and called Thomas Halls and told him about it. The defendant swore he had just got out of bed and had not been at the window. Mrs Lihou took her daughter to the doctor for an examination. She admitted her daughter looked over 16. She said she saw Halls in her yard about 12.30 on 5 March – it was not a moonlight night. Had not seen her daughter with Artie Dearlove or McNamara, but had seen her in daytime with Eustice, never with Harry Foster or McWaters. Eustice, who is 22 used to board there.

Ethel May Lihou who will be 13 in October slept in the same room with Edith Maria. Had seen Halls at the bedroom window on some occasion. On cross-examination said she had slept in the room since 3 March and had never seen anyone else there. Had seen her sister in the company of Dearlove at night time and walking with Harry Foster many times and had seen Edith walking with Jack Allen at night time. Had never seen Dearlove or Foster in her sister’s room.

Edith Maria Lihou said she had known Sapho Halls for two years and he had behaved wrongfully once in his cab from the station, but no impropriety took place.

[Further evidence of this witness is unfit for publication – Ed.] Knew Dearlove and walked with him and Harry Foster.

Arthur Frederick Dearlove (16) had seen Edith at night with other chaps. She had told him her window was open if he liked to go up there. Swore Edith told him Foster was no good because he behaved wrongfully with her, but never mentioned Halls.

Halls said he was a cab driver for his brother. Knew Edith, but never walked with her. She had ridden in his cab and he had seen her with other lads. He was not guilty of any impropriety with her and had never been in her bedroom.

Paul Killicoat gave evidence he was in Halls’ company on 4 June. [How this is relevant to charges relating to 5 March is unclear unless it is a misprint for 4 March.]

Thomas Halls gave evidence and Elizabeth Jane Halls said she knew Edith Lihou and most of her evidence is unfit for publication.

Mr Wadey for Halls asked for a dismissal as the evidence was too weak and uncertain for a conviction before a jury. The first portion of offence had nothing to do with the charge.

Eventually the charge was dismissed.

Much sympathy is expressed on all sides for the parents of the girl; who are respected residents of the town.

XV, 280 (3), 18 Aug. 1897, page 3 [Third use of 280, though page 1 says it is XV, 280 (2) 11 August: corrected by hand on the microfilm to 18 August. Other pages dated 18 August.]

Burra School Board of Advice

Miss Cousins has been appointed to Hanson School.

Miss Cameron has been appointed to the Mongolata School.

Australasian National League, Burra Branch, held a meeting in Mr Lewis’s schoolroom on 23 August [sic: perhaps 13] with Mr Lewis in the chair. W.G. Hawkes was elected Chairman for the coming year and J.D. Cave, Secretary.

Burra Hospital. Changes are to be made to improve the operating room and give better ventilation in the men’s wards at a cost of c. £20. Rev. King invites the Hospital Board to the Hospital service at St Mary’s on 19 September. Accepted.

Burra Town Council.

A letter from the Superintendent of Fire Brigades calling attention to the dangers posed by cinematographes and urging an attempt be made to get a clause introduced into the proposed Amended Places of Public Amusements Act dealing with such appliances.

Football. On Saturday a match was played between Aberdeen and Kooringa, during which Jimmy Murphy suffered a broken nose. Aberdeen 7.3 defeated Kooringa 5.5.

‘The game throughout was exceedingly rough, numerous marks being given for rough play. Three players had to go to the doctor after the game. The language used by some of the members will bear a good deal of improvement, and it is to be hoped that it will be modified during the next game.’

Ulooloo Goldfields still have a number of men at work.

XV, 281 (2), 25 Aug. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in January 1894.]

[Also dated 5 August and corrected by hand on the microfilm.]

Advt. Diamond Jubilee Fair at Burra Institute, 3 September.

Large and varied assortment of Fancy and Plain Goods.

Flowers, Sweets, Refreshments. 1/- for Dinner at noon. Tea, 6d anytime.

Promenade Concert in the evening.

Admission 6d returnable in goods to 6 p.m. not returnable after 6 p.m.

Obituary. Spencer Finch, sixth son of Edwin N. & F. Finch, died at Kooringa on 11 August aged 7 years 4 months 11 days. [He was born 1 April 1890.]

Half the Booborowie Estate is rumoured will soon be offered for sale.

Bible Christian Special Effort next Sunday. Rev. T. Flood in the morning, Rev. J.Y. Simpson (Wesleyan) in the afternoon and Rev. W.A. Langsford (Wesleyan) in the evening. Public dinner on Wednesday.

The season has turned out to be very promising as after the drought broke rain has fallen at useful intervals in suitable quantities: 0.47” since out last issue.

Burra Burra Mines. Arrangements for drilling have nearly been completed. At the site of the old pound yards the old well, sunk 35-38 years ago, is to be opened up, ‘the water forked’ and a search made for a deposit of rich blue carbonate ore said to have been discovered there.

F.W. Holder, Treasurer, has introduced a bill to amend the Federal Enabling Act to stop payment of fees to delegates if the convention is further adjourned. It will provide that after 30 September delegates will only draw fees for days on which they attend a meeting of the convention.

Ulooloo Goldfields. There are rumours that the Government might sink some capital into the opening up of the fields.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. has been doing good work and has recently spent over £50 in providing the necessities of life for those too old or sick to work. August alone saw 21 loads of wood delivered and 12 cases have also received provisions. The town is divided into four districts with two lady visitors for each, who visit the poor and provide help.

A.O. Foresters opened a Court of Harmony on Friday – an hour of songs, readings and recitations, and they intend to do this once a month.

Court.

On Charles Gebhardt’s information Ambrose Edwards was charged with stealing three sheepskins to the value of 6/-. The two have neighbouring properties and with many sheep dying they were skinned and the skins hung over the boundary fence by Edwards. If either Gebhardt’s sheep had died in Edward’s property, or Gebhardt’s sheep had died in his own property and their skins dried on the boundary fence they might have been included in Edward’s bundle of skins without his noticing – according to Edwards. The case was dismissed on the grounds that if the skins had been taken there had been no intent to steal.

Dr Brummitt writes a letter calling for useful disused clothes on behalf of the Benevolent Soc.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes asserting that the modern tendency of women to enter into pursuits previously the preserve of men is causing the physical degeneration of the sex – pale faces and dull expressionless eyes due to diseased constitutions, the result of ‘artificial modes of living and unhealthy foods of the day’. Climate too is a great strain in this country.

[Having read thus far the reader becomes aware that this article is no more than an advertisement for Dr Williams Pink Pills. This form of advertising was a common subterfuge of the time, though its effectiveness must have been reduced by the frequency of the repetition of the same advertisements.]

Dr J.I. Sangster Jnr takes his degrees in England. He was born in Victoria in 1872 and came to Burra with his father in 1879. He attended Mr Whyte’s school in Thames St and then Hahndorf College and St Peter’s College. He graduated from Adelaide University in medicine and surgery since when he has been locum tenens for various doctors. Last March went to England to take his degrees next October. After arriving he got into medical science and decided he could sit in July last and he has succeeded in taking the double degree of MRCS Eng. and LRCP Lond. Which has rarely been done under similar circumstances. He will probably stay away a further two years gaining valuable experience. He is a good player of cricket, tennis, golf and lacrosse.

[Member of Royal College of Surgeons & Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.]

Advt. The Ministering Children’s League Cake & Apron Fair will be held at St Mary’s Schoolroom on 1 September. 6d. Proceeds to Local Charities.

Defence Rifle Club. A meeting will be held at the Institute 8 p.m. on Tuesday next to consider forming a Defence Rifle Club. A large attendance is urgently required.

XV, 282 (2), 1 Sep. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in February 1894.]

Burra Burra Mines. Preparations are being made to fork [pump dry] the well near the old pound. Boring has not yet commenced.

Obituary. David Buzza, a resident of Burra for many years in the early days, has died in Moonta aged 65. He was a member of the Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF for over 36 years, having joined on 10 April 1861. In Moonta he was a sometime member of the Town Council and a prominent member of the Wesleyan Church. [As registered he died 27 August aged 64.]

Weather in the last week has been most boisterous, especially on Friday and Saturday with damage to outbuildings and minor flooding caused by a sudden storm that struck between 5 and 6 p.m. on Sunday. This month 3.5” of rain have been recorded.

Miss Julia Farr of Adelaide is on a visit to Burra and addressed St Mary’s Sunday school last Sunday on the Church of England Mission to Melinesians [sic]. She addressed a group of ladies at Mrs E.F. Lockyer’s on Monday afternoon and another assemblage in the schoolroom on Tuesday. She is the daughter of Rev. Farr, lately Rector of St Luke’s, Adelaide, and has been a missionary some 21⁄2 years.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis, after a long period of smaller markets, will offer 10,700 sheep on 3 September. The 1,000 store cattle due to be sold by Elder Smith on 3 September will now be offered at Crystal Brook on 10 September.

Booborowie Estate. Under the will of the late W.J. Browne, half of Booborowie Estate and half of the stock were offered at auction last week. The area offered was 33,485 acres and 37,784 sheep. Bidding reached only £60,000, but the property later was sold for £96,330 cash to Messrs Henry Dutton of Anlaby and John Melrose of Ulooloo. The sale included half the stud sheep.

Redruth Gaol/Reformatory. Conversion work is going on well. First, second and third class rooms are being prepared for the various ‘grades’.

The Bible Christian Anniversary had a lower attendance last Sunday due to poor weather. The tea meeting is today.

Court.

Ada Edwards was fined 5/- for not sending her daughter to school. She said she had to keep the girl home to mind the baby while she went out to earn a living for the remainder of the family.

T.H. Woollacott was fined 10/- for allowing his two cows to browse on the watertables in Redruth streets.

Thomas Richards’s cow cost its owner 7/6 for similar activity.

Frederick Gebhardt had to pay 5/- + 5/- costs for failing to chain the wheel of his cart.

Inspector Gray charged Charles Parks with selling a 2 lb loaf that was 11⁄2 oz light. Mr Winnall, for Parks, tried to show that:

The wind may have affected the scales.

When the loaf was broken apart the ‘robbing’ may have accounted for the difference in weight. [i.e. more may have gone with the other half of the loaf.]

The defendant said he had weighed the other bread at the shop and found none underweight and that they always allowed 4 oz over when weighing the dough. As only one loaf was weighed and found wanting the second of the arguments above saw the case dismissed.

Frederick Gebhardt was similarly charged with selling a loaf 3⁄4 oz light, but with only one loaf weighed this was also dismissed.

G.H. Nobes similarly charged with selling a loaf 21⁄4 oz light also had it dismissed.

W. Ullmann however, pleaded guilty and was fined 1/- with 10/- costs.

G. Nobes was also charged with not carrying scales and weights, as were R.L. Goldsworthy and F. Gebhardt and all were fined.

Agnes Gully and Charlotte Goldsworthy were charged with being neglected children. Charlotte was sent to the Reformatory School for two years and Agnes’s case was adjourned when a friend agreed to take her in charge for the future.

Rainfall figures for the years from 1888 are printed.

XV, 283 (2), 8 Sep. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in February 1894.]

Rain. Excellent falls of rain were recorded in August in the Eastern Country. World’s End had over 81⁄2”.

Mr Duldig plans to resume work at the World’s End Creamery on 13 September and will surely produce good quality butter. As much as 450 gallons of milk have been treated in a single day.

Elder, Smith & Co. sold Outalpa Station on the Broken Hill railway line, comprising about 992 square miles of well improved pastoral country, for £19,353. It is a 21 year lease from 1 January 1889.

The Bible Christian dinner last Wednesday was not so well attended as on former occasions.

The Burra Rifle Club was formed in spite of the boisterous weather on 31 August. J.J. Blott was elected President with A. Hiddle as Secretary and J.A. Pearce as Treasurer. There is no doubt that enough names will be gathered to sustain the club.

The Government has intimated it cannot sanction the formation of further rifle clubs in the country as it is unable to supply rifles: its limited stock being needed for the active forces in case of accident.

The Ministering Children’s League Bazaar was held last Wednesday, opened by Dr Sangster. Not too many adults were present, but children turned out in force. £11 was raised.

Wesleyan Diamond Jubilee Fair at the Institute was opened by the Mayor at about 11 a.m. Numbers grew from fair to well patronised as the day wore on. £52-9-11 was taken.

[Mrs H.S. Dunn and Miss Fuss ran the flower stall. Was this Muriel Fuss: she would have been only 15?]

Wool: the first load for the season arrived in Burra on Monday from Koomooloo.

M-C Jemison, lately stationed at Kooringa, has received a letter from a lawyer demanding £200 damages for falsely imprisoning Charlotte Goldsworthy.

Burra Burra Mine. Operations at the old well in the old pound yards south of the Burra Hospital continued last week, but the inflow of water was so great operations have had to be suspended. Several discoveries of high-grade carbonate ore have been made on the mine property. Boring operations should begin soon.

Rain washed out the proposed Clare v. Burra tennis match at Burra on Wednesday.

XV, 283 (3), 15 Sep. 1897, page 3 [Third use of No. 283]

Advt. Kapunda Show 29 September.

Advt. Grand Entertainment at Wesleyan Lecture Hall, Kooringa, 24 September. John Roach of Adelaide, Mr Beaumont Read, tenor of Adelaide and others along with local talent. 1/-, double ticket 1/6. In aid of the Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Funds.

Obituary. Sarah Ann Gray died on 9 September at Redruth, aged 69. She was the wife of the Town Inspector, John Robinson Gray and a resident of 40 years. Mrs Gray was born in England in 1828 and came to SA in 1848 – a colonist of 47 years. [This doesn’t seem to add up.] She was an invalid for the last 7 years. She is survived by a husband, a son, Mr A.D. Gray of Orroroo, and a daughter, Mrs W.J. Woollacott of Redruth and 8 grandchildren. [Born Sarah Ann Lenton in England.]

At Hospital Sunday next Sunday at St Mary’s the Ven. Archdeacon French of Petersburg will preach. Members of the Corporation and other bodies will be present and proceeds will aid the Samaritan Fund.

Gum Creek residents have petitioned for a school.

A Bolt. On Saturday Ted Wall’s mail buggy horses bolted down Flagstaff Hill, but were halted with some little trouble. They broke out again at the north end of the town, smashing the buggy and leaving Ted on the ground.

XV, 283 (4), 22 Sep. 1897, page 3 [Fourth use of No. 283]

Burra Burra Mine. Applications for the position of engineer will be received by Mr West in a day or two and when one is selected the work will proceed.

Hospital Sunday raised £3-12-0.

Attempted Theft. On Monday night between 8 and 9 p.m. someone attempted to break into Luke Day’s premises, but was scared off by the arrival of the boy at the store. Luke was off looking at Blondin’s feat in walking the tight wire behind the Commercial Hotel.

Burra Rifle Club will submit names to the Government shortly. It is a national calamity not to be able to procure enough rifles to meet the requirements. The old rifles are unfit. Practices in the meantime will use all kinds of weapons.

XV, 285, 29 Sep. 1897, page 2 [No. 284 not used.]

Advt. St Mary’s Sunday School Picnic will be at Princess Royal on 6 October.

XV, 285 (2), 29 Sep. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in February 1894.]

Rain on Saturday was splendid and much needed.

The Wesleyan Hall Grand Concert on Friday evening was very successful. Mr J. Roach defrayed the expenses of the city visitors and organised the concert, but was unable to be present himself. Magic lantern views took up the second part.

AO Foresters second Harmony Evening took place on Friday. PCR Secretary Shortridge read The Charge of the Light Brigade.

Burra Burra Mine. Mr P. Leahy has been appointed foreman of the boring operations which should commence shortly.

XV, 286 (2), 6 Oct. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in March 1894.]

Obituary. Rose Pickering died at the Burra Hospital on 1 October. She was the youngest sister of J. & F. Pickering and of Mrs G. Dolman of Broken Hill. Aged 34, she was born in Burra and spent most of her life here, but for a time at Broken Hill, where she worked in a drapery establishment. She leaves two brothers, Messrs James and Frank Pickering and one sister. [The only Pickering born in Burra in 1863 was registered Lilley Pickering, born 29 August as the daughter of Joseph Pickering. Joseph Pickering was also the father of Mrs G. Dolman.]

Cricket. Last season St Mary’s Parish Cricket Club played 5 games and lost none. Best batting was J.E.H. Winnall with an av. Of 68.5 and best bowler was M. Gurry who took 7 wickets for 28 for an av. of 4. But G. Herbert took 21 for 101 to av. 4.81.

Advt. St Mary’s Strawberry Fete and Sale of Useful and Fancy Goods at the Burra Institute 26 November, in aid of the Building Fund.

XV, 287 (3), 13 Oct. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number used twice in this volume in March 1894.]

Mrs Lalor of the Kooringa Hotel is reported to have handed the business over to Mrs C. Webb, who takes charge on Thursday.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Jubilee Services will be held next Sunday and Monday. Rev. Joseph Berry, President of the Conference, will preach morning and evening and Mr F.W. Holder in the afternoon.

There will be a Love Feast on Monday Afternoon at 3 p.m.

Rev. Thomas Lloyd will preside and a tea and public meeting will follow.

Burra Burra Mine. The boring machinery and newly appointed engineer will arrive in Burra tomorrow and work will proceed at once. The secretary expects boring to be underway during the next fortnight.

St Mary’s Sunday School picnic at Princess Royal last Wednesday was a great success.

Wild Dogs are becoming a great pest within a few miles of the town and sheep owners are complaining of losses. At Robertstown area a short time ago Mr Mosey lost 40 sheep in one night. Wild dogs are also a problem at Koomooloo.

XV, 287 (3), 13 Oct. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number used twice in this volume in March 1894.]

John McDonald was charged on 5 October with being a pauper lunatic. Dr Brummitt certified him as being of unsound mind and he was ordered to the Parkside Lunatic Asylum.

Cricket. A meeting of the Burra Cricket Club was held at Mr Pascoe’s rooms on Friday evening to make the usual arrangements for the season.

Elected: President: W. Bennett (re-elected)

Captain Mr Drew

Vice-Captain J. Herbert

Secretary F. Pearce

Court.

Thomas Philip Halls was charged on the information of Charles Grow with assaulting the latter and beating him on 4 October. He pleaded guilty under provocation. Grow had overheard him offer to take some shearers to Hillside for 2/- each and undercut him by 6d a head. Fined 5/- + costs to a total of £2-3-0.

XV, 288, 20 Oct. 1897, page 2

Redruth Reformatory modifications to the old gaol were completed last Thursday and it is now quite a respectable reformatory.

XV, 288, 20 Oct. 1897, page 3

SAMA has approached the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject of determining if the old mine can be made to pay again and found him willing to lend a diamond drill free of charge for two years on condition that proper tests are made with it. Last Saturday the Government Geologist, H.L.Y. Brown, visited the mine, selected the sites for the bores and approved them. The first bore will commence in about two weeks. It is in new ground east of Peacock’s Air Shaft. Mr Leahy is engaged in erecting the derrick. Nearly all the plant has arrived with the boiler expected shortly.

Rain is again badly needed.

Mr John Pearce, who had just finished work at the Reformatory, had his dray in the yard loading galvanized iron when the horse took off, but unable to escape it ran against a strong gate, but was fortunately not much hurt.

Burra Hospital: Matron, Miss Wincey, has returned after her two months leave of absence.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Jubilee was very well attended with old friends coming from far and wide to celebrate the church’s 50th birthday. Only two residents now living in Burra attended to opening service: Mrs Sleep and Cr John Sampson. An appeal to give for the extinction of the church debt raised £90.

Dr Brummitt has been appointed a delegate to the Wesleyan Conference in New Zealand and is now making arrangements for his absence from Burra.

XV, 289 (2), 27 Oct. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in March 1894.]

The Salvation Army Meeting on Friday evening was disturbed by two drunken visitors and although the police were sent for, it has been decided not to prosecute.

Burra School Board of Advice. Miss O’Grady has been appointed to the Thistlebeds School. A petition from parents asking that the Leighton School open at 9.30 instead of 9 a.m. was granted.

The Record, having been in existence for 17 years without its own premises, is about to acquire a well-appointed printing office. The old shop known as Geake’s has been demolished and premises for the paper will be built there.

Juvenile Foresters gave a concert in St Mary’s Schoolroom on Monday which was meagrely attended. Their picnic is today at Springbank.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis will offer 13,250 sheep for sale on 5 November along with 180 cattle and 80 horses.

Burra Town Council is making enquiries re insuring the engine shed and firewood at the Waterworks.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held Anniversary services last Sunday. There will be no tea meeting this year.

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary will be held on 31 October with the tea meeting on 3 November.

Advt. At the Institute tonight: The greatest Living Conjuror, Carl Hertz.

Marvellous Mystery, Music, Magic and Mirth.

Also the Cinematographe (The original and only genuine cinematographe in the colonies and the only perfect projection of Animated Photographs ever presented here.)

20 Great Star Subjects nightly, including the Prince of Wales’ Derby. 3/-, 2/-, & 1/-.

XV, 290 (2), 3 Nov. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Dr Brummitt, the Mayor, left on Monday for the Wesleyan Conference in New Zealand and will be absent about five weeks. F.W. Holder was selected for the last such conference about 14 years ago.

The Carl Hertz Show on Wednesday was packed. He has no living equal. The card tricks were cleverly done and his other tricks etc. were excellent, but the cinematographe was the worst ever seen here. The images on the screen could hardly been discerned.

Junior Foresters Picnic at Springbank on Wednesday was a great success on Mr John Bagg’s property. The lads marched from the Court Room through Commercial St to J. Lewis’s schoolroom and then Bro. W.H. March drove them to the picnic in a large coach. Cricket, running, and jumping were followed by an inspection of sheep shearing. Photos were taken by W.J. Davey. Results of the sports are printed.

Burra Town Council: Notice of retiring officers.

Mayor: Robert Brummitt

North Ward: E.F. Lockyer

East Ward: John Sampson

West Ward: J.E.H. Winnall

Auditor: John Cave

John Sampson is Acting Mayor in the absence of Dr Brummitt and has agreed to stand for Mayor for 1898.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary Services were an unqualified success last Saturday. The afternoon service of song was Reaping Time and was rendered by the scholars. The tea meeting is today and the picnic on 15 November.

Accident. On Monday morning Mr Duncan Blair, accompanied by his wife, drove into Burra on business and on the way home in the evening the horse collided with a fence about a mile from the Bon Accord Hotel. The cart capsized and Mrs Blair received a nasty head injury. Cpl Noble had her conveyed to the hotel, but Dr Sangster then had her removed to the Burra Hospital. Blair himself received a severe gash over the left eye and severe bruising. It is a coincidence that only a few months ago he had both legs broken in an accident at almost the same spot.

XV, 291 (2), 10 Nov. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Burra Burra Mine. The boring process is due to start in a few days.

Burra Record calls tenders for an additional room at the new offices.

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis sold 14,876 sheep, 116 rams, 212 cattle and 70 horses at last Friday’s sale.

Cr Dunn has resigned and the fine has been waived.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. will hold a vocal and instrumental entertainment at the Institute next Wednesday. 1/- & 1/6 for reserved seats.

XV, 291 (2), 10 Nov. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Guy Fawkes Day last Friday was enthusiastically celebrated. Many carted guys around seeking money for fireworks in the time leading up to it. All old rags, bones etc. were collected for the fires. We cannot remember a previous year when the young entered into it with such zest and for two or three hours the town was abuzz. No serious accidents were reported, though there was some throwing of crackers at shop doors leaving smouldering remains that had potential to do damage.

The Mayor’s Annual Report.

The Mayor completed his third consecutive year of service and announced that he would not run again. [He had also served for the year 1883-84.]

23 ordinary and 4 special meetings had been held.

Crs were Dunn, Lockyer, Pederson, Sampson, West & Winnall.

The average attendance at meetings was lower this year than in any recent one – perhaps reflecting the generally unexciting nature of business.

The year began with a credit balance of £14-17-6 and now there is one of £23-2-0 compared with £42-2-8 at the same time last year. This will have been expended by 31 December and East Ward will be in deficit. The rates amounted to £366-14-10, about £36 less than last year, and the Government subsidy was £105-17-9.

Public works took up £190-10-0, an increase of £20-12-0 and £210 went for bond redemption and interest. This marks the end of the town’s bonded debt which had existed since 1879 and at one time amounted to £2,700 and on which interest over the years had amounted to £709. This has allowed the reduction in the town rate to 11d and a further reduction will be possible in the New Year. The rateable value of the town for 1898 is £8,645, down £14-9-0. A breakdown of expenditure by Wards follows.

He Town Clerk was paid £45-16-8 and the Inspector £33-6-8.

The lamp in Aberdeen cost £5-16-3.

The lamp in West Ward cost £4-17-6 as did the one in East Ward.

The Parklands began in debit £39-1-6 and ended in debit £13-19-3 and this should soon be extinguished. In future the Parklands Rate may be abolished if income from Parklands and Victoria Park cover costs.

The Cemetery account is £21-5-6 in credit.

The Waterworks has been carried on satisfactorily under the charge of Mr Lapidge. The fire on 15 May destroyed a quantity of firewood and the fence. Outlay for the year was £659-10-3, up c. £35. The Waterworks pose an important question for the incoming council as in 1898 the current lease expires. Shall it be renewed either with or without modification? Should the council buy it outright and so arrange that a payment similar to the present interest payments would eventually liquidate the liability? The Government rent on the works is £403-17-8. [Interest on the capital account.]

The Engineer received £107-10-0.

The Main Roads Grant was £268, up £26 and all but £3-2-8 has been spent.

Local Board of Health.

Sanitary conditions and health of the town are fairly satisfactory. There were a few typhoid cases in summer, but very few of those in the Burra Hospital originated locally. New arrangements have been made for keeping the watertables clean which has improved the general cleanliness of streets. The main expense here is for the scavenger who got £70 of the £100 collected in rates.

The year’s small overdraft should be handled with ease next year in the absence of any bonded debt to be repaid.

The mayor gave special thanks for the work of W. Davey as Town Clerk.

Cricket. A combined Burra team will play Mongolata at Douglas today.

Court.

Last Friday a trio of men who had drunk too much were involved in assaulting M-C Jemison and Cpl Noble at the Burra Hotel Sale Yards and on 7 November John Haydon (30) got 6 weeks, Samuel Harrison (27) got 1 month and John Dalton (29) received 2 months. Haydon got an extra 2 weeks for indecent language. The men only arrived in the town on Friday.

XV, 292 (2), 17 Nov. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

The Holiday Monday this week saw many parties go to Princess Royal or the Lagoon for picnics. The Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School went to Sod Hut for their picnic.

XV, 292 (2), 17 Nov. 1897, page 2-3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Railways. A deputation from Petersburg has waited on the Hon. E. Ward and other members of Parliament seeking the removal of the break of gauge to Petersburg from Terowie. A meeting in Terowie has strongly opposed the move. There is little likelihood the proposal will be approved.

XV, 292 (2), 17 Nov. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Burra Hospital has received three parcels of ‘Anti-venemous Serum’ [sic] from the Pasteur Institute by way of the Central Board of Health – for the treatment of snake bite.

Cricket. At Douglas last Wednesday Mongolata 51 defeated Burra Juniors 28.

After the contest was over our boys secured an overwhelming victory at the Primitive Methodist tea struggle.

On the Prince of Wales’ Birthday holiday on Monday St Mary’s Cricket Club went to Riverton.

Riverton 97 & 4 for 152 declared.

St Mary’s 50 & 8 for 110. The game was declared a draw.

[More commonly such games were decided on the first innings.]

XV, 293 (2), 24 Nov. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Grasshoppers are common in Burra and to the east.

XV, 293 (2), 24 Nov. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in April 1894.]

Collecting for the Guy. One canny lad who collected money with a Guy has instead invested in a new pair of trousers and a vest with the received donations.

W.H. Richards, an old Burraite has suffered a fall from his horse at Ulooloo and is recovering in the Burra Hospital.

A Bolt. Mr P. Nankivell was returning home to Baldina from Burra on Monday evening when the swingle-tree became detached and one of the horses took fright. The buggy ran into a fence and was much damaged. The occupants were thrown out. Miss Nankivell receiving a nasty cut or two, but her brother was uninjured.

Weather. Last Friday was hot, windy and very dusty ending with a thunderstorm. At Hanson Mr J. Peake Jun. lost £60 worth of hay. There was no serious damage in Burra, though some shed roofs went.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. The concert on Wednesday evening was very interesting. The society has, since its inception, raised £86-9-6, £37-4-0 coming from the Jubilee Celebration Committee. 22 families have received assistance. 23 widows have also been helped, 10 widowers and 3 single persons. The concert concluded with the farce Keep Your Temper, which sent all home in a merry mood. Mr C.H. Hague was particularly good in this, but all were commendable.

Annual Ratepayers’ Meeting, last Friday at the Institute.

At 8 p.m. only three ratepayers and four Councillors had turned up, but others gradually trickled in and the meeting opened.

John Snell took the chair. The Mayor’s report was taken as read as it had been published in the Record.

Cr Winnall who is retiring from the West Ward said that the retirement of the bonded debt meant that the incoming Councillors should not be concerned about a small deficit. The rates had been reduced to 1d for the Parklands, 11d General and 31⁄2d for Health. If income from the Parklands was placed in the Parklands account then the Parkland Rate could be abolished. The change to the scavenging arrangements to see the watertables cleaned regularly improved the health and appearance of the town. Waterworks would be the big issue for 1898. He would stand for re-election.

Cr Lockyer said Cr Winnall had said most of what he had wanted to raise and he agreed that the Parklands should pay for themselves. And that the Waterworks would be a major question for 1898.

Cr Sampson said the Council had worked amicably and had accomplished much in 1897 – more than in the previous 8 years. He was a member when the bonded debt had been incurred and was glad to have been there when it was paid off. It was 17 years since he was first elected. A number of old wooden footbridges had been replaced by culverts. The dayman and curator were on halftime, with the curator doing much of his work away from of the cemetery to lessen expenses. He disagreed with the lowering of the rate for this year as the old rate would have removed the present deficit. He had never agreed with the need for the Waterworks and believed it to be a white elephant.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor was passed.

Mr Snell asked if there was a possibility of employing 2 daymen and was told 1 was enough.

Intending candidates were invited to speak and Messrs Crewes and McLaren responded.

Cr Sampson said after 17 years apprenticeship he would stand for Mayor. He would maintain good discipline on Council and knew every standing order. He would act conscientiously and had the time at his disposal for the job. It would never do to allow the Government to take over the Waterworks as rates would then double. The Council was paying 5% interest on the £8,000 capital value of the works and he thought that was extortionate and 4% would be fairer – no other town in the colony was paying such a high rate of interest. Moreover the age of the works meant that considerable maintenance and repairs would soon arise. The 1898 rate would remain the same, but after that the General Rate could probably be reduced to 8d in the £ and the Parklands to 1⁄2d, but the Health Rate would have to rise from 31⁄2d to 4d to maintain the high level of service. The current small deficit was not a problem. He felt the present dayman was fine in the past, but was now getting too old and his eyesight was very poor and this would have to be considered by the new Council. He (Sampson) had arrived in Burra on 2 September 1847 and been there ever since and if long residence carried any rights he was head and shoulders above anyone else for Mayor.

Cr Lockyer also said he would stand for Mayor. Though not so old a resident as Cr Sampson, he had lived there a good many years, was comparatively young and was the town’s senior magistrate and felt well able to satisfy the role.

Cr Winnall would stand for West Ward. He said that he had devoted his time to finance. The present Council was too unanimous which resulted in too little discussion of issues. Some better debate would result in better work being done. He was born in the town and was proud of it and hoped to see many improvements yet. He felt the Council should purchase the Waterworks – of course at a greatly reduced rate. [Presumably he meant a reduced capital value?] Money could be borrowed from the State Bank at 4%and the Waterworks would eventually become Council property. If a new lease were taken out the Council would still have to find all repairs and money would continually be spent.

Mr McLaren would contest East Ward, replacing Cr Sampson. He had resided in Burra for 20 years. He thought the Waterworks should probably be bought or the interest rate cut to 4%. He didn’t want to cut rates too fine as emergencies always occurred. He was for trees and kerbing and wanted to see the inlets and outlets of the town planted.

Mr Crewes was to stand for North Ward, but little is reported about his policies.

Questions showed that the tank on the hill was too small and when filled in the evening was empty by morning. Mr Davis asked that the Council move to prevent the spread of the several ‘irrigation colonies’ now being worked in the town.

The crowd, by now of about 50, dispersed after a vote of thanks to the chair.

Hallett Sports of 15 November have their results printed.

Burra Burra Mines. Boring began on 15 November. The machinery was started by Mrs West, the wife of the secretary of SAMA. The bore is at present down about 80’. The first bore has been named Rymil’s Bore after the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Frank Rymil Esq.

XV, 294 (2), 1 Dec. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

Advt. Drew & Crewes announce they have started an oil-powered chaff mill at their bulk store in Aberdeen.

Municipal Elections. Nominations.

Mayor: E.F. Lockyer

J. Sampson

North Ward E.W. Crewes (elected unopposed)

C.A. Fuss (elected unopposed for the extraordinary vacancy)

West Ward J.E.H. Winnall (elected unopposed)

East Ward J. McLaren (elected unopposed)

Auditor J.D. Cave (elected unopposed)

The election for Mayor takes place today.

Insect Invasion. Myriads of small black insects arrived in town on Thursday evening. They congregated around lamps and fell into burners, sometimes resulting in broken glasses. In some places their numbers put out candles and in the morning they were swept from floors and windowsills.

Obituary. Mrs Harry, the wife of James Harry, died in North Adelaide on Wednesday last. Mr Harry traded in Burra for 10 years as Harry and Burns. [Caroline Harry died 17 November aged 49.]

Mr Furniss, after 13 years in Burra as the popular manager of the National Bank, has resigned and intends taking up his abode in Adelaide. He will be given a farewell social at St Mary’s schoolroom tomorrow night.

XV, 294 (2), 1 Dec. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

Redruth Reformatory. The girls should arrive in the next few days.

St Mary’s Strawberry Fete last Friday was a great success. The fancy stall was laden with useful and ornamental items and the refreshment stall was well patronised. Mrs A. McCulloch opened the fete at 12 o’clock. Proceeds amounted to over £80 which will pay off the schoolroom debt. The prize list for the baking contest is printed.

Rev. Hornsby-Spear of NSW will preach at St Mary’s next Sunday.

UNDATED EXTRA – probably also 1 Dec. 1897

A slip about A5 size.

Mr Drew’s coach-house burnt down on Tuesday afternoon. [30 November]

The fire at 5.15 p.m. utterly destroyed the building. Fortunately the trap was out at the time, but his valuable collie was burnt to death. Usually the key to the coach-house was left with his young son, but being in a hurry that morning he forgot to do so. The residence on Mt Pleasant meant that the flames could be seen from all over Kooringa. 100 willing helpers were soon on the scene and devoted themselves to saving the adjoining buildings which in spite of the effort caught fire, though this was eventually extinguished. The coach-house was a timber structure. The cause is not known, but it is thought probable that the maid put some ashes into a box close to the shed which then caught fire.

XV, 295 (2), 8 Dec. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

G. Bailey of Gum Creek claims a record for hay cutting in SA. Last week he cut 241⁄2 acres and tied it in 13 hours with his Deering binder. (Time allowed for oiling, putting in string and changing horses three times.) Last year a southern farmer claimed 23 acres in 131⁄2 hours.

XV, 295 (2), 8 Dec. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

Seed Wheat. The Treasurer has introduced a Bill to allow for further advances of seed wheat to distressed farmers in 1898.

Fire. On Wednesday fire broke out near George Harry’s residence at Mt Bryan and running before strong winds in high grass it took a firm hold. Mr Harry lost c. 50 acres and Mr Skewes c. 100 acres of grass and a division fence was burnt. Some sheep of Mr Skewes were also destroyed. Mr Harry’s standing wheat crop miraculously escaped. The origin of the fire is a mystery.

W.G. Hawkes, manager of Koonoona Estate will sail to England on Wednesday for a well-earned holiday. He has been manager for six years. He left England 20 years ago and expects to be away till the end of March 1898. He will be wished bon voyage at a social at Black Springs given by members of St Mary’s Church.

Mr Furniss’s Farewell Social on Thursday in St Mary’s schoolroom was attended by about 60-70 and featured social games, music, singing and ‘a plentiful supply of creature comforts’.

Apoinga District Council notes reveal some of the regulations concerning loans of seed wheat. No crops were to be removed or disposed of until loans for seed wheat are repaid and any hay already removed must be returned or paid for.

Municipal Election, 1 December.

Mayoralty:

North Ward East Ward West Ward Total

Lockyer 26 18 16 60

Sampson 31 40 29 100

57 58 45 160

The new councillors were sworn in 2 December.

Hospital Sunday at the Wesleyan Church was held last Sunday.

Mr Evans delivered an interesting lecture at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church on Monday night.

XV, 296 (2), 15 Dec. 1897, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies Demonstration on Boxing Day, 27 December at Victoria Park.

Buy W.J. Davey’s Views of Burra and send them to friends ‘at this time of the year’.

The Inspection of Schools in the district has so far found them to be satisfactory.

Kooringa, Clare & Melrose Breweries have amalgamated. The three businesses have been secured for c. £62,000 and the company will comprise 37,500 shares of £2 each.

John Christison of Clare is Managing Director and F.W. Jacka head brewer. The head office will be at Melrose. Freehold and leaseholds of hotels attached to the breweries also go to the new company along with the associated aerated waters and cordial factories.

Burra Burra Mines. The bore has gone to 200’, passing through some good stuff.

XV, 296 (2), 15 Dec. 1897, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in May 1894.]

Railways. Hon. E. Ward asked in the Legislative Council last week that a copy of the report of the Railway commissioners on the proposed extension of the broad gauge from Terowie to Petersburg be laid on the table.

W.G. Hawkes’s farewell social at Black Springs is reported. Mr Hawkes had commenced the Mission in Black Springs and had carried it on as a widely respected lay reader. The Mission Building in which they met had become church property due to his untiring efforts.

Burra District Council. All recipients of seed wheat are to hold over on the Council’s behalf 11⁄2 bushels of wheat for each bushel supplied until 1 March 1898 or until payment of Council accounts previous to that date.

Miss Lamrock of Booborowie School and her pupils organised a concert that raised £5-1-6 for the purchase of tools, materials etc. for practical work at the school. A ball followed the concert.

XV, 297 (4), 22 Dec. 1897, page 2 [4th use of a number first used in this volume in May/June 1894.]

Editorial. The phenomenally bad season last year was followed by a year of depression which we could only be thankful hasn’t been any worse. 1897 began promisingly with good opening rains which caused wheat heads to begin growing well, but failure of the follow-up rains in October and subsequent hot weather has resulted in heavy losses and in some cases not a grain will be reaped. We can at least be glad of the activities of the Benevolent Soc.

XV, 297 (4), 22 Dec. 1897, page 3 [4th use of a number first used in this volume in May/June 1894.]

Turkey Season is open and on Wednesday we hear a party bagged 25. The birds are numerous this year, but remember that permission to enter private property for this purpose is required.

Obituary. F. O’Neil, fourth son of Mr John O’Neil of Burra, having been ailing for some time, went to Sydney to improve his health, but died there last week aged 23.

Obituary. A young child of W.G. Hawkes fell into a tub of very hot bath water on Thursday evening and died from the results on Friday. Mrs Hawkes was in Adelaide farewelling her husband on his trip to England. [Eleanor Isabel Hawkes was born 4 October 1896 and died 17 December 1897.]

Weather. Wednesday was exceedingly hot and disagreeable. Numbers of geese, turkeys and fowls died from the heat and wild birds sought shelter in buildings. A fire started on the Adelaide road, but was checked by a side drain. The thermometer reached 110°F in the shade.

Cricket at Victoria Park last Wednesday: St Mary’s 102 defeated Mongolata 95.

Burra Town Council, 20 December.

The Mayor reported he had interviewed W. West Sen. with reference to the Council using the old Baptist Church in Thames St as a storeroom and he reported favourably, but advised writing to the Baptist Association as the property was officially granted them for religious services.

XV, 298, 29 Dec. 1897, Pages one and two missing & the microfilm claims the paper was not published on this date!

XV, 298, 29 Dec. 1897, page 3

Obituary. Mrs T. Parks Sen. died in Chapel St on Sunday: a very old and respected resident.

[Jane Parks died 26 December 1897 aged 71. She was born Jane Lawn in Cornwall. See much more detail XV, 299, 5 Jan. 1898, page 2]

Court.

R.J.M. McBride was charged with not destroying rabbits. Recently he had a similar charge dismissed, but this time it cost him £6-4-0.

The Salvation Army Boxing Day Public Dinner passed off nicely.

Cricket. On Christmas Day at Victoria Park Burra Juniors defeated Petersburg Juniors.

Xmas Eve was busy in town and good business was done till a late hour. The crowd was larger than 1896 indicating an improvement in the times.

Burra United Friendly Societies Demonstration on Monday passed off very satisfactorily despite the very hot weather. There was a procession of the Friendly Societies to the grounds. Results of the sports are printed.

A.J. Bagg won the 1, 2, 3, & 5 mile bicycle handicap races.

Characteristics of the 1897 paper.

By 1897 the paper was getting easier to read in that the type was larger and sometimes small headlines were employed, but in general it was a poorer quality product.

Pages 1 & 4 were full of standard advertisements for the whole year, virtually unchanged. Even errors persisted for many months. The 6 January paper, perpetuating an error that began on 2 September 1896, urged in large type that births, marriages and death notices could be had for:

‘one shilling each if not exceeding thee lines, over thee lines 2/6’.

The second ‘thee’ was eventually corrected on 8 September 1897, but the first persisted till 2 March 1898!

Page 2 was mostly advertisements with very little variation in the first 4 columns. The notices of stock sales, church notices and other classified advertisements did vary slightly, of course, but not in format and anything like news was rarely reached before columns 6 or 7 and sometimes not till page 3.

Editorials disappeared except on rare occasions, such as Christmas.

The paper had ceased to insert overseas items except for some humorous paragraphs and not many items from other colonies got in either except by the same criterion, allowing that Broken Hill was regarded as almost local.

Current Topics purported to cover local events and SA items, though with less detail than earlier years and little editorial bite.

Something for Everyone drew paragraphs from everywhere, but most were light weight humorous pieces.

Half of page 3 was taken up with repeated advertising material posing as stories, but really selling Mother Seigel’s Syrup, or Clement’s Tonic, Eucalypti Extract (Sander & Sons Eucfetus Extract), and Dr Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People.

Town Council activity was apparently uncontroversial in 1897, but meetings were barely reported. Tenders are noted and the state of accounts are reported, but little else.

Sporting reports are scanty and seemingly inconsistently reported.

Sparks which originally gave cryptic remarks on local events degenerated into a few local references interspersed with jokes from some printed source, some of them being recycled as the year progressed.

Page 4 continued to be dominated by large advertisements; many not local.

All in all the paper ceases to be a record of town life in the sense that it had been at least up to the mid 1890s and even more so in earlier years.

There is little follow through with items.

Minor matters before the courts are dealt with in a mocking humour – especially those involving excessive alcohol.

Spelling and grammatical mistakes, while not rife, are not infrequent. The non-agreement of subject and verb being, perhaps, the most striking of the latter.

For much of the year some fiction in the form of a serial story was included on page 3, but not continually. Items of original poetry were fairly common.

Letters to the editor were uncommon.

A strange form of advertising is the long columns of small print which masquerade as either news or short stories of one sort or another, and which are repeated unchanged for weeks. Surely no one ever read them, at least after their first appearance, but they sought to sell such things as Mother Seigel’s Syrup or Dr Williams’ Pink Pills.

Serials in 1897.

Three serials were printed in the year:

That Bushranger by ‘Louie’ author of Which was Mad? and A Little Pickle etc. ran from 3 March to 10 March.

The Bamptons & Their Friends ran from 21 April to 12 May.

The Fool’s Penny by ‘Wirrilda’ ran from 15 December to 22 December.

Numbering of issues in 1897

Volume XV continued from its start on 7 December 1892 and ran for the whole of 1897.

The series began with Volume XV Number 257 on 6 January 1897

and continued to

Volume XV Number 298 on 29 December 1897.

Numbering was more coherent than for the previous couple of years, but still had a number of irregularities. Since this series of numbers repeats from 1893, in this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 29 December 1897 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

257 (2) [1, 1893]

258 (2) [1, 1893]

259 (3) [2, 1893]

260 (1)

261 (2) [1, 1893]

262 (2) [1, 1893]

263 (3) [1, 1893]

264 (3) [1, 1893]

265 (2) [1, 1893]

266 (2) [1, 1893]

267 (4) [1, 1893]

268 (2) [1, 1893]

269 (2) [1, 1893]

270 (3) [1, 1893]

271 (3) [1, 1893]

272 (3) [2, 1893]

273 (2)

274 (3) [1, 1893]

275 (2) [1, 1893]

276 (2) [1, 1893]

277 (3) [1, 1894]

279 (2) [1, 1894]

280 (3) [1, 1894]

281 (2) [1, 1894]

282 (2) [1, 1894]

283 (4) [1, 1894]

285 (2) [1, 1894]

286 (2) [1, 1894]

287 (3) [2, 1894]

288 (1)

289 (2) [1, 1894]

290 (2) [1, 1894]

291 (2) [1, 1894]

292 (2) [1, 1894]

293 (2) [1, 1894]

294 (2) [1, 1894]

295 (2) [1, 1894]

296 (2) [1, 1894]

297 (4) [3, 1894]

298 (1)

Note: numbers 278 & 284 were not used in this sequence.

Numbers 260, 273, 288 & 298 had not been used in the 1893-94 sequence.

XV, 299 (2), 5 Jan. 1898 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Advertisements, Page 1

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Ltd Auctioneers

Sandland & Co. Auctioneers

Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd Auctioneers

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

John Pearce Timber Merchant, Kooringa

Carpenter & Builder, Chapel St

A. Bartholomæus Agent for SA Fire Insurance Co., Redruth

Thomas Harris Coachbuilder, Wheelwright, Shoeing & General Smith, Commercial St

[Wilkinson’s] Kooringa Dispensary, Books, Cards, Aerated Drinks, Spectacles

W. Lasscock Agent for United Insurance Co. Ltd, Commercial St

Advertisements, Page 2

A.C. Noyes Teacher of Music, Kooringa, visits Redruth & Aberdeen Mondays & Thursdays

O. Bartholomæus Carpenter & Builder, Redruth

P. Pendlebury Solicitor of Terowie, Burra Courts attended if retained

H. Nankervis Burra Hotel (Late of Globe Hotel, Moonta)

John Pearce Carpenter & Builder, Chapel St

R. Cook Fruiterer, Aberdeen

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith, Galvanised Iron Worker, Bicycle Repairs, Commercial St

Eskell & Tattersall Dentistry at the Commercial Hotel every month

Luke Day Groceries, Fruit & Vegetables

Fresh Fruit three times a week

L.L. Wicklein Watchmaker & Jeweller, Commercial St

[Until 19 October he was described as a ‘WATCAMAKER’: an error that began with the issue of 6 October 1897!]

T.T. Shortridge General Press and Commission Agent, Commercial St

Drew & Crewes Oil-Power Chaff Mill, Kooringa

W.J. Davey Photographer, Record Office

Mrs Noble Typewriting Teacher

Advertisements, Page 4

W. Bruse Cabinetmaker, Undertaker, Upholsterer, Queen St

XV, 299 (2), 5 Jan. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Obituary. Jane Parks, wife of Thomas Parks died 26 December 1897, aged 72, leaving a husband, three sons, five daughters, 40 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She had been a resident for 47 years. She was born in Maidstone, Kent. Kent papers please copy.

Jane Parks was born at Gwnipe, Cornwall and arrived in SA with her parents in March 1847 in the Phœbe. She was married the same year and came to Burra with her husband in November 1850. They celebrated their Golden Wedding on 11 October 1897. There are three sons: Thomas, George and Charles. The five daughters are: Mrs Dyer of Orroroo, Mrs Goldsworthy of Burra, Mrs Ware of Adelaide, Mrs Pascoe of Burra and Mrs Bennett of Burra. Sisters are Mrs H. Jones of Victoria and Mrs James Sampson of Moonta. Mr Harry Lawn of Baldina and James Lawn of Moonta are brothers. Mr Parks was 70 on the day of his wife’s death.

Obituary. Peter Gilbert, aged 60 of Black Springs, was found drowned in a well there on 30 December 1897.

Horse Breaking. It is time the police stepped in and put a stop to cruel horse breaking practices. Last Thursday in the Burra Hotel yards Fradd and others broke in a horse in the most cruel way. A week ago the same person was given two horses to break and beat one until it could not carry him. Next morning the hind legs and quarters of the beast were so swollen it could not be ridden for some time.

XV, 299 (2), 5 Jan. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Burra United Friendly Societies Sports are reported in detail from Boxing Day at Victoria Park.

Burra High School. 17 December saw the end of year for the school and the prize giving. Rev. A.G. King distributed the prizes. The severe financial stresses of the times saw a smaller number of students this year and Mrs McLagan has been absent due to continuing bad health. The loss of Mrs Winnall’s services [Formerly Miss Sprod] was also a severe blow after six years. For family reasons early in the year the school moved from Bleak House to premises opposite the park which the Council has in part allowed to be used as a playground.

Ivy May Topperwein’s unbroken attendance record in the 3rd class is splendid.

Annie Goldsworthy gets the special prize for music from Mrs Winnall.

Mrs Needham’s prize for callisthenics goes to her daughter.

Mrs Robinson’s special prize for French and music goes to May Topperwein.

Miss Millar’s mapping prize was awarded by Mr Winnall to Vera Wilkinson.

[Though not so named the dux of the school would seem to have been May Sangster with 1st in scripture, reading, English, and music and 2nd in French and getting the school vote for Class VI.]

In Class V Ida Brummitt topped the exams and Vera Wilkinson was first in class marks.

Booborowie Sports on Christmas Day in hot weather were nevertheless very successful.

The New Year passed quietly except for some removal of bridges in George St where the lads had to form a brigade the next day to effect repairs.

The Wesleyan Annual Picnic at Sod Hut on New Year’s Day was a merry affair.

Cricket. Burra went to Saddleworth and were defeated.

Letter to the Editor complains of the carol singing racket on Christmas Eve, followed by a group with instruments. ‘My husband suggested shooting them’. The police should arrest these brawling revellers.

Burra Burra Mines has been at a standstill over the holidays, but will resume boring operations shortly.

XV, 300 (2), 12 Jan. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Notice. Applications invited by Burra Corporation for the position of Dayman and Curator of the Cemetery, combined, at 6/6 a day.

Advt. Mr James Ah Hong Wah, Chinese Herbalist, Consultations free at the Kooringa Hotel, 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. daily. Private Residence, Thames St, Kooringa, opposite the Primitive Methodist Church.

Mr W. Bennet, Headmaster of the Burra School for the last two years, has been transferred to Port Pirie, to be followed by Mr McAloney, from Laura.

Weather: on Saturday the thermometer read 110°F.

Concert in St Mary’s Schoolroom tonight. A Good Programme by ‘Black and White’ performers, to benefit the funds of St Mary’s Sunday School. 6d & 3d.

XV, 300 (2), 12 Jan. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Eskell & Tattersall enter into their third year of visiting the district as dentists.

Burra Record may experience difficulties in production in the next couple of weeks as we move into our new premises. We hope to effect the change without missing an issue as the move is only about eight yards from the old spot.

Burra District Council. Special meeting re seed wheat repayments. In four cases the advance was expected to be repaid by 1 February. The remainder to deliver to Council’s order the wheat reaped to be held as and for the ensuing season or otherwise disposed of to best advantage giving each party credit for the proceeds.

Burra Town Council.

A shed for the water cart is to be erected alongside the old Baptist Church and tools etc. are to be moved to the building.

[Apparently permission to use the building had been obtained.]

Goats straying within the town are to be destroyed.

Graves 2433 to 2540 are to be set aside for pauper funerals and are to be dug 10’ deep for three burials.

Burra Institute, Annual Report for 1897.

Library now of 2,762 volumes. Subscribers number 70 and arrears owed £9-2-0.

The premises are in fair condition, though the Council Chamber needs renovation.

Elder, Smith & Co. will offer Old Koomooloo for sale, 55 miles east of Burra, comprising Miscellaneous Lease No. 5515 of 30 square miles with 17 years to run and Pastoral Lease No. 273 Class II of 19 square miles with 161⁄2 years to run.

XV, 301 (2), 19 Jan. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

Advt. Wednesday 26 January, Martindale Jockey Club Races, on grounds lent by J. Hicky Esq. Near the Manoora Railway Station. Totalizator 5/-.

St Mary’s Jubilee will be celebrated Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday, 2, 3 & 6 February 1898. Wednesday Rev. P.R. Pyman Dodd, Sunday Rev. F.E. Perrin and Public Tea Meeting Thursday.

Burra High School will reopen on 1 February due to the extended period of heat. Frances MacLagan, Principal.

XV, 301 (2), 19 Jan. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in June 1894.]

St Mary’s Schoolroom was the site for a very pleasant concert last Wednesday evening.

Weather. It has been very hot and disagreeable for the last weeks, varying from 85°F to 109°F. Tuesday blew a gale with severe dust.

Burra Record is now in new premises. John Pearce had the contract for the roofs and the ceilings (in small fluted iron), floors etc. O. Bartholomæus had the erection of the front and the verandah. J. Launder built the large room for printing and the composing room. Jones & Bowen did the painting.

Burra Town Council.

Mr Tiver’s tender of £7-14-0 was accepted for the tending of the lamps [sic] at the north end of the town. [Presumably an error for ‘lamp’.]

Mr W. Geake’s tender of £13 for tending the two lamps at the south end was accepted.

W.J. Davey was given permission to erect a verandah at his premises in the town.

The rates for 1898 will be 10d General, 41⁄2d Health, 1⁄2d Park Lands.

R. Thomas won the position of dayman & curator in a ballot.

H. Rabbich visited Burra last week. With his brother Tom he is doing all right in the west. There are many old Burraites at Kalgoorlie.

XV, 302 (2), 26 Jan. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

St Mary’s Jubilee. The old church was originally built on Limestone Hill and opened in 1848, but this was demolished some years ago and a new one built on a suitable site between Kooringa and Aberdeen. Many old parishioners are expected to attend the celebrations. Rev. R. Bagshaw was about the first minister who conducted services in the old church and we understand the Rev. Pollitt was the first rector stationed here.

[According to St Mary’s Church Burra: The First 150 Years, by John Devenport (1997) Rev. Bagshaw was the first resident priest, arriving in 1847. A slab building was erected for a schoolroom and also served for services on Sunday. He was invited to Penwortham in 1850. Old St Mary’s was not built till Rev. James Pollitt’s time. He was appointed on 3 April 1850. Money was being collected for a church building and by 1849 over £700 had been raised. The SA Church Society donated £150. Old St Mary’s would seem to date from 1852.]

F.W. Holder is rumoured to replace T. Playford as SA Agent General in London when the latter’s term expires.

‘Basketball’ is a new game for girls that has been introduced into England. This really splendid game is an importation from America . . . the great beauty of basketball consists in its extreme simplicity. Basketball is, in fact a sort of football played with the hands and the teams are disposed in much the same manner with goal-keepers, backs, half-backs &c.

Obituary. Miss Jane Pearce aged 54, a resident of 49 years, has died. She was an active member of the Kooringa Wesleyan Church and a daughter of the late James & Ann Pearce and a sister of Mrs Josling (Adelaide), Sarah Pearce, T.W. Pearce, J. Pearce, W. Pearce jun. and H. Pearce of Burra.

[Died 22 January 1898]

Obituary. Miss Harriett White died at her sister’s home in Burra on Sunday afternoon, aged 33. She was the daughter of John and Jane White and a sister of Mrs T. Selby (Yongala), Mrs R. Hill (Burra), Mrs Robert Speckman & James White (Black Springs), and W. White (Mule Camp).

[Died 23 January 1898]

Burra Burra Mine. Boring Continues.

XV, 303 (2), 2 Feb. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Advt. The big Show is coming in its own Special Train, Tuesday 8 February.

One Night Only.

Professor D.M. Bristol’s Great American Cirque and Eques – Curriculum

[A circus of horses, ponies and mules.]

R. Snell has won the contract for the conveyance of mails to the Burra Railway Station.

Mrs Nellie Saunders will in future carry the mail between Redruth, Aberdeen and Copperhouse.

[This was undoubtedly my great-grandmother, Mrs Ellen Sanders who was postmistress at Copperhouse in this period.]

Redruth Reformatory is now operational with a number of girls in residence and a further instalment due in the near future.

Waterworks. Water restrictions have been imposed due to excessive usage. Water use for garden or irrigation purposes is now forbidden between noon and midnight. The penalty is severance of supply.

Mr W.C. Windschied was given an illuminated address by Cr C. Fuss at Opie’s Hotel on Thursday. He has been stationed at the Burra Railway Telegraph Office for the last 6 years and has given courteous and obliging service.

XV, 303 (3), 2 Feb. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Martindale Jockey Club meeting at Manoora on Wednesday was very successful. Previous meetings had been on the Martindale Course, but a decision of Parliament forced the change to entitle the club to the totalizator: clubs have to be twenty miles apart. The Carlsruhe Brass Band was in attendance and locals turned out en masse as well as visitors. [The whole meeting is reported in detail in 11⁄2 columns.]

XV, 304 (2), 9 Feb. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Advt. Burra Races are to be held in a paddock near Copperhouse kindly lent by Mr Austin.

XV, 304 (2), 9 Feb. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Weather remains hot and dusty. Smoke from a large fire between Renmark and Morgan enveloped the town on Monday evening.

Professor Bristol’s Cirque is doing so well in Broken Hill that the Burra appearance has been postponed to 15 February.

J.F. Warnes of Koomooloo has discovered good stone of some value some 8-9 miles from Braemar. The reef is 12’ wide and a couple of chains long. It was first noticed in 1889, but no real work done on it. It is now to be tested. [The item doesn’t say tested for what, but presumably gold, or perhaps silver?]

Typhoid. Currently there are 49 patients in the Burra Hospital of whom 13 are children suffering from typhoid fever – additional nurses have been engaged.

Thomas Kitchen of Malvern Adelaide has suddenly disappeared, creating a sensation. He is well known in Burra, having lived here for many years. He worked first with Messrs Drew & Co. and subsequently for himself as a general dealer in Commercial St. He was secretary for the IO of Rechabites, filled positions in the Wesleyan Church, was a local preacher, served a term as term as a town councillor. About six years ago when he left Burra he was given an illuminated address. He was appointed District Secretary of the Lodge in Adelaide where he seemed to give satisfaction. A short time ago he was suspended and a special audit made. He left home on Friday evening 28 January and posted a letter to his wife from Glenelg, saying when she received it he would be beyond reproach. He has not been seen since and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Burra Races, organised by H. Nankervis of the Burra Hotel, are completely separate from the Burra Racing Club and profits will go to charitable objects in the town.

St Mary’s Jubilee Services are reported. The visiting ministers comprised: Ven. Archdeacon Dove, Canon Field, Rev. P.R. Pyman Dodd, Rev. T. Hussey, Rev. E.R. Yeatman, Rev. F.E. Perrin. The Thursday afternoon tea meeting was not as well patronised as hoped due to the extreme heat. Still it was a fair gathering. The evening meeting outside saw Rev. A.G. King outline the history of the church in Burra and its first ministry. The annual Harvest Thanksgiving service was on Sunday.

AO Foresters held their annual meeting on 14 January and had then 177 financial members.

Burra Town Council has obtained a £282 main roads grant for 1898. The annual inspection of the town will take place on 16 February.

Obituary. M-C Benham’s wife died in Adelaide last Friday.

[Edith Benham born Edith Gordon died 4 February 1898 aged 33.]

XV, 305 (2), 16 Feb. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Advt. The Lynch Family Bellringers, Instrumentalists and Vocalists will visit Burra on 21 February. 3/-, 2/- & 1/-.

XV, 305 (2), 16 Feb. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in July 1894.]

Burra Burra Mines. A delay in boring has occurred due to sand constantly filling the bore. Casing has now been put down and boring recommenced on Monday. Some good stuff has been gone through and the drill is in hard rock. The bore is at 260’ with intentions of going another 100’ approximately.

Rain last week registered 0.76” in a good gentle soaking fall.

Obituary. Kate McNamara, daughter of John McNamara of Hanson has died at the age of 26 from rheumatic fever and pleurisy. Father Deitel conducted the funeral on Sunday.

[Registered as Catherine Elizabeth MacNamara died 11 February 1898 aged 28]

Burra School Board. An inspection of the school showed that some rooms were in a bad state. The infants’ room particularly needs attention and the Education Dept. has been so advised.

Thomas Kitchen has still not been found. The Lodge has now admitted that it found losses of £1,500 about four months ago and had given him time to make up the amount. He failed to do so and was then suspended, having made arrangements to meet the officials on the day of his disappearance. The Tarrawingee Flux Co. of which he was also secretary has called a special meeting to consider its position.

Murder-suicide. There was a tragedy at Fullarton Estate when Elver Greenough Fry shot his wife and three children before shooting himself. One daughter, Marjorie (6) is likely to recover. Fry had borrowed the revolver from M-C Benham, late of Burra, supposedly for a shooting expedition. It had belonged to Benham’s late wife.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Harvest Thanksgiving this Sunday.

Burra Hospital board. New Board: Mr Harvey was elected Chairman for the year, replacing Mr Sandland who had been Chairman for the last two years. Report of two extra nurses appointed due to the large increase in typhoid patients. Miss Nesbitt wrote thanking the Board for naming one of the new wards the Nesbitt Ward in honour of her late brother, because of his role in starting the hospital. She would send a likeness of her brother to be hung in the ward. Letter gratefully received.

Charges for the new isolation ward would be considered on the return of Dr Sangster from NZ. [I think this is the first indication that Dr Sangster was in New Zealand – interesting in that Dr Brummitt had been there for some five weeks at the end of 1897 to attend the Wesleyan Conference.]

XV, 306 (3), 23 Feb. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August 1894.]

William Killicoat is selling without reserve, at his residence near the old Smelting-works, Redruth, Household Furniture & Effects on 2 March.

An advertisement on page 3 advises the house is to let and says it is ‘At Burra Copper Works’: apply P.L. Killicoat, Abberton Park.

[Presumably one of the two attached houses just off Smelts Rd.]

XV, 306 (3), 23 Feb. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August 1894.]

Bible Christian Church Anniversary next Sunday. No tea meeting this year.

The Poisoner is about again. Poison has been laid around town and people have lost goats, pigs and a kangaroo dog on the chain. One pig was lost in the pen. A clue to the culprit is being followed up.

One victim was Harry Vivian’s fox terrier Doolan, a much loved animal and well known to patrons of Mr Vivian’s Commercial Hotel.

Bristol’s Circus, an exhibition of trained horses was given at the rear of Vivian’s Commercial Hotel on Thursday night. The circus was to have appeared on 15 February, but as the railway line was washed away they couldn’t get out. They received a good reception and all 2/- seats were taken and the management was agreeably surprised at the result of their sudden appearance in town. All the acts were admirably performed. ‘Denver’ the comic mule was the centre of attraction and kept the audience in fits of laughter. The group left next morning for Riverton.

The Races today will be held in Mrs J. Dew’s paddock, starting at 1 o’clock.

Burra Town Council. The inspection of the town on Wednesday showed it to be in good order, requiring only a little attention around the Reformatory. It was resolved that a new bridge be erected across the creek near the Bible Christian Church.

Two posts and rails to be put in the footbridge at the rear of the Burra Hotel and repairs to the footbridge near the Public School.

Court.

Agnes Gully was charged by M-C Jemison with abusive language in a public place. She appeared well dressed and with her mother who asked for an adjournment because she had witnesses to prove the girl’s innocence, but M-C Jemison had said that if she kept Agnes at home for a week he would not proceed with the case. She had only been notified the night before that the case would be called. The court decided to proceed.

Richard Joseph Jemison said he had asked her to move on when obstructing the footpath in Kooringa talking to people. She had then returned and he told her he had had enough of her obstructing the footpath. She went off the footpath and said: ‘You’ll have to stretch your b____ fat legs.’

Agnes accused Jemison of continually dogging her in the street and contradicted other details of Jemison’s testimony. She said she could get witnesses to support her side.

The case was then adjourned for a week.

XV, 307, 2 Mar. 1898, page 2

Sale of Gifts at the Burra Institute on 4 March with proceeds to aid the Circuit Funds of the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. Promenade Concert in the evening. 6d.

XV, 307, 2 Mar. 1898, page 3

Pro Bono Publico writes expressing amazement that M-C Jemison should be wasting time on such a trivial matter as Agnes Gully standing on a footpath and talking to others.

Court.

There was a long report of a case in which Albert Richard Edwards was charged with placing timber across a chain roadway in Mongolata on 18 January with the intention of harming John and Annie Howell, who used the road to drive home in their trap. After a great deal of evidence was taken it was not possible to prove who had placed the logs there. The court cautioned Edwards about placing logs on the road and dismissed the case. The police had earlier decided that there was no case, but the Howells had written to the Commissioner of Crown Lands who then instructed the police to bring the action.

1 March. In the adjourned case of Agnes Gully the charge was dismissed after P. Lally gave evidence supporting her.

Burra Races organised by Mr Nankervis of the Burra Hotel went off very successfully. The course was lent by Mrs J. Dew. The only drawback was the absence of the totalizator. There were some very close races on Wednesday. Under SAJC rules prize money at such races is limited to £25; otherwise stakes would have been higher as potentially more was on offer. The biggest prize was for the 11⁄4 mile Handicap where A.J. Berryman’s black mare Midnight (aged), ridden by J. Kane, won £6.

The only sour note was in the 1 mile for hacks where Mr Garrard’s bay gelding Joe, ridden by G.Garrard, was not allowed to win and the rider made haste to vanish at the end of the race to avoid ‘a little manual exercise’.

XV, 308 (2), 9 Mar. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1894.]

Advt. Burra Bicycle Depot. W.J. Richards, next to the Wesleyan Church, Redruth.

XV, 308 (2), 9 Mar. 1898, page 2-3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1894.]

Editorial on the ‘uncalled for action of Mounted-Constable Jemison in a recent case in which a young girl was cruelly brought before the Redruth Court to answer a charge of indecent language’ [The details of the case are then covered.] At one point when Mr Packard, for Gully, asked Jemison if the people standing by heard the girl speak the constable replied sarcastically ‘Find out; I don’t know.’

This was disrespectful to both the counsel and the court. Jemison acted indiscreetly when he spoke to the girl a second time, having neither the right nor the need to do so. It was apparently the reference to his ‘fat legs’ that prompted his later action. All because she ‘is always speaking to someone in the centre of the footpath’. We do not support a petition to have the constable moved. ‘If a child does wrong it is not sent away, but kept at home and taught right from wrong.’

XV, 308 (2), 9 Mar. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number first used in this volume in August 1894.]

Obituary. Mrs Morgan, wife of John Morgan, died at Kooringa on Thursday, aged 25. She was born Edith Mary Woods, the 2nd daughter of William Woods of Adelaide. [Registered as born Edith Mary Wood 17 November 1872: died 3 March aged 25.]

Rain recently has brought on the new grass nicely.

Burra Publicans licensed Wednesday:

Sophia Lalor Bon Accord Hotel*

Florence Emily Dunn Opie’s Hotel*

H. Nankervis Burra Hotel*

William Neville Royal Exchange Hotel*

L. O’Brien Court House Hotel*

W.H. Vivian Commercial Hotel*

Bridget C. Webb Kooringa Hotel*

• Billiards licence.

Storekeeper’s Wine Licence: Bath & Pearce

Wine Licence: Louisa Goldsworthy, Refreshment Room, Aberdeen. [Railway Station]

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church sale of gifts was a success and raised c. £25.

[This was amended in the paper of 16 March to over £30.]

Thomas Kitchen. The Advertiser reports that the total amount deficient in the Lodge accounts is £2,988-4-7. When confronted in January Kitchen handed over shares and other securities to the value of £944. He pleaded to be spared criminal proceedings and yet while supposedly elucidating the confusion in his books he obtained a further £350 and escaped. Individual losses vary from £5 to £400. Mr Kitchen left a note on 28 January suggestive of suicide, but he is now believed to have ridden the Melbourne Express from Mitcham to Mt Lofty and then somehow got to Victoria and is believed to be in one of the other colonies.

Iron Mine & Leighton Athletic Club held a sports meeting at Mr Holmes’s ground near Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Chapel on Wednesday. At least 300 attended. Apart from the usual foot and bicycle events there was a series of races for children from the age of 5. The day proved quite profitable. Results of the adult races are printed.

Court.

A more detailed account of the Agnes Gully case is printed as a court report. In it we learn she is ‘over 18’. Agnes said she used the word ‘blooming’ and her lawyer argued (perhaps facetiously) that in any case ‘It could not be said that the word b_____y was indecent . . . surely Mounted-Constable Jemison’s ‘fat leg’ is not indecent.’

XV, 309 (3), 16 Mar. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August 1894.]

Obituary. Alfred West died on 8 March at the Burra Mines, aged 56. He was the only brother of W.J. West JP of Burra. 3rd son of the late Joshua West of Grove Rd north Brixton, Surrey. [Only brother & 3rd son? Perhaps only surviving brother? See details next page.]

XV, 309 (2), 16 Mar. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August 1894.]

Rev. H. Wilkinson from Kalgoorlie will preach at the Wesleyan Church on Sunday next. He is an old Burra boy and should draw a crowded congregation.

The Holdfast Bay Brass Band again expect to visit Burra for Easter.

Burra Burra Mines. Boring is down to about 400’.

Methodist Conferences have seen the following allocation of ministers.

J.Y. Simpson (Wesleyan) stays for another term.

W.A. Langsford (President of the Wesleyan Conference) goes to Unley.

W.H. Rofe replaces W.A. Langsford

Rev. T. Theobald (Primitive Methodist) is replaced by the Rev. S. Wellington.

Rev. T.M. Flood (Bible Christian) goes to Crystal Brook.

Rev. W.O. North replaces Rev. T.M. Flood.

Tramps. Some wily and objectionable fellows have appeared in town. Begging and petty thefts have occurred and publicans have been cheated of drinks.

Court.

Daniel Keenan, Daniel O’Brien and Patrick Hogan have all received one month for being idle and disorderly.

Alfred Jacka has been sent to the reformatory school till the age of 18 for stealing a cucumber from the gardens of R. Snell.

Hogan was jostled in one of the Iron Mine & Leighton Athletics Club races recently and his protest was dismissed. Now his father has decided to pursue the matter in court.

M.S. writes re M-C Jemison’s conduct. M.S. was a hawker who entered Burra, got a licence and went to sell his wares. He accidentally called on M-C Jemison and on being invited in showed his wares. Jemison gruffly asked if he had a licence and when told he had one in his purse was told roughly: ‘Now retire from my office.’ When M.S. remonstrated for his attitude Jemison said: ‘I’ll confiscate your goods for you.’

M.S. told him he could not, as he had done no wrong. M.S. then went to complain to the chief magistrate of the town. He was too upset to continue his work for the next two days.

‘A Mother’ writes re the case of Alfred Jacka who was sent to the reformatory for 1 year 7 months for picking up a cucumber which was not even attached to a growing plant. Why not punish the other boy as well? The mother relies upon her two boys for support and he has work to go to.

Obituary. Alfred West who died on 8 March had arrived in Burra on the previous Thursday from Broken Hill to seek medical aid. He was born in Kensington, Surrey on 25 July 1841 and migrated to Australia when 16 in 1857 with his brother in the ship Orient, arriving on 23 September. After a few years in Burra he worked in the pastoral industry in the north and northwest and with J.F. Duff opened up the stock route from Mt Margaret to the Queensland border. In 1886 he left the north for NSW tin fields and was interested in several of the Eurcowie tin mines and also silver mines in the Barrier district. He explored much of the NW of the colony and his loss at a relatively early age will be much regretted.

Fire. D.E. Williams lost a 20 ton haystack to fire at Iron Mine on Wednesday afternoon. It was set alight by a young boy from the adjoining paddock who wanted to see a fire!

XV, 310 (3), 23 Mar. 1898, page 2-3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in March 1895.]

Editorial on the disgraceful actions of M-C Jemison in the Alfred Jacka case. The prosecutor was not desirous of a harsh penalty, but Jemison conducted the matter and distorted the facts. Jacka is hard of hearing and was unable to hear the case as presented to the bench. Whether through malice or not Jemison led the bench to believe that the lad was an unmitigated thief and said he was ‘neglected and running about the streets’. In fact the lad had been employed by Dr Sangster and was engaged to work in another place and the incident occurred in the short space of time between jobs. We do not wish to shield the boy from the wrong he did, but why prejudice the bench and prevent it from dealing with the case on its merits? He was certainly not a neglected child. An enquiry into Jemison’s conduct should be made. (‘this officious officer’)

‘Had I known the facts of the case said the presiding justice “I would never have committed Jacka.”’

The boy should be returned to the guardianship of his mother and stepfather.

XV, 310 (3), 23 Mar. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in March 1895.]

Farrell’s Flat Races on Thursday were a success in Mr S. Tour’s [Torr’s] paddock, 1⁄4 mile from the town. As well as the horse racing there were pedestrian events and the result are printed.

St Patrick’s Day passed quietly with services at St Joseph’s.

Mr D. Williams’s neighbours intend to replace his haystack which was destroyed by fire at Iron Mine a few days ago.

Salvation Army. Ensign Horn and Lieut. Gridley were farewelled at the Barracks on Sunday and at a pasty supper on Monday. At present the Burra Corps is stricken with a lack of members and poor finances, still the lassies were financially more successful than many of their predecessors. Captain Griffiths and Lieut. Samuels will take up the work in Burra for a term.

W.G. Hawkes of Koonoona, returning from England on the P & O ship Australia, has been quarantined for at least a fortnight on Torrens Island because one of the Lascar coal trimmers has smallpox.

W.H. Hardy made a short trip to WA and then left Burra on Christmas Day 1896 for a trip to the MacDonald Ranges and he has now arrived home last week after 15 months journey. There follows a 3⁄4 page description of his journey and impressions of Central Australia and its mineral prospects.

Court.

Dr Sangster was fined 5/- for driving around the corner of Best’s Place too fast.

Sammie Duck, fruit hawker, was fined 10/- + 10/- costs for not having his weighs tested and stamped.

(Luke Day appeared for Duck which suggests Sammie was Chinese.)

Thomas Kitchen gets another short article, but it adds little to the previous information.

Lady Cyclists have become frequent in the town, though few venture beyond the municipality. Two however, rode to Farrell’s Flat races and back – a distance of over 33 miles.

Obituary. Mrs Frances MacLagan, who came to Burra 15 years ago with her husband, has died. He carried on his profession as an architect and she was principal of Burra High School, which we understand will continue. She was a staunch member of St Mary’s and was involved in most of the town’s philanthropic movements. [Frances Anna Kirk McLagan died 10 March 1898 aged 54.]

Obituary. Richard Pearce, son of the late John Pearce, died in North Adelaide last week.

[Died 19 March 1898 aged 57.]

Obituary. William Nankivel, a Burra resident of some 40 years, died in Kingston St on Tuesday at the age of 63, leaving a wife and large family. He was a member of the Burra Burra Lodge for 36 years and his wife is thus entitled to £50 from the order.

[Registered as William Nankivell died 22 March 1898 aged 64.]

‘The Other Side’ writes re the burning of D. Williams’s haystack, pointing out:

Before the fire Mr Williams estimated it at 10-12 tons not the 20 cited.

The boy referred to in the report was accompanied by one of Mr Williams’s sons who suggested (after the other boy’s father had refused them matches) that they apply to his mother. (i.e. Mrs Williams)

Mrs Williams provided the matches on the impression the boys were fetching them for the father.

The boys first burnt some blackberry leaves and then some loose straw from which the fire escaped to the haystack, rather than setting fire to the haystack directly.

Burra Town Council. D. Rogers won the tender to construct a culvert near Mr M.W. Hunt’s

John Pearce won the tender for a new footbridge to replace that near the Bible Christian Church.

XV, 311 (8), 30 Mar. 1898, page 2 [8th use of a number used 5 times in this volume in Sep/Oct 1894 & twice in March 1895.]

Advt. Sandland & Co. Genuine Clearing Sale for Mr John Morgan Jnr who is leaving Burra.

Near the Bible Christian Church in Bridge St East. 1 April.

Advt. Sandland & Co. Genuine Clearing Sale for Mr Robert Gemmell who is leaving for Broken Hill. 332 acres of good fenced land and a 4-roomed stone house etc. 13 April.

Obituary. The wife of William Sleeman died 24 March 1898 at Burra Hospital aged 23. She was the only daughter of Mrs M. & the late John Edwards & sister of W.J. Edwards. [Further on page 3.]

XV, 311 (8), 30 Mar. 1898, page 3 [8th use of a number used 5 times in this volume in Sep/Oct 1894 & twice in March 1895.]

Sturt Pea plants sent to Mr Lockyer from Broken Hill were held at the border (Cockburn) by Customs pending examination by Curator Holtz of the Adelaide Botanical Garden. Mr Lockyer decided to leave them there.

Richard Collins of Mt Bryan came to Burra last Friday complaining of a pricking sensation when he bent his arm or rested it on a table. Dr Brummitt surprised him by removing a pin from his arm.

Federation. Delegates representing the five colonies have returned to their homes and an election must now decide whether or not the colonies will federate. We have received a copy of the Commonwealth Bill.

Burra Show Society met at the Institute on Friday and though the season’s outlook is not great, circumstances permit a show. The society has £110-3-5 to its credit and no liabilities. The date is fixed for 21 September.

Vandalism. We object to the practice of nailing up advertising notices to street trees.

‘The Burra Record is the proper and safe medium for tradespeople and others to make their wants known.’

Obituary. Mrs Sleeman wife of W. Sleeman died at Burra Hospital on Thursday aged 23. She leaves a husband and two small children. She was the only daughter of the late Mr John Edwards. Mrs Sleeman was born in Burra and was a member of the Lily of the Valley Tent IOR whose members marched in procession to the grave. She was a sister to Messrs S.R. & J. Edwards (Broken Hill) and W.J. Edwards of Burra. [Born Elizabeth Hannah Edwards 5 March 1875 and died 24 March 1898 aged 23.]

Advt. Aberdeen Lime Kiln. At Chinamens’ [sic] Garden near Polo Grounds. W.I. Short.

XV, 312 (4 or 5), 6 Apr. 1898, page 2 [4th or 5th use of a number used once or twice in this volume in Oct 1894 & twice in April 1895.]

Advt. Aberdeen Lime Kiln – at the Chinamen’s Garden, near the Polo Ground.

XV, 312 (4 or 5), 6 Apr. 1898, page 3 [4th or 5th use of a number used once or twice in this volume in Oct 1894 & twice in April 1895.]

Redruth Reformatory. The Chief Secretary, T. Rhodes (Chairman) and J.B. Whiting (Secretary) of the State Children’s Council visited Burra on Thursday and were met by Dr Brummitt and driven to the Reformatory. It was suggested the building be connected to the Burra Waterworks as the present water supply is a well. Also that a verandah to the dormitories be erected. They also inspected the hospital.

Burra Burra Mines. The boring continues: the hole is being cased to 275’ beyond which a solid hole is being worked. The engine working over 2 tons of rods is being driven by only 70 lb hydraulic power to the inch and though 500’ has been reached it is intended to go deeper.

Burra Rifle Club. With so much talk of war the Government should lose no time in supplying the Burra defenders with suitable weapons to defend their hearths. Before they can ‘hit a Russian or kill a Chinaman’ they will have to practise. The Staff-Office in the city suggests rifles may be available by July.

Railways. Some time ago a railway worker at Hallett named Minahane died, leaving a wife and four small children totally unprovided for. The district foreman at Burra, Mr Queale and the stationmaster at Hallett, Mr H.H. George, organised a subscription over the Great Northern Line and the Midland System and have raised over £75 which has been banked and will be advanced to the widow in instalments as necessary.

Burra Town Council.

The Burra Waterworks lease expires at the end of the present year. The Council currently pays about £403 p.a. being 5% on the capital cost of £8,072. The Council decided to find out the Government’s terms for:

The purchase of the Waterworks by the Council, funded by a loan from the State Bank.

The arrangement of a new lease.

The throwing up of the Waterworks to the Government.

An early reply is requested so the Council can discuss the matter before laying it before ratepayers.

The request was laid before the Treasurer (F.W. Holder) with a view of considerable concessions being made.

The Treasurer said he and another member of the Federal Convention would visit the town and would address electors on the subject.

Rev. & Mrs Langsford were tendered a valedictory social at the German Schoolroom in Redruth on Monday evening. Mr & Mrs A.H. Forder were also farewelled. They anticipate moving from Burra. Mr Bartholomæus presided.

Mr Gladstone is dying in England.

The Ford near Mr W. Hunt’s is being constructed.

Mr A.S. Clayer, the relieving stationmaster, is being transferred to the Customs Department.

Notice. Burra High School will recommence the second quarter on April 18 and will be carried on in the interest of the late Mrs MacLagan’s estate till the end of the year, when it is expected that the goodwill of the school and its furniture etc. will be disposed of for the benefit of Archibald MacLagan.

Annie B. Millar, Bleak House, April 5 1898.

Wesleyan Sunday School Jubilee Services Easter Sunday 10 & 11 April. Tea meeting on Monday 11 April.

XV, 313 (4), 13 Apr. 1898, page 2 [4th use of a number used twice in this volume in Oct 1894 & once in April 1895.]

W.G. Hawkes of Koonoona arrived home last week after being released from quarantine on Torrens Island.

Rev. W.O. North is expected to arrive shortly to replace Rev. T.M. Flood. He was a splendid footballer in the past.

XV, 313 (4), 13 Apr. 1898, page 3 [4th use of a number used twice in this volume in Oct 1894 & once in April 1895.]

Dr Cockburn, Minister of Education, has been appointed SA Agent General in London to replace Thomas Playford, who it is expected will return to Parliament for the Mount Barker District.

Obituary. C. Dunemann of Terowie died aged 41, at Terowie. He was born in Burra and spent most of his life here. He went to Terowie and started a butcher’s business there with his brother. About 8 years ago they stopped that and the deceased became a pastoralist and diligent member of the Terowie District Council. His parents survive him at Copperhouse.

[Charles Augustus William Dunemann died 7 April 1898 aged 41, but birth apparently not registered.]

Holdfast Bay Band of 17 members paid their second visit to Burra at Easter, playing at the hospital and in Market Square on Friday. On Saturday they played at the polo ground, around the town and from the balcony of the Commercial Hotel. On Sunday they played in the Wesleyan Church and at an open-air concert in Market Square and on Monday in the Institute. T.T. Shortridge acted as local manager for the band. [The program for the Institute Concert is printed in column 5.]

The season. Farmers are busy fallowing and seeding at present and where early crops have been planted the seed is showing. Everywhere else farmers who can afford to do so are purchasing seed drills which deposit grain and an amount of fertilizer at the same time.

Rev. T.M. Flood. (Bible Christian) preached his farewell sermon last Sunday after being in charge of the Burra-Hallett circuit for the last three years. Mrs Flood was thanked by the Endeavour Class on Sunday afternoon with an address and present.

Easter Holidays passed in Burra without organised sport this year, but private picnic parties went to Princess Royal and the Lagoon.

Mr A.H. Forder has not yet officially resigned as Clerk of the Redruth Court, but already several applications for the position have been received. None can be considered until his resignation is official. M-C Jemison is believed to want the job, but we believe a gentleman has been promised the position and will receive a certain amount of tuition in the office work from Mr Forder before he leaves.

Methodist Union is unlikely for at least 12 months, but already there is a move afoot from some dissenting members to form a new denomination in Burra.

Thomas Kitchen. There is another story about his years in Burra and his borrowing money without intending to repay it, but there is nothing new on the present situation.

Bible Christian Sunday School picnic at Princess Royal last Friday left Burra between 9 and 10 for the woolshed. All sorts of games were enjoyed. Messrs L. Grow & E.C. Lockyer provided vehicles free of charge and several private vehicles also took passengers. Sausage rolls, cakes, buns, fritz sausage, sandwiches, fried fish and grapes were in abundance.

Farrell’s Flat Races. ‘Whip’ reports on the financial success of the meeting and hopes the 20 mile limit on the totalizator will be lifted.

Alfred Jacka returned home on Saturday after a month at Brooklyn Park Reformatory. His release followed application from the magistrate in the case and the Attorney General. Jacka has been asked by Mr Snell (who brought the prosecution) to drive the mail cart which bears out our previous remarks that he was not anxious for a severe punishment, but someone else was. There are letters to the editor from Jacka and his mother thanking all those involved.

Capt. J.A. Watt had the Wallaroo Company [Light Horse] at the Adelaide encampment on Easter Monday.

Notice. Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. AGM 21 April in the Institute.

XV, 314 (3), 20 Apr. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Oct 1894 & once in April 1895.]

Advt. Bagot, Shakes & Lewis on instructions from Forder Bros. will sell on 27 April at ‘Wattlegrove’ two miles north of the Burra Railway Station, Implements & Vehicles etc. as listed.

XV, 314 (3), 20 Apr. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Oct 1894 & once in April 1895.]

Notice. Hon. F.W. Holder & J.H. Symon will address electors at the Burra Institute on Friday 29 April on FEDERATION.

Obituary. Mr Thomas Bowsance, an old Burraite, died at Burra Hospital on 18 April aged 63. He arrived in SA in 1847 in the Crisse from St Ives Cornwall and soon came to Burra where he was employed in the Mine and later with his father who owned a team of bullocks. Afterwards he bought a farm at Spring Bank and then one at Gumbowie. His brothers (William & Matthew) still live in that area. Mrs W. Irlam of Bright is a sister as was the late Mrs John Bown. As a young man he was well-known in the art of self defence. He leaves a wife and large family.

[Registered as Thomas Bosence died 18 April 1898 aged 62.]

Redruth Reformatory. On Wednesday afternoon four girls escaped from the reformatory while feeding chickens in the backyard. Their absence was noticed after about 20 minutes and Mrs Holden informed Cpl Noble who failed to find any trace in the area. News the next day said they were seen heading towards Baldina. Several days ago a girl ran away on a Sunday morning and succeeded in getting away from the town, but was found by Cpl Noble resting in a hut near Hanson. We point out that it is a punishable offence to harbour or keep any of the girls and there is a possible penalty of £25 or six months in gaol. The girls are by regulation allowed out into the yard and the same girls have been out scores of times before without incident. On Friday they returned and gave themselves up to Cpl Noble. They had fared badly with little food and little sleep. On day one they travelled 16 miles, but in taking a cut across the hills they turned towards Burra instead of towards Adelaide.

Fire. On 12 April a fire on the farm of James O’Dea at Booborowie destroyed two haystacks containing about 48 tons of hay. An inquest was held before J. Sampson JP and a jury of six headed by T.T. Shortridge.

James O’Dea said he awoke due to a noise between 3 & 4 a.m. and found the stacks alight. Neither he nor his sons smoke and he knew of no one likely to do him injury.

John, Charles & Thomas (sons) corroborated his evidence.

Michael Kelly also gave evidence.

The verdict was there was no evidence to show the origin of the fire. The stacks were insured.

J. Dunstan Jnr is reported to be an alderman at Broken Hill. The same report suggests that the goings-on at the Burra Council, however entertaining, are as nothing compared with those of the Broken Hill Council.

Burra Town Council, 18 April.

An invitation to the Hon. F.W. Holder & J.H. Symon to address electors on ‘Federation’ has been accepted for 29 April.

A special meeting of Council on 25 April will deal with arrears of rates.

Other routine matters were dealt with.

Obituary. Mr Schmucker, a well-known farmer near Eudunda, died when crushed by a horse in the stableyard in 12 April. [Friedrich Wilhelm Schmucker died 13 April 1898 aged 64]

Kooringa Wesleyan Christian Endeavour was six years old on Easter Tuesday. It has 20 active members, 3 associates and 3 honorary members. They celebrated in a joint social with the Sunday school teachers.

Burra Hospital: Board Meeting 14 April.

The Chief Justice asked why expenses had been so much higher than usual. The report showed average number of patients in 1896 was 29.25 and for 1897 was 36.33. On several occasions in February there were 50 and the average for the month was 48. This increased the costs and bedding etc. had to be purchased for at least 10 patients. The new isolation ward recently erected had to be furnished.

P.L. Killicoat writes in response to the amount of publicity given to the case of the boy Jacka who was sent to the reformatory for stealing fruit and then liberated. M-C Jemison in conducting the case said fruit stealing was on the increase and asked it be dealt with under the State Children’s Act rather than the Police Act. The control of the lad would thus be better suited to his evident needs. There was no undue police pressure and Killicoat (who was on the bench with Mr Ridgway) felt the decision to send him to the reformatory till he was 18 was the correct decision. Killicoat also says that the case has been used by the paper to hang various charges against the local police and that these charges are not borne out by anything that appeared in court.

The editor says he is pleased to publish Killicoat’s letter, but also assures him that the authorities had good grounds for liberating the lad, which had been done to the evident satisfaction of the community at large.

Local Court, 19 April

T.P. Halls was ordered to pay 5/- a week to T. Williams until a claim for £2-15-9 is satisfied.

XV, 315 (3), 27 Apr. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & once in May 1895.]

Editorial on Federation:

After twenty years or more of discussion at last a definite proposal will be put in June. It, if accepted will give the Federal Government control over trade and commerce, defence, banking, bankruptcy, conciliation in trade disputes, posts and telegraphs and other matters. There will be two houses of Parliament – each state having six members in the Upper House and one for every 50,000 population in the Lower House. Thus NSW will get 25, Victoria 22, SA 7, Tasmania & WA 5 each and Queensland if she comes in 9. There will be a Governor General and a High Court. Free trade is to operate between all states after two years except for a concession to WA which will end after five years.

The editor goes on to endorse federation and to say the savings in Government Departments taken over by the federation will run the new Government with little extra cost – estimated at £300,000 p.a. of which SA will contribute £30,000. But SA will also benefit by c. £10,000 in increased railway income and will hand over the NT, which is a liability. Other savings will also be effected. There is opposition in NSW because too much power is given to SA, Tasmania and WA, but on polling day NSW is expected to say yes. Victoria and Tasmania will say yes. WA seems likely to do so and if the rest say yes Queensland will be unlikely to stand out. SA could not afford to stay out of a federation and we are never likely to get more favourable conditions than those now offered. Every elector should vote one way or the other on 4 June 1898.

XV, 315 (3), 27 Apr. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & once in May 1895.]

Hon. F.W. Holder & J.H. Symon Esq. Will visit Burra on Friday to address electors on Federation.

Rev. S. Wellington has been appointed by the recent conference to the Primitive Methodist circuit here in Burra and arrived last week from Yongala where he had been for five years.

Burra Waterworks. The engineer was awakened last Thursday morning to the news that there was a break in the main to the reservoir on the hill. A tree root had broken the pipe and the force of water through the break had forced 60’ of pipe out of alignment and almost drained the tank. If the Council wants the Waterworks no doubt the Government will be glad to get rid of them.

Rev. W.H. Rofe has commenced his duties at Redruth Wesleyan circuit, replacing Rev. W.A. Langsford.

Cricket. A concert last night in the Mt Bryan Council chamber aided the local cricket club.

Edgar Pearce and companions were thrown out of their trap when it overturned on the way home from the Mt Bryan concert on Wednesday night. The horse took fright when the hook tacked on to the swingletree came loose. The trap was slightly damaged, but none of the occupants was hurt. The horse and pieces of harness were retrieved next morning from the country towards Booborowie. A passing Good Samaritan brought the party back to Burra on Wednesday night.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. AGM was held in the Institute last Thursday afternoon. Dr Brummitt took the chair. Elections for the next year: President, Dr Brummitt; Vice-President, Dr Sangster; Treasurer, J.F. Moore. The society has been of help to 29 families, 20 widows & 14 men, with food, blankets, firewood etc. £98-16-3 was collected and £84-10-5 was expended, leaving £14-14-10 in hand. Last year £37-4-10 came from the Burra Jubilee Committee and £24-2-11 from subscriptions. If the society is to continue this year more subscribers will be needed to make up for the absence of the Jubilee Committee.

Marriage. At St Mary’s on Wednesday 13 April by Rev. A.G. King.

Gerald Dow, third son of the late John Dow of Burra, and

Matilda Marie (Tilly) Oppermann, youngest daughter of C. Oppermann of Redruth.

Miss Myra Fairchild was a bridesmaid and Andrew Dow best man. The dresses and presents are described.

XV, 315 (3) 27 Apr. 1898, page 4 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & once in May 1895.]

The useful Town Directory column commences.

XV, 316 (11), 4 May. 1898, page 2 [11th use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & 9 times in May, June & July 1895.]

Mrs Walsh, widow of the late Thomas Walsh has taken over the Kooringa Hotel.

W.H. Linkson, an old Burra boy opened a Court of the Foresters Lodge in Powell’s Boulder Hotel. [WA]

The new footbridge near the Bible Christian Church has been completed and so has the culvert across the main road near Mr Hunt’s.

Rev. J.Y. Simpson conducted a flower service at the Wesleyan Church on Sunday.

The flowers brought will be distributed to the sick and the poor.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday. Rev. S. Wellington preached to crowded congregations in the afternoon and evening. There was a successful tea meeting on Monday.

W. Geake Sen. (68) is dying. He has been a resident for 42 years and formerly had a general store where the Record office now is.

Fr. Dietel, who is in poor health has removed to Norwood to recover, after about twelve months with us and has been replaced by Fr. Haendl, who comes from Norwood.

XV, 316 (11), 4 May. 1898, page 3 [11th use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & 9 times in May, June & July 1895.]

J.A.S. Bagg, aged 20, will start from Broken Hill on Tuesday morning 10 May at 5 a.m. and will be paced across the border by NSW riders. He is attempting to break the Broken Hill to Adelaide cycle record of 66 hours. The route is Broken Hill – Cockburn – Gum Well – Claypans – Faraway Hill – Braemar – King’s Well – Burra – Kapunda – Gawler – Adelaide. Bagg was born at Springbank where his parents now live and expects to reach Kooringa about midnight on Tuesday. He is riding a Beeston Humber 24 lb.

Letter to Editor complaining that in the present circumstances men are forced to work in rural districts for wages as low as 12/- and 15/- a week, while their sons are getting more! Men are being forced to stay at home and mind the baby while boys ‘toil out their young existence at the mercy of the tyrannical sweater’ and ‘the wife goes out washing’.

Letter to Editor re Federation and Centralisation saying that the latter is incompatible with true democracy – and don’t trust the lawyers who are advocating acceptance of the bill.

Federation Meeting. J. Sampson, Mayor, introduced Hon. F.W. Holder, Treasurer of SA and J.H. Symon Esq. To a large gathering at the Institute on Friday evening.

Symon:

A ‘No’ vote would be fatal to the colony. Union was a co-operation of people of the same blood, religion and sentiment. State individualism would still survive. It had been discussed for fifty years. It was proposed in 1849, went to a select committee in Victoria in 1857, to a conference in 1890 attended by Mr Playford, which led to a Bill which resulted in the Enabling Act of 1895. SA should be well prepared for it. Discard all petty and frivolous objections. Now is the time. We must not expect to get all we want. The Bill is one we can be proud of. The Governor General will be harmless and the Government will be in two houses of Parliament, and in the Senate the small colonies will be equally represented as the large ones. It is vital we are in if NSW, Victoria and Tasmania unite. He did not believe the cost would be too great.

It was 9.30 when Holder rose to speak and he said he hoped to finish his hour and a half speech at 10 p.m. and would trim his remarks to suit.

Holder:

Federation was essential. He enlarged upon the financial advantages. Free trade would be a good thing. SA would have a market of 4 million instead of one of 360,000.

C.R. Goode MP made a short speech on the subject and moved a vote of thanks which was 2nd by Cr Winnall and carried by acclamation.

Thomas Kitchen is still at large. It is known he went to Melbourne and had his beard shaved off. He then appeared in Sydney where he met an old Adelaide resident, but this was not reported for some days. He was then believed to be near the NSW-Qld border.

Burra Town Council.

A letter from the Secretary of the Baptist Union suggested a rent of 5/- a year for the use of the old Baptist Chapel. Accepted.

The Spanish-American War is reported with action in the Philippines.

XV, 316 (12), 11 May. 1898, page 2 [12th use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & 9 times in May, June & July 1895.]

St Joseph’s Mission at Burra is suffering from heavy liabilities. A bazaar in September is to raise funds to find at least enough for the interest on the almost unmanageable capital debt. The small congregation is not blessed with this world’s wealth and any help will be gratefully received.

Obituary. The Hon. W. Haslam MLC died at Unley Pk on Saturday, aged 48, leaving a widow and seven children. [Died 7 May 1898]

XV, 316 (12), 11 May. 1898, page 2-3 [12th use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & 9 times in May, June & July 1895.]

Australasian National League meeting on Friday evening last in John Lewis’s schoolroom. W.G. Hawkes was elected President with a strong committee to ensure a solid vote in favour of federation on 4 June.

XV, 316 (12), 11 May. 1898, page 3 [12th use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & 9 times in May, June & July 1895.]

Mr Cave went up to judge the Chrysanthemum Show at Broken Hill on Friday.

Polo. Burra 2 defeated Mt Crawford 1 on Saturday.

‘Democrat’ writes with reasons for voting ‘No’ to federation. He is mainly concerned with the powers of the Governor General. These are sufficient to overrule responsible government and will be subject to British Colonial Office instructions. In a strong man the powers could be used to facilitate jobs, thwart the will of the people, and subvert liberties, especially if the Governor General ‘were out of sympathy with, say a Labor Ministry (in the very distant future).’ He has command of the army and could act without the local Parliament if the Home Government was prepared to back him. Consider the possibility of an Australian Rhodes!

R.C. Baker writes an article re financial aspects of federation with special reference to Clauses 89 & part of 93.

Spanish-American War reports continue from the Philippines and Cuba.

J.A. S. Bagg left Broken Hill at 4 a.m. He had left Burra for Broken Hill last Wednesday and complained of the sandy road. He now expects to pass through Burra on Wednesday 11 May between 4 and 5 a.m.

Miss Helen Hart will be in Burra for a few days and will deliver one or more of her popular lectures.

XV, 318 (3), 18 May. 1898, page 2 [Number 317 not used.] [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & once in July 1895.]

J.A.S. Bagg accomplished his task of breaking the cycle record for a ride from Broken Hill to Adelaide last week. He dropped the time from 66 hours to 361⁄2 hours. The previous record was held by Virgin. Burra sports intend to present him with a medal which is now in the hands of Mr Wicklein to execute the necessary engraving.

X-Rays are now in use in Adelaide Hospital and a Port Adelaide boy has had a 31⁄4’ long packing needle discovered in his bladder. It has since been successfully extracted.

Broken Hill Town Council has been having meetings reminiscent of the worst days of the Burra Town Council not so long ago with two Aldermen almost coming to blows. One of them was Alderman John Dunstan, an old Burraite.

[In fact a Councillor for North Ward Dec. 1879- Nov. 1881 & Mayor Dec. 1884-Nov. 1885.]

Burra School Board of Advice had an unsatisfactory reply from the Commissioner of Public Works re painting certain rooms in the school and will write further to F.W. Holder on the matter.

XV, 318 (3), 18 May. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1894 & once in July 1895.]

Weather. The past week was good for rain with 1.02” at time of going to press.

The Hon. J. Warren will visit Burra to address electors on the question of federation.

Obituary. Mrs James Murphy died at Aberdeen on Friday. She was a resident of nearly 20 years, arriving with her husband in 1878 and leaving a husband and three sons: Thomas (married), William, and James (Broken Hill). And six daughters: Mrs J.G. Lock, Mrs H.R. Sowry (Broken Hill), Mrs J. Blott (Burra), Hannah & Kathleen (Glenelg), & Florence (Burra) and 17 grandchildren. Two sisters survive: Mrs Pearson (Dunedin) & Mrs Masseda (Sydney). Fr. Haendl conducted the funeral at St Joseph’s. [Hannah Murphy died 13 May aged 64]

Cycling Accident. When W.J. Richards and H. Tiver were returning to Burra on Wednesday evening after pacing Mr Bagg to Kapunda their tandem bike collapsed near Hamilton. The riders were both thrown to the ground at about 25 m.p.h. and rendered unconscious. Tiver recovered first and made his way to a farmhouse in a dazed condition. When the farm wife returned to the accident Richards was looking around for the bike and his partner. He was still incoherent and couldn’t understand what had happened. He insisted on wheeling the front wheel of the bike into Hamilton, believing it was the whole bike. Tiver had somewhat recovered by this and both victims were taken to Saddleworth by coach and thence to Burra by train. Dr Sangster was immediately sent for and ordered them to bed for several days. Tiver was well in a day or two, but it will be some days yet before Richards will be able to get about much. It was Richards who enthused Bagg into making the record dash and he is the life and soul of bicycling in the town.

Cycling. ‘Whip’ reports that Paetch, a Broken Hill rider endeavoured to break the Broken Hill to Adelaide record a few days before Bagg, but had to give up at Burra in an exhausted state.

There is a one column report of Bagg’s run in more detail. He left Broken Hill at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning and travelled via Burta Station (11 a.m.) – Mutooroo Station – Cockrum’s Hut – Alabama Station – Braemar (near which sand forced the bike to be pushed for 10 miles) – King’s Well – Douglas Chapel (near which he had a fall, but was not hurt) – Burra (7.30 a.m.). Here he stopped at the Court House Hotel for a good meal, an hour break and a rub down. He then took the [old] road to Kapunda [via Black Springs and Marrabel] which is described as good. At Kapunda there was another hour break, leaving for Gawler at 12.30 p.m. and travelling via Gawler and Salisbury to reach Adelaide GPO at 4.32 p.m. In all he stopped along the way for 6 hours, so the actual riding time was 301⁄2 hours. The cycle was a Beeson Humber 24 lb with Dunlop tyres which went the whole distance without a puncture.

‘Lex’ writes re federation pooh-poohing ‘Democrat’s’ ideas.

A Commonwealth League has been formed in Adelaide to promote the ‘Yes’ campaign for the federation referendum.

XV, 319 (6), 25 May. 1898, page 2 [6th use of a number used 3 times in this volume in Dec 1894 & twice in July 1895.]

The Eastern Country. A meeting will be held on Friday afternoon in the Burra Institute to discuss the question of lower rents and security of tenure in the eastern districts. T.H. Pearse and H. Scott are initiating the discussion. As well as severe drought, wild dogs are causing no end of trouble. Blockers are in a worse state than the graziers.

Legislative Council Election. The death of Mr W. Haslam has brought out four candidates: F. Pflaum, J. Lewis, J.C. Haslam & T. Jeffs.

Notice. Speakers on the Federation Question in the Institute:

26 May W.O. Archibald (‘No’)

27 May Mr P. McM. Glynn (‘Yes’)

2 June Hon. John Warren (‘No’)

Voting is on 4 June, the same day as voting for the Legislative Council.

XV, 319 (6), 25 May. 1898, page 3 [6th use of a number used 3 times in this volume in Dec 1894 & twice in July 1895.]

Bible Christian Sunday School anniversary next Sunday with Rev. W.H. Rofe (Wesleyan), Rev. W.O. North and Rev. R.S. Wellington (Primitive Methodist).

Tea meeting on Monday.

Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary next Sunday with afternoon service of song River Singers. Tea meeting Monday.

‘Democrat’ writes attacking ‘Lex’ and defending his own contentions re the power of the Governor General and citing in particular Clause 5 of Part 1 and Clauses 62 & 64 of Part 2.

Thomas Pearse of ‘The Gums’, Bundey, writes on behalf of the graziers to the east of Burra. He lists their woes as he writes in the midst of a dust storm.

They have had no lambing for three years

Prospects for lambing this year are poor

Rents are high

Wild dogs are out of control

They have huge losses of soil blown further east in storms.

He calls for a series of remedies:

Vermin proof fencing

Lower rents so that feed can be conserved

Security of tenure – all should be on perpetual lease

The present rent of £2-13-6 per mile[2] is one half too much

The rent should be £1-5-0 per mile[2]

He calls a meeting at the Burra Institute for 4 o’clock on 3 June to discuss these issues.

Sir Richard Chaffey Baker writes 11⁄4 columns on Federal Finance. He contends that the cost of running the Federal Government will be met from savings made in the efficiency of merging with the other colonies and with the abolition of intercolonial duties.

‘Democrat’ writes a second article on the Federation Bill for the ‘No’ case. This time he is against the provision that in each state the franchise shall be the same federally as it is for the state elections. This will preserve the ultraconservative power in Tasmania and WA as they are guaranteed the same number of seats as the other colonies regardless of population size. The provisions of the restricted franchise will reproduce an unjust power in the House of Representatives and confirm it in the Senate.

Departures. Two old Burraites have left the town: J. Gubbins has gone to WA and C.W. Walker for an undisclosed destination.

Advt. St Mary’s Schoolroom. Miss Helen Hart, a pioneer of women’s suffrage, will lecture on Loving, Courting, Marrying, next Monday. 1/6 & 1/-.

Advt. The Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society calls tenders for firewood for 1898-99. 18” x 4”, 10% dry in 5 cwt lots as ordered. (Last year 57 tons were required)

W.J. Richards is still unable to work.

Tennis will be played Clare v. Burra next Monday on the court opposite the hospital.

XV, 320 (3), 1 June 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Dec 1894 & once in Aug 1895.]

Advt. Professor M. Fenton will appear at Kooringa on 2 June to show the system of Teaching Vicious and Uncontrollable Horses.

Advt. The Commonwealth League is urging a ‘YES’ vote.

XV, 320 (3), 1 June 1898, page 2-3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Dec 1894 & once in Aug 1895.]

Editorial on the Federation Vote.

If we wait for a better bill the only one likely will be better for NSW which will be worse for SA. We cannot afford to vote ‘No’ on Saturday. A ‘Yes’ vote could well improve prospects of higher wages, greater prosperity and more employment: a ‘No’ vote will not help any of these. Without federation and with a protectionist NSW we would lose £5,000 per week of railway revenue from NSW. Queensland already has a 30/- per ton duty on wool and station produce to stop it entering SA. NSW threatens a 40/- per ton duty on ore from Broken Hill. Only a ‘Yes’ vote can Advance Australia.

XV, 320 (3), 1 June 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in Dec 1894 & once in Aug 1895.]

Waterworks. On Friday morning a tree root caused a break in the Kingston St main, but it was soon repaired.

W.O. Archibald & L. Cohen addressed electors last Thursday in the Institute on the Federation Bill, and urged the ‘No’ case. Mr J. Sampson (Mayor) chaired the meeting for which there was a fair attendance.

Mr Glynn addressed a meeting in the Institute on Friday for the ‘Yes’ case and again the Mayor chaired a fairly well attended meeting.

Sunday School Anniversaries at the Bible Christian and Redruth Wesleyan Churches were both successfully conducted last Sunday.

Mrs W.G. Owers’ 4-year-old daughter fell through a wooden cover and dropped 30-40’ down a well on Saturday morning. She landed in 4’ of water and disappeared underwater twice before eventually being caught on some tree roots and finally being rescued by Mr John Martin. Oddly enough she was still clutching a cup she had in her hand when she fell in.

‘Democrat’ The third article by this writer against the Federation Bill.

Here he is concerned with the inequalities inherent in the way the structure of the Senate gives each founding state equal numbers of senators.

He is also against the retention of the royal prerogatives: especially the power to veto legislation. He is also against the allowing of restrictions on the franchise.

Obituary. W. Geake Sen. died at Queen St on Sunday morning aged 68. He was born in Tavistock on 1 January 1830 and arrived in SA in The Nile in 1854 after a voyage of 99 days. He became a carpenter for David Wells and then started a greengrocery business at his late residence before leasing a shop in Commercial St and later moving to larger premises in the building recently demolished to make room for the Record office. Before the railway W. Geake and Mr Trenbath used to convey passengers to Kapunda. He was a Town Councillor for over 9 years and an active member of the church, serving as a local preacher and for over 20 years was superintendent of the Wesleyan Sunday school. For over 30 years he was a member of the Aberdeen Oddfellows Lodge. His wife died 17 years ago. About two years ago paralysis of the nerves caused his retirement. He bore a long and painful illness with patience. He leaves one son and four daughters, and two grandchildren. Rev. J.Y. Simpson officiated at the funeral on Monday. The Oddfellows formed a procession to the cemetery.

[William Geake died 28 May 1898.]

Legislative Council Elections

Mr Pflaum (Liberal) addressed electors at the Institute on Wednesday with P. Lane in the chair. He was for federation. He believed that large estates in suitable country should be cut up and he favoured workingmen’s blocks near towns. He was for the conservation of water, believed pastoral rents should be low, was for productive public works and the Outer harbour, but was against higher land tax and thought they could do with fewer MPs. He supported an old-age pension but opposed the redistribution of seats on the basis of population. C. Fuss moved a vote of thanks 2nd by J.C. Sandland.

Views of other Candidates:

Mr Lewis is pro-federation and water conservation. He opposes the reducing of freehold property qualifications for electors, but would extend leasehold qualifications to those with improvements valued at £200. He was for the development of the NT and supported government aid for mineral development where there were real prospects of a financial return.

Mr Haslam was pro-federation and favoured agricultural settlement ‘within the line of rainfall’ [Goyder’s Line]. Was for the Produce Dept. He was an independent candidate who would widen the Legislative Council franchise to some extent.

Mr Jeffs wanted a close watch kept on finances and opposed a property tax. He believed in fewer MPs. He favoured the current mix of land and income taxes and supported a railway to the Queensland border, the Bundaleer and Barossa Reservoirs and more liberal mining and pastoral laws. He was opposed to the redistribution of seats according to population as this would favour centralisation. He favoured a division of the Legislative Council Districts. He opposed the present police moiety and alien races.

F.B. Wilkinson of Kooringa writes 11⁄2 columns on federation, but it is a windy exercise, full of generalities and references, but not well argued on specific points and adding little to the core of the debate. He was a strong advocate for a ‘Yes’ vote.

‘Loyalty’ writes in answer to ‘Democrat’.

Tennis. Last Monday at Burra: Burra 9 sets 69 games defeated Clare 2 sets 36 games, before a large crowd.

XV, 321 (3), 8 June 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Jan & Aug 1895.]

Editorial on the graziers’ meeting at the Institute on Friday where over a dozen Hundreds were represented. Twenty years ago rents were 10/- to 12/- per mile[2] and now they averaged £2-13-4 and there were other rates and taxes. In the last 15 years 3 had been good and 2 passable. The problems are not of the graziers’ making, but are due to drought, rabbits and dingoes. Not far east of Burra there is a block of 40,000 acres which has not returned 1d for the last three years, though over £1,000 has been spent in improvements. They are asking for vermin-proof fences and security of tenure.

Federation. The voting last Saturday produced a majority for ‘Yes’ in SA, Victoria and Tasmania. NSW voted ‘No’. In Burra the votes were 410 ‘Yes’ and 81 ‘No’. There is no doubt that NSW will legislate for another vote and will ultimately say ‘Yes’. Though Reid in NSW is for federation he campaigned against this vote because he couldn’t get all he wanted in the Constitution.

Legislative Council Election was won by Mr John Lewis. He was well-known and was supported by the National Defence League which delivered a solid block of votes. Pflaum and Haslam were for reducing the franchise restrictions for the Legislative Council and thus destroying the Council which has been a powerful check on hasty legislation. Lewis was for the status quo and as most voters are property holders he gained their support. ‘This was practically the test of the election.’

‘The franchise must not be altered.’

Professor Fenton’s horse handling demonstration at the Burra Hotel yards last Friday was as impressive as ever. He emphasises that horses are not born bad, but made bad. He not only rides extraordinarily well, but also amazes with the speed with which horses fall into submission. He returns in a few weeks for another demonstration.

Obituary. Harry Woods, husband of Mary Woods, died at the Burra Hospital on Saturday. Captain Griffiths of the Salvation Army officiated at the funeral on Sunday.

[Registered as Henry Wood died 3 June aged 47]

Obituary. Roy (Pet) Woollacott, son of C. & T.H. Woollacott, died after a short illness, aged 4 years 3 months. [Born 18 March 1894: died 4 June 1898]

XV, 321 (3), 8 June 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Jan & Aug 1895.]

Legislative Council Voting: Haslam 205

Jeffs 36

Lewis 568

Pflaum 124

Informal 14

1,234 men voted and 207 women.

Court.

Lucy Gully (11), Benjamin Gully (10), Ethel Gull (7) & Martha Gully (6) were charged with being neglected children.

The case is somewhat odd in that Corporal Richard Noble laid the complaint because ‘I had orders to do so.’ But his evidence is not very damning and included the statement ‘Apparently Mr & Mrs Gully are fond of their children, and I have been told they are.’

‘Have you any police records against the Gullys?

Witness: only the educational ones’ [i.e. for non-attendance the required number of days.]

We learn from T.H. Woollacott that Mr Gully has worked for the railways and has been there for about 21 years. ‘He bears a good character.’

Though perhaps not relevant to this case Mounted Constable Richard Joseph Jemison revealed that when the summons was served Mrs Gully ordered Jemison and Noble off her property and rushed at Jemison with a knife ‘And said she’d be strung for both of us.’

[Reading between the lines there is a suspicion that the bench was somewhat amused at this and dryly commented ‘Well there might be truth in what the witness is saying, and if so there is grounds for another information; we will leave it at that.’

One might also suspect that this whole thing is a reaction of Jemison to the results of the Agnes Gully case.]

T.H. Woollacott also reported (with a smile) a reception by Mrs Gully ‘. . . not a very gentle one; Mrs Gully rushed at me with a washing pan.’

The Bench commented that the children looked alright now and did not seem to have been starved and dismissed the case.

Dominick Pizzo (‘Dom’) a fishmonger, was fined 15/- for carrying unstamped weights in his fish cart. (Called ‘the foreigner’ in the report.)

Graziers Meeting: reported at greater length than in the editorial. At the Burra Institute last Friday P.L. Killicoat took the chair. There were representatives from the Hundreds of Eba, Lindley, Schomburgk, Stuart, King, Bundey, Rees, Tomkinson, Ketchowla, Bright & Mongolata as well as from the fringe country to their east. Though unable to attend the Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote expressing his willingness to receive a deputation. Sir Jenkin Coles reported his experience over the years.

1884 splendid 1889 good 1894 nothing at all

1885 bad 1890 good 1895 nothing at all

1886 bad 1891 bad 1896 nothing at all

1887 fairly good 1892 very late & poor 1897 nothing at all

1888 very bad 1893 fairly good

They cannot continue to pay £2-13-4 per mile. Vermin-proof fencing cost £40 per mile and no one will make that investment without security of tenure. They needed a perpetual lease and not one subject to revaluation after 14 years because revaluation in a good year would be fatal. Even 30 years ago with rents at 10/- to 12/- a mile no one was making a fortune!

J.C. Sandland said while £2-13-4 was average some were paying £3 or even £5 per square mile. P.L. Killicoat thought that if no reduction was made they would have no alternative but to throw up the land. T. Pearse moved that all rents on leasehold land outside Goyder’s Line from Morgan to Mutooroo, irrespective of the type of lease, be halved and a corresponding reduction be made in purchase money. Carried unanimously.

H. Scott moved that any holder of grazing, cultivation, miscellaneous or educational lease if prepared at his own expense, or with Government assistance, to vermin-proof his land, be granted perpetuity of lease in lieu of his present leases.

A deputation was selected to wait on the Commissioner.

W.H. Hardy is seeking 10 persons to take £5 shares in a Central Australian Gold Mining Syndicate to open up and work a gold mine in the MacDonnell Ranges.

XV, 321 (4), 15 June 1898, page 2 [4th use of a number used twice in this volume in Jan & Aug 1895.]

Editorial on Federation. Mr Reid (NSW) wants to make some slight alterations and additions to the accepted scheme before resubmitting it to his electors. NSW agreement is vital so either Mr Reid’s proposals will have to be put to all or the present Bill put to NSW again. The latter would be preferable.

J. Sampson, the Mayor, has influenza.

Referendum Results for SA

YES 35,761

NO 17,305

The cost of the referendum was estimated at £3,500.

Rain. Some good falls have been recorded in the last few days.

Burra Hospital has put on an extra nurse on account of having more patients.

XV, 321 (4), 15 June 1898, page 3 [4th use of a number used twice in this volume in Jan & Aug 1895.]

Salvation Army. A report to hand on the work of the Army says that at present in the colonies they run 17 Rescue Homes, 6 Maternity Homes, 8 Prison Gate Brigades, 5 Social Farms, 4 Labour Yards and other services. SA in the coming year is to get a new Prison Gate Home in Adelaide, a Boys Industrial Home in Adelaide and there will be a Rescue Home in Broken Hill.

Advt. At the Institute on 17 & 18 June the original Cinematographe will return with a new series of picture. Also the Gramophone, reproducing celebrated orchestral, band and solo music and songs by popular American singers. Also the popular vocalist Mr Beaumont Read will sing each evening.

XV, 322 (16), 22 June 1898, page 2 [16th use of a number used 15 times in this volume in Jan, Aug, Sep, Oct & Nov 1895.]

Advt. The Record Studio offering 12 Beautiful Cabinets for 7/-, or 12 larger size for 10/6.

[Cabinets were a particular size of photograph – the size above carte-de-visite.]

Public Holiday on 20 June saw no organised sport in Burra and there were only a few private picnics. Most preferred to stay at home by the fire.

The Graziers Deputation to the Commissioner of Crown Lands was received on Tuesday. He could not undertake a general reduction in rents, but would deal with each particular piece of land according to its merits.

The Cinematographe. Mr Reeve presented his show on Friday and Saturday. He is fighting an uphill battle against the very inferior machines travelling the country and turning people off the Cinematographe, but his reputation hold s good and the pictures shown here were really good and several had to be repeated. The gramophone too assisted in passing an enjoyable evening.

XV, 322 (16), 22 June 1898, page 3 [16th use of a number used 15 times in this volume in Jan, Aug, Sep, Oct & Nov 1895.]

Rainfall Figures 1888-1897 [in inches.]

1888 11.840

1889 27.520

1890 25.830

1891 13.345

1892 18.610

1893 21.630

1894 23.010

1895 21.670

1896 12.770

1897 14.236

Burra District Council: Elections

Kooringa Ward Edward Bowman elected

John Chester Sandland elected

King Ward William Pitt Barker elected

Baldina Ward John Rogers

Emil Kieckebusch

There being two members required for Kooringa and one for each of Baldina & King, an election will be needed in Baldina Ward.

The nominations of C.G. Tiver and A. Bartholomæus for auditor were both declared informal.

Burra Burra Mines. Boring continues.

The Kingston Ministry completed five years in office last Thursday.

[The longest in the colony’s history.]

Clare Chrysanthemum Show thanked M-C Carter for looking after the exhibits: “‘Never before,’ said Mr Lewcock, ‘has the exhibits been so well cared for.’ [sic] Let us see, now, who was the previous officer at Clare?”

[Jemison.]

XV, 323 (2), 29 June 1898, page 2 [2nduse of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1895.]

J.A. Watt has been laid up with typhoid and rheumatic fever for nine weeks and was critically ill. He is now slowly recovering.

Weather. Good soaking rain has continued this week with 58 points at the local post office for the week.

XV, 323 (2), 29 June 1898, page 3 [2nduse of a number used once in this volume in Nov 1895.]

Two cyclists passed through Burra on Monday for Broken Hill. It is thought they intend to try to better J.A.S. Bagg’s record for the run from there to Adelaide.

The 50th Anniversary of James Martin’s manufacturing plant in Gawler was celebrated last Wednesday. It now has 700 employees and has been exporting much machinery to the mines in the WA gold fields. It has also made 15,000 reaping machines.

Redruth Court, 21 June

John Mannix, charged with stealing a silver watch valued at £4-10-0 from John Buckley of Hd Adams, was remanded to 6 July.

District Council elections. Nominations received by 21 June:

Booborowie DC

Ayers Ward George Finch elected

W.J. Langsford elected

Michael Murphy informal

Anne Ward Timothy Ward elected

D.J. Jenkins elected

Auditor C.G. Tiver informal

T.T. Shortridge elected

Apoinga DC

Apoinga Ward: three required

J. Flower

W.G. Hawkes

J.G. Heinrich

P. McNamara

W. Mosey

A.F. Schmidt

F. Schuppan

Bundey Ward: 1 needed

G. Gertig

H. Klan

Auditor: 1 needed

E. Knowling

J. Milde

Hallett DC

Banbury Ward Josiah Thomas

C.B. Griffiths

Cartapoo Ward W.J. Wise elected

Tomkinson Ward J. Thomas elected

Ulooloo Ward F.H. Scholz

J.G. Kelly

Auditor T.T. Shortridge

A. Bartholomæus

John McDonald

‘Wirraldah’ writes criticising the manners of some at a recent concert. Among other points he says men should precede ladies up or down stairs, so as to be ready to assist them when needed. Soloists should not march to the front of the stage, but help to arrange their accompanist’s music.

Obituary. Typhoid fever has claimed Miss Priscilla Sellars, daughter of Mr Ernest Sellars Sen. of Redruth. She died on Friday last.

[Born Priscilla Sellers 21 January 1882: died Priscilla Sellers 23 June 1898]

Notice. All interested in forming a Bicycle Club in Burra are invited to attend a meeting in W.J. Richard’s shop on Wednesday 6 July. W.J. Richards & C. Packard.

The Advertiser reports that all is being done to secure the arrest of Thomas Kitchen the defaulting secretary of the Albert District of Rechabites, but so far without success. He was known to have been in the vicinity of Queensland and recently was seen in Sydney. A reward of £20 has been offered.

XV, 324 (3), 6 July 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1895.]

Editorial on the Annual Social Meeting of the Salvation Army last Wednesday in the Institute, praising the way the Army goes beyond the usual charity cases to areas of ‘depravity and vice’.

XV, 324 (3), 6 July 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1895.]

Primitive Methodist Colonial Missions had special services last Sunday. Despite poor weather the collectors did well. Since Rev. S. Wellington has arrived attendances have increased with over 100 at the last Sunday evening service.

St Mary’s has adopted the envelope system. The Bishop of Adelaide comes next Friday for a confirmation service.

Rev. W.O. & Mrs North were welcomed at a social at the Bible Christian schoolroom last Friday evening. They are recently married. About 70 attended.

Salvation Army Annual Meeting at the Institute on Wednesday was presided over by Dr Sangster. Rev. W.H. Rofe (Wesleyan), Rev. J.Y. Simpson (Wesleyan), Ensign Verity, Captain Griffiths and Sister Ward were on the platform.

Dr Sangster spoke of the good work of the Army and of the need for the young to be careful in their dealings and for parents to talk to their children about their dangers and responsibilities. [All put very delicately.] Rev. Rofe also spoke in support of the Salvation Army’s efforts. He spoke against parents who prevented their children from attending Sunday school and told cautionary tales about drunkenness and gambling.

Ensign Verity devoted his address to the social programs of the Army. Rev. Simpson moved a vote of thanks which was seconded by A. Harris Sen. As a result of the meeting the local corps has been able to send £13 to headquarters.

Burra Waterworks.

The Government will sell the Waterworks to the Town Council for the actual cost of £8,072-14-7 if they agree to supply the railway at a cost of 2/6 per 1,000 gallons. The lease could be renewed on the present terms.

Burra District Council Election.

Last Monday J. Rogers was elected for Baldina Ward.

Letter to Editor protesting the circulation in the town of ‘somewhat shady quack advertisements’.

J.A. Watt’s health is improving.

G.G. Newman, head of Whinham College, has been charged with indecently assaulting one of his students.

Percival Charles Treloar was given a smoke social on Saturday evening at the Commercial Hotel. Cr Pederson was in the chair and 25 gathered to wish him well in going to WA after eight years with Drew & Crewes. He was presented with an illuminated address and a handsome travelling bag. He was then thanked for his contributions in cricket, Football and other sports as well as in his business work.

XV, 325 (4), 13 July 1898, page 3 [4th use of a number used once in this volume in Jan 1895 & twice in Dec 1895.]

The Governor will visit the Burra show on 21 September.

Poison Baits are again being laid around town. Mr George Jordan has lost a cat and a valuable sheep dog.

St Mary’s. Rev. Dr Harmer, Bishop of Adelaide, confirmed 23 last Friday.

The Century Exhibition is planned for the Jubilee Exhibition Building in Adelaide for March and April 1900.

J.E.H. Winnall trod on a needle recently and a piece embedded in his foot could not be located, but a trip to Adelaide resulted in its discovery and extraction with the aid of X-rays.

Burra Institute library now contains 3,847 volumes and there are 80 subscribers.

The balance sheet shows a credit of £51-7-4.

Burra District Council: new council of 9 July.

Old Members: Messrs Lockyer, Killicoat, McWaters

New Members: Messrs Bowman, Sandland, Barker & Rogers.

Burra Cycle Club was formed at a meeting held at Redruth on Wednesday. About 20 attended. T.T. Shortridge was chosen Chairman. The entrance fee is to be 25/- and subscriptions 2/6. Colours will be navy blue with a blue and white band to the cap.

XV, 326, 20 July 1898, page 2

Railways. The proposal to extend the broad gauge from Terowie to Petersburg has been costed at £39,000 plus £35,000 for altering the Petersburg yard and other outlays - £75,000 in all. [!] There would be a savings of £3,400 p.a. and there seems every probability of the work being done.

XV, 326, 20 July 1898, page 3

Burra Hospital. The fitting up of the padded room has been done.

J.A.S. Bagg, holder of the Broken Hill-Adelaide cycling record, has done the 100 miles Burra to Adelaide in 6 hours, unpaced. He is now inspecting the roads to Melbourne and will try to lower the 51 hours 23 mins for the 563 miles, held by W. Knox, in September if the roads are in a reasonable shape.

Burra Cycling Club meets tonight to approve rules.

W.H. Hardy has recently returned after 12 months in Central Australia where he was engaged in erecting a ten head battery and cyanide plant for the Government in the MacDonnell Ranges. He believes that in the future it will give WA a run in the mineral fields. He intends to leave for the north again this week to travel alone from Oodnadatta to the ranges – a journey he expects to take 4 weeks and 2 or 3 days. He has not succeeded in selling 10 £5 shares to form a prospecting syndicate, but returns anyway, convinced there is money in it.

[The year is right for this to have been the Arltunga battery to the east of Alice Springs & further research could no doubt confirm that.]

Court.

Victoria Ford was fined 2/6 + 5/- costs for speeding around the National Bank corner.

XV, 327 (4), 27 July 1898, page 2 [4th use of a number used once in this volume in Jan 1895 & twice in Dec 1895.]

C.C. Williams, PCR of Court Unity will be given a presentation at the Lodge Room at the Institute on Friday.

XV, 327 (4), 27 July 1898, page 3 [4th use of a number used once in this volume in Jan 1895 & twice in Dec 1895.]

Dr Brummitt gave a lecture on Maoriland and What I Saw There on Wednesday in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall. Mr Lapidge helped with lantern slides. Bad weather meant the attendance was not large.

The Sale at the residence of J. Snell last Friday was postponed to today on account of the weather.

Burra Burra Mine. Boring continues, supervised by Mr Leahy. The drill is now at 700’ and has not yet struck water, though the bore is only 50 yards from Morphett’s Shaft. There are favourable indications.

Visiting Preachers. F.W. Holder will preach in the Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning and Rev. James Read from Adelaide in the evening. Read will preach at Redruth in the morning and conduct a united service in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church in the afternoon. There will be a public meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Monday evening.

XV, 327 (5), 3 Aug. 1898, page 3 [5th use of a number used once in this volume in Jan 1895 & twice in Dec 1895.]

Burra Town Council, Monday

Council decided to visit the cemetery with a view to planting trees and shrubs.

The Town Clerk will notify those with water rates in arrears that legal proceedings will be taken after 5 August.

Waterworks accounts for the last four years show an income of £2,888-4-11 and expenditure of £2,878-18-1. This makes a profit of just £9-6-10, which would have been a substantial loss except for the sale of water worth £89-5-6 to the SAR in 1896. The present lease expires at the end of the year and especially in view of the above there will need to be considerable concessions before the Council would consider entering into a new lease.

AOF. A framed PCR’s emblem was presented to C.C. Williams on 29 July as a token of respect for his work for the order with which he has been associated for 32 years. He has filled every office and been treasurer for 11 years.

Rev. E. Gratton will give a lecture, Look at the Bright Side, on Friday evening in the Bible Christian Church.

A little rain has fallen, but the cold weather has meant little growth.

British & Foreign Bible Society held its annual services last Sunday & Monday. There was a united service in the Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday with an address by the deputation, Rev. James Reed and a meeting in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Monday where Dr Brummitt presided. For the coming year Dr Brummitt was elected President with Mr Wilkinson as Vice-President and P. Lane as Treasurer.

XV, 328 (5), 10 Aug. 1898, page 3 [5th use of a number used twice in this volume in Feb 1895 & twice in Jan 1896.]

Burra Public School concert took place in the Institute last Friday evening. A. Harris presided.

Madam Pownhall is in Burra for a short time and can offer instruction in painting on velvet. No doubt our young girls will accept this rare opportunity.

XV, 329 (12), 17 Aug. 1898, page 2 [12th use of a number used 11 times in this volume in Jan, Feb & March 1896.]

Notice. Applications are invited for the Sole Agency in Kooringa for Edison’s Talking Machines.

XV, 329 (12), 17 Aug. 1898, page 3 [12th use of a number used 11 times in this volume in Jan, Feb & March 1896.]

Dr Brummitt will give a lecture on his trip to New Zealand on August 26 to aid the Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society.

Burra Agricultural Bureau met last Friday and passed a vote of thanks to Mr Forder for his efficient services since the branches inauguration in 1888. Mr A.H. Forder resigned as he is leaving the district and Mr R.M. Harvey was elected to fill the vacancy so caused.

Redruth Wesleyan Federation Fair will be held on 2 September in the Institute to raise money to reduce the debt on the church and parsonage.

A Bolt. Ted Wall’s horse bolted from the Commercial Hotel yesterday, round several tricky corners to end on ‘Lime Stone Hill’. [sic] No damage was done, though the owner lost his hat which vanished.

Burra Town Council.

The rate subsidy for 1897 of £94-13-1 has been credited to the Council at the Bank of Australasia.

J. Jenkin’s tender for a culvert at the junction of Ayers and George Sts was accepted.

The United Friendly Societies’ Sports Committee wanted £60 spent on improvements to Victoria Park. The Council voted to spend £10 if the UFSSC spend £10.

Advt. Dr Brummitt will open Federation Fair at the Burra Institute on 2 September in aid of the reduction of the Redruth Church & parsonage debt.

Advt. Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will hold a public dinner 21 August at 4.30 p.m. and at 7.30 p.m. Rev. Wibberly will deliver a lecture: Woman, her Place and Power.

XV, 330 (8), 24 Aug. 1898, page 2 [8th use of a number used 7 times in this volume in April & May 1896.]

Advt. Sunday next at the Bible Christian Church Rev. A.J. Finch will preach special services. Dinner Thursday at 5 p.m.

XV, 330 (8), 24 Aug. 1898, page 3 [8th use of a number used 7 times in this volume in April & May 1896.]

Advt. Louella, the renowned Australian Palmist can be consulted until Saturday 27 August at Drew & Crewes.

XV, 331 (3), 31 Aug. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in May 1896.]

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church. On Wednesday afternoon Rev. Wibberly preached and delivered a lecture in the evening after the annual dinner.

Good rains have fallen of late and the Burra Creek is flowing strongly.

Dr Brummitt’s lecture on New Zealand at the Institute on Friday drew a fair attendance. Over 90 lantern slides were exhibited by Mr Lapidge. The pictures were taken by Mr Mitchell, by the way, and featured towns, mountains, lakes, roads, Maoris, scenery and buildings. The Benevolent Soc. should benefit by a pound or two.

Mr & Mrs J.M. Hunt celebrated their Golden Wedding on 20 August. Both were born in or near Woolwich, Kent, in 1824 and 1825 respectively. They married in 1848 and came to SA in the Gloucester in 1852. Mr Hunt went to the Victorian goldfields in 1853 and subsequently returned to work for Messrs Peacock & Sons of Grenfell St in Adelaide, in the wool business. They came to Burra in 1862 where Mr Hunt has since run a wool and sheepskin business.

XV, 332, 7 Sep. 1898, page 2-3

Editorial on the Burra Waterworks.

The lease runs out at the end of the year and the Town Council is seeking to make arrangements to wait on the Commissioner of Public Works with a view to getting both the capital and the rate of interest reduced. It is monstrous the way we have been taxed in the past and have proved ourselves an exceedingly patient lot of residents otherwise ‘we would have woke up’ [sic] to the iniquitous charges imposed on us. An effort must now be made to get the lease under more favourable circumstances. Some 14 years ago the Waterworks, which some say were never needed, cost £8,072, which sum was a most unreasonable not to say unfair valuation. For some time the Government took it over, then subsequently the Council did and were charged 5% for the privilege. Now there is depreciation in the Waterworks as there is in other things, yet the Government pretends otherwise. Even if we allow that the works cost £8,072 14 years ago, can it be imagined they are worth that today? Of Course not. Yet only recently the Government, when asked, put a price of £8,072 on the Waterworks, despite the fact that the engines, pipes and all else connected with it are decaying. The pipes especially will have to be replaced in the near future. Then the interest charge is higher than for any other similar public works in the colony – three times that for the Beetaloo Waterworks and the State Bank will lend money at 41⁄2%. The reduction asked for by the deputation is very reasonable, but we question the wisdom of specifying the amount of capital reduction, for if granted any future request will elicit the response that you got what you asked for, now be satisfied. But the interest should be below 4%, as the works are entirely for the public. It is to be hoped the deputation will thoroughly consider the matter.

In the last 9 years the enormous sum of £3,613 has been paid in interest. In addition to that another three year’s interest has been paid. A new lease on the old terms would compel the payment of £403-17-8 p.a. There is no more economical way of operating them than that currently employed. We hope the deputation will put the unchallengeable facts before the Commissioner and make the best possible arrangements.

XV, 332, 7 Sep. 1898, page 3

Rain in the last few days has brought the year’s total to 13.53” so far, compared with 11.625” to the same time last year.

Redruth Wesleyan Federation Fair on Friday at the Institute was successful in raising the sum needed for the repayment due on the parsonage and church loan.

The Waterworks Deputation sees the Commissioner of Public Works tomorrow morning.

Primitive Methodist Annual Effort was held on 21 September [sic: clearly an error for 21 August]. Mr Hooper MP & Rev. S. Wellington preached and on Wednesday Rev. B. Wibberley preached to a good congregation with a sermon of a very high order. The Wednesday dinner was largely attended and the lecture was on Woman: Her Place and Power. Supper was well patronised and the financial returns were satisfactory.

The Bible Christian Annual Dinner was held last Thursday and fine weather saw a fair number turn out. Dr Brummitt spoke of the impending Methodist Union which he trusted would soon be consummated. The Burra Bible Christian Church fills a unique place in the history of the denomination because it was here that the connexion held its first service in SA and built its first church and manse. It has now the largest church of the denomination in Australia. The first was built to house 200 before any minister came to Australia and it cost £213. £150 was raised towards it and Mr Blatchford preached the first sermon. Mr T. Richards and Mr John Pellew and other members of the first society are still alive and it must be a satisfaction to know that from such has grown a goodly tree sheltering some 7,000 members and 12,000 Sunday scholars with thousands of other adherents besides. Rev. James Way and Rev. James Rowe arrived in SA at the end of 1850. Way stayed in Adelaide while Rowe took charge of the work in Burra and also planted the connexion at Kapunda, Auburn, Watervale and Wakefield, though his work was checked by the Victorian Gold Rush. Mr Rowe remained at Burra for five years and was replaced by Rev. T. Hillman and the Rev. James Rowe came after him. [This doesn’t make sense.] During his stay [Whose stay – Hillman’s?] came the great revival which Rev. Way’s son, the Chief Justice says was the high point of his father’s ministry.

[Which suggests we should read Way for Rowe as the successor to Hillman.]

Gradually, from a very shaky beginning attendances in this revival rose to 500 and some 250 conversions took place. A new church was needed and the present noble structure was erected in 1859 at a cost of £2,217. Mrs Way and Mrs Bastion walked hundreds of miles and gathered hundreds of pounds. Altogether £614 was raised, leaving a debt of £1,603. At its opening the young Samuel James Way, now Chief Justice and Lieut. Governor of SA, made his first public speech and presented a report subsequently published in the English Bible Christian Magazine. The seat rent was £130 the first year, £80 the second, £92 the third, £78 the fourth to total £380. Most of the money was borrowed at 10% and £166 was paid in one year. Within four years the debt was reduced by £411 and in the next two by £202. Within ten years the debt was down to £740, though by then over £800 had been paid in interest. By 1869 there had been many removals, especially to Moonta and Wallaroo and in 1869 seat rents fell to £35 and by 1878 to £17. They rose again in 1881 to £21. Debts continued to fall until by 1884 it was £480 and it now stands at £140. One way and another some £20,000 has been raised in Burra in the last 48 years.

The names of the ministers after Mr Way and their order have not been procured, but Mr Hancock, Mr Trewin, Mr W. Richards, Mr J. Rock, Mr McNeil, Mr Pearce, and Mr Tresise all held the post.

Burra Town Council has resolved to notify the public that in future all goats straying within the municipal boundaries will be destroyed.

The assessment of 1898 will be used for 1899 with such alterations as needed. This will be advertised in the Government Gazette and the Burra Record.

The Members for the District will be asked for the passage of a clause requiring all cattle slaughtered for human consumption to be slaughtered in a proper slaughterhouse within the municipality.

Court Unity AOF. District Officers visited on Saturday and were satisfied with the books etc. They attended a special Juvenile Court at 7 p.m. and the Senior Court at 7.30 p.m., after which a smoke social was held at Vivian’s Commercial Hotel.

Burra Show Soc. The next show is to be held on 21 September. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Fowell Buxton Bt KCMG will attend. There will be a Grand Concert in the evening.

Burra Rifle Club, which has been in existence foe c. 12 months, has at last obtained a promise from the Hon. Treasurer for a supply of rifles to be available after the coming matches. Thanks to the assistance of Hons F.W. Holder & J. Lewis who urged the club’s claims.

XV, 333, 14 Sep. 1898, page 2

Advt. Program for the Burra Show Concert on 21 September.

1. March & Quickstep: Cock o’ the North

Cameron Men Pipers Boath & A. McKenzie

2 Song: Bid Me to Love (Barnard) Mr Nitschke

3. Recitation: The Famine (Longfellow) Miss Mabel Best

4. Song & violin obbligato: The Better Land (Jude) Miss Pearce

5. Canadian Boat Song Burra School Children

6. Violin duet: Norma Miss & Mr A. Bishop

7. Song: ______ Miss D. Gillespie

8. Recitation: Der Oak and Der Vine (Adams) Miss Mabel Best

9. Dance: Highland Fling Piper A. McKenzie

10 MINUTE INTERVAL

10. Selection: Rowan Tree

Old Folks at Home Pipers Boath & A. McKenzie

11. Convent Bells Burra School Children

12. Song: The Fright Ages (Bevan) Miss a. Pearce

13. Recitation: Rizpah (Tennyson) Miss Mabel Best

14. Song: Queen of the Earth (Pinsuti) Mr Nitschke

15. Violin solo: Home Sweet Home (Bishop) Miss E. Bishop

16. Song: ______ Miss D. Gillespie

17. Sword Dance Piper A. McKenzie

Reserved seats 2/6, Front seats 2/-, Back seats 1/-

XV, 333, 14 Sep. 1898, page 3

A Bolt. Last Sunday when Ah Chin was visiting his cousins in Ayers St the horse in his vehicle bolted just as he was about to chain the wheel. Fortunately it negotiated a number of corners without damage and was finally stopped near Charley Grow’s stables by a lad named Lines, who delivered it to the driver who ‘thankee Jack welly muchee’.

Burra Institute has received a circular from Mr Burgoyne, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Institutes and Mr F.E. Meleng, Hon. Sec., notifying of a proposal for forming an Association of Institutes of SA, to protect their financial interests and for a more systematic representation of such in Parliament. It was resolved that application be made for joining.

Obituary. Rev. J.Y. Simpson died suddenly at his residence in Kooringa on Saturday morning. Though ailing for some time, no serious consequences were feared and he had seemed to be recovering. He was about to take a drive around the town when he asked for a drink of water and subsequently fell back and expired. On Monday morning the corpse was taken to the Burra railway station and conveyed to Adelaide. On Sunday the church had been draped in black and Rev. S. Wellington preached a fine sermon with reference to the departed and Rev. W.H. Rofe did similarly in the evening. [James Young Simpson died 10 September aged 55]

Burra Show. Arrangements for the Governor’s visit on 21 September: on arrival of the train the Governor will be met by the representatives of the Show Society, the District Council and the Corporation. He will then go to the showground for lunch with the usual toasts and speeches. At 2 p.m. an address will be offered at the showground to which the Governor will respond. There will be a concert in the evening.

Obituary. A small daughter, aged 5, of Mr George Trusler, a blocker east of Hallett, drowned in a waterhole near the house. [Registered born Janet Frances Trusler 23 August 1893 and died Janet Frances Truster 6 September 1898]

The Rev. W.A. Langsford will visit Burra on Sunday and preach in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church morning and evening in connection with the lamented death of the Rev. J.Y. Simpson.

XV, 334, 21 Sep. 1898, page 2

Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church Anniversary next Sunday. Rev. S. Wellington will preach. Tea meeting Wednesday.

XV, 334, 21 Sep. 1898, page 3

Inspector Gray went to inspect a house at the northern end of town last week and had a stump thrown at him by the lady of the house. This resulted in a court appearance.

[See later report]

Burra Town Council granted the use of Victoria Park on 28 September for a charity sports meeting.

The Public Buildings Dept. proposes to lay water on to the Reformatory from the main and seek permission to open the necessary ground in Tregony St. Permission granted.

Permission granted to engage counsel for the case of the assault on the Inspector.

Rev. W.A. Langsford, President of the Wesleyan Conference, officiated at a memorial service to the late Rev. J.Y. Simpson on Sunday. The church was crowded in the evening when both the Primitive Methodist and Bible Christian churches were closed as a mark of sympathy and respect.

A Bolt. Luke Day’s horse bolted from his fruit shop on Tuesday morning. It explored Market Square. Then in a fain [sic: vain?] attempt to negotiate Mt Pleasant it upset the cart and contents spoiling some fruit and vegetables and bending the axle.

Court.

George Ford & Victoria Ford were fined £2-10-0 each for throwing the stump at Inspector Gray, and with costs this amounted to £7-1-0 in all.

XV, 334 (2), 28 Sep. 1898, page 2 [Second use of No. 334]

Advt. Burra High School: 4th Term begins 4 October. Annie B. Millar, Principal.

Advt. Clare Show, 12 October.

Burra Burra Mine. Boring at the mine continues vigorously and is now down to 800’. Rich sulphide and sulphate ores were found for the last 20’, becoming softer with depth. A new and larger boiler has been procured and it is expected this will eliminate the frequent stoppages previously experienced.

XV, 334 (2), 28 Sep. 1898, page 2-3

W.B. Rounsevell, an old Member of Parliament is coming to Burra for a visit. He is to tell electors that at the next general election he will contest a seat for the North-East District. He has previously represented the district for 15 years.

XV, 334 (2), 28 Sep. 1898, page 3

Kooringa Wesleyan Church quarterly meeting on 20 September was conducted by the President of the Conference, Rev. W.A. Langsford. The membership at 112 was down 8 over the quarter due to deaths and removals. Income was £13 less than expenditure. Sunday schools were satisfactory. A plan was brought forward for the immediate union of the three Methodist bodies in the town which would involve the closure of the Primitive Methodist and Bible Christian Churches in Kooringa with the congregations worshipping at the Wesleyan Church, the work of which would for the time being be carried on by the Primitive Methodist and Bible Christian ministers. The plan was approved and passed on to the other churches for consideration and approval.

It was resolved to request the 1899 Conference to carry out forthwith the permanent union of the various Burra circuits according to the plan agreed to last year, with some minor variations. In accordance with this plan the Rev. W.G. Clarke was invited to become Superintendent of the circuit next year. The meeting expressed its sympathy with the idea of a Century Thanksgiving Fund.

The Burra Show was a financial success. The previous show was held in 1896: the poor season in 1897 having caused the cancellation of that show. The show last Wednesday was good in some classes, but there was a lack of interest in others. The committee fought hard to overcome some stubborn problems to make this show a success and they are to be congratulated. Agricultural produce this time was far better. Dairy produce was conspicuous by its absence, but the last 12 months have been most adverse and lost stock will take two or three years to replace. Poultry entries, though down on last show in numbers were of a high standard. Draught stock was not up to previous standards, again due to a bad 1897 season. Blood and roadster stock was not well represented. Cattle were moderately represented, but dogs were to the fore. Large owners of sheep were not represented. (Koonoona was absent, though previously it had scooped the pool.) But the Gebhardt Bros did well. This time there were six entries from the saltbush country for the first time. Vegetables, fruit and flowers were similar to 1896. Cookery, arts and industries were up to expectations. W.J. Richards displayed a variety of bicycles.

There were the usual sideshows and Professor Felton was there too. Messrs F. Harris and F. Gebhardt supplied refreshments and H. Muggee an excellent lunch for the Governor who arrived by the midday train with the Hon. L. O’Loughlin, Minister for Crown Lands and the Hon. J. Lewis. They were met at the station by the Mayor, Mr J. Sampson, Mr E.C. Lockyer (Chairman of the DC) and P.L. Killicoat, President of the Burra and North-Eastern Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society. The lunch produced the usual speeches and toasts. An address was presented to the Governor who responded appropriately. Two years ago on his visit to Burra he had received news of the death of Mr Gillen and this morning came news of the death of Sir George Grey, one of the earliest Governors of SA. In the afternoon the Vice-Regal party travelled to Princess Royal where they were guests of Mr A. McCulloch, leaving on Thursday afternoon for Adelaide after visiting several public institutions in the town.

The prize list is then printed.

[Personal interest:

In the flower section Miss Fuss won prizes for a buttonhole and a lady’s spray, but who was Miss Fuss? In the art section Miss L. Fuss won a prize for freehand drawing, but who was this Miss L. Fuss and was she the same as the Miss Fuss with the flowers?

Muriel would have been 16 so might have been Miss Fuss perhaps.

In the school class section Hilda Fuss appears with a 2nd for drawing and also for poetry. M. Fuss (Myrtle) won for large handwriting in Class III and the R. Fuss who won for ornamental text was probably L.R. Fuss.]

Obituary. Suicide in Ayers St. On Friday morning a man was found hanged from a tree in Mr Pearce’s yard next to M. Hoare’s. He was Mr Patrick Hoare, recently employed by Mr Turner of Iron mine. He came to the Burra Show and got tipsy, but not ‘beyond his own control’. He was a cousin of Michael Moore and lodged with him during his stay. On Thursday he went to Hoare’s and spent the evening. As it was his intention to resume work on Thursday [sic: error for Friday.] he got up at 4 a.m. to saddle his horse, shouted goodbye Auntie and goodbye Mick, but instead of riding off he hanged himself. He was well known in Kapunda as a jockey. [Died 23 September 1898 aged 42]

Inquest on the death of Patrick Hoare, at Kooringa Hotel with P. Lane JP as coroner and T.T. Shortridge as foreman of the Jury.

Rosina Hoare confirmed the events described above and said she believed he was a single man aged c. 44.

He left a note on the kitchen table on a 10 of hearts card ‘S23. goodbye Auntie, Mick; Pat. See horse home.’

Michael Hoare, a blacksmith with W. Henderson’s, gave evidence which added little to the above.

Patrick Walsh’s evidence as barman of the Kooringa Hotel added little beyond confirming the deceased’s drinking on Wednesday evening.

Walter Pearce of Ayers St reported seeing the deceased hanging from the tree about 3 feet off the ground and thought he must have jumped from the fence. When he arrived others were already there and had sent for the police.

M-C Richard Joseph Jemison gave evidence corroborating the position of the body and told of marks on the tree and fence and estimated the body had been dead about four hours.

The jury decided that ‘Patrick Hoare committed suicide by hanging himself to a tree on the morning of September 23 during a fir of temporary insanity caused by the effects of drink’.

XV, 335, 5 Oct. 1898, page 2

St Joseph’s Mission, Kooringa, Bazaar at the Institute 21 & 22 October.

Wednesday 19 October, lecture by Rev. Fr O’Dowling SJ of Norwood.

XV, 335, 5 Oct. 1898, page 3

Rabbits. Last Saturday a shooting party left Apoinga at 9.30 and took the stock road into Bright, killing 300 rabbits. Three months ago scarce a rabbit was to be seen here.

Exams. Some Burra scholars were recently successful at the preliminary examinations for the Adelaide University: Kathleen Roach (Burra High School), Paul Anthony Roach and Stanley Monteith Lane (Prince Alfred’s College) and Guy Spencer Packard.

St John’s Certificates have gone to E.A. Brummitt, R.D. Brummitt, P.A. Roach & S.M. Lane, (All of P.A.C.)

Children’s Bazaar at Dr Brummitt’s home on Friday in aid of the Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society, arranged by Ida Brummitt and friends. They raised £9 for the society.

Burra Cycle Club held its first meeting at Victoria Park on Wednesday.

1. A half-mile race in which competitors had to light a cigar, open an umbrella, mount a bicycle and ride to the end of the course with it. Winners: Packard & H.O. Scott.

2. A slow race in which again Packard was the winner.

3. An obstacle race with Packard again the winner.

4. A steeplechase which Packard won from H.O. Scott.

5. Egg & spoon race won by Richards.

6. Half mile rescue race – competitors to ride 1⁄4 mile, pick up a dummy, ride 1⁄4 mile with their ‘rescue’. Won by Packard from A. Walker.

7. Bicycle tilting. Won by Richards from Packard.

Mr Shortridge was ‘at home’ as secretary.

C. & A. Fuss and A. Harris were judges and Mr Hiddle the starter.

Takings benefited the Burra Benevolent Soc.

Burra Town Council.

There has as yet been no reply from the Government to the Waterworks Deputation.

Resolved to write to Hon. J. Lewis MLC asking him to see the Commissioner of Public Works as an early reply is needed to enable the council to deal with the matter.

XV, 337, 12 Oct. 1898, page 2 [There was no number 336]

Burra Burra Mine. Boring continues.

St Mary’s Sunday School picnic last Wednesday at Koonoona after a short service at the church.

Leighton School. Miss James had some time ago been reprimanded for harsh treatment of a pupil at Leighton School. The same game has since been continued albeit in a milder form and Mr Stanton, the Chairman of the Board of Inspectors was finally called in and Miss James is now ‘removed to another sphere of life’. Miss McNeil is now in charge.

XV, 337, 12 Oct. 1898, page 2-3

The Guessing Competition in the Record Studio window for how many peas in a bottle was decided on Monday when W. Nolan won a picture frame, J. Ashby of Riverton won six photos and H. Harnor of Eudunda won an enlargement.

XV, 337, 12 Oct. 1898, page 3

The Season. South of Burra crops are doing quite well, but east the wheat crops are again poor.

A Murkaby Vermin Board is being established to erect vermin-proof fencing.

Iron Mine Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 25 September. Rev. W.O. North conducted services and the Monday tea meeting. Both were well attended and financially up to the mark.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary last Sunday with tea meeting on Monday.

Lutheran Church. Annual picnic for children at Baldina on Monday last was a success. The spot was beautiful. Pastor Leideich and Mr Frichauf of Point Pass examined the pupils in German and English and they acquitted themselves well, especially as the recently appointed teacher, Miss Grier has only had them since May. They then adjourned to Arnold’s Scrub where a cricket match was played between Baldina and Allcomers in which the Allcomers were woefully beaten.

[Although it doesn’t say so it would seem likely it was the Baldina Plains Day school that was being discussed.]

XV, 338, 19 Oct. 1898, page 2

Notice. Tenders are called for 58 miles of vermin-proof fencing in the Murkaby Vermin District.

Industrial School for the Blind will be aided by a fair to be held next April in Adelaide. A meeting will soon be called to establish a local committee to contribute.

Clare Show last Wednesday was an unqualified success.

XV, 338, 19 Oct. 1898, page 3

Rev. Geddes-White of Clare intends to introduce 40 performers to the Burra audience on 2 November in a production of the cantata The Haymakers. Proceeds will aid the local Benevolent Society.

Cruelty to Animals. An article complains of cruelty to animals, especially concerned with a horse broken in by Halls: ‘the animal had been ruptured and its bowels were hanging in an abominable and disgusting manner’. We informed the police and understand the animal has since been destroyed.

Cr E.W. Crewes is in bad health and has decided on a holiday trip to England to recruit his health. He expects to be away for at least eight months. We wish him a pleasant trip and a safe return.

Weather. There was a dust storm last Sunday.

Rev. S. Wellington, President of the Primitive Methodist Conference, will conduct anniversary services at Giles’ Flat on 23 & 24 October and will visit Strathalbyn. In his absence Rev. D.C. Harris, recently from WA will preach in Kooringa next Sunday.

Court.

Alfred John Jacka (17), Thomas Philip Halls (13), & Roy Douglas Alflick Henderson (13), all of Kooringa were charged by M-C Jemison with ill treating a ram at Victoria Park on Sunday 9 October.

F.J. Packard for Jacka who pleaded not guilty. The others pleaded guilty. Packard took exception to the way the information referred to Jacka as alias Fisher – he has never used the name Fisher, though his mother has married Mr Fisher – it would/could go against the boy later if it is said he used an assumed name. His name was Alfred John, not Alfred James as on the charge. After some discussion the alias was ordered struck out and the name corrected.

Jemison gave evidence that he had seen the three riding three rams at Victoria Park. John Lewis said he went to the park and saw the three with Jemison and all three admitted riding the rams. He had not personally seen them do so. The boys’ clothing ‘was all over grease, especially Jacka’s.’

Mr Packard did his best over technicalities, but in the end Jacka was fined 10/- and the other two 5/- each with 5/- costs between the three. [1/8 each.]

Burra Town Council.

As there is still no reply from the Government re the Waterworks a telegram will be sent to the Commissioner requesting an immediate reply.

Advt. Strawberry Fete 18 November at Burra Institute.

The Bible Christian and Primitive Methodist Churches have decided not to unite with the Wesleyans at this time, unless the union could be for 18 months, but the Wesleyans were unable to guarantee that as it lay in the hands of the next Wesleyan Conference. They parted on friendly terms however, and believe all is well for the eventual union due in 1900.

XV, 339, 26 Oct. 1898, page 3

Editorial on The Waterworks.

The whole affair seems quite mysterious. Presumably the Government is considering what concessions it will make re the new lease – if it doesn’t make concessions the Corporation might as well hand the works over to the Government at least for a time. Pipes similar to those used in Burra have been tested and found to have a life of about 14 years. The Mayor is thus of the opinion that in 1899 the pipes will have to be re-laid in the town. The procrastination of the Government may be to the advantage of the ratepayers. Supposing the cost of pipes in 1899 to be only small, during the next year a large sum will have to be expended in both the pumping plant and the reservoir or as it is better known ‘the tank on the hill’. New connections are continually being made, including a recent 11⁄2” service to the Reformatory. The mains in town are only 4”. If half the ratepayers used the water to the extent for which they pay rates the system would not cope. A revolution in the whole concern is needed. Under even the most favourable circumstances the Council will do well to look before they leap. Even with a reduction in the capital account and the interest the whole matter is one of dubious speculation.

Rev. North heads south to the anniversary services at Riverton and Rev. Finch of Riverton will preach at the Bible Christian Church here on Sunday evening.

Rev. Fr O’Dowling, an old and respected past pastor of St Joseph’s gave a lecture here last Wednesday on Dublin: Old and New. He was assisted by concert items.

The St Joseph’s Bazaar on Friday and Saturday was briskly carried on and over £60 was raised in the effort. Many thanks are due to all who helped and to the work of Rev. Fr Haendl.

Cr Crewes was given a farewell social on Saturday afternoon which was addressed by the Mayor. Cr Fuss proposed the toast to Cr Crewes and Cr Winnall that to the Mayor.

‘Cr West said it was a most unusual thing for the Mayor and councillors to meet together in such a pleasant way. His Worship and himself were the only remaining two representatives of the old and notable Council, and instead of sociability there was always perpetual bickering, and some of the ratepayers were even thrown out of the chamber. Cr Winnall was sure that the reporter would also bear testimony to that fact. – (Laughter).’

[This is a reference to events in 1893.]

On Saturday evening the employees of Drew & Crewes presented Mr Crewes with a handsome Gladstone bag on the eve of his departure for England.

The Mayor, John Sampson jun., announced his decision to make himself available for the position in 1899.

XV, 340, 2 Nov. 1898, page 3

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary, Sunday 6 November. Tea meeting 9 November. Sunday afternoon service of song: The Little Pilgrim.

Service of song repeated on 13 November. Picnic on public holiday 13 November.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary last Sunday with Rev. W.H. Rofe in the morning and Hon. F.W. Holder in the afternoon and Rev. S. Wellington in the evening. Public tea Friday at 1 p.m.

Railways. The proposal of the SA Government to increase the price of carting ore from Broken Hill is short-sighted. Broken Hill could easily construct a railway on their own account and deprive SA of a vast amount of revenue.

Rev. S. Wellington, President of the Primitive Methodist Conference, has returned after his visit among old friends at the Giles’ Flat anniversary. So many turned out to hear him that both afternoon and evening services had to be out of doors. On Monday £15 was taken at the tea and he had to speak from a wagon in front of the church.

Burra Waterworks. There has still been no reply from the Government. The urgency of a reply is apparent as the Council period ends on 1 December. The reply to the telegram sent to the Government was that it would be considered by the Cabinet on 24 October, but there has been no news since then.

Mr A.H. Forder, clerk of the Redruth Court is about to take four months leave of absence.

Court.

Charles Lowe, James Linkson, J. Gully & W.J. Richards were each fined 2/- + 5/- costs for allowing their horses to graze on public roads.

Weather. Last Friday was very windy and there was very heavy hail which covered the ground and filled gutters, resulting in flooding in many houses. About 12 o’clock another heavy fall broke skylights and windows in a short burst. Sheep losses after recent shearing were reported.

Sporting Notes.

Thorn broke the bicycle record for the run from Broken Hill to Adelaide, previously held by J.A.S. Bagg, by 2 hours 35 minutes last week. Bagg will try to regain the title on 28 November, choosing a full moon. Last time he had to ride for six hours in the dark.

XV, 341 (2), 9 Nov. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in June 1896.]

Advt. George march, Cab Proprietor.

Cabs run from Redruth to Kooringa hourly. All trains met. Horses and traps on hire.

Obituary. William Winders, aged 76 died on 26 October of heart disease at his daughters, Mrs Lines, Kooringa. He was a colonist of 50 years and leaves five sons, one daughter, 25 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. [Registered as aged 75]

1898 Harvest will not be good. Six weeks ago prospects for quite a good result around Burra were good, but failure of late rains resulted in very poor yields. To the south things are better, but to the east farmers will be lucky to get seed wheat back and on some farms stock has been turned into the wheat fields.

Guy Fawkes Night passed with less enthusiasm this year. There were some excellent likenesses and much enjoyment, but less than in the past.

XV, 341 (2), 9 Nov. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in June 1896.]

The Haymakers, Cantata was performed at the Institute last Wednesday evening. They played to a crowded house. The orchestra of a dozen or so did a good job, but a few more performers would allow a bit more dash and emphasis where the composer called for it. All in all it was a grand performance and much praise is due to Rev. Geddes-White.

Burra Town Council

Cr Crewes tendered his resignation from North Ward due to ill health. It was accepted with regret and the fine waived.

Burra Waterworks.

The engineer reports several breakages and that repairs have been effected. He says that it is impossible to keep up the supply without continual running which would cause a speedy breakdown.

There has at last been a reply from the Commissioner of Public Works to the request that the capital value be reduced to £6,000 and the interest to 4%. The Government is prepared to allow 4% on the existing capital, but if the interest is in arrears for one month it will be 5%. The Council will hold a special meeting to consider the case on Friday next when steps will be taken to lay the issue before ratepayers.

United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration will be held at Burra Polo Grounds 26 December.

Burra Bicycle Club has arranged a run to Mt Bryan this afternoon at 2.25 p.m. and on 16 November has arranged a road race to Mt Bryan and back.

The Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church had a successful finale for its anniversary last Friday with a large attendance at the tea, entertainment and supper.

XV, 342 (6), 16 Nov. 1898, page 2 [6th use of a number used 5 times in this volume in June & July 1896.]

Public Holiday 14 November, produced no organised sport in Burra, but a good many private picnics went to the beauty spots around the town. Redruth Wesleyan Sunday School had its annual picnic which went off very well.

The Port Pirie Recorder says a meeting at Mr Copinger’s office on Saturday evening saw the formation of a syndicate of 40 shareholders to prospect a large block of 640 acres near Burra which is known to have a lode of ore running through it. They will sink a shaft on the property at once and the syndicate has enough money to thoroughly test the site. The name of the venture is the Burra Consols Mining Co. We understand the property is near the Princess Royal.

XV, 342 (6), 16 Nov. 1898, page 3 [6th use of a number used 5 times in this volume in June & July 1896.]

Editor on Tonight’s Ratepayers’ Meeting.

The ratepayers meet tonight to evaluate the year’s activities. All has been carried out satisfactorily and the Mayor’s report is published giving the facts and figures. The big question that arises is that of the Waterworks. The Government has been asked to reduce both the capital and interest charges, but only a feeble attempt has been made to respond to repeated requests. The interest offered for a new lease has been dropped from 5% to 4%, but the capital is unchanged. The offer to the Council is little short of an insult. The comments in the offer re late payments were offensive. Payments in the last 14 years have not been late. We have paid an exorbitant rate of interest for many years. There is only one thing now to be done: to allow the Government to take over the works so they can see that all is not golden. The slowness of the Government’s response also deprives us of time to consider the matter properly. A timely reply would have allowed us time to expound a better scheme. Council must tell us tonight the true position of affairs. Has the Government to power to fix a higher rate or not. It must be borne in mind that before long a new reservoir will be needed and a new pumping plant so prospects are not good. To keep supply up now pumping goes on at ridiculous hours. It is the work of slavery to keep the tank on the hill filled. Even though the works have been erected for 14 years not a penny has been struck off for depreciation. The Government chooses for obvious reasons to overlook this important fact. From the start the charges on capital have been excessive and reductions now would only be fair.

The Mayor’s Report.

The year opened with a debt of £8-10-5. At present there is a credit of £63-12-7, most of which will be expended by the end of the year.

The assessment gave a rateable value a little lower than for 1897 and the general rate was reduced from 11d to 9d.

The assessment for 1899 is £87 less than for 1898 at £8,548.

In 1898 the North Ward lamp cost £5-15-6 and the lamps in the other two wards cost £4-17-6 each.

The Town Clerk was paid £45-16-8 and the Inspector £33-6-8.

The big items of expenditure were:

North Ward: Tregony St £43-16-6 and Sancreed St £21-18-11.

East Ward: new footbridge near the Bible Christian Church £50-12-0.

West Ward: Chapel St £21-5-7.

The Waterworks is a major headache with the dry year creating strains on the supply and only by great care have major problems and mishaps been avoided. The lease runs out this year and in April the Government was asked how much they would sell the works for and on the 22 June they replied £8,072-14-7, or they would lease the works on the same terms as now, i.e. 5% on £8,072-14-7.

On 8 September a strong deputation went to the Commissioner of Public Works and asked for a reduction in the interest rate to 4% and in the capital to £6,000. The Government only replied on 4 November and that was to offer 4% on £8,072-14-7. The Council does not feel justified in accepting this and so will submit the question to ratepayers.

Health. The sanitary condition of the town is good. There was some typhoid this year, but most cases in the hospital came from elsewhere.

The Council worked with good will and the work of Mr W. Davey as Town Clerk is highly appreciated.

J. Sampson, Mayor.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary next Sunday with tea meeting on Wednesday.

Burra Show Society. A meeting showed that with the Government grant-in-aid the society will start 1899 c. £90 in credit.

Cricket. On the holiday last Monday St Mary’s Cricket Club went to Clare where St Mary’s 180 defeated Clare 143.

Redruth Court, 15 November

James Quinn was required to show cause why he did not contribute to the care of his aged mother. Mary Quinn, his mother, said she was a widow in destitute circumstances and could live on 2/6 a week. James Quinn said he had an orphan boy and wife to support and was often out of work and at present was doing nothing. If he had it in his power he would willingly assist his mother. The case was adjourned for one month to enable the defendant to get work. The Destitute Officer is to be communicated with to relieve Mrs Quinn for four weeks.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church will hold its anniversary next Sunday. Rev. W.H. Rofe & Mr D.J. Wellington of Adelaide will officiate.

Kapunda Sports were held last Monday. J.A.S. Bagg, C. Packard, A. Bailey & W.J. Richards went from Burra.

Bagg was: 1st in the 1 mile handicap

1st in the 3 mile handicap

3rd in the 5 mile handicap

C. Packard was 1st in the egg & spoon race

W.J. Richards was 2nd in the egg & spoon race

A. Bailey was 3rd in the egg & spoon race

W.J. Richards was 1st in the cigar and umbrella race

A. Bailey was 3rd in the cigar & umbrella race

On Friday Bagg leaves for Broken Hill to try to lower the record for the run to Adelaide on a Swift Path Racer. Good pacing will be arranged all the way.

XV, 342 (7), 23 Nov. 1898, page 2 [7th use of a number used 5 times in this vol. in June & July 1896.]

Advt. Tenders called by the Old Koomooloo Vermin Board for 57 miles of Vermin-Proof Fencing.

Advt. Burra United Friendly Societies’ Grand Cycling Carnival and Athletic Sports.

Boxing Day, 26 December at the Polo Grounds. 11 a.m.

Cycling Programme 1. 3 mile bicycle handicap (1st £4)

2. 1 mile bicycle handicap (1st £6-10-0)

3. Local Burra Bicycle Club race 11⁄2 miles (1st £1-10-0)

4. 2 mile bicycle handicap (1st £3-10-0)

5. Scratch race of 5 miles (1st £5-5-0)

6. 1⁄2 mile egg and spoon race (1st 10/-)

Pedestrian Programme 1. Allcomers 100 yards (1st £1-1-0)

2. Youth’s 100 yds handicap (1st 10/-)

3. Sheffield handicap 135 yds (1st £10)

4. Members handicap 135 yds (1st Trousers & vest made to order)

5. Sheffield hurdles handicap 120 yds, (10 x 3’3”) (1st £2-10-0)

6. Christmas handicap 440 yds (1st £3)

7. Tug of War 10 men aside (1st £2)

8. Juvenile handicap 100 yds (< 15 yrs) (1st Trophy from T. Burns)

Adults 1/-, Children (under 15) 6d, (under 5) free.

XV, 342 (7), 23 Nov. 1898, page 3 [7th use of a number used 5 times in this vol. in June & July 1896.]

Advt. Burra Bicycle Club. Invitation visit today to A. McCulloch’s (Vice-President).

Burra Hospital has received a donation of £7-9-6 from the shearers at Outalpa Station.

[St Mary’s] Strawberry Fete and sale of Fancy Goods at the Institute last Friday was opened by the Hon. J. Lewis MLC at noon. There was a large attendance in the afternoon and it was crowded in the evening. The profit will exceed £60 and will be devoted to necessary repairs to St Mary’s. The gramophone and music box were a treat.

Ratepayers’ Meeting at the Institute on Wednesday was poorly attended.

Alex. Harris Sen. presided.

Cr West moved the Mayor’s report as printed in The Record be taken as read, but an amendment forced it to be read with the Mayor wading through all the figures etc.

East and West Wards shared the cost of the repairs to the Market Square pump.

The Mayor said substantial public works had been done with economy.

Cr Fuss said the Waterworks had occupied much of their attention and was still being discussed. He was in favour of public work on streets and footpaths and when they were in order on beautifying the streets.

Mr Wilkinson said he would like to see a little tar paving – say from the Catholic Church around to Ewins’s establishment.

The Mayor said that tar paving would be expensive and Councillors would have to gain some practical knowledge of it before undertaking it. There was tar paving and tar dressing and the latter would answer very well. He did not favour the contract system which was cutthroat and often the cost of getting things put right countered any saving.

Cr West would again offer himself for re-election and so would Cr Pederson. The latter did not approve of the amalgamation of the jobs of the curator and overseer and with due respect to Mr Thomas, he was now too old to carry out the work and a younger man was needed. The Park Lands account was overdrawn [by c. £17] and he would like to see it conserved to allow for more tree planting.

Mr Harris, from the chair, thought the cemetery needed to be made more cheerful and at present was in a bad state.

Cr Fuss said that the road leading to his house was in a bad state and he would be seeking to have something done to it in the coming year. If after hearing that someone wished to nominate him he would seek another term. He would like to see some beautification of Victoria Park and tar paving in the North Ward only after all back streets and footpaths were in repair.

Mr Jenkins wanted to know if the Council intended to spend £150 on a cycle track in Victoria Park.

Cr West favoured a subsidy. Cr Pederson would not so spend ratepayers’ money.

Cr Fuss was in favour of making a track in co-operation with the various clubs in the town.

Dr Sangster wanted more scavenging in the main street as there was undesirable rubbish between the P.O. and the hospital.

Then the attention turned to the Waterworks.

Cr Winnall moved there be a poll of the water ratepayers for 1 December 1898 to decide whether the Waterworks should revert to the Government or if the Council should continue to run them. He condemned the action of the Government. He was clearly annoyed by their clause about late payment as well as their refusal to yield on capital cost. A 1% drop in interest would save about £87 per year. It was impossible to continue with over £300 a year in interest plus expenses due to breakages, repairs etc. At one time the Government took water from them and this had helped, but lately they had not taken any due to construction of dams etc. along the line. In future they could not count on the Government taking any of the water. Without this they could not have kept up the payments. He thought the mains would last a good while yet, but service pipes would require attention in the near future. Why, he asked, was Burra charged 5% when similar works were charged only 21⁄2%? Some wanted the Council to go on with the works, but he was in favour of handing them back to the Government in the expectation that after a few years they would be glad to hand them over at a reduced rate. He felt we were making up for losses on the Beetaloo Works. The tank on the hill was not enough neither was the reservoir. [Wasn’t the tank on the hill the reservoir?] A reservoir of only 31,000 gallons was ridiculous for a town of Burra’s size. All Councillors except the Mayor were in favour of handing the Works to the Government.

Cr McLaren thought Burra people were not pushy enough – other towns get help for frivolous things while Burra is snubbed and refused help. He felt a decisive vote on 1 December would have the Government backing down.

Mr Jenkins said no one had shown yet that any serious expenditure would be incurred if the Council continued the Waterworks. He said rumour had it that pipes were rotten and the boiler would burst and the works generally were in a bad state, but none of this opinion was supported by any evidence. He clearly felt that there was a huge cost borne by ratepayers in watering the town’s trees. If the Government took over he expected that those now paying 15/- would pay 25/-.

Mr Snell said half the residents did not pay water rates. There will certainly need to be a new reservoir and a new pumping plant and whoever runs it the burden will fall on the ratepayers. He was sure the Council could work it much cheaper than the Government. He thought the mains should be extended to bring in greater revenue.

Mr Davis said about 50,000 gallons were used daily and the Council was paid for about a quarter of it.

The Mayor disputed that figure.

Cr West said the Commissioner had admitted the Works could not be of the same value now as they were when they were built 14 years ago.

Cr Pederson supported the motion for a poll and believed much water went unpaid for.

The Mayor opposed the motion, believing the Council should carry on as being much the more efficient at running the scheme. No disastrous events were likely in the near future and not more than 10,000 to 15,000 gallons were used [daily].

Mr Davis said he didn’t like to be called a liar – or as good as – and if the 30,000 gallon tank was full at night and empty in the morning it had to go somewhere and there was all the day pumping too!

Motion carried.

Jewellery Theft

On Wednesday a wire was received by the police asking if Mr Nankervis of the Burra Hotel had lost any jewellery. On being approached Nankervis had not missed any, but on investigation found his wife’s jewellery case had been ransacked. [Quite a long list of the stolen items follows: one paragraph of recovered items and a larger one of those still missing.]

Some of the goods were sold to an Asyrian [sic] named Ahmed, at Narridy. He bought £5 worth on being assured the inscription on one item was their name; he being unable to read English. He was too much afraid to object as the men sought in exchange three pairs of boots, and when he queried this he was threatened with violence. When Ahmed got to Narridy he asked a storekeeper there what the inscription said and it read H. Nankervis. The police were informed and two men whom the Assyrian identified were arrested. One gave his name as Furgusson, alias Pennycruick, the other as Finn. They were charged at Snowtown. Mr Nankervis identified the article and will go to Snowtown to complete the case. Mr Nankervis recognised one of the men as having been in Burra recently. The time since the robbery will make recovery of the other pieces difficult.

Court.

A woman named Ellen Gay was clearly thought by M-C Jemison to be a prostitute. She was charged with having no visible legal means of support, but failed to appear. Jemison applied for a warrant, but the evidence was so flimsy that the Bench evidently thought the application frivolous and refused to grant it. Doubtless Jemison will try again in another form.

XV, 343 (3), 30 Nov. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in July 1896.]

Municipal Elections.

At the nominations for North Ward Councillors on 24 November Edward Cox and John Richards were nominated and a poll will be held on 1 December to coincide with the poll of Water Ratepayers on the question of whether the Waterworks should be handed back to the Government or otherwise.

North Ward polling place to be the German Schoolroom and for East & West Wards, the Council Chamber at the Institute.

Advt. To be Auctioned for the National Bank on 2 December, Part lots 27 & 28 of Kooringa in Commercial St: a two storied building of six dwelling rooms and front shop known as Bruse’s and recently occupied by C.J. Pearce.

XV, 343 (3), 30 Nov. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in July 1896.]

Municipal Elections

Mayor: John Sampson (elected unopposed)

North Ward (Extraordinary vacancy due to the resignation of Cr Crewes)

C. Fuss (elected unopposed)

North Ward (Ordinary vacancy to be decided by a poll on 1 December)

W.J. Richards

E. Cox

East Ward M. Pederson (elected unopposed)

West Ward W.C.L. West (elected unopposed)

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary, Sunday 20 November when services were taken by Rev. W.H. Rofe & Mr D.J. Wellington. Tea meeting Wednesday. The services were a great success.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ writes a letter urging that the Waterworks be retained in Council hands.

Cycling News.

The Broken Hill 25 mile cycling record of W. Virgin was lowered by J.A.S. Bagg of Burra a day or two ago to 1 hour 16 minutes 17 seconds: nearly 5 minutes lower. J.E.Virgin’s 10 mile record was lowered by Fuss to 29 minutes 32.4 seconds.

J.A.S. Bagg had to abandon an attempt to lower the Broken Hill-Adelaide record at Nackara due to bad weather on Monday morning.

Jewellery Theft

Two more men have been arrested in connection with the Burra Hotel robbery and the first two have been remanded a further four days.

M-C Jemison is said to have laid an information against two small girls for minor misbehaviour on a recent Sunday. If this case proceeds something must be done to put a stop to these petty and trivial cases which are now and again dragged into court.

XV, 345 (3), 7 Dec. 1898, page 2 [Note that No. 344was not used] [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in July & August 1896.]

Advt. Oddfellows’ Social at the Commercial Hotel, Wednesday 14 December. 1/6.

M-C Jemison has wisely withdrawn the information against the two little girls.

XV, 345 (3), 7 Dec. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in July & August 1896.]

United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration is written of by ‘Whip’ who lauds sport as the great pastime: calling it a recreation, a pleasure and a blessing. He urges all to go to the day and enjoy it and repay the hours of work given freely by the organisers. A new and good track has been laid down on the Polo Ground. All indications are for a great financial success as well as a good meeting on Boxing Day.

Municipal Elections

This year they were a tame affair with a poll required only in North Ward where Mr Cox 61 defeated Mr Richards 12.

In the Waterworks poll the Council will have to continue to control the scheme: the vote was in favour 74 and against 34.

Burra Burra Mine directors visited Burra last Friday with the Government Geologist. They inspected Rymil’s Bore and other portions of the mine with a view to further developments.

Burra Town Council will continue to meet on the first and third Monday of the month. On 5 December the minute allowing cattle to be depastured in the back streets was rescinded and by-law 18 enforced which imposes fines of not less than 10/- nor more than £10 for allowing any swine, horse, ass, mule, bull, steer, sheep, goat or other cattle to be at large in any street.

A letter from the Commissioner of Public Works replied to one re purchasing of the Waterworks and arrangements have been made for inspecting the well prior to the lowering of the pump.

Cricket. Last Wednesday at Douglas. Mongolata 228 defeated St Mary’s 39.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary on 27 November drew large congregations to hear Rev. S. Wellington and Mr C. Allen. Tea meeting Wednesday.

Primitive Methodist Quarterly Meeting invited Rev. S. Wellington to stay for another term and this offer was accepted.

Obituary. John (Little Jack) Jordan, son of John Jordan of Burra, died suddenly at Broken hill last Monday – a trustworthy, bright and willing lad and a good worker, whose death will be regretted by a host of companions. [Most likely John Harold Jordan born 14 July 1880]

XV, 346 (2), 14 Dec. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Advt. Burra Institute, Boxing Night, 26 December:

The Serio-Comic Two-Act Drama Old Phil’s Birthday will be presented by the Petersburg Dramatic Society in aid of the Burra Sports Demonstration. 2/- Res., 1/6, 1/-.

Advt. Burra Oddfellows Social in honour of visiting District Officers tonight.

XV, 346 (2), 14 Dec. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Salvation Army. At the Barracks next Sunday Captain Griffiths and Lieut. Samuels will bid farewell to Burra, having been in charge here for several months. The lady officers have made themselves very popular here and many will regret their departure. Captain Griffiths goes to Adelaide to become secretary of the ‘Grace Before Meat’ scheme and Lieut. Fry will go to Pt Augusta. [Why Fry here and Samuels at the start of the item?] Captain & Mrs Melsham will succeed the lady officers.

Photograph [A rare thing] of Salvation Army Officers dressed in national costumes in honour of ‘All Nations Fair’ at the Barracks last week. [Apparently taken at the Record Studios.]

Local Board of Health.

The Inspector visited Rabbich’s slaughterhouse on 16 November and ordered the removal of excess bones and of manure from the pig yard. This was not done by the return visit of 2 December. Information was laid and on 7 December Rabbich was fined 5/- + costs.

Copperhouse School closets were unsatisfactory and new and deeper pits are to be dug over the school holidays – lime to be used in the meantime.

Salvation Army will show a limelight kinematographe and gramophone exhibition at the Barracks on 22 December.

Burra Burra Mine. Report of the Government Geologist.

The bore entered a brecciated lode at 760’ which at 813’ contained copper pyrites with quartz and calcspar, continuing for several feet. Bore now at 1004’. [But note the statement below that it is at 1,400’.] The core now being raised is fragmentary indicating the presence of cavities and water forced down the bore does not return. This shows the copper bearing lode mentioned in the last reports of the old mine at 600’ continues to 800’.

The results of boring are most satisfactory proving the continuance downwards of copper bearing ground. Data justifies placing Morphett’s Shaft in order and restarting mining operations from that point.

The chances of striking a rich portion of lode in a single bore are slight. It is recommended that the existing bore, now at 1,400’ continue to 1,500’. The second bore is recommended for the east side and as near the open cut as practicable to try for the continuation of the ore bearing body worked there. I need a surface plan of the site before fixing a definite site.

XV, 347 (2), 21 Dec. 1898, page 2 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Advt. Boxing Day Night at the Institute, 26 December

Petersburg Dramatic Co. will present the two act Serio-comic Drama: Old Phil’s Birthday.

Advt. Burra Sports: Boxing Day at the Polo Grounds

Cycling and Pedestrian Events including Carter of Adelaide and Baggs our own champion.

Leading riders of SA and Broken Hill, also Snadden, the champion pedestrian of SA

Birth. To the wife of T.H. Woollacott on 14 December at Aberdeen, a daughter. [Lydia Mary]

XV, 347 (2), 21 Dec. 1898, page 2-3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Editorial on The Festive Season

The year began hopefully and the season opened splendidly for farmers and pastoralists. Sowing and germination went well with rain to the end of August, but than drought set in and 1898 will be another failed year.

‘Still, we have much to be thankful for, and in many ways, although we have met diversity [sic] and have been disappointed in some respects, we have been protected and preserved through another year by our Creator.’

The colony enjoys British freedom and peace.

The editor then goes on with the usual Christmas greetings and good cheer and expresses the confident hope of returning prosperity locally with the re-opening of the mine. The paper can claim a wider range of business and wider area of circulation than any contemporary outside Adelaide.

XV, 347 (2), 21 Dec. 1898, page 3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Burra School held its visiting day on Friday followed by the Christmas break-up.

Redruth Court

In the absence of James Quinn his case, which had been adjourned for a month to enable him to get work to support his aged mother, was resolved by ordering him to pay 2/6 a week to her.

Burra Burra Lodge (Oddfellows) was visited by District Officers on Wednesday 14 December. There was a special lodge meeting in the evening followed by a social at the Commercial Hotel chaired by Dr Sangster and this is reported at length in 13⁄4 columns.

Burra Institute. An article praises a tree then flowering in the Institute grounds: the Sterculia.

Burra Town Council, 19 December

The cricket pitch at Victoria Park will be renovated at the cost of the St Mary’s Cricket Club using Council labour.

Other routine matters followed, but the main concern was the Waterworks.

Wilful waste of water is a problem with some consumers having their taps running continuously. Unpaid rates amount to £157. It was resolved to cut off water to consumers in arrears after 31 December. The Government has not responded to the request re purchasing the Waterworks, except to say a valuation is being obtained and in the meantime a rate of 4% will be charged; the current lease conditions being continued.

J.A.S. Bagg will again attempt to break Thorn’s record from Broken Hill to Adelaide next week. W.J. Richards, as agent for Austral Cycles, has made splendid arrangements. After competing at Broken Hill on 26 December Mr Bagg will leave at 12 a.m. on 28 December on a Swift Path Racer weighing 21 lb and geared at 80.

Advt. At Bagot, Shakes & Lewis’s Yards on 6 January Elder, Smith & Co. Ltd will offer 22,946 fat & store sheep.

XV, 347 (3), 28 Dec. 1898, page 2 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

Editorial on a current spate of charges against publicans for selling adulterated spirits.

Apparently the proprietors of Wolfe’s Schnapps were taking action to preserve their reputation. There is also a warning against cheap imitations of Wolfe’s Schnapps.

XV, 347 (3), 28 Dec. 1898, page 3 [3rd use of a number used once in this volume in August 1896.]

The Holidays

Trumpets and other ‘musical’ instruments sounded out on Christmas Eve and shopping was brisk. Fruiterers did particularly well.

A cricket match at Victoria Park between St Mary’s and Broken Hill (in truth old Burra Boys) resulted in a win for the latter.

Christmas Day fell on a Sunday and proceedings were appropriately solemn with special sermons and a special afternoon at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

Boxing Day brought Burra Sports at the Polo Ground in Aberdeen. All passed off very well.

The results are printed, but the report is held over.

[Personal interest:

F.C. Fuss was 2nd in the 1 mile bicycle handicap, 1st in the 3 mile bicycle handicap and 1st in the 2 mile bicycle handicap. Presumably this was Frederick Charles Fuss born 1 April 1878, the son of Frederick William Fuss then of Redruth.]

Characteristics of the 1898 Paper

The page structure of the paper was essentially unchanged from 1897, but the news content picked up somewhat and often there was about 5 columns of news and comment. Some issues still fall below 3 columns however.

The coming of Federation generated a good deal of news, comment and special articles. Editorials remain rare, but occasionally they appear with Federation again being a stimulus.

There was less of the reprinted humour that had proliferated in 1897 and the big issues of the day for the colony were covered in some depth. This was especially true of Federation and the Legislative Council elections. On the local front the issue of the Waterworks was well covered and the church activities got a fair coverage. Sport seems to have missed out this year. Football either wasn’t played or got no cover. The impression is that the paper rarely sent a reporter to cover anything and relied on representatives of clubs etc. to send copy in. All in all perhaps a marginally better paper than 1897.

Serials in the 1898 paper.

A Woman’s Love by Louie ran from 15 June to 22 June.

Donald McLean by Rill was a short story on 29 June.

Leonard Carr’s Wife by Louie ran from 20 July to 21 September and then concluded on 5 October.

The Wandering Spirit of Itala Drew by ‘Wirrildah’ appeared on 7 & 14 December, missed 21 December and reappeared on 28 December.

Numbering of issues in 1898.

Volume XV continued from its start on 7 December 1892 and ran for the whole of 1898.

The series began with Volume XV Number 299 on 5 January 1898.

and continued to

Volume XV Number 347 on 28 December 1898.

Numbering was reasonably coherent with only a few irregularities. Since this series of numbers repeats from 1894, 1895 & 1896 in this sequence the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 29 December 1897 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

299 (2) [1, 1894]

300 (2) [1, 1894]

301 (2) [1, 1894]

302 (2) [1, 1894]

303 (2) [1, 1894]

304 (2) [1, 1894]

305 (2) [1, 1894]

306 (3) [2, 1894]

307 (1)

308 (2) [1, 1894]

309 (3) [2, 1894]

310 (3) [2, 1895]

311 (8) [5, 1894: 2, 1895]

312 (4 or 5) [1 or 2 1894: 2, 1895]

313 (4) [2, 1894: 1, 1895]

314 (3) [1, 1894: 1, 1895]

315 (3) [1, 1894: 1, 1895]

316 (12) [1, 1894: 9, 1895]

318 (3) [1, 1894: 1, 1895]

319 (6) [3, 1894: 2, 1895]

320 (3) [1, 1894: 1, 1895]

321 (4) [2, 1895]

322 (16) [15, 1895]

323 (2) [1, 1895]

324 (3) [2, 1895]

325 (4) [3, 1895]

326 (1)

327 (5) [3, 1895]

328 (5) [2, 1895: 2, 1896]

329 (12) [11, 1896]

330 (8) [7, 1896]

331 (3) [2, 1896]

332 (1)

333 (1)

334 (1)

335 (1)

336 (1)

337 (1)

338 (1)

339 (1)

340 (1)

341 (2) [1, 1896]

343 (3) [2, 1896]

345 (3) [2, 1896]

346 (2) [1, 1896]

347 (3) [1, 1896]

Numbers 317 & 344 were not used in this sequence.

XV, 348 (3), 4 Jan. 1899 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August & September 1896]

Advertisements

Page 1

Bagot, Shakes & Lewis Auctioneers

Sandland & Co. Auctioneers

Elder, Smith & Co. Auctioneers

Bath & Pearce Importers, Kooringa

Drew & Crewes Importers, Kooringa

C. & A. Fuss Timber Merchants, Aberdeen

John Pearce Timber Merchant, Kooringa

O. Bartholomæus Timber Merchant, Redruth

Carpenter & Builder

A. Bartholomæus Agent for SA Fire Insurance Co. Redruth

Agent for Norwich Union Fire Insurance

Thomas Harris Coach Builder, Wheelwright, Shoeing & General Smith, Commercial St

[T.W. Wilkinson] Kooringa Dispensary, Spectacles, Books, Cards, Novelties, Aerated Drinks

Advertisements

Page 2

Eskell & Tattersall Dentists at Commercial Hotel, Monthly

P. Pendelbury Solicitor of Terowie, Attends Burra Courts if retained

H. Nankervis jun. Burra Hotel

W.I. Short Aberdeen Lime Kiln at the Chinamen’s Garden near the Polo Ground

T.T. Shortridge General Press & Commission Agent

Luke Day Groceries, Fruit & Vegetables fresh three times a week

A.C. Noyes Music Teacher, Kooringa

Redruth & Aberdeen every Monday & Thursday

George March Cab Proprietor

George Parks Enterprise Bakery, Market Square

Commencing business 1 November 1898, next to J. Ford’s Butcher Shop

L.L. Wicklein Watchmaker & Jeweller, Commercial St

S. Burns Blacksmith, Wheelwright etc., Commercial St

P.L. Killicoat Licensed valuer of properties and stock

Herbert C. Afford Dental Surgeon, Monthly at Commercial Hotel

Advertisements

Page 3

W.J. Davey Photographer at the Record Office

Advertisements

Page 4

C.C. Williams Ironmonger, Tinsmith & Galvanised Iron Worker

W.J. Richards Burra Bicycle Depot, Aberdeen, next to the Wesleyan Church

XV, 348 (3), 4 Jan. 1899, page 2 [Though pages 2 & 3 were dated 1898] [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August & September 1896]

Advt. Special Sale: Elder, Smith & Co. at the yards of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis on 6 January 1899 will offer 22,946 fat & store sheep.

The Holidays.

Stores were closed for three days last week and one this week with an afternoon also. The crowds parading the streets on New Year’s Eve were fairly large, but smaller than for Christmas Eve.

New Year passed of largely without incident and the upsetting of footbridges etc. was almost entirely dispensed with. The famous pick and shovel bridge [sic] of a few years ago being largely responsible for the present state of affairs.

[But surely pick and shovel bridge should read pick and shovel brigade?]

J.A.S. Bagg, who left Burra a few days before Christmas, departed from Broken Hill at 12 o’clock on Wednesday to lower the cycle record to Adelaide. The weather was more conducive this time and he has lowered Thorn’s record by 53⁄4 hours and will get a substantial reward.

XV, 348 (3), 4 Jan. 1899, page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in August & September 1896]

Weather. Last week was unbearably hot, but this week has been better.

Kooringa Wesleyan Circuit Quarterly Meeting on 27 December reported a small drop in membership and a circuit debt of £36.

Arrangements were made for the Kooringa & World’s End Sunday Schools’ Anniversaries. Readjustments of the local circuit will not be pressed on the Conference for 1899 as the immediate reasons for such no longer apply and 1900 will be a better opportunity.

Burra United Friendly Societies’ Sports on 26 December were a great success.

It was a good day, with a good gate, good racing, and a good wind-up. It was rather hot. Nominations and acceptances were a record. Times in the cycle events equalled those in Adelaide: due to the great track. Were it to be banked it would surpass Adelaide. Victoria Park needs some money spent on it if it is not to become a white elephant: the park will not attract the sports while the Polo Ground is available. The move to the Polo Ground saw the gate £45 up on last year.

A complete list of results is printed.

The major cycle event was the one mile handicap:

L.P. Morgan 1st £6-10-0

F.C. Fuss 2nd £2-10-0

R.D. Moreton 3rd £1-0-0

The main foot race was the Sheffield Handicap over 135 yards

C.R. Patterson 1st £10-10-0

N.C. Clarke 2nd £2-10-0

E.L. Renfrey 3rd £1-10-0

O.E. Fry 4th 10/-

Letter to Editor re the state of the rubbish tip which is allowing paper to blow around the town.

Cricket. During the holidays.

St Mary’s 144 defeated Broken Hill 73

Clare 102 & 169 defeated St Mary’s 59 & 8 for 95 [Apparently a win on 1st innings.]

St Mary’s 154 defeated Hallett 56 at Hallett on 2 January.

XV, 349, 11 Jan. 1899 page 2

Rev. S. Wellington has been compelled to take two or three weeks’ leave due to sciatica.

Bible Christian Church Quarterly Meeting at Mt Bryan on 4 January. Rev. W.O. North presided. The income so far was within £4 of expenditure and new members have more than balanced removals.

XV, 349, 11 Jan. 1899 page 3

Marriage. On Tuesday 3 January.

John Baker, 2nd son of Mr & Mrs S. Baker of Redruth and

Mary Liebeknecht of Robertstown.

Copper. The outlook should remain strong as Europe takes up more for electricity cable and for electric trams.

Obituary. John Peak Sen. died aged 65. He was born at St Just, Cornwall in 1853 and migrated to Melbourne briefly before coming to SA to see friends. He butchered here for three months before returning to Melbourne and the gold fields where he was fairly successful. He met Miss Jane Cocks and married her on 6 October 1856 at Fryer’s Creek, Victoria. They came to SA in 1860 and settled at Cross Roads near Burra where he has resided ever since. He carried on the Cross Roads Hotel for 25 years, before closing it and then took to farming until about seven years ago when failing health forced him to retire. His health has been failing ever since and he died at 8 o’clock Friday morning. [6 January] He leaves a wife, four sons, John, Thomas, James and William, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary and one grandchild. John, the eldest is married and lives at Hanson.

[Born 5 April 1833: died 6 January 1899]

Burra Town Council

The bridge at the rear of the Burra Hotel is to be attended to.

Tenders called for the lighting of street lamps as in 1898.

W. Davey has resigned as Town Clerk due to ill health and his resignation was accepted with reluctance. ‘The Mayor and councillors spoke in the most eulogistic terms and passed the highest encomiums [sic] on Mr Davey.’

Mr R. Thomas wrote to say he could not continue as both curator of the cemetery and overseer of works, but was willing to continue as curator if it could be arranged.

Burra Waterworks. In reply to a letter the Commissioner of Crown Lands was willing to extend the lease at 4% until a settlement of the situation is arrived at.

Cycling. The holiday cycling events provided amusement for 175,000 people at an average of 1/3 per head, amounting to £10,937-10-0. Prizes took £2,150, giving a surplus of £8,787-10-0 or say £7,500 after working expenses, advertising etc.

[The paper doesn’t indicate what area these figures refer to. The whole of Australia or SA?]

Burra High School: Report 23 December 1898.

In 1898 the Principal, Mrs Maclagan, died and the position was taken over by her sister, A.B. Millar. She was assisted by Miss Davidson. The school remains the same size as in 1897. In midwinter our top girl, May Sangster, went to Adelaide. Kathleen Roach is Dux for 1898. In Class V Vera Wilkinson is first in English, Arithmetic, History, Geography, and French and gets Mrs Brummitt’s prize for best attendance as well as Mrs Winnall’s prize for special progress in Music. Ivy Topperwein tops Class IV while Merle Dunn as highest junior tops the lower school. [A complete prize list is printed.]

Market Square Bore was completely blocked by tree roots last Monday and a mass over eleven feet long had to be removed before water would again flow.

XV, 350 (8), 18 Jan. 1899 page 2 [8th use of a number used 7 times in this volume in Sep & Oct 1896]

Leighton School. W. Harry, master of Pinda School, has been transferred to Leighton in place of Miss McNeil who has been removed to another sphere of action.

Australian National League meeting in the Institute this afternoon to discuss matters re the general elections.

Salvation Army Harvest Festival on 5 February.

Rev. R.S. Casely returns to Burra next Sunday for two sermons at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church.

XV, 350 (8), 18 Jan. 1899 page 3 [8th use of a number used 7 times in this volume in Sep & Oct 1896]

Dr Brummitt’s garden will be the site for a Continental – an evening entertainment organised by the local committee of the All Nations Fair to raise money for the Industrial School for the Blind.

Obituary. Mrs J. Hammer has died at Kooringa after a three year illness, aged 32. She was active in the Bible Christian Church and was the eldest daughter of Mr L. Grow and had married in 1887. She leaves a husband and three children. [Born Amelia Grow: died 11 January 1899 aged 31]

Foresters Lodge half-yearly meeting of the finance committee is reported.

W.H. Hardy writes a generous letter of thanks for the work of William Davey as Town Clerk and hopes his health will improve soon.

Burra Town Council.

Tenders for street lamp lighting were accepted from H.W. Tiver for the North Ward (£7-14-0) and from W. Geake for the two in Kooringa (£13).

R. Thomas is to be dayman for the month.

The Commissioner of Public Works is getting an estimate of the present worth of the Waterworks after which Cabinet will consider the question of the sale.

Waterworks Committee appointed: Pederson, Winnall & Cox.

XV, 351 (2), 25 Jan. 1899 page 2 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in Oct 1896]

Advt. First Term for Burra High School begins on 1 February.

XV, 351 (2), 25 Jan. 1899 page 3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in Oct 1896]

Iron Mine Sports, on 22 February.

C. Hawkins writes thanking all who supported his collecting for the Adult Deaf & Dumb Mission, especially Mr Vivian at the Commercial Hotel for five days free board and lodging.

XV, 352 (3), 1 Feb. 1899 page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1896]

Birth: On 29 January, to the wife of W.J. Davey, a daughter. [Lilian May Davey]

The National Defence League will support W.B. Rounsevell [among others] for a seat at the next election.

Hon. F.W. Holder arrived in Burra on Saturday night and was met at the Institute by a deputation who wished a survey made from Firewood Creek into the town. The Treasurer acceded to the request and we await the engineer’s report. Though Mr Holder seemed well, the pressure of his Parliamentary duties is telling on his health.

Dr Sangster jun. intends to visit Burra soon. He has returned to Burra as the English cold does not agree with him. He is due in a day or two.

Burra Burra Mine. Mr J. Thomas had a leg broken while timbering a shaft on Thursday when some debris fell on him.

Christian Endeavour Union Half-Yearly Rally was held at the Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church. In the absence of the President (Rev. W.H. Rofe), Rev. W.O. North, who is Vice-President, presided. [All three branches of Methodism were represented and testimonies and experiences recounted, reports made, and hymns sung etc.]

XV, 352 (3), 1 Feb. 1899 page 2-3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1896]

Burra Waterworks. Last Wednesday there was no water in the Burra taps. [The tone of the report is rather frivolous and meant to be humorous, and this makes it unclear exactly what the problem was, but apparently there was a broken pipe in the well shaft.]

Oddly enough it was those who claim not to use town water that complained first of its absence. One problem is the lack of a firm decision by the Government on the future of the plant.

XV, 352 (3), 1 Feb. 1899 page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1896]

Burra Burra Mine. Tributers continue to work the mine.

The Government Geologist hold high opinions of the country the recent bore hole has passed through.

The price of copper is holding up.

The boring at the mine has been going on for over 14 months and the second bore is about to begin. Mr Leahy has done well in working the bore without damage to the diamond drill.

Mr Joseph Ford has secured a portion of the Burra Burra Mine property to the southeast of the railway station and has sunk a new shaft c. 30’. Green and blue carbonate have been found and some nice deposits discovered. Six men are employed. ‘A well near the old mine office alongside the Redruth Road has been cleaned out and it is here the ore will be dressed.’ [Does this mean the Mine Store?]

Burra Waterworks. [A more coherent report on the recent stoppage.]

Last Wednesday an extra piece of pipe was successfully added to that already in the well at the Waterworks by the engineer, Mr Lapidge. When the engine was started it was found not to be drawing much water. It was then discovered that the plate to which the new pipe had been attached was cracked and the extra leverage had caused it to break. The Waterworks Committee met and it was worked out how to carry on with one set of pumps instead of two. The town was without water from Wednesday till midday Sunday. The engineer worked in the well at some risk for 48 hours without a break and on Sunday again raised the column in the well high enough to allow the removal of the broken piece and make it ready to receive the new plate which had to come from Adelaide. Water for the town had to be carted from wells. The Market Square well proved equal to the task and water from there was taken to the Reformatory and the Hospital. A printed notice on Saturday afternoon announced that a limited supply for domestic purposes was being restored. The lack of water prevented the early extinguishing of the fire at the Hospital.

Firewood Creek Survey. On Saturday evening a deputation waited on the Treasurer, the Hon. F. W. Holder, to impress on him the need for a survey from Firewood Creek to Burra. In the event that the operation of the Burra Mine begins the town water supply will fail as the mine is dewatered. Firewood Creek and any other source need to be considered. The bore had gone through 250’ of useful lode and with copper prices rising Mr Lewis said he saw no reason why the mine should not be developed. E.C. Lockyer considered the current water was unfit even for bathing and he thought Firewood Creek could be a useful site. A dam there would eliminate the need for pumping with its attendant costs. Mr Winnall said the water in the Waterworks’ Well had fallen 8-9” lately and several feet during the past year. It was in effecting an addition to the piping that the recent break had occurred. Burra did not often run to the Government for every little need so this matter was something the Government could easily undertake. The Treasurer undertook to send up an engineer as soon as possible to get a reply on the feasibility and cost. He did however see a difficulty regarding cost, which was likely to exceed £10,000.

Industrial School for the Blind Continental at Dr Brummitt’s was a success. The garden was lit by some 150 coloured lanterns suspended from the trees. They showed clearly from surrounding hills which aroused comment. The entertainment comprised an overture on the piano, a song by Miss Pearce, a duet by the Misses Pearce, two choruses from the Burra High School children, two choruses from Burra School children, songs by Messrs Winnall and Page, a duet by Messrs Winnall and Hawkes, stump speech by Mr Trotter, pole exercise by Burra School children, piano selection by Mrs Blundell & Miss Builder. Gymnastic capers were performed by Messrs Elliott Brummitt, Robert D. Brummitt, Robert Wilkinson, Cecil Sangster and Essington Lewis. The lads, especially Elliott Brummitt, acquitted themselves very well. The Burra Band came out of an extended recess for the occasion.

Fire broke out at the Burra Hospital on Saturday in one of the infectious diseases wards and the room was destroyed. The cause was the disinfection process which caught bedding alight and the fire spread to the matchboard lining to the iron structure. In the absence of water nothing could be done and the damage to the insured building was c. £100.

Salvation Army. The visit of Brigadier Glover, (Commanding SA) & Staff Capt. Dennis on Monday night saw a special meeting at the Barracks which was well attended.

XV, 353 (3), 8 Feb. 1899 page 2 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1896]

Bible Christian Church Anniversary on Sunday with Rev. A.J. Finch who preached three excellent sermons. Tea meeting on Monday at which Rev. Finch spoke on Four Years’ Work in London Slums.

Copper has reached £71-12-6 a ton for Chile bars and Burra copper is reckoned to be £5 a ton more valuable. No less than five mines on Yorke’s Peninsula are to be reopened. Now is the time surely for SAMA to at least make some preliminary moves towards reopening the Burra Mine.

Burra Waterworks. One morning last week water was unavailable again, but a supply was restored by the end of the day. The amount of water is still severely restricted as repairs have not yet been effected following the recent breakage. The water level in the well continues to fall requiring an additional piece of suction piping to be added this week. Pumping has been extended beyond midnight, but with only one set of pumps working there is barely enough water for domestic necessities.

XV, 353 (3), 8 Feb. 1899 page 3 [3rd use of a number used twice in this volume in Nov 1896]

Salvation Army Harvest Festival was led in the Barracks last Sunday. Three services were conducted by Capt. Melksham and his wife. Their good work since taking over has seen new members joining. There was a grand display with a painted background 24’ x 10’ showing a harvest scene with real wheat in front with bags of wheat and loaves of bread and seasonable fruit and then a neat post and wire fence. W.J. Davey was engaged to photograph the scene and it is being sent to Melbourne where the Army is awarding a prize of a bicycle to the officer with the best display in Australia.

Polo Match today in Broken Hill: Burra v. Broken Hill. Burra won the last encounter held in Burra some time ago. The Burra team comprise Messrs Scott, Bowman, Hawkes and L. Gebhardt.

Farrell’s Flat Racing Club met at the Hanson Hotel on 4 February and decided to form a new club to organise athletic and other sports on 17 March. Program to be arranges 8 March.

North & Midland District Land Board visited Burra on Friday for the purposes of allotting land recently purchased under the Closer Settlement Act from Koonoona Estate, comprising some 3,596 acres. 80 applications were received. The land allotted is one to four miles east of the Farrell’s Flat railway station and is cut into ten blocks ranging from 246 to 465 acres (In Hundred of Ayers). Most of the applicants are men from unfavourable land. [Details of the purchasers are given.]

Burra Town Council, 31 January.

A. Bartholomæus, a resident of 42 years, has been appointed Town Clerk.

John Harvey has been appointed dayman.

6 February.

The Bon Accord Bridge requires tarring and painting to keep iron and wood from decaying.

Rates were declared at: General 9d, Health 5d and Parklands 1⁄2d in the £.

Burra Waterworks. From 22 to 25 January the water level fell 9”. The breakage already noted was reported. This resulted in the stoppage to 29 January. On 3 February the other set of pumps gave out which required installing another length of pipe and then pumping was continued day and night. Since 25 January water has fallen another foot and continues to fall.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works.

About 7 years ago Mr Paynter made an effort to treat the slagheap at the old smelting works, but after erecting machinery and giving a fair test the work had to be abandoned as copper prices were so low: £45-£46 per ton. He said then that it would pay if prices reached £56-£60 a ton and as Burra copper would now fetch c. £75 it should pay well. Hon. J. Martin MLC visited on Tuesday with his engineer to select a site for the battery. Considerable water is required and an old well at the old works is to provide it. After treatment the remains are expected to be useful as a fertiliser. A 10-head battery will be erected on the south side of the heap employing 10-15 men initially and perhaps more later.

Willie Freear is coming tomorrow night.

XV, 354 (2), 15 Feb. 1899 page 2 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in Dec 1896]

Burra Waterworks problems continue and on Monday no water was available in the south end of town. Once wells were common here, but now they have mostly been either filled in or fallen in through neglect, so many people had to cart water in buckets for great distances. People are complaining about paying for water they cannot get. It is not the local authorities that are to blame. ‘The pumps are useless, the reservoir is no good and the water when it is pumped is passable for garden purposes or to wash out hen houses, and the like.’

A new scheme is required and the visit by the Conservator of Water this week may result in some alteration. A pump at one of the fine wells in the town would be better and more of a certainty. We have a real opportunity at present as we are not burdened by a lease of the works: though we might have been had the Government gone about its business in a businesslike manner. As the water level in the Waterworks is still falling there is no promise that we will not soon be without it altogether.

The weather has been disagreeably hot.

XV, 354 (2), 15 Feb. 1899 page 3 [2nd use of a number used once in this volume in Dec 1896]

The Conservator of Water visited Burra on Saturday to value the works etc. and will revisit this week to make further enquiries about the Mount Horrock’s scheme or other sites suggested for a new pumping station.

My Sweetheart was staged at the Institute on Thursday to an appreciative audience. It starred Mr Willie Freear who will return with his own company in about a month.

Obituary. Mrs Alicia Smith, wife of William Smith died in her home at Parkside on 5 February, aged 71. She lived in Burra for many years and was a brilliant pianist and staunch member of the Anglican Church. [Born Alicia Wilkinson]

The Eastern Country.

There is a report on the country east of Burra, but it is not very specific just where, though probably the inner east on the way to Robertstown. It reports signs of hard work and difficult times and praises the Germans for their hard work, tenacity, kindness and attention to their animals and care to keep their implements under cover. It mentions an early rabbit-proof fence of mallee stakes 2’6” long placed close together against a three wire fence.

Polo. The match at Broken Hill was won by Burra 8 goals to Broken Hill’s 1 behind.

Marriage. Last Thursday at World’s End Annie Amelia Duldig, eldest daughter of F. Duldig married Charles Rudolph Pfitzner of Friedrichswalde [Freidrich Walde in the paper] [Since 1918 Tarnma] at the Bright Lutheran Church. Rev. Hansen officiated. ‘There were ten buxom bridesmaids’ led by Miss M. Rooke. Over 70 sat down to luncheon in a large tent against the kitchen and there were games in the afternoon. The World’s End Tin and Bell Band sprang mysteriously into existence about 9 o’clock. After tea games, recitations and songs and a good program of music. Dinner was taken at 11.45 of every kind of roast poultry after which the wedding attire was removed, followed by toasts and games which continued till Saturday morning. A list of some of the presents follows.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The machinery for the treatment of the slagheap should arrive in the next few days. A lease of eight years has been taken out on the heap which should employ a dozen or so.

Burra Consols Mining Co. is still working at Princess Royal Estate near ‘Dutton’s Troughs’. Two workmen are making slow progress. Results of a quantity of stuff sent away for assay are not yet known.

Burra Burra Mine

Joe Ford’s Shaft is still being worked, but Ford is saying little about prospects. Some splendid ore has been raised and is soon to be dressed.

The derrick at the [second bore site in the] mine has been completed and boring is being watched with interest.

SAMA is said to be claiming Royalty on the newly formed syndicate. The property we understand belongs to the E. & A. Copper Co. who took a 99 year lease so it is doubtful if a legal claim can be made, but it will no doubt soon be worked out. Even if a royalty has to be paid the syndicate is determined to proceed. [An item in XV, 359, 19 Apr. 1899, page 2 makes it clear this refers to the slagheap syndicate not the syndicate to work Bunts’s.]

A syndicate is about to be formed to work Bunts’s at the Burra Mine and an application has been made to SAMA. When the mine closed Bunts’s was said to be yielding good ore and it is a shaft free of water.

XV, 354 (3), 22 Feb. 1899 page 3 [3rd use of No. 354]

Rev. A.G. King, who has been the incumbent at St Mary’s for over 7 years has been appointed to St Paul’s in Port Pirie and will probably leave about mid-April. A meeting of seat-holders will be held on 7 March to decide on appointing a successor. Since being here Rev. King has worked hard and leaves the parish in a flourishing state with mission churches established at Black Springs, Hallett and Gum Creek.

Burra Waterworks. The engineer reports the machinery is now working well and continually since his last report, except for the one and a half days taken in effecting repairs. It is now working smoothly at 3⁄4 speed as any faster would fork the well in about an hour. The town can be adequately supplied by pumping 16 hours a day.

Mr & Mrs Henry Pinch, Golden Wedding, celebrated last Friday at Redruth.

Mr Pinch was born in the Parish of St Maybn Cornwall, near Bodmin on 2 November 1828, where he lived till 21. He left Plymouth for Australia in the Duke of Bedford and arrived in Adelaide c. 12 November in the same year. [This statement is not clear. If he turned 21 before leaving, he arrived in 1850, but it may be suggesting he arrived in the same year in which he turned 21, which would be 1849.] Mrs Pinch was born Frances Hicks in 1822 in Mevagissey and came to Australia in the same boat. Mr Pinch proposed on the trip, but they were not married until they had settled in Burra. Mr Pinch was engaged by G.S. Walters Esq. to bring the first team of horses to Burra for the Patent Copper Co. (Later called the English & Australian Copper Co.) He worked for the Copper Co. for 10 months and then for the Burra Mines for over 20 years. Having made a dugout home in the Burra Creek he was married by Rev. J.C. Bagshaw in the church on Limestone Hill. He subsequently bought a farm at Pencarrow (784 acres) and carried on farming, dairying and stockbreeding for some 18 years. He then sold it to J. Cockrum, but subsequently repurchased it, turned it over to his son-in-law, and retired to Redruth. He has since been Councillor for the Burra District Council for three years and for some time Chairman. He also served two years on the Burra Town Council and is presently a member of the Hospital Board. He has been a member of the Oddfellows MU for 48 years and is a Past Master of the Burra Lodge of Freemasons. He used to run a night school with students at 1/- a week to learn reading and writing. While Mr Pinch is in robust health at 71, his wife is very feeble. He lived in the creek until a brick house was built at Redruth. He carried every bit of timber from Kooringa to Redruth on his back and put the roof on as in those days teams were scarce and cartage costs would have exceeded the value of the timber. The timber yard was where Bagot, shakes & Lewis office now stands. When 3⁄4 of the roof was on he moved in and sold his dugout for £3 to a friend who paid 30/- down – a short time later came the flood which washed out the dugouts. Mr Pinch’s house was, except for a very temporary police station, the first house in Redruth and he was among the first to buy allotments. One of the inmates of the lockup then got out and attended the wedding, returning probably before the warders noticed he had gone. Celebrations were rather quiet on account of Mrs Pinch’s poor health. Mr & Mrs Pinch are the only couple married in Burra who have lived here to celebrate their Golden Wedding. They have two daughters, Mrs Josiah Thomas of ‘Three Trees’ and Mrs E.N. Finch of ‘Pencarrow’ and nine grandchildren.

XV, 354 (4), 1 Mar. 1899 page 3 [4th use of No. 354]

Burra Burra Mines. A party of gentlemen from Adelaide were shown over the mine last week by the Hon. John Lewis MLC and were favourably impressed, though the object of their visit has not been made known.

The Hallett & Ulooloo Goldmining Syndicate held a meeting at Hallett on 27 February to hear a report on five tons of ore sent to Petersburg for cyanide treatment. The report encourages further development.

Leighton & Iron Mine Athletic Club Sports were held on Wednesday last. A warm day saw good running and close finishes. The one cycle mile handicap and the two mile event were both won by a promising young rider named Abbott.

Court.

Ching Hi sued Hi Hing for £1-13-0 for work done, but when Hi Hing was called Ah Foon appeared. Ching Hi claimed Ah Foon had presented himself as Hi Hing. If Ching Hi wants to proceed he will have to summons Ah Foon.

XV, 354 (5), 8 Mar. 1899 page 3 [5th use of No. 354]

Burra Waterworks. The well is showing a rise of 1” in levels when morning pumping begins.

Burra Branch: Australasian National League. A meeting is called for 10 March to arrange a social towards the end of the month. Ladies are particularly invited to attend.

XV, 355, 15 Mar. 1899 page 3

North-East District Candidates for the elections on 29 April will be:

F.W. Holder, W.B. Rounsevell and Mr Healy.

The capitation grant is likely to be the key issue this year and Catholics will only vote for those that support it, which may result in some unexpected changes taking place.

Burra Burra Mine.

Mr J. Ford continues to work his lease at the mine. The old well between Kooringa and Redruth has been cleaned out and jiggers are at work washing ore, some of which is said to be of good quality.

The bore is proceeding smoothly under Mr Leahy, but there are no startling discoveries yet.

Frank Tucker, of the Government Freezing Works at Pt Adelaide, announces he is willing to buy rabbits and hares in any quantity for export.

Mr A.H. Forder has returned from a four month leave of absence which was his first holiday in forty years as Clerk of the Redruth Court and Registrar of Births and Deaths. He has been in Government service for forty-three years – three as a licensed teacher. He has also bee a returning officer for 30 years.

F.W. Holder is holidaying for a few days at Mongolata after almost six years of continuous work. He will open his election campaign at Burra on 4 April. The main topic will be Federation – voting for the amended Federation scheme is on the same day as the election.

The Market Square Lamp has been stolen. Mr W. Geake usually gives it enough kerosene to last till after midnight when it extinguishes itself and no one noticed it was gone until evening was falling on Saturday. No trace of it has been found.

Burra Hospital Board has given permission for Rev. C. Haendl SJ to hold services each alternate Thursday.

Railway Accident. A child [unidentified by the paper] fell out of a train somewhere last Thursday and was taken to Riverton for medical treatment. It ‘had its chest smashed, in addition to being seriously cut about the head and face’.

XV, 355 (2), 22 Mar. 1899 page 2 [Second use of No. 355]

Advt. Karitorama at Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Wednesday 29 March.

[Apparently some form of fair as Mrs Brummitt is said to have consented to open the Fair.]

Advt. Friday 24 March at Burra Institute:

Freear’s Celebrated Monologue Entertainment: Frivolities.

Program: The Christy Minstrels, A Frolicsome Youth, A Sad Story of Hard Luck & A Very Pathetic Ballad, Wizard of the East, Alphabetical Temperance Lecture, Through Reading and Grotesque Dance, Mr Freear as Miss Minnie Palmer, Mr Freear in his Reminiscences of an Evening Pary [sic] [Party?], An American Sand Dance, An Address to the Constituents, Mr Feear as Madam Oyster Patti. Electricity will keep the audience laughing from 8 to 10.30.

XV, 355 (2), 22 Mar. 1899 page 3

Advt. At the Institute 25 March: Mr Wybert Reeve, lessee and manager of the Theatre Royal, Adelaide will exhibit Lumiere’s marvellous and improved Cinematographe and the wonderful Graphophone. 30 picture will be shown.

Popular singer Mr Beaumont Read will sing appropriate ballads. 2/- & 1/-.

A feature of the above will be the funeral of the late Mr Gladstone.

Burra Waterworks is running smoothly with water down 3” on the last report.

St Patrick’s Day last Friday saw Athletic, Horse Racing, and Cycling events at Farrell’s Flat. It was a good day with very fair attendance.

XV, 357, 29 Mar. 1899 page 2 [Number 356 not used.]

Advt. Members of St Mary’s Church to attend a meeting at the schoolroom tomorrow (Thursday) to arrange a farewell social for Rev. A.G. & Mrs King.

Advt. For one night only at the Burra Institute: Alfred Dampier supported by 20 Metropolitan Artists in Robbery Under Arms. A Triumph of Realism. 3/- & 2/-.

Willie Freear’s Frivolities did not draw a large audience, but those who came were delighted.

Burra Consols Copper Mine. The men working at Princess Royal have returned to Pt Pirie and work has been suspended. It is said the directors intend to call for tenders to further develop the property.

XV, 357, 29 Mar. 1899 page 3

Con. Men. There is a report of two con men visiting the town, but the language of the report renders the exact nature of the confidence trick obscure.

The Cinematographe received a very fair audience considering the very poor weather on Saturday: rain and strong wind.

Mr & Mrs George Harry & Family were tendered a valedictory social at the Mt Bryan Bible Christian Church on Tuesday 14 March. They are going to Broken Hill. Mr Harry has for many years been active in the welfare of the district and his loss will be keenly felt by the church and Sunday school in which he was a teacher.

Fire on the premises of Mr C.G. Tiver on Thursday afternoon destroyed a large stable. A young boy playing with fire seems to have started it. The place and contents were uninsured.

Hanson D.C. Clerk reported that no accommodation could be provided for the teacher at Leighton School as it was only a provisional school and residents needed to take means to have it declared a proper school.

Burra D.C. was working on the road 100 yards north and 100 yards south of the Tin Chapel. [This is a rare reference to this building which I think refers to the Baldina Church.]

Australasian National League. The annual social of the Burra Branch will be held on Friday 7 April in the Institute. B.A. Molden, President of the ANL for SA and the Hon. W.B. Rounsevell will be among those speaking.

A patent earth silt scoop of Mr E.J. Lane of Cockburn was demonstrated on E.N. Finch’s farm at Princestown about 2 miles west of Kooringa. Many farmers gathered to see this machine. The scoop is designed to clear out dams while there is water in them. Particulars available from T.F. Robertson.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The machinery to treat the slag has not yet arrived.

Water scheme. The surveyor will arrive in Burra from Adelaide today to survey the Mt Horrock’s scheme. The mayor and Mr E.C. Lockyer will escort the visitor over the site.

XV, 357 (2), 5 Apr. 1899 page 2 [Second use of No. 357]

Kanowna Foresters (WA) have presented W.H. Linkson with a medal for acting as their secretary since the lodge opened six months ago.

XV, 357 (2), 5 Apr. 1899 page 3 [Second use of No. 357]

Burra Show Society meets on Friday 14 April at the Institute to fix the date for the next show.

Election candidates will now be: F.W. Holder, W.B. Rounsevell, Mr Healy & Mr Mitchell.

Dr J.I. Sangster Sen. is going to Robe in the Southeast for three months for a working holiday and Dr J.I. Sangster jun. will take over here for that period of time.

Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary services were held last Sunday with a floral service in the afternoon. The tea meeting was on Monday.

Mr W. West Sen. has been dangerously ill for the past few days with a cold which settled in his lungs, but he now seems to be on the mend. During his illness Cr West, his son, has taken over the management of the mine and property.

The Wesleyan Church held its quarterly meeting on 28 March. There is a debt of about £35 and a Karitorama was about to be held to remove this liability. Kooringa Sunday school attendance has been up lately. Conference has appointed Rev. W.G. Clarke to take the place of the late Rev. J.Y. Simpson.

Bible Christian Sunday School had its annual picnic at Princess Royal on Good Friday. The day began fine, but rain threatened from about noon, falling from about 4 o’clock at intervals. At 6 it ceased for an hour or two and the trip home was accomplished.

Water scheme. The surveyor, Graham Stewart, found that the Mt Horrock’s scheme gave a height above the railway station of 160’ which is 60’ above the present storage. The rainfall is about 2” above that at Kooringa. The mayor and Mr Lockyer were favourably impressed and the survey continues re the cost and the work needed.

Karitorama. Kooringa Wesleyan Sunday school teachers and scholars met on 16 January and decided on a Karitorama or Fancy Fair for 29 March, with the aim of cancelling out the circuit debt before the arrival of a new minister. On Wednesday last the stalls were well stocked and the Karitorama ran from 3 to 10 Wednesday and 7 to 10 Thursday and in all raised £26. [The debt was £35.] Details of who did what are printed.

Burra Bicycle Club ran a sports meeting at Victoria Park on Easter Monday. There was a procession from the Institute to the park at 12.45. The first event was the slow race over 1⁄4 mile which was won by J.A.S. Bagg. W.J. Richards was the only contestant to complete the egg and spoon race. W.J. Richards got home first in the thread the needle race, but was disqualified for not tying the thread and J.A.S. Bagg was awarded the race. (The rules should have been made clearer.)

Polo Race James Richards

Bicycle Tilting Match R. Gully

Steeplechase W.J. Richards

Cigar and Umbrella Race [No winner stated, despite being ‘the best and most amusing race for the day’.]

Obstacle Race J.A.S. Bagg & O. Abbott

Costume Exhibition Only 2 entrants: J.A.S. Bagg 1st as Father Time

O. Abbott 2nd as Chimney Sweep

XV, 358, 12 Apr. 1899 page 2

Burra Burra Mine. Boring continues, but with not sensational finds made.

W. West Sen. continues to improve in health.

St Mary’s vestry meeting was the last for Rev. A.G. King before leaving for Pt Pirie. £60 is currently being expended on repairs to the church and rectory.

F.W. Holder opened his electoral campaign on Tuesday 14 April at the Institute.

Polo. The Broken Hill team arrives today for a match.

XV, 358, 12 Apr. 1899 page 2-3

The Australasian National League social on Friday was successfully held at the Institute. W.G. Hawkes presided. There were musical and singing items among addresses by B.A. Molden, and the Hon. W.B. Rounsevell. The evening concluded with a dance.

XV, 358, 12 Apr. 1899 page 3

Gum Creek Mission Social on Easter Monday. After the vestry meeting they adjourned to the barn of Mr T. Bailey which had been converted for the occasion into a drawing room. After tea there was a concert and in the interval a purse of sovereigns was presented to Rev. King. After the concert there was a supper before people headed home at 10 p.m.

F.W. Holder’s Address at the Institute on 14 April. John Sampson, Mayor, presided.

Holder looked back on 12 years of political life: almost six of them as a minister. The last six years had been troubled by a combination of poor seasons and low prices for a longer period than ever before. The Government has been constrained in what it could do by finances. Many things in the public interest have not been possible due to cost. Departmental expenditure has been cut by £97,000 p.a. An Export Department has been created. The Northern Territory runs at a deficit from year to year of £60,000 to £70,000. The territory actually pays its way except for the Pine Creek railway – almost all of the deficit goes in its arrears. The deficiency is not a burden on the SA taxpayer as the accounts of the NT are kept quite separately from those of SA. SA does however, guarantee the NT debt and does from time to time make large advances to enable it to continue. Such advances are in time to be returned and the NT pays interest on them in the mean time. Special prospecting rights in the NT hold hopes that minerals will eventually pay for the Territory. The Government has been redeeming bonds for which the interest was 6% and consolidating debt, so reducing interest charges by some £30,000 p.a. and redemptions are saving some £25,000 p.a. A surplus is anticipated this year. Tax in Australia per head on the latest figures:

NSW £1-17-11

SA £2-7-8

Victoria £2-9-6

Tasmania £2-17-9

Queensland £3-4-4

WA £6-18-2

Last year income tax yielded £47,000 and income from properties £50,000.

In these difficult times the Government has passed a very liberal Pastoral Act and Seed Wheat Acts have provided grain to keep farmers in business. So far the sums distributed: 1st year £4,979

2nd £59,019

3rd £27,132

4th £1,368 so far

Without this seed wheat much of the drier country must have gone out of cultivation to the disadvantage of the landlords of whom the Government is the largest.

A Bill to repurchase land for closer settlement has been passed and this has seen land at Mt Browne, near Farrell’s Flat, and at Penton Vale on Yorke Peninsula acquired. Other purchases will follow as opportunity occurs.

The Bundaleer and Barossa Reservoirs have been improved and other smaller schemes are contemplated.

Juvenile gambling has been dealt with under the Gaming Suppression Bill.

Federation has occupied much time and thought. I believe the new referendum to coincide with this election will approve the amendments made by the Premiers’ Conference. The new provisions give greater power to the larger colonies and less to the smaller than in the previous Bill, but it is still no less worthy of acceptance by SA. In the hands of Mr Reid we can expect that NSW will follow SA in approving the Bill and then nothing will be left but for the British Parliament to pass the Bill. I have no agreement with those who would abolish the local Parliament, but the numbers of MPs should be reduced when Federation occurs.

Holder thought that the MLCs in the past had represented their constituents well, but he had no objection to the proposed adult suffrage which would enfranchise another 80,000 – in any case it would be decided by a referendum on 29 April.

There was a proposal to increase the income tax exemption level and to allow the State Bank to accept deposits in the same way as the Savings Bank. The Export Department has done well at promoting the sale of produce that private enterprise showed no signs of moving: 60,000 sheep carcases worth £30,000, 400,000 rabbits worth £13,000, £5,000 worth of wine and over £70,000 worth of butter.

Holder spoke for two hours.

St Mary’s Church last Sunday saw the dedication of a marble font given by a lady member and also the farewell sermon of Rev. King.

Burra Waterworks continues to function satisfactorily.

XV, 359, 19 Apr. 1899 page 2

Marriage. On 12 April at St Joseph’s by Rev. Fr Haendl.

Thomas Joseph O’Byrnes, 2nd son of T. O’Byrnes of Lancashire and

Sarah Gertrude Octavia Ryan-Walsh, youngest daughter of the late Patrick Ryan-Walsh of Parra Plains

Obituary. Ida Kickebusch, wife of Emil Kickebusch, died on 15 April at Baldina of a tumour, aged 53. She leaves two sons and four daughters: Mrs Rooke of Baldina, Mrs Lehmann of Callington, & Mrs Krause of Victoria. The younger son is 18. Rev. Leidig officiated at the funeral at Baldina.

[Born Ida Elisabeth Dorothea Klaebe]

Editorial on The Elections.

As well as electing two MPs the voters will be asked to vote for or against adult suffrage for the Legislative Council and to decide on the Commonwealth Bill. At present the qualifications for the Legislative Council vote requires electors to hold a property of rental value of at least £25 p.a. and this yields some 37,000 voters compared with 80,000 who do not hold property to that value. The proposal is to make eligible all who are eligible for the House of Assembly. SA will not be materially affected by the amended Commonwealth proposal.

Copper has reached £72-5-0 per ton.

St Mary’s has secured the services of Rev. Murphy of Robe and he will fill the pulpit on Sunday 14 May.

Burra Hospital now has two cases of typhoid from Terowie. Latterly very few cases have been dealt with from Burra.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The syndicate working the slagheap expect an amicable settlement with SAMA and so to commence work soon.

A Vermin Board Meeting. A meeting called by P.L. Killicoat at the Institute this month will consider the advisability of forming a Vermin Board to fence the land west of the Murkaby Vermin Board, south of Braemar, to the Hundred of King.

Burra Show Soc. has decided the next show will be 27 September and they start with funds at £92.

Salvation Army. Mrs Melksham, wife of the Salvation Army Captain in Burra, has been critically ill, but although very weak is somewhat improved and there is now every probability of her recovery.

Capitation Grants are explained. The Government proposes to give a sum per capita to enable Catholics to educate their children in their own schools.

Rev. W.G. Clarke was welcomed at a social in the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Monday evening. The meeting also welcomed home Mr E.W. Crewes from his trip to England. Dr Brummitt presided.

Robbery Under Arms was the best thing staged at Burra for a number of years. The hall was crowded, the scenery was excellent and the performances more than met expectations with laughter one minute and tears the next.

All Nations Fair in aid of the blind will be held in Adelaide on Monday. No Burra ladies will assist this year, but the local committee has sent £12-6-3 and a crate of turkeys from Hallett to bring the value to c. £15.

XV, 359, 19 Apr. 1899 page 2-3

Rev. King’s farewell social on Tuesday evening, chaired by Hon. John Lewis.

XV, 359, 19 Apr. 1899 page 3

Election Meeting at the Institute on Tuesday drew an unusually large number of ladies to hear from the candidates for the two House of Assembly seats for the district.

Healy (Labor):

Was told he had a poor chance in such an agricultural area but he had been brought up on a farm and had followed agricultural pursuits for some years. He wanted to see the State Bank become a bank of deposit and issue. He favoured household suffrage. The present upper house was a menace to progressive legislation, declining last session to pass eight important measures. He favoured compulsory land purchase for closer settlement. He opposed further alienation of Crown Lands. He was for the railway to Queensland, an Outer Harbour and White Australia. He also favoured mineral exploration and development and a free breakfast table. He wanted an adjustment to Police Superannuation, old age pensions, early closing and the abolition of plural voting in municipal elections.

Mr Thomas (Independent):

He was for Federation and a reduction in the number of local MPs. He opposed household suffrage and favoured a six year term for the Legislative Council with half retiring every three years. He opposed the abolition of the upper house and was strongly against the capitation grant. He did not think the seed wheat provisions were generous and the fund should be nationalised. He favoured the Closer Settlement Act and would increase the value of a holding to £1,500 as in some areas a living could not be made on less. He favoured the railways to Perth and Pt Darwin on a land grant system and a railway to Queensland if it could be shown to pay. He was for an Outer harbour only after the railways. He supported Government assistance for mining development and was for making the State Bank one of deposit and issue.

Hon. W.B. Rounsevell:

The Government had held the balance of power for six years and had abused it y expending money without Parliamentary sanction. The past actions of Labor had been that of destruction and the future ones would be of ruin. They wanted to tax all but themselves. They would raise exemptions on income tax to exclude themselves and increase it on others, would reduce duties on necessities, but make it up from land, would reduce the hours of work and yet increase pay. Labor was for state insurance – or rather state folly. The Early Closing and Factory Bills were bad for employers and worse for the employed. By reducing qualifications for the Legislative Council they were taking the first steps towards abolition. Labor, he said, had practically ruled the colony for six years, yet all that had happened had not improved the position of the worker. He was for water conservation and the promotion of agriculture, was for Roseworthy College and Federation. He favoured the capitation grant which Mr Mitchell opposed.

[The nominations for the election were:

James Healy of Carrington St, Adelaide, salesman

Frederick William Holder of Adelaide, journalist

Thomas Mitchell of Jamestown, farmer

William Benjamin Rounsevell of Glenelg, farmer]

Polo. At the Polo Ground, Aberdeen, last Wednesday Burra 7 goals 15 behinds defeated Broken Hill 2 goals 11 behinds.

In the evening the players were entertained at the residence of Hon. J. Lewis MLC. On Thursday in a second game Burra 4 defeated Broken Hill 3.

Burra Town Council holds its general inspection of the town on 19 April.

Some work is to be done on the Bridge St footbridge.

XV, 360, 26 Apr. 1899 page 3

Mrs Melksham, underwent a serious operation at the Burra Hospital last week, but is progressing as well as can be expected.

Rev. D.S. Wylie, formerly of Redruth is to preach at Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church next Sunday as Rev. Wellington is taking his place at the Mintaro anniversary services.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. After many efforts of the enthusiastic supporters this is at last to become an established club. Rifles are to be supplied and all that is wanted is a good number of members. A meeting will be held on Thursday at the Institute and we hope all sportsmen who glory in shooting will attend.

Burra Football Club. The opening meeting for the year was held in R.D. Pascoe’s’ shop on Saturday evening. It was a well-attended meeting which decided on one club in the town this year. Subscriptions are 2/- for the season. It was resolved that Hon. John Lewis be asked to be President with E. Hirschausen as Captain and The colours to be blue and white.

Obituary. Herbert (Bertie) Williams, the only son of C.C. Williams died suddenly and unexpectedly last Friday, aged 6. [Born25 January 1893: died 21 April 1899]

The Legislative Council Franchise is discussed in a long article by Fred. W. Young LLB, running to 11⁄3 columns of small print.

He argues that the objects of the Legislative Council are:

To restrain impetuous actions in the House of Assembly.

To provide stability through a group of men of greater experience, comparative independence of popular election and a longer term in Parliament.

To preserve a continuity of policy.

If the franchise were the same in both Houses the Legislative Council may as well be dispensed with and SA would then be governed by mob rule, by a numerical majority that would be a minority in terms of education, culture and intelligence.

Votes of equal value sounds a fine idea, but in fact it would mean power would move to the cities and within them to the manual labouring class. Inequality prevails in education, intellect and culture. An equal say in so far as it extends to protection of life is all right, but should stop there. It cannot reasonably be extended to the formation of laws to protect property when most have none to protect and are jealous of those that do. The SA franchise for the Legislative Council is already one of the most liberal in the world. The people need not fear the Upper House will prove oppressive. Any necessary measures of reform will, by virtue of merit and public opinion in due time be adopted by that house. Unsafe legislation will be stopped.

The party in SA today that wishes to ‘level down’ the society would do better to ‘level up’ – increasing the prosperity of all. The USA and UK owe their prosperity to the fostering of rich men. Wealth needs to be as free as possible from unnecessary trammels.

He goes on to fear that government by the mob would turn attention to higher taxes on land and/or production and so kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Wages would rise, farms would fail, and unemployment would rise. Lowering the franchise for the Legislative Council is but the first step on this path to self-destruction.

Letter to the Editor urging all Protestants to vote against capitation grants just as the Roman Catholic Archbishop has urged all Catholics to vote only for candidates who supported capitation.

Cricket. Mongolata 83 defeated Ketchowla 54 last Saturday. Of the ten matches they have played this season they have won eight. The highest batting averages are C. Warnes 21.8 and I Warnes 20.9. The leading bowling figures are I. Warnes with 30 wickets for an av. 4 and H.S. Stephens 43 for an av. 5.

Burra Defence Rifle Club meets Thursday April 27 to elect officers. Rifles will be provided free once the club is gazetted. A.B. Hiddle, Hon. Sec. pro tem.

Robbery. H. Roach’s flour mill was robbed c. 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon when the cash box was found to be rifled. The thief took a ticket for a southern station and vanished. No local resident was implicated.

XV, 361, 3 May 1899 page 2

Obituary. Grace Ewins, aged 86, died on 27 April at her residence in Thames St. She was the mother of Mrs Thomas Edwards, Mrs Price and Mr C.H. Ewins. [Registered as dying aged 87: wife of John Ewins]

Vermin Proof Fencing District. A meeting to form such a district was held last Friday in the Institute under P.L. Killicoat. A committee was formed to define the area and decide on costs and a rate. The committee has defined the area as the Hundred of Rees, part Hundred of King and Blocks 60 & 62 east of these and calls the next meeting on 5 May in the Institute.

XV, 361, 3 May 1899 page 3

Results of Burra Election

Votes Plumpers

Healy 894 198

Holder 1982 44

Mitchell 1135 78

Rounsevell 1158 291

Informal 35

This was a clear win to Holder and a narrow one for Rounsevell.

Vote for Federation – The Commonwealth Bill

For 2185 Against 428 Informal 297

Vote to lower the Legislative Council Franchise

For 1389 Against 1169 Informal 328

XV, 362, 10 May 1899 page 2

Notice. Tenders called for excavations for foundations for the machinery adjoining the old slagheap at Redruth. J. Martin.

XV, 362, 10 May 1899 page 2-3

Jos. Martin is in town making preparations for the erection of a crushing battery, concentrators, etc. at the old slagheap. The site is on the south side of the old heap. It is estimated the heap contains over 150,000 tons of slag which will take about six years working 3 shifts to get through it, but if it is payable the machinery could be duplicated and the time halved.

XV, 362, 10 May 1899 page 3

The Vermin Board proposed for the Hundred of Rees, Pat. Hundred of King etc. is expected to require a rate of 12/9 per mile and as this is high more land will be included to the extent of 25,000 acres to increase the number of landowners to share the cost.

Thomas Kitchen has been arrested in Sydney.

Daniel Galvin, aged 79, has been charged with attempting to carnally know Harriett Willis, aged 13-16 years and has been committed for trial at the next criminal sittings. Both parties are in receipt of Government rations and live in Paxton Square.

Bicycle Polo match at Aberdeen on Saturday in which the Married defeated the Singles.

Football. The Burra Football Club met on Monday and drew up plans for a match with Clare at Victoria Park on 29 May, under the new rules of 18 a side. The SAFC has promised to send the new rules as soon as possible.

Burra Institute Committee has accepted the tender of D. Jones for renovating the Council Chamber.

J. Ford is still working on his property in the Burra Mine.

Burra Mine. Boring continues.

XV, 364, 17 May 1899 page 2 [There was no number 363.]

Messrs Cave, Lewis and Harvey sent chrysanthemums to the Broken Hill Chrysanthemum Show last week and scooped the pool in the Allcomers’ Class. Mr J.D. Cave, who has acted as judge for some years was unable to this year due to ill health.

Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. The AGM showed that in 1898 aid was given to 32 aged men and widows and 16 families with 61 members. 364 relief orders were fulfilled: 267 for firewood (£41-1-3), 87 for groceries (£11-11-1, drapery (£3-13-5), flour (5/6) etc. for a total of £58-11-2. The society is presently in credit to £23-18-7, but needs more with the approach of winter.

Redruth Primitive Methodist Church Anniversary was on 7 May. The afternoon service of song was Little Abe. The public meeting was on Wednesday with supper.

XV, 364, 17 May 1899 page 2-3

Burra Mine. The report on the boring operation shows that the drill was at 1201’ and showed copper ore at 600’ in Morphett’s Shaft, Waterhouse’s, and Peacock’s. It proves the continuance downwards of copper bearing ground. The Government Geologist, H.V.L. Brown, considers it shows enough ore to justify setting Morphett’s Shaft in order and restarting mining at that point.

XV, 364, 17 May 1899 page 3

Rev. W.G.M. Murphy, the new incumbent at St Mary’s arrives on Friday with his induction service the same evening.

Thomas Kitchen, former secretary of Albert District of the Order of Rechabites has been charged with embezzling £20 from the same and the case has been adjourned with bail.

Adelaide University Extension Lectures. W. Fuller, assisting in the Physiological Dept. will lecture on The Cell and Its Life in the Institute next Monday. This lecture is part of a series to be illustrated with lantern slides.

Baker & Rosewall have won the contract for the excavation work for the foundations at the old slagheap. The machinery will arrive shortly. Hand operations on the slag have been tried and found too tedious and unremunerative.

Mr Paynter tried with the most complete set of machinery that it was possible to get and the process was successful, but the price of copper then made further progress impossible. Now copper has risen by £15 to £17 a ton and looks set to rise to at least £85 or £90 a ton.

Burra Waterworks. The works continue to operate satisfactorily. From 1 July all concessions for excess water have been discontinued. [These concessions had allowed excess use in one assessment to be transferred to another assessment which had been underused, but from 1 July each assessment would stand alone and be charged accordingly.]

Local Board of Health. Notices have been given to butchers that boiling down places must be removed from the present premises within a month.

The present rubbish depot is considered to be inappropriately located and a committee will advise on its relocation.

A case of erysipelas at Copperhouse has been reported to the Central Board of Health.

Bicycle Polo match last Saturday. C. Packard’s side 8 defeated W.J. Richard’s side 5.

Court.

David Miles fined 5/- + costs for driving too fast around the corner from Mt Pleasant into Market Square.

Charles Grow was fined 10/- + costs for allowing his horse to stray.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary will be held on 21 May with the tea meeting on Wednesday 24 May. Mr Wood MP will conduct three services.

Football. There was a scratch match at Victoria Park on Saturday against Allcomers.

XV, 365, 24 May 1899 page 2

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. Work on the excavations at the slagheap is well under way.

Mt Horrocks Water Scheme. Surveyors are at the site of this proposed scheme.

St Mary’s new incumbent was installed by the Ven. Archdeacon Dove last Friday.

Adelaide University Extension Lectures. The second in the series of three lectures on The Cell and Its Life will be held in the Institute tonight and the third on Friday next.

(1/- each lecture or 2/6 for the three.)

Waterworks. A deputation is to wait on the Council re the withdrawal of the water rates concessions.

Fraud. Beware of a fraud collecting money for the relief of those suffering losses from the sinking of the Loch Sloy. He purports to have the recommendation of the Rev. S. Wellington, but it has not been drafted by that gentleman.

Mr Kitchen has now also been charged with other fraud offences: £300 on 11 June 1895, £75 in July 1897, £110 on 20 November 1897 and £9-2-0 on 26 January 1898.

Kooringa Bible Christian Sunday School celebrated its 40th Anniversary last Sunday and Monday with the tea meeting on Monday. The guest speaker was ‘Uncle Harry’, the General Secretary of the ‘Sunbeam Society’. Selections on the gramophone were played at intervals. Several of the school’s founders are still living, viz. Mr James Blatchford (aged 90), Mr John Pellew, Mr Thomas Richards (Sunday school superintendent for many years) and Rev. James Rowe (1st pastor).

Football. Mr Blott will umpire the match against Clare next Monday at Victoria Park.

Entrance 6d and children 3d.

Bicycle Polo was played on Saturday despite the rain and strong wind.

XV, 366, 31 May 1899 page 2

The Suffrage Referendum.

Results: 49,208 for and 33,928 against.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The walls of the building and foundations for the necessary machinery are under construction.

XV, 366, 31 May 1899 page 3

Adelaide University Extension Lectures by Mr Fuller were delivered to moderate audiences.

Obituary. Mr J. Bagg of Spring Bank, aged 57, has died. He was a resident of 52 years. He was a member of the MUIOOF and leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters.

[John Bagg: died 28 May 1899]

The Rt Rev. Dr Maher, Bishop of Port Augusta, held a confirmation service at St Joseph’s last Sunday when 63 were confirmed. Illness prevented his lordship from preaching.

Kooringa Wesleyan Church has formed a Sunshine Workers Band to interest the children in useful work. The first effort was to raise money for sufferers of the wreck of the Loch Sloy. £5 was raised.

Mt Horrocks Water Scheme survey work has been completed.

Football. The first match for the season was played on Monday at Victoria Park when Burra 5.14 defeated Clare 0.4

XV, 367, 7 June 1899 page 2

Editorial on a bad accident at the Bundaleer construction site, where five men lost their lives due to an earth fall when the works were not timbered. It calls for a full investigation into work practices and workplace safety.

XV, 367, 7 June 1899 page 3

Rev. T.E. Hansen of Bright will conduct services in the old German Chapel at Redruth beginning on Wednesday evening next.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. It is expected that the erection of the machinery at the slagheap will soon begin and take some two months to complete.

Benefit Concert tonight at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall for the Bundaleer disaster.

Mr J. Roach will visit soon and give an illustrated lecture on 26 June with over 120 views of his trip last year to Norway. Mr Adamson’s lantern will be used – said to be the finest in the colonies. In aid of Burra Benevolent Society.

Burra Waterworks. The deputation on Monday to the Town Council protested the decision to make each water assessment stand alone. On learning that the ratepayers were so strongly opposed the resolution was rescinded.

There is an article of 12⁄3 columns on the issue.

There was much argument on the loss of the concession which allowed shopkeepers to use the shop allowance on their home properties. If users buy so much water per annum why should it matter where it is used? There was also much argument about the lack of meters. A large amount of the water that is pumped is not paid for. The Waterworks have been badly managed for ten or more years said Mr Wilkinson. Most of the meters were then returned to the Government since when things have been getting worse and worse. He said the concessions enjoyed after about 15 years had become an unwritten law that should be respected.

The mayor said it had only been introduced about seven years ago by one who has since moved to another colony and who also moved many of the meters. Mr Wilkinson thought the concession was allowed when Mr Holder was Town Clerk and the argument of Mr Wilkinson was supported by Mr Lane. Dr Brummitt added his support while admitting the water waste was a problem for which another solution was needed.

Cr Fuss allowed the justice of the argument but said the waste problem remained.

At the Council meeting on 5 June Cr West gave notice he would move to rescind the motion ending concessions for excess water at the next meeting.

Crops around Burra are looking promising, but in the east another bad season is threatening. Grain planted there has gone mouldy without germinating.

Football. There was a scratch match on Saturday:

Half Time Full Time

J. Lally’s Team 2.2 4.10

F. Pearce’s Team 0.6 6.9

At a meeting on Monday at Mr Pascoe’s shop the Hon. John Lewis accepted the position of President. There is a credit balance of c. £4 and 34 playing members with 12 honorary members. The club owns four good footballs to start the season.

XV, 368, 14 June 1899 page 2

Obituary. Mr Thomas Mackeney, a resident of Burra for many years, died on 7 June at Boulder City WA, aged 65. He was an old Burra miner and when the mines closed he unsuccessfully tried farming near Gawler and then goldmining in Victoria and for the last two years was mining at Boulder City, WA. He was a member of the Burra Oddfellows Lodge for 35 years.

The Benefit Concert on Wednesday last raised £5-0-3 for the Bundaleer Fund, comprising £3-10-0 from the door and £1-10-0 from the Band of Hope.

William Dale, a rabbiter, fell off the train near Cockburn and was brought to Burra Hospital suffering compression of the brain. An operation of trepanning was performed, but little hope is held for his recovery.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. A report in the Register by Mr Thomas FCS casts doubts on the profitability of treating the Burra slagheap, but it has been assayed and duly tested.

XV, 368, 14 June 1899 page 3

Copper has reached £78 a ton.

James Tiver JP celebrated his 70th birthday at the Redruth Wesleyan Chapel last Sunday with his surviving children: five sons and five daughters. The group included 27 bearing the name Tiver. Rev. W.H. Rofe referred to the gathering and that all the children had passed through the Sunday school and all but one had been married there. Mr Tiver was Senior Superintendent of the Sunday school and was also many years ago a founder and trustee of the building. He was born in Bristol and migrated to SA in 1855. He worked as a mason and builder in Adelaide and then as a mason at the Burra Smelting Works furnaces, becoming a master builder in company with Mr Aaron Cole, now of Port Lincoln. He had built the original part of the Burra Institute and the Wallaroo Smelting Works (with Messrs Bower and Pulsford), the Redruth Bridge, the stationmasters’ residences between Tarlee and Farrell’s Flat, the Burra Station Yard and original station and many houses in the district. He built his present commodious shop in Aberdeen in 1870. About 40 years ago he commenced sheep farming with Mr Cole, but dissolved the partnership and opened a store in Hallett and struggled with drought as a grazier. One member of the family travelled from WA, two from Broken Hill and one each from Oodla Wirra, Pat’s Well (Yunta), and Macclesfield. In the afternoon eight of the grandchildren were christened by Rev. W.H. Rofe.

XV, 369, 21 June 1899 page 2

Obituary. William Dale, who fell from the train near Cockburn died on Tuesday afternoon, 13 June.

[Died 14 June aged 58]

XV, 369, 21 June 1899 page 3

Crops near Burra are now looking good on account of the good falls of rain.

Burra Defence Rifle Club is pushing on with preliminary arrangements.

Gospel Lantern Service next Sunday evening in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church: illustrated hymns, sacred songs and the Parable of the Tares.

Burra Town Council rescinded the resolution ending the water concessions on Monday night.

A Mutual Improvement Society was established at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Friday evening with the election of officers and enrolment of members. Patron, Dr Brummitt; President, Rev. W.G. Clarke.

Burra High School. Miss Davidson is severing her connection with the school after 21⁄2 years. After the mid-winter recess Miss Bertha Millar, the Principal’s niece, will join the staff. The third term begins on 19 July.

Tennis. Burra will play Clare next Monday opposite the hospital.

Mrs Woollacott granted a licence for a maternity home.

Inquest into the death of William Dale. Having established that he fell from the train between Oulnina and Winnininnie there was some doubt about the role of drink in the fall, but the jury concluded that it was an ‘accidental death’.

Football. Last Saturday Burra travelled to Manoora, departing Burra at 1.30 and arriving at 3.00 with play starting at 3.30 p.m.

Burra 2.1 3.3 3.3 4.4 (28)

Manoora 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.9 (15)

This was the first time Manoora had played under the new rules.

XV, 370, 28 June 1899 page 3

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. Machinery continues to be carted from the railway station to the slagheap operations.

Burra Mine. There was yet another rumour that the mine had been sold, but as usual it was without foundation.

James A. Gibson, collector for the blind, deaf and dumb, reports he has collected £16-6-6 on his recent time in Burra.

Obituary. Mrs Thomas Hutchins has died. [But there is no other information to indicate a local connection.] [Records show she was born Ann Martin 29 August 1820, lived at Aberdeen and died there 15 June 1899 aged 78]

Australian Federation looks likely to succeed this time round. Last week’s NSW election was in favour. The Bill has passed the Tasmanian Parliament and will be dealt with in SA soon.

Salvation Army. The annual social of the Salvation Army was held on 20 June. Though hard work went into making it a success financially and otherwise, it was from a financial point of view, ‘a dismal failure’. [The report is not clearly written, but it would seem likely that the failure refers more to the SA effort as a whole because in Burra they raised £20 which was up £7 on 1898 and £5 over their target.]

Lunar eclipse last Friday.

The Lantern Service at the Kooringa Wesleyan Church last Sunday evening was successful. Among the hymns illustrated was Work for the Night is Coming.

Davies. The schoolmistress applied for additional desks and a shelter shed for the students. The Council thinks it is time the parents asked for the school to become permanent instead of provisional. [Note this late use of the name Davies for Hanson. Reference at about this time to the Hanson P.O. requiring further accommodation presumably refers to Farrell’s Flat.]

Rain. There has been a good soaking lately, but very little run-off.

Tennis. On Monday Burra 78 games defeated Clare 36 games.

Burra Defence Rifle Club, newly formed, practised on the range on Monday.

Football. On Monday at Clare. Clare 5.10, defeated Burra 0.1

Mr J. Roach gave his lecture on his trip to Norway to a packed Institute on Monday evening and even some ticket holders could not get seats. The views were excellent and the lantern superb. Mr Adamson showed over 100 slides. The Benevolent Society benefited by £15.

XV, 371, 5 July 1899 page 2

Advt. Rev. J.E. Hansen will conduct services in German in the German Chapel, Redruth, on July 14 at 7.15 p.m.

Advt. Rev. E.T. Cox, late of Victoria, will give a lecture in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall next Friday on ‘Charles Kingsley’. Admission 6d to benefit the local poor.

Mr W. West Sen. has resumed duties as Burra Mine Manager after his recent illness and a month’s holiday.

Salvation Army. Captain Melksham will be farewelled in the next week or so as he has been transferred to the city. He has been a most successful officer in Burra, giving excellent counsel: amiable, yet firm. Mrs Melksham has spent eight weeks in the Burra Hospital, but is now recovering.

The Copperhouse School was examined by Inspector Gold on 22 & 23 June.

The Mutual Improvement Society held a debate: Should women be encouraged to speak in public? (Last Tuesday in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall.) The vote at the end showed a majority favoured encouraging women to speak in public.

Copper Find. Some good copper specimens have been found some 30 miles east of Burra. A meeting to explain particulars of the discovery to those interested was held in the Institute on Monday. Unfortunately no lode was discovered; the samples coming from a ‘throw off’ or ‘blow up’. The meeting could not raise the £100 needed to further test the site. Since then however, a private syndicate has found the necessary capital.

Burra Mine. Boring at the Burra Mine continues systematically with encouraging results and the second bore is well down.

Burra Consols Copper Mine near Princess Royal is going on vigorously.

Mining. SA continues to spend next to nothing on Government grants to aid mineral development, while Victoria has spent several thousand pounds.

Football. There are some more details of the Burra-Clare match reported last week.

XV, 372, 12 July 1899 page 2

Salvation Army. Captain Melksham gives his farewell address next Sunday as he has been transferred to Adelaide.

Dr J.I. Sangster Sen. returns to Burra this week after three months in the South-East.

Masonic Lodge. Efforts are being made to revive the Masonic Lodge in Burra.

[Kooringa Lodge no. 6 held its earliest known meeting on 14 November 1849 and held meetings till December 1888. After a recess of 11 years the Warrant was returned in August 1899.]

XV, 372, 12 July 1899 page 2-3

St Mary’s. A successful concert was held in St Mary’s schoolroom on Wednesday evening to aid the flower stall at the forthcoming strawberry fete. £6 was raised.

XV, 372, 12 July 1899 page 3

John Bennet, whilst drunk on Saturday, threw the contents of a kettle over his wife and then a saucepan of soup. She was all the time nursing a baby.

‘Unfortunately, however, the innocent little creature seemed to have a Providential escape . . .’ [sic!!]

He was fined £1 for being drunk and an assault charge is pending.

Rev. E.T. Cox gave a 11⁄2 hour talk on ‘Charles Kingsley’ at the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Friday night.

Burra Institute. Half-yearly meeting. The library held 3,038 books with 98 added in the period. The balance in the bank was £75-3-2. There were 75 subscribers at the last return and 85 at this one. The Council Chamber has been renovated at the cost of £9-19-0. The property is insured for £3,400. Mr Fuller’s lectures did not meet the support anticipated.

Burra Defence Rifle Club has received a host of trophies and prizes to be shot for. Currently there are 85 members.

Golf. A Golf Club has been formed. The links have been laid out starting from Brewery Flat and extending over 13⁄4 miles around the old smelting works. There are c. 14 members. J.E.H. Winnall, Hon. Sec.; Dr J.I. Sangster jun., Captain; R.M. Harvey, Vice Captain.

Football. The Manoora Club visited Burra and played a game on Saturday at Victoria Park in thick fog and high wind. At times the one goal could not be seen from the goal at the other end. Manoora 1.11 (17) defeated Burra 1.6 (12)

Burra District Council. First meeting of the new Council. Crs Barker, Bowman, Killicoat, Lockyer, McWaters, Rogers & Sandland. C. Tiver, auditor. Cr Lockyer was elected Chairman for the year.

Burra Bicycle Club. First annual meeting of the club, which came into existence on 6 July 1898, was held on 5 July at the Kooringa Hotel and drew a moderate attendance. The club is registered with the SA League of Wheelmen. President is W.P. Barker of Baldina. The Vice Presidents were the late John Bagg of Spring Bank and A. McCulloch of Princess Royal. John Reed is Patron. Two successful meetings were held: one in September 1898 and the other in April 1899. £1-2-5 was donated to the Burra Jubilee Benevolent Fund. There are 26 full members, 6 lady associate members and 2 honorary members. Credit in the bank is £1-14-3. The first Captain was W.J. Richards and T.T. Shortridge was the Hon. Sec. For the coming year the Captain is W.E. Jordan and Vice Captain is Alf Walker.

XV, 373, 19 July 1899 page 2

Redruth Reformatory. Two girls escaped last week, but were arrested at Terowie after a couple of very cold nights with severe frosts. On Sunday morning there were frozen taps and water outside froze to depths of 1-3”.

Captain Melksham’s farewell social is tonight. He leaves after 7 months’ work here. Mrs Melksham has been ill for about 12 weeks and will not accompany her husband for at least a week or until she recovers.

XV, 373, 19 July 1899 page 3

Kooringa Masonic Lodge. W. West, PM of the Masonic Order, was appointed Worshipful Master of the revived Masonic Lodge at a meeting in the Institute last Wednesday. Mr West has been connected with the lodge for about 27 years.

Burra District Union Convention met on Wednesday in the Kooringa Wesleyan Hall. There was a Christian Citizenship meeting at 3 p.m., a public tea at 5.30 p.m. and an open-air meeting in Market Square at 7.30 p.m.

Football. The Burra Club met on Monday and told the secretary to inform Petersburg and Farrell’s Flat that no visits could be arranged for this year, but a test match with Clare is to be arranged at Burra and a match against Manoora for Saturday week. Next Saturday will be Burra v. Allcomers.

Burra Town Council.

A special meeting on 11 July resolved that the water rates concessions in force prior to the alterations in May be again allowed, the change having been rescinded.

Mrs Ann Baker applied for a maternity home licence.

Court.

John Bennett was charged with assaulting his wife on 8 July with scalding water. M-C Jemison prosecuting.

Sophia Bennett recalled her husband coming home at noon and asking for money, but she said it was all committed to pay bills or the baby’s needs. The butcher came then and when a small girl got her mother’s purse to pay him Mr Bennett took it from her. When she continued to deny him the money he got cross, threatened to hang himself and then threw the contents of the kettle over her followed by a kerosene tin off the fire. She ran outside and her husband followed and caught her by the hair. A daughter ran to help her and took the baby. Her husband let her go and she fled to a neighbour’s where she sent a girl for M-C Jemison. Her husband dragged her outside again and threatened to bash her face in. She went home and her husband again started abusing her. John Bennett tried to suggest his wife was drunk at the time, but the daughters supported their mother’s story. He was sentenced to two months in gaol.

John Nelson was charged with using indecent language and fined £1 or 7 days.

On a further charge of indecent behaviour he was fined £5 or 1 month.

To both charges he replied he knew nothing about the matters. He was allowed until Wednesday to find the money, but having failed, was sent to gaol.

A. Allen fined 15/- + 15/- costs straying animals

T.H. Woollacott fined £1 + costs straying animals

F.J. Carey fined £1 + 5/- costs straying animals

J. McLaren fined 10/- + costs straying animals

Thomas Bewley fined 5/- + costs for going around a corner in a cart at more than walking pace

Burra Consols Copper Mine last week sent 4 tons of ore to the Wallaroo smelters. Four claims have been secured by the syndicate.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. Work at the old slagheap is progressing with sheds and machinery being erected and the site has become a popular Sunday rendez-vous.

Burra Mine. J. Ford continues to work his claim on the old mine property.

Bicycle Polo match this afternoon with proceeds to the Burra Jubilee Benevolent Society.

‘A Sufferer’ writes that Burra has long enjoyed notoriety for the number of animals poisoned within the town – dogs – pigs – goats – fowls, whether free or tethered etc. – between 40 and 50 deaths so far this season. In the last few weeks alone four dogs and a lot of ducks and fowls in the North End and not long before it was in the South End. Police should take more interest in it. In Victoria the giver-out of poison is held responsible for the damages and strict supervision of the laying and the taking up of baits is enforced, but they are never allowed within towns.

XV, 374, 26 July 1899 page 2

Advt. Fur and Rug sale at ‘Bachelor’s Old Shop’ in Commercial St. Henry Lawrence of 124 Rundle St Adelaide offers on Friday 28 July: Australian fur goods, fox rugs, brown opossum rugs, silver opossum rugs, black Tasmanian wallaby rugs, kangaroo rugs, hearth rugs, bed and drawing-room mats etc., also ladies’ furs, capes, collarettes, pelerines, collars, foot-warmers, slippers, hand and muff bags.

[Pelerine: a long narrow cape or tippet. The shop was actually ‘Batchelor’s old shop.]

Salvation Army tonight: first appearance of Captain Stewart & Lieut. Smith.

Rain recently has done good around Burra, but more is urgently needed to the east.

Burra School Annual Concert will be held on 4 August.

Salvation Army. Captain & Mrs Melksham’s farewell social was held last Wednesday at the Barracks on the eve of their departure for Magill after a stay of seven months.

XV, 374, 26 July 1899 page 3

AO Foresters meeting of the finance committee of Court Unity No. 3015. The 40th birthday of the court is to be held on 11 August 1899. There are 187 members – 5 on the suspended list.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. Rifle match today for prizes of:

1st A sheep

2nd A bottle of whisky

3rd A turkey

Bicycle Polo Match last Wednesday. William J. Richard’s side 11 goals 14 behinds

James Richard’s side 10 goals 17 behinds

This was played on the flat at Aberdeen adjoining R. Reed’s residence. This is a good site, but small and the polo ground proper would have been better. The game raised £1 for the Burra Jubilee Benevolent Soc. and was followed by a smoke social at the Kooringa Hotel.

XV, 375, 2 Aug. 1899 page 2

Advt. A German service will be held in the old German Chapel at Redruth by Rev. J.E. Hansen on 9 August at 7.15.

Federation Bill Voting.

Yes No

Victoria 145,014 9605

Tasmania 13,800 800

Kooringa Masonic Lodge. A meeting last week made final arrangements for the reopening of the lodge in Burra and this will take place on 15 August.

Salvation Army. Captain Stewart and Lieut. Smith have ‘opened fire’ for the Army. The lassies are preparing plans for their future engagements.

Primitive Methodist Annual Dinner. This is planned for 23 August and the Rev. S. Wellington has obtained the services of Mr W. Laidlaw Toshach who is currently drawing large crowds to the Norwood Town Hall each Sunday.

Mark Dandy, aged 80, groom at the Mt Bryan hotel, broke his leg on Monday when he slipped under a young cow he was trying to get into a bail and he was brought into the Burra Hospital.

The Bible Christian Church has had to be abandoned. For some time now a section has been boarded off on account of a falling section of ceiling, but last Sunday it was decided that the old schoolroom would have to be used for services henceforth.

F.W. Holder has announced that SA has come out with a financial surplus of £32,000 after a deficit last year of £28,000.

XV, 375, 2 Aug. 1899 page 3

The Mutual Improvement Soc. met last Friday. Over 60 members and visitors attended the program of impromptu speeches and recitations.

Burra Branch of the Agricultural Bureau met on Friday for its monthly meeting. Grubs are eating much of the wheat sown early in the season in the paddock to the rear of J.D. Cave’s house. Samples have been sent to Adelaide for identification.

British & Foreign Bible Society Annual Services were held on 30 7 31 July in the Kooringa Wesleyan Church and were addressed by the deputation, Rev. James Lyall on Sunday afternoon. The public meeting was held on Monday evening in the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. Preparatory work at the slagheap continues and it is expected that things will be ready to start treating the heap in about two months. The boiler at the pumping station has been fixed and the well cleared to a certain depth and the pump will have to be set in motion to remove water to allow more debris to be removed.

Princess Royal Mine is, we understand, to be reopened and work resumed after 30 years.

Burra Mine. Boring continues.

Kapunda Mine. A company has been formed to restart the Kapunda Mine.

Gold is reported to have been discovered between Mt Bryan and Hallett in the ranges.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. At the match on Wednesday J.E.H. Winnall won the sheep.

Accidents.

Last week horses with a van carrying sewing machines bolted, starting near the hospital they went along Commercial St, Kingston St, Welsh Place, Quarry St, Welsh Place (around four awkward corners) then around again. This time at the Kooringa Hotel they hung the van on a gum tree and continued without it ending up by themselves on Limestone Hill. Three sewing machines were broken and the van considerably damaged.

Also last week one of the two horses attached to a vehicle gave a display of high kicking causing the driver to make a fast exit. The horses soon came to a halt against a tree.

On Saturday horses attached to a buggy at the railway goods-shed bolted along the line and cleared the ash-pit. There the vehicle stayed while the horses continued to the fence. The only damage was to the swingle-tree and to the harness.

Mr F. Treloar was given a farewell social at Mr Thomas Bailey’s. People from all over the district attended. He has been the manager of Gum Creek Station for the last 17 years. Mr Bailey’s woolshed became a decorated hall for the occasion. There were songs from the Misses Gillett and Bailey, recitations and readings by Messrs E. Goodridge, C. Fuss and McDonald and songs by Messrs W. Ewins, J.E.H. Winnall and G. Bailey. The usual speeches and toasts are reported. Mr Treloar had been active on the [Hanson District] Council, the Burra hospital board and the Burra Show Committee. He was presented with an illuminated address.

Football. On Saturday the Burra footballers went to Manoora. Burra could field only 16 players and their Captain was unable to get away. J. Lally took his place. In the 2nd quarter Burra was reduced to 15 men as J. Hogan sprained his ankle.

Manoora 0.0 3.4 3.7 5.7 (37)

Burra 0.1 0.1 1.5 1.5 (11)

XV, 379, 9 Aug. 1899 page 2 [Should be 376, but type upside down]

Obituary. Stanley Pearce, aged 15 years 6 months, youngest son of William Pearce jun. and Mary Pearce died. [Page 3 gives funeral details and adds it was after a long and painful illness.]

[Born 1 February 1884: died 4 August 1899]

Editorial expressing surprise at finding that the funds raised by the Public School concert were not entirely going towards prizes for students, but were in fact used for furnishing the school and some went for prizes. The public has been misled about this. The necessary appliances and furnishings are not provided by the Government, but from the concert proceeds. ‘Free education seems to have entirely lost the object for which it was passed by Parliament, and it has drifted on to a very peculiar condition.’

None of the schools are furnished adequately to meet the requirements of teachers who are compelled to buy various essential articles. Children have to buy every book etc. required for schoolwork and to this we do not object, but it is not fair when money raised for their own benefit is expended on school furniture.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry, we hear, will soon start up again and so absorb some of the town’s surplus labour.

XV, 379, 9 Aug. 1899 page 3 [Should be 376, but type upside down]

Grubs. The grubs eating P.L. Killicoat’s wheat have been identified as the larvae of the click-beetle for which there is no easy cure, but fallowing or a dressing of gas lime might be effective.

Public School Concert. The wet weather would have defeated any other concert on Friday, but the Public School concert filled the Institute Hall. The items and performers are all listed.

[Master B. Fuss brought down the house with ‘How Jimmy tended baby’.

R. Fuss and J.E. Ewins performed the dialogue: ‘Brutus and Cassius’.

R. Fuss is presumably L. Robert Fuss, but B. Fuss is a mystery unless he is also Robert = Bob in another guise.]

W.H. Hardy writes re the shows of copper east of Burra and immediately to the south and also of the gold to the north near Ulooloo. He also writes of gold to the west around Watervale and Mintaro and of the Burra Slag Extraction Co. It is to be hoped that all with money to invest will enable the mineral bearing country on all sides of Burra to be fairly tried. Prospects are good and all that is needed ‘is pluck, enterprise, and a little capital’.

‘Pro Bono Publico’ complains that:

Copperhouse school children are placing fencing wire in the way of a lady cyclist near Austin’s Corner past the railway station.

The Council has done nothing to repair a dangerous washaway near the same spot which caused an accident to Mr W.A. Rabbich who was pitched out of his cart.

Burra Town Council.

A deputation from the Friendly Societies’ sports Committee requested that Victoria Park be readied for bicycle sports. Decision deferred.

SAMA refuses to consider a site for the relocation of the rubbish depot. Solicitors for the Municipal Assoc. are to give advice whether the Local board of Health are empowered to acquire land for a rubbish depot.

Dr Sangster appointed Health Officer at £25 p.a.

XV, 380, 16 Aug. 1899 page 2

Kooringa Masonic Lodge. The Freemason’s Lodge in Burra was re-opened last night with many visitors in attendance. A banquet followed at the Burra Hotel.

AO Foresters Court Unity Lodge No. 3015 celebrated its 40th birthday with a social at the Kooringa Hotel on Friday evening. Numbers exceeded capacity and many had to wait their turn to sit down. Toasts and speeches in plenty. Mr C. Fuss proposed ‘Forestry with success to Court Unity’. He said forestry was in existence in 1847 – one present, Mr J.M. Hunt, had joined Court Perseverance in Adelaide in that year. In 1899 the lodge in SA had 70,000 members and a capital of over £90,000. Vice Chairman, W.J. Davey said Court Unity had started on 11 August 1859 at the Court House in Redruth, before moving later to the Institute. The first meeting had 20 members. Still living from then were H. Nankervis (Father of the landlord of the Burra Hotel), Mr Davis (Father of Thomas Davis of Aberdeen), John Clements (of Cobar NSW), Evan Jones (of Spalding) & Robert Bevan (of Redruth). Other early associates were J. Sampson (the present Mayor, though absent due to ill health), James Prior, William Prior, R. Collins, R. Hoare, J.R. Gray, C.B Griffiths & D. Wells. In the first ten years growth was very slow with only ten new members and funds reaching £95. After 20 years there were 44 more to make 74 in all with funds of £233. From 1879 growth was more rapid and the 30th anniversary saw 135 members with £738. Membership was now 187 with £1,529.

The Juvenile Court – Court Pride of Burra – was a valuable source of members.

The toasts and speeches were supplemented with songs and Bro. A.B. Hiddle delighted the audience with several musical selections on the gramophone. The Burra Orchestra also attended.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. On Saturday the 2nd match began, to be completed today.

Letter to Editor complains of the state of the hospital drain which leads into the creek.

XV, 381, 23 Aug. 1899 page 2

Advt. Redruth Wesleyan Wattle Blossom Fair 1 September.

Advt. Members of the old Burra Racing Club are called to meet on Friday afternoon at the Institute to decide on what to do with the surplus money now in the bank to the club’s credit. P.L. Killicoat, President.

Advt. Burra Show 27 September.

Advt. Anniversary of the Bible Christian Church 3 & 4 September.

Annual dinner on Monday 4 September, 5 p.m., 1/-, and a Grand Recital Entertainment in the evening, 6d.

Mr Joseph Snell of Broken Hill, is recovering from the injuries he received a few days ago at Block 10.

Methodist Union: last week the Presidents of the Wesleyan, Bible Christian and Primitive Methodist Conferences attached their names to the legal deed accomplishing Methodist Union which will consequently take place from 1 January 1900.

Adelaide Tram Companies are considering converting to electric cars.

Freemason’s Banquet. On this occasion W.J. Davey tried the ‘flashlight’ process for the first time in the north to get good photographs of the occasion.

[One of the photos remained in the Masonic Hall until it closed & was sold in 2004 to Meredith Satchell.]

Burra Racing Club. No race meeting has been held in Burra for some time now, though apart from the apathy of members there is no reason in particular why one could not be staged.

Dutton’s Troughs. Prospecting on the property of the Pt Pirie syndicate at Dutton’s Troughs, south of Burra, has been stopped with a view to forming a company to work the claim. The shaft is down 30’ and a lode of coper 12’ wide has been discovered.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The old smelts area is busy and the crushing will soon begin.

Ulooloo. A 15 oz nugget of gold is reported.

Fire. Mr J. T. Tregilga’s store and butcher’s shop at Hallett are reported burnt down.

Rabbits are reported to be numerous around World’s End.

Burra Defence Rifle Club shooting continued last Wednesday when A Bennetts with 66, won the bag of spuds, Moore with 65 won 12 lb of cod and W. Page with 62 secured a clock.

Court.

Joseph Smith fined 10/- + costs for driving his cab around a corner too fast.

F. Gebhardt, Baker of Thames St fined the same for a similar offence.

Obituary. John Treglohan, aged 68, died 17 August in Adelaide. He was for many years a Burra resident, arriving in SA in 1854 and working as a carpenter at the Burra Mines. He became a member of the Burra Lodge MUIOOF on 2 April 1856 and was a member for 43 years and a colonist of 45 years. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church and leaves a widow and family.

Burra Town Council

The offer of the Friendly Societies’ Sports Committee re the proposed alterations to Victoria Park was not accepted.

The legal advice re the rubbish depot is that the Local Board of Health has not the power to acquire, but that the Corporation has under the Municipal Corporations Act 1890.

Kooringa Wesleyan Tennis Club held a successful concert on Monday evening.

XV, 382, 30 Aug. 1899 page 2

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. It is expected to be six to eight weeks before the machinery can start crushing the slag.

The Primitive Methodist annual effort has been very successful. Crowds attended the dinner and there was a good house at the Institute in the evening. Proceeds exceeded £30.

W. March, on his way to work, followed a rabbit briefly and found H. Roach’s cashbox which was stolen some time ago. Inside were found three keys and a couple of postal notes, but no money and no cheque drawn by W. Taylor.

XV, 382, 30 Aug. 1899 page 3

Burra Racing Club. A small group met on Friday to consider the club’s finances and adjourned till Saturday next for a final decision.

Cricket. The AGM of the Burra Cricket Club was held in Mr Pascoe’s rooms on Friday and it was decided to reform the old club. J. Bentley was elected Secretary, W. Edwards, Treasurer and J.M. McBride, President. The Captain & committee to be chosen on 31 August.

Burra Bicycle Club. First outing of the season was on Wednesday to Mr Barker’s at Baldina when 22 took part. In the afternoon a bicycle polo match was played at which W.J. Richard’s side won 13-11. There was a moonlight ride home by c. 8.30.

XV, 383, 6 Sep. 1899, page 2

Duldig’s Creamery had been forced to close due to lack of supplies because of the poor season. The early rains in 1899 saw plentiful milk and consequently the creamery is operating again.

Tennis. The recently formed court in connection with the Wesleyan Church was opened on Monday.

Rev. W.G.M. Murphy delivered his popular address on America, illustrated with magic lantern views, at St Mary’s schoolroom on Wednesday evening. Proceeds will aid the flower stall at the strawberry fete.

Redruth Wesleyan Church held a Wattle Blossom Fair on Friday and raised £50, which was about £25 down on last year.

Police Court, 30 August

Michael Connor received 48 hours detention for drunkenness.

Charles Rambache received 48 hours detention for drunkenness and a similar sentence for making ‘use of choice Billingsgate’.

XV, 383, 6 Sep. 1899, page 3

Burra Cricket Club met in R.D. Pascoe’s room on Thursday with W.D. Hardy in the chair.

M. Gurry was appointed Captain and E. Davey was made Vice-Captain.

Football. In the final game of the season Burra played a combined Booborowie-Spalding team.

Burra 4 (24) defeated Booborowie-Spalding 2.7 (19).

Burra defence Rifle Club, Monday: Commercial Travellers 609 defeated Burra 466.

Commercial Travellers fired at the Port Range and Burra at home where they had to contend with a very choppy wind.

In a similar contest with Renmark: Renmark 377 defeated Burra 355.

The best shots for Burra in the afternoon were H. Ullmann, T. Bentley, A.J. Riggs & J.J. Blott.

Bible Christians held their annual effort on 3 & 4 September when ‘Uncle Harry’ of the Children’s Sunbeam Society was to conduct all services, but was unavoidably absent on Sunday and was replaced by Rev. W.G. Clark in the morning and Rev. W.O. North in the evening. The afternoon service of song, Woodland Music, was conducted by J. Davey with Arthur Davey at the organ and C. Pressick giving the connective readings.

XV, 384, 13 Sep. 1899 page 2

Mutual Improvement Society. Next Friday Rev. W.A. Potts will lecture on An Evening with a Scotch Novelist. [This is later reported to have been on J.M. Burrie, which is presumably meant to be J.M. Barrie.]

Accident. When a gun was fired close to a horse carrying Mr J.H. Dawe’s two children from Stony Gap School to their home at Princess Royal, they were flung to the ground. The horse ran home and has since refused to be ridden.

Rain. 1.58” has fallen recently and was much welcomed after a dry spell. For some crops however, it is already too late. The fall has this time extended to the east.

A Bolt. On Saturday morning Charlie Grow’s cab bolted from the station. Someone trying to stop the horses caused it to overturn at the Royal Exchange corner. The horses and harness were not damaged, but the same cannot be said for the cab.

Obituary. William George Mant drowned in Dare’s Dam 40 miles east of Burra in the hundred of Tomkinson. When reported on Thursday M-C Jemison and Mr E. Statton JP of Hallett set off to investigate. Mant, aged 20, was a rabbiter on Collinsville after leaving home a few weeks ago for family reasons. He apparently got cramp while swimming in the dam. It took some time dragging the dam to recover the body. [Died 7 September 1899]

Friendly Societies’ Parade service next Sunday at St Mary’s at 3 p.m. Offertory to the Samaritan Fund of the Burra Hospital.

Obituary. Mary Ann Wilks aged 19 years 5 months, daughter of Elias and Mary Wilks, has died at her parents’ residence after a long and painful illness. [Born 30 March 1880: died 4 September 1899]

Advt. F.W. Holder will preach at the Bible Christian Church in Kooringa 17 September.

XV, 384, 13 Sep. 1899 page 3

Advt. Rev. J. Homann jun. will preach at the German service at the old German Chapel Redruth on 17 September at 11 a.m. English service at 7 p.m.

XV, 385, 20 Sep. 1899 page 2

Burra Defence Rifle Club held a firing match for Allcomers on Wednesday. G. Dow top scored with 59 and won the porker.

Cricket. Next Saturday the season opens with Baldina playing Farrell’s Flat at Victoria Park. [But see the report in the paper of 27 September where it seems to have been World’s End v. Farrell’s Flat on the Brewery Flat!]

Rev. J. Homann jun.’s services last Sunday at the German Chapel were well attended and much appreciated.

Friendly Societies’ Parade service last Sunday at St Mary’s was crowded. The offertory to the hospital was £4-12-6.

XV, 386, 27 Sep. 1899 page 2

Burra Show today at Victoria Park. 1/-.

A Concert at World’s End on Wednesday was given by a group from Burra. [This would appear to have been associated with the World’s End school annual sports day.]

Burra Racing Club met on Saturday at the Commercial Hotel. An attempt is to be made to co-ordinate the meetings of the Burra, Kapunda, Martindale and Clare clubs so that horses can start from Adelaide and run at all four meetings before going on to Petersburg and Broken Hill. The Burra club has been registered and will run under SAJC rules with a totalizator to be secured.

Cricket. The general meeting was held on 19 September with W.H. Hardy in the chair. The committee is to arrange a concert on 11 October to aid the club.

In the game on Brewery Flat last Saturday Farrell’s Flat defeated World’s End by 9 runs.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The machinery was tested on Friday and went well. The clearing of the well is proving more of a problem than first thought and work should start in 4-6 weeks.

Dutton’s Trough. No work of any value has been done yet to test this promising claim.

Princess Royal Mine. Work continues with a number of shafts sunk.

St Mary’s. The Bishop of Adelaide, Rev. Dr Harmer, held a confirmation service on Thursday evening when 20 candidates were presented.

XV, 386, 27 Sep. 1899 page 3

Football. The Burra Football Club held its final meeting for the season on 19 September. They played 8 matches for the season and won 5. There were 37 members and 16 honorary members. Subscriptions raised £6-18-11 and gate takings were £3-7-5. Printing etc cost £2-9-7, Balls £3-16-1, Travel £2 and hire of ground 19/9, leaving a credit balance of 12/11.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. Wednesday and Saturday match.

E.A. Pearce 93 won a three-decker cake

S. Moore 86 won 5 lb of tea

H. Ullmann 84 won a silver medal

G. Herbert 83 won a photo frame

T. Bentley 80 won half a bag of flour

H.R. Scott 79 won a silver mounted purse

XV, 384 (2), 4 Oct. 1899 page 2

[Wrongly numbered and also wrongly dated on page 1]

Kooringa Wesleyan Church Anniversary on Sunday last when Rev. S. Cuthbert of Port Adelaide preached three times. Tea meeting was on Monday.

Burra Lodge MUIOOF will celebrate its jubilee on 13 October with a public social.

A Bolt. Charlie Grow’s cab horse bolted again last week and the cover was ripped off by a tree, the cab and horses continuing on their way.

A Debate in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall on Friday night addressed the question: Does the Totalizator encourage gambling and should it be abolished? John Drew spoke for and W.H. Hardy against. A small majority supported John Drew’s views that it does encourage gambling and should be abolished.

Flux Material has been found near Gum Creek about four miles west of Burra. Block 14 at Broken Hill will take all that the promoters can raise if the quality proves adequate. The railways will lay a line from Hanson if the syndicate will provide half the cost. [It is not clear if Hanson means present day Hanson (formerly Davies) or Farrell’s Flat, but probably the former since the railways never used the name Hanson to refer to Farrell’s Flat.]

Catholic Bazaar & Art Union at the Institute on 6 & 7 October. The Vicar-General the Very Rev. W.H. Norton will open it.

Mr Treloar’s illuminated address is on view in the Record Studio’s window and will be handed over in a few days.

Wheat to the west of Burra (In the Leighton, Ironmine & Shafton areas.) is splendid, especially where artificial manures were applied.

The Boy’s Brigade was recently formed in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall and several of the Prince Alfred College Boys assisted by Miss Mabel Best consented to assist by giving a concert on Thursday evening. J. Drew, an old PAC scholar, occupied the chair. (Mr C. Scanley Newman, Mr J. Harley Morrell, Mr E.H. Armstrong Stirling.) There was a gymnastic display by E. Arthur Brummitt & R. Douglas Brummitt, who also did club swinging and juggling. After the interval a performance of Bob Sawyer’s Picnic Party from Pickwick Papers convulsed the audience.

The Burra Show was a great success. In general it was held to be the best since 1894. There was the problem of three other shows the same day. A full report of exhibits and prize winners takes three columns.

There was a successful concert in the evening at the Institute which took c. £18.

XV, 384 (2), 4 Oct. 1899 page 3

[Personal interest:

In the vegetables C. Oppermann did best among the amateurs and Ah Chin scooped the pool in the open section.

In the flowers many prizes went to A. Fuss (August) and to an unknown Miss L. Fuss. Also Miss W. Fuss was first for a hand bouquet with C. Fuss 2nd.

Miss W. is also a mystery.

Collection of cut flowers A. Fuss 1st Miss Fuss 2nd

Six cut flowers A. Fuss 2nd

12 annuals Miss L. Fuss

6 annuals Miss L. Fuss

3 annuals Miss L. Fuss

6 ranunculi Miss L. Fuss

3 ranunculi Miss L. Fuss

Verbenas Miss L. Fuss

Hand Bouquet Miss W. Fuss C. Fuss 2nd

Lady’s spray Miss L. Fuss 2nd

Miss L. Fuss was also 1st in sponge cake and pencil drawing.

In Art & Industries: Freehand pencil drawing: L. Fuss.

In the School Class for 5th Class children:

A. Fuss 2nd to A. Bentley for map of Asia

B. Fuss 2nd to A. Bentley for drawing on sheets

M. Fuss for visiting cards.

In manual work for boys R. Fuss was 1st in Fretwork, and also in Brush Work and Cane Work.

These are somewhat mysterious. A. Fuss is unknown and M. Fuss could be Myrtle, though she would have then been almost 16 years old.

B. Fuss could have been Bessie Marguerita, though she rarely used her first name.

A. Bentley was presumably Alison (Al.)

R. Fuss would have been Lawrence Robert Fuss.]

XV, 388, 11 Oct. 1899 page 2

Advt. Jubilee Social for Loyal Burra Lodge No. 10 IOOFMU at Burra Institute Friday 13 October. 2/- or for 2 or more 1/9 each.

St Joseph’s. The Jesuits will soon cease to run the mission at St Joseph’s in Burra. When Rev. Father Haendl leaves he will be replaced by Rev. Father Mahoney.

[Bur see XV, 390, 25 Oct. 1899 p.2 when it turns out to be Rev. Father Doyle.]

Obituary. Mr N. C. Harry, teacher at Leighton School died after an illness of one week, aged 62.

[Nun Coleman Harry died 5 October 1899]

Mr P. Pendlebury, solicitor, who has been in practice in Terowie for some years has moved from there to Clifton Chambers in King William St, Adelaide, but will retain his practice in the north if he is required there.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. The manager, Mr Martin, hopes to get a trial crushing through by the end of the month. Mr May, in charge of the concentrators is nearing completion in setting up operations. The water supply has now been assured.

Obituary. Mr Benjamin Franklin Langsford, who conducted the Record in Mr Holder’s time and wrote articles on the City of Big-Big which appeared in the Burra Record some years ago, died in Adelaide last week through taking a dose of chlorodyne. He could speak eight languages fluently and was of a moderate and sober character, but allowed his mind to dwell on petty grievances so that at times he lost control of himself. [Registered as Benjamin Franklin Langford, died 5 October 1899 aged 73]

St Mary’s Sunday School Picnic was held on Wednesday at Princess Royal. There was an abundance of food and sports and it was not much spoilt by a couple of showers.

Adelaide Exhibition. Details of the Century exhibition in the city next year are now available from Mr W. Davey, the secretary of the Burra Institute. Prize funds have reached £500 and the scope of the work is wide, including special competitions in music, pianoforte, violin, singing, laundry work, cookery, student work, for students at the School of Mines etc. Manufacturers etc. will show goods and trade practices. It will run through March and April 1900.

XV, 388, 11 Oct. 1899 page 2-3

Robert Giles, a former Burra boy, reports his trip around the world.

XV, 388, 11 Oct. 1899 page 3

Cricket. In a scratch game to start the season A. Lott’s side 45 was defeated by W.H. Hardy’s side 76. A concert in the Institute tonight aims to raise money to repair the Victoria Park pitch.

W.H. Hardy writes citing a slightly incorrect report in the Sydney Bulletin on the Burra Slag Extraction Co. in which he heartily agrees with their statement that ‘If anybody wants an illustration of the danger of allowing companies to secure the freehold of mines he can get it at the Burra seven days in any week’.

Court, 4 October.

Frederick Camp of Hampton was fined 5/- + 15/- costs for assaulting his wife. He was further charged on the information of his wife with being a habitual user of alcohol and she asked for an order forbidding anyone from supplying him with alcohol for 12 months. The order was made under the Inebriate Act.

9 October.

F. Camp fined £1 for being drunk.

Primitive Methodist Anniversary next Sunday. Rev. S. Wellington and Rev. H.J. Pope will preach. Public meeting and supper on Monday.

Justices of the Peace.

A list of Justices of the Peace appointed in Burra since J.D. Cave in February 1868. No new appointments have been made since 1895 when A. Harris was appointed.

John Darby Cave 26 Feb. 1868 H.S. Dunn 8 Sep.1886

John Lewis 7 July 1875 P.L. Killicoat 20 Sep.1888

Philip Lane 25 Oct. 1876 T.W. Wilkinson 10 Dec. 1890

W.R. Ridgway 12 Dec. 1877 J. Tiver 23 Sep. 1891

R. Collins 12 June 1878 W. West 23 Sep. 1891

R. Brummitt 25 Aug. 1880 D.J. O’Leary 12 Oct. 1892

T. Sandland 23 Aug. 1882 C.H. Bartholomæus 7 June 1893

E.C. Lockyer 4 Oct. 1882 J. Rogers 24 Dec. 1894

R.J. Needham 12 Sept. 1883 A. Harris 24 Dec. 1895

J.M. McBride 16 Oct. 1883

XV, 389, 18 Oct. 1899, page 2

Redruth Court, 17 October

J. Gully, T.H. Woollacott, James McGowan, T.J. Williams & W.J. Williams were given fines ranging from 10/- to £1 plus costs for straying stock.

Thomas Harris was charged by J. O’Connell ranger for Mt Bryan DC with rescuing impounded cattle. After a regular set-to in court the SM dismissed the charge.

Thomas Murray was fined 5/- for drunkenness and £1 for indecent language.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church held its anniversary last Sunday & had a tea meeting on Monday. Rev. S. Wellington preached in the morning and Rev. H.J. Pope, President of Conference, preached afternoon and evening.

A Concert in aid of the Cricket Club at Burra Institute on Wednesday evening was not a financial success, raising only £3-12-9. [C. Fuss was among the performers.]

Miss Lulu Gillespie, a native of Burra, will visit on 3 November for a concert aimed to raise some money towards sending her to Europe to further her musical studies.

Influenza is prevalent at present.

Loyal Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF (Oddfellows) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday. Influenza reduced the expected attendance. Apologies were received from the Mayor of Adelaide and the Mayor of Burra (J. Sampson). W.J. Davey took a flash photo of the assemblage.

PG T.T. Shortridge, acting for W. Davey, read the jubilee report, which outlined the history of the society. The Order was established in England in 1809 and now has 804, 415 members with a capital of £9,657,460. In SA it was established in Adelaide in 1840. In 1868 the society in SA was divided into four districts. In SA in 1898 there were 12,062 members and funds of £218-353-5-8.

In Burra the society was established on 14 March 1849 as the Burra Burra Lodge Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity. It met first at the original Burra Hotel. The first meeting was conducted by Prov. Grand Master Wicksteed, Prov. Deputy Grand Master Dyke & Prov. Corresponding Secretary Hillier. Founder members in Burra were:

Thomas Jones James Thompson

William Coote John Dixon

William Williams John Bennetts

Gordon Stewart Charles James Ware

By the end of March 1849 there were 30 members and that had risen to 123 by the year’s end. In 1851 there were 267 members, but the Victorian gold rush saw a decline in numbers that became so severe that the lodge had to close. The Central Lodge worked the branch from 18 March to 14 October 1842 [sic: for 1852], but in January 1853 the branch reopened. Membership had fallen to 150. By the end of 1858 it had climbed to 360. Numbers fell with the removals to Wallaroo & Kadina in the early 1860s. Present number is 273. On 19 November 1888 a Juvenile Branch was formed, which about 50 have joined, of whom 21 have transferred to the adult lodge and 20 have run out. The worth of funds is now £5,389-10-1 or £19-14-0 per member.

The income and expenditure figures are then printed and they show that by far the greatest expenditure has been in sick pay. In round figures payments for sickness benefits have totalled £16,600 and fees paid for medical attendance totalled £5,476. District levies were £6,773. Payments on members’ deaths had been £4,330 and benefits paid on the death of members’ wives had totalled £732.

Toasts were proposed by: Rev. S. Wellington, W. Pearce Sen., J. McLaren, J. Jenkins, Dr J.I. Sangster, E.A. Pearce, C. Fuss & T.T. Shortridge. [Considerably more detail is printed.]

XV, 389, 18 Oct. 1899, page 3

Burra School Board of Advice elected Mr A. Harris as chairman for the ensuing year.

Obituary. Nero Crewes was found hanging from the bridge across the creek between Chapel St and Queen St by his collar and chain. The somewhat humorous account of this apparent suicide regrets that police were not informed and an inquest not deemed necessary. It becomes clear that Nero was E.W. Crewes’s dog.

‘Gabriel’ writes that three great pieces of news came to hand last Wednesday:

The Boer War had begun

Mr Crewes’s dog had died

Wesleyans in the event of Methodist Union have the prior right in selecting a parson.

‘G.C.’ writes complaining that the Methodist connections are competing with each other for attention. The Bible Christians found the traditional date for their annual dinner had been taken by ‘Redruth friends’ and then that on the alternative date they had to compete with the Wesleyans who were opening their new tennis court. The ‘Prims’ had their anniversary last Sunday only to find special Wesleyan services on that date as well.

‘Go Alone’ also writes to cry rubbish to Rev. Wellington’s claims to priority over the other ministers after Methodist Union. He predicts that if Union occurs a free church will start in Burra ‘to heal the wounds of those who have been dealt wrongfully with’.

A Rifle Match spread over Wednesday & Saturday last is reported.

Cricket. A meeting in R.D. Pascoe’s rooms on 16 October decided the club would play Clare at Clare on 13 November.

Burra Town Council, Monday

Routine matters were dealt with.

Waterworks

The engineer reported that the water conservation department was now timbering a portion of the well to make it more secure. The machinery is working satisfactorily.

XV, 390, 25 Oct. 1899 page 2

Obituary. Elizabeth Bevan, wife of Robert Bevan, died aged 66, after a long illness (asthma & paralysis), leaving six sons and 22 grandchildren. A colonist of 46 years.

[Registered as Elizabeth Beven: born Elizabeth Davis, died 18 October 1899]

Mr A.H. Forder, who has for so long been associated with the Redruth Court will be presented with an address and a purse of sovereigns at 4 p.m. on Friday in the Council Chamber. The JPs of the district have taken the initiative in the matter.

A Shearers’ Meeting last Saturday evening in the Institute was held under the auspices of the AWU. The main reason was to bring to the attention of “T.U.” sheep shears manufacturers their concerns about the deteriorating quality of shears.

St Joseph’s Church adherents met on Friday evening in the convent schoolroom to farewell Rev. Fathers Haendl and Kriston of the Jesuits. Rev. Father Norton VG occupied the chair. The Jesuits were leaving Australia for their different European Colleges, being called home. The incoming priest is Rev. Father Doyle from Port Pirie who was heartily welcomed.

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir from Adelaide will visit Burra on 12 November and take part in services at St Mary’s

Salvation Army. The Army has been preparing for self denial week which is a world-wide effort to raise money for their work.

XV, 390, 25 Oct. 1899 page 2-3

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works.

At various times the idea of extracting copper from the old slagheap has been raised as technology of the time was known to be inefficient in extracting the metal from the ore. Tests have been made several times and results suggested to many that a profit could be made. Mr Paynter, some years ago erected a small crushing plant and put a considerable parcel of slag through, but due to unforseen circumstances had to discontinue and sold his plant. Since then others have decided it would be a profitable exercise if modern machinery and some capital were employed. A syndicate was formed with James Martin & Co. of Gawler at tis head, called the Burra Slag Extraction Co. Arrangements have been made to treat some hundreds of thousands of tons of slag. A site was chosen, a little to the south of the heap on suitable falling ground on the east side of the creek and on which an elaborate crushing and concentrating plant has been erected. It is to be managed by Joseph Martin of Gawler with Mr Matt. May for Block 10 of Broken Hill as concentrator. A trial crushing should begin in a few days. The plant is housed in a structure erected by R. Latter of Gawler. A good water supply has been arranged ‘which can give many points to that meagre arrangement called the town supply’. A well has been provided some 150’ deep into which plunger pumps have been fitted driven by a Martin & Co. pumping engine and the water fed to two enormous iron tanks at the works proper.

‘In treating the slag considerable care will be necessary . . . on account of the savings been [being?] in a matalic [sic: metallic?] state’. But as work proceeds if necessary other appliances will be added consisting chiefly of an elaborate new vanner [sic] being patented by Mr May, in which material will be reduced with little if any loss of water.

The slag will be trucked along tram lines to a pair of cages at the foot of large bins then hoisted up 50’ and tipped into the bins then through a powerful stone breaker, going thence per launder to an enormous pair of rollers to be further reduced then elevated to the trommels and a section having been treated by battery the classifier and jigs will carry it to the final stage of concentration. Motive power is a high pressure engine fed by two large Cornish boilers. The site has its own blacksmith’s and carpenter’s shops, store and office. The engine and pumps were run on Sunday when many visitors went to the site. The plant should be in full working order in a week or so. There is a heavy 10-head battery.

[A vanner is a machine for separating minerals from earth etc. A trommel is a rotating cylindrical sieve. A lauder is a trough of water used to carry material or in separating materials.]

XV, 390, 25 Oct. 1899 page 3

R. Brummitt writes a letter in reply to a couple of letters expressing concern over the Methodist Union in the previous issue. His answers include:

The alleged clash of the Redruth Wesleyan Bazaar and the Bible Christian Anniversary was an ‘accident’ of the calendar in 1899. The bazaar was always held on the first Friday in September. The anniversary was celebrated on the Eight Hours Day Holiday. This year they happened to coincide. Preparations were too far advanced to change before it was noticed. Both were a success.

The tennis in the afternoon which ‘G.C.’ saw as an evil rival of the dinner actually served as a preparation for it and many went from one to the other, indeed the dinner was so well patronised that there was not sitting for all – a strange result of antagonism and enmity!

There were complaints of the clash of the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Anniversary with Wesleyan Special Services. The latter are world wide services for Children’s Sunday. With five Methodist churches in the town some overlapping is inevitable says Brummitt and surely the remedy anyway would be union.

As for expressing appreciation of our minister – this is surely understandable and any recommendation for the future will go to the United Conference – along with those from other meetings held before the Union and the decision on the placement of ministers will be made by that body.

Brummitt says he has long advocated union and rejoices in its imminent consummation. Those who look for offence in the inevitable difficulties of adjustment will find it even where none was intended. Rather try to put a favourable construction on our brothers’ acts.

Cricket. A scratch match was played at Victoria Park on Wednesday.

Goodwin’s Side 46 & 15

Adam’s Side 43 & 86

Last week at World’s End Robertstown 86 & 76 (162)

lost to World’s End 127 & 3 for 45 (172)

At Victoria Park on Saturday H. Goodwin’s Side, 75 defeated E. Davey’s side 51.

Blacksmiths fix prices.

From 1 October the price of shoeing will rise on account of an increase in the price of iron to 5/- per set, cash. Signed:

T. Harris A. Miller W. Henderson

W.J. Hayes W. Rule S. Burns

Obituary. After a short illness of about one week John D. Cave, aged 77, has died at his residence, Victoria Park. [sic] He was a resident for almost 30 years and a prominent townsman. He was interested in the Institute, was active in the early years of the first Agricultural Society [i.e. Show Society] and in the Anglican Church. He was Secretary of the Burra Hospital from its inception and clerk of the Burra and Hanson District Councils for many years. As a JP he was respected for impartiality and he took an interest in sports in the area. He was auditor of the Town Council and Secretary of the National Defence League. The funeral on Saturday was largely attended. He leaves one son, H.F. Cave (Manager of the National Bank, North Adelaide) and four daughters: Mrs P.L. Killicoat (Abberton Park), Mrs A. Butterworth (Adelaide) and the Misses F. & E. Cave of Victoria Park. [sic]

[In this item Victoria Park should read Victoria Place.]

[Registered as John Darley Cave: born 2 February 1822, died 20 October 1899 aged 77. Darley should be Darby]

XV, 391, 1 Nov. 1899 page 2

Editorial on Boer War Actions.

The writer was against the small contingents sent from the Australian colonies individually. If aid were needed then the colonies should have combined and if Britain asked for help they should have sent 15,000 to 20,000.

Australian troops were about to arrive in Transvaal.

Advt. Strawberry Fete on 17 November at Burra Institute.

W. Davey becomes acting clerk for Burra D.C.

Miss Lulu Gillespie will give a concert at the Burra Institute on Friday evening assisted by local amateurs.

Grasshoppers are a pest east of Burra.

A. Bartholomæus, Burra town Clerk, advises payment of town rates within ten days or face legal action.

Burra Mutual Improvement Soc. staged a mock Parliament to discuss household suffrage and the desirability of the SA Contingent to South Africa. Ultimately both were favoured by those assembled.

XV, 391, 1 Nov. 1899 page 2-3

Jubilee Singers. The Original Jubilee Singers of Mr Orpheus M. McAdoo will return after seven years for a performance at the Institute on 2 November. They have visited ‘almost every civilised country’. They sing original songs with complex rhythms, sometimes almost seeming to be without rhythm and at others almost compelling the audience to tap their feet. ‘The entertainment is unique, clean, and wholesome in every respect, and one to which any man would delight and take his family, and is patronised and endorsed by the clergy and Christian public throughout the world.’

XV, 391, 1 Nov. 1899 page 3

Dutton’s Troughs.

The Pt Pirie Syndicate has let a contract for a shaft at Dutton’s Troughs on the strength of Captain Osborne’s recommendation and expect to find lode at 50-60’

Burra Slag Extraction Co. at the Smelting Works. Machinery is working satisfactorily and actual work will soon commence.

A.H. Forder was presented with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns at the Council chamber on Friday last. The Mayor, J. Sampson jun. presided. Mr Forder was Clerk of the Local Court at Redruth for many years. The Mayor said he had been associated with him for 24 years and found him a gentleman of the highest order, always obliging and kind. Mr Forder has resigned and intends to leave the district.

[The address is then printed.]

Hon. J. Lewis MLC said Forder had filled the clerkship for 40 years, was returning officer for 38 years and in that time not a single complaint had been lodged against him. He had always interested himself in the young – given good advice and taught them music and assisted in his own church.

Others to speak were P. Lane JP, W. West JP, E.C. Lockyer JP, T.W. Wilkinson JP, A. Harris JP, Thomas Sandland JP, J.M. McBride JP, D.J. O’Leary JP, and J.E.H. Winnall JP. Mr Forder replied and related several funny incidents from his career.

XV, 391, 1 Nov. 1899 page 3

Mr Forder started work as a solicitor’s clerk in his father’s office. In 1852 he came to SA and moved to Burra. Most men were then in Victoria on the goldfields and gold flowed in. Often one heard that Mrs So-and-so had 1⁄2 lb gold sent her. Little change was in circulation so tradesmen gave change in IOUs. Mr Forder then went to the diggings for three years and on return took a farm at Clare for a while, but it failed. On returning to Burra he opened a public school and when the Redruth School was built he accepted a post there as headmaster. In 1860 he was appointed Clerk of the Redruth Court and held the position for 40 years all but 3 months. In 1870 he was appointed returning officer in which position he has been singularly successful and popular. Even when results were as close as 7 or 2 no recount has been asked for.

Column by ‘Fossicker’

The Town Council has spent diverse sums on tar paving experiments, but so far without success. The recent trial near the National Bank still needs attention. It is useless to proceed unless it is done by those who understand it.

The Legislative Council is delaying in the matter of household suffrage.

Consideration of the Mt Horrocks water scheme seems very drawn out.

The Friendly Societies’ Sports Committee are very perplexed about where to hold the meeting. Victoria Park is in such a poor state. The council should spend some money here, and not let it become a white elephant.

Cricket. Burra 134, Mt Bryan 3 for 61 when stumps were drawn.

Scratch match at Victoria Park on Wednesday

Goodwin’s 48 & 88 (136) defeated Davey’s 37 & 49 (86)

‘G.C.’ & ‘Go Alone’ reply briefly to Brummitt on Methodist Union.

Rev. J. Homann will conduct two services in the old German Chapel in Redruth on Sunday 5 November. In the morning in German and in the evening in English.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. Half-yearly meeting shows a credit balance of £7-7-9 in the bank plus £1-1-11 cash. Winner of the last match was A. Millet.

XV, 392, 8 Nov. 1899 page 2

Advt. Grand Concert by the St Peter’s Cathedral Choir in the Institute Monday 13 Nov.

The Jubilee Singers were well received and as good as ever.

Miss Lulu Gillespie gave a farewell concert on Friday in Burra before going to Europe to study music. All her items were well sung and well received.

Burra Public School. About 30 of the students took advantage of the cheap excursion fares on Friday morning to visit the Public Schools Show in the city and they enjoyed it all immensely.

Guy Fawkes Night passed with little enthusiasm this year and seems destined to fade from memory. The kiddies made a few bonfires and burnt a few guys.

Muriel Pearce in Adelaide has gained 1st honours in the recent piano competition for girls over 14, playing ‘The Coronation March’. Miss F. Queale gained 1st prize for the piano selection for girls under 14.

Obituary. Mr J. Affolter of Booborowie has died, aged 40, in the Burra hospital.

[John Jacob Affolter died 31 October 1899 aged 41]

Burra Waterworks.

Mr Lapidge, the Waterworks Engineer for some years now, has had to resign on account of the long hours of work needed. In summer he has to work 16 to 18 hours a day. The problems are exacerbated by the smallness of the reservoir and the numerous other duties he is called on to carry out. We urge the committee to take steps to retain his services as he is such a worthy and reliable officer who has the qualities and abilities to carry out the many tasks required. He has saved the town a handsome sum in repairing meters and other tasks. It will be impossible to get a better qualified man.

Salvation Army. Self Denial Week. Last year the target was set at £30 – a rather large sum for a town like Burra and only £25 could be raised. This year the target was set at £27 and £28-6-0 was collected despite the fact that ten of their best collectors were laid low with influenza. In Australia £25,500 was raised.

Cricket. On Wednesday at Victoria Park Adam’s Side, 75 defeated Hartnett’s Side, 49.

XV, 392, 8 Nov. 1899 page 3

Burra Town Council. Retiring officers due to the effluxion of time:

Mayor J. Sampson Jun.

North Ward Charles August Fuss

East Ward John McLaren

West Ward John Edward Hyde Winnall

Auditor John Darby Cave (Deceased)

Burra Waterworks

The Water Conservation Dept. has dropped suction pipes to within 3” of the bottom. Water in the well is still falling and the present depth is about 6’.

The chimney stack needs replacing, the mains have not been flushed in the last two months and the boiler needs chipping.

Pumping takes from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The report on the Mt Horrocks scheme puts the cost at £34,000.

The Engineer has given notice of leaving in four weeks’ time if no other arrangements can be mutually arrived at.

Column by ‘Fossicker’

There is a suggestion that legislation might be brought to bear on owners of inoperative mines.

‘Fossicker’ is clearly against the Boer War:

‘But what’s the fight all about, anyway; is it worth the candle?’

He quotes a Sydney Journal re J.D. Cave: ‘the best known and physically, perhaps, the biggest figure in SA municipal politics outside the city. For thirty years he was at the Burra, for some time as the colleague of Treasurer Holder, who got all his financial experience as the local town clerk. Also as expert flower raiser – a chrysanthemum and some other things are named for J.D. Cave.’

Why is there yet no stir about municipal elections?

‘Fossicker’ adds his support to Forder’s well-wishers.

Court.

Fines for drunkenness went to:

Archibald McDonald J. Carr

M. Connor John Murphy

John Bennett M. Hartney

Robert Wise was fined £5 + £3-19-6 costs for not travelling 5 miles a day with 6,000 sheep in the Hundred of Anne.

XV, 393, 15 Nov. 1899 page 2

Notice. Nominations for Town Council are called.

Editorial is enthusiastic over the Burra Slag Extraction Co.’s efforts, but condemns the inaction of SAMA. The Slag Extraction Co. has been active now for some days on a trial basis and will shortly begin in earnest with three shifts working. The editor commends the enterprise and courage shown by the Slag Extraction Co. and urges a similar show of activity in the mine and a push from the town towards that end.

‘If we were in another part of the world with such a favourable surrounding the mine would be worked, proved and developed to its utmost capacity and instead of our population continually decreasing there would be a striking difference.’

The Slag Extraction Co. has also purchased 500 tons of slag from the old Apoinga Works to be carted to Redruth for treatment. This was so primitively treated that it should be even richer than the Redruth heap. The cost of setting up is perhaps over £4,000, but the excellent price of copper now warrants action.

Salvation Army. Returns suggest that SA raised £2,615 and Australia £27,109.

Burra District Council has now appointed W. Davey as District Clerk, replacing the late J.D. Cave and John Morgan has been appointed Overseer etc.

Redruth [Wesleyan] Church Anniversary on Sunday. The afternoon service of song: A Child of Jesus. The picnic on Monday was at Koonoona.

An Ambulance is sorely needed to convey people to the Burra Hospital – especially for those arriving by train as a result of accident or illness referred from elsewhere.

XV, 393, 15 Nov. 1899 page 3

Grasshoppers invaded the town in their millions on Friday, but they soon headed off south.

Burra Water Supply. Clearly a £30,000 water conservation scheme for a town like Burra is unnecessary and something will have to be done other than the Mt Horrocks Scheme. Something will have to be done as the old mine is dewatered and the Waterworks well has only a few feet of water in it. We expect some activity in the Burra Mine rather sooner than many people think.

Cricket. Burra went to Clare on Monday with a team of the best players. Clare scored 375 in the 1st innings and Burra replied with 93.

Aberdeen Ballast Quarry Accident.

Last Wednesday morning a fatal accident occurred in the Aberdeen Quarry at 11 a.m. George Robert Allen, aged 21, was working as a shunter. He got an empty truck in motion with a horse and ran alongside it with the presumed intention of putting down the break [sic] and fixing the sprag on the opposite side. He tripped over a pile of stones and fell under the wheels of the truck which passed over his body, chest and left arm, severely crushing and lacerating him. He was extricated from the wheels by foreman ganger Keys and his brother John Allen and conveyed to the mouth of the quarry. Dr Brummitt came at once and ordered his removal home. He lived about 40 minutes after the accident, but was not heard to speak and succumbed to his injuries before reaching home. The deceased was a fine strapping young man, very steady and careful in the execution of his duties and bore an excellent character from his officers and fellow workmen. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon and was largely attended: 56 fellow workers marched as a last token of respect. Rev. W.H. Rofe, Wesleyan minister officiated.

Inquest.

The inquest heard from various witnesses who all confirmed the above. The only matter at issue was the pile of stone he tripped over which the railways were clearly anxious not to be blamed for. The pile of metal was removed before it could be inspected. The verdict was that it was an accident with no blame attachable to anyone. ‘The jurymen graciously decide to hand over their fees to the parents of the deceased.’

Burra Races have been set down for 7 February 1900 with those at Clare on 17 January, Martindale on 24 January and Kapunda on 31 January.

Obituary. William Pearce Sen., aged 79, died Tuesday from influenza. He came from Leighton buzzard in Bedfordshire and sailed for SA with his wife in February 1848 in the David Malcolm, arriving at Port Adelaide in May 1848. He worked in Adelaide as a tailor before moving to Burra in 1849. When the goldfields opened up he went to Victoria for c. 2 years. Back again in Burra he was a tailor before trying farming rather unsuccessfully. He was a member of the Burra Burra Lodge for 49 years, having joined in March 1850 and was very active in it. In 1878 he was financial secretary and was treasurer until 1894 when he retired as the result of a serious accident. He is survived by his wife (aged 80), four daughters and one son. There are 32 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He took an active role in the Wesleyan Church. There will be a memoriam service on Sunday evening by Rev. W.G. Clarke and the funeral is today at 2.30 p.m. [Born 9 November 1820: died 14 November 1899]

St Peter’s Cathedral Choir gave a memorable performance at St Mary’s on Sunday and went out to W.P. Barker’s at Baldina for a picnic on Monday before their Monday evening concert in the Institute – of glees, part songs, songs, and comic sketches. This was their fourth visit to Burra.

‘Ratepayer’ writes urging the Waterworks Committee to find a way of retaining the services of Mr Lapidge, who has done such excellent work over the last five years.

Obituary. Catherine Wade was helping her daughter, Mrs Hartnett, with the washing on Monday afternoon when her dress caught alight from a lighted stick falling from the laundry fire. Despite medical help Mrs Wade died at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Mrs Hartnett received nasty burns to her hands and neck while trying to extinguish the flames. There was an inquest which returned a verdict of accidental death. [Catherine Wade, wife of Andrew Greville Wade, was born Catherine McDonald: died 13 November 1899 aged 60]

Burra Defence Rifle Club. Match on Monday in strong winds and variable light. 7 shots at each of 200, 500 & 600 yds. Burra 592 defeated Clare 579.

XV, 394, 22 Nov. 1899 page 2

Obituary. Catherine Wade, died 14 November, aged 60, wife of the late Andrew Greville Wade.

Editorial on the Girls’ Reformatory. For some time the authorities have been considering transferring inmates to the care of the Salvation Army: it would be cheaper. ‘The Reformatory is a failure – a misnomer, a deception.’ Girls emerge from it with less hope, more callous and more wretched. Some are there for quite trivial offences and some sent by parents for being beyond their control. It is inappropriate. The Army says it could keep a girl for half the 18/4 a week the Government expends.

Burra Waterworks.

The town water supply will be cut off to allow chipping of the boiler from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Monday. In the last week the water level in the well has fallen a further 4”.

Burra Mine. Boring was to have ceased on 11 November, but owing to the discovery of a magnificent lode of high grade ore the directors have decided to continue the work to prove the find. There is nothing to prevent the property from being worked – ‘unless it is expected to scoop up moulded pence as well as maleable [sic] copper’

Some good lodes have been discovered in this year’s boring operations: No. 1 bore went down over 1,000’. No. 2 bore found high grade ore at c. 700’ and ‘It is astonishing that the directors do not bestir themselves in this very important matter.’

Rabbits are invading occupied land to the east of Burra from unoccupied Crown Land, in their thousands. Farmers are easily destroying 150 to 200 a day.

Grasshoppers played havoc with anything green in Burra last Wednesday, but the cool change sent them off elsewhere.

W.H. Hardy has been asked to stand for North Ward at the Council elections in a largely signed requisition. He consents provided Cr Fuss does not intend standing again and Cr Fuss has indicated that he will not be standing. Cr McLaren has been asked to stand again for East Ward and E.W. Crewes has been asked to allow himself to be nominated for Mayor.

St Mary’s Annual Strawberry Fete had a good attendance at the Institute last Friday, raising £80.

The Local Board of Health in Burra is in credit to £118-1-8 so there should be a reduction in the health rate this and in the parklands rate.

XV, 394, 22 Nov. 1899 page 3

‘Fossicker’ considers the Mine directors are adopting a dog-in-the-manger approach to the mine.

He also calls for improvements to Victoria Park.

He laments the deaths of young [George] Allen, poor old Gordon [?] and Mrs Wade.

Douglas Primitive Methodist Church celebrated its 18th Anniversary last Sunday and Wednesday. Rev. S. Wellington preached. Tea meeting Wednesday.

Inquest into the death by burning of Mrs Wade.

Catherine Hartnett, daughter, said her mother came to assist with the washing and near the end sent her to lie down. While she was doing so her mother’s dress caught fire and Catherine got her hands badly burned trying to put it out.

D.A. Crosby saw the deceased after the fire, said she was perfectly sober, and said to him that a stick of fire had fallen out of the copper onto her dress. She had lived about 9 hours after the accident.

Letty Ford corroborated the comments about the cause and had wrapped the deceased in a blanket to extinguish the flames.

Dr Brummitt gave evidence relating to the extensive burns and the likelihood of severe shock as a result.

The verdict was accidental death as a result of her dress catching fire, with no blame attached to anyone.

Burra Waterworks. The level has dropped a further 3” since the last Council meeting. The cost of a new boiler chimney is to be obtained and the boiler is to be chipped. The water will be cut from Saturday evening 25 November to Monday evening.

XV, 395, 29 Nov. 1899 page 2

Karculta Mine. There are rumours that a syndicate is being formed to reopen this old mine.

Burra Waterworks. Mr Jenkins, the Commissioner of Public Works, said in Parliament this week that preparations were being made to deepen the well to increase Burra’s water supply.

Burra Mine. Boring has been stopped and the derrick taken down. Action at the mine has virtually ceased.

Debate at the Kooringa Wesleyan Lecture Hall last Friday evening: It is the duty of the State to provide work for the unemployed.

W.H. Hardy spoke for the motion and E.F. Lockyer opposed it.

The vote was against the principle.

Ambulance. Burra has received a van from Adelaide to serve as the Burra Ambulance Van.

Mr John Land, post and telegraph master of Kooringa, has been appointed Returning Officer for the District of Burra to replace Mr A.H. Forder who has resigned.

Advt. Christmas Festival on 1 December in Burra Institute by the Kooringa Wesleyans: Luncheon and Afternoon Tea with strawberries and cream.

Municipal Elections.

Mayor: E.W. Crewes (elected unopposed)

West Ward: C.C. Williams (elected unopposed)

North Ward: W.H. Hardy (elected unopposed)

East Ward: Cr J. McLaren

Mr J. Ford

Election for East Ward on 1 December.

Central Board of Health’s Mr Desmond has made castigating remarks about the slaughterhouses in both the Burra Corporation and District Council areas. Failure to correct the situation will lead to a fine of £10.

Burra Show Society. Meeting estimated that the society would be better off by between £20 and £25 as the result of this year’s show. Next year’s show to be 21 September, subject to confirmation at next meeting.

Burra Waterworks. At the ratepayers’ meeting Cr Cox moved and Cr Pederson 2nd that the Waterworks be handed over to the Government. The lack of notice that this was to be moved was the wrong way to go about the matter.

SAMA was very lucky to get the services of Mr P. Leahy to conduct the drilling over the last two years and one week. The drill in that time had sunk through 1,808’ 9” of rock at minimum cost due to breakages. We will be interested to see how he goes with his new job at the Ediacria [sic] boring plant – four engineers so far having been unable to cope there. [Presumably Ediacara, west of Beltana.]

XV, 395, 29 Nov. 1899 page 3

Ratepayers’ Meeting.

The Mayor’s Report showed a balance in the bank of £83-17-4. It listed work done in each ward and showed the following credit balances in other accounts:

Parklands £20-19-8

Cemetery £41-7-5

Waterworks £229-5-0

Local Board of Health £118-1-8

The Waterworks account would drop by £160 in early January when the Government lease payment was due and by c. £20 for a new chimney.

Questions were asked about the Parklands expenditure.

Mr Henderson questioned expenditure on Taylor St amounting to £37-9-0. From the answer of Cr Fuss this would seem to include Packard St as he explained why so much more than the estimated £20 was needed and pointed out that it was authorised by an earlier Council and he had stated before his re-election that he would be asking for work to be done on the road to his house.

E.W. Crewes said he would allow his name to be put forward as candidate for Mayor. He had been living in the town for 22 years. He had previously been a Councillor. He understood matters of importance would be coming up soon. The Waterworks well had only 5’ of water in it and reports from the Mine sounded encouraging and if work there was restarted we should have to look for another source of supply. Perhaps something could be done by clearing out Jilbert’s Well and moving the plant there. The old plant was now obsolete and it would repay the council to purchase a new six inch plunge pump which would pump more in less time at a lower cost. At any event anew pump was needed.

Cr McLaren said that the balance in the Health account was in part because Council thought that the new regulations under the health Act would cause extra expenditure – a medical officer had to be paid. He would like to see the rubbish depot relocated, but so far they had been unable to get a new site from SAMA.

W.H. Hardy, candidate for North Ward, said he was getting old and not as lively as he used to be. He was concerned with the Waterworks and thought the present plant of little or no use. He believed that a move to Jilbert’s Well on the opposite side of the creek and still pumping to the present reservoir would serve and cost about £250. It would be better in Council hands rather than with the Government. He favoured spending money on trees and in beautifying the parklands, including Victoria Park.

Cr Cox moved that ‘it was desirable to hand over the Waterworks to the government’. He was 2nd by Cr Pederson.

Mr Jenkin spoke against.

Mr Hardy moved ‘the matter be allowed to stand over for the new Council to deal with’ and was 2nd Mr Jenkin.

[The report is not very clear about what happened next, but it seems that Hardy’s amendment was lost and the Cox motion carried, which then allowed the question to be put to the ratepayers at the municipal election on 1 December.]

Karculta Mine. The venturers could not get access to the land as the mining rights were held by SAMA which demanded £100 for a 20 acre site and 5% of the gross value of all metals obtained. This was discussed in Parliament as an unreasonable demand. Moves were made in Parliament to allow prospecting on privately owned land.

XV, 395 (2), 6 Dec. 1899 page 2 [Second use of No. 395]

Burra Slag Extraction Co. As soon as possible three shifts will be put on. It has been deemed inadvisable to work through the night with kerosene lamps so electric lights are being procured – the first to be seen in Burra.

Municipal Election

East Ward: J. McLaren 39

John Ford 38

[The actual figures are only given on page 3 column 2.]

On the Waterworks question

North End Kooringa Total

For returning to Government 21 29 50

For Council retaining 6 43 49

XV, 395 (2), 6 Dec. 1899 page 2-3 [Second use of No. 395]

Burra Waterworks Meeting, 29 November.

The Mayor, J. Sampson jun., presided at a meeting of ratepayers called to discuss the Waterworks. About twenty were present at the start, but others drifted in later.

Cr Fuss said the Council had tried to get concessions from the government with respect to both the capital account and the interest rate, but with little success. There was now only 5’ of water in the well and it was falling daily. The plant required replacing, meters were required and would mean considerable outlay. If the Government took over we would get a good supply of water and as for the fear it would be at a higher price he didn’t think so – we were already paying as high a rate as any district in SA. He moved ‘That it is the opinion of this meeting that the waterworks be handed back to the Government’. Cr Winnall 2nd. He supported the above and said that the Council was a fluctuating body, lacking consistency in skills and ideas, and it also lacked capital. He also complained about the Government’s attitude to the capital cost which was now as high as it had been 14 years ago. Interest was higher than for any other SA town.

Mr J. Jenkins opposed the motion, moving as an amendment ‘That this meeting be adjourned to a day to be named by the new Mayor for further consideration of the matter.’

The chairman said he did not intend to put the motion so no amendment was necessary.

Cr Hardy spoke in support of returning the waterworks to the Government.

XV, 395 (2), 6 Dec. 1899 page 3 [Second use of No. 395]

Burra Town Council, 30 November.

The final meeting of the old Council. A letter was received tendering the resignation of the Waterworks engineer after five years’ service. Accepted with regret.

4 December, First meeting of the new Council.

Mayor, E. Crewes & Crs Cox, Hardy, Pederson, McLaren, Williams and West.

Meetings to be 1st & 3rd Mondays at 7.30 p.m.

Rev. W.G.M. Murphy, of St Mary’s Rectory, writes protesting the leading article of 15 November concerning the ineffectiveness of the Reformatory.

The editor replies by sticking to the charges and saying that the article does not condemn those in charge, but was rather against the system.

Advt. Meeting of the Burra Racing Club at the Commercial Hotel Tonight to consider the date of the next meeting.

Wesleyan Christmas Festival at the Institute on Friday.

E.W. Crewes opened the festivity at 2 p.m. and attendance increased in the afternoon and evening. There were stalls of needlework, sunshine work, flowers and pot plants, sweets, farm and dairy produce, cakes, cool drinks, toys, refreshments, post office, strawberries & cream and in the evening a variety program. Nett proceeds were £58-11-2.

XV, 396, 13 Dec. 1899 page 2

Obituary. James Chynoweth, husband of Mary Jane Chynoweth, died 10 December, aged 63. He took no active part in public matters, but was a consistent and useful church worker and superintendent of the Sunday school for 15 years. He was a class leader, teacher, society steward etc. in the Primitive Methodist Church and a town resident for over 24 years. He leaves an adult family of three sons and three daughters: Samuel (Kadina), James (Wallaroo), William (WA), Mrs Thomas Bentley (Burra), Mrs L.L. Wicklein (Burra) and Mrs B. Harris (WA).

Boer War. Children in the town are mimicking the war in Transvaal, throwing road metal at each other, and then closing in with sticks etc., until parents dragged them off by the ears.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. received the first load of slag from Apoinga on Monday.

SA Government. After only a few days in office [7 days] the Solomon Ministry is out and Mr Holder has formed an uneasy Government with Holder as Premier and Treasurer.

Burra Town Council is seeking legal advice as to whether the vote on the Waterworks should have been confined to water consumers only.

Burra Burra Lodge MUIOOF financial meeting showed that there were 266 members.

XV, 396, 13 Dec. 1899 page 3

Miss M.M. Kellock, was given a farewell social at Douglas on 6 December by the Young People’s Improvement Society of Thistlebeds. She is leaving the district.

Burra Races. The SAJC has allotted 31 January as the day for the Burra Races. Total prize money will be c. £100 and the totalizator will be arranged. This timing will allow horses to run at Clare on 17th, Martindale on 24th, Burra on 31st, Peterborough on 14 February and then go on to Broken Hill.

Burra Defence Rifle Club. There will be a firing match today against Kapunda.

The match last Saturday was fired over 200, 500 & 800 yds and Clare 560 defeated Burra 502.

Cricket. Burra Cricket Club met at R.D. Pascoe’s on 11 December. They will play the Mongalata’s [sic] on 16 December at Victoria Park at 2.30 p.m.

United Friendly Societies’ Sports have been arranged for Boxing Day, but it is feared the bicycle events will not be up to expectations.

Burra Slag Extraction Co. is installing new machinery with a view to its being in operation by the year’s end.

Burra Town Council has resolved that the tar paving near the National Bank be given another coat.

Court.

Charles Lowe & Arthur Clode were each fined 2/6 + 5/- costs for allowing horses to stray.

Walter Pearce & John Wise were each fined 2/6 + 5/- costs for driving around a corner at more than walking pace.

The police reported the case to Inspector Gray of a trap left with unchained wheel – that of John Robinson Gray – with the result that the Inspector summonsed himself and was fined 2/6 + 5/- costs!

Rabbits are in plague proportions at World’s End and in the Hundreds of Baldina and King.

T. Kitchen dissolves his partnership with Mr Jordan, trading in Kooringa as storekeepers, and commences business on his own account in the shop between Messrs Urwin & Sons & J. Snell’s in Market Square.

XV, 397, 20 Dec. 1899 page 2

Editorial on the festive season and looking back on 1899 which has been a year of war in Transvaal and of tolerably good results commercially, though grain was not as good as hoped for, but wool was rising to high prices. There have been four years of bad harvests. Population in Burra was about the same as twelve months ago in spite of the general depression and employment has been found for all, which is more than could be said 12 months ago.

Our Boys Brigade will camp at World’s End for 26 & 27 December.

Sports will be held at Booborowie, Black Springs and Waterloo on Monday (Christmas Day) and at Burra on Boxing Day, Tuesday. Business places will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church will celebrate its last anniversary services on Sunday next, before the Methodist Union comes into effect.

Kooringa Masonic Lodge on 12 December held its first annual meeting since the lodge was resuscitated.

Reaping will be in full swing in the coming fortnight.

Burra Mutual Improvement Soc. will hold its first social in the Wesleyan Lecture Hall tonight with a program of songs and recitations etc.

W.K. Shortridge, eldest son of T.T. Shortridge has left Adelaide to take an engagement with A.E. Builder of Cue, WA. He was previously with Messrs Charlick Bros of Rundle St, from whom he received excellent testimonials.

Obituary. Thomas Shaw Allanson, aged 79, employed for many years at Faraway Hill Station, died at Chalker’s Station on his way to Burra Hospital following an apoplectic fit. He was an old identity of the Eastern Plains. One son, Thomas, is a storekeeper at Cockburn. [Died 14 December 1899]

Fire. On Saturday night a lamp was dropped in John Hunter’s Boot Palace when a lad was taking it down. It burst into flames, but they were fortunately extinguished before much damage was done. The town still possesses no fire fighting equipment!

A Concert in aid if the Transvaal Patriotic Fund will be held in the Burra Institute on Thursday 28 December.

A Memorial Service for James Chynoweth was impressive at the Kooringa Primitive Methodist Church last Sunday evening.

XV, 397, 20 Dec. 1899 page 3

Court.

John Ford was fined 10/- + costs for keeping a pig about his premises.

Ernest Crewes writes a letter urging support for the Transvaal Patriotic Fund. Money will be used to aid the sick and wounded soldiers in the war.

The Editor adds – ‘this is not a case of philanthropy, but the duty of every British subject to give their mite towards assisting the brave men, who are now engaged in the biggest struggle that has taken place for some time fighting for the honour of old England’.

Cricket at Victoria Park on Saturday. Burra 194 defeated Mongolata, 60.

Burra Defence Rifle Club: Wednesday at Burra, fired over 200, 500 & 600 yds.

Kapunda 626 defeated Burra 529.

Burra Town Council, 18 December.

The Burra Council form a committee to invite shilling subscriptions to the Transvaal Patriotic Fund and calls for a public meeting next Friday in the Institute to raise funds. The question of a fire reel was left to the public works committee to communicate with the Fire Insurance Companies.

A committee was appointed to report on a better location for the rubbish depot.

Advt. A Public Meeting is called for 22 December to discuss the best means of aiding the Transvaal Patriotic Fund.

Advt. Transvaal Patriotic Fund Grand Concert, 28 December.

Characteristics of the 1899 Paper.

Page 1.

There were the usual large advertisements: many from out-of-town.

Page 2.

Other advertisements, classifieds, public notices. The news often starts here, but sometimes not till page three, or very nearly. Editorials were few.

Page 3.

Most of the news was here, but it tended to be a fluctuating quantity. The paper began the year with little padding, but the column ‘Something for Everybody’ was a column of jokes. There was usually a serial story.

Local news mostly came in short paragraphs and was normally a fair coverage, but there are papers where it barely extends beyond three columns.

Advertisements were more clearly differentiated from news than in earlier years of the 1890s.

Page 4.

Advertisements and a useful column of local information covering Burra Markets, Municipal Officers, Banks, Postal Regulations, Courts, Train Timetables, Lodges, Cabs and District Council Officers.

Serials for 1899 were:

Old Carl’s Rug by U.X.L. began on 25 Jan. and ran till 22 Feb.

Old Bill by Louie, author of Leonard Carr’s Wife etc. appeared on 1 March & 8 March.

The Cabbage Tree Man by U.X.L. began on 15 Mar. and ran till 5 April and then again on 21 June, 5 July, 19 July, 26 July & 9 August.

A Christmas Mask by U.X.L. ran from 23 August to 27 September.

Sam Wilson’s Three Visits began on 13 December and then remained unfinished at year’s end.

Numbering of issues in 1899.

Volume XV continued from its start on 7 December 1892 and ran for the whole of 1899.

The series began with Volume XV Number 348 on 4 January 1899.

and continued to

Volume XV Number 397 on 20 December 1899.

Numbering was reasonably coherent with only a few irregularities.

Numbers from 348 to 354 repeat a series used in 1896 and for this series the number in round brackets indicates the number of times it was used in Volume XV to the 20 December 1899 and the number in square brackets indicates the times used in an earlier sequence and the year in which this occurred.

348 (3) [2, 1896]

349 (1)

350 (8) [7, 1896]

351 (2) [1, 1896]

352 (3) [2, 1896]

353 (3) [2, 1896]

354 (5) [1, 1895]

The series then begins using numbers not previously used and runs fairly regularly from 355 to 397, although the following irregularities do occur:

355, 384 & 395 are used twice (the second use of 384 sits irregularly between 386 & 388)

356, 363, 376, 377, 378 & 387 are not used.

The jump from 375 to 379 occurred when the ‘6’ destined to make up 376 was placed upside-down to read 379.